A Hardened Heart

10.31.2009

Mark 8:17 17 And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet see or understand? Do you have a hardened heart? New American Standard Bible

It seems they missed the point; whoever was in charge of procuring the food, forgot to procure it. You’d think among twelve men, someone would have remembered to get food, c’mon; they’re men for crying out loud! It’s no wonder food dominated their thinking…

Jesus rebukes them, “Dudes! What’s all this concern about food? Don’t you know who I am; didn’t I just feed 9000 thousand with just a handful!? What is wrong with your hearts!?” I think you could've jack-hammered through the silence…

Sometimes my heart get’s pretty hard when I allow it. Somebody says something; I get a bill in the mail; circumstances get a little jiggy. I seem to turn my belief on and off like the disciples did. I think that insults my loving and caring God who has said, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you..."

In Christ I am called to live at a higher plane of living and experience with God – we all are. I am called to quote His word to my fickle unbelieving heart and to stand firm in my convictions of who He is and what He’s done – in my past, present and future - we all are. Do I have a hardened heart? Do you? Sometimes I do but it’s my job to fight it with all my might and to believe with every nth of my being. I’ll do that until I die and I choose to live in belief today.

Father in Heaven,

You do all things well – You take away my heart of stone and give me a heart of flesh. You help me and are teaching me to live at a higher place. Fill me with the Holy Spirit this day to follow hard after You and to resist the hardening of my heart – I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Caught

10.30.2009

Mark 5:34 34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.” New American Standard Bible

I wonder how many people would like to hear the words, “[Child,] your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.” I wonder how many have woken up this day and longed to be freed from whatever it is that is bothering, afflicting, or tormenting them. The woman in Mark 5 had been dealing with her affliction for t w e l v e y e a r s. That’s a loooong time.

But she was (we like this word in modern progressive American society) proactive; she made the attempt to do something about her condition by approaching the One whom she thought was a prophet. Her mindset was something along the line of, “If He can’t do it… nobody can.” So she went and she touched and she was healed and she got caught. (Memo to self, don’t ever (even in faith) try to sneak up on God…) She got caught and she had to confess what she did. You see, she was unclean and according to their law, she wasn’t even supposed to be out and about. She was an outcast, a pariah, and she was breaking their precious law that did nothing to help her with a condition that oppressed her, stressed her, and refused to go away… she had to come clean about being unclean. What will your circumstances drive you to do?

But here is what got her off the hook with God: her faith. Hebrews 11.6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” (NASB) God rewarded her faith and He rewards mine – every time. Faith, is believing that only God can help me when no one else can. Faith is risking it all on what God has promised. Faith is going to the point of possible extreme public humiliation just to hear God say, “Atta girl! Your faith has made you well!” Like the woman, I’m gonna walk in faith today and listen for God’s pleasure as I do.

Father in Heaven,

You allow our circumstances because they can build our faith. You aren’t mean-spirited or harsh, You just want us to know that no one else can truly help us. I learn from this lesson today to be like the woman, to ignore my circumstances and keep sneaking in to touch Your garments because there I find my healing and there my faith in You makes me well. Thank You God! Amen.

What You Listen To

10.29.2009

Mark 4:24 24 And He was saying to them, “Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides.” New American Standard Bible

In Mark 3, Jesus’ relatives were saying, “He’s gone nuts!” (3.21). Then the scribes were saying, “He’s demon possessed!” and “controlled by Satan!” (3.22) and Jesus gives to warnings. First, don’t call, by your standard of measure, what is good, bad (v. 3.29); and second, “Take care what you listen to.” (4.24)

How we make judgments and live is determined largely by what voice (or whose) we listen to. We may listen to the news and make judgments or we may listen to the voice of our parents and upbringing and make judgments from that. We may listen to the voice of education or voice of politics; or the voice of finance and commerce. We can listen to the voice of medicine or sports. We are spoken to and affected by many societal voices but Jesus simply teaches, be careful (or aware) of the voices we listen to in order to live our lives. The man who tunes out God's voice lives at great risk.

The other side of this is Jesus reminding me that by my standard of judgment, it will be measured back to me. In other words, if I treat others in a certain manner, I shouldn’t be surprised if others treat me that way in return. So if I listen to the voice of God then my judgments (and actions) are influenced by Him. Who I listen to and how I respond determines how I live…The promise is, if I listen to God and obey Him, then I get more and more of what He has to live my life well.

Father in Heaven,

You speak, I’ll listen. You direct, I’ll obey. Help me to live listening to Your voice and filtering the rest of the voices through Yours. Help me to judge wisely and lovingly and to measure correctly. Fill me with the Holy Spirit to hear and obey, I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Who He Came To Call

10.28.2009

Mark 2:17 17 And hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” New American Standard Bible

There are four kinds of people in the world:

1. Those who are and know it

2. Those who aren’t and know it

3. Those who are and don’t know it

4. Those who aren’t and don’t know it.

Jesus came to deal with those who aren’t and they know it; He was always and only opposed by those who aren't and don’t know it; Jesus came to save sinners who know they are sinners and know that only Someone bigger than themselves can do anything about it.

The Pharisees didn’t know they were sinners – they thought they were righteous; their righteousness was based on their performance, not on what God said or did.

The older I get the more I know I don’t know, but the more I turn to the One who does know. I was raised to believe in performance and I found out that doesn't always work; I’m not that smart, creative, good looking, or driven. What I do know these days is that if anyone is going to save me, it's God – no one else. Jesus came to call sinners to Himself and in order to go to Jesus, that means I have to be knowledgeable of and willing to deal with my sin. Before Christ, and in Christ I do so – not with anyone else.

Father in Heaven,

Today is a day to admit You are right and I am not. Today is a day to rejoice in my salvation and to stay in the glow of Your forgiveness and love. I realize just how broken and flawed I am and I am glad even in the midst of that You love me, forgive me, and continue to work in my life to help me grow in Your grace and knowledge. I am and I know it, only because You opened my eyes and let me see Your glory. Help me this day to walk only in Your grace and to live with my eyes focused only on Your face – I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Spoken For

10.27.2009

Acts 28:22 22 “But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.” New American Standard Bible

Hmmm, sounds like today, the truth is spoken against everywhere. And why shouldn’t it be; God is spoken against everywhere. No, not by everyone, but certainly by those who cannot accept His rule, authority, judgment of sin, or love.

I marvel at how broken mankind really is and the lengths God has gone to save us. But I also marvel at the stubbornness, arrogance, and unbelief that speaks against the Way. Man cannot admit his condition…

I must daily seek opportunities to share my views and what I believe. Most speak against the truth simply because they choose to believe what someone else has told them and they haven’t researched it on their own. My mission as an ambassador is to speak for the truth whenever and wherever possible, and to speak up for God. That requires I live as God calls me to live so that my words match my behavior and conduct.

Father in Heaven,

You are the Truth and You are spoken against everywhere but mostly because people don’t understand how much You love and care for people and how You desire to be their Friend. Help me to recognize and seize the moments for You this day and to live up to my calling in Christ, I pray in His Name, amen.

For this Purpose

10.26.2009

Acts 26:18 18 ‘…to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’ New American Standard Bible

Let’s get some things straight, there is darkness, but there is the light. There is a dominion of Satan but there is also the dominion of God. There are sins but there is God’s forgiveness, and there is human poverty but there is also a divine inheritance. And there are those who are made holy because they believe in Jesus Christ and live a life that evidences that belief. Paul was commissioned and sent by Jesus Christ to communicate all those wonderful things to the Greco/Roman world. And the Jews hated him for it…

What is our mutual purpose today fellow believer? Ours is to do nothing more or less that what Jesus commissioned and sent the Apostle Paul to do; we are ambassadors for Christ wherever we are today; that is our purpose and mission. We’ll be mocked, ridiculed, hated and pursued but that is what we are to do.

It’s Monday here and today I go off to work to ‘…open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Christ.’ My vocation just helps me support my habit…

Father in Heaven,

You desire all men to turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to You in order for them to receive forgiveness of sins and eternal fellowship with You along with the holy ones who have done so. Help me carry out my mission today with zeal, patience, and tenacity; and help me to resist the temptation to be a religious politician rather than Christ's ambassador – I pray in His Name, amen.

God’s Purpose

10.25.2009

Acts 21:13 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” New American Standard Bible

Paul was set in his way; his mind was made up; he was going to Jerusalem – no matter what anyone told him and regardless of what was going to happen. Looking at the picture up close, it was a foolhardy decision, or at least it appeared to be. Looking at the bigger picture, God used Paul’s visit to Jerusalem to get him to Rome to share the gospel there. The evidence of that can be found in his letter to the Philippians where Paul writes, “All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.” (Phi. 4.22) Because of Paul’s journey and persecution by the Jews in Jerusalem, we read later in Philippians that there were believers in Caesar’s household. Wow!

It was all because of his mindset. Paul was convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was to do what God told him to do regardless of the consequence. I want to live a life like that because to forsake God in order to save my own skin is foolhardy; this world offers nothing of lasting value in return for such a transaction.

So I’m working at making up my mind and learning to submit to the One who truthfully said, ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ (Acts 21.11) Paul was supposed to be delivered over to the Gentiles to accomplish God’s purpose in Rome! Is it too much to ask that I do the same in Baker City, Oregon? I think not…

Father in Heaven,

You have saved me and called me and my life is not my own. I pray that Your purposes be accomplished in my life and that I bring glory to Your Name in all I do – in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Our Mindsets

10.24.2009

Acts 20:24 24 “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. New American Standard Bible

This is another one of Paul’s tremendous statements. He draws a line in the sand at the biggest hindrance to the gospel: what he holds (or considers to be) dear to himself. Why? Well, whatever we hold dear to ourselves we'll protect. That raises the question, what is dear to me, Paul Turk? The Apostle Paul jettisoned all of what was dear to him so that he could focus solely on what Jesus Christ gave him to do (i.e. ‘finish his course’ and the ministry which he received from the Lord Jesus). Paul adopted a mindset that he was going to do what Jesus told him to do no matter what.

What is the difference between me and the Apostle Paul? We’re both believers. We’re both called. We’re both gifted and sent. I think the biggest difference is our mindsets. Paul was immovable from what he had determined to do; unfortunately, I’m a little looser around the edges…

So, what are my priorities and what do I hold dear? That’s a question to consider. Now is the time for war, not peace. Now is the time for action, not retirement. Now is the time for pain to gain. I must, I will, follow Jesus and I will give all of what I hold dear to Him that I may somehow, some way, accomplish all that He has given me to testify solemnly of the good news of the grace of God.

Father in Heaven,

You have called men and women from every nation tongue and tribe to be a part of Your team and have given and gifted all of us to do what You’ve intended to do since before the world was made. Father, today I recommit to You to not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, and to testify solemnly of the gospel of Your grace; I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Familiar Deities

10.23.2009

Acts 17:18 18 And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. Some were saying, “What would this idle babbler wish to say?” Others, “He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities,”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. New American Standard Bible

Try preaching Jesus and the resurrection to people today and you’ll probably get quite a reaction. Many will sneer. Many in America would roll their eyes and say, “Not this again!” Many would think you were proclaiming strange deities.

American culture is not necessarily polytheistic; American culture is not mostly a-theistic (quite the opposite); American culture is anti-theistic – that is in the sense of strange deities (the Trinity). Americans are more comfortable with familiar deities: the deities of self, money, power, possessions, and position(s), to name a few. God to most Americans is Someone who gets things done (for them) like they do. God, (or as He is wont to be called) the Big Man Upstairs, is a doer, a performer – a highly trained Manager/Genie/Producer to get ‘me’ what ‘I’ need. He is needed when necessary and neglected when things are going well.

Preach the resurrected Jesus as Lord and see how far that gets you…

America in my day is like Athens in Paul’s day, full of familiar deities. Part of my daily mission in Christ is to rid myself of any vestige of these familiar deities and preach the strange deity of Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, to the people around me. Familiar deities never die; but strange deities do because they bring salvation to those who believe. I worship strange deities and all that is against the pull and promise of my culture and its familiar deities…

Father in Heaven,

There are many things in my life that I have held dear sought after over the years – familiar deities of what my culture says is important – I just accepted them because they fell in line with the can-do attitude of Americanism. I repent. I reject everything I have been taught, that I may embrace strange but true deity – YOU! And Your Son Jesus Christ, who did for me what no religion on earth could/would ever do: die and come back to life to save a sinner like me! Help me to preach strange deities and to lead people to Jesus Christ, the Lord that they may forsake their familiar ones – I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Just As It Is Written

10.22.2009

Acts 15:15 15 “With this the words of the Prophet agree, just as it is written..." New American Standard Bible

When we're troubled or perplexed, confused or concerned, where do we go for answers? These men (in Acts 15) were quite concerned about the tension between adherence to Jewish Law and the teachings of Jesus; how it affected Gentiles believers – in short, how does one behave or conduct himself in daily life?

What they came up with was pretty simple: stay away from cultural influence (idolatry), stay away from immorality and for whatever reason, don’t eat the meat of strangled animals or eat foods mixed with blood.

So how do we, believers 20 centuries later in modern American culture, how do we conduct ourselves? Certainly not by following Jewish laws but the same way they did: just as it is written.

I am to guard myself and not get caught up in the influence of my culture. I am to avoid idolatry in any form, to avoid sexual immorality at all costs and pay attention to what I eat; Jewish dietary laws do not apply to me but I’d rather eat dirt than muskrat…

I am to live just as it is written; the Bible is to be my guide. I am to live by the Word of God and I am to do just as my believing brothers in antiquity did: I am to conduct myself in a manner that is pleasing to God and considerate of men – just as it is written.

Father in Heaven,

What I do often speaks louder than what I say. I am to conduct myself in such a manner as to communicate my love for You (through obedience) and my love for my fellow man. Help me to do just as it is written and to seek the guidance and counsel I need for the tensional issues of life. May my life be a help to others and not a hindrance I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Positions Open – Apply Today

10.21.2009

Acts 13:22 22 “After He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will.’” New American Standard Bible

David wasn’t the only person who lived who sought the heart of God and wanted to live to please the Lord. What about Billy Graham, wasn’t (isn’t) he a man after God’s heart? Couldn’t this present generation use a few more men and women after God’s heart?

God is still looking for Davids. God is still seeking those men and women who are 'after His heart' – He still has positions open. David served his generation and then at the end of his life, passed away. There are positions open today – apply now! All you have to do is do everything God tells you to do.

If I aspire to anything anymore it’s this: I want to be known as a man after God’s heart and I am choosing to live accordingly. I don’t hold a candle to David or Billy Graham, but I have God’s blessing and determination to live and walk according to His will and purposes and I want to affect this generation for the will of God…

Father in Heaven,

As a child of Yours I aspire to be all that You’ve called me to be. I know late in life I have lots of baggage, issues, hurts, habits and hang-ups that I need to deal with, but I aspire to be a man after Your heart. Fill me with Your Spirit today and lead me in the paths You’ve chosen. May I affect my generation in some godly way today and may I bring glory to Your wonderful Name – I pray in Jesus’ wonderful Name, amen.

Your Target

10.20.2009

Job 7:20 20 “Have I sinned? What have I done to You, O watcher of men?

Why have You set me as Your target, so that I am a burden to myself?”

New American Standard Bible

I’m not sure anyone can fully explain the plight of Job – he’s set up as what appears to be a guinea pig of sorts, and the book bearing his name is the story of the experiment in which he found himself.

Job looks at his life and his sorrows and asks, “What’d I do!?” Good question, Job. Sometimes in life I think we ask the same question and get the same response: the silence of Heaven. The silence leads us to surmise and to try to explain to ourselves the reason for all the stuff that’s going on in our lives; we feel like we are God’s target. Bummer of a birthmark, Hal…

Whatever the reason (or lack of reason) for the things in my life, perhaps the greatest work of my faith is to trust God even when it feels like I am the target and He is the Archer. I admit the sin in my life and I try to do something about it. But sometimes it feels like I haven’t done a thing and still my circumstances go to crap. Maybe it’s age or wisdom or simply the fatigue of the friction of life, but there is a continual drive in me to come back to the Lord every morning and renew my devotion. No matter how bad things are (or get) I’ve come to a place where I refuse to accept that somehow I’ve made God mad and He’s now paying me back by making me His target. If I am His target at least He’s paying attention to me…

Father in Heaven,

You have called me to believe, to obey and to be faithful. Fill me with the Holy Spirit this day to do all three – I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Through Obedience

10.19.2009

Acts 10:44 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. New American Standard Bible

An angel spoke to Cornelius and the Holy Spirit spoke to Peter. The Holy Spirit said, “But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself.” (v. 20) The power of God is in the truth spoken through obedience. What if Peter had simply refused God because of his culture, traditions, and the then general attitude of Jews toward the Romans?

God is in the business of introducing Himself to people and He uses other people to do the work. Peter didn’t use some flashy miracle to convince Cornelius and his household; he simply spoke the truth in love and the power came through his obedience.

I am taught once again this morning that I accomplish more for the Kingdom by obeying than I will ever do any other way. I’m not sure there is any other way. God expects me to stay close, listen carefully, and when I hear His voice to obey Him – NOW!

Father in Heaven,

You empower the obedience because they listen to You and do what You say without misgivings. Help me this day to give up whatever culture, traditions and general attitudes I have about people and realize that You send me to whomever You please and You expect me to obey. Your power is displayed through the obedient – may I be one of those I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Brent Musburger

10.18.2009

Acts 8:35 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. New American Standard Bible

I once heard Brent Musburger of ABC say in an interview that he was (at that time) so familiar with NFL football and all the players that if he had to, he could call a game ‘cold’ without any pregame preparation, study, or analysis. Next time you think of Philip sharing the gospel with the Ethiopian, think of Brent… Brent is a picture of preparedness.

Philip was so in tune with the Scripture and so in step with the Holy Spirit, that he could preach a sermon cold using any verse in the Bible to do so. He did it that day and I think that’s how Christianity first came to Ethiopia way back then.

It’s being familiar with God’s story and God’s purposes that count. As Brent Musburger’s life is immersed in football, so the believer’s life must be immersed in God and what God has said. The Ethiopian didn’t know what the Scripture meant but Philip did and Philip used that Scripture, with no sermon prep, no commentaries, no ‘pregame’ warm-up to preach Jesus to a hungry heart.

I am called to be like Philip, to take a Scripture and use it to preach Jesus. That means I am to be immersed in God and in tune with the Holy Spirit (who sends people to desert roads south of Jerusalem to meet with hungry hearts…)

Father in Heaven,

Lord, may it be so in my life today, I pray in Jesus’ Name as I live and work among people with hungry, confused, fearful, and seeking hearts who may not even know what they’re looking for; they just know what they have is not where it’s at… in Jesus’ Name, amen.

By The Holy Spirit

10.12.2009

Acts 1:2 2 until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. New American Standard Bible

What would Jesus do? Submit. He would submit, because He always submitted; Jesus life was the perfect Example of complete submission and here is why I can say that: “…after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles…” (see above). Jesus walked upon this earth and lived His life in perfect submission to everything the Holy Spirit ordered Him to do. The Kingdom of God is all about men and women living in perfect submission to the Holy Spirit. What would Jesus do; exactly and only what the Holy Spirit ordered Him to do! The ‘Acts of the Apostles’ is Luke’s historical record of their submission to the reign and rule of the Holy Spirit in them.

Maybe after 7 years of doing this (reading in the Scriptures day by day throughout the year) I’m catching on; maybe I’m getting to the place where I ‘might gain insight into the words of the law.’ (Neh. 8.13) There is only one answer to “What would Jesus do?” He would submit to the orders of the Holy Spirit and faithfully/eagerly obey. Jesus understood the greater picture and knew full well His place in the Kingdom; if it was good enough for Jesus Christ, then it’s good enough for me.

I commit my life to strive to live quietly and submissively to God the Spirit, and to hear what He says and faithfully/eagerly obey.

Father in Heaven,

Your Kingdom is a Kingdom of interconnectedness and cooperation with every member and part working in perfect harmony to the rest. Forgive me for going my own way and bucking the dynamics of Your rule and reign. I am to submit to the leadership of the Holy Spirit because that is the example that Jesus set for me. I pray for the filling of the Holy Spirit to do just that today – in His Name, Amen.

It Was Necessary

10.11.2009

Luke 24:26 26 “Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” New American Standard Bible

What is necessary in life? Food, clothing, shelter? These things are necessary in living life upon this planet. There are other things necessary – things like physical exercise, wisdom, and love. Then there is the most necessary of all: the knowledge of God and relationship with Him.

God’s book seems to start out well but quickly goes sour – not the book, but the story, the His-story of the book. God chooses a man to begin with and from that man, comes a people who are also chosen by Him. But the people mostly reject God’s choosing and live mostly the way they want. But the good news is, God goes to extraordinary measures to win back His people... who basically reject Him; so God sends His Son to save them from themselves. But they reject Him as well… well, not all do. Some believe but can't understand why God's Son had to die on a wretched cross at the hands of evil men. Jesus said it was necessary.

Jesus had to suffer what He suffered not because He was incomplete but because without Him we are - eternally. We are only complete as creatures with God; apart from Him we are lacking. It was necessary because now a way is opened by God to have full relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ, Who had to suffer to bring about the completion of all those who would believe.

I believe. I’m complete in Him and in Him, I’m going to stay.

Father in Heaven,

You set it up perfectly and made a way for everyone who believes to be saved from an eternity of incomplete-ness. It was necessary for the blood and the gore of the cross; it was necessary for the Christ to be rejected so that the door of salvation could be opened for all who put their faith in Him. Father, I am in that number and I give my life as a sacrifice to You because it was necessary for Jesus to suffer for me. Help me to live in step with My Lord and to serve Him only, I pray in His Name, amen.

The Herod Approach

10.10.2009

Luke 23:8 8 Now Herod was very glad when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him. New American Standard Bible

On one occasion Jesus asked His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said, “The Christ of God.” (Luke 9) In Matthew Jesus asked a similar question, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They answered, most people had opinions. Herod had an opinion. Herod could’ve seen Jesus at any time but he expected Jesus to come to him. Herod wasn’t on the appointment list for he wasn’t blind or deaf, lame or poor, captive or oppressed; Herod was one of the demanding, proud, and arrogant. And now Herod was very glad because he finally got his chance to have a private audience with Jesus and all he hoped for was for some circus act that Jesus was so famous for.

God doesn’t do circus acts.

In my private audiences with the Lord, I must be careful that I too don’t relegate Him to some side-show freak Who’ll do some miracle for me and get me out of the messes I’ve created so that I may again go and create more messes. I will walk in faith in what Jesus has said to me and about me (in His Word) and avoid the Herod Approach of looking to God for entertainment, safety, and the freedom to do as I please…

Father in Heaven,

You know every need I have and the ones I don’t know I have. Today, again, I pray that Your will be accomplished in my life regardless of what it looks like and how it feels to me. I pray that You transform me into the man You created me to be at whatever cost it takes. I surrender all to Your grace and Your will, and trust You – something Herod would never do – for whatever the outcome that Your Name may be glorified and my life be pleasing to You – in Jesus’ Name, amen.

That You May Not Enter

10.9.2009

Luke 22:40 40 When He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” New American Standard Bible

“…And lead us not into ____________ but deliver us from evil; for Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory for ever and ever, amen.” Sound familiar? Jesus had been teaching His men for several years now and here they were on the eve of the coming of the Kingdom of God. Not one shot would be fired but one Life would be given. And the Lord has them pray, not for the Kingdom, not for Himself, nor for their enemies – He has them pray that they may not enter temptation.

Temptation is one of those things, like a virus, or a bad neighbor, or an ill-placed itch shows up at just the wrong time. Temptation is the culmination of circumstances being just so that it is almost impossible to not sin. Why would Jesus have them pray not to enter into temptation? Because to allow oneself to be tempted is very difficult indeed to withstand it. Temptation is not sin; it’s the fertile soil where sin grows…

The temptation that night was to not believe. Judas I. had already taken the bait and fell. Jesus didn’t want the rest of them following suit.

Temptation is not sin but it is a powerful medium for sin. Part of denying sin is withstanding temptation and part of withstanding it is praying against it. So knowing my perspective, preferences, and propensities, today I pray:

Father in Heaven,

You know what I am going to face today and I pray against temptation in whatever form that is. I pray against the temptation to lust, to retaliate, to lie, to shade the truth and I pray against the seemingly ever-present and powerful temptation to not believe – in You or the Kingdom, because at times it looks like we’re losing… Father strengthen me today with truth that I may contend with error, I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Strength to Stand

10.8.2009

Luke 21:36 36 “But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” New American Standard Bible

Again, quoting my Puritan friend from the 17th century: “Think of how many souls were that night called from their bodies terrifyingly to appear before God and think how quickly days and nights are rolling on! How speedily your last night and day will come! Observe that which is lacking in the preparedness of your soul for such a time and seek it without delay.” He was just quoting Jesus…

We can’t say we weren’t warned; Jerusalem was indeed overrun in 70A.D. and all Jesus referred to in Luke 21 came true. So what about us two thousand years later? Well, as I read Jesus’ words I think about personally doing the following in order to be on the alert and having strength to stand before Him on that inevitable day:

1. Worship Him only, all day, every day, without fail

2. Read His word daily: diligently, faithfully, teach-ably, and obediently

3. Apply His word at whatever personal cost to me

4. Pray, pray, pray and then pray some more

5. Fellowship regularly with those who are like-minded and with whom I can hear and be heard

6. Carefully examine myself and rigorously and vigorously deal with my moods and ‘tudes

7. Attack my weaknesses ruthlessly before the Lord and seek to improve in my faith, my obedience; and in my awareness of the evil of the day

8. Understand and accept that without Jesus none of the above is possible

Father in Heaven,

You have blessed many of us with the privilege of living in one of the free-est and greatest countries in the history of the world. I pray that my lifestyle would not be a shackle to me. I pray for strength to stand because the days are indeed evil and getting only ever evil-er. Help me God, help me to stand and turn my back on what society and man calls important, and to have the strength to stand before my Savior, acquitted. In His Name I pray, amen.

The Peril of Appearances

10.6.2009

Luke 20:47 47 “…who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.” New American Standard Bible

Luke 20 is mostly devoted to a wrestling match of wits between the Lord and His detractors – they lose. But Jesus has the last word and the Scripture says “And while all the people were listening, He said to the disciples, ‘beware…’” Beware of hypocrisy, saying one thing and doing another; acting one way and living another. He then sums up His statements by saying, “These [the hypocritical] will receive greater condemnation.” Why greater; because, for appearance’s sake, they tried to look like representatives of God all the while doing evil.

The peril of appearances is this: the buck stops at God; God knows who I am at heart, and God will deal with the hypocrite. God knows the real me, the real you. God knows all of my alliances, schemes, and dreams. And God knows where my heart really is.

So I must live my life according to that reality and quit allowing appearances (whatever and whenever) dictate to me how I should act. The bottom line is, I will at some point have to deal with the One who knows, and because He has called me to live in Spirit and truth, I should expend the effort and energy to do that rather than to go to all the trouble to live for appearance’s sake… condemnation is always greater for the actor.

Father in Heaven,

You know me and yet You still invite me to be Your servant and live in Your family. I pray that You convict me every time I put on appearances and I ask for the filling of the Holy Spirit to walk ‘worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead…’ (v. 35) I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Have Faith and Pray

10.5.2009

Luke 18:1 1 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart... New American Standard Bible

Prayer is work; there are no short-cuts and no easy way around it – prayer is work. So because it is, we must not lose heart when we pray and the answers don’t come as quickly as we'd like. Does God toy with His children? Does God tease His kids? Is God some kind of genie who does our bidding without question?

What do we want from God? Is it simply to meet our demands and make our lives better? We ought to pray and not lose heart. So what kinds of prayers should we pray? Paul the Apostle helps us there when he says in Ephesians 6.18: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” I think Jesus in this parable in Luke is also telling us to pray all kinds of prayers at all times about all kinds of things, so that we may pray in confidence waiting expectantly for our God to act on our behalf; because He then says, “…now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly…” (Luke 18.7,8)

God ever sees and always cares;

God always listens to, and answers, my prayers.

Sometimes He says ‘yes’, sometimes it’s a ‘no’;

Sometimes it’s, “Wait! We’re gonna take this one slow.”

But whatever the answer that there may be

My faith says God pays attention to and cares about me.

Like old Bartimaeus sitting alongside the road

In blindness wondering how he was going to carry his load

When he heard about Jesus he yelled with all his might

And then when Jesus asked he said, “Lord, I want my sight!”

And Jesus said “Because you had the faith to yell,

Go your way seeing, Bartimaeus, your faith has made you well.”

Faith is no different for me and you,

Because we’re to bring our prayers and petitions to God too.

And we’re to lift our prayers in believing faith

Knowing we’re heard in heaven because of God’s grace.

Father in Heaven,

Thank You for the gift of faith and the gift of grace and for hearing my prayers and for acting swiftly to help me. Amen.

The Silence of the Second Son

10.2.2009

Luke 15.31a 31 “And he said to him, ‘Son..." NASB

The parable of the Prodigal Son is both happy and tragic. It’s happy because of the restoration of a selfish sinner; it is tragic because of the loss of a selfish sinner. Both sons are sinners. Both sons are self-focused and want their own way. One rebels and runs; the other sulks in servitude. Apparently one hates the other.

We want the older brother to respond the way the younger one did, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the parable ends leaving us to wonder what happened to the older son and his bitter anger against the father’s decision to lovingly welcome the younger son back. What stands out to me today is the silence of the second son.

I am learning to see things differently but I’ll guarantee you this, mostly I am self-centered and self-focused. I want to smack the older son for having such an attitude, but I find I have the same one, “God! Judge those idiots for being so stupid and for sinning against You!” I am offended by the older son but I must be aware of those tendencies in me and must forgive others the way Jesus has forgiven me. Sometimes it’s stinking hard to do but it’s what pleases God.

Father in Heaven,

The parable leaves me asking, ‘did the older son cool off, warm up, and repent of his attitude?’ I don’t know – but I do know You give grace to the humble and oppose the proud. Help me when I get all self-righteous and judgmental to remember the silence of the second son and repent. I leave the story thinking he didn’t, and I don’t want to be that way. Thanks for helping me in this area of my life – through Jesus I pray, amen.

Hate Speech

10.1.2009

Luke 14:26 26 “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. New American Standard Bible

Hate is the antithesis of love; hate is a very strong emotion of dislike. To hate is to loathe. Only One who is so truthful, loving, and righteous can make a hate-speech like that. To this day I cannot believe other than this: Jesus was not asking them to hate anyone, but to love Him more and to set very strict limits on their affections for their loved ones because He knew those affections could/would greatly retard their effectiveness in His Kingdom. Blood is thicker than water; the question is, whose blood is most important, His or theirs?

Where in this life is there such friction than in families? Where in this life is there such unreal expectation than in families? Where in this life is there such control and manipulation than in the family? Families are (or can be) micro-cultures with immense power and pride and abuse; many a seeker has shied away because of the fear of what the family will think or do. Jesus warns that the worst enemies a man can have as a disciple of His Kingdom are the members of his own family…

It is no wonder that Jesus asks for our love of family and even our love for our selves to be laid upon the altar and consumed by holy fire out of reverence and devotion to Him. He must take preeminence in our lives over all else and everyone else or there will always be loyalty issues…

Father in Heaven,

You have designed it that the best way to love family members is through the love of Christ and by a common mutual focus on His priorities and Lordship. May I carefully guard the effect of family but love them with the love You have for them and may my relationship with You be immovable in love, in Spirit and in truth – I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.