Stolen Hearts

9.30.2010

Luke 13:14 14 But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” ESV

The question I have is, what is work? Is it work to give a sick child some Tylenol to ease his fever? Is it work to stop alongside the road and help someone change a flat tire? What is work?

It seems the Israelites were damned because they neglected the Sabbath and then they were damned because they abused it. What is wrong with these people!? Their problem wasn’t their lack of religion – their problem was their lack of heart; their religion had stolen their hearts. It’s truly maddening to really need something from the store and make your way down there only to find it’s closed.  Ministering to people may take our time and our resources but it should never take away our compassion – when it does we have relegated love down to work and ought to go do something else until our love comes back.

I get angry at the ruler of the synagogue because he’s caught up in a system that took away his heart. The day he really struggled in sickness and misery and really needed simple ministry of a loving embrace to ease his pain was probably a Sabbath day and he was out of luck. Maybe his heart’s attitude toward work changed that day…

I must guard my heart and my thoughts and my attitudes. That is easier said than done because often I find I am caught up in a system that operates at the expense of other’s needs. But just because that is doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try to remember that in all I do, it ought to be in love as to the Lord – if my heart isn’t in it, I’m only fooling myself.

Father in Heaven,
Thank You that Your heart didn’t go on vacation when You decided to redeem Your people; You are always loving and compassionate. I pray for love and compassion and a right heart today to treat others the way I wish to be treated; and in all I do, to do it all in love, with all of my heart, as unto to You. Amen.

Simplify – Reduce

9.29.2010

Luke 12:31 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. ESV

Luke recorded this a little different than Matthew did – Luke recorded Jesus saying, “Instead, seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.” Matthew records, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Mt 6:33) So whether it is first or at all, seek God; because the sum of our life will be measured in the effort we put into our seeking Him, not in how much stuff we own.

I think, here in the Land o' Plenty, we delude ourselves like the rich fool who tore down his old barns and built new ones that were bigger and better to house all of his ever-growing pile of stuff. I don’t think he owned his stuff, it owned him because it dictated to him how he should live and how he would spend his time and resources: bigger buildings, more storage. Sounds American if you ask me…

I got stuff. I got so much stuff I think sometimes it has me. When I read these words, I think simplify. I think reduce. I think, Lord help me! And I don’t even own a boat, or an RV, or a four-wheeler… but I got stuff and for many years now I’ve believed that the more stuff I had the happier I’d be. I think it’s time to go through the stuff again and see what it is I think is so important that I can’t part with it.

Father in Heaven,
Life is about seeking You not heaping up piles of stuff. Life is about seeking You not eating, drinking, and being merry. Life is about learning lessons, not running from them, denying them, and hiding them with distractions. Lord, may I pay attention to You and focus my gaze on eternal things. Father, help me to strategically simplify that I may be more free to seek You with my time, my talents, and my treasures. Amen.

The Best Soap Ever

9.28.2010

Luke 11:41 41 But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you. ESV

The indictment against the Pharisees was they kept the rules at the expense of people's needs; the rules prevented them from being generous and good. They were more concerned about the cleanliness of a dish than they were about people’s lives and ministering to them in their need with the love of God.

Right relationship is true religion. Goodness and generosity are true religion. Caring for others with whatever means we have is true religion that pleases God. Jesus said that the way to be truly clean is not cleaning dishes but sharing with others out of the goodness of one’s heart. It is true that clean dishes are important but I think the Lord meant that they should be clean when serving the needs of the poor. And I should clean them before using them and after so that those who eat from them as I serve them may be honored because I do.

When my focus is only on the dishes then it cannot be upon the heart. Rightly relating to others to care for them and to serve their needs before God is true religion. Helping others to come to know and love the goodness of God is true religion and something worth pursuing. Cleanliness is next to godliness but only when cleanliness benefits someone else.

God has put many things in me in the form of time, love, friendliness, compassion, and the like. These are things that are to be given away to others so that I may accomplish the will of God. I must always keep the needs of others in my focus that I may serve God in cleanliness as a result. The best soap ever is serving the needs of others.

Father in Heaven,
Through Jesus, You’ve put things in me that are to be given away; help me to do that today. May I be filled with Your Spirit to focus on the needs of others and to give away what You’ve given me – in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Situational Compassion

9.27.2010

Luke 10:37 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” ESV

The lawyer questioning Jesus in Luke 10.25-37, was asking some good questions and Jesus was giving him some straightforward answers. Jesus led him to the place where he could see that only by being compassionate he would show true love when He asked, “…which of these three proved to be a neighbor to the one who fell among the robbers?”

Nowadays we have a cultural belief in what is known as situational ethics. Meaning that in varying situations varying ethics apply depending on what is going on. It’s kind of a sliding-scale of when to do what is right; you do right when the situation calls for it, and not when the situation is different. It is nonsense. The lawyer tried to play situational-neighbor with Jesus and it backfired. To be fair the lawyer was only saying what he’d been taught and what he taught. But he was trying to make a situational-compassion approach to mercy and Jesus helped him see that approach was faulty.

Go and do likewise; don’t wait until the situation is just right before you act, go and do likewise in all situations and with all people. If you want a one-size-fits-all approach, this is it: love all people all the time and consider everyone of them in every situation your neighbor and treat them as God would have you treat them – all the same, all the time – with compassion and love.

I hear the Lord telling me today, Paul, go and do likewise. Don’t be like the only-certain-rules-apply-at-certain-times lawyer, be like Me – love everybody.

Father God,

Yes Lord, I will set my heart to follow You and go and do likewise – amen.

Afraid of God

9.26.2010

Luke 9:45 45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying. ESV

It is said that David Brainerd, an associate of the great theologian Jonathan Edwards, would spend days out in the woods praying for the natives. Brainerd would rather be with God in prayer than he would be with Christian friends in church; such was the passion he had for the souls of the native Americans in early America. Today, I was away from church building a trail and riding my mountain bike with un-saved friends. Big difference – one might think.

Why do you suppose the associates of Jesus were afraid to ask Him what He was talking about when He said He was about to be delivered into to the hands of men? What makes us afraid of God? Does anything? I think what made the disciples afraid was their lack of understanding about Him and the confusion He brought up in their minds by what He said and did. How could Jesus, ‘the Christ of God’ be in such trouble with men? And why be afraid to ask Him about it?

It is one thing to be afraid of what God might do – wonderfully He only ever loves – and it’s another to be afraid of what He says: take up your cross and follow Me! Following Jesus may take us out of our comfort zone (you can bank on that) and may take us into relationship with people of whom we’re afraid - maybe. Following Jesus will cost us everything we have and if our love for our stuff is greater than our love for Him then we get afraid of what we might lose.

Sometimes God scares me by what I think He thinks of me and what I think He expects of me. My fear is largely based on what I think I can do. The disciples’ fear may have been based in the same perspective: What does Jesus expect me to do with this information? For them then and for me now the answer is the same: trust Him – no matter the situation or circumstances – trust Him.

Father in Heaven,

You scare me sometimes because I think You want me to do whatever in my own strength with my own limited resources; nothing could be farther than the truth. What You guide me to do You will provide for me to do and in all of it the only requirement on my part is to trust You – that I strive to do in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Finished Work

9.25.2010

Luke 8:51 51 And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. ESV

Peter, John, and James were chosen. The rest of the apostles were as well but these particular three were like the small group leaders of the rest of the twelve. And Jesus chose only them to accompany Him on many of His assignments. That’s half the story – the other half is that these three, along with the others, were chosen for Jesus so that He could work with them.

Working with someone who has been chosen by someone else is sometimes difficult. There can be problems with allegiances, perspectives, expectations, and chemistry. The potential one sees may be the problem to another looking at the same person. My personal belief is that God the Father revealed to Jesus who He was to work with and Jesus said, “Your will be done.” My personal belief is that Jesus accepted these men despite their faults and flaws and obeyed God by working with them.

Peter was every bit the loose-cannon; James and John were mouthy. But Jesus worked with them and undertook what it took to see that their lives changed and ultimately presented them back to God as finished work.

As a leader, I am not always involved in the choosing who process and it is my job to work with whomever I’m given. The test is as much for me as it is for them. That’s what I like about God – He always gives us who we need, not who we want – He looks at hearts and chooses the ones who’ll assist Him in changing ours as we work in changing theirs.

Father in Heaven,

It always boils down to trust – do I trust You that the people in my life are the exact ones You’ve chosen to help me in my progress as a disciple? May I honor You by accepting my circumstances and the people in them by trusting that You’re involved in all of my life to the nth degree; Jesus did. Amen.

A Thousand Days on Kauai

9.24.2010

Psalm 84:10 10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. ESV

I once went to Hawaii with my wife and kids and spent a week, playing on the beach, touring the island we were on – Kauai, and sleeping in. I really enjoyed it and it was everything everyone (that we knew who’d been there) said it would be. I can only think of one minor negative thing that happened the whole time we were there – the ice-cream nazi out at Hanalei – I could live in Hawaii.

The sons of Korah wrote Psalm 84 and they sang, “For a day in You courts is better than a thousand elsewhere…”. Apparently they didn’t know about Kauai, but they did know this: a day with God is infinitely better than a thousand days in the best place we can think of. Yes, I could spend a thousand days in Hawaii, but I know I’d grow tired of it and the worries and fears I pack around would shown up at some point. There would be more negativity and harsh words. Life – even in paradise – would’ve eventually returned to normal with all of its normality and everyday-ness; sin is alive and well in Hawaii.

But imagine (not as John Lennon opined) a place where there are no politics, no fear, no awkwardness. Imagine a place where you are completely and peacefully accepted and where the focus is totally upon God and not at all upon you. Imagine a place where the ice-cream nazi finds truth, forgiveness and salvation. Imagine a place where you are wholly holy whole. That’s the presence of God and that is better than a thousand days anywhere else. God’s presence can be experienced in the midst of whatever the normalcy of life we live and frees us to enjoy Him right here, right now. That’s better than a thousand days on Kauai; or anywhere else for that matter…

Father in Heaven,

“How lovely is Your dwelling place. My soul longs and even faints for You; for here my heart is satisfied, within Your presence, I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings. Better is one day in Your courts… Better is one day in Your house…” *

Amen

*Kutless, (C) 2005 BEC Recordings

Name-Saying and Game-Playing

9.23.2010

Luke 6:46 46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? ESV

This is the question for the ages. The honest answer from most to Jesus’ query, “Because You are not Lord, Lord – I am; and I do what I want when I want unless I really need You to come through for me.”

I had to stop and think about my relationship with Jesus this morning. I’m often guilty of calling the Lord, Lord and then going and doing what I want, not what He says. So is He really my Lord or is He another option among the many that I fancy I have? Time for contemplative prayer…

It’s a privilege to call Jesus Lord, not a right. The minute it becomes a right then it becomes all about me and not about Him. It’s a privilege that must be honored because to call Jesus Lord is to accept Him for who He is, what He’s done, and for what lies in the future; the future that is always one tiny little moment out of our reach… But with the privilege comes the honor and respect due the name, Lord; that means we must do as the Lord asks that we may rightfully honor His Name, Lord. Time for contemplative prayer…

Yes, I had to stop and think about my relationship with Jesus the Lord and ask myself if I’m really calling Him Lord; because if I am, I’m really doing as He asks. Today, Jesus is Lord to those who seek Him and ask Him to be; one day, He’ll be the Lord to those who don’t want Him to be; every knee will bow… Time for contemplative prayer…

Lord Jesus,

It is all about rightly relating to You in every possible way. You have given me the privilege of calling You Lord with all the responsibility that comes with that privilege. May I not be guilty of name-saying and game-playing; may I do as You ask and seek to know You more that I may stand firm in my faith and take action as You direct – amen.

Greatly Loved

9.22.2010

Daniel 9:23 23 At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision. ESV

Three times between this verse and the end of Daniel chapter 10 are the words, greatly loved. What a greeting from God! He could’ve said, servant; He could’ve said, slave; but God’s messengers made it clear that Daniel was, above and beyond everything else, greatly loved. That’s somehow very comforting.

Daniel worked in the administration department during the reigns of the kings of Babylon and the kings of Media and Persia. But Daniel never forgot Who his God was nor who his people were and the relationship between the two. God was doing what He said He would do if His people forgot Him and they did and He did. But Daniel never forgot God’s love; he never forgot God’s mercy. And Daniel was remembered by the Lord.

You and I must strive to remember God’s plans, purposes, and people. We must become students of the word like Daniel was. The heavenly nation to which we belong is the Lord’s and He will one day come and take us to be with Him forever.

And we must remember that we are greatly loved. It’s not because we have something to bring but because of God and how He looks at us. You and I are greatly loved because we are... and not because of anything we’ve done…

Father in Heaven,

So great is Your love for Your people; so wise and true are Your purposes. May I respond with an open and honest heart today because I am greatly loved by You. Help me to be one with You and to love others just because – in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Hoarding Jesus

9.21.2010

Luke 4:42 42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, ESV

There are many who would be kept as leader and deliverer; as the righter of wrongs; the corrector of mistakes – or as king. There are many who are in it just for the power and prestige of being the big cheese. But not Jesus; He wouldn’t be charmed by the world’s promises; He wasn’t in it to force anything to change; He was in it to preach the Kingdom of God.

People want someone with power to come and change their circumstances and with that they think they’ll be happy until their circumstances change again and they need someone with power to come and change them again. Life is not all about changed circumstances – it’s about changed hearts. How do the pressures and the problems we face make a difference in our relationships with others and with God? The people wanted Jesus to come in and make everything better but Jesus had bigger fish to fry… others needed to hear the truth and He wasn’t going to be hoarded by anyone.

I try sometimes to hoard Jesus. I try to quietly keep all of His blessings to myself and just let others fend for themselves. But to truly have Jesus is to give Him away. Belief in Jesus isn’t (and wasn’t ever) meant to be hoarded. The more I try to keep the Lord the smaller He becomes – the more I try to give Him away the greater He becomes to me and to others.

Father in Heaven,

As I read today I wondered what You would direct me to and this I think is it – may I through my words and actions today, give Jesus away. He is my Lord but He seeks others who need a Lord in their lives. Help me to partner in the mission and not rest in reclusion trying to keep all of who You are to myself. I couldn’t possibly do it anyway but sometimes I sure try… Amen.

My Earthly Perspective

9.20.2010

Psalm 130:1-2 1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! 2 O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! ESV

Much of life depends not on our circumstances but on our perspective of our circumstances. It’s not what happens that matters most but how we respond to what happens that matters.

In this psalm – a song of ascent the writer had the right perspective – out of the depths I cry to You O Lord! I don’t cry to you from the heights; I don’t cry to you from the good times – no, I cry to You out of the depths of despair, out of the depths of ignorance; out of the depths of pain. Our lives are filled with toil and trouble but with a correct perspective we see all the toil and trouble as intended for our good.

Pain is one of our great universal motivators. Pain sharpens our senses and causes us to look up and look out for relief. Nothing else seems to work quite like pain. And usually we find pain in the depths, not on the mountaintop (…even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…).

A proper perspective of my whereabouts is invaluable in my relationship with the Lord and this side of heaven, with its fleeting and momentary happiness, is the depth of training and proving that I may one day enjoy the happiness of the heights of heaven. The depths are the proving ground of faith.

Father in Heaven,

Out of the depths I cry to You! Hear my voice and let Your ears be attentive to my pleas for mercy. Lord, grant that I have the strength to endure to gain the prize of all that is pure. And may my earthly perspective be always that of eternity – in Jesus’ Name, amen.

A Bureaucratic Whim?

9.19.2010

Luke 2:1 1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ESV

I wonder what Caesar Augustus would’ve thought if he knew he was going to mentioned in the Bible and his bureaucratic edict (whim) was going to be an colossal nuisance to the known world that he decreed to be registered…place a control-freak in charge and whaddaya get?

I appreciate the honesty of the Bible in mentioning the Caesars, the governors and the known officials of that day. I also appreciate the suffering that the people of the Bible had to go through because some self-important someone somewhere decided to do something that would financially stretch everybody; especially a young Jewish couple who had to leave their home and livelihood at their own expense just so that someone would somehow feel better about it – but would fulfill God’s will in the process.

As believers we’re not immune to the belches and farts of government. The question is how do we react when the sounds and emissions begin? God says we’re to please Him by praying for our leaders – the good and the bad; the self-important and the humble. If I lived in Palestine in those days I would’ve had to do as they all had to do – take time out of my everyday life to go on my own dime to my hometown to get listed.

I know times have changed and for some divine reason God has privileged me with the right to vote; and I need to exercise my right. But I also need to honor the rulers God has appointed for me and refrain from criticizing them – I don’t think I should pray out of one side of my mouth and complain out of the other. Vote yes, talk to God about them? Yes!

Father in Heaven,

Just as You used the edict then to get Your people to the right place at the right time so You the faults and gaffs of the current set of rulers over me to get me to pay closer attention to what they’re up to. You also call me to pray for them that Your will may be done for the Church. Help me to honor You by praying and not complaining. Help me to realize that You use everything in my life for good and for Your purposes – in Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.

Lame Excuses

9.18.2010

Luke 1:18 18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” ESV

Remember who is speaking here – Zechariah, a priest and he of all people ought to have remembered Abraham, the Father of the Faithful, the Friend of God, who also had a baby born to him as an old man and his wife too was advanced in years. Zechariah had become a product of his culture: given up and given over. Perhaps Zechariah was diligently just going through the priestly motions and when God showed up all he could see were his own motions. Maybe he’d developed an attitude. Maybe he’d become mouthy; maybe that’s why God struck him dumb for a few months – thoughts churning, curiosity burning but no way to express himself. Maybe God was tired of his lame excuses…

I believe Zechariah was a good guy and much beloved by the Lord but I think God brought him up short with the whole mute thing. I think God had to shut up His servant’s objection in order to show His servant His direction. Hmmm. Sometimes I think I too need to just shut up. Sometimes my own excuses are pretty quick and pretty lame.

This story has grace and mercy written all over it and I believe God used some embarrassing silence to show His servant Zechariah to be still and know that He was (and is) God. I too am learning that more often than not everyone else is better off if I just keep my opinions to myself and let them do all the talking. My desire is to do the faithful thing and silently learn to let God do what He’s going to do whether I understand it or not.

Father in Heaven,

Sometimes silence is golden – especially when You’ve proclaimed out loud what You’re about to do. I pray for holy and Spirit-led silence that I may quietly be awed by Your majesty and presence. Help me to listen more than I speak – and to trust You even when to me, it doesn’t all add up – I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Someone Has To

9.17.2010

Ezekiel 44:23 23 They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean. ESV

Someone has to – otherwise we’re all doing stupid things stupidly and probably not even realizing it. Someone has to teach; someone has to instruct; someone has to be the role-model. But that someone (or those ‘someone’s’) must know the difference between the holy and the common, the clean and the unclean in order to teach, instruct and model. That calls for a commitment to holiness and a commitment to humbly sit before the Lord and learn.

We must be taught how to honor the Lord. We must be shown how to keep from defiling ourselves. We must learn what it means to give ourselves completely to Him that we may be holy and good as He is. But that means that someone must teach and pass along what they have learned so that they can pass along what they have learned. The ones who qualify best are the ones who pledge allegiance to God and unflinchingly maintain their allegiance through fellowship with Him and obedience to His word.

This is more of an ideal for me than a reality. But there are those I know for who this would be a reality. But that doesn’t keep me from maintaining that there is a standard of holiness to which I am called and to which I have been taught; and I am then to pass along that standard to those around me who will listen. And regardless of the sins of my past I am allowed repentance and God seems to like repentant people…

Father in Heaven,

You have called me though I am broken and fallen; feeble and frail; faulty, fearful, and fickle. You know that my life is different because of You and You’ve put it in me to share that with others. Help me this day to walk in holy commitment to the Kingdom and to model with my life a strong relationship with You – in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Relax and Rejoice

9.16.2010

Revelation 21:5 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” ESV

John was blessed with a happy ending – I suppose we all are if we hold to the One who makes all things new and says things that are trustworthy and true. Today is a day for me to relax and rejoice in God who never intended for things to go south but made a way despite that fact for all things to become new and is offering me an opportunity to participate in a completely happy and sinless future dwelling in a celestial city with others who’ve chose to take Him up on His offer.

I’m to relax because the end of the book is written and it says all things will be new and that is spoken by God who is trustworthy and true. I’m to relax and rejoice in Him who is never defeated, is never alarmed, and Who uses all things for the good of His children and for the fulfillment of His purposes. I’m to relax because He is unstoppable and unshakable.

That doesn’t mean I’m to drop my guard but I am to rejoice that He is on my side and is watching over me. I’m to be vigilant to learn truths like this and use them against the lies of satan and this world which say the happy ending is freedom from God – how stupid! God is going to obliterate such nonsense but only for those who’ll believe that not only does He make all things new but everything He says is trustworthy and true.

Father in Heaven,

Your words are truth and Your words are life. Thank You for a bright, safe and clean future. Thank You that all things have been made new and will blossom in their fullness one day apart from the broken and fallenness of today. May I walk in Your freedom this day with my head held high – confident in You, who makes all things new and says things that are only trustworthy and true. Amen.

Punitive and Therapeutic

9.15.2010

Ezekiel 39:29 29 "And I will not hide my face anymore from them, when I pour out my Spirit upon the house of Israel, declares the Lord God.” ESV

We might think of God hiding His face two ways: punitive and therapeutic. When God hides His face from us it is both for our correction and for our healing.

When God hides His face it doesn’t mean He’s gone, it just means He’s not manifestly present. When God looked for the man and the woman in Genesis 3 it wasn’t that He was unsure of where they were, He wanted them to know they weren’t where they were supposed to be.

God hid His face from Israel because she became two-faced with Him – she worshiped idols and tried to worship the Lord as well. Won’t work – never has, never will. God didn’t remove Himself from the chastisement and correction of the people of Israel; on the on contrary He was very active in their discipline. So God’s hiding is both punitive and therapeutic. When we can’t see God because of our sin, that’s punitive; when we can’t see Him otherwise, it should evoke a renewed and energized seeking on our part; that’s therapeutic.

Bottom line is the heart of faith that says, ‘whether I see Him or not, I will trust He’s here and always will be – therefore I strive to conduct myself in a manner worthy of His presence at all times.’ I cannot visibly see God, but I can trust wholeheartedly in His presence at all times.

Father in Heaven,

Your word assures me that a time is coming when I will be enabled to see You face to face. In the meantime may I live aware and focused on Your presence and may I conduct myself accordingly. Thank You for the promise that You will never leave me nor forsake me – in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Whose Sake is at Stake

9.14.2010

Ezekiel 36:22 22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. ESV

Whose sake is at stake? That’s probably a multi-faceted question with no easy answer but really, the bottom line is it’s the Lord’s. Now we must bear in mind that God doesn’t ever lose – ever. God’s purposes are always accomplished and always meet His will – in whatever God does He always succeeds. That’s why it is not for our sake that He acts, but for His own. His sake is at stake and His ways are perfectly good all the time…

Sadly, I often think it’s all about me until I read a passage like Ezekiel 36 and see that God is doing what He does with no regard for my opinion. That doesn’t mean He doesn’t love me; that doesn’t mean He doesn’t care for me - it just means that He is God and I am not; He is in complete control and I am not; and whatever happens, whether I consider it good or bad, is all in His hands and not mine and He will do whatever for the sake of His Name: God. And His Name is Love.

So in response, I submit to God. I submit and I trust and attempt to line my life up with His ways so that I may be a beneficiary of His holy Name. God’s purpose is to perfect His life in me – the least I can do is cooperate.

Father in Heaven,

It is for Your sake and I am just a recipient of your sake. Were it not for Your sake I would not be. But it is and I am and I am glad. Help me to respond properly because I am so inappropriate always. Help me to worship You and trust You and live out my days for Your sake – amen.

No Matter What I Think

Ezekiel 33.12"And you, son of man, say to your people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him when he transgresses, and as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall by it when he turns from his wickedness, and the righteous shall not be able to live by his righteousness when he sins. ESV

It's not what we think we are, but what we are. Many people want to think that salvation is up to them and the way they behave. And they think that if they just do the right thing all the time that everything will be okay. Here God says to Ezekiel, that ain't so! The implication of the statement above is that just doing the right thing will cover all the bases; but it won't when that breaks down - and it always breaks down; that's the sinfulness of sin…

It's not what we think we are but who we are that matters; we won't get off for good behavior. It's what's in the heart that matters. I cannot fool God - I might fool you, but I cannot fool God. But that is why I need God and why my salvation is based on what He does and not what I do. His salvation is a gift that I cannot procure for myself no matter how hard I try - I can only get salvation from Him - its His free gift. And I am made righteous not by myself and adhering to the rules but by placing my faith in His finished work - again, something I cannot do…

My righteousness will not save me - only God will save me and only He can do it; nothing else can - no matter what I think.

Father in Heaven,

Thank You that it is only by Your gift that I am saved - there's no other way that it can happen. May I live led by and filled with Your Spirit and accept that my righteousness no matter how good is not good enough to get the job done - I praise You in Jesus' Name, amen.

The Greatest Gift Of All

9.12.2010

Daniel 4:37 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble. ESV

There are some marvelous verses in the Bible. There are some truths worth hanging onto with all of one’s being. The above is one. If ever there is a truth worth hanging onto it is this: and those who walk in pride He is able to humble. Pride is the most hideous form of unbelief and is based upon a lie – a lie that says God does not exist; that His Bible is a book of myths.

The truth of God is abhorrent to the proud and arrogant; to respect Someone unseen is utterly ridiculous in their minds. And this is the magnitude of the schism of the fall; that I may do what I want, when I want, and however I want and no one is going to stop me. None that is, except God, who is able to humble those who walk in pride. God’s gift of humility is possibly the greatest gift of all of heaven.

Probably the exile of the Jews was the greatest curse to them but the greatest blessing to the Babylonians whose great king eventually said, “It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation.” (Daniel 4:2-3 ESV) So glad he did that…

God’s humility is one of the greatest things I have ever known and continues to be the greatest changer of my mind. Where once I was the caller-of-the-shots, I am now God’s servant with all the resources of Heaven available to me.

Father in Heaven,

You are able to save the proud and self-righteous. You are able to humble the arrogant. You have helped and are helping me – thank You! May I walk in the greatest gift and follow You with all of my heart – I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Thy Kingdom Come

9.11.2010

Daniel 2:28 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. ESV

There are those who are all concerned about the future. As a matter of fact, they are so concerned about the future that they forget about living in the present. Likewise there are those who cannot escape the past, and today passes them by because yesterday is so big to them. And then there are those who have something to lose. I think Nebuchadnezzar was one of these.

Freedom’s just another word for nuthin’ left to lose. And when we give God all of our all then we have nothing left to lose. And God’s freedom is richer and greater than anything else because by it we are freed to enjoy God in all of His glory forever with nothing standing in the way. You can’t enjoy God fully if you’ve still got something to lose; holding on to hindrances hampers faith.

My life is not (and will not be) measured by how much stuff I have. My life is not measured by what I think of myself. My life is measured and will be measured by my knowledge of and service to the King of Heaven. My life will be measured by my faith in God and what I do with that faith. Empires are for the emperors; ambitions for the ambitious; kingdoms are for kings; I am to devote my days solely and wholly to the Kingdom of God that I may enjoy it becoming more and more free, in order to enjoy it more and more.

Father in Heaven,

Yours is the Kingdom, power, and glory; may I never forget that. May I also never forget that the greater Your Kingdom, the greater my need for freedom to enjoy it freely. Help me God to give over that which impedes my enjoyment and involvement in Your Kingdom and all that it represents. May I stick with You no matter what living in and enjoying the moment – I pray in Your Name, amen.

Hope Despite Hell

9.10.2010

Lamentation 3:21 21 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope... ESV

These days there seems to be a lot happening in the world around us that would cause us to get discouraged and depressed. Iran is on the war path; our own government is spending us into financial oblivion. There are oil spills, Qu’ran burnings, hurricanes, murder and mayhem, fraud and corruption, foreclosures, and yes, the home team loses… I wonder how many of our personal lives mirror the chaos that is taking place in the world.

It’s easy to believe that God may have gone on vacation when our lives enter a train-wreck season. It’s easy to become bitter and angry when, on top of everything going on, we get the news from the doctor we don’t want to hear; or the note from our spouse saying, it’s over; or the phone call from the police that Billy is in custody and could we come down to the station…

Jeremiah watched as his country collapsed. Jeremiah watched as pagans invaded his city, his country, and his church committing brutal acts of violence. Jeremiah watched the tragic response of his countrymen; and Jeremiah knew that the Lord allowed it all to happen. There is indeed much to be depressed about these days…

But I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope – God hasn’t forgotten, and God never does anything in my life or yours without love, mercy, and redemption in His mind or on His heart. What happens to us may not necessarily be our fault but God can use whatever it is for our benefit and growth regardless. It’s hard to stand by and watch it all go to crap but the best way to fight the difficulty of it all is to remember that the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases and …know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Ro 8:28)

Father in Heaven,

You never promised there wouldn’t be the worst of times – unspeakable cruelties, cannibalism, and people acting out of dreadful desperation because of their situation, and doing things unimaginable as a result. But even in the midst of all that, You promise that there is hope and good and a future. May I rejoice today in Your goodness and presence, and may I call to mind that no matter, You are with me and I am to remain with You. Help me to do just that – amen.

A God Who Gets Angry

9.9.2010

Lamentations 2:1 How the Lord in his anger has set the daughter of Zion under a cloud! He has cast down from heaven to earth the splendor of Israel; he has not remembered his footstool in the day of his anger. ESV

I don’t think we’re all that comfortable with a God who gets angry; I think we’re much happier with a God who winks and blinks and shrinks and thinks, “My people really aren’t that bad after all – they get it right sometimes.” In Lamentations 2 the prophet Jeremiah blames all of Judah’s destruction and the desolation of Jerusalem on the Lord. From verse one to nine he spells out the actions of the Lord done in His anger without mercy against the sin and rebellion of His people. It is a very sobering passage of Scripture… and He did it all.

It’s important to remember that our sin has consequences. It’s important to remember that righteousness has its rewards. The next time something ‘bad’ happens in our life we’ll do very well to stop immediately and seek God and ask, “Lord? Are You saying to me in this present circumstance!?” He just might be.

I much prefer a happy God but I remember the language of the prophets: God did it! I am fully free to do as I please but in doing so I cannot forget that God loves as much in His wrath as He does in His mercy; His grace is made up of both.

Father in Heaven,

You do not put up with sin forever and You love Your children enough to punish them when they wander off into stupidity. Father, may I remember Your wrath is just as real as Your mercy, and that You love me in both, but will not wink, blink, or shrink at my sin – You will respond with whatever is necessary to get me back onto the paths of righteousness for Your Name’s sake. Thank You – amen.

Loose Eyes Tell Lies

9.8.2010

Revelation 13:10 10 If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.

During World War II a saying was made known: loose lips sink ships. There was a cultural acceptance of the importance of national security in the United States and people were cautioned to keep quiet about their husbands or sons who served, when and where, in the armed forces for fear that enemy spies might hear and use such information to thwart the US war effort.

Today, in my reading I thought, loose eyes tell lies. In Jeremiah 42-44 the Jews approached Jeremiah to seek God for them to tell them what they were to do since their capital city, Jerusalem, had fallen (Jer. 42.3-6). They couldn’t envision staying in Judea where they had nothing; all they could see was the opportunity for revenge by linking up with the Pharaoh of Egypt and his power in retaliation against the king of Babylon. Their eyes were not on the Lord; they were set on getting their own back. Loose eyes tell lies.

In Revelation 13, the world goes gaga over the Beast (13.3). What other choice do they have – loose eyes tell lies. Today, a pastor in Florida wants to publically burn the Koran as a symbol of his anger and angst over the spread of Islam in the world. The furor he’s unleashed for the sake of religious freedom. Loose eyes tell lies. Endurance and faith are born by what we’re focused on.

O God, may my eyes be riveted to You. May my heart be welded to Yours. May I love as You love, and do as You do! Let me not have loose eyes but keep them fixed upon Your glory, goodness and purposes in this world. Give me wisdom to stay where You say, and to do as You say. Help me God; loose eyes convince me of lies, and I don’t want that! Amen.

Speak Into

9.7.2010

2 Chronicles 36:9 9 Jehoiachin was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.

Can an eight-year old do evil in the sight of the Lord? Well, with the right kind of advisors he can much wrong. Jehoiachin managed to do evil in the sight of the Lord. Who ever intended for eight-year olds to be rulers anyway? Apparently Nebuchadnezzar saw trouble and brought the kid to Babylon where he could inculcate him (verse 10).

Part of my mission is to befriend and speak into the lives of kids – of all ages. It’s risky, many parents don’t care for their kids much but get staunchly jealous when someone else does. Kinda weird, but that’s the way it goes. My own 12-year child needs me to speak into his life and sometimes he doesn’t like it… but there are others out there worshiping Jesus who can speak the truth to him.

Our children are quite capable of doing evil in the sight of the Lord. We must as parents and believers speak truth into them and come alongside to usher them into adulthood. They need us to do so. That means however, that I must carefully usher my own life so that I can effectively and genuinely speak into the lives of the young.

Father in Heaven,

Thank You for our children (thank You for mine!) You intend for us to help our kids to learn right from wrong and to avoid evil and not just avoid getting caught. Help me as I befriend kids who come into my life through my child, through my church and through my vocation that they may see You in me and perhaps want to follow You as well, I pray in the Name of the One who said, Let the children come to Me! Amen.

Keeping Track

9.6.2010

Ezekiel 32:17 17 In the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, the word of the Lord came to me... ESV

Ezekiel kept track of his visitation days. He kept track of when and what the Lord said to him, and from captivity in Babylon, he prophesied about the nations; Ezekiel gave the God-given message at the God-given time.

One of my quests in life is to listen on the level of an Ezekiel, a Jeremiah, an Isaiah. I want to hear from the Lord like they did. I want to know the exact time and specific message for my life (and possibly for others) that I may then go and do or speak as directed. I want to know. I want God to speak to me and direct me that I may do what He says to do, when He says to do it.

So today, in the fifty-fifth year, in the ninth month, on the sixth day I learned this lesson about listening – keep track of when and what. A friend of mine keeps track of the Bible verses that to him are what he calls, ‘life verses’. He records them in a journal of sorts, and regularly reads them to remind him of the verses and the specific times in his life when he felt the Lord was specifically speaking to him. Not a bad idea…

My goal is to keep my ears and eyes open that I may hear and see what God is saying and doing.

Father in Heaven,

Thank You for the lesson this morning and for the diligence of Ezekiel and the other prophets to keep their ears open and to keep track of what You were saying to them. Help me to do the same and to do what You say – I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Proclaiming His Name

9.5.2010

Revelation 10:11 11 And I was told, “You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings.” ESV

What do people think when prophesies spoken against them come true? What goes through their mind when the destruction and chaos that is foretold begins to happen just as it was foretold? Do they shrug and say, “Oh, well!” Do they howl and weep and moan? Do they run and try to flee? What happens when?

This morning I read the prophesies of Ezekiel against Ammon, Edom, Philistia, Tyre and Sidon. And then I read in Revelation 10 that John is told, “You must again prophesy about many people and nations and languages and kings.” In both prophetic books, Ezekiel and Revelation, it appears cataclysmic changes are happening – Ezekiel’s book is about the overthrow of the nations by great kings and vast armies and John’s is about the overthrow of the globe by God. What happens when? And what am I to do in the meantime?

John might’ve thought he’d seen the end when he was invited into the throne-room of God but he was told essentially, ‘Your work is not yet done!’ Ezekiel’s book ends with these words, “The Lord is there.” It all culminates in God.

In the meantime I am to live a holy life and doing everything in my power to stay connected to God and His people. I haven’t been called specifically to prophesy but if I am then I am to do so. But in the meantime I am to represent the Lord in a holy and steadfast manner and trust that everything He has said will come to pass and that all the nations thereby will know that He is the Lord.

Father in Heaven,

You will bring evil and selfishness to an end; it won’t last forever. Help me to patiently wait for You in these days, to trust You, and to live a holy life. May I hear Your voice and feel Your love. May I proclaim Your Name and spread Your fame. May I do exactly as You direct and command me to do – amen.

Watching Me

9.4.2010

Ezekiel 24:24 24 Thus shall Ezekiel be to you a sign; according to all that he has done you shall do. When this comes, then you will know that I am the Lord God.

The other day we spoke about consolation – this day it’s about becoming a sign. A sign tells others something or perhaps points the way. Someone may ask, “What’s the way to heaven?” – you might answer by pointing at yourself. Depending on how we live is what kind of sign we are.

God commanded Ezekiel to behave in a certain manner when his wife died – when God took her (we need to remember God did it; God took Ezekiel’s wife (Ezek. 24.15ff)). But God told Ezekiel to behave in a certain manner so that the captives would understand why when Jerusalem fell – and Ezekiel obeyed and became a sign to them of their future expected behavior…

I know people are watching me. I know they are wondering if I really believe in God and obey Him or if I the same hypocritical sham they’d expect from one who claims to be a true believer. So not only am I behaving a certain way before God but also before men – as a sign to them of the presence of God in me.

Father in Heaven,

You make sure I am know for who I am. I cannot claim to know You with my mouth and walk against You with my feet. Help me to be a sign of Your presence in all I do and say – I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

On the Outs to the Ins

9.3.2010

Revelation 8:12 12 The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light might be darkened, and a third of the day might be kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night.

Dim days, dark nights – these are the days coming upon the earth. God never intended for this to happen; God has always desired to see fruitfulness and creativity and bounty and blessing. But men have rejected all of His goodness. And divine wrath is His sole just response.

As I watch the current events around me I wonder how long this dream will last. I wonder how long we can keep going. It seems that man cannot handle his freedom and he cannot handle oppression. What we humans really need is the Lord; what we really need, He’ll give. And He’ll give bountifully and He’ll give graciously; and He’ll give lovingly, and He’ll give mercifully; all we have to do is just accept it.

Today, while it is still called today, I must let my light shine. Today, I must remember that my calling is to represent the Lord as His ambassador and through me His light is to shine into my little corner of the world. I cannot afford to be all butt-hurt over current events when there is so much to live for today. Dim days, dark nights – these are coming fast but for today, His light still shines.

Father in Heaven,

Your servant, Ezekiel and John wrote somber words about somber days when men would begin to realize that their time was running out. I’m not sure when those days are coming, and they may be closer than I think, but let me this day represent You with a glad and hopeful heart. May I share Your goodness with those around me and somehow may my life draw those who are on the ‘outs’ with You to the ‘in’s’ – I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Divine Abandon

9.2.2010

Ezekiel 17:8 8 It had been planted on good soil by abundant waters, that it might produce branches and bear fruit and become a noble vine. ESV

What do you suppose is God’s divine intention for your life? Do you suppose you were planted in good soil by abundant waters that your life may produce branches and bear fruit and become a noble life? If you believe in God you have that kind of potential; that kind of divine intention.

There are many who believe in human potential. There are many who think if you just stay stuck to your dreams, ambitions, desires and goals, you’ll achieve them – if you believe, you’ll achieve. Human potential falls short because it factors out divine intention. We might inherit the whole world in human potential and forfeit heaven in the process; is it worth it?

My mission this day (and the direction of my life in general) is to live with divine abandon – letting go and letting God. I know that may sound glib or perhaps a cop-out to some, but that is truly what I’m to do in Christ. The vine that was planted in the proverb in Ezekiel 17 was to become a noble vine under the care of God. What about me – can I live with that kind of abandon? I must if I call God my Caretaker.

Father in Heaven,

Lord, take control of my life (as if You ever let go!). Help me to recognize Your hand in my every day and to cooperate with You and Your divine intention for my life. I ask to become a noble vine that produces branches and bears fruit for You. Hold me close, I pray in Your Name, amen.

I Too

9.1.2010

Psalm 70:5 5 But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay! ESV

Much of our present day evangelical theology is faulty – we in the church somehow feel the need to call the sinner a sinner. The problem with that is he knows he’s a sinner; he has no qualms with that at all. But he also knows he isn’t loved and he can’t quite figure out why the church doesn’t love him. So he lashes back in defensiveness that the church is a bunch of hypocrites who cannot tell the truth; and the battle rages from there seemingly never to be settled.

But even sinners get broken, and when they do they’re looking for answers and the pain is real, and they want fixed; they may not want God but they do want fixed. That is when we in the church have a golden opportunity to call out like David, “But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!” Sinners need to see the life of Jesus in our behavior and the brokenness of Christ in our speech. Sinners don’t need to be condemned by the churchy; they need to get to the place where they too, before God, cry out, “I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God!”

Yes, sinners sin, but the truth is I do too. I need to be a spirit-filled, spirit-led witness and look past their sin to their potential in Christ and share His salvation from a heart that says, I too am poor and needy and without the Lord, I am doomed. I cannot excuse their sin but I can say with conviction and love, but for the grace of God, there go I…

Father in Heaven,

You are the Eternal Healer, Helper, and Friend to the sinner who gets to the place where he recognizes his sin without my help. Help me to love and minister love, and witness to sinners around me that but for Your grace, there go I – in Jesus’ Name, amen.