Strong Faith

11.30.2010

Romans 4:20 20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God… ESV

This verse doesn’t say that Abraham didn’t have mistrust; it is obvious from his story in Genesis he did. What it does say is that any mistrust Abraham had didn’t make him waver in his faith in God’s promise, and over time his faith in God only grew stronger; and every time it did God got all the glory. That is the life of Abraham, the father of the faith, and the example for everyone who follows in his footsteps.

Whatever is going on in our lives (past, present, or future) is there to help us grow in our faith because with strong faith comes rich reward. And with rich reward the ability to walk through life the way Jesus Himself did, by the Spirit and in complete trust in God. And God is all about strong faith because there are things that God wants to do through each of us that will take strong faith to accomplish because without strong faith is the weakness of unbelief.

I think strong faith ultimately withstands the whining, wearying, wasting effect of worry. When we worry we are primed to give in to the notion that God is somehow limited when it comes to our circumstances. He might take care of everyone else but when it comes to us, somehow He’s limited. When worry shows up is when we need to remember that life was intended to be lived out on the balls of our feet in action, not on our heels in reaction. Strong faith will even kill worry.

The lesson for me today is to not waver and give God the glory. I am to pray, praise and thank Him for what He’s doing in me, for me and especially – in this world of doubt, mistrust and worry – through me.

Father in Heaven,
Every day is a brand new gift from You to walk as Abraham did, strong in faith. My prayer today is thanksgiving that You are with me and I am in You. My petition is, help me this day to live on my toes in faithful action rather than on my heels in worry – I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Behavior and Belief

11.29.2010

1 Thessalonians 4:1 Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. ESV

There are two separate principles at work here; the first is how they walked according to how they were taught; and the second is their pleasing God by trusting in Him and all He’s done on their behalf.

Often we get the two confused and turned around. We think we can please God by how we act and so we attempt to act properly. But when we came to Christ did anyone ask us to behave or were we asked to believe? You can always spot religion because it’s all about behavior. Salvation is based upon belief in the finished work of God through Jesus Christ.

Marriage is all about belief, not behavior – at least it’s supposed to be. My relationship with my wife is built upon a promise given to faithfully be her lawfully wedded husband for better or worse, in sickness and health, in wealth and poverty, loving only her until death. Marriage is a relationship built on a promise, not how often I take out the garbage. My behavior may set the tone of our ability to get along, but it isn’t the foundation of marriage – belief is.

My relationship with God is not based upon my behavior (thank You Lord!); my relationship with Him is based upon a belief that He is who He is and He loves me for who I am. Behavior is based upon belief not the other way around. We walk as we ought because we believe in Whom we believe.

Father in Heaven,
You are interested in my holiness but that is only through faith in Your finished work and my accepting it; trusting in all You’ve done. Help me to walk today in belief and because I do may my behavior lend credence to what I believe – in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Stuff and Circumstances

11.28.2010

1 Thessalonians 2:18 18 ...because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. ESV

Hmmm, whatever do you suppose Paul could’ve meant: Satan hindered us? There’s a lot of theology at stake here; I mean if God is large and in charge and Paul wanted to visit them again and again, what could it possibly mean that Satan hindered [them]?

To me, there are two possibilities that are shared in this passage: one is Paul in fear and worry wanted to visit them (v. 2.18); and the other, “Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you...” (1 Th 3:11).

Sometimes timing is everything. Sometimes the car has a dead battery; sometimes the kids get sick – sometime stuff happens. I think Paul had to stand back at times and declare that despite his best efforts, Satan hindered him. I tend to think Paul was a little impatient in this situation or a little anxious when he shouldn’t have been and as a result God allowed stuff and circumstances to get in Paul’s way, in order to show Paul His sufficiency, and Paul’s own motives.

I lean toward this way of thinking because Paul made the statement: “Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you...” Maybe Paul realized he wasn’t going anywhere until God did the directing – and anxiety and impatience were not going to be the mediums to get the job done but patience and trust were.

For over two years now we have tried to sell our house and tried to change our living situation and have been hindered by circumstances beyond our control. I think I’m finally getting to that place of saying, Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, meet all of our needs according to Their majestic will and purpose; and may we be amazed at how They do so… Trusting is so much better than worrying…

Father in Heaven,
You are never hindered. Maybe You were dealing with Paul – probably one of the greatest saints ever – who possibly was struggling with doubt, worry, fear, and self. Maybe he was hindered until he redirected his focus and his faith back to You. May I do the same; and thank You that You are always Large and in Charge – amen.

When Our Hearts Go South

11.27.2010

Matthew 26:14 14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests... ESV

Judas had developed a nasty habit of criticizing Jesus. Jesus was not acting the way he wanted Him to act and so Judas began to keep score. Perhaps Judas thought Jesus was a hypocrite, saying one thing and doing another. Perhaps Judas just got tired and irritated every time Jesus came up with one more of His answers. Maybe Judas was jealous. Maybe Judas tried with all his might to catch on to the Messiah but just couldn’t accept Jesus’ personality. I think it was a combination of all this, and the fact that Judas was a thief (see John 12.1-8).

What happens when our hearts go south against a leader? What happens when we just grow tired of the boss or the teacher or the pastor – or the mentor? It happens. What happens when our heart leaves and the guilt over its leaving stays? Sometimes the ego cannot bear admitting defeat and will hang on when it’s apparent to everyone else it should’ve left as well. I think that was Judas. I think he got caught up in something that he couldn’t control but initially thought he could. And when his Leader started saying things about crucifixion, he bailed in his heart…

I’ve never betrayed anyone like Judas did, but I have bailed in my heart… numerous times. I have been guilt ridden over my heart leaving but my stubbornness remaining. (Nobody really wants to hang around a cantankerous mule). There’s usually a tipping point, and for everyone’s sake, including my own, I need to pay attention to it. But when I do I need to remember that like two people who remain miserably married until the kids are gone, then divorce, the sham will at some point be obvious to everyone.

I think communication is vital. I think grace is essential. I think our hearts – mine and yours – are desperately fickle and often very misleading. I think a godly community of saints is the only place to deal with the tipping point and where we can deal with it when our hearts go south.

Father in Heaven,
You are good and merciful, and You are compassionate and loving. You know I struggle sometimes. Help me to be honest with how I feel and Help me to give all of my heart to You when it feels like it wants to leave. I’d rather have a tiny portion of Your grace now than a whole bunch of remorse later. Amen.

Risk

11.26.2010

Matthew 25:35-36 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. ESV

If the Gospel of Jesus Christ is counterintuitive then the Kingdom of God is a place of great risk. Imagine, in this day of mistrust and suspicion, inviting a stranger into your home with your wife and children and giving him a place to stay. Imagine in this day of poor economy and recession taking out of your own and giving food to the local hungry and thirsty. Imagine in this day of morbid fear over germs and flu approaching a dirty, filthy naked person, offering them a bath and some of your clothes clothes to wear. Imagine going into a room with someone in the last stages of AIDS, and sharing the remaining few hours of their life as their body tries to void itself of the disease through their bowels. Imagine going to a jail or a prison and visiting someone who is guilty and convicted and remaining friends with them. The Kingdom of God is a place of great risk to reputation, health, safety, and resources.

The late John Lennon (truly a beetle, not a Beatle) sang selfishly of imagining a world of no religion – he couldn’t risk religion and its demands on his time, talents, and treasures. Imagine ministering to the homeless, sick, imprisoned, and impoverished and never once receiving a thank you; but eagerly, joyfully awaiting a day of hearing these words: ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’ (Mt 25:34 ESV)

I must risk in order to hear these words; words that will mean more to me than any prize earth could ever offer. I must risk...

Jesus,
Lord, You have called me to risk it all for Your sake and the Kingdom. Help me to see my life the way You do and to live as Your Gospel demands and Your love commands – Amen.

About the Future

11.25.2010

Matthew 20:18-19 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.” ESV

Sometimes in our efforts to control our destinies we want to know the future – what’s gonna happen to me? – as if we could do anything about it. The problem for us is we are powerless to do anything about the future and foreknowledge only confuses the issue.

When Jesus told His men about the future it didn’t make things easy on them. The Zebedee boy’s mother went into immediate action: “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” (Matthew 20:21) She wanted to make sure that when it all went south her boys were well taken care of…

There is another way to accept news about the future: in faith – by faith; trusting God is in control of not only the future but our destinies as well. This was a totally new concept for these disciples because their religion assured them of only part of the story. Now was the time for them to believe and accept the rest of the story only by trusting God who shared with them other than what they thought was going to happen…

A danger of knowing the future is attempting to live in the future, forgetting about now. Jesus let them in on the right kind of future news – news that was good and beneficial to them as they lived out their present. It was future news with hope and expectation.

Father in Heaven,
Today, I am thankful to You not only for my past, but also my future – orchestrated by Your love and held firmly in Your hand. I am thankful to You for the gift of faith and for Your promises of tomorrow, which in Jesus Christ are always, yes, and amen. Amen!

More Than Enough

11.24.2010

Matthew 19:25 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” ESV

The above is a statement made by Jesus’ disciples when He debunked the fastly (almost universally) held belief that money could buy one everything – including favor with God. Then as now, they placed great value on great wealth. Truly, money is a medium but it is not the answer to life, as some suppose. Often, money is more of a problem than a relief. Often, those who suddenly come into great amounts of wealth within a short period of time wind up paupers. Money cannot buy salvation.

The Gospel is counterintuitive. If everyone else is saying, “Do it!” The gospel is usually saying, “Don’t do it!” or the other way around. Jesus’ command to the rich (young) man (in the story in which the above verse is found) was simply, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Generosity was one part, submission to Christ is the other; all around it was counterintuitive to what people thought or believed.

I have often wished I had great sums of money. I have often dreamed of having enough money to escape to the south when the cold comes in from the north. But money is not the solution to my need – only Jesus is. And Jesus is way more than a solution – He’s my friend. My passion in life is to recognize Him as such and then live accordingly. Although I don’t necessarily like it, I’m learning the twin sister of the blessing of two million dollars is two million problems. Counter-intuitively, with treasure in Heaven, there is hope one day of eternally enjoying every bit of it, with everlasting peace and joy.

Father in Heaven,

All of You is more than enough for
All of me for every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You is more than enough*

That is my song (with thanks to Chris Tomlin) and my prayer today, through Jesus Christ, amen.

*Enough, Chris Tomlin, Not to Us, September 2002, Six Steps Records

Way More Than Bread

11.23.2010

Matthew 16:8 “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread?" ESV

The problem with big government is its system of valuation. God intended government to keep law and order, to settle disputes, and to protect the national borders – apart from that there’s not much else the government needs to do. I know that is an explosive viewpoint to some, but the fact is, men ought to rule themselves and settle their own disputes based upon a central truth and if there’s a need for a mediator, that ought to be God Himself – the Author of truth. The problem with big government is that it cannot get past the idea of not enough bread or too much – government is limited.

The disciples were discussing what they didn’t have and had completely lost sight of What they did have: Himself; infinitely beyond what they could ask or imagine…

I don’t get the mentality of I don’t have but will readily admit the duplicity of my living with it every day; my system of valuation is all wrong. These days a morphing (hopefully) is taking place in me and the battle rages – I am trying to learn to trust God and be content with what I have (or don’t have). Jesus’ words imply to me that when I feel like I don’t have, I need to remember that in Him, I have way more than bread (or whatever else it is I think I need.)

Lord Jesus,
You are my Supply and my Sufficiency. I recognize I am caught up in my system of valuation and I cry out to you to be freed. Renew my mind and help me to truly see You as my All in All – I pray in Your Name, amen.

The Folks in Nazareth

11.22.2010

Matthew 13:58 58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. ESV

It’s not that Jesus wasn't able to do the miracles, it was because He wasn't sought out for miracles; not many in Nazareth believed He could do ‘mighty works’. It says He didn’t do many – nowadays we want Him to do just one. It’s not that He can’t or won’t; it’s that we don’t (or won’t) seek Him for miracles.

I’m astounded at how pharmacology has made strides in helping people with afflictions they don’t even know they have. I will tell you, as one who suffers from hypertension (high blood pressure), I’m glad for my little daily pill that provides what I need for stabilized blood pressure and a normalized heart-rate. I wish I didn’t have to take it but wishing for something has solved very few of my issues in life… I take it because I’m miserable without it. That doesn’t mean I don’t have faith although there are some who think that’s my issue.

The folks in Nazareth didn’t believe in Jesus – they couldn’t understand why a home-town, home-grown kid could talk the way He did and garner such attention with His mighty works in other places; to them, after all, He was just Jesus. Jesus wasn’t respected where He grew up. He didn’t do mighty works there because not many would humble themselves and approach Him to get one.

These days, the mighty works I need, have more to do with my character, my family, and the economy; stuff like that. I‘d like to grow spiritually. I would like to see my children grow spiritually as well. I’d like to sell a nice house in a very bad market. Or I’d like Jesus to help me find the income to pay for the house I have. But I don’t want to be like the folks in Nazareth who didn’t even come to see Him because they couldn’t accept Him – that’s a very sad place to be.

Father in Heaven,
It’s not that You won’t; it’s mostly because I don’t that’s the issue. It’s not about lack of stuff, it’s mostly because I scheme and dream and little do I scream out to heaven – HELP!!! Father I come to You because I need mighty works in my life and You are the Only One who can help. Help me today I pray – amen.

Something Worth Seeking

11.21.2010

Matthew 10:38 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ESV

It is noteworthy that Jesus’ words recorded here reflect something other than what we normally would like to hear from Him: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword..."(Mt 10:34) But this is the kind of teaching we need to hear from God who says in essence, all our systems are faulty. Worthiness is something worth seeking.

The Jews were convinced that Judaism was what would make them worthy to God; it made sense to them that they should measure up to God by behaving properly – but it was a complex and cumbersome system of do’s and don’ts. And so in the midst of this ineffectiveness (keeping the Jewish Law) Jesus shows up and says, whoever does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.

Knowing Jesus, is trusting Him. When the Lord says do this, or do that, He isn’t giving us a list of do’s and don’ts; He is showing us His heart and leading us in what is best for us. The choice is up to us and the cross carrying part is whether or not we trust Him. Cross-carrying is not natural to us and smacks against our desire to go it on our own. Cross-carrying goes against our fallen free-will and our natural propensity to decide what is best for us. So worthiness with Jesus is based upon our trusting Him and denying ourselves. But even self-denial is not some trump card we get to play; it’s the heart of self-denial that matters.

The heart of self denial is my willingly giving over the rulership of my life to Jesus and following Him with my cross on my shoulder. It is keeping my focus fixed upon Him and trusting Him to call all the shots. Cross-carrying is healthy and desirable if I want to make progress in my relationship with God…

Father in Heaven,
Yours is the Kingdom and mine is to live in it and keep it – I can only do so by trusting You completely with my cross laying across my soul. Help me God – I pray in Your Name, amen.

Apples Worth Eating

11.20.2010

Matthew 7:17 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. ESV

In Luke, Jesus makes the comparison of good trees and bad trees. Here in Matthew, He compares healthy and diseased. A good tree is a tree is one we would go to find fruit worth eating (or for some beneficial use). We would normally shy away from the bad trees for the reasons of bad (or unbeneficial) fruit or no fruit at all. We won’t look for apples on a tree that doesn’t bear them.

A diseased tree though is a tree with another story – good trees may become diseased. Diseased trees may (through diligence and effort) become healthy. Bad trees are bad and there’s no changing them. Diseased trees may be healed. I think most of us, if we are anything at all, are diseased; or healthy. I’ve not known too many bad trees, but I sure have been around a lot of unhealthy ones.

All trees, good or bad may become diseased; what happens after that depends on the caretaker of the trees. If we can infer from Jesus’ analogy that people are like trees, then every one of us is born with the propensity for disease and only through a wise and capable Caretaker may we go from disease to health. If good trees are the godly, then even the godly may become unhealthy from time to time and need of restoration. All I know to do is to seek God and seek His capable care in order for me to remain healthy. My health will be proven by the fruit I bear, and through the love and presence of my Maker, I ought to bear apples worth eating.

Father in Heaven,
No tree cares for itself – only You care for trees. People are sort of the same way and without You there is no cure for our disease. Yesterday is gone but with lessons learned and tomorrow isn’t here yet – so today I pray for Your care to keep me healthy that I may bear good fruit for You – amen.

The Hottest Flame for Chaff

11.19.2010

Matthew 3:12 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” ESV

About once a year when the weather conditions are just right (the wind isn’t blowing too hard), I burn weeds in my back yard. I put the weeds in a pile, get the burn permit, make sure I have a hose (fully charged) nearby, light the fire; and the weeds burn unbelievably hot. That’s my idea of the heat of unquenchable: the right combination of flimsy fuel, heat, and oxygen make for some nearly explosive flames. I imagine that’s how chaff burns as well.

Chaff seems to be the unimportant stuff of life that we spend so much time dwelling on; yes and allowing to consume our lives, our thoughts and our focus. We seem to pour a lot of precious resource into chaff. Chaff is one of the things Jesus came to eradicate and the hottest flame for chaff is always the truth. You wanna burn a hot fire, just start throwing around some truth – things’ll heat up in a hurry.

There are times of the year – along about late August and into September that the last thing I want in my yard is fire – tinder dry grass would be a great descriptor. But if I go after the weeds early then I don’t have to go after them late. Paul said, “Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw — each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.” (1 Corinthians 3:12-13) Bottom line, the chaff won’t make it through the fire – not mine, not yours, not anyone’s.

Father in Heaven,
I am exposed to the unquenchable fire of Your truth and it does its work in my life. I pray not to withstand the fire but be purified by it that what is of Your truth may stand and I may be found saved – I pray in Your Name, amen.

Relax! Rejoice!

11.18.2010

2 Corinthians 13:11 11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. ESV

Can you remember a day when you rejoiced in the Lord? Can you remember an occasion or a season when you were just bursting with immovable pleasure, happiness, contentment, and joy over what the Lord had done or was doing in your life (or maybe in the life of someone close to you)? Joy is an interesting thing.

Paul urged the Corinthians to rejoice. He urged the Philippians to rejoice always. He urged the Thessalonians to rejoice. Thirty-four times in his epistles he mentions the word, rejoice. I think he was trying to say, “Relax folks, everything is going according to plan – God’s plan!” That didn’t mean he didn’t have tough words or strong discipline, it meant he would rather slap someone upside the head in love, than to allow them to become prey to the flesh or the devil.

Rejoicing is a mind-set. Rejoicing is accepting that everything no matter the difficulty is going just as planned and that our eternal future is secure. It means we joyfully know and accept that God is with us in the midst of the storms.

Psalm 124.1-8:
1 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side — let Israel now say — 2 if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when people rose up against us, 3 then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; 4 then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; 5 then over us would have gone the raging waters. 6 Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! 7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! 8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (ESV)

Rejoice!

Breaking Point

11.17.2010

2 Corinthians 7:12 12 So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God. ESV

I cannot speak for you, because I don’t know, so I’ll just have to speak for me – for many years, times of testing were lost on me because my focus was in other places rather than on what God was teaching me. It seems even now I go through some of the same things over and over that bug the crap out of me and I wonder, does this ever go away!? I can admit however, I am getting smarter – after all these years, I am seeing things a bit differently.

Paul saw something in this church that he wouldn’t let go of: the presence of God among them. Paul saw something else we might not see a lot of these days: a confidence in himself and in his message that could only be the presence of God. We see many pretenders, but there aren’t many ‘Pauls’ walking among us.

When Paul wrote, “…that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you…” he was utterly convinced that a spiritual transaction had taken place in Corinth, that that they were in fact God’s children; he knew they just needed to see it. He knew that the proof of it would be in the display of their earnestness for [him] and their accepting it. Might sound arrogant, but not from Paul.

Often in spiritual matters our hearts (which are deceitful above all things, and desperately sick (Je 17:9 ESV)) need convinced. The catalyst for that, is times of heartbreakingly painful circumstances; the heart must be broken in order to receive the truth. There are truths that God desires for each of us to see and embrace that will only come by comparing our current miserable or apathetic experience to the gloriousness of His promises; and when our earnestness for Him is revealed to us.

So who knows but that the seasons of humiliation and disappointment we’re living through now, aren't but to open our eyes to the glorious acceptance and love of God for us at some point in the future, when the reality of His presence within us is revealed through our earnestness for Him? 1+1=2

Father in Heaven,
You never let go! You love us with such a magnificent love and You never let go. Help me to see Your love in new ways today as the process of breaking my heart continues. And help me to see my earnestness for You revealed as my flesh is crucified by my pain – I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Wow

11.16.2010

2 Corinthians 5:21 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. ESV

Tonight I get the privilege of sharing (albeit briefly) the doctrine of sin with a bunch of 7th and & 8th graders. I’d rather share about God making Jesus to be sin (who knew no sin) on our behalf so that we could and would become righteous in His sight. I’d rather share about the cure than the sickness. But the truth for tonight is simply this: for all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.

God offers us friendship. God offers us eternal life. God offers us a quality of life that will never spoil fade or perish. Our problem is we have to wait for these things and endure what we have in the meantime. But our endurance of human life on earth is lighter and brighter because in the midst of it God offers us His fellowship and presence so that nothing on earth may prevent us from reaching our goal of eternal togetherness with Him. So God even made a way for our disease to be removed simply by trusting that what Jesus Christ did for us, He did that we may enjoy Him forever. God allowed His Son to take upon Himself the curse of sin for all mankind so that all mankind could become right before Him. Wow!

So, between now and tonight, and along with every moment that passes between then and the day I die, Jesus Christ is my Righteousness; for my sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him I might become the righteousness of God. And so, because of that I know I am accepted by God – not because of what I’ve done – but because Jesus is my Righteousness and took my sin issue away forever. Yeah!

Father in Heaven,
You made a way for my disease to be eternally cured by placing my faith in an event that happened 2000+ years ago. When I was born I didn’t know that but throughout my life You made it known and now today I celebrate what You did for me that I could come to know You in all of Your goodness and majesty. Help me share the good word tonight that some of these kids might understand – in Your Name, amen.

Make Sure He Knows

11.15.2010

2 Corinthians 2:5-8 6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, 7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. ESV

What a picture Paul paints for us on how to treat one among us who falls. If what I am told is correct, Paul is referring to the Corinthian brother in chapter 5 of 1 Corinthians who has fallen morally. Paul said we are to exclude a member of the family who sins and (I’m assuming) denies his actions. Apparently some knew about it because Paul was told and commanded them to correct the situation. So they did what he told them to do but now (again assuming) several months have passed and Paul now tells them to forgive and comfort the sinning one and bring him back into fellowship lest he be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. Some sorrow is necessary. More sorrow is redemptive. Excessive sorrow is damaging. Grace covers all.

I had to stop and reflect about this one – I’m not sure what I’d do and I’m not sure how to think about the one who sins – I think our society is mostly too afraid to confront the situation and do what is right. Somehow we seem to think it’s no one’s business what another does or how one acts even though that one may call himself a brother in the Lord.

Tonight I’m thinking about two prisoners – one guilty of murder and one guilty of sex with minors; both known to me and both claiming son-ship in the Lord. I pray that both will be spared the pain and loss of excessive sorrow and that both will remain strong in their faith regardless of their crimes… I’m also thinking about how I think of them – they are truly my Kingdom relatives who’ve been caught up in their actions and are suffering the consequences for their sin. They need my love, my pity, and my prayers. My hope is they remain strong in their faith…

Father in Heaven,
Your word says You are the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Co 1:3-4) Tonight I pray for my friends and family members who are sitting out their sentences and await the day when society says they have paid for their crimes. I pray that You strengthen them in their faith and teach them to trust You with all of what they’ve done and where they are as a result. I pray that we have courage in the church to get to know one another deeply and to confront one another lovingly but firmly when necessary so that by doing so we could hopefully avoid possible prison sentences by hopefully avoiding possible criminal activity. Fill us with the Holy Spirit to love one another and lay done our lives for each other; keep us safe in holy peace. Big prayer – Big God; amen.

Change I Can Live With

11.14.2010

1 Corinthians 15:51 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed... ESV

That’s what I’m hoping for – change. I find myself desiring change almost everyday. I want to change my personality; I want to change my location. I want to change my vocation. All these desires come upon me in waves. And so as I read Paul’s letter to his beloved church in Corinth I hear the words I so want to hear, we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed…. Yes! Be patient little one, your redemption draws near.

In Christ I will be changed in order to live in eternity; in Him, I’ll be changed in order to live and thrive in Heaven. I’ll no longer feel the friction of the physical but will experience eternally the exquisite, well-oiled freedom of the spiritual. That’s change I’m hoping for.

When the burdens of this life become too much and the oft insanity of living in western society comes in full-force like a tsunami, I remember my hope and what lies ahead for me and all who hope in Jesus – change I can live with!

Jesus,
You have prepared a life for me way beyond the blue; and one day, I’ll be changed forever, for eternity. And if this life has promise and purpose then so does the eternal, only infinitely more. May I rest today in Your promise and in humility walk in Your purpose that I may be prepared for that day when death will die and life will sweep in like a flood forever and ever. In Your Name I hope… and pray – amen.

A Place and a Purpose

11.11.2010

Psalm 122:3-4 3 Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together, 4 to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. ESV

Jerusalem, a place with a purpose. Jerusalem was for centuries the center of worship for Israel. It was the place where the tribes were to come for their religious festivals; it was the place of the Temple, the centerpiece of worship for the people of God. Jerusalem was and it to this day, a special place for many – almost magical.

But Jerusalem was also a place of weakness and war. Jerusalem to this day is a place of controversy and sometimes chaos. Jerusalem, the purposed place was the destination of death on a hill outside the gates where Jesus bore, upon Himself, our sins in His death upon the cross. Jerusalem – decreed for Israel to be a place to give thanks to the Name of the Lord.

Today, the decreed place for God is in our heart; our spirit. Today, the Lord meets with us because to His own, He is in us. The purpose hasn’t changed; there is still a meeting place – and one day Jerusalem will regain her majesty as the City of the Great King. But for now, the sanctuary of God is in the heart of the humble; the space of the seeker.

I give thanks to the Lord when I realize it is only because of Him that I am where I am; have what I have; and have experienced what I’ve experienced. Thanking God is not for me just an expression but also the recognition of His presence and mercy in my life, and upon those who call on His Name. There is still a place and a purpose…

Father in Heaven,
Thank You for all You’ve done, do and are doing for me and my family in Christ. Thank You that Your ultimate purpose will be accomplished exactly as You’ve planned from before the beginning of time. Thank You that one day I will worship You in the New Jerusalem where the true temple will be Your tangible presence with me, in me; and with all who give thanks to the name of the Lord. Amen.

Whatever Whenever

11.10.2010

1 Corinthians 7:24 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God. ESV

How often I would change my circumstances – I would have more time, more money, more charm, more whatever… The changes I would have are pretty well summed up in the grass is greener syndrome. Sunny days always seem sunnier and more appealing when I have to work – I’d rather not be working when it’s sunny. But when the bills come due and the car needs gas and the groceries need purchased, I’m glad I worked on those sunny days.

One phrase of the Serenity Prayer is, “Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time…” The wisdom of this is learning to accept whatever whenever, and in the midst of it all, to find God. Paul seemed to be saying to the Corinthians, “in whatever condition [you] were called, find God; He’s there.” And He is. The safety-valve to the desire to manage our circumstances, be it the job, relationships, leisure, affliction, is this: find God whenever, wherever and focus solely upon Him. There is great relief when we do.

Whatever my condition today, my reminder is to focus wholly and solely upon God. That isn’t a free-pass to be irresponsible or lazy, but to remember wherever I am and whatever I’m doing to be ‘in the presence’ of the Lord because wherever I am, whatever I’m doing, He is with me.

Father in Heaven,
You know Your child has a restless heart and wishes things would be different and could be under his control, but that isn’t Your heart and You and I both know I would soon screw things up. Help me today to focus on Your presence and to enjoy Your company as I go about my day – I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

In the Reality of Its Truth

11.9.2010

1 Co 6:3 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! ESV

What if we really believed what the Bible said about us? What if we lived out our lives in the reality of its truth?

This morning Paul’s question to the Corinthians hit me like a bucket of cold water. I admit it; I don’t often think about questions like, “Do you not know that we are to judge angels?” To which I would respond, ‘Really!?’ It seems like questions like this and the others he asks of the Corinthians point to another kind of life that I don’t often (rarely, almost never) consider. I’m not sure what judging angels is, or what it entails; but it appears that it needs to happen and God is raising up a nation of judges to do such a work. Wow!

What if I really believed the Bible and what it says about me? What if I lived out my days on earth in the reality of its truth? What if I began to live now in such a way so that God could teach me about what it is I’m to do in the next life? What if I were to live today with the mindset of, “Oh yeah, the Bible does say that!”

This morning, I’m looking at life a little differently. This morning, the magnitude of my sin and failure isn’t quite so impressive. This morning, I see that God indeed has big plans for me (and everyone else) and I need to be aware of them, and desperately need His help to fulfill them, (or better yet) to cooperate with Him as He fulfills them in me…

Father in Heaven,
Lord, help me to get it that there is way more to this life than I usually see. Help me to see that Your plans for me and my brothers and sisters goes way beyond what we can hope for or imagine. Help me to live in the reality of what You say about me in Your word – it sounds like I have a big job to fulfill later. Amen.

Expert or Shoddy

11.8.2010

Let each one take care how he builds upon it. I Corinthians 3.10b

What a difference a few months can make. I last spent time in 1 Corinthians back in March of this year. My perspective has changed so much is such a short period of time.

Let each one take care how he builds upon it – upon the foundation of Christ and the teachings of the New Testament and how he tells the story. Paul wasn’t being arrogant; he was showing the importance of telling the story and living the life effectively. We believers are to be about the business of imparting the glory, goodness, greatness, and grace of God. That’s what we do. Paul likened that to building upon a foundation. We can do a good job of it… or we can do shoddy work. The bottom line is that each one’s work will be shown for what it is: expert or slap-together.

Let each one take care how he builds upon it – today is a wake up call to inspect and detect what and how I’m building. We all need grace. We all need God’s guidance. We all need discipline. In one way or another we all need God’s help. But I’m thinking about how I use God’s help and what I’ll do with it as I get it – expert or shoddy. And I’m thinking about what it will be like to present it back to God: enduring or ashes.

Father in Heaven,
You are helping me to see that I can in fact do all things through Christ in my quest of presenting my life back to You having accomplished something with it for Your pleasure and glory. May I trust You this day and may I find strength through Your Spirit as I impart the good things You’ve given me and as I build my life and ministry upon the foundation of Jesus Christ – in His Name, amen.

Trust without Blame

11.7.2010

Job 32:3 3 He burned with anger also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. ESV

Isn’t this the way it seems to sometimes go – one is frustrated, angered or irritated at another and though a finger can’t be placed upon the cause of the frustration, it remains without cause – just because.

Job’s friends knew there had to be more to Job’s story than he was letting on – he had to have done something wrong in order to receive such treatment – they reasoned that the magnitude of his misery was surely because he’d screwed up major in some way and he just wasn’t owning up to it. Elihu (see Job 32.1ff) saw the injustice of not coming up with a reason for blame; and to blame without cause was just plain wrong.

But, you know, sometimes stuff just happens; nobody knows why and nobody did anything wrong. Life is laid out for us according to God’s wisdom and He doesn’t have to account for anything we consider to be ‘wrong’. We may have a part, but we don’t have all of His perspective.

Another consideration is this: learning to live by trusting God and not trying to please Him; not putting the cart before the horse. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Heb 11:6 ESV) Trusting always precedes pleasing – always. Instead of incessantly looking for answers or someone to blame, my response must be, “Lord, though I don’t understand why, I trust You; and believe that all You do, You do it in love, for my good and Your glory.” Trust without blame.

Father in Heaven,
Lord, though I always don’t understand why, I trust You; and believe that all You do, You do it in love for my good and Your glory – through Jesus Christ, amen.

Whatsit Gonna Be?

11.6.2010

Galatians 3:22 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? ESV

One of the greatest lies foisted upon mankind is this: one comes to God in faith only to spend the rest of his days living according to the rules – trying to please God. Few truly realize that God is only pleased by faith.

God didn’t make Himself known to men so that He could adapt to their culture; He made Himself known that they would adapt to His. Paul made the point to the Galatians that the key that unlocked the door to true relationship with God was the point of hearing the truth, not keeping the demands of Jewish Law. God’s grace breathes freedom; the Law imprisons with regulation.

It seems that governments nowadays try to outdo one another by coming up with ridiculous laws and regulations that are impossible to keep; the more stringent, constricting, and crushing, the better. Faith allows sloppiness and messiness because that is how people are and how relationship with them is. Law cannot tolerate sloppy and messy and tries by rule to eradicate humanness and the unpredictable. Endless regulation ignores everydayness and demands flawless perfection. That is so not God who calls us to peace and freedom being who we’re going to be through loving and living faith in His Son.

So Paul’s question to me is this: Pablo, did you come to know God by keeping the rules and presenting yourself as a rule-keeper or did you hear the truth and did it set you free to walk in a loving trust relationship with Him? His second question is: now that you’ve come to faith, do you have to live by the rules to keep it?

Father in Heaven,
I have believed the Law for so long; I too now cry, Abba Father, trusting that I am set free from trying to please You by keeping the rules; and living simply in the freedom I have in Jesus Christ to love You. Amen.

The Belief Business

11.4.2010

Mark 16:20 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs. ESV

This is a fitting summary to Mark’s gospel – while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs. It is no different today; the Lord works with us and the accompanying sign is that people believe the message that He lives.

The New Testament is full of accounts of miraculous events; one after another. Sometimes it seems that we don’t see many events like that in our day and we’re left to wonder if God has gotten out of the miracle business. Personally, I don’t think He ever was in the miracle business – I think He’s always been in the Belief Business. The fact that the disciples became preachers and went out and preached everywhere is a sign in and of itself that something dramatic had changed in their lives – their belief was living proof of God’s presence in them and with them.

The religious rulers demanded that Jesus take Himself down from the cross (Mark 15.31,32). Their demand was, perform Jesus and we will believe! I think there are a lot of people with the same mentality: Do something special for me God and I will believe! I’m not sure God kowtows to demands.

On the other hand, what would our neighbors, family, friends and co-workers (or fellow students) think if we went out and preached [the Kingdom of God] everywhere? Would they think we’d lost our minds or that the Lord was working with us?

Today my sole focus must be upon Jesus as His disciple and I must work with Him as He works with me that the message may be proclaimed and somehow some will come to faith as a result – that’s a miracle!

Lord Jesus,
My day is Your day; my time is Your time. Use me today, Lord and work with me to proclaim the greatest miracle of all – that You love sinners and desire to save them from the destruction of their sins and befriend them for all eternity – amen.

A God Who Reaches Out to Me

11.3.2010

Job 25:4 4 How then can man be in the right before God? How can he who is born of woman be pure? ESV

Call me weird, but when I read this verse today I answered, “Only through Jesus, Bildad, only through Jesus.” Bil knew about sin. He’d committed some and some had been committed against him; to him it was just a part of life. And it is, it is a part of life. And sin separates man from God. And if that is all there is then Bildad (and others like him) can ask questions like, “How then can man be in the right before God? How can he who is born of woman be pure?” Bildad looked at life only through the lens of, it is what it is and there ain’t no changing it… To me, Bildad sums up what I would call the futility of faith.

Futile faith is really no faith at all. Futile faith is focused more on futility than it is on faith. Futile faith says it will never change and expects nothing more. Futile faith is really faith in futility. Futile faith is fed when one really, really, really wants God to act their way and all He does is act His way. Futile faith imprisons God to impotence because He won’t perform in a particular manner; i.e. the way I want Him to… So God is relegated to uselessness because He won’t (or can’t) give me what I want. Who needs a God who won’t consider my plight? Ah, the fickle, foolish, frail, faulty, fallen self and its futile demands.

Bildad could not accept that God could or would ever reach out to people; they were just too bad. In Bildad’s eyes (and perhaps rightly so) people got whatever the got because they deserved it. Bildad couldn’t understand a compassionate Deity. A deity of retribution, punishment, and judgment? Yes, but a God who loves people despite their brokenness? Never! Only through Jesus, Bildad, only through Jesus.

I am grateful for Jesus today. I am grateful for a God who reaches out to me because at times I simply cannot reach out to Him.

Father in Heaven,
You reached out for me because You knew I couldn’t and wouldn’t on my own. Today, I pray for Your touch and peace that I may walk with You in grateful humility that You are indeed my God and through Your Son, I am indeed made pure – in His Name, amen.

My Answer Makes the Difference

11.2.2010

Mark 11:33 33 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” ESV

Playing mental chess with God is a loss; God knows all the moves and knows what questions to ask and reveals our deepest character. God doesn’t really want to play who can outwit who anyway; He’s more interested in becoming our Friend. Many question the authority of God; many more question the authority of the Church. It seems to be a big human deal to know who is in charge and when God claims He is, mankind retorts, Says who!?”

Then the question becomes, well if God isn’t in charge, then who is? Who is in charge; the government? The problem arises when we are wronged and want justice. The problem arises when we cannot get along (and we’re good at that!) So who then is in charge and by what authority do we live? To say I don’t know is a horrible cop-out. I don’t know really means I am. But when I am is on the throne then it’s dog-eat-dog, survival of the fittest, and only the strong survive. What kind of a world is that?

It’s better for me that I know who is in charge and by whose authority I live than to say I don’t know. My knowing doesn’t erase man’s inhumanity to man, but it does provide consequences for those who insist they don’t know; and reward for those who say they do. And the question for me to live by is this: Who rules my life, God or me? My answer to that makes all the difference.

Father in Heaven,
I do know. I know Who is in charge, You are. I know that all things are under Your control regardless of how I perceive them and I know that I am loved and accepted by You. Help me to live today in peace knowing You are in complete control of all things and that Your eternal purposes are being worked out for the benefit of Your people by Your love, power and great goodness – amen.