A God So Present

1.30.2011

Exodus 25:8 8 “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. NIV

In those days, gods were far, far away; there wasn’t such thing as an up-close God. And really, other than the Lord (Who made Himself known to them) there weren’t any real gods. Yes, people thought there were gods and went out of their way to invoke them, but the process was that of either trying to get their attention, or trying to appease them somehow; gods (little “g”) could be very annoying and temperamental at times.

So when God removed Israel from Egypt by His mighty hand and outstretched arm, the Israelites still had no real identity with a God so present. Yes, they had their traditions from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but to them, that was their God; much like today, when trying to reach our own kids, God has to become theirs and not just ours.

God promised Abraham that He would bless the world through his descendants but just out of Egypt, He had to teach them who He was and He chose to do that right in the midst of them: “I will dwell among them in the Tent right next door.”

Isn’t that what God wants to do for us – doesn’t He want to be with us in all that we are and do? Doesn't God want us to celebrate His presence in our everyday life; turning the mundane into the miraculous? Doesn’t His presence make every day better no matter the stuff we’re going through? Doesn’t the promise of His companionship bring us peace? He wants to dwell among us – He’s promised to make even our hearts His home. What could be better than that?

Father in Heaven,
You have promised to be with me no matter what. I do celebrate that today. I am sorry that I often take that for granted or simply neglect it – help me not to do that. I welcome Your presence, and my life is infinitely blessed because You are – amen.

Scott-Free

1.29.2011

Exodus 21:2 2 “If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything. NIV

Considering all that has happened up to this point, I find it odd that the first law involves people, slavery, equity, and freedom. But God doesn’t do things my way and is as counterintuitive as it comes.

Whether I realize it or not; whether I admit it or not, I was born a slave. Slavery is the state of every human being born onto this planet and into every various society. Humans are born as slaves to sin. And so humans serve sin until the day they are released – Scott-free.

If you paid a lot for the Hebrew slave then you’d better get your money’s worth because in six short years he gets freedom regardless of what you paid. I’m sure they had their formulas for what was fair, but again, regardless, he went free. And so did his family if you bought them as a package deal.

Slavery is not always a bad thing; not every owner was a Simon Legree*. But slavery among your own people – that has some serious considerations for me. Sometimes however, what has to be is what has to be, and we just need to make the most of it – slavery notwithstanding.

God however, has an end in sight. It is never His intention that we suffer the abysmal side-effects of our slavish servitude to sin. And though we are sold into slavery at conception and live out slavery from our birth, God offers freedom from the moment we come into existence. So it’s no wonder to me that He speaks first of limits, and freedom, and, oh yeah, scott-free.

Father in Heaven,
Thank You for freeing me from the sin that so easily entangles and giving me new life with all of its benefits and privileges in Christ Jesus. Help me when I foolishly turn back and may I walk out the rest of my days celebrating the end You have in sight – in Jesus’ Name, amen.

* a principle character in the novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe published in 1852

The Pack-ed Ten

1.27.2011

Exodus 20.1 And God spoke all these words:

God assembled His people and said to them, something like this:

1. I am the Only One, so do yourself a huge favor and focus all of your being on Me; and for your sake, don’t make the mistake of trying to substitute Me for someone, or something else.
2. I am not a Something, I am a Someone –trinkets won’t represent Me and you’ll have unfettered access to Me through love, trust, and relationship.
3. For as much as you reverence your own name; and want to be well thought of, value My Name above all else – My Name means a lot.
4. Take an intentional, regular, and scheduled weekly day off; and use it to build on the relationship between the two of us – just you and Me. You’ll find everything else lines up perfectly when you do.
5. Cherish and remember mom and dad – they are the vessels I chose to bring you into the world and though they are fallen just like you, I used them to bring you into my company. You owe them your life - they are worthy of your lifelong honor and respect.
6. Only I get to set the times of life and death, so truly love one another and by true love, you’ll find each other tolerable enough to live with and let live.
7. In the same way that I desire to have all of your heart, in your marriage, give all of your heart only and always to your spouse. There might be the appearance of something else in someone else, but if you act on it, you’ll only get deep and lasting hurt and lifelong trouble all because someone looked good.
8. Be content with what you have and leave what doesn’t belong to you alone. Follow first, only and always Me, and I will bless you with good things. Really.
9. Use the power I’ve given to you wisely and remember it can be a weapon against those living in peace around you. Your words are powerful and must be used in gentleness, kindness, and love.
10. Respect Me by not buying into the myth that the grass is always greener on the other side – where another lives. Look for Me in all you have (or don’t have) – that’s the best way to live.

We’ve misunderstood the Ten Commandments because they aren’t laws but we so want them to be. We seem to feel better with the don't-do's and the be-sure-to's. But you can’t legislate love – not even God would do that.

Father in Heaven,
You are all about heart. You are all about relationship and You are all about peace between us and our fellow men. Help me to live by love and to give up on the rules – it might be more messy but it will be worth it in the end – amen.

But for One Thing

1.26.2011

Exodus 14:4 4 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” So the Israelites did this. NIV

One might think the Lord mean-spirited for hardening Pharaoh’s heart and gaining glory for Himself through Pharaoh but for one thing: the Lord is never mean. There isn’t a mean part to Him at all. The Lord doesn’t need to grow up. The Lord is never petty or cruel. He will make His point, and from our perspective, it may seem petty or cruel; but that’s only because we don’t know any better.

God gave Pharaoh and the people of Egypt many chances to get their act together – but they refused. God didn’t make them refuse, like us, they did it all on their own. God loved (and still loves) the people of Egypt and desired for them to come to know Him in truth. It was their choice to refuse Him. God also desired for the people of Israel to come to know Him in truth – but they too (as the story continues) had a very hard time accepting Him for Who He was and giving Him glory.

God gains glory for Himself because He says what He means; and means what He says (another thing that is lost on us…). And God follows through on what He says. We interpret the way God acts as cruel and petty because we expect Him to say one thing and mean another, or to say one thing and do another – especially when it comes to the way He treats us as individuals. And because He does, we deem God unacceptable because He won’t kowtow to our demands.

Today, I have a choice because God will gain glory for Himself through me whether I act in godliness or carry on in the flesh. Whatever I do, God is right. And I will know one way or the other, that He is the Lord. The choice is mine.

Father in Heaven,
That You would gain glory through someone like me is an amazing and awesome thought; it isn’t for my glory but for Yours. I ask for courage and strength today to walk in a manner that pleases You, that I may be a witness to others of Your glory and presence – through Jesus, amen.

With God it’s Personal

1.25.2011

Exodus 13:8 8 On that day tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ NIV

I can imagine millions of Egyptians saying something like, “This is what their God did to me.” But the Israelites were commanded to make it personal – “…what the Lord did for me…”. With God it’s always personal whether it’s salvation or even judgment. God deals with individuals.

The Israelites were to make their relationship God with personal and assume personal responsibility for their lives. That was God’s intent from the first day Adam and Eve walked in the garden – love God on a personal level. But it wasn’t to stop with them, they were to pass it along to their children so that they could make it personal as well. God is big enough to care for all nations, every jurisdiction, every city, every street, every house, every family and every person. That’s just Who He is.

We tend to think the Old Testament is more impersonal because of the Law, the history, and the culture – but God never intended that to be. And here in the early chapters of antiquity He commands them through their pastor, Moses, “On that day tell your son, “I do this because of what the Lord did for me when I cam out of Egypt.’”

Maybe it’s time I started personalizing my relationship with God to my own children. Maybe that is what they need to hear from me - my God is personal and my relationship with Him is as well. I need to tell them that I live why I live because of what the Lord did for me and then live out my life before them accordingly. It surely couldn’t hurt…

Father in Heaven,
With You it’s always personal. Thank You for what You’ve done for me and that You’ve led me out of “Egypt” as well into a ‘Promised Land’ of relationship with You. Father, I pray for grace to tell my kids the truth and I pray for their souls – because of what You did for me… Amen.

A Divine Personal Explanation

1.24.2011

Exodus 9:16 16 But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. NIV

You know, if Pharaoh hadn’t been such a butt-head, this almost sounds like a compliment. I think if you see it in the right light it is a compliment of grace and mercy. God said previously, “Look Bucko, I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth. [But I didn’t, so lighten up!]”

If we were to stand before God tonight and ask Him for what purpose He made us, I wonder what He would say; because, after all, God made us all for something, and to serve some divine purpose. That’s the nice thing about God – He never does anything random – even to a Pharaoh or even to us even when it seems so senseless.

Pharaoh was so filled with arrogance and human purpose that he factored out God – not good Pharaoh; not smart at all. But God in His infinite grace and mercy extended His hand to this tyrant and offered him a way out (which, of course, he was blind to). There’s not too many of us who get a divine personal explanation of why (and when) whatever is happening; and that we’re an integral part.

But to the humble, the broken, the suffering, and the meek, God says, “I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you My power and that My Name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Change the character and the words have a whole new meaning… The difference is in the heart of the recipient.

Father in Heaven,
Your words are life to those who accept them, and death to those who don’t. Pharaoh had a golden opportunity to repent but didn’t because there was no room in his heart for You. So he needlessly suffered and died eternally. I accept that You have raised me up for Your divine purpose that Your power may be evident and resident in me and that I may proclaim Your Name to those who don’t know You. Through Jesus, amen.

Distinction

1.23.2011

Exodus 8:23 23 I will make a distinction between my people and your people. This miraculous sign will occur tomorrow. NIV

Tomorrow…God told Moses to tell Pharaoh, I will make a distinction between My people and your people. That’s the difference – God makes the difference and it should be obvious in the eyes of others.

Are God’s people today any different from those who aren’t? Are Christians more committed to marriage? Are Christians more devoted to gathering together? Are Christians (as a whole) more helpful, loving, serving than those who don’t name the Name? What makes us distinct from their people?

In the last generation we in the Church have done our best to show their people that we’re not so different – therefore we ought to be more acceptable because we really aren’t all that different. And so with that mentality we have maybe – just maybe – lost our distinction and the reality is, we really aren’t that different. God decided not to inflict the Israelites with the plagues to show them, the Egyptians, that they, Israel, had His favor. But they were as hard-hearted as the Egyptians. What really made them distinct?

Only God.

Only God made them distinct and only God continues to make us distinct today. But there should be some evidence of God’s distinctive presence in our lives – shouldn’t there? What will happen in your life and mine today (and tomorrow) that will show those who am ain’ts, that we, is God’s saints?

Father in Heaven,
You make the difference in my life as I spend time with You and ever acknowledge your presence in all situations and circumstances. I don’t need to prove myself to the world to be just a regular Joe; but to be a distinctive child of the Living God because You are the Only Focus of my everyday living. Help me to live like this I pray, amen.

The Sign of Success

1.22.2011

Exodus 3:12 12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” NIV

We must be careful to read this passage thoughtfully and not read into it things that aren’t there and see the things that are there – God said He would lead Moses and be with Him and the sign would be future, not present. Moses would one day look up at the mountain and remember these words: “You will worship God on this mountain.” In other words, you will be successful.

Moses objected because he was a criminal in Egypt, and a relative unknown among his people. Moses knew if he returned to Egypt he’d have to answer for his crime. And I don’t think Moses was all that spiritual as he herded those sheep around Horeb. So when God calls him, Moses didn’t see why and said, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” (Ex. 4.13)

Moses’ objections are not unlike our own as we face the tough issues in life that we face. We make excuses as to why we won’t or can’t succeed and the Lord says to us, “And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you…” Whatever it is that God is asking us, or sending us to do, we can look for the signs of His presence along the way, and the sign of His success at the end.

We must always remember that it is God’s mighty hand that compels us (Exodus 3.19) and when He does, our circumstances make us move…

Father in Heaven,
Today Lord, I look at the things I am facing and look for the sign of Your presence that I may see the sign of Your success in all that You are doing for me – momentarily and otherwise. Thank You for Your love. Amen.

This for That

Luke 21:34 34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. NIV

I would like to say I have never seen such dissipation, drunkenness and anxiety in my world as I do today, but that wouldn’t be totally true. What I will say is I have never been more aware of dissipation (indulgence, debauchery, and flakiness), drunkenness, and anxiety than I am today. People are loaded up with worries and weighed down with stuff and are looking for relief - any relief that is except God. And so they are drunk and self-indulgent. (Drunkenness includes drug-abuse in my mind.) People will do anything to kill the pain they feel, and so they do some of the weirdest things to try to kill it. Distractions from what is truly important are a dime a dozen these days.

The problem is the domino effect of being weighed down, then trying to kill the pain of being weighed down; which in turn leads to the futility of being more weighed down. Jesus warned them (and us) to be careful lest they/we be consumed in worry about things outside their/our control and then self-medicate (in whatever form that takes) to escape the worry and fear that’s apt to flood in when they/we give those things too much of their/our attention.

I think it boils simply down to this for that. When we weigh the weight of being weighed down against the weightlessness of being free, there’s no comparison. One is freedom – the other is burden. One is faith – that other, fear. One is peace – the other is turmoil. God asks us, begs us to not get caught up in the shell-game that the world and our culture play with our minds. Be careful, Jesus says, because the fix is in…

Father in Heaven,
How often You admonish us in Your word to beware of the lies and lure of this world. And You know our hearts and You know our weaknesses. Help me to be wise and to beware. I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Fitting for Each

1.20.2011

Genesis 49:28 28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them, giving each the blessing appropriate to him. NIV

As I read down through the twelve blessings of the twelve sons, I had to think about Jacob’s relationship with his boys, and what he thought about each of them. You can tell just by the length or tone of the blessings that he was closer to some than others; and that he favored some more than others. With that many boys running around, it would be hard to have that much time for them. But Jacob thought about his boys and the blessing he gave to each one of them shows he knew something about them; and thought something of each of them.

It makes me think about my own boys – all two of them. (Yes, I’ve had three, but one of them is already infinitely blessed in the presence of the Lord.) If I were to bless my boys today I would definitely have something to say that was appropriate to each.

To one I would say “You are creative and insightful; you argue on the level of an attorney but I think you’re called to be a man of God and lead a church.” To the other I would say, “You have the heart of a warrior but the charisma of a leader. You are wise beyond your years and you’ll do well if you capture the vision of your life.” Children are a gift from God and my job as a parent is to help them see what I see and to inquire of God to help them see in themselves what He sees; each appropriate to him – or her…

Father in Heaven,
Thank You for my children and for Your presence in their live. I pray You give them wisdom and Lord I pray that You help them to see what You see for them. To Judah you ordained, “The scepter will not depart from [you], nor the ruler’s staff from between [your] feet, until He comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is His.” Even Judah’s prophecy was about Jesus who owns the scepter and the staff. May my boys be caretakers of the gifts You’ve given them until they lay them at the feet of Him to Whom they belong… amen.

A Return on His Investment in Me

1.19.2011

Luke 19:15 15 “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.” NIV

Kings intend for their resources to increase. Kings go after things like power, wealth, status and glory. But kings need servants and those servants must be on-board with their master or they’ll find themselves in deep weeds. The king mentioned here (Luke 19) sent for his servants to whom he had given of his resources in order to find out what they had gained with it; the day of reckoning had arrived.

Every person on earth - when their days on earth have ended - will have a meeting with the King, and He will ask questions like: What did you do with My Son, and, what did you do with My Word? There are going to be many who say things like, “I knew You to be hard and I was afraid.” May will say, “All I thought You were doing with me was taking things away from me.” Some are going to say, “Well, I didn’t know any better.” Some are going to say, “Here Lord, here is the life You gave me and this is what I did with it.” It’s all a matter of attitude and perspective.

My life must account for something. I must routinely take inventory of my actions and attitudes to make sure they’re in line with the resources God has given me – it’s all for His increase. All my thoughts, words, and deeds must be for a return on His investment in me. And He never asks for anything He hasn't already put there...

Father in Heaven,
Today is an opportunity to shine for You. Fill me with Your Spirit to shine brightly in this dark world and to invest my time, talents, and treasures, for Your Kingdom’s increase – I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Only One Thing

1.18.2011

Luke 18:40-41 When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. NIV

God does things to people. Joseph said, “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.” (Ge 45:8) Joseph’s brothers were blown away that Joseph was still alive and the ruler of all Egypt under Pharaoh. They were terrified as well. But God put Joseph, the former obnoxious spoiled brat, just where He wanted him and when the ‘economy’ went south, God made sure Jacob would survive and be encouraged.

God does things through people. Joseph then said, “Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’ (Ge 45:9-11) Jacob in his old age was to be cared for by God, through his own son.

And God does things for people: Jesus asked the blind beggar, “What do you want me to do for you?” The beggar really wanted to see – I think he thought seeing would be the resolution of the rest of all his problems; he wouldn’t have to beg anymore, he could do something useful with his life.

As I thought about this, I wonder how many of us could answer Jesus’ question, ‘What do you want Me to do for you?’ I wonder how many of us could sum it up like the blind man did, and be honest enough and transparent enough to be satisfied with that one thing? The blind man didn’t give Jesus a list, he shared with the Lord only one thing: “Lord, I want to see.”

Father in Heaven,
You know that I always come with a laundry list of items that I think I need. What’s funny (in a sad sort of way) is that most of the stuff I ask for, You’ve either already provided, or already promised. I ask today that You help me to identify that one thing I need in my life and to trust You for it; through Jesus, amen.

Ain’t No Vultures in Heaven

1.17.2011

Luke 17:37 37 “Where, Lord?” they asked. He replied, “Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.” NIV

Jesus said some pretty weird things and Luke 17.37 is one of them but we must remember to take them in context of the entire conversation and try to grasp the obvious: there ain’t no vultures in heaven. Where Lord? Not there My child, not there.

Where, Lord? Jesus could’ve been talking about one of two places: the place where they would be taken or the place where they would be left. The conversation begins with Jesus telling them, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.” And then He says, “Men will tell you, ‘There he is!’ or ‘Here he is!’ Do not go running off after them.” He implies, “Stay focused!”

It seems there are two kinds of people in the world, those who focus upon heaven, and those who focus upon earth. When the disciples asked Jesus, “Where, Lord?” there were focused upon the earth and couldn’t understand why Jesus would say such things. The Lord helps them by saying, “Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.” Vultures don’t gather in heaven; vultures only gather on earth to consume carrion; and, like many airlines today, there ain’t no carrion in heaven – (buh-bum, tish!)

Jesus is only coming back for those who are focused upon heaven – and to underscore this, He said, “Remember Lot’s wife.” Lot’s wife perished in the departure from Sodom because she couldn’t focus upon heaven… (cf. Genesis 19.12 ff.)

My only refuge is to maintain my focus, energies and spiritual footing toward heaven and to try to convince as many people as I can to do the same. Lot’s wife was offered the opportunity to be saved and she couldn’t accept it – the tug of the world on her heart was too great for her to overcome – I must beware of the tug of the world on my own…

Father in Heaven,
Far too often I’m just a sucker for a shiny coin. I pray that You help me to keep my focus upon heaven, and to beware the tug of the world on my heart. Thank You for keeping me safe, and for teaching me to recognize when I get off track – amen.

A Whole Lotta Difference

1.16.2011

Genesis 41:44 44 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt.” NIV

Talk about a promotion! I wonder what Potiphar thought when Joseph rolled up to the palace in his brand new 2011(BC) Lexus chariot? From Potiphar to prison to palace, Joseph was making waves in Egypt; new authority, new job, new name, new wife, and two adorable sons: Fageddaboudit (Manasseh) and Landohplenie (Ephraim)! Wow! The only thing missing was the white Samoyed. (I hear apes were all the craze in those days…)

But not all of this was just winning the Publisher’s Clearing House sweepstakes or the Lotto because Joseph also sweated, suffered, and sat. And he spent two full years (emphasis on the word full) waiting for something that appeared to be far, far away – his freedom and his vindication. But God hadn’t forgotten about him and I’m sure Joseph because of his outlook and worldview decided to keep an upbeat attitude about it all; Joseph kept being put in charge of it all.

Who I am and how I respond makes a whole lotta difference what happens to me. I’m not saying I’m gonna have a Joseph-moment, but I am saying that there’s a lot to be said about having a positive outlook and an upbeat attitude – God seems to use people who have those things. And it can’t be an act because the sweating, suffering, and sitting will show that for what it is: an act. I think perhaps that is why some of my circumstances are what they are – so that I'll quit acting and pretending about the future, and start adjusting to the leadership of God right now.

Father in Heaven,
Your word says You oppose the proud but give grace to the humble. May I humble myself under Your leadership wherever it takes me that I may look with eager expectation to Your grace in every situation – through Jesus Christ, amen.

The Ballad of Er and Onan

1.15.2011

Genesis 38:10 10 What he did was wicked in the Lord’s sight; so [He] put him to death also. NIV

Call God what you will, but He’s never vindictive or mean; He’s always right. Genesis 38 is kind of a push-the-pause-button chapter in the midst of the narrative about Joseph. Genesis 38 is about Judah, the fourth son of Jacob, and his dealings with his daughter-in-law named Tamar whom he’s neglected.

At this point in our reading of Genesis it’s apparent that there was some kind of legal structure in Canaan, the land where Jacob and his family lived. Judah’s son Er (I pronounce it err like ‘error’) from the account, is very wicked so God executes him. Through the social structure it appears that Er’s brother Onan is supposed to marry Er’s wife Tamar, and continue the name of his dead brother through her. Onan schemes against this and God executes him as well.

Whatever we think about this lone chapter, let’s remember this: above and beyond all of the scheming and dreaming of men is the Lord God whose plans and purposes will prevail upon the earth (Proverbs 19.21). Tamar, if we remember, is mentioned in the genealogy of Christ (cf. Matthew 1). Whatever we think about Er and Onan, it’s for sure that they somehow willfully stepped in front of the fast rolling freight-train of God’s will and purpose; and like Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5, did so at their own peril.

Whatever I think I’m up to, I must remember that the Lord’s plans and purposes will always prevail above my own. Yes, I have free will, but God is never limited by my choices; and if I cannot be used to accomplish God’s will then He will find someone else by which to do so. Achieving what God wishes willingly is the optimum solution; digging in my heels in rebellion has its price. Pleasing God through faithful obedience is a big, big deal…

I cannot focus on Er and Onan and the consequences of their living – I must concentrate on the outcome of the whole story and remember that Tamar is listed in the ancestry of our Lord; and that through Judah, Er’s dad, the legacy continued.

Father in Heaven,
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Your purpose that prevails. I pray that I remember that. This world is not about me but my own story will include my relationship with You and how I related to Your presence in my life. All I can say is, help me Lord! Through Jesus I pray, amen.

On The Other Foot

1.14.2011

Genesis 34:30 30 Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me by making me a stench to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people living in this land. We are few in number, and if they join forces against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.” NIV

There is some wisdom recorded here in Jacob’s words to Simeon and Levi: present actions often cause future reactions. We might say something like: Be careful of the things you do; beware the thoughtless leap; remembering that every day, there’s consequence you’ll reap. Simeon and Levi decided to take revenge without thinking about the future consequences of their zeal to honor their sister Dinah.

The actions of these two men had future repercussions that perpetuate to this day. Granted, they felt they needed to do something about the violation of their sister’s honor, but what they did seemed knee-jerk, and lingers to this day like a bad aftertaste. It’s apparent not all were on the same page…

Another thing we see is the proving of who Jacob really was, now that the shoe is on the other foot. Jacob, in this situation, was in the uncomfortable position of having to take responsibility for someone else’s actions, and I’m not real sure he was all that comfortable with it. The sins of the fathers are passed along to their children.

Last night I had a serious conversation with a thirteen-year-old in my family about not settling for less. I challenged him to find something to do (besides Spongebob, Family Guy, and video games), something to read besides nothing; and better ways to spend his time than all of the above. I assured him that if he needed help (i.e. if he couldn’t do this on his own) I would be glad to intervene. We’ll see – his future success is my present responsibility – at least for now.

Father in Heaven,
Today Lord, I need wisdom in helping my children find their way; and to guide one of them a little more closely than I have of recent. May my children find their zeal in You and may their lives be all You’ve created them to be. Lord, I feel I’ve dug a hole and need Your help to fill it back in; and I trust You for the answer – through Jesus Christ, amen.

He Remembers

1.13.2011

Genesis 31:13 13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land. NIV

Never before have I paid attention to the dreams people had as recorded in the antiquity of Genesis. There is mention of six dreams in this book before we even get around to Joseph and his dreams. Jacob was a dreamer and his dreams meant something to him. God got people’s attention through their dreams.

Jacob’s second dream is significant because God calls Himself the God of Bethel – a name that Jacob came up with; and one God didn’t want him to forget. The God of Bethel reminded the dreamer of Bethel that He doesn’t forget vows and will achieve His purposes through His people. Jacob the dreamer was sent home when the time was right because the God of Bethel told him to…

These days my dreams are few and far between but God hasn’t forgotten about me and He seems to use other means to get my attention and to direct me to where He wants me to be to do what He wants me to do. I rest in that because He is perfectly able however He chooses to get me to move wherever and whenever He chooses. But He reminds me that He remembers me and the things I’ve told Him I will do…

Father in Heaven,
It seems like we’re getting ready to move once again and I pray for eyes to see and ears to hear the plans and the purpose You have for me for this next go round. Thanks for remembering me and for giving me the gift of faith to trust You in the midst of these circumstances – through Christ, amen.

A Visible Sign

1.12.2011

Genesis 29:11 11 Then Jacob kissed Rachel and began to weep aloud. NIV

Anxiety can be a cancer; it care wear on the soul and erode one’s faith. Jacob had just journeyed from Canaan to Aram and along the way I think he had plenty of time to think. When he arrives and sees Rachel, it’s like a mighty wave of relief floods over him and his only response is a flood of tears. Anxiety can be like a rock tied around the neck but when it’s gone there is freedom at last.

Jacob had to come to the point where his relationship with God moved past knowing God secondhand through his dad; God desired to know Jacob firsthand. For him and for all of us, getting to know God involves learning to know Him, how to sense Him; and a whole lot of unlearning of our own habits, customs, and preferences. We are no different than Jacob and his story reveals to us a lot about ourselves.

God has blessed me with a very active imagination. At times it is wonderful and at others it is dreadful; I can think up a catastrophe in the time it takes for a heartbeat. Many times I have imagined the worst only to bump nose-first into a blessing I didn’t recognize or expect. God is good!

Big changes are brewing for me and like Jacob, I need to learn some more about God and unlearn some things in my life. Rachel was a visible sign to Jacob of God’s presence and blessing. In the things I’m going through, I too must look for signs of His presence as well. Anxiety can be a cancer – anticipation in faith is the cure.

Father in Heaven,
Today Lord, I give over all of what’s bothering me to You. I give over the worry about what I cannot see, and I accept in faith that You will provide everything we need and, as usual, will go above and beyond what we expect. Today, as I look up and ask, where does my help come from? I confess my help comes from You – and You care for me. I am blessed. Amen.

A Come to Jesus Moment

1.11.2011

Genesis 28:20-22 20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear 21 so that I return safely to my father’s house, then the Lord will be my God 22 and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.” NIV

Jacob had a come to Jesus moment; he came to Jesus. When Jacob said, then the Lord will be my God; that was the same then, as accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior now.

Before this, the Lord had been his father’s God (cf. Genesis 27.20). Both Jacob and Esau witnessed their father’s faith. Jacob decided that he needed God and Esau decided he would handle things his own way. The over arching story of firstborn and blessing and birthright only make the story more complicated. But God spoke to Rebekah and said, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” (Genesis 25:23) If Isaac heard this, then he must’ve assumed something else was to happen because he determined to bless Esau first… God had other plans.

Something happens when we choose God. Something happens when the Lord [becomes] my God. Interestingly, Jacob vowed to tithe. I’m sure he saw his father doing the same and I’m sure Isaac saw his father, Abraham do the same. Something happens when the Lord becomes my God…

Father in Heaven,
You caused me to be born when I was to, who I was, and where they were. You led me to that place where I saw my needs were too great for me to handle by myself; and You became my God. May my life be used by You to help others come to that place as well. May I be a testimony of living faith to my daughter and my sons; and my grandchildren (whenever that happens). Bless me I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

The Will of God and a Bowl of Stew

1.10.2011

Genesis 25:23 23 The Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” NIV

Here it is again, that counterintuitive thing – with God does it ever stop? (The answer is no.) Two peoples will be separated, one will be stronger; and the older will serve the younger. That just doesn’t happen! But it did, and it all came about as a result of the will of God and a bowl of stew.

What would’ve happened had Esau honored God and his parents? What would’ve happened had Esau done the respectable thing? I think God would’ve honored him but even so, Jacob was God’s choice. That doesn’t mean Esau was bad; it just means that before the twins were born, God already had chosen and the one He chose wasn’t according to the ways of the world and culture. God does what God does. Esau chose what Esau chose.

Again we see the effect of one’s present sin on future generations. And really, it goes for both Esau and Jacob; Jacob had his own issues that needed to be dealt with. Makes me wonder what my present actions do to the future generations of my own…

The bottom line for me is to believe God and trust in His choice – whatever He chooses. And sometimes trusting God is counterintuitive to my feeble little mind.

Father in Heaven,
You are the One who chooses, and Your will is always accomplished accordingly. May I trust You despite the fact that I tend to want to make my own choices and resolve things my own way. May I remember the devastating choice of a bowl of stew, and live my King to honor You; help me God, Amen.

Words of Meaning and Truth

1.9.2011

Genesis 24:60 60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you increase to thousands upon thousands; may your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.” NIV

Sounds like a nice thing to say. We’d all probably agree that was a nice thing to say – kinda like what’s written inside of a Hallmark card. And it was a nice thing to say… and it came true.

If we compare these words today with the words we looked at yesterday there’s a huge difference. Today (January 9th) the words were spoken to Rebekah and the results were left with God. Yesterday (because I read Luke 8 yesterday) the words hurled at God and were panicked and fearful; and what was proclaimed as truth (Master, Master, we’re going to drown!) was false.

It’s better to speak our words and leave the results to God because we acknowledge the presence of God, than to have our circumstances drive us to the wrong conclusion speak what is false. God is always in control.

Genesis 24 is one of my favorite Bible passages because of the way the story is told and the way it all ended up. Rebekah was part of a divine plan and a part of the lineage of Jesus Christ. Rebekah did increase to thousands upon thousands and for a while her offspring possessed the gates of their enemies. It was way more than a nice thing to say – it was the truth, and it happened. That’s what our words are like when God is in them.

I must speak the truth – not only to others but also to myself. My words have meaning and if I accept it they’ll help me and others. And it’s more than just being nice – it’s truth; what could be better than that?

Father in Heaven,
You are the God of truth. You promised Abraham that his descendants would possess that land and they did; they still do to this day. God help me to have the right perspective and to speak words of meaning and truth. May my speech be with faith in who You are and what You’ve done... and are going to do – I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

The Worst That Can Happen

1.8.2011

Luke 8:24-25 24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. NIV

A remarkable account to say the least; but let’s be careful not to miss the bigger picture – “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” Jesus, Jesus, I’m going to get fired! O my God! I’ve got cancer and I’m going to die! Lord, Lord, my house is in foreclosure and I’m going to be homeless!

What happens when Jesus doesn’t rebuke the wind and the raging waters? What happens when we get fired? How does it work out when we’re diagnosed with some illness? Who’s really in charge here? I was thinking at work today about those who hate God or blame Him for inaction when they don’t get their way. Master, Master, we’re going to drown! And You can't be You if You don't come through! For me...

If Jesus truly is Master, Master, then what do we care that we drown? (Oh, Paul, c’mon man, I don’t want to die!) Well presently, neither do I, but what’s the worst that can happen if I do – I get to go to heaven where my worst day there will be infinitely better than my greatest day here? What’s wrong with that? The bigger picture is the futility of me trying to control my own destiny and in fear, proclaiming something that isn’t true (we’re going to drown! Oh! They didn’t. Hmmm…)

If Jesus is the Lord of all, then He is the Lord over every situation I find myself in the midst of. What’s a little storm – or even a great big one – if Jesus is there with me? It’s no wonder He asked the disciples, Where is your faith? Where is my faith? In me? I’m in deep weeds if it is… If He’s not Lord of all then He’s not Lord a't'all.

Jesus,
I know You are honored when I cry out to You. I know You care about me even when my faith grows microscopic. Lord, what is the worst that can happen? Forgive me for small faith and knee-jerk prayers. Thank You for always being near and for all the solutions You bring to every one of my hang-nail issues… Whatever the outcome, I am blessed because You are! Amen.

Assumptions

1.7.2011

Luke 7:39 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” NIV

Luke 7 is full of assumptions – the centurion assumed Jesus could make his servant well. The mother of the dead son assumed Jesus was up to something when He said, “Don’t cry.” The disciples of John came to Jesus assuming that His inaction (toward John) meant He wasn’t who He said He was. The crowd assumed John was someone other that he was. The sinful woman assumed Jesus deserved her worship (as outlandish as it seemed to the others present). And the Pharisee assumed Jesus was a fraud because no holy man would allow this kind of woman to touch Him, or even be in the same room as Him.

We assume things about God all the time. We assume He’ll wink at sin. We assume He’ll treat us as the spoiled children we are (just listen to our prayers…). We assume we can be touched and helped and changed by Him during the hour or so we spend at church each week and then we go out living as if we never knew Him the rest of the week (just look at our schedules, conversations, leisure activities, and the attention we pay to the news media.) We’re assumers.

Jesus tried to help the Pharisee to see that faith is more than keeping the rules or living based on assumptions. Faith is true belief and is often expressed in desperate actions that defy cultural logic or acceptance. The faithful are thought odd because they assume they can only be helped by God.

I must not judge by outward appearances – everybody has a story to tell. I must not assume wrongly about God or about others. I must live assuming that God loves others as much as He loves me and that He will deal with each of us as He chooses, not according to some rule-book.

Father in Heaven,
I assume today that You love me and I assume that You accept me just as I am. I pray for Your help because I assume You have power to heal me and to change me from wrong assumptions and unfairly judging others. Lord, eradicate the Pharisee in me… I pray in Your Name, amen.

Grace to Live Like Abram

1.5.2011

Genesis 14:22-23 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken an oath 23 that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’" NIV

You know, I think it might’ve been out in the wilderness between Haran and Canaan that Abram made this oath to the Lord. In Genesis 12.2-3 the Lord said to Abram, “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” I think when that happened Abram was given the gift of faith and the ability to see the real deal from the fake.

Bera, the king of Sodom (see Genesis 14.2) said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.” What good are the goods if you haven’t anyone to help you protect them? Bera would simply keep the people and then with physical force come and take the goods from Abram. What good are goods?

But Bera didn’t count on a man with integrity; he didn’t factor in someone who lived in relationship with the Lord. What Bera overlooked was Abram’s allegiance to God. Abram said something like, “Go ahead and keep it all, just give my men what they’ve earned…” End of story.

Makes me think about how often I’ve bargained away my allegiance for some trinket. God calls me to live in covenant with Him just as Abram (Abraham) did. I am called to let Bera be Bera and to accept only what the Lord gives me; a dry crust of bread with the Lord is infinitely greater than all the riches of earth without Him.

Father in Heaven,
As I read today words like allegiance and integrity and character flooded my mind. I pray for grace to live like Abram who recognized how worthy You were; that I may I see You for how worthy You are – in Jesus’ Name, amen.

So Much More

1.4.2011

Luke 4:4 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone.’” NIV

Our lives are multi-faceted; we wear many different hats and will, at the conclusion of life, probably have done many different things. There are many things we’ll need in life to thrive and survive not the least of which is the big Three: food, clothing, and shelter. But so much of life, whether we believe Jesus or not, is much more than food, clothing, and shelter. So Jesus’ point, that man does not live on bread alone, is true; but I know He meant more than what He said.

Bigger than the Big Three, is the Biggest One: Man needs God. In Matthew’s account Jesus said, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4) So Jesus meant way more than He said.

Now, at the beginning of this year, I’m thinking about meaning and purpose; and not so much the meaning and purpose of life in general, but the meaning and purpose of my own life. Who am I and what am I to do? Yesterday on the phone with a friend, he said, “You guys are thriving in Baker City!” His words caught my attention not just because they were about me but because he perceived us as thriving, not just surviving. But even in our thriving God is so much more than the basics.

I don’t live on bread alone; there’s more to me than that – the same goes for everyone else: we weren’t created just to be consumers of food. And I cannot let the basics dictate to me how to live and where to find meaning and purpose; life is so much bigger than that. I do live to serve God and all that comes along with that. One of my biggest needs in life is to simply remember that.

Father in Heaven,
You’ve created me to serve You and to share the good news of Your love with others. I pray that on this normal Tuesday that I would see You in ways I haven’t before and ask that today be extraordinary in that sense – in Jesus’ Name, amen.

The Pain and the Plan

1.3.2011

Genesis 6:6 6 The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.

Can you imagine – God’s heart was filled with pain!? I look back on all the years I’ve been reading the Bible and it amazes me how I so quickly overlook this: God suffered as a result of the choices of His creatures. Wow! That’s big!

But you know, somehow it endears my God to me all the more because I too suffer pain; and some of the same kind as He did when I see people I love who are making choices I know aren’t good for them. I think it’s a blessing that God limits our pain; I’m glad I only feel partial pain. Usually when I experience pain it’s a result of something external to my soul. God felt pain as a result of something internal to Him, for there can be nothing external to God that affects Him.

If God could be amazed, I think what He saw – as described in Genesis six – amazed Him. But then again, Jesus was amazed at the lack of men’s faith and was further amazed when faith showed up in people like Roman centurions and Syro-Pheonician women; and not His own people.

Again, today, I am somehow comforted that God isn’t immune to pain and heartache. I am somehow strengthened that He knows my every bungle and how I so adeptly fool myself into thinking the way I think, and doing the way I do. I am also comforted that He dealt with His pain the only way He could in His plan of reaching out to us in our own pain and sending His Son to redeem us from it.

My pain ought to create in me a plan to do something about it – like having those conversations with loved ones and reassuring them how much I love them and care about what they’re going through. My pain is a constant reminder of how much I need God and that He identifies with me by what He’s suffered. And my pain helps break the hard outer shell of apathy and cynicism which so wants to capture me in a care-less cocoon. Pain reminds us all that life is real but worth looking for the solutions; especially the ones God offers…

Father in Heaven,

God of Pain I worship You and am glad You understand completely. Help me this day I pray; thank You for Your plan – amen.

The Oh-No Moment

1.2.2011

Genesis 3:7 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. NIV

I think there are two kinds of major moments: the ah-hah moment; and the oh-no moment. Adam and Eve suffered a major oh-no moment when they realized they were naked and their covering, their peace, their joy, their comfort; was irretrievably gone.

Up to this point they had enjoyed the favor and grace of the Lord and in innocence hadn’t a clue. But once they disobeyed the covering – the blessing of the Lord – vanished, and they saw the oh-no of their disobedience. It is one thing to realize you are right; it’s quite another to realize you were wrong all along.

Our first parents came to the realization that they were naked and it embarrassed them. Up to this point they had enjoyed God’s covering but now it was gone and the first thing they tried to do was to get it back – and they couldn’t; you can’t unscramble an egg. It's like wrecking dad's new car...

Life is a delicate balance of ah-hah’s and oh-no’s; of trial and error. The greatest ah-hah is that God is right and I need Him; and the way to be right and stay right is to believe Him and follow Him. The greatest oh-no is to neglect God and wake up one day realizing you are naked; it’s just you and the world and the world is winning.

Today, I see disobedience another way and now I’m responsible for what I know. For me, today’s reading was an ah-hah moment that showed me vividly the on-no of on-no’s. I am grateful for God’s covering in Jesus Christ. And I realize that every time I disobey, I’ll stand naked in my foolishness and sin until I resolve my sin with my God, and once again accept His covering of love.

Father in Heaven,
You created me to live a life of ah-hah’s and for that I am thankful. Seeing the terror in Adam and Eve when they realized, ‘Oh-no!’; Father, I just don’t want that. Help me to obey and to stay under Your covering; I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Circumstances and a Burdened Heart

1.1.2011

Luke 1:13 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. New International Version

Like many, today I am thinking about what lies ahead for 2011. I think there’s right way to approach the New Year and that way, is to be open to God for whatever He reveals for the coming days. God revealed to Zechariah, that he was going to become a father and that all the years of embarrassment were going to come to an end. Zechariah initially failed the faith test (v. 20) but bounces back (v. 62).

Today, I am reminded that circumstances and a burdened heart cause prayer – at least they ought to. What Gabriel said to Zechariah was, “…your prayer has been heard.” It is comforting to me to know that God hears and listens to our prayers. Sometimes, the burden is lifted and we know that our prayer has been answered with a ‘yes’. Sometimes the burden is intensified and we know that more prayer (steadfast, faithful, enduring) is needed.

My heart is being softened by my circumstances and my prayers are being loosed for the things that weigh me down. But my praise is also being called forth for prayer without praise is not as effective me thinks.

Father in Heaven,
You are the Only and Awesome God and You hear and answer the prayers of Your people. You deserve my praise as well – for You do all things well. Thank You for my circumstances and my burdens – they are my constant reminders that I need You – amen.