Monday, February 28, 2011

My Own Thing

2.28.2011

Numbers 25:6 6 Then an Israelite man brought to his family a Midianite woman right before the eyes of Moses and the whole assembly of Israel while they were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. NIV

Can you imagine? I mean, really – right in front of God and everybody!? What was this dude thinking? If you read the whole account in Numbers 25 you see the in the next scene that the priest, Phinehas, chases the guy and the woman right into the guy’s tent and kills them both with a spear. Nuff said.

I think one of the problems with our view of the Old Testament – especially the period immediately following the Exodus and the subsequent wanderings in the wilderness – is that these people weren’t exactly all that keen on Moses or God or… manna for that matter. Just because the Lord delivered them from Egypt didn’t mean they necessarily liked it. I think they were then a lot like we are now – kind of independent-minded, sort of, I’ll-do-my-own-thing kind of people. The man who took the Midianite woman apparently had no qualms about it; sadly he was also a leader among the tribes as well.

There comes a point when we have to consider the consequences of  choosing, I’ll-do-my-own-thing. There comes a point when we have to look at the spiritual implications and ramifications of our choices and actions, and then accept the consequences of them. Somehow these days, we’ve arrived at the point of, how dare you tell me what to do! And look at the fruit borne of that…

Father in Heaven,
You have called me to live in community with my relatives in Christ. I don’t live in a bubble and You’ve ordained it that way for a reason. Help me to be conscious of all I do and say and to look not only to my own interests, but also to the interests of others. I pray in Christ, amen.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

The Cost of Right

2.27.2011

Mark 6:16 16 But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”
Mark 6:25 25 At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” NIV

Herod was in a fix – he’d killed John and now his worst superstitious fears came true: (he thought) somehow John was back from the dead and was looking for revenge (against him)! What’s a king to do?

John the Baptist was a remarkable man who called it the way he saw it and wasn’t about to back down from a petty and despotic tyrant whose libido got the best of him. John called Herod for unrighteously taking his brother’s wife in marriage – an act that specifically broke the Mosaic Law, and just wasn’t right. And John was the messenger. Sometimes being the messenger is not all it’s cracked up to be. Sometimes it’s downright painful or worse. John got the, ‘or worse.’

In life I am called to make many decisions (and sometimes to be the messenger) but always I’m called to side with righteousness – and regardless of who I'm dealing with. John courageously called sin, sin and lost his life in the process; am I willing to follow his example no matter what it costs me? That’s something worth thinking about.

Father in Heaven,
Help me to honor Your Name in all I do, and to side with righteousness all the time, every time. Thank You for the example of John and of the Lord and for the many saints who’ve trod this earth before, who did what was right with all their might, walking by the day or tempted by the night – amen.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Dirty Days


2.26.2011

Numbers 19:21,22 21 This is a lasting ordinance for them. “The man who sprinkles the water of cleansing must also wash his clothes, and anyone who touches the water of cleansing will be unclean till evening. 22 Anything that an unclean person touches becomes unclean, and anyone who touches it becomes unclean till evening.” NIV

Okay, what do you do on a day when you’re unclean until and have to remain so until evening? If you touch the water of cleansing, to be cleansed, you’re unclean. And anyone who is unclean who touches anything or anyone makes that or them unclean. Yikes, what do you do on an dirty day?

I’m sure there was plenty to do anyway – building of fires (except on the Sabbath), getting water, both for the fam and the flock; leading the flock out to find pasture away from the other 50,000 flocks out looking for pasture. Making meals, training children, feeding children, separating children, shooing away children… I think you get the picture. But what did you do when you were unclean? Uh, sorry Ocran, I’m sorta dirty at the moment; and I can’t help you because, well,  then you’d be unclean; and then we’ll both be dirty and double the amount of work won’t get done…

I wonder what evening felt like when, at last, you’re back to the tent and Mara says, “Finally, you’re back! These kids! Here, help me! Do the dishes or something, and for goodness sake, next time, stay away from that cleansing water!

O, the grace and mercy of God. O, the boundless grace and mercy of God! Thank God there’s a Place to come and lay my burdens down – Come to Me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest for My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Thank You God, for the blood that cleanses white as snow even when my sins are scarlet as crimson. Thank You, that the Law was fulfilled in Him and because of that, I am forever free!

Friday, February 25, 2011

Discovery

2.25.2011

Mark 4:22 22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. NIV

Oscar Wilde, the famous playwright, when arrested for his indecency with other men, is quoted as having said, “I forgot what was done in secret would then be shouted from the rooftops!” (cf. Luke 12.3). It’s usually with that mentality that I approach Jesus’ sayings about whatever is hidden will be disclosed and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. I usually equate that to bad behavior being found out. But in the context of Mark 4 Jesus seems to be saying that what is hidden in the Word is meant to be disclosed so that men will know how to live.

The key is the lamp (Mark 4.21); the lamp is used to disclose what is in the dark and to aide in the discovery of what is hidden. The Bible is a wonderful collection of works but without the illumination of the Holy Spirit and the practice of meditation and contemplation before God, it remains only a wonderful collection of confusing works. It requires more than man’s intellect to piece it together.

What appears hidden to us in God’s word is meant to be brought out and applied to life so that we may live in harmony with God and with our fellow men. God gave is this wonderful gift because He intended for us to read it and understand it through the Gift of His Spirit so that our lives would be transformed forever. The key is the Lamp and the expected action is that we men (and women) would spend time reading and humbly asking God to open our eyes to what is hidden and concealed in His truth.

Father in Heaven,
You know everything and there is nothing in heaven or on earth that is hidden from You. But You ask us men to read and study Your word so that what is hidden in it may be brought forth so that we can live correctly and relate to You rightly. That’s what I ask for – in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

The Perfect Marriage

2.24.2011

Mark 3:34-35 34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” NIV

What is God’s will? What does it consist of? And how do we do God’s will? This always seems to be a question that people have – How do I do God’s will? Jesus said the ones who did God’s will were the ones who were rightly related to Him.

We all have stuff to do in life – jobs, or school, or managing our homes, or some sort of occupation – and we all have stuff to do. How then do we, in these things, do God’s will? How does God’s will fit into these things?

God’s will is first a matter of the heart. When God occupies the place of supreme importance to us then we are on the right track to do His will. God’s will is not a laundry-list of to-do’s or to-don’ts; it is simply a matter of cognitively giving over the direction of one’s heart and soul to Him and allowing Him to rule in our lives either through obedience to His word (the Bible) or through the promptings of the Holy Spirit. It is a matter of suborning our will (what we want to do) to His; Jesus said this is how our relationship with God is defined.

What do we want to do in life? I think that’s mostly defined by the ever-changing dictates of our families, our culture, and the fluidity of our own hearts. So how then do we marry the wants we have with the desires of God in our lives? That is the question. I think it boils down to how we relate to God. If God is the Giver of all things, then we are, in all we do, the receivers of His grace. If God is the Taker (as He is viewed by many) then we simply line up get stripped of more and more as God taxes our lives with more and more of His demands. It’s all in our perspective.

Father in Heaven,
When Your will is of supreme importance to me then all the rest of life lines up correctly. When my will is most important then I find myself defending what I think You’ll take from me. May my life this day, in my job, my family, and my free time line up with Your purpose, power, and presence. May all I do be done for Your glory – amen.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Knowing God - Part II

2.23.2011

Psalm 90:14 14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. NIV

In my mind there is a beautiful place of both splendor and grandeur – a place of marvelous vistas and majestic waypoints; that place is the song of Moses in Psalm 90. There is enough soul-nutrition there to last a life-time. When I think of Moses leading the people of God out of Egypt and teaching them about the Lord, I think about the lessons he learned and what he felt in his heart; and then I read Psalm 90 and see it all in majesty and awesome splendor: the reality of one who knew God. I like hanging out in Psalm 90.

Satisfaction in this life is knowing God – not just knowing about Him – but knowing Him. Moses knew God and Moses knew that God cared about him and his people. God said, “When a prophet of the Lord is among you, I reveal myself to him in visions, I speak to him in dreams. But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord.” (Nu 12:6-8) And Moses wrote, “Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” Moses knew that knowing God was the key to unlocking the mysteries of life and the entrance in joy. Joy is not a solution; joy is knowing God, and whatever He decides to do is okay, regardless of how it feels to us.

Let my first waking thoughts each day be that God loves me with unfailing love and that I may go through each of my days singing for joy in that knowledge. My joy is not based on whatever scheme I’ve concocted to get me out of the current mess, but knowing God and His unfailing love for His people.

Father in Heaven,
“Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands” – through Jesus Christ, amen.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Certain Words

2.22.2011

Psalm 27:44 One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. NIV

There are certain words in my vocabulary that describe what I think about God and His relationship with me through Jesus Christ and by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit – words like reciprocate, focus, respond, give back – these words all express how I feel when I think about Jesus in me the Hope of glory.

The Lord said in John 17, “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:22-23 NIV) It all starts with sharing life together.

My life in Jesus Christ is not just my acceptance of Who He is, but also where He is: in me. Jesus Christ has come to give me life but more importantly, His life. And He has put His life into my life and says on a number of occasions that He will dwell within my being. And so it’s fitting then that I ask the Lord for the cognitive power and the spiritual assurance to remember that I am not walking around down here living life all on my own – the King of Glory has chosen to take up residence in my heart.

So the reason why I ask is because I forget. I forget He is living out His life through mine and that’s a big, big deal. I must remember, cooperate, and surrender to His presence; so I ask, and I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to fix my gaze upon Him and focus my entire being on His.

Lord God,
One thing I ask of You, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in Your house all the days of my life, to gaze upon Your beauty and to seek You in Your temple. It’s the least I can do because You’ve chosen to live in me and through me – in Your Name, amen.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Hardness - Power - Prayer

2.21.2011

Acts 28:26-27 26 “... ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” 27 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’...” NIV

Yesterday I sat in church and heard one of the finest messages I have ever heard. Our speaker was a guest and he spoke on change. Change is difficult for most because we go about it the wrong way. Change has little effect on us because we bring the same baggage with us and our issues – more often than not – get in the way and we find ourselves the same as before but only in a new locale.

As I listened to this man speak, it occurred to me that the hardest substance known to man is the heart that will not yield to God. Paul spoke of this unyielding spirit that had affixed itself upon many of the Jews; they were ever hearing but never understanding – and persistently so. Such is the power of religion.

However, the greatest Power known to man is the love of God which can guide the unyielding soul through such a series of unfortunate events (so they are thought) as to bring a softening of the heart and a receptivity to the soul that is otherwise doomed to an eternity without God. “The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell. It goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell…”

And the greatest service of any saint is to pray that such God-ordained suffering take place that the Love of God becomes a reality to the hardened person wandering far from the fellowship, love, and grace of God.

Today my duty is to pray and believe in the love of God which has the power to turn lives around from death to life, and from darkness to light.

Father in Heaven,
Hear my prayers as I remember those before You who don’t yet know or accept the wonders of Your goodness and presence – through Jesus Christ, amen.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

An Appointment Scheduled by God

2.20.2011

Acts 27:35-36 35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. 36 They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. NIV

I love the Book of Acts. I love the action, the stories and especially the characters; Luke did a superb job recounting the adventures of the early church and the apostles as he wrote under the supervision and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

If I had to go through some great disaster, I’d want to go through it with someone like Paul – probably the weirdest character of all. There were 276 men aboard the ship and all of them had some story to tell but none of them save Paul, was on a mission from God to meet with Caesar. Many were probably on their way to their death. Many were charged with very serious crimes for which they knew they were guilty or condemned to suffer. But none other than Paul was, by faith, keeping an appointment scheduled by God.

The picture in my mind of Paul when he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all, is absolutely priceless – what a golden opportunity to demonstrate the power, the presence and the protection of God to a bunch of scared, nervous, apprehensive and uncertain men. And the miracle? The miracle was they were all encouraged by Paul’s faith in the promise of God… wow.

I want to be that kind of person – not the one with all of the gifts, knowledge and good looks (no worries there); I want to be one of strong, unshakable, and unstoppable faith in God who is in complete control of my life – and everyone else’s around me.

Father in Heaven,
If not now, when; if not me, who? May I be the one of faith today I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Sent To

2.19.2011

Acts 26:17b-18 “'I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’” NIV

What a pregnant statement! Paul is telling his audience what the Lord Jesus had told him to do and why. Paul was sent to open their eyes, not their physical eyes but the eyes of their souls and hearts. When someone ‘gets it’ their eyes become opened. Paul was sent to turn them from the darkness of human existence to the light of God’s presence; sometimes the light hurts your eyes. And Paul was sent to turn them from the power of Satan – who maintains there is no God and no need for God – to God, so that they would receive forgiveness for the things that separate them from God; and have by faith, a place in the presence of God.

This was the calling of the Apostle Paul and is, I believe, the calling of every follower of Jesus Christ. For what do unbelievers need? Do they not need sight, and enlightenment, and freedom, and forgiveness, and faith? That is what the Gospel promises and has the power to offer.

Unfortunately much of our modern application of the Gospel is selfish – we spend an inordinate amount of time trying to heal ourselves of self-inflicted misery rather than spending our time trying to reach the unsaved. The only power to heal the believer is in obedience to God’s word because we are not called to be healed, but to be sent; our healing comes in our going out to serve God and assist in the salvation of others.

I repent. I repent of all my selfish and self-centered whining about what I think I don’t have. I repent of focusing mostly on my spiritual health as if I was solely responsible for it. I repent of trying to protect me. I will go to the unsaved around me and share the truth of what God offers: sight, enlightenment, freedom, forgiveness, and faith. I will focus on the message and quit trying to save myself by just not doing anything wrong – that, in itself, is wrong according to what I read here…

Lord Jesus,
You saved me to be sent. You saved me to share You to help others turn from themselves and to You. Today, Lord – today I repent of trying to fly under the radar and I take my stand for You. You are with me and will help me as You said You would – in Your Name, amen.

Friday, February 18, 2011

To Whom We Belong

2.18.2011

Acts 25:11 11 "...If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”

Paul understood dual citizenship; he also understood triple-citizenship; he was a Jew, a Roman, and a citizen of heaven. Maybe not everyone around him understood his triple citizenship, but Paul did; he knew when and where and how to exercise or restrain his rights for any or all of the three. And Paul remembered what the Spirit whispered into his heart one night about going to Rome (Acts 23.11).

Our challenge in the world is to remember, first and foremost, to Whom we belong; and further, to accept that we are right where God wants us to be (Acts 17.26). If we look at the turmoil in Wisconsin, or the upheaval in New Jersey, we needn’t be upset or bothered – God has placed us in the exact place He desires for us to be to further His Kingdom and preach the Gospel. We are the exact people chosen by the Lord to live in these times.

Tonight, I thought about the men mentioned in Numbers 3 and 4 who were chosen by God to carry the Tent of Meeting (and all its furnishings) from place to place as God commanded. But as I read about Paul, I realized that as they were chosen to serve God in that way then, I am chosen to serve God as an American and a Believer today. They carried the Tent; I’m to follow Jesus Christ and carry His message wherever I go…

Father in Heaven,
Thank You for the example and person of Paul the Apostle who indeed went to Rome and preached the Gospel to Caesar. Wow, what an opportunity. Help me to be faithful to carry the message of Grace wherever I go and to share Your goodness with all You bring into my life – in Christ, amen.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

The Message

2.17.2011

Acts 24:25 25 As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” NIV

Some may wonder why the drop in attendance in many churches these days. I think it has to do with the courageous pastor who confronts his congregation with the subjects of righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come; these are very unpopular messages. Some may wonder why other churches are exploding in growth these days, it may be the migration of those who got tired (or frightened) of the messages on righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come. Felix didn’t like it and neither do 21st century folk.

The message of righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come is offensive to people especially people who believe it is their right to control their destiny; Felix was one of those offended people.

Sometimes the message of righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come is like a pestering fly on a hot day. Sometimes it is a cool wind of refreshment in the heat of life. Whenever I find myself offended by the message, it’s a safe bet that I’m probably harboring something in my life that needs to be kicked out. The bottom line is that I am called in Christ to live a life of righteousness, self-control, and preparation for the judgment to come and I am to share that message with those with whom I come into contact with. The message is inconvenient and fearful but it needs to be shared so that the lost may be found…

Father in Heaven,
I pray God that You fill me with Your Spirit to live and preach the message in its entirety. I know that some won’t like it. I know that some will try to outwit it; but You intend for Your followers to walk in righteousness, self-control, and in preparation for the judgment to come – may that be true of me. In Christ, amen.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Proud and Out Loud

2.16.2011

Leviticus 26:13 13 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high. NIV

When God is proud of you there is no one who can make you feel bad. When God makes you proud you are enabled to focus entirely upon Him and His infinite greatness. When God makes you proud you aren’t concerned with what others think because only He is important; and when He is important, your relationships with others – be they long-lasting or lasting as long as a transaction in the grocery store line – are intact because God is the rock-solid foundation for all your interactions with all others. When God is proud you can live life out loud.

The words, ‘so that’ in the verse above tell us that God had a plan and a purpose for His dealings with His chosen people so that they could live lives out loud in front of the other nations proclaiming His goodness, mercy and love. God brought them out of an empty life so they could live a full life; a life of abundance and plenty in all that they put their hands and hearts to. They would be the marvel and envy of the other nations whose people had been sold a bill of goods that was at best empty and pathetic. God doesn’t allow His people to have their heads held high in the selfish pride of human achievement, but in humility because He had provided all they need and they believe in Him for it.

What sets us apart today? Are our heads held high because our God is proud of our lukewarm feelings toward Him? Is God proud because we are Americans and we live free to do any old thing we set our hearts and hands to? Is God proud because we have a bill of rights?

Or is God proud because we believe in Him and walk humbly and dependent upon Him?

Father in Heaven,
How the world has captured and captivated my heart. How I have longed for a carefree life with all the comforts and benefits of Heaven on earth. Lord, forgive me for holding my head up in pride over what (I think) I can do and what (I think) I have done. God, I’ve bought into a bill of goods that has left me empty and wanting. Help me to get free to walk humbly and dependent at Your side. I want You to be proud of me for truly believing in You – amen.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

According to God’s Choosing

2.15.2011

Psalm 25:12 12 Who, then, is the man that fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him. NIV

Sometimes it’s hard to read the Psalms and really know how to take them. Do I take them literally – or do I just sing their truths and sort of somehow, some way expect that they maybe might possibly apply to me at some point? There are several statements in Psalm 25 that get my attention:

8 Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
13 He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land.
14 The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.

Are these for me right now today, or are they for someone else at some other time? The conclusion I reach is that they are truths and principles all at the same time; and that my life, good, bad, or indifferent is the Lord’s; and only He is in complete control of me. And the man who fears (respects, honors, reveres, appreciates) the Lord, will be shown the way to live according to God’s choosing.

Whatever the bennies are, I must accept that the age in which I live is an age of work…for the Kingdom. I don’t believe I was sent here to retire at an early age. The biggest benny of all is this: God is with those whom He calls and who serve Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. 

So if, as a sinner, I need instruction, God is with me. If I walk in humility (in all aspects of my life) then God shows me what is right, and teaches me His way. My only prosperity is the presence and power of the Lord; and I better get used to that! The Lord will share His heart with me if I sit still and quiet long enough to hear Him.

Father in Heaven,
You are my Only Hope. As I think about my life I realize that much of what I have learned is wrong and only You can set me straight. Set me straight Lord that I may prosper in You! Amen.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Wherever I Go

2.14.2011

Leviticus 23:33 “‘There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the Lord.’” NIV

God knows the future – the future to God is like the present. God sees all things, knows all things, and can do the impossible; He is God and there is no other. God instituted these feast and holy assemblies in Leviticus 23 and 24 knowing that His people were going to be spread far and wide. But His encouragement to them was, remember Me wherever you are, because wherever you are, I have remembered you. There are no boundaries in relationships – except of course the bounds (and bonds) of love.

That is why they were to keep the feasts, to remember God and what He had done for them; so locale had nothing to do with remembering; the point was to remember. Then again, locale has everything to do with remembering – why not remember the Lord in the presence of those who don’t know Him and share His goodness with them right there? Remembering God in church is one thing; remembering Him in the marketplace is quite another.

Wherever I go in this world I am the Lord’s ambassador and I must remember that. I must also remember that my connection to the Lord is 24/7/365. There is never a moment in my life that I am not God’s. I may try to act like it at times, but according to His word, I am His forevermore. And wherever I go is another opportunity to reach out to others on His behalf – and to reflect His glory and grace as it shines through and upon my life. So wherever I live, wherever I am I am never ‘off-duty’; no follower of Christ ever is…

Father in Heaven,
You knew where Your people were and You knew where they would be – and wherever that was, You intended for them to take You with them (because in reality You were already there). Wherever I live, wherever I go, I am Yours and You are there with me. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?  If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. (Ps 139:7-10)

Sunday, February 13, 2011

The Paul Life

2.13.2011

Acts 20:35 35 "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” NIV

This passage in Acts 20 is Paul’s farewell to the beloved church in Ephesus where he spent a great deal of his time and had some very good years of ministry. What caught my attention is how Paul described what he did and how he conducted himself among them – and not just for fleeting moments but for nearly three years. Paul was a man of integrity, industry, and instruction; and he did all three faithfully.

I know my character flaws; I realize how many the excuses our society makes for failing to come through on promises, cutting corners, and saying one thing and doing another. Our society is desperately in need of people of integrity and strong moral character. Equally our society is scared to death by such people as well. People today would rather you fail (like them) than to live up to the demands of godly discipline and self-restraint; and telling the truth; and keeping a promise even when it hurts to do so. Many would rather play the victim, or the martyr, or the I-only-human card; and then skate by on way less than we can deliver if only we tried.

In Christ we are called to a higher standard. In Him we are called to let go of our efforts and cling to His. In Him we are called to forsake our own power and trust solely upon His. And Paul lived this kind of life and could stand flat footed and look anybody straight in the eye and say he did – that’s the evidence of the power of Christ; and Paul’s challenge: look closely into my life and tell me if I’m lying.

I will only succeed in living the Paul-life if I non-negotiably lean on the Holy Spirit as he did…

Father in Heaven,
Though the pile of my shortcomings is as big as Everest, the power and presence of Your Spirit in my life dwarfs that pile infinitely. I give myself to You once again this day so that I can say to others, what I did before you all, I did in Him and by His power – through Jesus, amen.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

When in Rome

2.12.2011

Leviticus 18:33 You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices. NIV

On the way, where you are from, and on the way to where you are going you must go in the care and culture of the Lord. Period. Do not do as they do. A popular adage says, “When in Rome do as the Romans do.” I’m not sure where we came up with that, but God says, don’t; because some of the things done in Rome are just plain wrong.

Egypt and Canaan must have be some wild places because from the reading here it appears having sex with whomever, or whatever, or whenever seemed to be acceptable. Sounds kinda like our society today – whatever… I find it interesting that in the decay of civilizations, sex is very often grossly abused. Nowadays even child-sex seems to be totally acceptable to some.

Humanity has a nasty habit of taking God’s gifts (sex being one of the supreme physical ones) and making a complete mockery of them. And from the reading today, it appears that in Egyptian and Canaanite culture it was no different. And sexual immorality and impurity are high up on the list of don’ts in the Scripture. But it seems the higher the don’t, the more the won’t when it comes to self-restraint and respect. As wonderful as the gift of sex is, it is not to be improperly used or abused.  Treating sex with proper respect honors the Lord who gave it – and the couple who partake of it according to His holy wishes. Many are the miseries among men for those who misuse sex and turn it into a fraud.

Father in Heaven,
Were I to say that I didn’t struggle in this area of my life – well, that just wouldn’t be true. I want to say though that despite the temptations I believe I have remained faithful to my wife and to You. But Lord it is an area of great misunderstanding and tremendous abuse, so I ask that You use me to set the example of godly restraint, and to help others who’ve struggled to not do as they do in Rome… I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Always Unclean

2.11.2011

Leviticus 15:32,33 32 These are the regulations for a man with a discharge, for anyone made unclean by an emission of semen, 33 for a woman in her monthly period, for a man or a woman with a discharge, and for a man who lies with a woman who is ceremonially unclean. NIV

Okay, I’m thinking, hmmm, that leaves about sixty percent of the adult population in a serious pickle; and that doesn’t even include the bunch from the oozing boil group in chapters 13 and 14. I realize their culture was different then than ours is now, but with these rules I’m doing the math and realizing there’s a whole bunch of folks running around crying, “UNCLEAN! UNCLEAN!” What really got me was, how could these people even function? There was a huge group of unclean; and then there were the kids, hopefully clean; and then the elderly, hopefully, mostly clean…

It makes me think about the utter futility of trying to keep the rules and just living everyday life out in the middle of a desert with, roughly, three million other people and all the baggage they were carrying with them – not to mention they were also trying as well to unlearn 430 of life and culture in Egypt. Moses had his work cut out for him and the people were always unclean! I think a lot of corners were cut. I think there were a lot of folks who were secretly unclean and didn’t own up to the truth. I think that is what living by the rules does to us – we cave under the pressure to perform and resort to cutting corners in order to look good and hope no one else finds out.

Today, I am glad for a Savior who met the demands of the Law (that I couldn’t) and accepts me according to my faith in Him. True there are behavioral conditions I must abide by, but it’s based on mutual love and not law.

Lord Jesus,
I know there is such a thing as holiness and further, personal holiness. I know that in You, I am called to a different standard and that standard is the acceptance of Your great love and goodness. Sin is still sin, and I’m to vigorously avoid it – but the bottom line is true love and living faith and that what You prescribe is for my best; thank You Lord, amen.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

My God and My Compassion

2.10.2011

Leviticus 13:3 3 The priest is to examine the sore on his skin, and if the hair in the sore has turned white and the sore appears to be more than skin deep, it is an infectious skin disease. NIV

Oh goody – two of my favorite Bible passages – they’re almost as much fun as Judges 19. Pardon the sarcasm but I have to admit that when I see Leviticus 13 and 14 coming I want to run and hide. (I do make myself read them – but with the same zeal as a small child being forced to eat Lima beans. Sorry God, I just get creeped out reading about white hairs, red spots, raw flesh, and oozing puss.) But! There are at least two things worth considering: 1. the fact that our bodies get sick and need to be dealt with; and 2. the fact that if we were to see our sin for what it truly is, we’d all line up to get some oozing boils.

The priest had to be God’s intermediary, and a physician all at the same time – oh, and he had to be a lawyer as well! Isn’t it telling that a priest had to deal with infectious diseases and attend to spiritual sickness as well? Maybe the two are more closely related than we think. And whodda thunk that the priest had to go to med-school right out there in the midst of the Sinai Peninsula?

But seriously, where do you go when you’re sick? And does the doctor that attends to you tell you all about Jesus or Evolution? I think it makes a difference at some point. A friend of mine conducts Healing Rooms with his church every Thursday evening. He says most of the issues he deals with are issues of the heart that manifest themselves in physical maladies. And he and his people pray accordingly. When is the last time a doctor held your head gently in his/her hands and asked God to touch you? Makes you think doesn’t it?

As much as I cringe at the humanness of Leviticus 13 & 14, I also remember the victims who suffer from disease and its often ravaging effects. They are hurting people and need both my God and my compassion; not my revulsion. I need to remember the divine presence of Leviticus 13 & 14 where God Himself instructs His people on how to handle and treat ugly infectious diseases…

Father in Heaven,
Thank You that You are the Great Physician; and You heal hearts, heads, hang-ups, and hurts. Thank You that You care for the Church and every part of Her. Thank You for the reminders of that truth in Leviticus 13 & 14. Thank You that You love and are with my friend Steve Stern in these days – You are Jehovah Rapha! Amen.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

What is Truly Important

2.9.2011

Acts 16:5 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. NIV

Somehow, I think we’ve grown tired of the gospel. Somehow in modern America, we’ve seemed to have relegated church and spirituality to Sundays; and the rest of the week – well the rest of the week is given over to the weightier matters of life and the American Dream.

I’m so tired of the American Dream that I could puke. I’ve spent so much of my life chasing after what I was told to chase after and now I look at what I have to show for it and that amounts to an abundance of dust covered trinkets, deep debt, and certain foreclosure. Sounds more like the American Hangover.

So, here in Acts 16 – a marvelous chapter in the Bible about Paul's Macedonian vision and the conversion of the Philippian jailer – is a quiet little statement about what is truly important: “…the churches were strengthened in faith and grew daily in numbers.” The question I have is, why? Why were the churches strengthened in the faith and growing daily in number?

People were as tired of the Grecian Dream or the Roman Dream or the Palestinian Dream then as I am of the American Dream now. I think people then were smart enough to look at life and ask, “Is this it!?” The Gospel debunks the dreams we have of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness on earth by redirecting our focus to the promise of God’s presence in Heaven. That is always what gets people’s motors going – the hope of something beyond these tired lives of ours, and the endless pursuits of our empty dreams; at least it ought to.

Somehow we need to change our minds about what is truly important and live our lives for that; and then live as simply as we can in the meantime giving our attention and energy over to strengthening our churches and then watching them grow daily in number by those who embrace and pursue the Heavenly Promise. Sounds good to me…

Father in Heaven,
You’ve called me to surrender all I have for all You are. I surrender. You’ve called me to preach the gospel to every creature – I surrender. You’ve called me to live on earth by getting ready for heaven – I surrender. Help me this day to get it – I pray in Jesus Name so that the churches may be strengthened in the faith and grow daily in number – amen.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Conditional

2.8.2011

Acts 15:9 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. NIV

Peter asked a question - Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? (Acts 15.10) And it was true; they couldn’t keep the burdensome regulations that were laid out for them in the Books of the Law (and all the subsequent amendments to them that we added later on.) In other words, how can you ask them to do something we’ve never been able to do?

Many folks are still caught up in conditional worship of God – that they have to do something in order to be accepted by God. The truth is we all have to do something and it is conditional for all of us; but it is what we have to do that makes the difference. For years I’ve thought the Law was just sort of random until I realized that it was God’s way of saying, “Look, if you want to have relationship with Me you must regularly and routinely do all of the following (The Law) without omitting anything. You must believe that this is the way to have relationship with me according to the way I see it!”

The difference is we today, in Christ, are not held to the Law but are accepted by the gift of faith. And what purifies us (according to Peter above) is not keeping the Law but believing by faith – the only condition is living in love by faith. And that condition is belief in what God has done for us through Jesus Christ.

Faith does lead to works of love, but works of love underscore faith; one doesn’t exist without the other. Today for the first time I saw that the Law was good for it was given by God to His people for a certain time and a certain purpose. But I also saw that what purifies us is not keeping the rules but believing in love. What springs from there are the good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Father in Heaven,
You do nothing random – there is purpose, meaning, and love in all that You do. Thank You for the gift of faith in Christ and thank You for the only condition I face now: doing all I do in faithful love for You and others; through Christ, amen.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Epithet

2.6.2011

Acts 13:22 22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’ NIV

David is a model of excellence but not a picture of flawless perfection. David made his fair share of mistakes. Last night in the wee hours I thought of the mistakes I have made (and still make) and I thought of the ripple effect those mistakes may have on my children. I have already seen enough of my kid’s antics and actions to know that I have had a profound effect on their lives; just watch how they react in certain situations and if you know me at all, you’ll conclude, “Yep, those are Paul Turk’s kids…”

David made huge mistakes with his personal life, his family life, and in leading his government; David’s sons followed right down the same path as their dad. But David went to his grave with this epithet: A man after [God’s] own heart. And the massive underscore of God’s approval: he will do everything I want him to do. That’s big. It’s especially big for us because we mostly live lives that are far short of the role that David fulfilled for the Lord. That doesn’t mean we aren’t important to God – we serve out our own role in our own day in our own way. The important question is do we do everything God wants us to do?

The key to David’s success is the same key that is available to us in Christ: unceasing fellowship with the Lord and reverence for His Name. David was accepted because of his faith in God and not just because of the government he ran, that battles he won, or the family he raised. The same goes for me and you – and what we do or don’t do is centered on our relationship with God. It’s my relationship with God that is becoming more and more precious to me and when I screw up, I suffer the very real pain of letting down a Friend; the prevention of course, is following hard after God, and seeking His heart above all else.

Father in Heaven,
You know – You know when I wander and where I wander and I believe despite the stupidity of my actions, You know why I wander. My prayer is that I grow in my appreciation of You and in my experience of Your presence that I might be called a man after Your own heart. I pray in Jesus’ Name, a Savior seeking all of my own – amen.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

That Goes Over There

2.5.2011

Ex 40:1-5 Then the Lord said to Moses: “Set up the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, on the first day of the first month. Place the ark of the Testimony in it and shield the ark with the curtain. Bring in the table and set out what belongs on it. Then bring in the lampstand and set up its lamps. Place the gold altar of incense in front of the ark of the Testimony and put the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle. NIV

I wonder sometimes what Moses’ helpers and servants routinely thought of him. I wonder if they thought him stern (Moses did have anger issues at times); I wonder if they thought him a little quirky (“The Lord told me to tell you…”). I wonder if on the day they set up the Tent of Meeting if they said to themselves, “I sure hope he knows what we’re doing – because we sure don’t!” I wonder what they thought when he said, “No, that doesn’t go here, that goes over there!” What difference does it make, and how did he know that?

God knows everything and God saw the completed Tent of Meeting before the first yarn was woven. And God will show His servants exactly what goes where, and why; and when everyone steps back they all go, “Perfect!” Moses knew because God told him, and he listened, and made notes, and he prayed. “Lord, show me what You want, and I’ll do exactly as You ask!”

That needs to be the prayer of and the motivation of my own life: Lord, show me what You want, and I’ll do it. I want to live by that kind of faith clarity and I won’t rest until I do… But it really doesn’t start with the big things – it starts with small things like, abide in Me. Faithfully obeying in the small things of God leads to faithfully building the great things of God.

Father in Heaven,
You know where it all goes and why. You know what I am to do for Your Kingdom as I live out my days on earth. Today Father, I ask that You show me what to do; what You want me to do, and I’ll do it to the best of the ability and the gifts You’ve given to me. And I start today by simply abiding in You – amen.

Friday, February 4, 2011

The Worst of the Worst

2.4.2011

(NOTE: Please see my note at the bottom)

Acts 11:18 18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.” NIV

What brand new and sparkling moments the disciples were having in these days following Pentecost. People were being saved and the truth was pouring forth in unprecedented ways. But some of the stuff that was happening was a little over the top… like when Peter went to see some Gentiles up in Caesarea.

The Jewish habit of the pot calling the kettle black was legendary – Jews did not, under any circumstances, associate with Gentiles. Gentiles may have been the only ones other than pigs who were worse to the Jews, so to have Peter go and share with them the Good News was tantamount to eating pig’s flesh – what a dirty and disgusting thing to do. For us, the modern equivalent would probably be like having a registered sex offender come to Christ and become a believer; we might say, ‘how can that be?’

Regardless of the mistakes we all make – and we all make them sooner or later – God has a place in His heart for those who come and say, “God I am sorry for the things I’ve done and ask You to forgive me and accept me because I believe in You and You are the Only One who can make all things right.” God loves people and desires that they stop killing themselves with sin and come to know life in Him. And that invitation is extended to the worst of the worst.

My job is to remember that the worst of the worst can make amends with God and though their pilgrimage may be difficult and often excruciating, God seems to accept the broken and the humble and has room in His home for us all.

Father in Heaven,
You love everybody and desire for all men to be saved; maybe Peter’s experience in Caesarea was the foundation for what he wrote years later in his second epistle. Regardless Lord, may I remember that You can do anything to anyone and that You’ve extended Your grace to everyone. Everyone seems to deserve a second chance – through Jesus, amen.

TO MY READERS:

I realize that there are possibly those among us who’ve suffered terribly at the hands of people who have done cruel and unusual things to us; and so it is with that sensitivity that I write today. I am not excusing the conduct of those who have done terrible things to innocents, possibly even the innocents we know personally. It honors God that criminals pay for their crimes.

But for the sake of my friend Carrie (a believer) who sits in prison for the next twenty years or so thinking about what she did to her infant son, I pray that God’s grace would extend to those who’ve done horrible things horribly. Through Christ, only God can right all wrongs and I need to give Him room to do so…

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Bundle Up Kids


2.3.2011

Exodus 35:3 3 "Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day.” NIV

God seemed to be pretty serious about the Sabbath – “For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it must be put to death.” And then He told Moses, don’t even let them light fires in their dwellings… I thought: bundle up kids!

I also wondered, how long that (the no fire part) lasted? And then I thought, I wonder what their attitude became when the Sabbath rolled around on a cold and blustery day? And then I thought, I wonder how many years went by before the light wisps of  morning fire smoke began to appear above their houses? And then I thought, I wonder if we today could be so disciplined?

Maybe they found loopholes: I didn’t light a fire today, I just kept yesterday’s fire burning – isn't that okay? A black fire pit can look mighty lifeless on a cold, windy rainy day…

What does it take to keep the Lord’s commands when they are less than acceptable to my creature comforts and then they last way longer than my discomfort allows? What does it take to speak the truth in love – no matter what? What does it take to love my neighbor as myself – even when just the sight of him makes me cringe in irritation? I don’t think the Sabbaths went away, I think we just quit keeping them – fire pits were made to keep burning weren’t they?

Focusing with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength is the point. Dying to self and keeping relationship with God is the point. Focusing on something other than creature comforts is the point. God is more than my comforts and the trade off of going without something in order to be with Him is not a bad thing…

Lord God,
May Your Name be the center of my life and the Word upon my lips. May I focus upon You this day and cease from fretting about the world at least once in a given week. Life is more that… amen.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

The Difference

2.2.2011

Exodus 33:16 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” NIV

Again, the distinguishing difference is the presence of the Lord. Modern Christianity (in America) would look radically different if our hearts were passionate for the presence of the Lord; we seem to have a persistent take-for-granted approach to God; like He’ll subserviently bail us out all the time. As a result many in the church are indistinguishable from those outside the church. But what if…

The only thing that distinguishes the child of God from the people of the world is a continual and unshakable faith that God is with him no matter what. That calls for devotion on a different level and a behavior that honors the Lord. We mustn’t think we can live anyway we want and expect for God to be with us – in other words our lives must match our faith – God surely expects at least that much.

I can tell you my reader that if there is anything crystal clear to me these days it is the need in my life to be distinguishable from the people of the world in thought, speech and conduct. And that is only possible as I say to the Lord, “How will anyone know that You are pleased with me and with Your people unless You go with us?” I must not go where the Lord isn’t so that He will go with me where I am as I live out my life faithfully for Him.

Lord Jesus,
Today it is Your presence I seek. Today, as I go about my job, as I talk with people, and conduct myself in the market place, I seek Your face and Your presence in all I do. May I hear Your voice, and may others sense Your presence in me; I ask in Your Name, amen.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Near Him to Hear Him

2.1.2011

Ac 8:29 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” NIV

I have long been fascinated with the conversations in the Bible between God and His people. Moses seemed to be one who had long conversations with the Lord, and I think much of his time was spent listening and writing down what he heard.

As we fast-forward to the Book of Acts in the New Testament, we see more saints having conversations with the Lord. Philip was one of these saints and one day he found himself wandering down the road from Jerusalem to Gaza; and as he did the Spirit (of the Lord) told him, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

I want to be like the people in the Bible who heard and obeyed the Lord. I want to have conversations with God and hear simple commands like, Go to that chariot and stay near it. I think if I stay near Him, I’ll hear Him. As Philip stayed near it was the voice of curious Ethiopian he heard. The Spirit told him to do so and he did.

I must be very careful with the time I have remaining and of the things that demand my time. What I really want is to hear God that I may go and stay near. I know He has plans for me and I know if I sit still and listen I just might hear Him – I might have to shut up and off some other things first.

Father in Heaven,
Help me to hear Your heart and to respond obediently. If ever there was a time in human history when we need to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, it is now. Speak Lord, Your servant listens… Amen.