The Burning Question

09.30.13

Luke 13.23-24 23 And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” (ESV)

What motivates a person? What causes them to do what they do, and think what they think? These are burning questions to me. I know why some do what they do – I think. They do things which to me are predictable and therefore I form an opinion of why they do what they do. But the problem is: I’ve not access to the inside of them; I don’t really know what’s going on. I think I know but I don’t know for sure.

Recently, a man spoke at our church gathering and told us: don’t judge people, get to know their story. That made sense to me (a consummate judger). I don’t know people the way I think I do and the opinions I form are really just prejudices that come from within me based on my own world-view, experiences, and beliefs. I really don’t know people.

That’s not to say I can’t be around them – how silly! Of course I’m to be around them; how can I not? But where I need to be careful when I’m around them is when I begin to form those opinions by how they look, how they talk; how they behave.

A “someone” in Luke 13 had a burning question: Jesus, will those who are saved be few? I could form an opinion about that if you give me a couple nanoseconds. I’d say that person was shallow, misinformed, afraid, or uncertain. Truth is: I don’t know those things. I’d know some things maybe if the “someone” was a friend of mine and we had relationship with each other.

The reality was “someone” (whoever he or she was) had a burning question and they sought an answer from Jesus. People all around us have burning questions. We might even have some too. The question is: where do we go to get answers?

As I was driving home this Saturday afternoon past I was listening to a radio program where several Church leaders were talking about the relevance of the modern Church in the modern marketplace (another word for: our culture). One of the speakers said this: Christianity is not about imposition but about proposition and people need to understand that. I think believers need to understand that. I THINK I NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT.

And when those who have burning questions are dealing with impositions they might be more reluctant to ask the burning question and form their own opinions about Christian beliefs and this Christian God who seems to be unflinchingly imposing His will upon us all.

Jesus, in You, may I live in the propositional lifestyle where I attempt to befriend and persuade rather than jumping to judging and feeling as if I need to cram my beliefs down someone else’s throat. Lord, You answered “someone’s” question; You told them the truth. May I be watching and listening and like You, do the same. Their questions represent a need and may I be used to meet some of those needs – amen.

The Motto

09.22.13

Daniel 10.19 19 And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” (ESV)

I have wrangled this week in my mind; I’ve questioned my place and been embarrassed by my past behavior. I’ve come to that place where I realize I’m not as smart as I think I am, and I don’t know as much as I think I do. In these days of wrangling I’ve done a bit of retreating and I’ve sought the Lord: Father, what is going on here?

I am amazed at the things I’ve learned in just one week and the things I’ve come across in reading, in music, and in Facebook of all places: words of encouragement; words of motivation, and words of peace. I know God is in control; I just need to let Him be.

And so, in Daniel 10 today, I see one of the great saints of the Lord who’d been wrangling over things that had been revealed to him and I think he questioned his place and had been embarrassed by his behavior. I think he understood he wasn’t as smart as he thought he was and didn’t know as much as he thought he did. I think he cried out to God, “Lord! What’s going on here?”

And the angel of the Lord came to him and spoke these words: “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” Wow! Words he needed to hear. Words I need to hear! Words you need to hear!

I think if Israel had had a national motto it would’ve been: Be Strong and of Good Courage. They were the Lord’s people and they were backed up by God in every fight – that is until they decided they didn’t need God’s help. They were called to “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31.6) And Daniel who was caught up in things greater than himself – fearful and dreadful things – needed to be reminded of the national motto of Israel: be strong and of good courage.

Thoughts and feelings are usually not much more than that: thoughts and feelings. But when thoughts and feelings assault and threaten we’re to remember who we are and what we’re called to: faith in our great God and courage to daily fight the good fight. And that requires all of us to be strong and of good courage.

Father, I always go to Hebrews 13 to remember that You will never leave us nor forsake us, but today I’m reminded of Your ancient challenge to Your people through Moses Your servant in Deuteronomy 31: “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” I will learn what I need to learn and I will stand against the thoughts and feelings that would try to convince me otherwise. The motto is just as good today as it was then because You’ve never left Your people nor forsaken Your promises! Thanks! Amen.

To The Willing

09.18.13

Luke 1.15b And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.

Luke 1.41b And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit...

Luke 1.67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying...(ESV)

The filling of the Holy Spirit was not new in the days of Elizabeth, Zechariah, and John the Baptist; it just hadn’t noticeably happened in Israel for a long, long time. God, who is Spirit, does nothing apart from His Spirit, the Holy Spirit. And in the days of the births of John the Baptist and Jesus, the Holy Spirit was moving powerfully. Israel had not seen such a thing in many years. And many people paid attention.

I don’t know why God moved in those particular days; I’m not privy to God’s calendar. But God doesn’t do anything apart from His Spirit. And here’s what I think happens when He does:

I think God foretells certain future events by His Spirit. God does move in mysterious ways but He does give some of us some of the details some of the time. Zechariah was told what would happen to Elizabeth and John. Mary was told about her forthcoming pregnancy, though she had known no man.

I think God equips His people for service by His Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s presence enables men to do great deeds for God. Zechariah and Elizabeth became pregnant in their old age…do the math.

I think God ordains praise by His Spirit. The presence of the Holy Spirit naturally moves God’s people to praise God for Who He is and thank God for what He’s done, doing, and will do. Praise encompasses the past, the present, and the future. Elizabeth, Mary, and Zechariah sang their little hearts out at the presence of, and the moving of God.

And I think God fills the willing to cooperate with His Spirit. Even outlandishly…

And that is where I think this goes: to the willing. God is predictably unpredictable, but He is always looking for the willing: the willing to listen, the willing to believe, the willing to act, and the willing to sing praise about it. Much of the time in many of our lives we live one mundane day after another; not much new seems to happen. But in reality stuff comes along all the time and the question is, are we willing to engage with God when it does and where it goes? It doesn’t matter what happens to us – big or small – God is a part of it all. Will we; will I, engage Him and be filled with His Spirit to see it through…whatever it is? Am I willing?

Father God, find me willing. Find me diligent. Find me cooperative. Use me to impact this little place in the world for You – I pray in Jesus’ Name…Amen.

Addition and Subtraction

09.17.13

Revelation 22.18-19 18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. (ESV)

There are many who say, God didn’t say that! There are also those who say, What God really meant was this! I think the warning John gave at the end of his revelation is simply: Be very careful to take God at His word; don’t add to it and don’t subtract from it.

I read the Bible every day. I read through the Bible every year. I started doing this in February, 2002 as a staff-member of a church for whom I worked. In those days we (I did this with other staff members) called our daily reading, S.O.A.P.: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer. It worked this way:

Each year we would follow an agreed upon Bible Reading Plan which took us through the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice. Each day we read the selected passages for the day and then journal about it according to what Scripture verse (or verses) stood out to us, what we Observed in the verse(s); how it Applied to us (individually); and a Prayer of commitment (or confession) to God about it. That was just the beginning.

I have continued to use the SOAP method in my Bible reading since then. I’ve also learned to read the Bible with a keener eye because (to me) it sometimes says things that fly in the face of conventional thinking. The above is one of those times.

Just because I SOAP, I’m not at liberty to bend the word of God any way I want. I’m not to add to it, nor am I to subtract from it. John specifically said what he said about what he wrote in his revelation; we’re not to add or subtract from it. But the principle relates to all of Scripture as well. It is a dangerous thing to add or subtract to what God says. That’s why we’re to spend our lives reading all of His word and asking Him to teach us from it. Our lives are the whole package and God’s word is too.

The Bible is the most important document in the universe. And so, we humans should spend our lives reading it, observing it, applying it, and praying about it. Life on earth would be better if everyone sat down with God and had a conversation with Him every day. In those daily conversations we’ll find ways to live life better as we pass from here to eternity. Not everyone believes that, but the ones who don’t ought to see a difference in the lives of those who do.

Father, help me and the people I know, and the ones I don’t, to give attention to the MOST IMPORTANT DOCUMENT IN THE UNIVERSE. May we learn to see what You say, observe it, apply it, and talk to You about it. May we be careful to keep the conversations within the boundaries You’ve laid out for us, and learn from You. Thank You for Your word and despite the innumerable times we’ve all messed with it, You still get Your point across: to love You and to love others. It really is that simple. May I walk in Your way today. Amen

No Need

09.16.13

Revelation 21.22 22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. (ESV)

In our reading plan we’ve spent some time in the prophecy of Ezekiel and the revelation of John. In today’s reading we see the restoration of the Temple and in John’s we see the new heaven, the new earth, and the new Jerusalem. Ezekiel’s prophecy reminds the Jews of their special place in God’s heart, and John’s revelation reminds the rest of us that all mankind will be restored to that place of sinless perfection which preceded the fall in the Garden of Eden.

Mankind fell in that garden. Israel fell in their apostasy from God. The rest of us fall everyday. But God never breaks His promises and the faithful will be saved and restored.

In the grand finale however, there will be no Jewish Temple; there won’t be a need for it. There will be a new heaven, a new earth, and a new Jerusalem but no temple. The need for temples will be replaced by the presence of God. “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God." (Revelation 21.3) And the God-fearing will finally and eternally be blessed with the granting of their greatest desire: God Himself. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord. (Psalm 128.4)

As I read this I think about the things I’ve clung to over the years that will be no more. As I think about this I realize that Heaven will be directly attached to the new earth, and there will be Sonshine forever (…and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. Revelation 21.25)

God chose to reveal Himself to mankind through the Jewish race but He never intended for us to live according to Jewish laws and regulations; Revelation 21 pretty well closes the chapter on that. Ezekiel’s Temple will be restored sometime down the road, but God really has no need for temples – His desire is to be up close and personal with everyone who believes in and desires Him.

My desire is to be with God. My desire is to live in the glorious light of His presence. God doesn’t want temples or rules or laws – He just wants me. And in this present age I need to give Him what He wants: Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways! (Psalm 128.1) (Emphasis mine.)

Father, there will be no need for a Temple because there will be Your presence, up close and personal. Help me to live today as I will ultimately live then: not distracted, not deceived, not bored, but alive and well in Your glorious presence. Thank You for Your Spirit until that day – amen.

Reality

09.15.13

Revelation 20.15 15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (ESV)

Life is often like a cold, wet, and blustery day trying to find that one piece of dry wood in order to start a fire, hoping the matches aren’t wet as well. It’s not a downer (although we in the west might think it so), it’s just a challenge. The colder it gets the bigger the challenge.

The challenge of this life is finding the reality of it in the midst of a resounding chorus of voices which chime, on key and in perfect timing, there is no reality except what we presently have. And that would be true if there was no God. If there is no God then life is merely a series of events which we go through as we plod along toward a reality of death. And it’s over.

And there are those who believe that. And there are those who are not moved by the wonder of a sunset, or the birth of a baby, or the roar of the ocean, or the majesty of the night sky. There may be moments of happiness but for them there is no joy.

In the verse above, we understand it’s not an end, but more like a next phase: the dawning of realization. Revelation 20.10 reads: and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. We all understand day and night – we’re used to it because it’s our reality. And the lake of fire is the lake of the realization that God was right all along; and those who dwell in that fire realize, day and night for eternity, that He was right … and they were wrong.

Our reality is we experience reality, and some are led to believe in God in the midst of the human experience, while others dismiss Him as impossible because they perceive life just is what life just is. For them there is too much evidence against the purpose and plan of Someone who is looking for a dry piece of wood on a cold, wet, and windy day and wants to start a fire.

Life is not what happens to us but what we do with what it does to us. Some, in the midst of it, celebrate God while others curse Him until they plunge into the lake where their biggest fear finally dawns on them: God was true and right all along. God deals in realities. Unbelief denies them.

Today (it’s all I ever have), I’m to live in reality because no matter how bad life seems to get, I have the promise that it isn’t without plan, and it isn’t without purpose; even though it doesn’t make sense to me and I don’t have all the answers. God has revealed Himself to me and that’s enough. I suppose that’s why I won’t have to go swimming where I have to admit, night and day forever, that I was wrong… and He was right – I’ve already reached that conclusion. Now my reality is to live cooperating with Him in His plan of trying to reach those who’ve already made up their minds, that there might be an alternate reality worth their time and effort.

BTW: It isn’t warm on the beach of the lake of fire. It’s cold, wet, and windy; the matches won’t light and the wood is soaked… forever.

Belief

09.14.13

Psalm 110.4 4 The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”  A Psalm of David (ESV)

Ain’t too much to be known about Melchizedek save what we read in Genesis 14, Psalm 110, and Hebrews 5, 6, and 7. And even then the details are somewhat sketchy. God seems to make a big deal about it despite not much information.

As I read Psalm 110 this morning, I thought about belief. Although we don’t know much about Melchizedek, we do know he believed, for Genesis 14 says he was: Priest of the Most High God. (V. 18). It doesn’t say he was a priest, just that he was priest of the Most High God. This Melchizedek, in the days of antiquity, believed. That’s very important. Relationship with God is all about belief. And Melchizedek believed in God. And Abraham (who also believed in God) brought offerings to Melchizedek. And Melchizedek blessed him. (Also very important.)

Then David writes in Psalm 110 about Jesus: The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind,

“You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” (emphasis mine). We might paraphrase it: You are a priest forever after the order of Belief. In our world it’s always about belief.

For us to make it in this world has nothing to do with this world’s systems and values; it has everything to do with belief in God. For the godly who is entrusted with worldly wealth comes a God-given ability to handle it. For the godly who is entrusted with worldly governmental power and authority comes a God-given ability to handle it. It doesn’t matter what we do it matters what we do with what we do. And we do what we do because God is God over what we do and we’re to do what we do as if we were doing it for God Himself.

That’s why there was another order apart from the Aaronic (Levitical) order which preceded the Levitical priesthood described in Exodus. It is the everlasting order of Belief. God chose His method of dealing with the Jews as He did; but to the rest of us He has said: just believe.

And that’s where it comes down to for a little person like me, living in a little place called Baker, working as a little clerk in a little hardware store: belief. Through Jesus Christ I am called to follow in the Order of Melchizedek, the Order of Belief. There are no trinkets, or titles, or rituals, or regulations, just the clothing of the righteous: plain white linen (which is, according to Revelation 19.8) “…the righteous deeds of the saints.” It is the clothing of belief. It means little on earth, but everything in Heaven.

Father, Your word is a reminder to me today that things of infinite measure and worth are associated with a little person like me living in an insignificant city like Baker. What matters to You most is belief, and You have staked Your entire God-ness on this truth: … they shall be my people, and I will be their God. And it will be so because they believe. I believe. I sometimes believe poorly, but I believe. Help me to walk in that stature today and to wear the righteous deeds of a saint as a result – in Melchizedek’s Name I pray, amen.

Bouncing into Grace Land

09.12.13

Daniel 4.2 2 “It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me.” –Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon (ESV)

I think the prophet Daniel (who, by the way, was a government bureaucrat in service to the great king, Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon) and old Neb were friends. I think they understood each other and knew where the boundaries were; but I think they were friends. Nebuchadnezzar needed someone (of sanity) to talk to and Daniel (and God) showed up to let him vent.

I think Nebuchadnezzar often wondered about Daniel’s God and why Daniel seemed so devoted to Him. I think he tried to reconcile why such a great and wonderful God would allow His people to be overrun and conquered by a nation such as Babylonia. I think the king and his minister often talked about that. I think the minister often put down his quill and hurried to the king’s chambers having been summoned for something that was in reality just another guise for another chat.

Nebuchadnezzar learned the hard way – like most of us do. Yes, he was a great king with great influence and great power, but, like all of us, he needed a Great God, and so down the road of hard-knocks he went…just like the rest of us. What we go through in life is never as important as what we learn from what we go through…

There is a girl in New York City

Who calls herself the human trampoline

And sometimes when I’m falling, flying

Or tumbling in turmoil I say

Whoa, so this is what she means

She means we’re bouncing into Graceland*

*© 1986 Words and Music by Paul Simon

Nebuchadnezzar bounced into Grace land. And then he felt compelled to tell us all about it. And Daniel thought it was a good idea to write it down and share it with us. (Kinda like Facebook only better).

Yesterday, someone posted on Facebook: “We don't need your proof. We need your story, and what it means to us.” (Seth Godin) What I needed today was Nebuchadnezzar’s story. We all need it because we’re all bouncing into Grace Land (so to speak). The road of hard knocks is definitely bumpy. But Neb’s story helps; and my story helps, and yours does too. Are we telling the story of “…the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me.”? If we’re not, what is holding us back?

Father, You have done great and wonderful things to me and for me. I have bounced down this road for many years and I believe I’ve got a few more bumps to go. Help me to share with others what You’ve done; and what You continue to do, in me, through me, and for me. (I know it isn’t about me, but what You do in me as I bounce into Grace Land.) Help me to sing happy songs and share delightful tales of Your daring-do, and in some small way may it help someone else to learn to love You and share what You’ve done for them…through Jesus, Amen.

Unashamed

09.11.13

Revelation 16.15 15 (“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”) ESV

The ancient prophet Daniel stood before the great king Nebuchadnezzar and told the king of things to come and of a Kingdom that would destroy all the other kingdoms and would endure forever. (See Daniel 2) When Daniel finished speaking to the king he said, “A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.” (V. 2.45)

Many centuries later, John the Apostle (also a prophet of sorts) wrote the above. He was reiterating in the midst of his narrative what Paul had said many years before: “For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief...” (1 Thess. 5.2-4a)

Jesus Himself refers to the concept of the thief’s arrival – by stealth and surprise. So, it’s not like we don’t know. It will be ugly however, if we don’t care.

All of Daniel’s prophecies have been fulfilled save one. John’s revelation is coming into position and my response is: stay awake, with my clothes on. My clothing is the truth and how I respond to it. I can give it lip service and pretend – or I can really believe it, and live it eagerly . The difference will be whether or not I am clothed. And the inclination of my heart, and the conduct of my life, will bear that witness.

Jesus has never asked any of us to do some great and mighty thing; all He’s ever asked is for us to believe Him and obey Him: friends, If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. (John 15) The one who abides is the one who is fully clothed, unafraid of the great day, and unashamed of his life and conduct.

What does it mean to be unashamed? It means to live confidently and freely. Relationship with Jesus Christ bears confidence and freedom. Not rules, not legalism, just love.

The night of the thief is coming. It will happen, and as Daniel said, it is certain and sure; we can bank on it. The question then, am I ready for it? That depends on my relationship with Jesus and whether or not I believe in the importance of that…just sayin’…

Father, today, it isn’t twenty minutes reading Your word (although that is tremendously important). It isn’t church attendance, or merit badges, or Bible memory, or possessions, position, or power; or anything else we claim to have or to do. No, it’s all about our love for You expressed in our obedience to what You tell us to do. Help me to hear and to respond and to remember it will be as unexpected as a thief in the night when You decide to show up at our party. Help me today – I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

What Matters Is…

09.10.13

Lamentations 3.21 21 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope... (ESV)

I know, how could I not comment on this verse? Well, not this verse but the next two: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentation 3.22, 23) I guess what got me was the part about calling it to mind.

This morning a friend and I had breakfast at our local haunt and he said one of the things that helped him through the more troubled times of his life was using the Christian’s Soap: 1 John 1.9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. He said in his life he has used this verse over and over and over again. I think it kept him sane through his days of immaturity, willfulness, and yes, sin.

Jeremiah was absolutely broken over the devastation of his nation. At one point in his grief he said things had gotten (? grammar?) so bad, he forgot what happiness was (Lam. 3.17). That’s some sad. And he said his sadness would’ve overwhelmed him had he not “[called] this to mind…” And therefore he had (or found) hope.

Israel and Judah got what they deserved despite many, many years of the Lord’s warning them to repent and come back. They ignored Him and eventually got run over (a kind of overrun but with extra hot salsa). It is not wise to turn one’s back on the Lord when He’s calling one to come back.

Despite what Israel got for their rebellion, Jeremiah knew it was for their good and God was willing to accept them back any time. And in that Jeremiah had hope. Enter: 1 John 1.9.

I, His kid, must remember I am never alone, nor am I ever outside of His watchful gaze. 1 John 1.9. It doesn’t matter how many times I fail: 1 John 1.9. It doesn’t matter if my doing is my own or the fault of someone else: 1 John 1.9. What matters is: this I call to mind. What matters is: it doesn’t matter which verse (or verses) of His word brings me back to the reality of His love and presence, so long as I continue to call one or more of them to mind and remember how much He loves me and cares about me. That’s what matters. 1 John 1.9.

Today, I know there will be hardship and confusion – it is what it is this side of Heaven. But despite this, I know, and I have hope. Yes, the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases – that’s why sometimes the weirdest things happen in my life. His mercies never come to an end – He endlessly loves you and me. They are new every morning – each day the old is gone and the new reality has come. Great is His faithfulness  - to see me through and to see me home.

Father, How could I not say something about this? How can I not go through my days and force myself to call to mind how good You are and how steadfast is Your love, and that Your mercies never come to an end? How can I not remember what is new to me each day and that Your faithfulness is great? Even in the tough times find me willing to confess my sin and eager to accept Your cleansing. Help me this day because You are You! Amen.

Saying How

09.09.13

Lamentations 1.1 1 How lonely sits the city that was full of people! How like a widow has she become, she who was great among the nations! She who was a princess among the provinces has become a slave. (ESV)

In my Bible, the study notes say this: “In the Hebrew Bible, Lamentations is called Ekah (“How”), after the first word in the book.” Ekah could this happen?

Many people on a routine basis suffer pain. They suffer in relationships; they suffer on the job; they suffer financially; they suffer physically. And much of the time, their suffering catches them asking: how could this happen!? How could you do that!? How come this is happening to me!? The word in Lamentations is not a question; it’s a statement: How lonely sits the city that was full of people… that’s how.

I don’t think most of life is all that unpredictable; I think there are plenty of signs along the way. To be sure there are things that pop up all of a sudden – the car wreck, the found coin, etc.  But for the most part what’s coming at us is evident if we choose to pay attention to what’s going on around us.

What we do about the signs is a different matter; for the most part however, I think they are fairly visible. And to make a statement about Jerusalem and prefix it with the word, how simply meant their fall was predictable, and what happened as a result was because they ignored the signs – the warnings along the way.

“How” in this instance was a sorrowful bemoaning – a wretched weeping over the consequences for the choices they made. “How” summed up just how bad things were.

I daily hear comments from people about our own nation and the spot in which we find ourselves to the tune of: “How screwed up we are these days!” It’s been fairly predictable: we, as the free-est and blest-est people in the world forgot how we got to where we are, and like ancient Israel lament: How now!

God has never promised to keep us from trouble; He has always promised to keep us through trouble. For the unbelieving: they’re on their own. For the believing, God has promised: I will never leave you nor forsake you. So, for us who believe the question isn’t, “how?”; the statement is, how! Forsaking God and personal responsibility before Him has brutal consequences. Just ask Jeremiah who wrote: How lonely sits the city that was full of people!

Father, help me to be vigilant in my pursuit of You and in my daily walk in holiness. May I never ask, “How?”, as if I am so surprised by what’s going on; but may I say, “How!” in response to Your presence, Your promises, and Your providence in all I face – through Jesus, Amen.

The Stamp of Approval

09.08.13

Jeremiah 42.9-10 9 and said to them, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your plea for mercy before him: 10 If you will remain in this land, then I will build you up and not pull you down; I will plant you, and not pluck you up; for I relent of the disaster that I did to you. (ESV)

Sometimes the Prophet says what we don’t want to hear: Don’t go to Egypt; stay put! That was what Jeremiah had been preaching for years: submit to the king of Babylon and all will be well with you. But they didn’t listen then, and they weren’t listening now: we’re gonna do what we want to do and we want God to stamp His approval on it.

How many times I have done that: come up with some cockamamie scheme; or even a good sounding scheme for that matter, and wanted God to stamp His blessings on my plan: Approved! It doesn’t work that way for the disciple of Jesus Christ. But oh how I’ve tried. The truth is, I’m trying right now…

It’s a sad moment – a sad day – when we embrace our plans to the point we desire, and then expect (or demand) God to kowtow to them. What fools we are. What foolishness we embrace. And we all do it – we all come up with something and look for God’s approval. It is worth repeating: sometimes God will say to us: if you insist!

Our plans must be God’s plans if we’re to succeed. That calls for great humility. We must learn contentment right now where we are if we’re going to have contentment in the future. Plans do not come first, contentment does. That’s not to say we can’t think about a preferred future, but it does mean we approach that preferred future with fear and trembling. If God offered these people a life of peace and meaning when they’d just been overrun by Babylon, what was so wrong with that!? Their pride and sin kept them from embracing it.

One thing I am so slow to accept is God’s control over my life and circumstances. I keep yearning to go back to the way it used to be; and the way it used to be was: less God and more me. Funny, I’m not good at the math when I think of how it used to be: more me = less God and more misery. Have I not learned a thing?

More God and less me = more contentment, more peace, and more trust in the One who controls it all anyway. I have embraced a way of life where I feel I am free to call the shots and I cannot do that anymore – I am answerable to God and I don’t like it when He says, “If you insist.”

God, grant me contentment in the things I cannot control, grant me courage to accept Your control; and wisdom to know I will only be content when I do what You say. I repent again of calling the shots and ask for wisdom to live a life of humility as I follow You wherever You lead. Amen.

No Turf to Defend

09.07.13

Revelation 12.11 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. (ESV)

I’ve read this verse so many times. I’ve always focused on the part abou the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. These are very important things because without them, well, there isn’t much else; except maybe this last part: they loved not their lives even unto death.

I think a paraphrase of this verse might be: And they lived conquering over their enemy by the reality of the blood that was shed for them, and the validity of their words about Him; because they lived steadfastly as if they had no turf to defend; and nothing to lose because of it.

Much of who we are as humans is defend turf. The conflict in Syria (and many other places in the world) is all about defending turf. We in America love a game called Football and when you boil it down it’s all about defending turf. We have become a society which defends conflicting ideas, conflicting conversations and conflicting beliefs; solely because it is our preciously held turf.

Remarkably, the only turf Jesus ever defended wasn’t ever His own: He defended God’s turf: a thing called truth. When the Roman governor Pilate interrogated Jesus, the Lord told him that those who believed in Him were those who followed and accepted the truth, Pilate replied: what is truth? (The implication: there is no such thing as truth). Pilate’s denial of truth was his only defense in the face of it.

But the calling of God’s people is not to defend their own truth – or perception thereof. Their purpose is to defend God’s truth even to the death because they have no turf to defend and losing one’s life for God is full proof of that.

I have too long lived believing I need to defend what I believe. I am not called to that. Ever. Nowhere in the Bible am I commanded to defend my truth. My calling is to proclaim God’s truth. Period. So, proclaiming it means knowing it so that when I am tempted to get defensive, I can simply proclaim it. That’s what Jesus did, and He didn’t love His life so much as to badger people who didn’t agree with Him.

That didn’t mean the Lord’s proclamations weren’t without point or discomfort; but He didn’t get into pushing and shoving contests with others over what truth was, and why one (whoever you is) needed to accept it. He proclaimed it and left it up to the Holy Spirit to move people’s hearts. And if He lost His life in the process of that: so be it.

I have no turf worth defending. I have opinions and theories, and preferences and all that, but they are what they are mine. Conversely, when I lay these things down and only proclaim God’s truth for what it is, then I wait upon the Holy Spirit to do what He does with it – it’s His turf, not mine.

Lord, may I learn to do as You did: simply proclaim God’s truth, allowing Your Spirit to help people see it, and receive it… Amen.

Giving Glory

09.06.13

Revelation 11:13 13 And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. (ESV)

It’s one thing to glorify God; it’s another to give Him glory. Glorifying God is even a stretch because God is glorious with or without us. God doesn’t need us to bring Him glory because He is completely glorious whether we’re in the picture or not. Not arrogance or unconcern on His part; He simply is who He is with or without us.

So, in Revelation 11, these two witnesses show up and have unbelievable power to control nature and their enemy’s response to them. It’s a pretty safe bet that they’re a thorn in most everyone’s side. And so, it’s not surprise that they have to be taken out by a satanic power in order to stop their thorniness toward mankind. Everybody hates a party-pooper; that’s why we invited you!

Whew! The heat’s off and these two colossal troublemakers die at the hands (or commands) of Satan himself. And the party begins. (When the Church loses her effectiveness, the party always begins.) But then something amazing happens: the two messengers are resurrected! Now what!? And they are summoned to Heaven and a great earthquake takes place. Seven thousand people die in the earthquake and John’s narrative says: And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. The implication is this was an act of God.

Remarkably, in our present secular age where the belief is there is no God (except for the one of one’s own making), that we still use the phrase: Act of God. And by doing so, we give God glory. Giving God glory doesn’t mean salvation. It doesn’t even mean belief; it means giving credit where credit is due. The people in Revelation 11 give God credit for the earthquake and maybe even the two witnesses, but they don’t give God their hearts. They give God credit, or glory, for something they can’t otherwise explain.

I laid awake in bed for a while this morning (around 3:30 am) dreading the impending implementation of the government’s latest attempt at controlling heath-care. The bottom line is, I can’t afford it. So, in my uncomfortable-ness with government healthcare, I'm attempting to trust God to provide a solution. Financially or otherwise.

And here is what I thought: either He’ll provide for me and I’ll learn something and be blessed, or He won’t provide anything but grace and I’ll learn something and be blessed. Trusting God for healthcare is just as easy (or hard) as to trust Him for anything else. That both gives God glory, and glorifies His holy Name. As His child, I am to do both: given Him glory because He is God and I am not; and to glorify His Name by praising Him for His goodness to me and believing in His promise to me: [Paul] I will neither leave you nor forsake you. So [I] can confidently say, “ The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13...)

Lord, in all things too big for me (which covers just about everything) I give You glory that You are glorious, and I glorify Your Name that You are my God and my Helper in time of need (which is pretty much all the time). May I rest in Your promise and trust You to provide – Amen.

His Tent in Me

09.04.13

Ezekiel 23.4 4 Oholah was the name of the elder and Oholibah the name of her sister. They became mine, and they bore sons and daughters. As for their names, Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem. (ESV)

Oholah means: her tent. Oholibah means: my tent in her. That helped me to put things into perspective just a bit (after all, this is: Pablo’s Perspectives…just sayin’).

Oholah was the nickname for Samaria, the capital city of Israel, or the ten northern tribes who broke away after King Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, lost them in a revolt. The two remaining tribes were Judah and Benjamin and they we known as Judah and their capital city was Jerusalem, the city of David.

“Her tent” made me think of how Israel, under their original king, Jeroboam, rebelled from the Judean royalty and did their own thing: they pitched their own tent, so to speak. Judah on the other hand was where the Temple of God was and where the Tabernacle had dwelt for many years: My Tent (God’s Tent) in her. The sin of Samaria was simply this: they divorced God and proclaimed that the worship of God could be accomplished in an alternative place: their own tent; i.e. Samaria; not in God’s Tent in Jerusalem.

In whose tent do we dwell? I think that is the question for me most of the time. Do I dwell in God’s tent and pay attention to Him or do I dwell in my own tent, doing my own thing? The sin of Israel, divorcing God and doing their own thing, led to more and more of their doing their own thing and drifting further and further away. They drifted so far that they completely forgot about God.

Judah on the other hand, lived in God’s Tent, but decided politics and political wrangling was the way to go. Their religion became their power. They lived in God’s Tent and quit listening to God; or decided they needed to help Him in the execution of His sovereignty. They wanted to be the Inside-the-Beltway crowd; smarter than the stupid Samarians, and smarter than God.

According to the Bible, God has pitched His Tent in me (Cf. John 14); He sent his Spirit to dwell with me and in me. That’s important. I am Oholibah: His Tent in me. And as a result that ought to do something to me, and for me. And I need to remember Oholibah every day. God is not in some far off place commanding angels and rerouting worlds; He is with me and He had placed His tent in me; I am His Territory; His dwelling place.

Lord, in courage and respect, in happiness and somberness, may I live Oholibah today. May I frequent the tent this day and remember where You say You are: with me and in me. Rule from the Throne You have placed in my heart… Amen.

In Heaven and On Earth

09.01.13

Revelation 6.11 11 Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been. (ESV)

In Revelation 6, the verse preceding this one says: They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (V. 10) That helps put things in perspective for us. The divine response to their cry is simply: rest and wait.

When I was a wee lad of forty-seven I began to take an interest in road-bike riding. I didn’t get my first road bike then; but I got a bike and began to ride in earnest taking pleasure in going for long rides on the highways and by-ways of central Oregon. I became friends with others who liked to ride and learned all the ways of group riding etiquette and so on. I also began to attend bike races and became familiar with the phrases: “You can rest when you die!” and, “No one has ever drowned in their own sweat!”  I think about those phrases when I read Revelation 6: rest a little longer, until the number of [your] fellow servants and [your] brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as [you have] been. We can rest in Heaven.

How we are born and how we die is not the issue: how we live between these two dates is what is important. You can rest when you die ought to be among the mottoes of our lives because life on earth in not about rest, but action. And really, no one has ever drowned in their own sweat.

Some are destined to be born into privilege; and some are not going to have that privilege. Some are destined to live long and prosper; some are destined to die for their toil on earth at the hands of men who kill them because they so toiled. Their toil is to proclaim Him who hands out white robes in Heaven. How we live and for Whom is the issue.

God decides our lives and what they’re supposed to be about. How we live with His decision is mostly about how we interact with the world. Some interact with it and fit right in; others reach a place where their dissatisfaction with earth’s ways causes them to seek another Way – God’s way. And when presented with God’s option, they accept and begin, much to earth’s great disapproval, to toil for Him.

How we live between these two dates is what is important. How I toil is important. The focus of my life is not what I’m going to do in retirement, but how I live up to that point: I can retire when I die. In the meantime, I to toil and strive in a resistance movement that shines a bright but true light on the regime of earth which purports: “It doesn’t get any better than this!” or “Eat, drink, and be merry – for tomorrow we die!” It’ll be all over then… (except the part about accounting for our toil…)

Father, I don’t pray for more of You (a stupid prayer if I’ve ever heard one); I pray for You to have more of me. I pray for the breaking of the hold on me that my culture says is all about how I should live: for the moment, full of years, and full of fun. I can rest in Heaven, and won’t have to worry about drowning in my own sweat toiling for You! Find me soaked… Amen!