Money Blood

12/28/2016

Revelation 5.9 9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. – St. John

If you want to purchase something, you have to have some medium with which to pay. Duh, Paul! Everyone knows that! Yes, but did you know that Jesus bought people from every tribe, language, and people, and nation with His blood? Think about that for a moment. Jesus used His life-blood to buy me. I am His. He purchased me. He owns me.

That ought to shed new light today on who I am and what I do. That ought to shift my thinking about how I live. I have been purchased by Jesus to serve God. Revelation 5.10 explains that those who were/are purchased will reign on the earth. There was/is a purpose to the purchase.

I looked up the term, blood money. I found that blood money is money that someone gets from the death of someone else. Blood money is not a pretty term; it tends to be toward profiting from someone’s death. Like money paid to someone to kill another. Murder for hire. That sort of thing.

Judas Iscariot profited from the murder of Jesus Christ. He went to the religious rulers of the day and asked for money in exchange for information about Jesus. It worked, they paid him thirty pieces of silver for his work. He earned blood money.

But little did Judas know that Jesus Himself was offering up blood money for His own death. Jesus knew what He was doing. Judas didn’t. Jesus was buying people back from death by offering up Himself to die.

I think one of the things that turns people off about the Gospel story is the blood. I think we think we’re too advanced for stuff like that. We don’t quite know what to think of bloodshed. I think we think it all could have been done some other way. I think we underestimate things of old and why what was, was. You don’t take down a fence before you know why it was put up.

Blood is the nth. There is nothing on earth more valuable than blood – just ask the one about to die. But human blood does only some; God’s blood does it all. The magnitude of Jesus doing what He did ought to make us sit down in wonder and exclaim in amazement: Huh! The value of a life is in a life. In Jesus’ case the value of His life was the value of His death and why He did what He did – allowing Himself to be subjected to the foolishness of man so that He could bring some of them to the wisdom of God.

Today, I said, Huh! I said it all over again as I pondered what (and why) Jesus did for me by pouring out His blood – His life – for me. And I thought again of what it takes to bring someone from death to life – it takes blood. In amazement and wonder: Huh!

Father, I am purchased, I am owned. Someone did for me that which I could never, ever do. Thank You. Amen.

Ladyship

12/26/2016

2 John 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. – St. John

Margaret Thatcher, the former Prime Minister of Great Britain was known as the Iron Lady; the old girl was unbending in her administration of her job, ideology, and rule. Maggie, as she was informally known, was one tough broad in a world full of men and the slimy world of politics. It takes a certain kind to be a politician, and to be a woman, in the midst of that world, requires a toughness that defies belief. The Iron Lady fought against an ideology beyond an Iron Curtain. Tough times require tough leaders.

Alas, Thatcher, merely a woman, a human, eventually, like all humans do, passed on and away.  She faithfully served her monarchy and the British people, and despite the attacks from without and within, she prevailed. Perhaps being iron-willed is a necessary ingredient in leaders of both genders.

John the apostle (acquainted with iron himself) addressed a letter to a church in an undisclosed ancient location as: Dear Lady. John may have been using some sort of code language, but it’s important that we note that of all the stuff written in the Scripture, only here in 2 John is a church addressed as a Lady.

Lady-ship is mostly lost on modern western culture. That isn’t to say there aren’t ladies, but it is to say that lady-ship isn’t as admired these days as it once was. Beauty, wit, and charm are sought after, but lady-ship is somewhat dusty, musty, and underutilized. I do have a question: do you think of the Church you go to as dear Lady? John would have. The Church is a Lady supposed to be adorned with truth, grace, and love. Hmmm… If our churches don’t have that, what do they have? What do we call them?

Lady-ship ought to be grace, and elegance in a world desperately in need of something other than what our world holds forth as something to be admired and aspired. The Church ought to be that which is set apart to where the world takes notice and wonders what makes her, her.

Modern men aren’t really into the Bride-of-Christ thing, they get squeamish at the bride concept; however, they seem to have no problem calling warships and other machines (no matter their size or use) her. The greatest group of people on the face of the earth ought to at least garner the nickname Lady. The world is in desperate need of ladies (and we don’t mean the kind you find on the backstreets of cities or in the truck stops…)

A true lady is a leader. She is endowed with wisdom, grace, truth, love, godliness, and all the virtues of virtue. But lest we throw our pearls to pigs, we need to remember that no matter what John called the churches he was aware of, the rest of the world has little use for church-ladies as it strives and hurtles downward toward the lowest common denominator.

Try as I might, I’m going to accept my local Lady full of broken and fallen people in search of a Savior to meet their needs and equip them for ministry. I will pray that we rise to the moniker Lady despite who we are, and how we are. The Church isn’t perfect, she is, however, called.

Father, may we be the Church and may we display Your grace and truth to the world around us no matter what they think of us; or call us. May I be part of the solution in helping a lost world see the light You have called Your Church, Your Bride. Amen

Arresting God

12/23/2016

John 18.4-6 4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. – St. John

It’s not like John was a Bible scholar; he was just a man who possessed a deep and unique relationship with Jesus. To my knowledge, John never went to seminary. He probably was only schooled as a boy in the rabbinical offerings of his local synagogue, but other than that, he was just a fisherman, along with all of what comes along with that trade: smelly hands and clothes, tolling long hours through the night in search of a catch, trying to make a living as a business man. Competition. Customers. Compensation.

But John, knew Jesus. John knew Jesus and saw Jesus and presented Him to us by what he experienced with Jesus. John saw Jesus differently.

John was there that night Jesus was arrested in Gethsemane; and John heard Jesus say, “I am He.” We note that in the narrative there is no exclamation point: Jesus didn’t say “I AM HE!”; He simply said, “I am He.” John said when Jesus said this, all of the men who came to arrest Him, drew back and fell to the ground. When you come to arrest God, better be careful what you seek to do.

John is the only gospel writer to address the issue of the, drawing back and falling down. Matthew omitted it. Mark (Peter’s gospel) doesn’t mention it. And Dr. Luke, Mr. Detail, didn’t include it either. But John did and he did for good reason: John, defends the deity of Christ. It’s not that the others don’t, but John is the only gospel writer to overtly deal with the deity of Christ. The others deal with His messiah-ship to Israel; and His human ancestry. John is the only one who says:

“In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God.” (John 1.1)

The mere humans who came to do Jesus ought that night, had no idea who they were dealing with. John, and only in hindsight, got it – Jesus was not only God’s Son, He was God. That makes people uncomfortable and that makes lots of people draw back and fall down in their understanding of Who God is and what it is He desires to do with us.

Our belief is acceptable to us when we’re comfortable with it: a baby in a manger, wise men, a star, angels and shepherds. But when God shows up as He does in the life of every human, every day, one of two things happen: either (a: we draw back and fall down in disbelief; or (b: we step forward and fall down in worship… Our attempts to arrest God are futile.

You know though, what does arrest God is: faith. What pleases God is: faith. What brings all of God into all of us is: faith. It isn’t Christmas – or Easter; it’s faith. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (Hebrews 11.6) To arrest God, one must come armed with faith…

Father, we silly humans think we have such power and strength but in reality we are poor and naked, wretched, and blind. Give us faith today to see You, to know You and to trust You. May my faith, arrest You in Your heavenly governance to come alongside me and help me. I pray this in Your holy, and unarrestable Name! Thank You for what You are doing! Amen

Live Believingly

12/21/2016

John 11.25-26 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 

John 9,10, and 11 are pivotal passages in the gospel. In chapter 9 Jesus gives sight to a man born blind. Lot’s of hoopla around that one – especially since He healed on the Sabbath. Chapter 10 is Jesus describing who He is and claiming the He and the Father are one. More hoopla and the selecting of stones to throw. And in Chapter 11, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. Wow.

One quick side note: Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, but Jesus himself would raise Himself from the dead. Resurrections always requires God…do the math.

Now, Jesus also says some astounding things in these three chapters. In chapter 9 He tells the man to whom sight is given, when he asked who the Messiah was: “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” (John 9.37) In chapter 10 He says: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10.27-30)

And in chapter 11 He says the above: I am the resurrection and the life…But here, He also queries Martha: Do you believe this?”  It’s a powerful question and one I think all of us should ponder in our days, ways, and societal haze: Do you believe this? Well, do we?

Belief is the cornerstone of our faith. We either belief and are saved, or we don’t, and are damned. Jesus said: The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. So, death isn’t the separator; belief is. Death is a symptom of unbelief. Whoevuh doan believe: die. The Scriptures asked me again this morning: Do you believe this? My answer makes all the difference.

I’m not only to believe, but also to live believingly. Jesus said that: whoever lives by believing in Me… So, belief is not only a noun, but also a verb. Belief requires us (me) to live a certain way. Belief requires me to behave according to what I hold in my heart. My behavior doesn’t cause my belief – that’s Pharisaic; legalistic. My belief causes my behavior: I do what I do because of what I believe. That’s relationship.

Father in Heaven, fill me with Your Spirit today as I walk in my belief in Jesus the Messiah and live believingly. May all of who I am and do spring from my belief in the One who said: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”  Lord, I do! Amen

My Food

12/18/2016

John 4.34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.

When reading Scripture, there is a balance between what is written and what to do. The good news is the Scriptures were written by the Holy Spirit as He moved upon the lives of those who wrote them. So, then, two things: 1, we’re to seek what to do by what is written, and 2, and what is written will give us direction as to what to do.

I read Jesus’ words today and asked myself: what is my food? Now, Jesus wasn’t saying He never ate food, but He was saying that the true purpose of His life went way beyond the consumption of food and drink. By contrast, my life tends to be toward my next client meeting, and what we’ll eat or drink; Jesus however, was so focused on His Father, and His will, that He always kept His concentration there.

Where is my concentration? What is my food?

Jesus could say that His food was the will of the Father because He knew where He was from and what He was supposed to do. I haven’t reached that degree of focus; but I want to.

It doesn’t have to be that difficult. It simply boils down to the thoughts and intents of the heart. And today, in all my ways, can I, will I, keep my acknowledgment on God? What is keeping me from doing that? When or how do I get to that place where I too can say, my food is to do the will of the Father. Is there even an expectation that I do so?

I think the answer lies in the words, ‘my food’ and how I live out my moments my day. I don’t think there is an expectation that I do what Jesus did, but I also don’t think there would be objection from my Savior if I did. My food is my food. And My food is whatever it is that keeps me centered and focused on the will of the Father. A good friend of mine quoted Galatians 6.4-5 today out of the Message paraphrase:

Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.

In other words, My Food is my food but it’s not about performance, it’s about friendship. It’s not about emulation, it’s about love. God, how can the expression of my love for You today feed that part of me that wants to do what You’ve given me to do and to sink myself into just that? That I think is the question.

I don’t eat my food from your plate or even Jesus’ plate. But I do eat from that which satisfies my soul in the quest of knowing God and serving Him. My food is that which energizes me to live for the will and sake of Him who called me, and Him who took my place so that I can serve Him who called me… no rocket science necessary…

Father, in things great or small today, may I keep my focus on You and even my small ways may I find my true fulfillment not in food or drink or things of this world, but in the ‘consumption’ of doing what it is You’ve called me to do, and finding pleasure in that alone. Amen

Someone I Know

12/14/2016

Psalm 14.1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. - David

I read this today and said inwardly, “Oh No! I know someone personally who says in his heart, ‘There is no God!’” I think for the first time in my life, I came to a conclusion that I didn’t want to come to: someone I know (and love, and care for) has made a conscious decision to deny God. The word mercy, while prevalent throughout Scripture, is not found in Psalm 14. That thought made me sad. It alarmed me.

It is one thing to know of God yet never have anything to do with Him; but it is another to deny Him his deity and existence. (Frankly, I’m not comfortable with either scenario.) But isn’t this the essence of the magnitude of man: endowed by his Creator with inalienable rights, talents, and skills; yet a steadfast denial of God and His provenance?

With regard to the person in question, I believe more in his denial of the Church and her place, than in his utter denial of God. But one thing that is hand-in-glove in a denial of God: the denial of His people; a true and smug disdain for those who seek God’s truth and the life and friendship He offers. God-haters are also people-haters. That’s tragic in a variety of ways.

The word fool in Psalm 14 is a Hebrew word that denotes moral deficiency. We are all deficient in myriad ways. but moral deficiencies are the worst. There is no edit-button when morals are deficient. Decisions are based simply on personal feelings and preference, and there is no consideration for the effect those decisions may have in the lives of others. With little or no morals, one is left to his whims with no regard for the result. The consequence of a lack of morals could be compared to telling a raging, charging bear to: “STOP!” “SIT!” The bear knows no, no.

When we think of those who deny in their heart the existence and presence of God their moral deficiency ought to alarm us. It alarms me because I know of some that I am especially fond of who would spit in God’s face had they the opportunity to do so. Ah, but because they deny God’s existence, there is no face to spit into… I don’t believe in a-theism; I do believe in unbelief.

And then, this changes my prayer. My prayer changes from, bless this person, to, Lord, somehow, someway, save this person. Unbelief and denial are not just perspectives – they reveal a heart that is corrupt, sick, and dangerous. I don’t want to believe it’s true, but it’s true…

So, Lord, now I pray, in desperation, that their denial proves false. I know it’s false; You know it’s false. My prayer is that they come to the place where they know it’s false. Let it not be said that they are a true fool. May they simply be fooled, ah, but may they be saved from their foolery. I pray in hope Lord of Your of mighty power to influence. May it be so. Amen

Freeing Faith and Friendship

12/12/2016

Hebrews 8.10 This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. – God

If the Law had worked, we wouldn’t need Jesus. If the Law had worked then we wouldn’t need the Church. If the Law had worked, John Lennon would have been happier…Imagine. Although man was not made for law, he sure loves it. Law is predictable: just keep the rules pilgrim, and you’ll be okay.

Man, was made for relationship. We fall short in limiting our understanding of God to His relationship with the Jews in the desert under Moses. We want to, because it is there we see Law established, and as previously stated, we love law. It gives us a sense of achievement and a sense of production. But we weren’t made for law but for relationship.

The Bible is the Bible and the accounts and histories of the Bible are there to show us a better way; a way with God as our Friend, not as our Lawyer. The Bible shows the history of the ancient Jews who failed miserably in their attempt to keep the Law. They were chosen to walk with God and obey His rules. They didn’t, and they couldn’t. But the chose law over love; appeasement over friendship.

We however, must remember that the Jews were (and are) the Jews. To them the Law was given. To them the Commandments were chiseled in stone. But that is not how the whole process started and God never meant to leave them in the Law; He meant for the Law to lead them to longing for Christ.

When the writer of Hebrews wrote, “I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.”, he was indicating to us that God’s laws are different than THE LAW – the Law that was prescribed for the Jews under Moses. The quotation above is taken from Jeremiah the prophet’s writings. God has always intended to be our Friend – not the Lawyer. God knew the Law was a temporary thing for a temporary time. It was not for all mankind but for a certain people; and only for a certain reason.

But how we love the Law! It would be simpler than self-rule under God’s watchful eye. The difficulty for most is not the rule-keeping, but knowing God. How can we know a God who seems to alternate between love and wrath depending on the moment? Who can we know a God who calls for judgment, and punishment, and death, and hell? How in the world can we appease such a One?

Through two things: faith and friendship. And He asks for the friendship. We needn’t seek to make Him our Friend; we seek to become His. And we do that in faith. God will write His laws on the hearts and minds of His friends. And His laws are wholesome and true – laws like: you reap what you sew. And, if you love others the way you’d wish to be loved, you’ll find loving people all around you. His laws aren’t difficult or burdensome (Matthew 11.27 ff); His laws are friendly, and freeing. And God is always looking for new friends.

Father, continue to write Your laws in my mind and on my heart that You and I may be steadfast and faithful friends. May I live this day in friendship with You and use my time to communicate that friendship with others. You’ve done a new thing and invited me to be a part of it – thank You! Amen

Sharp Rebuke

12/10/2016

Titus 1.12-14 12 One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” 13 This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith 14 and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the merely human commands of those who reject the truth. – St. Paul

I wonder what one of our own prophets would say of us? Americans are frenetic, busy; always reaching for the next goal and never content with what they’ve achieved. They are fat, spoiled, and careless.

Now, I must agree, not all the Cretans were as the prophet denounced. But generally, they were. The same could be said for Americans. I have visited a couple Third World countries. I wouldn’t call them liars, evil, lazy, and gluttonous; but I would say they operate at a different pace than we Americans do. Every culture has its culture.

Now, I recently went to an Air Force Basic Military Training graduation. I never saw someone get “dressed down” but I did see many young men who were quite different in their demeanor and decorum because of their training. All of them would agree: they were all repeatedly rebuked sharply. They came into Basic Training one way and came out another.

Paul, the Apostle said to Titus: rebuke them (the Cretans) sharply. Don’t take any of their crap and push them to be sound in their faith paying no attention to folktales or the human commands to do so. When is the last time you were rebuked in Church by someone other than the pastor in his sermon?

What would happen in the American Church if we were so committed to the truth that we would sharply rebuke those in the local church who were evil brutes, liars, evil brutes, and gluttonous? Would it make a difference? Is there a place in the modern church for effective and loving sharp rebuke?

I have seen and heard criticism of the military and the way they go about things. I will admit, there is a plan and a purpose for what they do and why they do it – it gets results. So, what about the Church? Why is it we rail against certain sins and leave other ones alone? Why is much of the evangelical church so outspoken about homosexuality and so quiet about adultery and divorce? Makes you wonder why there isn’t some sharp rebuking going on…

I’m not sure we trust each other all that much, and I know we don’t love each other all that much either. The military does what it does to get a fairly rapid result; it has nothing to do with love. But why is it in the Church that because of love, we don’t get after one another for being stupid about our faith? The military and the Scripture both have expectations; what are the expectations in the modern church?

I admit it would take courage and hard work, but in the greater view of things would it be worth it? If we profess Jesus as Savior on Sunday and go out and live like hell Monday through Saturday, what does that really say about our faith? If we add to the Scripture all sorts of humanism and rituals,  what does that really say about our belief in those Scriptures. What would it say of our faith if we cared enough to jump in front of a bullet to save a brother but then rebuked him for getting in the way of it in the first place?

Lord, Help us. Help me. Amen

When to Ask

12/9/2016

1 Timothy 5.5 The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and ask God for help. – St. Paul

You don’t have to be a widow to put your hope in God and continue to pray night and day asking God for help. Widows need not hold a special place here. However, there is a call to ask widows to look to God for their needs to be met, and have an expectation that God will provide for them.

In the context, Paul is addressing the dangers of position as opposed to the freedoms of possession. The welfare state screams position: I am poor, therefore you must come to my aid! Fair enough, but what is it that has caused you to be poor and are there any things you can do in the form of “self-help”? In your position of poverty, what is your possession of God?

This is the same Paul that told the Thessalonicans: “Hey, lookit, if you ain’t willing to work, then you ain’t getting no chow!” (2 Thessalonians 3.10 paraphrased…) So, there is some expectation of self-help in the Bible, and in Paul’s admonitions to his congregations. BUT! – self-help will only get us so far – we always need God’s help.

That is why the widow (who is really in need) cries out to God night and day. Night is first in the phrase, because night is usually the worst in our experience.

I go round and round with: do I ask God and then just let it go that I have prayed, or do I, like the widow, ask God repeatedly for my needs to be met? I think my dogma gets tangled up in his chain. What I think I learned today is: The Lord’s Prayer says: “…give us this day, our daily bread…”. That sounds like a daily plea. It isn’t: give me tomorrow my daily bread. Tomorrow never comes; we only ever have today. Jesus said, “Let tomorrow take care of itself…” in other words, we’ll get to tomorrow, tomorrow; right now, let’s focus on right now.

So, I do think we daily ask God for what we need, and we don’t insult Him when we do. Where it gets a little cloudy is when we ask God for what we already have: Lord, give me faith. Lord, give me Your Spirit. Lord, give me grace. How much more can He give us, when He’s given us all He has…

For sure, widow are to be cared for but there is a difference in position: I’m a widow; and possession: I have God. And we’re all to live like that.

Father in Heaven, You have promised to give us what we need. I don’t think You mind when we ask repeatedly for daily needs. Our daily asking sets the tone for our daily expectation of Who You are and what You’ve promised. I do think You get concerned when we worry. I think You get concerned when we ask amiss. But overall, I think You love us and desire more than anything that we place You in the middle of all our need-seeking. Like the godly widow, may I freely ask and joyfully receive what You’ve promised to do for me! Amen

Rather Thankful

12/5/2016

Ephesians 5.4 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

Rather than focusing on a don’t, St. Paul helps us here to focus on a “do”. I’m not trying to make a case for obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking, but I will make a case for thanksgiving; giving God thanks, for all He does, has done, and will do.

What I think Paul is focusing on here, is our nurturing the unnatural habit of thanking God for all things (1 Thessalonians 5.18) until the habit becomes supernatural. A good way to change a bad attitude is to thank God. And keep thanking Him until my attitude changes.

Recently, I have had two situations occur for which I have felt less than thankful. In both, with tears of anger and frustration, I have had to thank God for His power, presence, and providence until my anger and tears subsided. It’s the only way it works. God is not unaware of the things that bum us out.

What happens in those moments is the development of that which is unearthly moving me heavenly in my perspective. You and I, must develop a natural reflex of thankfulness to keep us from playing the blame-game, or worse: doubting God’s promises, and presence. We are not in this alone.

I think, too, Paul is attempting to teach us the proper use of positive energy and right living. Obscenity, foolish talk, and coarse joking are all fruit from the same tree: pride. I do get a little colorful in my anger. I need to quit giving myself that much credit. I am learning in my golf-game to try to tame my anger; I am not good enough to get angry over my lack of skill…

We are to release that which is good in our lives rather than continually underscoring our poor assessment of who we think we are – we are only good because of God. Period. So, let’s learn to release that which He has put into us so that the world may be a better place, because of us. Thankfulness is key.

We can use the good things in our lives (because of God) to make the moments we have here on earth better for others. When we endeavor to make life better for others, I think we’ll find life better for ourselves. It isn’t to deny the things that happen – stuff happens; but it is to learn how to include God in all of our living, so that we develop a healthy sense of Him in all of our mission and focus: His Kingdom and presence in all of our days.

Proverbs 3.5-6 urges: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your way acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. That, in my opinion, is a place of thanksgiving. In: all of my ways, the good, the bad, and the ugly, my acknowledging God – His presence, power, and promises –being thankful that He loves me and cares for me.

Father in Heaven, You have ordered all of my days and have invited me to allow You to be present in all I do and experience. There really isn’t a need for me to be obscene, coarse, or foolish – those things are natural. The is a call for me to be thankful in all things and that, Lord, is unnatural – or better, supernatural. Help me to walk in that way through all of my days – amen.

The New Self

12/4/2016

Ephesians 4.22-23 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. – St. Paul

I think it’s imperative that we consider what we’ve been taught when it comes to our life in Christ and our living with Him under His rule and leadership. Also, I think it’s imperative we consider how we were taught and how often we review what we were taught to make sure we are living effectively and appropriately under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Paul makes mention to the Ephesians of, what, “You were taught…”. What is that, and when did it happen; and did it stick? Is what they’d been taught still guiding their lives in discipleship and wisdom? Or were they slipping back into old thoughts and habits that were counter to the gloriousness of the gospel? Were they teaching others what they’d been taught and was it working for them?

My belief is we must ask ourselves in this day: what were we taught, how were we taught, and is it working; causing us to put off, and keep off, the old self, corrupted as it is with its deceitful desires? Are we standing firm or are we slipping and sliding, without traction, back into our old self? How are we made new in the attitudes of our minds? How are we living with the mantle of the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness? Is it working?

Discipleship is a lifelong measurable endeavor. Sunday school is not just for Sundays; it is a daily commitment. A wise sage asked this question: is the Bible making a difference in the way you live on a daily basis? The further question then: are we spending time thoughtfully and prayerfully reading the Bible; seeking to live according to its teaching? Spending time daily, with God, in the word, is imperative to the development and nurture of the new self.

How are we facing the daily adversity of life on the planet? We must make no mistake: though we are not of the world, we are in the world, and every moment here is an assault on our faith leading us home. That means we must use every means necessary to ensure we are living in the new self that we are created to be, in Him, so that we don’t lose ground in our daily contact with the world.

And who do we spend our time with? Are we involved in the lives of the saints or are we rubbing elbows with the ain’t’s? How were we taught? What were we taught? And, is it working? Are there areas in which we need to improve; how is our prayer life? Paul spoke to the Ephesians as if they had been fully trained to live according to the new self and its place in their lives. Are we?

If not, what is our plan? How are we regimenting our lives with Paul’s words: You were taught…? De we have a plan, and if so, is it working? If not, what is our corrective action plan? It simply boils down to this: life and death are in the balance. Without a plan for life, there is surely, only death.

Father, I consider my own experience of being taught about the new self. I know I am deficient and apart from You I cannot live in or with the new self. Help me today to remember who I am and why I am in You that I may live in the new self and help others to do so as well. Amen

A Finished Product

12/3/2016

Romans 15.13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. – St. Paul

Hope is a finished product. When God speaks, it is already done and we hope in what He has said because it is done. Final. Finished. Fact.

Now, approaching a rickety bridge in our automobile, we say things like this: I hope that bridge holds. When running late, we say things like, I hope the traffic is light, or, I hope I hit all the green lights. That isn’t hope, that is wishful thinking. Hope is a decided affirmation in a finished product. Our hope isn’t in heaven and the Savior who awaits us because we want it to be, our hope is because He has said it is so. Big difference. So, we’re to live, trusting in hope of all He has said.

Paul said, I pray that God, the Source of Hope – the finished product of all He proclaims – will fill you with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then, he said, you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Sometime last month, I lost the remote control to the garage. I knew I had put it somewhere but I couldn’t remember where, so I prayed and asked God to reveal it to me. Not a big deal, it costs $35 bucks to get a new one, but I knew it was somewhere and I prayed for God to show me where it was. I didn’t hope God might answer – no, I knew in hope, He would. I kept looking for it and kept not finding it, but I kept praying in the hope that God hears the prayers of His people and knows their needs. I prayed in hope for almost a month.

Hope is a finished product. We don’t hope God answers prayer, we pray in hope that He does. He has said He will, our hope agrees.

So, I was on my way to an appointment and I was deciding what to wear and I choose some brown slacks and a suitable shirt and I thought: I can also wear my brown plaid sport-coat on this sunny, but cold autumn day. So, I reached into the closet and grabbed the sport-coat and went to put it on and felt something in the pocket of the jacket…the garage door remote. I just laughed. I thanked God, but I just laughed. Hope is not a wish that it will, even though maybe it won’t; hope is a finished product to give us confidence in God, Who not only answers our prayers but faithfully provides for our needs. Even in the small stuff. I needed that same confidence later in the week for something much bigger.

So, my friends, let’s honor God by believing, not in what may or may not happen, but in the hope that is ours in Christ. Not only hope for heaven, but hope that builds our confidence in this Mighty God who calls Himself, ours; and calls us, His.

Father, thank you for the gift of hope. No fog, no fret, no faithlessness. Thank You that hope is a finished product and the You are the Source of hope to me. My days, my work, my life, and heaven beyond are all in hope. Amen

The People God is Willing to Work With

11/30/2016

Romans 4.20-22 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” – St.Paul

In Genesis 1.28, God made this statement: “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” That became the mission of mankind from that moment forth. And that mission lasts to this day although man’s acceptance of it has somewhat diminished.

However, in Abraham’s day the mission was still nearly full-strength. That is why having a child was so important to Abraham. The culture of those days included the richness of offspring. And Abraham wanted offspring, as did every other red-blooded man. Families were wealth. Children were important.

Abraham, however, had a problem – his wife, Sarah, was barren; beautiful but barren. Sarah could not conceive. I know of people who couldn’t/can’t conceive in these days and their lives are (to them) less than fulfilled. They yearn for children – if only even a child. Sarah was barren and Abraham was bothered. But Abraham believed God – the God who said, I will make you the father of many nations, you will bear many children. (Cf. Genesis 12.1-3)

And it was Abraham’s bothered belief that kept him going through all the childless years.

What keeps us going through the things that bother us? What keeps us going through hardship, pain, scarcity, frustration, losing hope? Enter the magnitude of faith – not faith in what we want, but faith in God and what He has said. God told Abraham, “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing…”

And what made it all work for Abraham was this: he believed God. And in his belief, God made him acceptable. We may or may not be acceptable on earth, but what really matters is if we are acceptable in heaven. Abraham, one man, made the difference for us all in that, he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. People like Abraham are the people God is willing to work with.

Friends, are we people like Abraham – those who are willing, against all hope, to hope in God and in the things He has promised? Abraham was bothered in a way many of us can identify with: life isn’t going the way we imagined. But Abraham decided to believe in the One who promised. Can we do the same?

Father in Heaven, You are the same today, yesterday, and forever. You have promised to take care of me no matter the swirling circumstances around me. I ask today that you increase my faith to be a person You are willing to work with – not so that I can get my way, but that it may be credited to me as righteousness. Thank You God, for the gift of faith – it doesn’t take much but is does take some… Amen

Serve the Truth

11/29/2016

2 Thessalonians 2.9-10 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. – St. Paul

The lawless one will be one who has no regard for God, or God’s people. He will show up on the scene with convincing evidence which will be appealing, and compelling to what it is he is peddling. He will use things that serve the lie he is foisting.

At first, when I read this, I thought: Hmmm, serving the lie. First I don’t think I’d ever read that, that way; and second I thought about how many times in our day, someone uses something to serve the lie they are promoting. Lying isn’t always the easiest thing to discover. We know what we you want to hear, so we say what we want you to hear. And we use whatever is at our disposal to serve our lie.

Nowadays we have abundant information. It’s everywhere. News media, the internet, Facebook: they all are sources of information. And misinformation. And Disinformation. And, it’s becoming more apparent that we’ll use whatever we can to undergird our agenda to further its cause. Whatever serves the lie is what is used.

The election that just took place is evidence of at least this: some will use whatever means necessary to sell their point of view and to gain the coveted power of ruling authority. It is far easier to control people than it is to reason with them. Dumb them down and tell them what they want to hear and the path is already paved to make them do whatever you want.

Which is why we in the Church need each other; and that we need to know who we are, why we are, and what we are to be about. God has called us to the truth. And the truth God calls us to is not about the world, but about Him and His Kingdom. The quickest way to uncover a lie, is to look simply at its focus: earth, or heaven. Whatever is said about the earth and its future and promise are lies that distract from the truth about Heaven and her King: the Savior Who came to divert us from earth. Whatever promotes human potential is a lie. Whatever excludes God from the conversation is a lie.

In the Church we need to keep each other from what serves the lie that we only need God for certain things at certain times. We must help each other remember that without Him in everything always, we can do nothing, ever. We must conduct ourselves and encourage one another to live in a way that serves the truth. The truth is God created all of this to serve Himself and to serve us so that we can know Him forever. Present earth is secondary to Heaven, and a new earth is coming.

We live in dangerous days. We need each other to serve the truth. We need each other to serve God. And we need each other to stir up love and good deeds and so much the more as we see the day approaching.

Father, may Your Good Spirit lead me on level ground to do Your will and to serve Your truth. You have told me, I will all serve something. Help me to serve the good and to help save some in the process. Amen

The Truth

11/28/2016

1 Thessalonians 2.13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. St. Paul

The word of God (or Word) is the truth. At some point, everyone needs to hear the truth. At some point, everyone needs to know what this life is all about and what our place in this life truly is. So, when Paul said, when you received the word of God…you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. That is the truth; the truth works in the life of a believer.

What would happen today if we received a letter from St. Paul? It’s kind of a silly question because we in fact, already have. But what if there was some lost letter, written centuries ago, that was discovered and was addressed to the Church in America, from Paul the apostle? Would we heed it? Would it make a difference in our lives and conduct?

Paul’s letters were full of instruction about how to live the godly life, but his letters were not necessarily the word of God – they were reminders, but they weren’t, and aren’t, necessarily evangelistic. Paul was evangelistic; that is how he led people to Christ – he told them the truth about God. His letters were to remind and encourage the ones he won over, to keep on keeping on, and to conduct themselves in a godly manner in this dark and deadly world.  

At some point the truth needs to resonate with a hearer, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to awaken the spirit in that hearer so that true life begins. Then Paul’s letters begin to make sense. In his letters we are reminded of what we are saved from, and what we are saved to. Paul teaches us a code of conduct based on truth: there is a God, we are not Him, and He desires to be our Friend. The way to please God is to do what He says to do. That is why we need Paul’s letters. That is why we need each other: we are letters to one another of what God has done in each of us by His truth.

If we can accept it, the Bible is a love-letter to us. In it, the concept of true love is revealed. God so loves the world that He sent His Son to save us from it, and ourselves. That is the truth. But the bigger truth is this: God loves us. His love is His attempt to save us from all we lost by Adam’s disobedience: especially our ability to love. We cannot truly love without His help, and we cannot love by trying to read Paul’s letters apart from the Truth he refers to, as he encourages us to love God and love others.

Life is all about accepting the truth and then living to please God. Of course, it is more complex than that, but the essence of life is truth: there is a God who loves us and has promised us a life with Him that far surpasses the life we have on our own without Him. The life that accepts God is the life that is free to accept Him in love. All of life hinges on knowing God in love. The truth will set us free.

Father, thank You for Your great love and for the truth shared in this world by the men and women You’ve appointed to share. Use Your truth in me to make a difference in the life of someone today who cannot get over the hurdle of fear on their own. Then, let me point them to the letters that will address all their questions and give them direction and encouragement to keep on keeping on… Amen

In How I See It

11/19/2016

Matthew 4.4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’" – St. Matthew

It is one thing to see things one way, it is quite another to see them another. The challenge levied at Jesus was this: If You are, then… In other words, since it says, then you ought. I think that is a universal given. The devil himself knew certain things, but only saw them one way. Jesus knew all things and then challenged His tempter to see things correctly – I [don’t] live on food (bread) alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Which would we rather: a full belly, or the presence and fullness of truth?

Many know of God but they don’t necessarily know God – they only see Him as they are, not as He is. After forty days of fasting, one ought to be hungry, but the end of the fast is to be full of God (if that is Who one is seeking) not to seek the next meal. Fasting is the abstention of food for the gaining of wisdom and understanding, in order to live and obey.

As human, Jesus was hungry, but the end of His fast wasn’t just to gain a meal, it was to gain an even deeper sense of the power and presence of God. Withstanding food (in the proper way) might possibly be the mightiest weapon at our disposal in the fight again one who would bid: eat for crying out loud; take care of yourself; aren’t you hungry!?

The problem with the enemy, his minions; and many of us, is we’re tremendously limited in our appropriation of spiritual discipline. There is no seeking God in the motives and actions of the devil. There is a need for fullness, but fullness is more than what goes into and comes out of the body. It’s about what goes into, and transforms the life of the one who believes. Forever.

Jesus said to His detractors: “You are in error because you don’t know the Scripture or the power of God.” (Matthew 22.29) – you think it’s about food – it’s about what God desires we become.

How are Scripture, and the words of God changing us – for the better, or only for a full stomach? We must view our blessings carefully.

Sadly, I am often guilty of merely seeking a full stomach; only seeing things the way I want to see them. But God continues to tug at my heart to see things the way He sees them: and that requires more from me than trying to turn my rocks into bread so that I can be temporarily filled with that which only aids the body for a moment; and then, several hours later, I have to do again… it’s all in how I see it.

The devil is only ever concerned about himself. The true believer, modeled by Jesus Christ, is only, always, concerned about God. God is first, food is optional.

Father, may I continue to learn about the true nutritional benefit of Your word and Your words. May I learn to quit seeking that which only concerns me, and give myself always to what concerns You and Your will for Your people and their lives. Fill me God with only that which satisfies true hunger and transforms my life forever – amen.

Reasons

11/15/2016

2 Corinthians 1. 4 …who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. – St. Paul

Paul’s relationship with the church in Corinth was rocky at times; they said and did things that he had to correct them over, and sometimes, his correction was unpleasant, to say the least. But Paul maintained that his correction was for a reason: his correction was redemptive.

Redemption isn’t a code-word. Redemption is a process whereby someone is brought back from a place – either mentally, spiritually, or physically – where they shouldn’t have gone. It is a process of discipline and correction but it is for a purpose. The reasons we go through the redemption process with people is for their good. Otherwise if there is no redemption, there is no correction and there is no care; and they are left in their own error. Comfort is not coddling. Comfort is correcting.

People in error without correction have a very small chance of ever getting things right in the future.

But when correction occurs, there is healing, and restoration and, redemption. A person goes through correction for at least two reasons: one, is to get themselves in a better place, and two, is to help others get there as well. God in His infinite wisdom has called us to help each other in times of trouble to (with His leadership) find our way back – or out. It’s one of the primary reasons that the Church (with all of her faults and blemishes) is so important: she is to be a place of godly healing, restoration, and redemption. It’s a place of loving people so that we can love God. (Yes, I said it that way…)

Paul was harsh with the Corinthians at times, but he never slammed the door on his relationship with them despite the exasperation he felt with them. Paul knew the magnitude of redemption: he’d been redeemed. And his redemption was to help others get redeemed as well. We all need redemption – that is God’s way. Paul stated there was a reason for the process: for good and not harm. And, to help in the process with others who need redemption.

Comfort is a strange thing in this harsh world of ours. People are hurt and hurting and need someone to come alongside them and comfort them. Comfort is not meant for us to remain in the same place but to move to another place; a place of then helping others so that they too can help others in need. We all have needs and we all need to get past them so we can then help others in their need – and that is precisely when true help and hope begin: in serving others in their need.

I work with 6^th, 7^th, and d 8^th grade boys. Sometimes they need correction (okay, all the time…). But they also need to be helped and encouraged to see life differently and to learn how to question their behaviors and outlook. It is an uphill battle at times but it is necessary because boys need to learn to become true men; and true men are necessary to help this world keep from self-destructing. Boys will be boys unless they are taught to become men. It’s all a part of the redemption process and the reason for is are myriad.

Father, as You have comforted and corrected me, I pray You use me in the process to do the same for others that we all may become the people You’ve created us to be – Amen.

What Never Fails

11/13/2016

1 Corinthians 13.8-10 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. – St. Paul

In the myriad comings and goings of life, it is like an iced tea on a hot day to read 1 Corinthians 13. It’s like a gifted and caring counselor coming alongside the fretful and harried me, worried and bothered by all the agendas, timelines, and business saying: Calm down, focus on what really matters: love never fails.

I think Paul was that counselor to his friends in Corinth saying to them: Hey guys, love never fails. Remember that above all else, because not everything – not even prophesies, tongues, or knowledge can do justice to the love that God has for us. All of that stuff will reach an end, but the love of God knows no boundaries; and one day He’ll bring it all come together.

We need to remember that. It doesn’t mean we quit prophesying. It doesn’t mean we quit tongues. It doesn’t mean we quit seeking the knowledge of God. But it does mean that we don’t get so busy doing the good that we neglect the great. No one will care about our buildings and programs – all that will matter when we got together, is they felt a touch from Jesus, and their lives were somehow changed.

It seems we worship “big”. It seems we think that bigger buildings and better programs are what people need. We push and we strive and we clamor for what looks good on the outside, but what happens to people in the process? Are the lives of the people focused on loving God and loving others? Are people’s hearts and minds changed because of better carpet and paint? Or do they sense they are loved and cared for and that someone has their best interests in mind?

Is the church about activity, or is it about worshiping God and seeking Him? The difference will be our love. The difference will be our humility. The difference will be the lengths we go to, to have the presence and power of Jesus to help and to guide the ones of today who really aren’t sure if He is real, let alone, cares.

Our politics, preferences, and positioning need to carefully monitored because if we’re not careful those things will drive us because as we deem them good, how can they be bad? And we’ll live life and ministry accordingly. But the great is what we’re called to and it is the greatness of the Lord that is to drive us to do and to seek His will. His love will make our way, not necessarily easier, but better. I think that is what Paul was attempting to say to the church at Corinth and to us today.

Lord, Your love for me is all that matters. From Your love is my ability to love You and to love those around me. I pray today for wisdom to separate the good – which is good – and live for the great, because it is better. All the stuff I hold so dear will only get me so far – but Your love will get me home. Love never fails… Amen