Worthy of Respect

6/30/2016

Titus 2.2 2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. – St. Paul

Some men demand respect. Some men command respect (subtle difference). And some men choose to live lives worthy of respect. I get the demand part; like a spoiled baby, whoever yells the loudest gets what he wants. Men adopt this method from infancy.

I get the command part: tall, handsome (in worldly comparison); intelligent, wise, talented, etcetera. But not all men are created equal and some have advantages that others don’t; it isn’t a level playing field. We compare ourselves with ourselves and we judge by looks and other externals, but men are what men are. And boys will be boys unless they are taught to be men.

Paul told Titus to teach the older men to be temperate, [and] worthy of respect. To be self-controlled, and sound in their faith, their love, and their endurance. That’s a tall order, starting with temperance. How you noticed that with age, it gets harder to start some things, and harder yet, to stop some things. I think you can teach old dogs new tricks it just takes more work; the rules of repetition get more rigid.

On the other hand, an older guys gets it that caffeinated coffee after a certain hour may be problematic in more ways than one. Younger men seem to endure jawbreakers; older men tend to avoid them. Heck, even chewing gum and Jordan Almonds don’t quite ring the bell in the way they used to. So, to teach older men to start this or stop that may have its issues. Then again. Time may be on the teacher’s side…

But this issue of being worthy of respect is a whole new ballgame. Worthiness of respect is intentional. An older guy is more intentional naturally, because life, age, and physicality cause him to be. Time is on his side in reverse because he understands his limitations better in old age than when he was young and invincible. But it still requires effort on his part to be worthy of respect.

He may be more open about his mistakes and offer sagely counsel on how to avoid those mistakes. He may be more open about life and the lessons he’s learned and how to see life more fully, and appreciate it more. (Typically the older ones realize how preciously low the sand is in the upper portion of the hourglass, and make more of their moments meaningful.) The other thing an older guy might do, is demonstrate that he is still teachable. A hard-headed-hearted old grouch ain’t a-gonna get too far.

And, an older man will be worthy of respect as he demonstrates how to depend on God in his older years. One of my favorite verses in all the Bible is Isaiah 46.4 where God says: Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. An older man gains respect by living a life of full confidence in that promise.

Father, I look at these instructions from Paul differently than when I was younger, more brash, and thoughtless. Now, my times have changed for me, and it is my responsibility to live a life that demonstrates my faith and confidence in You; being strong and courageous in the process. It’s not really about winning or earning respect; it’s about loving You, seeking You, and living to help others to do so now, before their times change. Help me to do that and to make a difference in someone’s life as a result. Amen

The Right Attitude

6/29/2016

Psalm 86.1 Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.

The proper beginning of prayer is the right attitude toward God: I am poor and needy. Attributed to David, this psalm teaches us the right attitude: humility before God. It is one thing to have humility, it is another to be humiliated. If I humiliate myself in humility before God I am better prepared for humiliation in front of men.

Humility is the act and attitude toward God that I do not have the resources to help myself save the attitude of: but God You do. It’s an admission of neediness that is crucial in the heart of the believer. When trials come, it is in our best interest to humble ourselves before the Lord and cry out: Lord! I have no way out of this, but You do! That is the attitude of the humble.

The one who runs ahead of the Lord will find only humiliation in trying to help God. If we truly want to “help” the Lord, then our attitude needs to be: I am poor and needy and the only thing I bring into this situation is myself to watch in amazement as You bring me through it and teach me.

And so, David prayed: Teach me your way, Lord that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. (V11). In times of trouble the only thing of value is God’s faithfulness. And so, in times of trouble, we have to learn to hold God’s faithfulness in a high position because His faithfulness is the only thing that will see us through. His way is faithfulness. Teach me, O God!

And David prayed: You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. (V.5) It’s not tit for tat; it’s that God loves it when we give up on ourselves and trust only in Him. The difficulty in that is what’s inside us that screams at us to take action on our own. If there is a miracle in the life of an ordinary person it is simply this: the power to rely wholly and solely upon God when everything in him says to do otherwise. God is abounding in love to all who call wholly and solely upon Him.

Because: “Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.” The one who trusts, knows what God does and isn’t afraid of the results however they manifest themselves. Because: But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. (V.15)

And here, lastly, is the kicker: But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. (V.15) God is so vastly different than He is imagined to be. For one, I am glad about that. God doesn’t rub my nose in my sins and mistakes; He loves, restores and encourages me to repent, renew, and remember: He is gracious and compassionate toward us right where we are…

Father, today, I am poor and needy and I need You! Thank You for Your faithfulness, compassion, love, and grace. You are forgiving, and good, abounding in love to all who call on You! Teach me Your way. May my attitude of gratitude result in my spirit being gladitude! Amen!

This World

6/28/2016

2 Timothy 4.10 10 …for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. St. Paul

This is just about the end for Paul; he’s getting nearer and nearer, and you can almost hear the weariness, and perhaps, sadness, in his voice. This is not to say Paul was giving up, no, that’s for weaklings like me. But Paul, at this time, is getting closer and closer to his earthly departure.

And then there was Demas. Demas had, at this point, deserted Paul. And his desertion was founded upon his love for this world. What a sad statement. I know Paul was a man just like us and he had his moments. He had his highs and his lows; St. Paul was every bit as human as you and me. I think he was grieved over Demas’s departure. But I think he carefully chose his words: because he loved this (present) world. Demas loved the bright lights of Broadway.

Or Demas loved someone. Or Demas just wanted out. Paul was sad, but I think he saw what he saw in Demas and in sadness, let him go. I bet they’d had many conversations and Demas kept drifting further and further away. Paul’s complaint was Demas loved this world. Demas, apparently didn’t love the next world; this one was good enough for him.

If I fast forward to today, I see many whose tendencies are to love this present world. This world, to them, is good enough and all they’re really looking for. No complaints, they are home. Can’t say that I blame them, the sunset pics on Facebook this morning were pretty spectacular. But for the child of God, there is His Heavenly Kingdom – the one that Paul mentions later in this chapter (2 Timothy 4.18).

We love this present world because it is all we know. But this present world is dark and shadowy and merely an image of what is to come. God’s sales pitch is: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him— (1 Corinthians 2.9) We haven’t a clue of the next, but we do have a promise.

Thessalonica and everywhere else on earth, is passing away. Every place we go on the planet is tainted with sin and death because if we go there, we bring it with us no matter how mild-mannered we are. Earth is the proving ground. Earth is the crucible where relationship with God is formed and our character is made. But earth is passing away. To be sure there will be a new heaven and a new earth, but the presence of God is our destination…not Thessalonica.

This world has darkness – heaven does not. This world has death and decay – heaven does not. This world has sickness and disease – heaven does not. This world has friction – heaven does not. We may meet Demas in heaven. He may have gone down to Thessalonica and found his love for this world was not what it was all cracked up to be. Maybe Demas repented. I hope so; Thessalonica holds no candle to heaven.

Father, may I learn the lessons that with You is where I am going. As good as this world is at times, it holds no candle to Your Heavenly Kingdom. May the eyes of my faith keep me there – amen.

Knowing

6/27/2016 

2 Timothy 3.10-11 10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. – St. Paul

I couldn’t help humming the tune from, The King and I, Getting to Know You. Not sure I really liked that musical all that much, but that song sticks out as I read Paul’s words to Timothy.

Chapter 3, begins with Paul describing what kinds of people will be present in the last times: People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Paul understood this seemed to be the natural progression of those devoid of God.

Because of what Paul knew about people, he told Timothy that he would encounter these kinds of people or would find these characteristics in the people around him that he was trying to minister the Gospel to them. Not everyone accepts the Gospel with pure motives.

In his letters to Timothy, Paul understood that others may know of his imprisonment, and naturally assume Paul had been incarcerated for a crime rather than for his stance for the Gospel. Assuming this, others may inwardly accuse Timothy of something untoward as well. But Paul reminds his friend: You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. In other words, Timothy, remember what you know and have experienced with me. Yes, people are going to go from bad to worse, but not everyone will, and some will actually come to a saving knowledge of the truth.

It is easy to disparage a leader who’s going through hard times – some tend to believe they’re getting their just deserts for some dastardly deed done. But Paul makes it clear that persecution knows no limits when it comes to the truth, and the people he described in chapter 3, are just the folks to persecute others who would share the truth with them, and get in the way of their desires and bents. If nothing else, Paul knew people. And he wanted Timothy to know people as well.

It is sometimes difficult to know people without becoming cynical but it is important to know that even though not everyone will accept the truth, some will and the impetus of the mission is to look for those who will. Yes, times seem to be tough, but there are those out there who hunger and thirst for truth and the vigilant will seek them out…

Lord, may I be among the vigilant who seek out those who need to hear truth from You. In these days of the trials and turmoil of this once great nation, may I find those You know who desire to know the truth and be effective to share it with them. Amen.

The Sophomore Season

6/25/2016

2 Timothy 1.12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. – St. Paul

Time for Paul was running out; he’d been in prison for quite some time and now it seemed the hour glass was running dangerously low on sand. But ever the encourager, ever-vigilant for the Cause, Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy, whom I suspect, was in what we in the sales biz might call: the Sophomore Season.

Timothy had been at it for a while, and though I feel Paul loved and trusted him, I also think there may be a time in everyone’s life when the honeymoon is over, and the weight of the world gets pretty heavy. I’m thinking that’s why (or at least part of the reason) for this second letter. To me the tone is different and the context is: you’ve made some progress, but you’re still early in this thing, beware of these pitfalls.

One of the pitfalls in ministry may be: what got you to here, won’t get you to there. We keep trying to do the same things over and over, and because they once yielded results, we keep doing them. But people, attitudes, perspectives, and focus change. (We come into this world with bowel movements being a priority, and we leave it the same way…) We need to adapt accordingly. The mission of the Church never changes, but how we go about it is fluid, and ever-changing because people are different, times are different, and one size does not fit all: I don’t care what the tag says.

So, Paul tells Timothy, “That is why I am suffering as I am.” Things had changed for Paul and were about to change even more. And Paul was telling Timothy in short: “Things are going to change for you too!” But there was no cause for shame (mistakes happen and changes come) for the bottom line is this: I know Whom (Jesus) I have believed, and am convinced (to my very core) that He is able to guard (protect and defend) what I have entrusted to Him… until that day.

Ever think about what you’ve entrusted to Jesus? The song says: “Lord I give You my heart; I give You my soul. I live for You alone. Every step that I make; every moment I’m awake, Lord have Your way in me…” That is something worth entrusting to Jesus. Even in the Sophomore Season when things aren’t as rosy as perhaps they once were. The grind seems to be unending and the pace has slowed considerably.

Paul entrusted his very life to Jesus and at the end of his ministry, he was reduced to prison life and writing letters. I’m sure he taught in prison, but he audience was captive and many were probably killed for their crimes, or died because of not enough food and too much labor; or because of disease and other health issues. I know Whom I have believed and am convinced that HE is able to get me through the Sophomore Season and beyond when the grind of life increases.

Father, thank You for the gift of entrustment. Thank You, that no matter what is going on, we can remember in Whom we’ve believed, and that our belief, our heart, our ministry and all else are Yours until that Day when those things will be remembered as what got us here: in Your presence forever. Amen

The Mentor

6-24-2016

2 Chronicles 24.17-18 17 After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them. 18 They abandoned the temple of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols.

Jehoiada, the priest, must have been a powerful and influential person in those days, he stood up to a treacherous queen and saved the kingdom from ruin under her desires and preference of leadership. He also saved Joash, the prince from being murdered at a very young age. Jehoiada mentored Joash and he went on to be king and reigned in Judah forty years.

But something happened: Joash rejected all he’d learned under the guiding life of Jehoiada. Joash, when the old priest died, turned from being a good and wise king, to being a foolish and bad king: what happened? Joash in the end, appeared unteachable.

I suppose we could speculate, but it appears that after all Jehoiada had done for Joash, that Joash never really made the connection of who he was and why God lifted him up to be king. Perhaps he felt he really wasn’t a king and Jehoiada was just using him as a puppet. Perhaps he got used to being the king with Jehoiada’s guidance but his perks, pride, and arrogance got the better of him once the old man was dead. Joash is, in my mind, a strange case study of one who apparently had it so good, and it turned out so bad: in the end his own officials conspired against him, and assassinated him.

This I do know: zeal for the Lord isn’t transferable; one either has it or one doesn’t. Too often we find the offspring trying to carry on the zeal of their elders for appearances, but it really isn’t theirs to begin with – they’re riding on the coattails of their parents or ancestors. Joash apparently did what he needed to do when he needed to do it, but it caught up with him in the end and he died despised.

The lesson for me: is to be me. The lesson for me is to know God on my own and not through someone else. The lesson for me is accept who I am and deal with it according to my own relationship with the Lord. I can no longer live to fool people – who cares? I can no longer live to please people – I can’t. That doesn’t mean I can’t, or won’t love people and try to help when and where I can, but I can only do that through the grace and presence of God in my life on a daily basis. Mentors are good but I can’t live out my relationship with God through them – I must live it on my own.

Joash is a sad story to me. Joash’s life is a picture I’ve seen often in my days upon the earth; especially in the lives of the children of public leaders, pastors, and people of influence. The pressure to perform is enormous and the difficulty in doing so is worse: I am not my dad, so quit trying to make me into Him! I think poor Joash never go to be himself until he was away from the influence of his mentor and when that happened, years and years of built up resentment came to the surface and tragically he came to an end.

Lord, may I learn lessons from Joash and Jehoiada, that the mentor is to allow the mentored to make mistakes and gently guide him along. The mentored needs to stand on his own two feet and the mentor needs to allow that to happen no matter how painful to watch. Help me to be wise in my administering of influence and help me to remember that apart from You whatever help I feel the need to give will accomplish nothing that I thought it would – amen.

The Mentor

6-24-2016

2 Chronicles 24.17-18 17 After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them. 18 They abandoned the temple of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols.

Jehoiada, the priest, must have been a powerful and influential person in those days, he stood up to a treacherous queen and saved the kingdom from ruin under her desires and preference of leadership. He also saved Joash, the prince from being murdered at a very young age. Jehoiada mentored Joash and he went on to be king and reigned in Judah forty years.

But something happened: Joash rejected all he’d learned under the guiding life of Jehoiada. Joash, when the old priest died, turned from being a good and wise king, to being a foolish and bad king: what happened? Joash in the end, appeared unteachable.

I suppose we could speculate, but it appears that after all Jehoiada had done for Joash, that Joash never really made the connection of who he was and why God lifted him up to be king. Perhaps he felt he really wasn’t a king and Jehoiada was just using him as a puppet. Perhaps he got used to being the king with Jehoiada’s guidance but his perks, pride, and arrogance got the better of him once the old man was dead. Joash is, in my mind, a strange case study of one who apparently had it so good, and it turned out so bad: in the end his own officials conspired against him, and assassinated him.

This I do know: zeal for the Lord isn’t transferable; one either has it or one doesn’t. Too often we find the offspring trying to carry on the zeal of their elders for appearances, but it really isn’t theirs to begin with – they’re riding on the coattails of their parents or ancestors. Joash apparently did what he needed to do when he needed to do it, but it caught up with him in the end and he died despised.

The lesson for me: is to be me. The lesson for me is to know God on my own and not through someone else. The lesson for me is accept who I am and deal with it according to my own relationship with the Lord. I can no longer live to fool people – who cares? I can no longer live to please people – I can’t. That doesn’t mean I can’t, or won’t love people and try to help when and where I can, but I can only do that through the grace and presence of God in my life on a daily basis. Mentors are good but I can’t live out my relationship with God through them – I must live it on my own.

Joash is a sad story to me. Joash’s life is a picture I’ve seen often in my days upon the earth; especially in the lives of the children of public leaders, pastors, and people of influence. The pressure to perform is enormous and the difficulty in doing so is worse: I am not my dad, so quit trying to make me into Him! I think poor Joash never go to be himself until he was away from the influence of his mentor and when that happened, years and years of built up resentment came to the surface and tragically he came to an end.

Lord, may I learn lessons from Joash and Jehoiada, that the mentor is to allow the mentored to make mistakes and gently guide him along. The mentored needs to stand on his own two feet and the mentor needs to allow that to happen no matter how painful to watch. Help me to be wise in my administering of influence and help me to remember that apart from You whatever help I feel the need to give will accomplish nothing that I thought it would – amen.

Live the Truth

6/22/2016

1 Timothy 4.15-16 15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. – St. Paul

I’m not sure Paul could have gotten any closer to using the words: Practice what you preach. If we mean what we say, and say what we mean, our words will have more bearing on those to whom we speak. If we say what we do, and do what we say, people will generally accept us as genuine. Paul told Timothy, to be genuine.

Being a preacher is a serious business. It really doesn’t matter if one is vocational or not, the fact that one stands in the place of trying to help people get their spiritual lives together is a serious business and truth is integral to the process. Truth that is seen though, is more impressive than truth that is spoken – Paul admonished Timothy to live the truth.

One of my favorite saying is that which is attributed to St. Francis of Assissi: Preach the gospel wherever you go and if necessary, use words. Acts of kindness and love are powerful in communicating kindness and love. But when you stand up and represent God and attempt to help others live godly lives, you better live a godly life in your attempt.

Paul said, Timothy, let them see your growth. Growth ought to be a hallmark of the Christian life. If you preach patience, are you patient? If you preach humility, are you humble? Are you more patient and humble this year than you were last? Is that because of your efforts or that of the presence of God within you? Can people see God making changes in you? Does that encourage them to allow God to make changes in them?

Paul charged Timothy to watch his life and doctrine – they need to match up; what is preached ought to be practiced. Otherwise phoniness prevails. Otherwise, insincerity happens. Otherwise the false is exalted and the real is let go.

And Paul pressed Timothy to persevere because perseverance shows where the heart really is: what’s really going on inside of someone. Preaching the truth, living the truth, and persevering in the truth will do one of two things: it will either attract or repel. Those who really see it and want it, will speak it and live it. Those who don’t, won’t.

Father, it is way more than showing up and church with my phonies on; it is relationship with You and truly a matter of what is real, vibrant and growing inside me; our just make-believe. Help me to see past Paul’s words to Timothy and apply them as is he spoke them to me. Let me be the real-deal, and Lord lead me to live the truth. The pain of truth and real life is worth the glory of overcoming make-believe and all that is false – amen.

Impossible Situations

6/21/2016

2 Chronicles 20.16 He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.’ – Jahaziel the prophet

Last night, my older son and I were watching a sitcom and laughing at the impossibility of the situations the characters were in. I said, Do you know what makes a good sitcom? He shook his head. I said, impossible situations that are easily solved. From the days of Lucy, that has been the mainstay of sitcoms. Situation: impossible; comedy: solutions.

When I read through the Old Testament history of the Kings, it’s often like reading the script for a sitcom except every situation is solved with, and by God. The problem wasn’t God: it was belief. Or, in reality, unbelief. The people of Israel had gotten into the habit of not believing in God. That’s a bad place to be.

Time after time God’s people are faced with frighteningly impossible situations and God faithfully, comes to their rescue. It’d be almost laughable if it wasn’t so tragic. But God comes through for them because He loves them.

It seems I live in a sitcom these days – laughably faced with impossible circumstances. Except I don’t think it’s all that funny. The people in the Old Testament didn’t think it so funny either; they were desperate. That’s what I think it takes: desperation. Maybe some perspiration. And a whole lot of prayer, but not the Genie-in-a-bottle prayer. It takes praising and thanking God for what He is doing and what He has done. That seemed to bail them out every time – how about us?

Jehoshaphat had to be reminded about his attitude: Don’t be afraid or discouraged. Fear and discouragement kill faith. For the battle is the Lord’s. God is the solution to impossible situations. Any other attempt is futile. ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.’

Why impossible situations? Possibly, they are to show us just how weak we are, and how great He is. Maybe it’s that and nothing more. Maybe the impossible is only to show us : “I’m Possible” with God and impossible without Him. Everyone faces adversity and impossibility – God comes to the salvation of those who trust and believe in Him.

Impossible situations ought to awaken within us these thoughts: there is always a solution, there is always a way out – because there is always a God who loves and cares for me. I think the reality of the lessons we learn in impossible situations are invaluable in building our faith and trust in God who would be further away and less real in our minds if there were never any ripples on the pond of life.

Father, like King Jehoshaphat of old, in facing my situation today, I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on You! Amen.

The Capacity

6/19/2016

1 Timothy 1.12-13 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. St. Paul

St. Paul had a memory; he remembered all the things he had done to insult the Lord and persecute His people. But when he’d been knocked off his high horse, Paul said the above: the statement of a humble and broken man on a mission to share the glorious goodness of Jesus Christ with anyone who would listen. Paul wasn’t a weakling by any means; he was a man on a mission.

What guided Paul was his unshakable faith in the Lord Jesus. He said, “The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” Paul understood grace, faith, and love. Paul understood where those things came from. And Paul lived according to them.

I remember as well. I remember well, as well. I know who I was and what I thought. I can say that even though I once was a blasphemer, and a punk, and a sleazeball, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. That’s really what it boils down to: ignorance and unbelief.

Ignorance is the lack of knowledge and understanding. My grandson is ignorant of the things of life he will one day face. He doesn’t understand how life works yet. He’ll get there, but he ain’t there yet. It isn’t that he’s wrong, it’s just that he’s ignorant (and young and naïve). Most people are ignorant of the Lord. If they weren’t this world would be a vastly different place.

And then there’s unbelief. Unbelief can be benign or malignant; depends on the person, depends on the situation (and I might add, the contributing factors of life, heritage, locale, etc.). Unbelief is a lack of capacity to believe. Many things can get in the way of unbelief. If there is too much in the way, belief is stopped or hampered by too many other beliefs. Priorities, preferences, perspectives can block belief.

Once, St. Paul didn’t believe. Then, he did. Paul was given the capacity, by Jesus, to believe in Jesus. Our prayers for the unbelieving ought to be: Lord, give them the capacity to believe. I was at a funeral yesterday of one who took away life in suicide. There wasn’t enough belief to prevent that from happening. Sometimes, it is believed to be the only way out. It isn’t but some can only believe that it is.

Paul, as are all true believers, was given a capacity by Jesus Christ to believe. Ignorance can be overcome by knowledge (and experience) – that’s why we preach the gospel. Unbelief can only by overcome by the grace of the Lord who opens our eyes to reality, and possibility. Lord God, we need You!

Father, this morning, I too can say what Paul said: even though I was a puke, a putz, and a punk, You reached down from Your throne to take up residency in my heart – You gave me the capacity by the preaching and reaching of the gospel, to believe. You overcame my ignorance and unbelief and to this day I am taught and led by You. May my life be not that of religion, but that of reality, that no matter how low and lousy we are, You Lord, save those whose capacity is expanded by You, to believe in You. Amen

Random

6/18/2016

2 Chronicles 18.33-34 33 But someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the breastplate and the scale armor. The king told the chariot driver, “Wheel around and get me out of the fighting. I’ve been wounded.” 34 All day long the battle raged, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Arameans until evening. Then at sunset he died.

Have you ever noticed the difference in tone between the writer of the Kings, and the writer of the Chronicles? It is obvious to me that they are two very different people with two very different perspectives. The writer of Chronicles took a less-than-regal stance in his reporting. (Just a random thought about the writing styles of the unknown authors of the Kings and the Chronicles…no extra charge!)

Speaking of random, how about that bow-shot in the battle between the Arameans and the Israelis!? Someone (not sure if it was friendly fire or not) drew his bow and randomly fired an arrow into the air and it just so happened to hit king Ahab in the slats (between the breastplate and the scale)…wow. And Ahab died. Wow.

Ahab was never big on God; he did prefer the Baals though. The problem with Ahab’s preferences was, they weren’t God’s. There’s a disconnect! Ahab was God’s man in Israel (the northern kingdom) and he didn’t care about God – God seemed always to rain on his parade (See 2 Chronicles 18.7). And Ahab whined about it. Whiny leaders are dangerous leaders; whininess is a huge character flaw… and whininess fuels self and sin.

So, whiny Ol’ king Ahab tried to fool the enemy by showing up in battle in disguise and someone (nameless, faceless archer) shoots an arrow into the air and where it landed he knew not where – but God did. It’s like me and my golf game – perfect shot at the green but into the rough, and it lays there to this moment because I couldn’t find it…I thought it was on the green!

To me, there’s a couple lessons here: One: listen to God. If He tells you, through His prophet, not to go to war, then don’t go (disguised or not). Two: don’t try to outwit God, just obey; it’s simpler, less whiny, and random shots wind up somewhere beyond the green but not between your breastplate and scale. God had appointed Ahab king in Israel and God expected Ahab to cooperate with Him. God never changes His mind about the people He calls or the gifts He gives (Romans 11.29) – even ancient whiny kings.

My takeaway is this: Paul, listen and obey. Embrace the discomfort and listen and obey. Be slow to talk (whine) and quick to listen. Then obey. Life is much simpler that way. It’s safer than random.

Father, You were not fooled by Ahab, nor are You fooled by me. I want eyes to see, and ears to hear, and a heart that responds. It’s all about trusting You. Aram was no match for You, but Ahab couldn’t - wouldn’t believe that, and unbelief cost him. I want a heart that believes that no matter what, You come through for Your obedient children. Thank You. Amen.

Will and Grace

6/17/2016

1 Kings 21.27-29 27 When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly. 28 Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: 29 “Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.”

I have wrestled of late with a concept regarding the conflict of arrogance and humility, or what I would call, the assertion of self-will against the humility that should be ours in Christ. I’m truly beginning to understand that self-will isn’t merely pride, but more insidious and harmful: it’s arrogance.

I tend to view pride as self-love, but arrogance is far more malicious and intentional. Pride seems to be just my stupid point of view whereas arrogance has an agenda. Not trying to split hairs, but just beginning to see why I do some of the dumb things I do…

To be sure, Ahab of Israel, was deceived by his wife, Jezebel. She’s the one in 1 Kings 21 who conspired to kill Naboth and give king Ahab opportunity to seize Naboth’s property. But it all started with Ahab desiring something that wasn’t his, and though he attempted to negotiate a deal with Naboth, he wasn’t successful, so he pouted. There are few things more pathetic and dangerous than a pouting leader; arrogance drives a leader to pout, plot, and punish.

I’m finding that when I place my will above God’s I am arrogantly asserting my will and desires ahead of His will and grace. St. Peter said, quoting Proverbs 3.34: “God opposes the proud but shows favor [grace] to the humble.” It’s more than self-love, it’s the willful maliciousness of agenda-driven arrogance. God hates agendas that are opposed to His – He opposes them. So, when I assert my agenda over God’s, it’s no wonder I lose the safety of humility, the comfort of His grace, and the peace of His presence. Arrogance is a bad, bad thing.

So, what’s the solution? There has to be a solution, or wretched men that we are, there’s no hope! Ah, the solution is what God asks of us all along: trust in Him with all of the heart, lean not on our own understanding, in all our ways acknowledge Him and He will direct our path. Humble ourselves under His mighty hand and He will lift us up. No room for arrogance – only room for His will and grace.

Father, thank You for showing me, it’s not just laziness, or distraction; it is far more serious than that – it is the deadly invasiveness of arrogance. It’s more that foolish pride; it’s an attempt on my part to usurp Your will with mine; it kills the protective barrier of grace when I do arrogant things. Soften me, help me, and keep me safe within the beautiful bounds of Your will and grace. Amen

A Thing Called Time

6/15/2016

Colossians 1. 24 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. – St. Paul

Years ago, I read a book entitled, The Hard Sayings of Jesus. It was a pretty good read, and although I expected the author to give me explanations of Jesus’ words with pinpoint accuracy, what I got was more along the lines of: It sounds like that, but Jesus may have been saying this… I still liked the book and would like to find it again and restore it to my collection of good reads.

St. Paul also had some apparent hard sayings; things that were easily mistaken or taken out of context. The above, I think, is one of those sayings. But I think what we read needs to be carefully considered because of a thing called, time.

Jesus, Almighty God, dwelt among men in the flesh and experienced space and time. The Eternal God, gave up His rights as God, and became a man, and lived in space and time and experienced sunrises and sunsets, the cold and the hot of days; hunger, thirst and everything else that goes with it. And Jesus was arrested, physically mistreated, crucified, and killed. He was buried, and after three days rose again. That’s why, in Colossians 1.18 Paul says, He was the firstborn from the dead; the first One to break free from the grip of death upon mankind.

And Jesus established His Church on earth, left His apostles in charge, and ascended to Heaven where He rules and reigns until He returns again. And, St. Paul was one of those Apostles. So, as Paul went about planting churches all through Asia Minor, Greece, and other parts of his area, he did so after Jesus was ascended up to heaven. Very important that we remember that: after.

Now for Paul to say that he was, filling up in his flesh what was still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions; he wasn’t saying that Jesus was lacking, he was saying that those who’d come along after Jesus was ascended, lacked in time, what Jesus completely completed for them, in time, previously. There is nothing lacking in what Jesus did for us except this: our present experience of it…

Every person who is born, lacks what Jesus accomplished until he meets Jesus and experiences it. Every person who meets Jesus and experiences what He did only experiences it in stages, and continues to do so until, he too, is resurrected and meets Jesus – finally – face-to-face. It isn’t what Jesus lacks, it’s what we lack. And every day we live, in Him, is a day of filling up what is still lacking in regard to the Lord’s afflictions in our present lives. It’s us, not Him.

So, today, is a day for me to be filled up more with what is lacking in my Lord’s afflictions, in me. Today is a new day of experiencing His presence and provision for all that I lack, not because He hasn’t provided it, but because I haven’t yet experienced it. Time is a present factor in our salvation and that is why Paul also said: [make] the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. It’s up to me to experience what is lacking in Christ’s experience, in time, in me.

Lord, Have Thine own way; Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me, after Thy will, while I am living, yielded and still. Jesus, You are complete, I am unfinished. Complete me – Amen.

Peace Power Provision

6/14/2016

Philippians 4:6,7; 13; 19

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. – St. Paul

I happened to read these words today and what timely words they are. I have found myself on a certain path, and today is a test of what I read in the beautiful letter to the Philippians.

Paul said, that by refusing to be anxious, but using prayer, petition, and thanksgiving we’re to talk to God about our issues – all our issues. And when we do that, the peace of God becomes ours. Peace is what quiets our hearts and causes us to get our focus back and our confidence.

Then, in focus and confidence, we regain our power (which is necessary in the overpowering of the flesh) to give God glory and praise in His coming to our aid against all that is in us that rebels against Him. We need power to do that, and that power comes from faith, belief, and the hope, that no matter what is going one, Jesus is right by our side. It isn’t power to create or destroy, but the power to deal with the strongholds of thought that would deny the presence and peace of God.

The sum of all this is simply provision; God provides what we need, and when we need it. If we need peace, it is ours by giving to God those things that are bigger than us and beyond our ability to cope. If we need wisdom and the right way to go, God gives us those things as we humble ourselves in dependence upon Him. If we need resolution, forgiveness, and grace, then those things are ours as we turn to God and seek Him for the supply of those things. If God is for us, who (even ourselves) can be against us?

So no matter where the path leads, there are these three things as our companions: peace, power, and provision. Don’t be worried about anything – even the things of your own doing. In all situations give it to God and trust His peace will attend. You and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens us to silence the voices of doubt and unbelief. And God will provide everything we need in the battles we face so that the victory of faith will be ours.

Today, O God, Yours is the presence, the power, and the glory forever and ever. Today, I am entrusting the struggles I have to You, and I am leaving them there because they are too big for me to handle, and what I really need is Your peace in the presence of them. I am trusting You for the provision I need and cannot get on my own. Peace, power, and provision – these are gifts to Your children and I, for one, am grateful – Amen.

Who are Mature

6/13/2016

Philippians 3.15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. – St. Paul

Paul had expressed to the Philippians what his true thoughts were concerning his salvation and his place in Christ. He said that whatever he had gained in life (humanly speaking) because of his heritage and his learning was really only rubbish and man-made prize, compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus. He went on to say that whatever he had gained, he considered loss when he compared himself to the knowledge of Christ.

And then Paul said the above: All of us then who are mature should take such a view of things. And in saying this, he implied two things:

1.       There is a call on our lives for maturity, and
2.       The evidence of maturity is to have a similar view of things as Paul had.

Maturity is not an exclusive club in the family of God – it is a natural outgrowth of leadership, time, relationship, and communion with God. Maturity is what ought to happen to the disciple who yearns after God and learns from Him. Maturity comes from close relationship with God and the result of total surrender to Him. Not flawless perfection, but a deep and abiding communion with the Living Lord.

The natural outgrowth of maturity is this: all things human – no matter how good or prized – are nothing but rubbish when compared to the surpassing knowledge of knowing Jesus, and Him crucified. This view of things comes to the mature, the committed, the steadfast disciple.

The reason there is a call to maturity is because there is a need for maturity and spending time with Jesus causes us to see Him for who He really is; and to see ourselves for who we really are. And then the mature are to set the example for the weak and immature. The mature in the local church are the fathers, and there ought to be fathers in the local church who get their marching orders from the Master and steadfastly follow only Him; and help and guide the weak.

Who are the fathers (and mothers) in our local assemblies? Can we see them? Do we follow their example? Are fathers being raised up and sent out? When Paul said, “All of us then, who are mature…” he was speaking of those whose lives are under the love and control of Jesus and, it is evident in the way they view and conduct themselves in the world around them.

Lord Jesus, life is all about coming to know You and living in harmony and fellowship with You. That knowledge and fellowship ought to change who I am and how I view myself and the world around me. I should put off my quest of all things in humanity and strive for all that is heavenly. What should be most important, most prized, most sought after, Lord, is Your Kingdom come, Your will be done. Jesus may it be so in my life as we walk together – amen.

Merciful

6/12/2016

Philippians 2.27 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. – St. Paul

He was Epaphroditus; he was a companion of Paul’s and he came from Philippi. He became a part of Paul’s ministry team and Paul was sending him back to the Philippians to report to them how things were going. He was then, at some point, going to return to Paul and repost how the Philippians were doing.

As we all know, back then, there was a great deal of time involved in sending communication; months often, and sometimes years. With such gaps in communication there was, perhaps, buildups of anxiety or concerns that things may have happened, and it just took a long time to get the word out as to how things were.

The Philippians knew Paul was in jail but they maybe didn’t know why, or for how long, or what the outcome might be. Some might have even wondered if Paul had actually committed a crime. So Paul was sending one of their own back to them to bring the letter and to report on what was going on. At some point then, Epaphroditus presumably was going to come back to Paul to report on them.

But Epahroditus had been seriously sick, almost to the point of dying from his illness. So, Paul said, “…but God had mercy on him, and not only on him only, but also on me”. Ministry companions are necessary and needed; we are not designed to do this world alone. What I like in this verse is God’s mercy on everyone involved.

First, God had mercy on Epaphroditus. Then, as a result, God had mercy on Paul. And further, God had mercy on the Philippians, of whom, Epaphroditus was theirs. And, God had mercy on us because we get to read this story and learn of God’s mercy, and how it ripples out to the whole world for all time.

And it ripples out to me, one who is in need of God’s mercy in a variety of different ways today. Where would Paul and the Philippians have been had God not shown mercy to Epaphroditus? Where would we be today as believers had God not shown mercy as He did then? What hope do I have in a merciless God? Perish the thought.

God knows us, knows our needs and is merciful beyond all we can ask or imagine – to Him be the glory forever and ever.

Father, You know my needs and You’ve seen my tears. I am grateful for Your tender mercy and for Your touch upon my ancient brother all those days ago when he needed mercy, the apostle Paul needed mercy, and the Philippian church needed mercy. O God You are merciful and kind and You love those who call You by name: Merciful. Amen.

Granted Suffering

6/11/2016

Philippians 1.29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him... – St. Paul

Many people suffer; there are despots and tyrants in the world which seem to love to do nothing more than wreak havoc on their fellow man. There are criminals and miscreants in the world who eagerly prey on the elderly and the naïve. Many suffer in this world because it is full of sin and death and evil. And that suffering, is evil and wicked, and purposeful and mean-spirited

But there is one suffering that outdoes them all: the suffering that comes from loving and following Jesus. Man’s hatred for man is one thing; but man’s hatred for God is quite another. And man’s hatred for God, whom he cannot see, is unleashed with full fury on those he can see: Christians. And St. Paul said all those many centuries ago: For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him... Those who would love God, are those who are going to share in the hatred of God for their choice.

It’s their grant; it’s their grace.

Suffering is not wanting in this world – millions suffer. But there is a difference between human-suffering and godly-suffering. The godly – right or wrong – suffer and are blamed for worldly human suffering. There is a meme floating around out there that poses the following observation:

“If Islam is so peaceful, why is everyone so afraid to say anything untoward about it?

If Christianity is so dangerous, why is no one afraid to demean it?”

It’s a thought worth thinking. And the demeaning of Christians has been going on for centuries. It has been granted by God, to those who believe, on behalf of Christ, to suffer. God-hatred is a family trait.

So what does suffering do, if it is such a grace? Suffering for the saint is what helps him to see clearly that he is on the right path. St. Paul said, “Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted?” (Gal. 5.11) his point was, he wasn’t preaching circumcision, he was preaching Christ. Christ was offensive to the Jews – and is to this day.

And God is offensive to mankind – His own creation spat in His face. It’s no wonder then that men spit in the face of those who would follow God. But the suffering also assists the sufferer to know he’s made the right choice: as God suffers, he suffers Like Parent, like child. It’s not masochism, it’s acceptance. As God accepts the ridicule and mockery of men, so the followers of God accept the man-inflicted suffering that comes from choosing to follow God. And in their suffering, the righteous are not deterred.

Father, it’s not like You made up suffering just to justify Yourself, suffering is a natural occurrence with those who call You by Name. Suffering is not fun nor is it a merit badge – it is what it is because of the presence of God-hatred in this world. Help Your people to grow and flourish in suffering and to seek the discomfort because in it, You are found in all Your perfection and grace. I can’t say, thank You for suffering, but I can say thank You that You are in the midst of it, and in it, You meet your servants there – Amen.

And Pray About Everything

6/10/2016

Ephesians 6.18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. – St. Paul

Prayer: the communication and connection with God. Praying to God about everything, on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers: the spoken, the silent, in tongues, in angst; with joy, with passion. With peace, in happiness, in mourning; corporate, personal. God loves the prayers of His people. And God answers their prayer.

So what’s the big deal? Well, imagine being married or having a significant other (who comes up with this stuff??) and never speaking with them? I once did a marriage ceremony where the couple silently read their vows, sort of nodded in agreement, and that was that. We, who were there to cheer and bless them on, sort of shook our heads in disbelief, wondering: what in the world just took place?

Why link up with God and never talk with Him? God knows our thoughts before we think them. God knows our needs before we think them. But God loves our voices and our praise, and the fact that we include Him in our everyday living in the large things, but especially in the small. Is there any detail of our lives that is too small for God? Is there any problem or situation too large for Him? Paul says: pray all the time about everything.

Here’s the first thing: If God hears and answers prayer, then we can rest assured that He is taking care of everything we need. Second, if we’ve spoken to God about it, then we can rest assured, that above all else: we’ve spoken to God about it. Third: God is teaching us to invite Him into every arena of our living; so let’s talk with Him about all of it. Who else are we going to talk to about it that cares on the level that God does?

Prayer builds our trust in Him. Prayer builds our confidence in Him. Prayer humbles us and keeps us dependent. Prayer honors God by our allowing Him to be a part of all we do; His presence in everything spells success. Staying in communication with the Almighty guarantees His response and His brilliance in all we do, and wherever we go.

I’m not rethinking prayer, I’m praying. I’m not going to pray – I’m praying. I’m learning to slow down, stay down, and bear down in prayer. God has invited me to invite Him into all I do, say, and think. With an invitation like that, I’d be a fool to not take Him up on His offer…Amen?

Father in Heaven, fill my life today in such a way that I remember to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. And with this in mind, to be alert and to always keep on praying for all the Your people. Prayer changes everything and I pray to live like that today. Amen.

Every Opportunity

6/9/2016

Ephesians 5.15-17 15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. – St. Paul

Paul the Apostle lived for Jesus Christ. He saw his life as that of a soldier, an athlete, or farmer – every day was another day to focus on what those three occupations represent. The soldier serves to defend and protect (though often he is on the offensive, taking new ground). The athlete controls and orders himself because he desires the prize (although the Golden State Warriors weren’t very warlike last night…). And the farmer serves to produce food for himself and for others.

Paul served Jesus in the war of the world; he competed with the will and passion of the athlete; and he conducted himself with the patience and skill of a farmer: if I do what I’m to do, then my crops will supply what I need.

And so Paul said to the Ephesian Church: Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. The Lord’s will is: His people conduct themselves in this world as His servants and emissaries of His Kingdom. That is what Christianity is all about – serving and representing God in this world.

Why else would Paul challenge us to make the most of every opportunity? What opportunity? The only opportunities that matter are those that lead someone to see and understand, and become a friend of God. So every day is filled with opportunity for someone to protect and defend; and take new ground. Every day is filled with the desire to compete for the prize, please God, and understand what His will is. And every day presents opportunities for the patience and skill of farming: planting, watering, and waiting for the day of the harvest.

“Well I didn’t know that’s what I was signing up for!” It’s in the Owner’s Manual. B.I.B.L.E.: Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth. Why else be a Christian if there isn’t some expectation of what our lives ought to be, and what we are to do? Paul said, make the most of every opportunity to represent Jesus well, and know what God’s will is… God’s will is to make as many friends as possible. Simple: Singular Imminent Majesty (for) People Living (on) Earth.

I have opportunities today to live for the Master as a soldier, athlete, and farmer. I have opportunities today to be an Ambassador. All that’s required of me is to make the most of every opportunity I have to represent Jesus well: in all I do.

Lord Jesus, may it be so as we walk together: Lord, and child. Amen.

The Good in Discomfort

6/7/2016 

Ephesians 3.20-21 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. – St. Paul

This morning I woke up about 4:30 and thought about life – okay, I fretted about life. I thought about my kids, my wife, my vocation and all the stuff surrounding us. I thought – briefly – about the political scene and the future that awaits us when: meet the new boss, same as the old boss. I thought about the economy and people I know. I thought, Dude, go back to sleep.

So, I did what I usually do, I got up, made coffee and sat down to read my Scripture passage for the day, and I read Psalm 18 and Ephesians 3. And I did what I think a lot of people do: I like the ‘good’ parts and sort of glossed over the ‘uncomfortable’ parts. I’m human, what can I say?

Psalm 18 is a masterful song of praise that David composed when he was being chased and hounded by King Saul (who thought the only good David was a headless David). And David sang of God’s power and strength and might and defense. But oddly enough, David’s singing didn’t save him from Saul and the experience of having to run for his life. But God was with him. And God is with me and you and whatever it is we’re going through.

And after Psalm 18 I read, Ephesians 3. We all like the good in Scripture; we don’t like the uncomfortable. Ephesians 3, especially the verses above, are like candy to our minds. Who wouldn’t want God to do immeasurably more that all we ask or imagine? I mean, really! We want that! But we have to take the uncomfortable that comes with it.

Yesterday I read of two men who climbed the second-highest mountain in Bolivia in search of the black-box from a plane that crashed there 31 years ago. As he began the journey one of the men tweeted: “Strive for adventure. Seek out discomfort, challenges, new experiences. Because I’m alive.” I think what I zeroed in on was the phrase: Seek out discomfort. Nothing like discomfort to help us appreciate comfort.

But it’s more than just seeking out discomfort; it’s finding out who we really are in discomfort and it’s learning how to silence the demons shouting at us in the midst of discomfort. It’s about knowing that there is a God in Heaven who does, immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, in the midst of our discomfort.

Do you want to be comfortable my friend? Then seek that God. The God who can make beauty out of ashes. The God who can bring life out of death. The God who can and does do immeasurably more that all we ask or imagine. We just have to find Him in that place of discomfort; the crucible of our character.

Father, today I pray and embrace Psalm 18 where David sang in the midst of his pain, fear, and discomfort. I also embrace the reality that for all of us, You do immeasurably more that all we ask or imagine. You provide answers that are beyond our ability to comprehend. You are God and I am glad. Amen.

Know the Hope

6/5/2016

Ephesians 1.18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people… - St. Paul

A model prayer, St. Paul prayed for the Ephesians to have open hearts and minds. He prayed that the eyes of their heart be enlightened in order that they may know the hope to which God called them. Hope, to us moderns, is a funny, but important word.

We say, “I hope it rains today.” That is wishful thinking. It may be based on the dark clouds over on the horizon. It may be because rain is needed. But it is a misuse of the word. Hope is not wishful thinking; it is the ability to conduct oneself with the knowledge of what’s coming. Hope is real, hope is tangible, and hope is future until that day when hope will be no more. To say, I hope it rains, means the drops are already falling…

To know the hope means knowing the future based upon what – and only what – God has said. The hope of heaven is the fixed knowledge that it is and what will be. The hope of salvation is the fixed knowledge that is has already happened in the lives of the saved and will be consummated on the Day of Christ.

These aren’t just ideas floating around out in space but truths that are anchored in the heart. Earth is no place for Heaven but earth is the beginning place of the knowledge of Heaven. The truths of heaven are there for our encouragement and direction. With those truths we make our way home toward eternal life, the idea of which finds its birthplace in the heart of those who believe on earth now.

Church is all about growth. When we belong to a local church we are there for very specific reasons. We are there to learn. We are there to fellowship. We are there to encourage and to bless. We are there to celebrate. And we are there to remember who we are, where we are, and why we are because of the hope we share. That hope tells us that though things are not now as they should be, they will be, and we can conduct our lives accordingly. Hope encourages belief and dispels unbelief.

Why? Because God said so. That’s why. God said it, I believe it, and that settles it. The forces of evil may rage and roar but God has spoken and His kids are to live accordingly. That’s hope and that is why it is so important to know it, cultivate it, and watch it grow into something of substance in our lives. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. (Proverbs 13.12) Hope is real, hope is now, and hope will one day be no more – it will all be finished.

Father in Heaven, hope is a promise, a future, and a very present gift to those whose eyes have been enlightened to its presence and glory. My eyes are fixed. My hope is present and one day I won’t need hope because all will be all in Your glorious presence for ever and ever. I will live my life accordingly – amen.