7.31.2011
John 2:15-16 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!”
What a curious sight – Jesus making a whip. Hey Lord, whatcha doin? Something that shoulda been done a long time ago. Whoa! Jesus! Dude, what you planning on doin’ wit’ dat!? C’mon! We’re going to the Temple, you’ll see…
I read a commentary that said the whip Jesus made wasn’t really a whip but a symbol to the people in the Temple that what they were doing was wrong. Okay, whatever. I tend to think it was really a whip and Jesus really used it – it really got results; start swinging a whip around and people tend to get out of the way… You see, if we tame down the whip we might tend to tame down the overturning the tables and the yelling and chaos that ensued. Jesus was very insulted that the Temple – the Footstool of the Lord – was being used so disrespectfully. Their religion had become a circus sideshow complete with ponies!
Jesus was good at crafting things. John 1.3 says, Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. John 1.10 says, He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. And to think that He showed up at the Temple that day with a symbolic whip…I don’t think so! The Creator of the universe crafted up a real whip and chased a real crowd out of the real Temple to make a real point: all of this animal buying and money-exchanging was a load of crap and He wasn’t going to passively sit by and let it happen anymore. Enough! Jesuscraft.
Sometimes I think it’s important for us to think about what led up to some (or all) of the events of Scripture. God never intended for us to live such weird lives and do such weird things under the label of: In His Name. Just because we call it, In His Name, doesn’t mean it is. Most of our religion seems to be the result of peoplecraft, not Jesuscraft. What gets people all fired up is when the Creator of the Universe starts swinging a whip around…watch out, that thing hurts!
Makes me want to take inventory of my life and ask, Lord Jesus, what am I doing that isn’t of You; and how do I stop it (short of You beating me with a whip)? Jesus by His Spirit now calls me a Temple and if that’s the case, I should live accordingly lest He craft up something to make me quit using His Father’s property improperly. It’s worth thinking about…
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
R.I.P.
7.29.2011
Isaiah 57:1-2 The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. 2 Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death. NIV
Probably not many of us are going to think about our death today. I sat in the living room minutes ago and thought about all of the things I have to do today; death wasn’t even on the list! I’m gonna get ready for work here in a few and then go and do until I come home again this evening and relax for a bit and then fall into my bed, sleep and get up and do it again – amen.
I’ve always wondered where the notion rest in peace came from; where’d we ever get that? I know we say that for many whose passing is great relief to us all; their lives were such a shambles. I know we say that for great people whose contribution to society was appreciated by many and their efforts, diligence, and passion will be greatly missed. I know we’ve shaken our heads over the passing of some and we’ve said, their pain is gone; they’re in a better place now. Are they really? Do we know that for fact?
Isaiah words slapped me upside the head when I read them today, “…no one understands the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.” Hmmm, try that one on for size. Or this one: Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death. Wow! Those are big, big words.
It’s not the statesman who finds peace in death; nor the tormented, nor the tormentor – it’s the righteous. And when the righteous leave we all ought to sense the hole left on earth at their passing. The righteous make a difference in the atmosphere of life on the whole planet! The righteous are those whose prayer is an offering to God of immeasurable proportion. It’s the righteous whose holy lives look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. The Day of the Lord is not high on the list for many of us today either. But it is coming, and the righteous play a huge part in how soon it appears.
I will make a difference in this world today just by how I live and Whom I serve. I’m probably not going to think much about death today but I am going to think about how I live and what difference that makes in the lives around me.
Lord, for the sake of Your Kingdom and the lives of others, help me to walk rightly and uprightly this day – amen!
Isaiah 57:1-2 The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. 2 Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death. NIV
Probably not many of us are going to think about our death today. I sat in the living room minutes ago and thought about all of the things I have to do today; death wasn’t even on the list! I’m gonna get ready for work here in a few and then go and do until I come home again this evening and relax for a bit and then fall into my bed, sleep and get up and do it again – amen.
I’ve always wondered where the notion rest in peace came from; where’d we ever get that? I know we say that for many whose passing is great relief to us all; their lives were such a shambles. I know we say that for great people whose contribution to society was appreciated by many and their efforts, diligence, and passion will be greatly missed. I know we’ve shaken our heads over the passing of some and we’ve said, their pain is gone; they’re in a better place now. Are they really? Do we know that for fact?
Isaiah words slapped me upside the head when I read them today, “…no one understands the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.” Hmmm, try that one on for size. Or this one: Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death. Wow! Those are big, big words.
It’s not the statesman who finds peace in death; nor the tormented, nor the tormentor – it’s the righteous. And when the righteous leave we all ought to sense the hole left on earth at their passing. The righteous make a difference in the atmosphere of life on the whole planet! The righteous are those whose prayer is an offering to God of immeasurable proportion. It’s the righteous whose holy lives look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. The Day of the Lord is not high on the list for many of us today either. But it is coming, and the righteous play a huge part in how soon it appears.
I will make a difference in this world today just by how I live and Whom I serve. I’m probably not going to think much about death today but I am going to think about how I live and what difference that makes in the lives around me.
Lord, for the sake of Your Kingdom and the lives of others, help me to walk rightly and uprightly this day – amen!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Channeled
7.28.2011
Isaiah 54:9 9 “To me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again. NIV
Have you ever wondered about the statements the Lord makes, like this one above? I think it’s important that we do if only because it reveals His character and His heart to us. Think of the magnitude of these words: So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again. That is a massive statement only because of how God has been treated since these words were recorded.
In Hebrews 12 God is quoted as saying, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” (Hebrews 12:5-6 NIV) The difference is relationship and the kind of relationship. And the difference is discipline versus anger.
God’s compassion shows that He is gracious, patient, and forgiving. For God to say that He has sworn not to get angry ought to get our attention because when God says something, no matter how bad things get, it’s said; it's done; it's finished! How marvelous and gracious our God to put up with what He puts up with and always continuing to have faith in His plan to redeem us to Himself. How resolute and final His word.
Isaiah 55.10 says: “…so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11 NIV) This from the mouth of the One who says He will never again deal with us in anger but through Christ will help us and redeem us in love. What a God!
So, today I go out with joy and by His Holy Spirit, I am led forth in peace because my God loves me and is for me. Yes, I will bear up under His discipline but that is only to make me better through my trials and cause me to depend upon only upon Him. Today, I know the anger of the Lord has been successfully channeled away from me through the sacrifice of His Son and I am eternally safe because of it.
Isaiah 54:9 9 “To me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again. NIV
Have you ever wondered about the statements the Lord makes, like this one above? I think it’s important that we do if only because it reveals His character and His heart to us. Think of the magnitude of these words: So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again. That is a massive statement only because of how God has been treated since these words were recorded.
In Hebrews 12 God is quoted as saying, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” (Hebrews 12:5-6 NIV) The difference is relationship and the kind of relationship. And the difference is discipline versus anger.
God’s compassion shows that He is gracious, patient, and forgiving. For God to say that He has sworn not to get angry ought to get our attention because when God says something, no matter how bad things get, it’s said; it's done; it's finished! How marvelous and gracious our God to put up with what He puts up with and always continuing to have faith in His plan to redeem us to Himself. How resolute and final His word.
Isaiah 55.10 says: “…so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11 NIV) This from the mouth of the One who says He will never again deal with us in anger but through Christ will help us and redeem us in love. What a God!
So, today I go out with joy and by His Holy Spirit, I am led forth in peace because my God loves me and is for me. Yes, I will bear up under His discipline but that is only to make me better through my trials and cause me to depend upon only upon Him. Today, I know the anger of the Lord has been successfully channeled away from me through the sacrifice of His Son and I am eternally safe because of it.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Autobiography
7.27.2011
2 Peter 1:5-7 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. NIV
It is always comforting for me to read Peter’s epistles and hear (in the voice of my mind as I read) how much Peter changed over the years. Peter, the brash and impulsive one was graciously mellowed in his old age, having been seasoned in the crucible of life’s sufferings. When I read his words I feel I am reading his autobiography.
Peter mentions self-control at least four times in his letters. Peter, as an old man came to understand the beauty and strength of self-control. Life hadn’t left him bitter – suffering made him better. Peter’s life is an encouragement to me. The changes he went through give me hope in my now later years.
I look back on my life and especially my life in Christ and I see that I have hung up my high-powered doctrine guns; there are simply too many bodies in the wake of my scathing arguments that led nowhere and often angered people to the point where they simply avoided me. Peter said if we have theses things (listed above) and own them in increasing measure, then our lives will be fruitful and productive. But if we crowd them out, we run the risk of losing sight of what is truly important: salvation in all its fullness, and relationship with God and with others who share our faith.
Self-control plays a major role in how well we relate to God and to others. Peter understood this well and had painful memories of his gaffes and yet joyous experience of walking right alongside the Savior and seeing his own life change in the process.
I’m learning, albeit ever so slowly, that self-control for me is just as beautiful and strong in my own experience as it was for Peter in his. But reading Peter is one thing, sharing his experience in Christ and through the fellowship of the Spirit is quite another. Autobiographies are not immune from embellishment if one simply wants to garner attention; however, living life openly, honestly, and humbly in the midst of suffering causes people to pay closer attention... and then perhaps ask why you are what you are…
2 Peter 1:5-7 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. NIV
It is always comforting for me to read Peter’s epistles and hear (in the voice of my mind as I read) how much Peter changed over the years. Peter, the brash and impulsive one was graciously mellowed in his old age, having been seasoned in the crucible of life’s sufferings. When I read his words I feel I am reading his autobiography.
Peter mentions self-control at least four times in his letters. Peter, as an old man came to understand the beauty and strength of self-control. Life hadn’t left him bitter – suffering made him better. Peter’s life is an encouragement to me. The changes he went through give me hope in my now later years.
I look back on my life and especially my life in Christ and I see that I have hung up my high-powered doctrine guns; there are simply too many bodies in the wake of my scathing arguments that led nowhere and often angered people to the point where they simply avoided me. Peter said if we have theses things (listed above) and own them in increasing measure, then our lives will be fruitful and productive. But if we crowd them out, we run the risk of losing sight of what is truly important: salvation in all its fullness, and relationship with God and with others who share our faith.
Self-control plays a major role in how well we relate to God and to others. Peter understood this well and had painful memories of his gaffes and yet joyous experience of walking right alongside the Savior and seeing his own life change in the process.
I’m learning, albeit ever so slowly, that self-control for me is just as beautiful and strong in my own experience as it was for Peter in his. But reading Peter is one thing, sharing his experience in Christ and through the fellowship of the Spirit is quite another. Autobiographies are not immune from embellishment if one simply wants to garner attention; however, living life openly, honestly, and humbly in the midst of suffering causes people to pay closer attention... and then perhaps ask why you are what you are…
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Learning to Believe
7.23.2011
1 Peter 2:2-3 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
1 Peter 2:23 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. NIV
It occurs to me that growing up in our salvation means just that: growing up. When Peter made the comment: Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. (1 Peter 2:1) it sounds to me like he meant just that: take responsibility for yourself and your testimony and get rid of all the things that give people cause to criticize you; he may have meant: quit being selfishly malicious, deceitful, hypocritical, envious and slanderous yourself so that others can see your maturity and the validity of your faith.
And so it occurs to me that by craving pure spiritual milk we are so nourished that the battle for the emotions is won by being cleansed, taught, encouraged, and admonished by the Word of God so that we can in turn entrust ourselves to Him who judges justly. Whining and griping, complaining and being selfish is a huge turn off to people who hear us talking about the Lord and then acting like spoiled babies. At least when they act that way, they aren’t held accountable to a higher standard – they simply live in the world of kill or be killed.
Today, these words are yet another reminder for me to take seriously my walk with the Lord, and my testimony before men. My walk with the Lord is to be free from pettiness, anger, fits of rage (as Paul says in Galatians 5), selfishness and self-centeredness. The presence of these things bear testimony that the power to entrust myself to God in tough times is either missing or powerless. And if I cannot shine in moments of light difficulty how will I ever endure in moments of great stress, tribulation, and trouble?
Life is a process of learning to believe that what the Scripture calls me to is valid and necessary. There are actions I must take all on my own and I must rid myself of all that is in me that makes Jesus look bad or weak or absent. That’s a huge order, but it is biblical. I can only do that by submitting myself to Him and allowing Him to point out everything that is within me that refuses to obey His every word. Our ancient friend Peter had to learn it the hard way – who am I to think that I won’t have to learn it that way also?
1 Peter 2:2-3 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
1 Peter 2:23 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. NIV
It occurs to me that growing up in our salvation means just that: growing up. When Peter made the comment: Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. (1 Peter 2:1) it sounds to me like he meant just that: take responsibility for yourself and your testimony and get rid of all the things that give people cause to criticize you; he may have meant: quit being selfishly malicious, deceitful, hypocritical, envious and slanderous yourself so that others can see your maturity and the validity of your faith.
And so it occurs to me that by craving pure spiritual milk we are so nourished that the battle for the emotions is won by being cleansed, taught, encouraged, and admonished by the Word of God so that we can in turn entrust ourselves to Him who judges justly. Whining and griping, complaining and being selfish is a huge turn off to people who hear us talking about the Lord and then acting like spoiled babies. At least when they act that way, they aren’t held accountable to a higher standard – they simply live in the world of kill or be killed.
Today, these words are yet another reminder for me to take seriously my walk with the Lord, and my testimony before men. My walk with the Lord is to be free from pettiness, anger, fits of rage (as Paul says in Galatians 5), selfishness and self-centeredness. The presence of these things bear testimony that the power to entrust myself to God in tough times is either missing or powerless. And if I cannot shine in moments of light difficulty how will I ever endure in moments of great stress, tribulation, and trouble?
Life is a process of learning to believe that what the Scripture calls me to is valid and necessary. There are actions I must take all on my own and I must rid myself of all that is in me that makes Jesus look bad or weak or absent. That’s a huge order, but it is biblical. I can only do that by submitting myself to Him and allowing Him to point out everything that is within me that refuses to obey His every word. Our ancient friend Peter had to learn it the hard way – who am I to think that I won’t have to learn it that way also?
Friday, July 22, 2011
Feelings or Faith
7.22.2011
Isaiah 37:14 14 Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. NIV
What happens when we get bad news? Many are prone to panic. Many slip off somewhere to scheme. Many viciously vent. Some pathetically pout. Some are ardently angry. Others willfully worship. It’s one thing when a peasant or a pawn does this – it’s altogether different when a leader does one of the above.
One thing Hezekiah did throughout his reign was to keep his eyes (mostly) on the Lord. Oh he had his moments, but overall he was one of the greatest kings of Judah. And when bad news came to him? He read it and spread it.
How would it make us feel if today in Washington D.C. our national leaders decided to get together and fall on their faces in repentance and humility seeking the Lord with all their hearts, waiting upon Him for a solution to our current crisis (whatever that is, because in government, there always is a current crisis). I wonder what the people of Judah thought when their king went up to the Temple to seek God after he received the threatening letter from the Assyrians; I wonder how they felt.
We don’t live by feelings but feelings tell us a lot about how we view things. If I feel good about something, I usually see it as something of benefit or goodness. But what happens when a leader does something? That goes a long way to either lift peoples emotions, or dash them. Hezekiah read the news and then spread it out before the Lord. I’d feel pretty good about that. But you know, if he wadded it up and threw it over the city wall, I’d probably feel good about that too; the second scenario would be faulty feelings based on self, attitude, and bravado. Attitude and bravado might win some battles, but God wins every battle – the ones around me, and more importantly, the ones within me. It all depends on how I approach them.
Sometimes I’m right and I know it. Sometimes I’m right but I need to let God be God. I think that’s what Hezekiah did; and I think that’s what I am supposed to do. The more often I depend upon me the more I betray a heart that says to God, “Relax, I can handle this!” Arrogant bravado or humble faith – it’s up to me to see the difference and then act appropriately.
Isaiah 37:14 14 Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. NIV
What happens when we get bad news? Many are prone to panic. Many slip off somewhere to scheme. Many viciously vent. Some pathetically pout. Some are ardently angry. Others willfully worship. It’s one thing when a peasant or a pawn does this – it’s altogether different when a leader does one of the above.
One thing Hezekiah did throughout his reign was to keep his eyes (mostly) on the Lord. Oh he had his moments, but overall he was one of the greatest kings of Judah. And when bad news came to him? He read it and spread it.
How would it make us feel if today in Washington D.C. our national leaders decided to get together and fall on their faces in repentance and humility seeking the Lord with all their hearts, waiting upon Him for a solution to our current crisis (whatever that is, because in government, there always is a current crisis). I wonder what the people of Judah thought when their king went up to the Temple to seek God after he received the threatening letter from the Assyrians; I wonder how they felt.
We don’t live by feelings but feelings tell us a lot about how we view things. If I feel good about something, I usually see it as something of benefit or goodness. But what happens when a leader does something? That goes a long way to either lift peoples emotions, or dash them. Hezekiah read the news and then spread it out before the Lord. I’d feel pretty good about that. But you know, if he wadded it up and threw it over the city wall, I’d probably feel good about that too; the second scenario would be faulty feelings based on self, attitude, and bravado. Attitude and bravado might win some battles, but God wins every battle – the ones around me, and more importantly, the ones within me. It all depends on how I approach them.
Sometimes I’m right and I know it. Sometimes I’m right but I need to let God be God. I think that’s what Hezekiah did; and I think that’s what I am supposed to do. The more often I depend upon me the more I betray a heart that says to God, “Relax, I can handle this!” Arrogant bravado or humble faith – it’s up to me to see the difference and then act appropriately.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Reaching Heaven
7.20.2011
2 Chronicles 30:27 27 The priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard them, for their prayer reached heaven, his holy dwelling place. NIV
I have often been critical of Hezekiah for being a phony. He wasn’t; I just adopted the thought that he was. The whole illness thing and the Babylonian envoys really disappointed me. And yet today, I repent of thinking that way for I see Hezekiah was truly a good man and a real servant of the Lord. He wasn’t without fault and he blew it towards the end but he was a good guy and he led the parade back to the courts of worship of God.
The verse above comes from the historical record of the first Passover celebrated under Hezekiah’s rule. What catches my attention is the little phrase that says, “…for their prayer reached heaven…”. That’s what prayer is all about: reaching heaven. If prayers don’t reach heaven, why pray?
Their prayer was for the blessing of the people and God heard their prayer. Sometimes we might think just because God hears our prayer that life will be easy and ripple-free. Not true. But when our prayer reaches heaven, then something divine occurs and when something divine occurs then life changes for people, places, and things. Do we think our prayer ought to reach heaven for our national, state, and local leaders? Do we want our prayer to reach heaven for our kids, our relatives, and our churches? Of course we do!
Their prayer reached heaven because they returned to God and obeyed Him. If my prayers are hitting the ceiling, then I might need to look into how I’m treating the Lord and if I’m doing the last thing He told me to do. Prayer that reaches heaven is prayer that is offered in humility, respect, and worship to the True King.
Do we know where our prayers go? Can we say with assurance that they make it all the way to heaven? Do God hear our selfish, self-centered little tirades about how miserable our lives are or does He hear the prayers that come from broken and obedient hearts? We can be the judge of that just by honestly and openly examining our hearts – are we really being true?
God answers prayer. God hears prayer. But it appears that God is especially pleased when prayer is lifted to Him out of humble and broken, obedient hearts. It would be quite a testimony to have on the tombstone written: His prayer reached heaven. I say let’s live our lives toward that end today.
2 Chronicles 30:27 27 The priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard them, for their prayer reached heaven, his holy dwelling place. NIV
I have often been critical of Hezekiah for being a phony. He wasn’t; I just adopted the thought that he was. The whole illness thing and the Babylonian envoys really disappointed me. And yet today, I repent of thinking that way for I see Hezekiah was truly a good man and a real servant of the Lord. He wasn’t without fault and he blew it towards the end but he was a good guy and he led the parade back to the courts of worship of God.
The verse above comes from the historical record of the first Passover celebrated under Hezekiah’s rule. What catches my attention is the little phrase that says, “…for their prayer reached heaven…”. That’s what prayer is all about: reaching heaven. If prayers don’t reach heaven, why pray?
Their prayer was for the blessing of the people and God heard their prayer. Sometimes we might think just because God hears our prayer that life will be easy and ripple-free. Not true. But when our prayer reaches heaven, then something divine occurs and when something divine occurs then life changes for people, places, and things. Do we think our prayer ought to reach heaven for our national, state, and local leaders? Do we want our prayer to reach heaven for our kids, our relatives, and our churches? Of course we do!
Their prayer reached heaven because they returned to God and obeyed Him. If my prayers are hitting the ceiling, then I might need to look into how I’m treating the Lord and if I’m doing the last thing He told me to do. Prayer that reaches heaven is prayer that is offered in humility, respect, and worship to the True King.
Do we know where our prayers go? Can we say with assurance that they make it all the way to heaven? Do God hear our selfish, self-centered little tirades about how miserable our lives are or does He hear the prayers that come from broken and obedient hearts? We can be the judge of that just by honestly and openly examining our hearts – are we really being true?
God answers prayer. God hears prayer. But it appears that God is especially pleased when prayer is lifted to Him out of humble and broken, obedient hearts. It would be quite a testimony to have on the tombstone written: His prayer reached heaven. I say let’s live our lives toward that end today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)