The Right Way

4/30/2016

1 Chronicles 13.12 David was afraid of God that day and asked, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?”

In Exodus 25, are the initial instructions for the transporting of the Ark; it was to be carried on the shoulders of the priests by use of two long, gold overlaid, wooden poles. The poles were never to be removed. (Cf. Exodus 25.14ff)

By the time King David was crowned, the Ark had been stored in Kiriath Jearim for quite some time and David even said, “Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul.” It had been relegated to a piece of furniture. So, David sought to bring it to Jerusalem where he thought it ought to be in the tabernacle.

The story goes they built a new wooden cart on which to place the Ark, and with two oxen they started to bring it back to Jerusalem. Along the way, the oxen stumbled, and with no suspension under the cart, the Ark took quite a jolt, and Uzzah, presumably one of David’s men or a chief Levite, reached out to steady the Ark with his hand; and God killed him for doing so. Struck him dead as a doornail.

Well, of course a happy and joyful occasion turned tragic and everybody, including the King, freaked out. So, they took the Ark on the cart to Obed Edom and left it there for three months. Obed Edom may have lived close by.

Verse 11, says David got angry because of the death of Uzzah. I tend to think his anger was based in: How could I have been so stupid!!? And verse 12 David asks: “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?” Again, there may have been a healthy dose of self-deprecation. How do you bring the Ark David? You bring the Ark the right way.

After three months of trying to figure it out, someone must have consulted the Operating Manual (the Law) and realized the Ark of God was only to be transported a certain way: God’s way. And that they did, and the Ark came to rest in Jerusalem; and David visited Uzzah’s tomb with flowers every year after.

For us today, there is our way, and there is God’s way. Our way is leaning on our own understanding, cleverness, practicality and expedience. God’s way is leaning not on our own understanding, in humility, patience and prayer. Things with God seem to make haste slowly. This is amplified when we slow down, seek the Lord, and wait for Him to direct and guide. No one dies, and God’s will pervades.

I think about all the stuff I’m trying to do in these present days and in the next few years; and I have two options: His, or mine. I’ve relied on mine for decades and today’s reading reminds me of all the defeat and destruction that lays in my wake. I want to finish well but that has to be on God’s terms, not mine.

Lord God, it isn’t a matter of Arks and carts and poles; it’s a matter of walking humbly and obediently with You. Forgive me of my impulsiveness and help me to slow down, bow down, and trust You to lead me to where You want me to be: at home in Heaven, with You forever. Amen.

From Saint to Satan

4/29/2016

Matthew 16.23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

I have been in Church for many years and have heard many sermons, some of which, I staunchly disagreed. Now, it wasn’t just that I disagreed, it was how I disagreed. Had I the opportunity, I would have taken the pastor aside and, like Peter with Jesus (in Matthew 16), rebuked him for saying such things. How could you!? Why would you!? The difference between me and Peter is who we were listening to…

Peter was a pretty smart guy but at times he appeared to act as if he was a little too big for his britches. He, like many of us, knew just enough to be dangerous. Peter was laboring under the common human misconception of: I think I know what I thought you said… Peter was looking for the warrior king and Jesus was explaining to them that He was the Servant King. Swords were for another day.

I’m not sure if Jesus was irritated with Peter at that moment, but Jesus did emphatically make His point: Get behind Me Satan! You don’t have God’s thoughts in mind, but your own! (Peter previously, when asked who people thought Jesus was replied: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”) But Peter was hacked that Jesus would say that He was to suffer at the hands of the religious leaders and be killed. That didn’t square with Peter’s ideas of how things ought to be and Peter mouthed off, and Jesus rebuked him! I can only imagine the other guys thinking: Did He just say what I think I thought I heard!?

At times, I have a pretty high opinion of my theology but I’m learning that high opinions usually have low reception. But I do know this: to avoid going from saint to satan is simply learning how to be humble and considerate of what others say. Combative words have a place, but not in ordinary conversations where rebuking is the only agenda. Nobody likes to be called: Satan.

Peter learned very quickly what not to say, but I also think he learned there is way more to spirituality than building spiritual constructs around human thinking and reasoning and calling it truth. The lesson for me: be quick to listen and slow to react. Listen to what is being said, and if there is a difference of opinion, don’t make that a hill to die on. Paul said, Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. I think that’s pretty good advice…we can go from Saint to Satan in the blink of a pre-conceived notion.

Lord, You taught Peter to be careful with what he thought and said. May I learn that lesson as well. Teach me Your ways and help me to share them with great patience and intention. Talking about You ought to be encouragement, not combat. May I learn to protect what You call me – a saint – in order that others may see that I am, and not, by my words, that I ain’t. For Your good and Your glory – Amen.

What Kind of Faith

4/28/2016

Matthew 15.27 27 Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” – a Canaanite woman

One day Jesus and His men encountered a Canaanite woman – she was from the region of Tyre and Sidon – she was probably from a pagan culture and a descendant of the Philistines (the ancient enemies of Israel).

The woman kept crying out to Jesus to help he because her daughter was demon possessed. But Jesus ignored her for quite some time. His disciples apparently, irritated, whined, Do something! So, Jesus did: He told the woman, I don’t deal with foreigners. That was just the opening the woman was looking for.

Jesus told her: It’s not right to take the children’s food and throw it to dogs. Undeterred the woman answered: True, but at least the dogs get the crumbs that fall from the table. Jesus marveled at her response. He commended her for her faith and sent her away where she would find her daughter restored.

It wasn’t that Jesus was going to send her away; apparently, He just tested her to see where her heart was. God never slams the door on the seeker whose heart is toward Him. God will respond to anyone who comes to Him in faith. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved… (Romans 10.10) I don’t know that the woman got saved but she did get what she wanted from the Lord and it was her faith that go it.

I believe that God tests the hearts of mankind to see what will come out. God knows we are all broken and fallen and even the best of us harbor the worst within us. But that doesn’t mean the worst always comes out. Sometimes in our thoughts and words comes a faith that gets God’s attention. Usually the desperate have such a hunger and thirst for God. Nowadays, we don’t seem to be that desperate.

Two things happened with Jesus that day: His disciples were yet again, amazed and humbled at what the Lord; did and the woman went away happy and justified that she’d put her faith in the right place. Jesus was building the faith of His men by pointing out the faith of a foreigner – possibly a pagan at that.

How will I respond in faith today? Because you know (I sure do) I will be tested in what I do and where I am. Anyone who belongs to God will experience it at some point today. Jesus said, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” Will I exercise such faith?

Where will I place my faith today? What kind will it be?

Father, You look at the heart. You look at the person and determine where their faith really is; and what kind of faith they really have. Find my faith only in You, and find my faith firm, strong, and fixed. Find me weak in my own strength and strong in Yours. Let me hear those words: You have great faith! I believe in You!  - amen.

With You

4/27/2016

Matthew 13. 29 “Come,” he said. – St. Matthew

In Matthew 14, is an account of a turbulent time in Jesus life in which John the Baptist had been beheaded, and many thousands had come to seek Him out. The load of ministry at times is very heavy. Throw in the death of a friend or relationship, and the load can become overwhelming. Jesus was perhaps feeling overwhelmed and needed to get away; and when He attempted to do so, the crowds, hurting and crying out, came seeking Him.

Jesus never turned the crowds away. Ministry is 24/7/365. So Jesus marshaled His men and met the needs of those who’d come to be with Him. Jesus miraculously fed them. The account says, the number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 14.21)

After Jesus dismissed the crowds and sent them back home, He instructed His men to take the boat and go to the other side of the lake. He went to pray. As His men rowed and pushed in the wind to get to the other side, Jesus met them out on the lake –He was walking on the water. They were terrified.

Jesus identified Himself and told them to relax. Peter said, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” So Jesus said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat and for a few steps, he walked on water as well. Then he realized what he was doing, and panicked, and began to sink into the water.

I thought about the Lord’s invite: Come. Jesus says to the rest of us: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11.28,29)

God’s invitation to all of us is: Come be with Me and I will be with you. Religion and mankind have accused God of being a party-pooper; always looking to take something from us or make us do something we don’t want to do, or go someplace we don’t want to go. Peter challenged the Lord: If it’s You, tell me to come to You on the water… Don’t ask if you won’t do.

But Jesus wants us to be with Him wherever He is: on the water, with the sick, with those in prison, or with our neighbor next-door. The invitation is always: Come! Be with Me!

And we’re to repeat the Lord’s invitation: we’re to invite those on the outside to come on inside. Come – come and see Who the Lord is and why being in His presence is the safest and best place to be – ever. Jesus seeks our friendship and desires to bring us into the Father’s presence: the safest and best place to be. All we need do is get out of the boat…

Father, You don’t require water-walking but You do invite us to come. We’re to be with You wherever You are, and we’re to do whatever You ask us to do. There. Help me to be courageous to respond and trust, water or not: with You is the safest and best place to be – Amen.

I Accept You

4/26/2016

2 Samuel 1.25-26 25 “How the mighty have fallen in battle! Jonathan lies slain on your heights. 26 I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women. – David

It takes a big man to say what David said, and to sing what David sang: Your love for me was wonderful… David and Jonathan were friends in a deep and special way. They accepted one another and saw in each other, God and greatness.

Now, my Pastor always tells me he loves me. I accept that. My brothers tell me they love me – I accept that. But I have never heard someone say: Paul, your love for me is wonderful; more wonderful than that of women. That’s not acceptable in our day – I think. It’s not that it isn’t right; it’s just not what we say.

The love of women is wonderful. The love of women is the gift of: I accept you. In other words: I accept you for in all the smelliness and crudeness that is man. I accept your awkwardness in intimacy, I accept your childish emotions. I accept your hairy face and body. I accept you. Every man wants that.

Acceptance is the freedom to be loved, and to love, just the way I am. Acceptance paves the way for self-improvement. Acceptance awakens that sleeping hope of promise, and mutual fulfillment. Acceptance oils the gears between the sexes. So, for a man to accept another man on the level of David and Jonathan – it’s huge!!

Jonathan was royalty and the heir to the throne. But he knew David was the Lord’s anointed. He knew God had special plans for David and for Israel. Jonathan accepted his place in God’s plan. And Jonathan accepted God’s plan for David.

Like everything in this world, all can be twisted, maligned, and ridiculed. But acceptance on the level of these two servants of God, Jonathan and David, from different backgrounds and callings, was truly remarkable. I’m not sure if it has ever been repeated since those days.

And remarkably, a true man, a big man sang glorious praise over God’s king and his son. David didn’t spike the football. David didn’t gloat over the loss of Saul – he sang and wept and did what real men ought to do: he mourned the loss of the great.

It’s good to consider such words about such men, and hold out hope that we men of today can get to that place where we can truly say: “…you are very dear to me. Your love for me is wonderful, more wonderful than that of women.”

Father, I have learned today that relationship, in Christ, ought to be just like relationship with Christ: undying affection and acceptance. Break down the resistance in me with my brothers to accept them for who they are and for what You’ve called them to do. May we love each other as You love us – in Christ. Amen

The Rule of the Heart – A Rant

4/25/2016

Matthew 12.12 How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. – Jesus

When law is lord, people don’t matter. And when those who rule are driven only by the law, wisdom, mercy and compassion are thrown out the window. And when the loyal try to live by the law, they end up becoming criminals, because the law is not right for every circumstance; and certain laws are impossible to obey. Such were the days of Israel when Jesus came to visit.

Jesus asked them plainly: How much more valuable is a person than a sheep? In other words: is there ever a time when it is okay to set the law aside and rule with wisdom, compassion, or mercy? The legalists can only answer that by their unbending adherence to the law. The law is not one size fits all; it is supposed to be a tool to be used as a guideline, and a measurement of intent. The law is impersonal, which is ironic because it is used to rule persons…

That is not to say the law is wrong, but the law has to be meted with compassion and heart; and the understanding that not every circumstance can be answered by the exacting of the rule; sometimes the rules need to be adjusted where wisdom, compassion, and mercy will be enough.

Part of the difficulty in our day is law, regulation, and statutes are used the same way they were way back then: as a means to show force of the ruling agenda. People aren’t valued as important; and anyone whose situation requires wisdom, compassion, and mercy better be on the accepted side of things, or they will find themselves on the rejected side, in difficulty. How legal zealots love situations like these!

Jesus came proclaiming the law of love where God is the Ruling Authority as He lives and moves among us and rules from the throne of our hearts. When and where God is on the throne there is wisdom, compassion, and mercy. And Scripture proclaims God desires the throne of our hearts.

Laws are intended for good but there must always be room for wisdom, compassion, and mercy; these are the buffers that enable us to find answers to impossible situations and allow the heart to determine the best course of action. Laws are not one-size-fits-all, but are established for order in society. A righteous society will take care to hold to the laws they enact loosely because not every situation is solved by the law – sometimes it is better taken care of by the rule of the heart.

Father God, only You can unscramble eggs. Only You can untie Gordian’s knot. Father, give us eyes to see and ears to hear that it is only with wisdom, compassion, and mercy that we will survive with one another in this world. Yes, there are rules, but there also must be a way to pick up the slack when rules aren’t enough. Mistakes are made. Help us to be compassionate toward one another, and love each other as ourselves. Amen

The Violent

4/24/2016

Matthew 11.12 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. – Jesus

I suppose there are a couple different ways to look at this: from the standpoint of the opposition of the world and unbelievers or, from the standpoint of the power and presence of God in His redeeming effort among men. Either way, the Kingdom of God is powerful and present. And perturbance.

In the context, St. John, the Baptist, had been taken into custody by Herod because John and his preaching had become a nuisance to Herod over Herod’s behavior and his stealing his brother’s wife (yes, it went on back then as well…). Herod dealt violently with John and ultimately had him beheaded. And Jesus may have been making reference to that. Herod’s pushback against the truth was violent.

Jesus may have also been making reference to what John was preached, and how that preaching disturbed men’s lives. The Kingdom of God does do violence to the natural man’s mind: it requires death and a faith to believe there is a resurrection from that death. No wonder the violent (or the violated, if you will) have to take it by force. They have no other alternative, for the Kingdom and the Gospel demand complete, revolutionary, and unflinching obeisance. That kind of violence unglues one’s soul.

The Kingdom of God could be compared to our being forced to learn to breathe underwater, without the faintest clue of how to do so. The Kingdom of God is not natural; therefore, it requires a supernatural upheaval in the life of the one who would embrace it. The Kingdom is truly no place for sissies. Those who give themselves to Jesus are in for a wild ride. Why? Because the Kingdom suffers violence and only violent people have been attempting to tame it, or enter it.

The issue is, God has, since the fall, been reaching out to mankind to restore what was lost (fellowship with Him). But that restoration is on His terms, not man’s. God is immovable, unshakable, and forever focused on those who will accept His offer of eternal friendship. But we must accept it on His terms.

That doesn’t mean God is ruthless in His methods, but it does require our learning to be ruthless in ours; and in our resistance to the pull of the world, the flesh, and the devil which deny the truth. That’s violence. Not violent in the sense of worldly violence, but in the sense of spiritual violence. The weapons of our warfare (a specifically chosen word) are not carnal, but mighty through God to the silencing of the falseness of earth, and the proclaiming of the truth of Heaven. Only violent people proclaim.

The necessity of violence calls me to do what I normally would shrink from. It causes me to relate to God on His terms. It causes me to pray. It causes me to love, and to give, and to forgive. These are not natural things, and the world violently opposes them…just ask ISIS; they’ll tell you, as the kill you…

Father, Your word says the violent raid the Kingdom. I understand that to mean that only the violent know what they’re doing. May I know. May I participate. And may the violence of the Kingdom bring about in me true transformation… Amen

The Book

4/23/2016

1 Chronicles 9.1 All Israel was listed in the genealogies recorded in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. They were taken captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness…

Of all the things on the Ballot this fall here in Baker County, is a measure to raise funds to save our local Library. I saw the sign this morning and asked myself: who goes to the Library anymore? I know, I’m such a pedestrian; I use Google, Kindle; and I have a tablet, a Surface, a laptop, and a Galaxy S6 (there’s no hope…).

I thought about all the books in the library and I thought, maybe they’ll do one of those sales where they sell off books that no one checks out anymore and I’ll find a book or two that I need to add to my sizeable collection of books that I never read – as I said, there is no hope.

And everyday someone publishes more books. St John’s parting shot was this: Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. (John 21.25 NIV) “…The paper holds their folded faces to the floor and every day the paper boy brings more.” *

The ancient Jews were big into books. Their books contained histories and genealogies. Those were important things to them – they had a healthy interest in remembering who they were. I find it interesting that of all the mediums our God chose to communicate the truth about Himself, He chose books; the written word. The Bible is God’s written word of His spoken word. Is there still a use for libraries? Perhaps, but there is a dire need for the Bible – our world is in chaos without it.

I think my little community would survive without our library. The purists would demand the written, published books be accessible; but we would survive. The publishers would continue to publish and Kindle will keep kindling…(maybe that’s what happens to all those books – Fahrenheit 451??) Regardless of the outcome, there is one Book that stands above the rest, and it is the One that is the most controversial to the kingdoms of men: the written record of God with the creatures He loves: the Bible.

And that book is the Book that speaks of the books that were written so that a people could remember who they were, and Whose they were. Sounds like a Book worth paying attention to. Bible: Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth (unless one chooses to stay put). The text above reminds us that they forgot who they were, why they were, and Whose they were. Books don’t mean much if they aren’t read and given heed.

All of our problems globally, nationally, regionally, and familial would be solved if we stubborn, arrogant creatures were but to simply believe in, and heed that Book. Perhaps then, our library would be filled to overflowing with the written records of the One of Whom the Scripture speaks…

Father God, lead us to the Book, and give us life that we may we heed the entirety of the wisdom and love written of within. Amen

*Pink Floyd, Brain Damage, The Dark Side of the Moon, March 1973© (My thanks to Kevin O'B for the conversation this week and for the reminder of Pink Floyd!)

Trusting the God Who Does

4/22/2016

1 Samuel 25.38 About ten days later, the Lord struck Nabal and he died.

What is our image of God – I mean, mentally. What does God look like to us in our minds? God is powerful. God is wise. God is good. God is love. All of these things (and infinitely more) are true about God. We must remember that. Especially, since: the Lord struck Nabal, and he died.

One thing we fight all the time is our belief that God is somehow like us – or we’re somehow like Him. Our temptation is to tame God into our concept of who we think He should be. The temptation is to relegate God into a better make and model of ourselves. God (the Lord) struck Nabal, and he died. We’d do that out of vengeance. We might do that punitively. In our minds, Nabal probably deserved to die for being such a jackass. But God doesn’t think that way, and, to us, He shouldn’t.

Men demand answers: why does this happen; why does that? We attempt to put a commentary on the things in life as if there’s some folksy wisdom that explains all of what mystifies and marvels us. We say things like: There’ll be some good that will come out of: _________. Or we say things like: God’ll never gives us more than we can bear; or other such nonsense as we attempt to make sense out of nonsense. To us there must be a reason, so we come up with one, since we can’t explain what we can’t explain.

About ten days later, the Lord struck Nabal and he died. God took him. The days of Nabal’s life were always in God’s hands, and when his number was up, God struck Nabal and he died. NOTE: God is given credit in the narrative for taking Nabal’s life. The temptation may be to believe that God did it somehow outside the parameters of His goodness and righteousness; like God had some ax to grind with Nabal. God is good, and never does anything apart from His love.

I don’t know why the Scriptures attribute Nabal’s death to the Lord. I do know this: whatever the reason, God’s character and attributes aren’t diminished at all – God is God, and whatever the reason: He has a reason; but He isn’t obligated to reveal it to us as if we deserve an answer. That’s where we fall down in our understanding of who God is, and why He does what He does. It just complicates things for us when we insist that God would never do such a thing – when His word says plainly, He does.

There is not one hair out of place in the Universe (or beyond); God controls it all. We want to concoct thoughts about God that would say: Well, God allowed Nabal to die, but He wasn’t responsible. Well, what if He was? What if God struck Nabal and he died? Who am I; who are we, to question His motives? God deserves our respect and our respect ought to include: Lord, whatever You do, You do it well – not according to us – but according to You. Who are we to question who You are, and how You are? I’ll bet Nabal’s mom cried at his passing…

God is trustworthy even if we don’t (or won’t or can’t) understand why. Life seems to be easier to take, when: not understanding or having all the answers, I simply point to the heavens and admit: God, I don’t understand, but I do trust You! It’s all about trust no matter who dies, or when.

Father, You are in control, and You do what You do without my commentary of what and why and when. I trust You and accept in this world are many things that mystify me; but Your goodness and righteousness cover them all, and one day, maybe, You’ll explain to me why. My goal is You, not having to know why You do what You do – amen.

As a Testimony

04/21/2016

Matthew 8.4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

Whenever I read the Old Testament and read Leviticus 13 and 14, I cringe. These two chapters have to do with various diseases of the skin, and frankly, I find them gross. Yellow hair, reddish skin, white spots – yuck! Having to walk around in rotten clothing with a veil over one’s face, crying out: Unclean! Unclean! – I mean, really! But that’s the way it was, and that’s what they did. Sacrificing pigeons and doves…

The upside of all this was it was prescribed curative for such conditions. (Now, I admit, I’ve always wanted to see a little superstition here as well). But it was what it was, and the cure was bound to the gift; and God’s promise was the healing would take place according to the conditions met. It always sounds weird to me until I read Matthew 8: See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them. Jesus said that. Jesus, God, said that; and Jesus, God, healed the man.

I think the man believed, but couldn’t get within shouting distance of the priest. No matter his yelling Unclean! Unclean! he couldn’t get into the priest to even get looked at. Sounds like modern medicine and preexisting conditions! But the man believed there was a cure and he went to the only place he thought he could find one: to Jesus. And Jesus healed the man as an object lesson to those who’d decided that healing wasn’t for today. Jesus, God, healed the man. The only place real healing takes place is in the presence of the Healer: Jehovah Rapha – God, my Healer.

We (many of us) accept (or just put up with) sickness and disease for what it is: a part of the human experience. Death has invaded earth and there is no doubting that. But, remarkably, there is relief, no matter one’s preexisting condition: by his wounds, we are healed (Isaiah 53.5). Was that just for the Jews? Was that just for back then? Or is God still in the healing business today? Does it require pigeons?

Does healing only occur for the spiritual elites? Or does a man with a crushingly humiliating skin condition have a place to go with his voice hoarse from crying out: Unclean! Unclean!? It all depends on belief, and what God has said.

Healing is not a validation of who God is or what He does. Healing is not a validation of faith. Healing is not only for those who believe in such a way that merits favor from God. Healing is simply bringing to God this issues we have and asking (believing) Him to help us with them by providing solutions, answers, and cures. Nothing magical. Nothing mystical. Just faith in God our Healer.

Jesus not only healed the man but was attempting to heal a nation: “… offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” God was working through the Mosaic Law to the people He loved. He is also working today apart from the Mosaic Law to help the people He loves. All we need do is ask. 

Father, You are working in the lives of people today to bring healing and help. Your healing may not save us from physical death, but it sure will make our present lives a little more bearable. Father, may I believe anew that You are the Healer, and You do so as a testimony to those who can’t accept Your grace and provision. Lord, heal me. Be gracious! Amen.

Getting My Attention

04-17-2016

1 Samuel 19.24 He stripped off his garments, and he too prophesied in Samuel’s presence. He lay naked all that day and all that night. This is why people say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” – A Saying

Recently, a friend of mine posted an excellent article (on Facebook) about Biblical questions and why they are so important for us to ponder. Questions like: Am I my brother’s keeper? What is Truth? The idea behind the article was not so much having the answers, but answering the questions.

The Bible asks profound questions, and a sign of the Scripture’s power, is when we heed those questions. Not every question will resonate with us, but some ought, because they are divinely inspired to cause us to seek the answer. What does this mean to me, and why is it asking?

The story of King Saul begs a lot of questions: why did God promote a Benjamite to the throne when the kings were to be called from Judah? Why was Saul first advanced, then later rejected? Why is Saul among the prophets? What is he doing now?

The Bible asks us questions now so that we can thoughtfully grapple with them now, before they are demanded of us later. The questions are there, and always have been; but are we listening? Is Saul among the prophets? If we ignore God’s questions now, how will we, when He asks, answer them later?

As a king, Saul’s track record was horrible. He was weak, jealous, and small-minded. Everything we wouldn’t want in a leader, Saul was. But Saul wasn’t really in charge and I think he knew it. Saul’s faith was weak. But he had power to great harm when he felt like it. And God attempted to remind him Who was really in control. Is Saul, our king, among the prophets? And: Why, is he laying naked, prophesying, at Naioth in Ramah? I thought he was on his way to kill David and Samuel! I’m confused!!

God isn’t/wasn’t confused. God was giving king Saul one more opportunity to repent. It isn’t about power, but presence. It isn’t about control, but cooperation. Why are things happening in my life that I seem so inadequate to face? Is it because, perhaps, like Saul, I’m trying to ignore God Who’s trying to get my attention? Will I stubbornly continue to do the Saul: depending on myself, and doing whatever seems right to me? Or will others ask: What’s gotten into him!?

Father God, am I among the prophets, and are people asking: why – why is he doing what is so unexpected of him? They know the regular me. They know and expect me to do as I always do. Are they asking: Why is he acting so strangely!? Father, may I cooperate with You, and yield the things of my life to You. May I hear Your voice, and seek Your face. And may the answer to the questions be: Because I, Paul’s God, have gotten his attention. Amen

Good Trees

4/16/2016

Matthew 3.10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. – St John, the Baptist

It is probably a worthwhile endeavor to stop once in a while and take inventory of one’s life, purpose and meaning. What on earth am I here for? What am I doing? What do I hope to accomplish? John the Baptist preached that every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

Ancient Palestine was a heavily forested area. Trees were important for many things, including heat, construction, and food. And John said the worthless trees would be the trees relegated to the most ignoble of uses: fire. I suppose if that is all they are good for, then they are good for something.

It’s one thing to make that assessment about trees but it’s quite another when it has to do with people. But the reality is our lives were meant for something. We are on earth for a reason. There is nothing wrong with contribution and productivity. There is nothing wrong with attempting to make our lot in life a little more bearable. Even in the worst of circumstances, the sun shines; the needed rains come.

John’s point was that of judgment. John’s point the ancient Jews was that of participation in the things of God. After all, the Jews were God’s chosen instrument to make Him known to the rest of the world. The question was, were they doing what they were supposed to be doing? The answer was: No.

Somehow things got all turned upside down and relationship with God became regulation of life. Do this, don’t do that, was all they focused on. Certainly there is a place for regulation but it isn’t in the realm of love. And regulation isn’t a means of scoring behavior points with God. God wasn’t/isn’t keeping score; He’s seeking friends – those who will love Him, see things His way, and cooperate willingly with Him.

John was pointing these things out and taught that if one was counting one’s points in order to impress God, one was wasting one’s life; one had become a tree without fruit, and destined for nothing more than fuel for a fire. Life is more than fuel.

I think that is why refocusing, retooling, and re-calibrating our lives is so important. Good questions might be: 

• What am I doing to bear the fruit of goodness, kindness, peace, and faithfulness? 
• Are these things evident in my life as I live and work amidst my fellow man? 
• Am I a giver, a producer; or am I just a sponge and a consumer? 
• If my life was to be intimately examined, would there be any evidence of fruit?

My life is to be productive and contributive. I believe that. That has been deeply ingrained into me from an early age. The danger is my focusing on that to the point where it only amounts to a means of garnering merit. The other side of that is simply living life for the goodness and well-being of others. Does the outcome of my living bring them goodness, peace, patience, kindness and the like? If so, I am a tree bearing fruit for the benefit of others…

Father in Heaven, in this imperfect and fallen world, may I be used to bear fruit for the good of others. May my life be a life lived on purpose to help and to bless others. Use me to bear good fruit that others may be aided and helped in their own journeys, that Your Name would be glorified among men – amen.

Paying Attention

4/15/2016

Matthew 2. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written… - the Magi

Well, at least someone was paying attention. The Magi were sort of the astro-scientists of their day. They looked to the heavens to see if they could figure things out and they paid attention to what the ancient Jewish prophets had written in their sacred scrolls. The Magi were well read and knew enough to know that somehow, God was in charge of things; and that a Child would be born of a virgin, and He would be the great Ruler sought by the whole world. Someone had been doing their homework.

The Magi were from the east – probably Babylon. They were learned men who knew enough to know that the Star in the East was something special and was pointing to some great event. They came a-looking. The Jews of the day were so caught up in politics with the Romans that they weren’t even aware; their own ‘magi’ were asleep at the wheel.

Up to this point, for four hundred years, there had been silence from God; and now, if you’ll pardon the analogy, the opposing team showed up with a copy of the home team’s game-plan. Talk about embarrassing. To make matters worse, the current king – Herod – wasn’t even a Jew; he was an Idumean, the Roman name for an Edomite.

But someone was paying attention to what God was doing and what He was up to. The Magi came to honor a King. And when they showed up they weren’t fooled by Herod’s hypocrisy; they beat feet to Bethlehem, paid homage to the King in a manger, and left for home.

I suppose, when I read all this, I wonder: do I know the game-plan. I wonder how well I know it. The greatest event in human history was occurring and the people of God then (for the most part) were clueless.

I get caught up in all the things I’ve involved myself and wonder if in these current historic days, if I am fully awake or just simply concerned with my own deal, and otherwise asleep at the wheel. God is moving in our turbulent and confusing days in a way that only the alert can ascertain. We think it’s just a presidential election but it is so much more. It’s the judging of our nation – and – it’s the judging of the Church. The Magi sought to understand; do I? The Magi gave themselves to try to figure out what God was up to; do I? Will we wake up and pay attention?

Jesus, You said, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” I think I’m to respond like the Magi; men who didn’t even know You but were smart enough to know the times. These are the days of a great move of God and I don’t want to miss it by having my head buried in the sand of my own issues. Lord, help me to watch, wait, and pray. Amen.

He Did

4/14/2016

Matthew 1.24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. - St. Matthew

In my Scripture reading today, I saw a contrast between two men: King Saul, and Joseph, the carpenter. King Saul rejected the word of the Lord and Joseph embraced it. Both men were in tough situations: Saul, impulsive and petulant, caved to the (real or perceived) pressure from his soldiers to act and to disobey what God had commanded him to do (1 Samuel 15.24).

Joseph, on the other hand, was engaged to a woman who turned up pregnant and he decided to (not surprisingly) dump her. But God intervened and told him marriage was the right thing to do. That choice required a bigger man: one who would obey. Joseph obeyed, and accepted Mary as his wife.

I get to teach young men (Middle and High schoolers) on Wednesday nights at my church. We spend fifteen or twenty minutes each week discussing a passage of the Bible together. Lately we seem to be hovering around this thought: real men obey God no matter what. Small men shoot from the hip and practice: shoot, ready, aim. Real men find a sense of joy in doing what is right; small men are selfishly productive, getting only a sense of feel-good from just doing; regardless of purpose or outcome.

Real men have godly character; small men don’t. King Saul was a head taller than the rest of the Israelites, but Saul was a petulant, whiny, small-minded man. Joseph was a lowly carpenter whose livelihood included construction of structures, furniture and ancient contractor-type stuff. In a largely agronomic culture, most men undertook such stuff by themselves or with their relatives. Joseph presumably sold his labor to those who either had the means or lacked the skill. He probably made a living, but definitely not six figures…

However, Joseph possessed the skill to do carpentry, and the character to listen, and harken to the voice of God. That was the difference between two different men in hard places who reacted to God in entirely different manners; one obeyed, the other didn’t.

I’m trying to teach the young men with whom I associate to see the contrast between small men and godly men. There is a world of difference because there are two different worlds. One world, is the Kingdom of God – counter-culture to the kingdom of men. The other is: flying by the seat of one’s pants doing whatever seems good for the moment, and paying attention to the whims and wills of others who are as equally confused and impulsive.

In our day, it's true, small men rule the day. But in our midst are godly men who will only will win and rule in eternity. It’s all in what world one finds oneself, and whom it is one seeks, and follows. Exhibits A and B: Saul and Joseph.

Lord, You know my penchant for small-mindedness, and how often I just shoot from the hip, impulsively doing as I see fit. Change my heart and train me to be as godly as I reach out to others to train them to be godly as well.  Boys will be boys until they are taught to be men. Amen

The Art of Human-Husbandry

4/12/2016

2 Corinthians 12.7-9 7”…or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” – St. Paul

I think it takes a pretty big man to admit what Paul admitted: Therefore, to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. The imminent apostle was given a babysitter to keep him from boasting about what he’d seen and heard. Hmmm…

I have no idea what Paul meant by “a thorn in my flesh” but it doesn’t sound pleasant. I’ve never been to Palestine, but I’ve been to East Africa and the thorns there are prodigious and plentiful. And they look very painful. Jesus got a crown of thorns in mockery; Paul got a thorn in the flesh to protect him.

Tools serve a purpose, and Paul’s thorn was a tool administered by God who called Paul to a greater destiny than an evangelistic circus side-show. God called Paul to celebrate His grace and sufficiency. God called Paul to glory in his weakness so that Jesus’ divine power would rest upon him. The power of God only rests on the weak and humble. The power of God finds no home in the arrogant and proud.

It is so counter to our world full of victims and victimization. We strive to be big but we are so small. We believe we are entitled but we are so fooled. We act as if we deserve the thorns of Satan as some kind of merit-badge. Paul wasn’t so callous; Paul knew they served their purpose to keep him from doing harm to himself. Many would choose to win the lottery with its millions not realizing that along with millions of reasons for wanting to win, are millions of reasons that winning for most, would be disastrous.

So, for Paul, the apostle we think so highly of, was given a babysitter of sorts to keep him from driving the bus off the cliff. Paul didn’t deserve, but he desperately needed a thorn to keep him from doing damage to himself and others. Call it a guardrail to keep him on the road of God’s choosing.

God knows how and when and why to use tools in our lives. The thorn was one tool for Paul; grace was the other. Funny what five-letter words can convey: thorn. grace. faith. peace. trust. God knows what He is doing, and what it takes in our lives to care for us and protect us. We are greater than the animals but we do need husbandry to keep us from the horrors of self. God is the Expert in human-husbandry.

Father, like my older brother Paul was hinting, I too need human-husbandry; I need Your hand upon my life and circumstances to keep me from doing and saying things that will hurt me and hurt others. Like Paul, I too am Your son and servant, and I thank You that You are in control of the things in my life that keep me from unspeakable harm.

Have Thine own way Lord, have Thine own way.

Thou art the Potter; I am the clay.

Mold me and make me after Thy will.

While I am waiting, yielded and still. Amen

The Weakness I Have

4/11/2016

2 Corinthians 11.30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. – St. Paul

Trying to change people’s minds is a difficult thing. Trying to get people to see one’s point of view is a difficult thing. That’s why the power and presence of the Holy Spirit is so vital to our faith, and in our walk. Apart from Him, we can do nothing.

The letters to the Church in Corinth tell a story of a man trying to change the minds of people and trying to get them to see his point of view. The Corinthians, much like the Jews, seemed to want some convincing proof of Paul and his claims of Jesus and faith in Him. The Church in Corinth seemed to have bought into some of it, but not all; it seemed they wanted powerful proof of the life Paul was proclaiming, and, they wanted some solid credentials of who Paul really was.

So, Paul said: If I must boast [about who I am] I will boast of the things that show my weakness. Pretty strange statement from someone who was being hounded for something more. Strangely, the boasts Paul made were about the things he experienced while proclaiming the Gospel; and it’s a pretty extensive list.

Paul, however, wasn’t proud of any of those things: he was only proud in a humble and persecuted way, that Jesus had chosen him to tell others about Him, and to do so through extreme difficulties and resistance. The student isn’t above his Master…

If nothing else, life in the Church and the Kingdom of God are unconventional. The greatest are those who serve. The humble are the blessed. It is better to give than to receive. Faith is for those who accept it as a child. The greatest pray-ers are those who pray in secret. The greatest givers are those who do so in secret and with their whole heart. Perseverance is a hallmark of the faithful.

And the world hates such a way of thinking and living. The Corinthians were only in it so far, and they questioned Paul’s methods for going all the way. The Church today is no different. There are those who commit and then there are those who just show up because they think it’s the thing to do. We might say of Paul: you don’t have to be crazy to be an evangelist and church planter, but it helps. Paul would respond: you don’t know what it means to serve.

Paul insisted: I only boast about my weakness because it shows the greatness of Christ to see me through the difficulties of life, and the devilish resistance to truth in the world. If we want to serve and to preach and to help others know and grow in Him, we’d better get used to the idea that it will be difficult at best and only accomplished by the power and presence of His Spirit. The Kingdom is no place for sissies.

Father, from this little sentence I see what I am called to: to serve and to proclaim the glorious Gospel despite the pushback from a world that wants nothing to do with it. That calls for walking in, and walking with Your Spirit, who illumines my mind and empowers my tongue and my faith. Fill me with Your Spirit today to spread the good news, boasting only in the weakness I have that reveals the strength that is Yours – Amen.

Their Way Their Day

4/9/2016

1 Samuel 7.12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, [“stone of help”] saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

When I read these accounts in the Old Testament of the relationship between Israel and God, it seems the people used God as a good luck charm or some kind of genie to bail them out of whatever jam in which they found themselves. It seems the Israelites used God, or tried to, much like the pagans used their gods – everything was okay until they needed something and then they pull out whatever idol and cried out to it until something happened. Boy, does that sound familiar in our day and age…

The account of Ebenezer is not so much an account of an idol as it is an account of remembrance: “Thus far the Lord has helped us…” It’s not that God isn’t helping us, but we need to be careful to stay out of the mental trap that says God only helps us when it hits the fan. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

God desires to be our Friend. Yes, a friend in need is a friend indeed. But a friend only used, is a friend that’s abused. If you’re only my friend when I’m in the midst of trouble, then you’re not really my friend; you’re my tool; my friend with benefits. What a sad state of affairs.

Samuel set up the stone to help the Israelites remember all of the good things God had done for them. But their attitude was continually: where is God when I need Him!? They took God for granted. It’s not that God wasn’t with them; they weren’t with God. They continued to disobey God in every part of life and when life went to hell around them then they needed Him. God doesn’t exist to bail me out: He will walk with me through my difficulties, but He isn’t there just so I can live as if He doesn’t care.

I am learning that the way to live is to continually thank God for the things He is doing on my behalf and to enjoy His presence. I’m not to set up stones of remembrance – I am to thank God continually. My problems ought to cause me, not only to pray, but also to thank God for hearing my prayer; and to respond as He sees fit to benefit my life, my character, and my faith.

If God is only a turn-on-turn-off switch, guess what: I’ll use Him as just that. But He isn’t and I’m to talk to Him about my issues, and trust that He is listening, and wait patiently for His response. Samuel needed a stone of help to help them to remember; I just need to remember to thank God.

Father, You dealt with them Your way in their day. I expect You to deal with me in my day, Your way. I don’t know how the issues I have will be resolved, but I do expect them to be resolved and to be amazed at what You’ve done and how You’ve done it. Thank You for hearing my prayers, and thank You for acting on my behalf because You love me and care about me – Amen.

That We Give

4/8/2016

2 Corinthians 8.2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. – St. Paul

What is worth more: the amount given, or the willingness to give? There was a lady in Luke 21 whom Jesus commended for giving (and living) generously – she only gave a pittance, but it was, according to the words of the Lord: all she had to live on. She emptied her tiny bank account because it was: all she had. The commendation from Jesus (which I’m pretty sure she never heard) was for her generosity.

It was a teachable moment for the disciples who labored under linear thinking: to them the amount given was what was most important to them. Jesus commented on the lady’s heart: she gave all she had. Jesus was teaching them that the amount wasn’t the issue; the heart was.

In Paul’s day, he encountered a similar situation. The Corinthians were a tough bunch, but they had committed to help the saints in Jerusalem who were experiencing an economic catastrophe and desperately needed funds to feed the hungry and take care of themselves. There was a famine and the saints of God were getting the brunt end: lack and want.

The Churches in Greece and Asia Minor decided (probably because of Paul’s urging) to send an offering to them to help. So, they gathered up as much as they could and sent it with Paul’s men to take to Jerusalem. And Paul reminded the Church in Corinth, not of how much the Grecians gave, but that they gave. Their extreme poverty welled in in rich generosity. The amount is never mentioned, only the act of giving generously. It was a teachable moment for the Corinthians who labored under linear thinking: it only matters how much one gives.

Generosity is a heart issue. Generosity connects our faith and our finances. Living generously means giving what we have when we can for the sake of others, and for the fulfillment of our faith in God who gave everything for us. It is not begrudging. It is not compulsory; it is a matter of the heart.

Now we can give begrudgingly. We can give out of compulsion; but those diminish the reason why we give. This world has plenty of grudge and plenty of compulsion (making people feel guilty). The alternative is faith that as we give, we can trust God to take care of our needs. Circumspection, is that God gives to us so that we can give to others, so that God can give to us so that we can give to others, so that God can give to us… It’s the circle, not the straight line.

It’s not what we give, it’s that we give. God, [who] supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. Living generously enriches us in every way.

Lord, find in me a generous heart and a willingness to give as much as I can on every occasion I can. Thank You that You supply seed to the sower so that all may reap a harvest. Amen.

Two Most Important Words

4/5/2016

2 Corinthians 5.21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. – St. Paul

First, God made Him, Jesus, who knew no sin – He never had intimate relations with sin like we do – to become sin for us. Perfection became putrescence. God made Jesus to be sinful even though He never sinned. Jesus was sinless; He always hit the mark; He always obeyed the Father.

Second, so that, in Him, we might become the righteousness of God. Two little words: in Him. All of what has happened since God said, Let there be light, has been for us, in Him.

The problem was, apart from Him, we had no remedy. The laws written before time was, required a substitution – a payment for the penalty. But there was no substitution among men until God became a man and perfectly offered Himself to be what we could never be: perfect. So, Perfection took on imperfection in order that imperfection could take on perfection. But imperfection could only do that: in Him, Who became sin for us…

In other words, imperfection (us) had to have some means to partake of perfection which was impossible apart from God. So, God provided a way, a means, for us imperfects to find perfection in the One who offered Himself as perfectly imperfect. We needed to reach the impossible threshold, and God provided a way…in Him.

“In Him”, that is, in Jesus, is a difficult term for some, but simply it means: on His side, or in His group; or belief in what He has done. It’s the power of belief. We get a glimpse of Who God is by what God does. God said, in front of all the galactic nay-sayers, I will offer Myself, My perfection for them who’ve insulted Me, and spat in my face because of their actions and attitudes. I will make a way for them to find what I’ve always offered: an eternity with Me.

Without the two most important words, ‘in Him’ all of this is, is fairy tale. We can hear fantastical stories and choose to believe them if we want. But fantasy will never bring about reality. And reality sometimes sounds like fantasy but we choose to ignore it, or worse, ridicule it. That’s the hard part about ‘in Him’; it’s ridiculed reality. But God, ever the Shock Therapist, said it was so; and the only way to benefit from what He has done is to believe He did it: that He made Him who knew no sin to become sin for us, so that in Him, we might become the righteousness of God.

Father, You are way smarter that the smartest among us will ever be. Your apostle wrote that even in Your foolishness (which is how men view Your deeds), Your foolishness is infinitely greater that all of man’s wisdom and learning. It seems foolish to us that You would do what You did. But in Him, the One You made to become sin, we find salvation from the death that embraces us and causes us to continue to spit in Your face because You care about us. All we have to do is believe. Help me in my unbelief. Amen.

Believing, I Speak

4/4/2016

2 Corinthians 4.13 But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” – St. Paul

I think one of the biggest issues Paul had with the Corinthians was they didn’t trust him that he was the real deal. They seemed to question his leadership, his authenticity, and his motives. At first, I think they accepted him but then things began to change and their trust began to erode. Perhaps Paul didn’t stay with them long enough. Perhaps they were jealous of the attention he paid to other churches. Whatever it was, it is apparent to me that Paul had issues with Corinth like no other church.

The fourth chapter of 2 Corinthians seems to be about perseverance. Paul’s love for the Corinthians endured despite their treatment of him – Paul saw, through faith, the strength and potential they had, but perhaps didn’t recognize. Paul trusted in the Lord’s power to save them, not his own; but he wasn’t going to give up on them in the meantime.

So, Paul quoted Psalm 116: I believed in God, so I spoke. The verse in Psalm 116 is this: I believed in you, so I said, “I am deeply troubled, Lord.” (V. 10) The question is, where do I go when it all falls apart? To whom do I turn in times of need? The obvious answer is: God. I turn to God because that is where I’ve placed my faith. Aside from God, who else is going to come alongside and provide the things I need?

Psalm 116 is all about maintaining one’s faith in times when it appears it’s all over – there’s no other option than finality. Verse 15 of the Psalm says, God deeply cares when His loved ones die. Paul makes the comparison that it isn’t just physical death, but emotional, relational, and even perhaps spiritual death as well. The treatment he received from the Corinthians seemed to be pretty rough. He even said to them, When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you… (1 Corinthians 16.10)

And Paul, never gave up on the Corinthians. He kept seeking their highest good and believing that God would bring out the best in them for the sake of the Kingdom.

When it comes to relationships and being with people, sometimes the only thing we can say in response is: “Lord, I believe in You, so I continue to speak. I don’t know what is happening with so and so, or why; but I believe in You and so I speak, God, I am deeply troubled by all this and I ask for Your help, Your restoration, Your reconciliation. You are all I have, and I can’t fix this on my own!”

Lord, I believe, therefore I speak: I believe in You despite what it is I’m experiencing and how it is I’m feeling. I trust You God in this place where I find myself and know that the right things will happen because You are God. Help me Lord! I speak, because I believe. Amen.