Falling Down

8/31/2016

Revelation 5.14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. – St. John

I think it is both: literal and figurative – you know, the falling down part. It seems to be a recurring theme in Scripture that part of worship is the act of bowing physically; and the art of bowing spiritually.

Now, I think it’s normal, in the presence of the Almighty, to bow physically – who can stand in the presence of such immensity? Who can keep their feet in the presence of majesty? When the mob came to arrest Jesus in the garden as Jesus asked them who they sought and they said, Jesus of Nazareth; [w]hen Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. (John 18.6) That’s noteworthy.

Worship is arriving to that place in one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength when the only response is: This is the One! And it affects the body, soul, mind, and heart. The response is accompanied by bowing, a physical response.

The hysteria of the Beatles in the early sixties. The gushing over Presley. I would dare say what happens after presidential elections when “our” guy wins. We are so carried away that a form of worship blossoms. Our needs are met; our teams wins. We respond.

Ah, but the presence of God: Isaiah said: I am undone! I’m falling apart! Who can stand in the presence of such majesty!? So, in Revelation 5, the elders fall down: it is all Him, and they can only do what humans can do: bow in worship. Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess (Isaiah 45.23, Revelation 14.11, Philippians 2.10-11). It’s our only response, then.

Now? Well, not so much now because we’re so distracted by what’s going on now. We’re too busy looking for a leader of some kind to unravel the Gordian’s knot of present society and its ills. Right now we’re looking for a winner. One day, it will be a Lord, and every tongue will confess and every knee will bow.

I used to see the bowing as weakness or naïveté. I was wrong. It’s the only response. He did it, not us, not them, not me. Jesus did it all. And because of Jesus, will I only have a place in the party where I will bow in thanksgiving for all He has done for me…

I’m not sure who the elders are in Revelation 5, but I suspect they are the representatives of the nation of Israel and I suspect the one who spoke to John in the vision was Judah, from whom came the Lamb. It’s not important save to say, John got a glimpse of where he was headed and he shared with us so we could get a glimpse as well. Get ready to fall down a lot; we’ll be in His presence forever and ever.

Father, I’m not falling down these days. I need to. Like sister Martha, I am distracted by many things. Help me to be more like sister Mary – content to sit at Your feet to listen and learn. Lord, I don’t have to wait to bow or confess, I just need to make it more a part of my daily living – help me to do that. And like the four living creatures: AMEN!

Day Old

8/30/2016

Psalm 29:11 The Lord gives His people strength. The Lord blesses His people with peace. - David

Years ago we lived in Ontario, Oregon and there was (and still is to this day) a Franz Bakery outlet – you can get the day-old stuff there. Now, with all due respect to Franz Bakery, their prices are a bit more than Hostess, and certainly more than Little Debbie. But day old is day old and donuts the second day are doable. And cheaper.

This morning I am sharing what I would call Day-Old bread – meaning, I read this Psalm last night. Typically, I like to share fresh bread or the thoughts I’ve had about a scripture or passage on a given day. Pardon me for my OCD tendencies, but my mother, God rest her soul, was my mother. And I cannot shake what I read last night.

If there are two things misunderstood in Christendom, strength and peace are it (or they). We like to ask God for strength because we want to control our circumstances. We want to control other people. We want to control our destiny, so naively and (perhaps) innocently, we ask God for strength to do so. God give me the strength to accept the things I cannot change, the strength to change the things I can, and the strength to deal with those who get in my way.

What strength does God give His people? Is it strength to control or, strength to endure? Is it strength to manipulate or strength to be humble? Is it strength to do things on our own, or strength to give it all up to Him and let Him do as He will and I have strength to cooperate? Strength, to keep on keeping on?

And peace. What is the peace He blesses us with? I think about people in Auschwitz and wonder what peace they found in their circumstances. I wonder if they thought it was a blessing. Peace is an amazingly complex thing. And it is fleeting. And it is hard especially when everything around us screams that it cannot be so.

But strength from God is a gift. And Peace is a blessing.

I’m not sure I can tell you what I think this all means, but I can say this: God gives His people strength; and God blesses His people with peace. That may look different to you than it does to me, but the truth is the truth, and the result is the result. And it doesn’t say He may give or bless, it says He does.

So, if He does, then we have. Right? Or if He does, and we don’t accept, then we don’t. God gives us life – that little old organ called the heart beats right along. We didn’t ask for it, we don’t control it, and it will keep beating as long as He says it will. We breathe air. We didn’t ask for it, we don’t control it, it just is, and we breathe it. As long as He says we will.

Strength and peace are ours from Him and we will have them as long as God says we can – and He doesn’t change His mind. So, what we have, we should accept and we shouldn’t veer from the understanding that despite what we face daily, in the midst, we have access to what God gives: strength and peace.

Father, whether day old in my mind or not, Your word lasts forever and Your strength and peace are mine, no matter what. May I accept them and appropriate them for the reality they are – Amen.

The Victory

8/29/2016

Revelation 3.5 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. – Jesus

In the addresses to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3 we find the word, victorious numerous times (7 times to be specific). As I read Revelation 3 this morning the word gonged in my mind.

Victorious-ness, or victory is a theme found throughout Scripture. There is a recurring reminder that victory is to be sought in the life of one who chooses to align him/herself with God. I would ask: victory over what, and victory to what? When we are saved (however that plays out in the life of the believer) we are saved both  from something and to something. Otherwise, what is the point?

Jesus addressed the seven churches and reminded them that victory was both necessary and possible in the life of a believer. Victory over sin (we may not be where we want to be but we are nowhere near what we were…). Victory over unbelief. Victory with self-control. Victory in walking with the Lord in humility and dependence. And Jesus said, to the one who does, He will…

Now, Jesus also said, by ourselves (on our own, apart from Him) we can do nothing (John 15). That means nothing of value in the battle against sin, self, and Satan. But with Him, we can do all things. That means there is victory with Jesus in the daily battles of life where we continually discard worldliness and embrace heavenliness.

Victorious-ness is not a production mentality but a life lived with Jesus no matter the circumstances surrounding us. It’s the mentality of: I’d rather go through this with Jesus than apart from Him on my own. And the reward for such a mentality? Life with God that will never end.

To the one who is victorious there is great reward.

Today, I think about my life and where I think I stand. I think I stand in victory, but I think I need improvement. We all do. The victory I embrace is simply the daily returning to Christ in my heart, mind, soul, and strength. It is the effort of trying to include Him in everything I do. The more I do that when there is no wind (of life and its subsequent turmoils) the more prepared I am wen there is…

I live in a culture of people who don’t embrace victory. To them the word is old-fashioned and not very important. I get that. But I also get that there is more to life than what we offer up (as a culture) and call life. It’s what goes on in the heart. It’s learning how to bring God into everything I am and do that I may experience His presence and power in all of it. That, to me, is victory. Old-fashioned or not, that’s what I want.

Father, the promise is: The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. Jesus will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before You, our Father and your angels. May it be Lord. Amen

What God Says

8/28/2016

Ezekiel 3.27 27 But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ Whoever will listen let them listen, and whoever will refuse let them refuse; for they are a rebellious people. – God

The calling of a prophet is to only say what God says. A prophet isn’t to veer to the left or to the right; a prophet is to say God’s words. God told Ezekiel to say to them: This is what the Sovereign Lord says. If they listened, good for them. If they didn’t, they didn’t.

At this point it appears Ezekiel was, perhaps, viewed as mentally deficient because they bound him with ropes (V. 25) and God gave him some sort of speech impediment: [his] tongue would stick to the roof of [his] mouth. Talk about insult to injury. But when Ezekiel was allowed to speak, he was to say: This is what the Sovereign Lord says. Their response could go either way, accept or reject.

Isn’t that the point of the modern believer – to say what God says? It sounds like Jesus was commanding such in Matthew 28: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have [said to] you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Vv. 19, 20) A believer today is to say God’s words.

But a believer is also to build relationships. It is much easier to say the things of God to a friend than it is to yell them arguing with an enemy. A believer is called to know and say the things of God. And if they listen, great. If they don’t, well, they don’t. Prophets prophesied; believers evangelize. The chips are to fall where they may.

God desires, wants, and would love to have a relationship with everyone. It’s just that simple. God has gone way out of His way to do so. But God has determined to let man decide. So will, some won’t, who’s next? Theology can get real messy at this point, but God isn’t going to push Himself on anyone. That doesn’t diminish His desire to be friends with us.

The world attempts to silence the messengers. The world blames the Church because of Her messengers. And, face it, some of Her messengers are downright immature, loud, pushy, arrogant, and yes, bigoted. Some need to grow up and tone it down. But God is God and He has chosen that this is the way it is going to be.

My part in all of this is to learn what God says. Live what God says. And be loquacious about what God says. That’s requires my paying attention to a bunch of different things, but overall to making sure my relationship with God is viable and credible. It doesn’t mean everyone is going to believe; it does mean I’m doing what I’m supposed to do and letting the chips to fall wherever they may.

Father, as I go about my life here on the rock, may I say what You tell me to say and may I speak Your words. The truth is what sets people free so may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to You, and helpful to my fellow man. And then Lord, what happens, happens. Whatever happens, use me I pray, amen.

Faithful in What You Are Doing

8/26/2016

3 John 5 Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. – John the Aposlte

A friend and I were discussing the topic of strangers the other day. What is a stranger? What does it mean to be a stranger; how does it feel to be a stranger?

So, what happens to a person who is unknown and shows up at our house? Nowadays he is possibly treated with ample suspicion. He is certainly viewed with a measure of caution. Why is he here? What does he want? What are his motives? Those are probably considerations that go through our heads.

I once worked as a salesman making cold-calls on people for the sake of my company. I know what feel like to be a stranger. I know when it’s hospitable and when there is a high level of mistrust. I know what it’s like to get thrown off of someone’s property, and what it’s like to be invited in for lunch.

What’s it like in Church? We have visitors in our church every week. They come for all kinds of reasons. Is there a way to help make them comfortable and welcome? It seems Gaius, in 3 John, understood what it meant to be a stranger; to be an unknown. And John tells us he was faithful in being kind, friendly, welcoming, and hospitable to the people who showed up at his meetings. Faithfulness is a big deal.

But so is helping a stranger. Jesus said: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in…” Making a stranger feel welcome is very important. Being faithful to do so is a big deal.

What does a stranger need? They need a friendly greeting. The need a friendly face. They need friendly conversation. They may need a meal. They may need clothes. They need to feel welcomed. They need to feel, at least, initially accepted. And if they are just passing through, they need to be sent on their way graciously. I appreciated that when I was a stranger and people took me in – even though I was just a salesman with motives for being there…

Gaius is an example to us – he was faithful. His specialty seemed to be hospitality. We need to emulate Gaius. But that doesn’t mean we need to be Gaius. We need to be ourselves, but we need to be faithful to who we are, what we are, and what God has called us to do. Faithfulness is a prize to be sought.

God wants this old world to be more friendly and kind. A lot of the things humanity struggles with would go away if there was an more of friendliness and kindness. Welcoming a stranger is important business in a host of different ways but it gets its foundation simply in friendliness and kindness. It’s all about caring for people.

Father, as a person in the people business may I be a purveyor of friendliness and kindness today. In my interactions with people, may I exude welcome, care, and eager concern. Allow me today to make a difference in someone’s life just by smiling, and being good to them. May the strangers in my life sense a touch from You because of me – it’s what I am called to… Amen

Rewards

8/25/2016

Jeremiah 39.16-18 16 “Go and tell Ebed-Melek the Cushite, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words against this city—words concerning disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. 17 But I will rescue you on that day, declares the Lord; you will not be given into the hands of those you fear. 18 I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the Lord.’”

Today, as we boys are wont to do on Thursdays, we discussed theology and our discussion included an observation that much of the time the Biblical narrative centers around those in leadership or notoriety; the common Joe – at least in the Old Testament – doesn’t get mentioned all that much.

However, in Jeremiah 39 an unknown named, Ebed-Melek is mentioned, and a specific prophesy is given to him alone. God said to him, My word will come true and disaster will take place but you, Ebed-Melek, will be rescued and the reason for that is this: because you trust[ed] in Me.

Not a lot is known about Ebed-Melek save that he worked in the palace of king Zedekiah, and, he rescued the prophet Jeremiah from certain death out of a cistern where he’d been thrown for prophesying the truth to the people of Judah. Jeremiah ruffled a lot of feathers but he stuck to his guns: God is going to bring disaster on this place, and her inhabitants. Babylon done gwine wipe you all out.

So, because he persisted in prophesying truth (which included impending gloom and doom) the local authorities thought it best to toss Jeremiah into a cistern which had a deep pool of mud at the bottom. There they intended to leave him until he died either of exhaustion, drowning, or starvation. Whatever, he’d be quiet. So, Ebed-Melek went to the king and pleaded to rescue Jeremiah from his fate and place him in the courtyard of the guard, where at least he’d get bread and water.

And right before the city fell, God told Jeremiah to tell Ebed-Melek the truth: ‘I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in Me, declares the Lord.’

It seems God rewarded Ebed-Melek’s faith. Hebrews 11.6 states: And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. I don’t know what ‘He rewards’ looks like to you, but to me it means, just that. God rewarded Ebed-Melek for believing in Him, and doing what was right.

God rewards faithfulness. God looks at our lives and rewards our faith, deals with our faithlessness; but abhors our unfaithfulness. Ebed-Melek was an unknown, but one who did a good thing for a known, and God saw what he did, and in the midst of utter disaster, spared his life.

Father, You love people of faith and You reward the faithful. May what I do be for the sake of faith, and may whom I serve be done to bring honor and glory to Your Name. I want to live a life of ever-increasing faith; and I want to do good for the oppressed. Help me God – Amen.

A Telling of the Truth

8/24/2016

Jeremiah 34.2-3 2 “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Go to Zedekiah king of Judah and tell him, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am about to give this city into the hands of the king of Babylon, and he will burn it down. 3 You will not escape from his grasp but will surely be captured and given into his hands. You will see the king of Babylon with your own eyes, and he will speak with you face to face. And you will go to Babylon.

From the time of the ancients, there has been prophesy: a telling of the truth. Some tend to think of prophesy as some kind of fortune-telling, a fortune cooking; but it really is a telling of the truth. The Bible is full of prophetic messages. The ones that get me are the ones like Jeremiah told Zedekiah the king: you will go to Babylon. Jeremiah told the truth. Zedekiah went to Babylon…

The problem with truth-telling is often it is not received as truth by the hearer. In 1 Samuel there is an account of a prophet who told Eli the priest, the truth:

The time is coming when I will cut short your strength and the strength of your priestly house, so that no one in it will reach old age, and you will see distress in my dwelling. Although good will be done to Israel, no one in your family line will ever reach old age. Every one of you that I do not cut off from serving at my altar I will spare only to destroy your sight and sap your strength, and all your descendants will die in the prime of life. (1 Samuel 2.31-33)

And it happened. My question has always been, did Eli disregard the prophet’s words or did he try to clean up his act? Did he go to God and cry out in repentance or did he simply respond with a careless: That’s nice. What did Eli think on the day this truth all came to pass? Did he remember?

And how about Zedekiah, whose suspicions of Jeremiah’s ‘treachery’ ran high? What did he think when Jeremiah told him: “this is what the Lord says…” and he actually stood in front of Nebuchadnezzar? And, is prophesy valid today? Are there those who hear from God and then tell the truth?

And what about me? As I read God’s word, does it tell me the truth and do I listen? Do I read the Word in my present circumstances and pine, O! I wish I had listened! What do I think when I read Proverbs 1 and Wisdom says:

But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you— when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you… Proverbs 1.24-27

What do we do when someone tells us the truth? How do we respond? And when we find ourselves in a predictable sticky wicket, do we remember the truth that was told?

Lord, You tell me the truth – it is up to me to listen. If I don’t, then there are consequences and that is that. But with You there is always room for repentance. See mine. Help me. Thank You! Amen.

Buy My Field

8/23/2016

Jeremiah 32.26-27 26 Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: 27 “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?”

The end of Judah was rapidly approaching – the Babylonians had surrounded Jerusalem and the siege ramps had been built. Food was beginning to run short and people were panicked. Many thought God would swoop in and save them but doubts ran high.

In those days Jeremiah ‘the traitor’ had been imprisoned in the courtyard of the guard by Zedekiah the king. Zedekiah didn’t like the prophesies Jeremiah spoke.

One day Jeremiah received a word from the Lord saying: Hanamel son of Shallum your uncle is going to come to you and say, ‘Buy my field at Anathoth, because as nearest relative it is your right and duty to buy it.’ And sure enough Hanamel showed up and asked Jeremiah to buy the field in Anathoth.

What’s curious is that the end was almost upon them and nobody held much hope for any kind of reasonable solution. The Babylonians were not known for reasonable solutions. But Jeremiah went ahead and bought the field as God directed him and Jeremiah said: “…And though the city will be given into the hands of the Babylonians, you, Sovereign Lord, say to me, ‘Buy the field with silver and have the transaction witnessed.’” In other words, Lord, I’ve bought the field, but it looks like we’re toast!

And God replied: “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?”

When God tells us to buy a field, we need to buy it. When God surrounds us with impossible situations and then tells us: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14.27) then we need to have peace. When God says, “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for Me?” We need to believe.

Jeremiah hadn’t a clue as to what was going to happen but God told him to relax: Is anything too hard for Me? When our situations and circumstances want to engulf us and carry us off in fear and defeat, it might be a good idea to remember what God asked Jeremiah: Is anything too hard for Me? To Jeremiah it was ridiculous to buy that field – what purpose would it serve? Who would take care of it? What’s the point!? God said: Son, is anything too hard for Me?

Today, I feel as if God is asking me the same question in my own circumstances. Today in the midst of what I am facing, I think God is asking me: is anything too hard for Me? To which I must respond: No, Lord, nothing is too hard for You. I am asked to believe. I am asked to pray. I am asked to stand firm.

Friends, is anything in our lives too hard for God to deal with?

Father, to worry and fret, and fear is foolishness, if I claim You as my God and King. I’m better off not to believe at all if I’m going to dishonor You by worrying, fretting, and being fearful. Thank You for helping Jeremiah to calm down; thank You for doing the same for me. You are the Lord, nothing is too hard for You. Amen

When Seventy Years

8/22/2016

Jeremiah 29.10-11 10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

The lesson in discipline is often in its prolonged presence and pain. I watched some of the Olympics during the past two weeks and most of the women’s triathlon on Saturday. The winner was an American woman named Jorgensen from Wisconsin. As I watched the coverage of the event with its bio of Jorgensen, I learned she had been preparing for the event for about four years. Four years is a lot of pain, frustration, endurance, and discipline.

But the four years paid off because Jorgensen won the gold medal handily.

When Judah fell to the Babylonians, God intended for them to be captives for 70 years. It was to be seventy years of being gone from the homeland God had given them, and seventy years of discipline. People would die in captivity. Children would be born in captivity. Some would even be born and die in captivity never knowing their heritage and homeland.

God said: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill My good promise to bring you back to this place… But those of you who survive will have to endure My discipline.

Discipline is intended to bring about change. Seventy years is doable, but the Lord’s love is enduring. Discipline is about learning and change. Discipline must accomplish its work. Then…

When seventy years is completed there is the payoff.

Most of us, in difficult times, want to quote Jeremiah 29.11 all on its own. But 11 is preceded by 10 and 10 tells us that seventy years of discipline must precede 11: the plans “to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…” Discipline must come first.

If you ever wonder about the love and wisdom of God and how much you mean to Him, consider your disciplines and what you’ve had to endure. (PLEASE NOTE: I never suspect God to be capricious in His dispensing of discipline – AND – I believe He only disciplines His own.) The magnitude of our discipline reveals the magnitude of His love for us, and His plans for us. One doesn’t leave out the other.

So, you and I should rejoice as we face what we’re facing because the result of discipline is this: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” That seems to be what God is up to… at least in my life.

Father in Heaven, Your discipline reveals Your love for us, and faith in us – a faith that reveals Your good intentions to all of Your people (including yours truly). May I learn to rejoice in my trials and keep my eye focused on the prize: a hope and a future. Thank You for Your work in me – do not stay Your hand – amen.

Where God Sends

8/21/2016

Psalm 118.9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

Whether or not it is the central verse in Scripture, it’s still true: it is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

In the final hours of Judah, the southern kingdom, there was much effort on the part of the God’s people to thwart the siege of the invading Babylonians. What is absolutely remarkable is the warning of God through Jeremiah, the prophet:

“Furthermore, tell the people, ‘This is what the Lord says: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death. Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague. But whoever goes out and surrenders to the Babylonians who are besieging you will live; they will escape with their lives. I have determined to do this city harm and not good, declares the Lord. It will be given into the hands of the king of Babylon, and he will destroy it with fire.’”
(Jeremiah 21.8-10)

No wonder they hated Jeremiah. But what is worse, they couldn’t believe what Jeremiah said God was going to do to them. Jeremiah’s prophecy was the last great prophetic vision before the exile and captivity. And listening to God, He wanted it to happen. God wanted to have His people surrender to this great pagan king, Nebuchadnezzar. And the locals thought Jeremiah was a spy and a traitor for the Babylonians. (They didn’t know Who they were dealing with…)

King Zedekiah (not a good guy) sent Jeremiah a message asking him to inquire of the Lord to see if God would change his mind and God responded: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death. Choose! They couldn’t have it both ways. God wouldn’t let them.

Sometimes in life, the way of God leads through what seems to be tough times; and where God seems to be nowhere in sight. But Lord, I am Your child! How can I do that!? Where are You God!? It’s hard for us to remember He’s right where He always is, and we are right where He wants us to be. And that can be just about anywhere under just about any circumstances… Where God guides, God provides… I have a new one: Where God sends, God intends.

Where we look for help is telling of what is really in our heart. Often, when God seems to be absent, we tend to look to those in our lives from whom we think we can find relief. It is better to trust in God than to trust in princes, people, relatives, friends, or the sympathetic. Misery may love company, but it really needs God.

I think that’s one of our biggest battles: to whom do we turn when things turn tough? This morning is a reminder to me: it is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

Father, find me at Your throne whether I see You or not. Help me to lay out my concerns and cares before You, and then to wait and see what You will do. Even if it is to the equivalency of going into captivity, I must believe: there I am safe, there I am cared for, and there is where I will trust in You, not in princes… Amen

What I Tell You To Do

8/19/2016

John 21.17 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.””

On about the 3^rd hole yesterday, my new boss and I began to talk shop. In a non-threatening, but deep way, he began to ask me about what I do, how I do, who I know, and what I know about who I know. He was interested in the people I work with (and for). He asked about their hobbies, how they spend their leisure and what I know about what they like to do. He asked their churches and how they participate.

He caught me completely off-guard. I expected the usual, and he caught me completely unprepared for his line of questioning. I was a bit taken aback.

I think the moment Peter realized it was Jesus on the beach, he expected what I had expected: the usual. I think Peter expected to be rebuked. I think he expected to be scolded. I think he thought his nose would be rubbed in it. But Jesus caught him off-guard. Jesus asked, Peter, do you love Me?

Peter, like most of us was a transactional person. Peter had a production mentality. He knew Jesus was really only counting butts and bucks. He knew he had to give a report for his actions, and he wasn’t prepared for what Jesus queried him about: Peter, do you love Me?

In John 14.23 Jesus said, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” Jesus questioned Peter’s obedient by asking him about his love. It wasn’t production. It wasn’t position. It wasn’t possession. It was simply: Peter, how much do I mean to you? My boss got me to thinking about the people that I work with, and simply asked, through a series of inquiries: Paul, how much do they mean to you?

My eyes opened to a new vista; a way of thinking that I hadn’t considered. It helped me to see people in a different light: people really are just people (and all that comes with it). But it made me reevaluate my role in their lives, and theirs in mine. Do I love them?

Peter expected to get written up, punished – or worse: demoted. Jesus simply helped him to see things differently and then reevaluate his purpose on earth, in Heaven, and ultimately, in the lives of those who would see and study his life for the next 21 centuries, and beyond. Talk about a reset. Jesus told Peter: Just do what I tell you to do.

Yesterday, my boss offered the same advice to me, and then pointed me toward some resources that would help. My golf game improved, my view of my calling improved. My view of God and people improved. And, last night, I slept like a little lamb. Today, I am relieved, renewed, refocused, and refreshed…

Father, I think You ask me: Paul, do you trust Me? Paul, are you willing to obey Me? And, Paul, do you love Me and the ones to whom I send you? Like Peter, I of course exclaim: Lord, You know I do! And today, I think I heard You say: Then, feed My sheep, and do what I tell you to do. Lord, I will. Amen

Validation

8/18/2016

John 20.29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Yesterday, I had coffee with a friend I haven’t seen for a while, and we had a great conversation. You know when you’re in the presence of a friend because when you begin to speak the conversation seems to pick up right where you left off since you last spoke.

As we talked, we seemed to hover around the concept of validation and how we humans seem to need to be validated for what we think, what we say, and what we believe. We seem to need to have others accept our worldview for what it is. Validation is everywhere – in vocation, in leisure, in learning; in every area of life. We seem to want/need others to accept what we think, as valid.

Poor old St. Thomas. He wanted proof. He needed Jesus to show him something that would validate everything he’d heard, and all that he’d believed. So, he threw down an ultimatum: “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” I want proof! Can you blame him; his Savior just died, and now they say He's alive...

Nothing wrong with asking for proof. Nothing wrong with seeking validation – after all, we want to know if what we know is right, and good, or acceptable; we want to know if we’re on the right path. If we’re wrong, then let us know; but if we’re right, then let us know.

A problem with validation is that it can become a crutch of sorts because we begin to seek validation from a select group of people or from an individual from whom we value their validation. And we use validation to prove that we belong. Thomas said he wouldn’t believe unless he saw cold hard proof; Jesus replied: Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed; [but] blessed are those who have not seen, and yet believed. They’re never gonna see the proof; but they’ve believed anyway.

Where do we seek and draw our validation? Do we seek to be accepted because we tow a party-line? Or do we accept some things by faith because the simple proof is in the simple belief? And, where does our ultimate validation come from? Where do we find our ultimate meaning and purpose on this earth? Do we find it in our self-love, leisure, and expression; or do we find it in serving the needs of others?

Validation ultimately comes from God – after all, He created us and put us here. So, what is God seeking from us, and how does that meld into our culture and worldview? Jesus wasn’t mad at Thomas for wanting proof. I do think He gave Thomas a lesson in faith – after all, I have never seen the nail-marks, I have never felt the nail-holes, and I have never touched the pierced side. But I accept it all by faith.

Jesus, I think true belief is true validation and I believe true validation only comes from You. I’ve had to accept, by faith, what You’ve done for me all those years ago, and I seek to have that do something in my life besides cause me to show up at church and agree with others that You, in fact, did what You did. (My attendance in church validates nothing.) I pray to serve You by serving others and somehow find true meaning and purpose in that. I’ll leave the validation up to You. Help me, lead me, and show me the way to go – in Your Name, amen.

Somehow He Got It

8/17/2016

John 19.19-22 19 Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews. 20 Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. 21 The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” – St. John

In 1 Samuel 8 the people of Israel gathered in front on Samuel, the prophet and judge, and said: “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” Samuel was greatly upset by this demand, but God instructed him to give into their wishes. So, Samuel went about the task of appointing a king for Israel.

God had always sought to be their King, but they couldn’t handle it, so they demanded a king, like the other nations have, and Samuel bowed to their wishes.

The things that happen in this world are not by accident and even in this instance, the perfect will and plan of God was accomplished by a selfish and rebellious people who attempted to throw off His yoke by making one for themselves.

A king for Israel – to them – meant strength and power and gain. Israel’s king would be a mighty warrior, and a perfect politician. He would provide for them, protect them, and they would produce for him. And his family. And court. He would be a king just like the other nations had.

Their dispute with Samuel was accountability: “…his sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice.” And no one called them on it. It meant not all were getting their fair share. Someone’s piece of pie was bigger. Such is power in the hands of humans. So, God gave them what they demanded.

God typically answers prayer in four ways: Yes. No. Wait. And, If you insist. They insisted.

Several centuries later God gave them their true King, and they crucified Him. They couldn’t handle a King who was sold out to God. He even claimed to be God. (That was old news by then – many emperors claimed deity; even Caesar himself claimed that…) God’s King showed up, but not in the way they wanted. They still wanted a mighty warrior and politician and they got Jesus. They were disappointed.

So, at the crucifixion, when Pilate plastered a sign above Jesus that read: Jesus of Nazareth – the King of the Jews, they howled: That’s not our King! But kingdoms are not always about earthly might and power, and a chicken in every pot. Sometimes Kingdoms are about God. Theirs, like every other human kingdom, fell short.

Only God can be King. And Lord. And Savior. And Friend. Only God will call His subjects to come and dine with Him and partake in the rule and reign of His Kingdom. Only God can heal the human condition and bring true justice and peace. Pilate was right: “What I have written, I have written.” Somehow he got it.

Lead on, O King eternal, we follow, not with fears.

For gladness breaks like morning where'er Thy face appears.

 Thy cross is lifted o'er us; we journey in it's light.

 The crown awaits the conquest, lead on, O God of might. Amen

Remain

8/13/2016

John 15.7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. – Jesus

My dog Sophie is a smart dog – she can sit, she can shake, she can, Lay down; she can, C’mon! She likes to, Go? And she loves her evening walks. She’s a good dog but she has her moments. If she doesn’t want to do something, she acts as if she’s gone deaf. If she really doesn’t want to do something she gets under one of the end-tables in the living room and sulks, averting your gaze. Sophie is a lot like me.

At the end of His earthly mission Jesus gathered His men and told them: Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. He was telling them to stick around and to keep in constant contact with Him. No wandering off; no going it alone.

Then He said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” That’s a big statement. It wasn’t a blank check, but it was a promise: If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. Remain. I can’t teach my dog that – she has to want to. Jesus can’t teach us that either – we have to want it.

Remaining in Jesus is a choice, a commitment. One has to make up one’s mind that remaining is what is going to be done – then done. And when we remain in Him, our lives begin to lose the clinginess that is the world, and we start to become more heavenly. We become so heavenly minded that we’re of no earthly good. We love God to the point that we do whatever we want because of that love.

And we ask Jesus for things out of that heavenly mindedness and guess what? He grants.

But it all begins with, Remain. It begins with eager submission and ends with resolute obedience. And it takes practice, practice, practice. It takes getting out into the world. It also takes being quiet in prayer. But it takes a constant awareness of Jesus and what it is He desires for us in any given moment. And then when we’re attuned – to Him, we ask whatever we wish because our wishes have become His wishes. His wishes are the best!

Jesus isn’t about to start circumventing free-will, but He does know hearts, and He leads us to hearts that are needy. He knows conversations with others and building relationships with them, is how the good news – the really good news – begins to penetrate their needy hearts and bring about change. But it starts with one remaining in Him.

Today, is yet another day of remaining in Him; although, like Sophie, I’m sure it will have its moments…

Lord, may I continue to learn to remain in You. Apart from You I can do nothing. May I learn to let go and let You. May I learn, lead, and love. May I become so You-minded that I am of no self-good. Thank You for grace. Thank You for Your promise. Draw me close to You. Amen

I Will Do It

8/12/2016

John 14.14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. – Jesus

I could go a couple different ways with this statement; I’m only gonna go one way. I’m gonna take Jesus at His word and ask Him for what I need. Of course, it’s not like He doesn’t already know – He’s omniscient. And He knows I’ve already asked it. And I know I’ve asked. But I’m gonna keep asking. Like a little child, I’m gonna keep asking.

My thought process is this: The Lord knows what I need even before I speak it (Matthew 6.8). But I’m gonna ask in His name anyway. I’m also going to thank Him because He said, “I will do it.” I can rest in that – I will do it.

Prayer is getting what I want; prayer is believing in God and believing in Jesus. That belief causes conversation which builds expectation. It builds the expectation that Jesus is doing something on my behalf and has promised: I will do it.

Now, there is a component of this that bears an answer: will Jesus only do for me what I ask if it only fits in with His will? I think that’s a dangerous question, but one worth asking. I think this, without getting into the weeds, I think Jesus already knows what I am going to ask and He is helping me draw closer to the Father. I think that is His ultimate M.O. Just as He was in the Father and the Father in Him, so He desires that I be in the Father with the Father in me.

What is this world after all? This world is the proving ground of our faith – we live here because here is where we grow closer to the Father. Here is the only place afforded us to do so. And with all the stuff we do, have done, and will do, our place in the universe is where we grow closer to the Father – just as Jesus did. The closer we grow to the Father, the less needy we are for the things of this world.

God put us on earth to know Him and live for Him. He’s promised to take care of all the rest.  I can believe that. I believe in God; I also believe in Jesus. What I grow to want are the things God desires for the world of men around me: that they grow closer to Him. In my asking, I am going to change. My faith will be built. My confidence in God will soar. And I will grow closer to Him in the process.

Along the way though, I need some things and I am going to ask because He said: You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. Okay, Lord, if those are the terms, then I am asking…

Thank You Jesus that You have given me this freedom to ask. Thank You that You’ve promised to answer. And thank You that Your ultimate work in me is to help me grow closer to the Father and cooperate in His work here on the planet. Thank You. Amen

The Understanding

8/11/2016

Jeremiah 9.23 This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, 24 but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord. – Jeremiah

Maybe it’s just my personality or my way of seeing things, but this resonates with me: boast in the Lord. Boast in the fact that He has revealed Himself to me and I know Him. I suppose in one way it takes the pressure off – that I have to perform to meet someone’s standards. I know the Lord; He has revealed Himself to me.

Religion makes a big deal about human stuff – intellect, experience, knowing, doing, having, being present. And I suppose in one way so does relationship with the Lord. But the big difference is this: religion is man-focused, and relationship with Jesus is friendship-focused between the finite and the eternal. You boast about your friends.

I know, or at least feel, that I don’t have all that much to offer. I can’t show you a resume’ full of credentials to impress you with what I know and who. I just don’t have all that. But I do have Jesus. I do have an understanding of who He is because He has shown Himself to me. And I care about you. Jesus has given me that much.

The Lord delights in those who have the understanding He’s given. Remarkably, He gives it to everyone, but not everyone sees, hears, or knows. I think that’s why His people are called to evangelize and relate to others in a way that they can relate to Him. And hopefully become His friend, His delight.

Paul said in Romans 1: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Vv. 16, 17) Friends boast about each other. The saved boast about their Savior.

What’s wrong with this world? Well, just start talking and we’ll soon see. What’s right with this world? Boast to me about God. Tell me you have the understanding to know Him. It doesn’t make my problems go away, but it enables me to see past them. Problems aren’t the end; Jesus is.

Help me today, Lord, to share and boast about You. In a world full of confused and frightened people, help me to boast that You have given me the understanding to know You. Help me to verbalize that You exercise kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in those things You delight. May I boast in that. Amen

Weird Inside

8/10/2016

John 12.40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn—and I would heal them.” – St. John quoting Isaiah

What do you do around someone you really don’t like? I’ll bet you clam up. I’ll bet you avert your gaze. I’ll bet you get all weird. I’ll bet you try to act all calm and natural, but insider you’re all stirred up. I’ll bet you’re uncomfortable. It’s what we do. The other person may not even acknowledge us, but inside we’re all weird. It’s what they do to us because we let them.

I understand the concept of letting someone live rent-free in my head – I do it all the time. I want to control things and can’t, and, well, there ya go: I get all weird inside. The problem with being weird inside is what happens outside. Isaiah said: “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn—and I would heal them.” When God shows up, people get weird.

I find it interesting how the tense of the verse changes from ‘He’, to ‘I’. God really cares about His creation but His creation gets really weird when He shows up. They clam up. They avert their gaze. They try to act all calm and natural, but inside their all stirred up. They think: What does He want, and why can’t He ‘want it’ from someone else!? Why does He want it from me!?

We humans have such a high opinion of ourselves and we can’t believe that God actually wants to be a part of our living. The funny part is God doesn’t push Himself on anyone; the reality is: it’s God’s party. We didn’t ask to be invited, we don’t like the invitation, but we had no control over it and now we pout because God has given us life, and we’d like it if He’d just leave us alone! (Sounds like we’re the ones with the problem, not God.) Weird inside is weird.

God does funny things to people just by showing up. We have such opinions of Someone we don’t really even know. And man, do we want to control Him! No wonder we get so weird.

And all God wants is to free us from our weirdness. He created us without asking our permission and has given us life and this bizarre thing called free-will, and He just wants to be friends. But what reaction He gets from the creatures He’s created with free-will.

What’s truly remarkable is some take Him up on His offer and He heals them. He makes them different. He opens their hearts to realms unknown to the average Joe who wants nothing to do with Him. God is remarkably different than we want Him to be. And He heals those who turn to Him. He drives some nuts just by showing up; but He changes others just by showing up. Our God is an awesome God.

The world will be what the world will be, and men will believe what men believe; but some will turn to God and ask for friendship, and receive from Him abundantly! They will turn, and He will heal them…

Father, You are weird to many, and loved by some. You don’t make anyone do anything, but You do have an effect on the fearful and doubting. I pray that somehow, some way, the people I know that fear You would turn and find You enchanting, engaging, and a Friend. We all need friends, but none is better than You! Amen

Two Words

8/9/2016

Jeremiah3.11 11 The Lord said to me, “Faithless Israel is more righteous than unfaithful Judah. – St. Jeremiah, the prophet

Don’t know that I’ve ever considered the difference between faithless and unfaithful, but leave it to Jeremiah the prophet to give me insight.

When Solomon’s son Rehoboam, became king, he lost the northern ten tribes of Israel because he had the perfect opportunity to become a very great king, but he chose to play small-ball. He could’ve had the nation eating out of his hand but instead, he chose pettiness and petulance. The northern ten tribes said, Eat crap! and left. Israel had become divided.

Now, when Israel became its own kingdom under a guy named Jeroboam, they went all the way – they trashed all of what God had prescribed for the nation. They made their own chief city, they had their own religious holidays and they became idolaters. And not just a little bit; they went the whole way. Israel, the northern ten tribes became faithless. They completely threw out God.

Judah, the southern kingdom under the house of David, was a bit more insidious – they kept all the wishes of God in pretense but became idolaters by adding a bunch of stuff to the laws that God had given them. They became unfaithful. They became half. Half-married is worse than divorce.

Faithless is no faith. Unfaithfulness is pretense. At least faithless is a surety. Unfaithfulness is a ruse. I’d rather deal with someone that I know where they stand, than with someone I am not sure. God said of faithless Israel, at least I know where they stand…Judah, I can’t trust.

In our day, in our way, where do you think we are as a nation, as a people? Are we faithless, or unfaithful? One is worse than the other. Does it matter? As believers, what would someone say about us? They world thinks we are unfaithful because we claim to be one thing, and act another. At least with the atheist crowd, we know where they stand.

And personally, what am I: faithless, or unfaithful? Now, we’re getting down to the brass tacks. What has God called me to be? Where is my heart and my passion? What does my life speak? Am I part of the problem or part of the solution? Two words that tell the truth.

We can pretend and fool each other – for a while; but we can never fool God.

Father, these two words spoke volumes to me today about the nation, the church, and my own faith. If I were to stand in the scales today, would I weigh faithless, or unfaithful? Or would I weigh faithful? You are the Judge and You know the heart. Change my heart O Lord. Make it ever true. Change my heart O Lord, may I be like You. Amen

The Good Hired Hand – Truly My Perspective

8/8/2016

John 10.11-13 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” – Jesus

We have to be discerning when it comes to parables. Jesus was making a point to His listeners about sheep and shepherds. He was also using the example of animal husbandry to describe Himself and His mission. Jesus used examples from everyday life to describe Himself, His mission, the Church, and the Kingdom of God – it was the way He taught.

It is true, the hired hand does not own the sheep, but not every hired hand is worthless and in it just for the pay. Vocation ministry has hired-hands in it, but also there are those with the gifting of shepherd. It’s gifting we must see and value. If, as Paul said, “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers…” then Jesus is the Appointer of who does what in the Church.

Now, as far as ownership, Jesus owns the sheep. But Jesus also appoints human pastors (shepherds) to watch over His human flock. A lousy shepherd will run, but a gifted pastor will stand in the gap for Jesus’ people. A gifted pastor will appoint gifted leaders to help him with the administration of the body. A lousy one will try to do it himself. I know, I was a lousy pastor. The weight of building a church was too much for me. I had no idea what I was doing.

But that doesn’t mean I was evil, it just meant I was in so over my head, that I couldn’t do what I thought I was supposed to do.

There are those who are in ministry for perhaps the wrong reason. There are those who hire-on that perhaps ought to be doing something more appropriate for them. And that’s the hard part. How do you know until perhaps after the damage has been done? And how do you tell the guy doing it?

There is a difficult balance in trying to pastor a church and trying to make a living at it. Some pastors just have to take on other work because their vocation pays more than their ministry. (I often thought it might be easier to pastor a church and not take a salary, because the weight of providing a salary for a minister was heavy for a tiny church like mine…)

So, build the church! Well then, the conundrum: am I doing this for the flock or for a paycheck? Am I just a hired-hand? Will I run when the wolf shows up? Or do I care for the sheep because I can afford to, and am I just a better paid hired-hand? It’s no wonder I am not pastoring anymore; I could never get the balance. Not everyone is called; not everyone is gifted...to be a hired hand.

Father, there is more to this parable than what meets the mind. But You designed the church to be cared for by trustworthy shepherds so that the world could be evangelized by trustworthy sheep. I’m happy to be a sheep. I’m happy to do the work of the ministry as I am taught and led by my pastor. I pray for him and the others I know, that they could do what they do without worrying about pay. I know the conundrum, and ask for grace for them in that as well. You are God – You lead Your church – Amen