Quantifiable Faith

4/30/2017

(Reading: Matthew 17)

Matthew 17.20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” – Jesus

In Matthew 17, Jesus helped a family whose child was given to seizures. They came to Him asking Him to do something, complaining His disciples couldn’t. So, Jesus, rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment. (V. 18) What they saw as seizures, Jesus saw as demonic oppression.

There are many questions that come up in my mind as I read this: how does a child become demon possessed (or oppressed); how much is: ‘so little faith; and, how do you compare faith to the size of a mustard seed? What is quantifiable faith anyway?

The disciples complained that they tried to help the boy, but it didn’t work; and they wondered why. So, Jesus told them: Because you have so little faith. Now, does that mean little faith, or no faith? Or, wrong faith? And is little faith less than faith the size of a mustard seed? How much faith does it take?

My belief is there are no wasted words in life. Certainly, there is wasted breath in speaking idle words, but there are no wasted words. There may be vain words, but our words are important because they reveal to us what is going on in our heart. The disciples asked: “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” And Jesus replied, because you have so little faith. Simple question and answer.

Q & A:

Well, Jesus, how much does it take? Answer: “…if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Next question: how do I get such quantifiable faith? Answer: I, God, am going to say things to you that you may not understand, but just because you don’t understand them doesn’t mean you have no faith – it just means you don’t understand. Trust Me, and trust in Me, and it will all work out – even if you need to say to a mountain: Move!, it will have to move because of your faith in Me.

I wonder about my own faith at times. (Today, being one of those times.) But here is the deal: God is not going to allow me to waste my time or my breath trying to drive out opposition or oppression in my life unless I exercise even the smallest amount of faith in Him. Apart from Him, I can do nothing. And trying to do otherwise is a waste of time and breath.

Lord, however You do it, would You increase my faith – even up to just the size of a mustard seed? I’d like as much as You’ll give me, but I’ll settle for the mustard seed today. Thank You that You are training me to live and believe that life is not about what I make of it, but about what You make of me in life. Increase my faith as I partner with You – amen.

Signs

4/29/2017

Matthew 16.2-3 2 He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ 3 and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. – Jesus

What are the signs of the times? Are they cultural, political, societal, historical? The signs of their times were all of these, including religious. In first century Palestine, there was unrest. There was military occupation, there was political and societal unrest. And in the middle of all this, …when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that [they] might receive the adoption as sons. (Galatians 4) Wait, what!?

The timing of Jesus coming to earth was in the fullness of time; and on top of world upheaval, He came proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom. Do you mean Rome? Israel? David’s?

Credibility is always an issue with men, and perhaps, rightly so. Jesus came into the world during a tumultuous time, and people, especially the religious, wanted to know, Who He was, and, how and why He said what He said. And Jesus responded to them saying:

You guys know how to tell what the weather is going to do, why can’t you tell what the signs of the times are pointing to (Me)? He wanted them to look at their situation and try to determine where God was in all of it. They of course, had different ideas – they were looking for a conquering king; Jesus told them that the Kingdom He spoke of was not the kingdom they sought.

Interpreting the times is always important. Nowadays with Antifa and the Resistance, and on, and on, it’s important to interpret the signs. But no sign today is as important as this: we will not accomplish anything of value with these incessant protests and cry-babying; we will only come together by the Great Unifier (or Separator), Jesus Christ.

Well, Paul, that just your perspective! You’ve just made my point.

They didn’t take Jesus at His word then, and we won’t take Him at His word now. That is the sign of the times for all time: Man’s insistence that he can work things out all on his own without God. How’s that workin’?

Jesus came, to seek and to save the lost. (Luke 19) That’s the good news. Despite what the signs or times say, the bad news is: few will admit they are lost, and even fewer will seek Him in His seeking them…

Lord, the signs for me today are obvious: we are in trouble plenty. Help me to correctly interpret the times and to pray with urgency for the lost – the lost You came to seek and save. I’m not real sure they’re seeking You, but I know this: You are seeking them. Use me in Your process of seeking and saving - Amen

Master and Dogs

4/28/2017

(Reading: Matthew 15)

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

Jesus was in the region of Tyre and Sidon – north and west of Jerusalem – and a local (non-Jewish) woman approached Him, crying out: “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” Jesus flat ignored her until his disciples began to complain: Do Something! She’s bugging us!

He then said to her: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” And she persisted: “Lord, help me!” One last time the Lord said, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” Whereupon she threw the slider: “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment. (V. 28)

The woman had crummy faith. I’m not sure she caught Jesus in His words, there wasn’t anything to catch, but she was quick. She knew about masters and dogs. She knew masters would smack a dog for trying to get up onto the table, but didn’t seem to mind their snatching crumbs that fell to the floor. (If those masters were anything like us at our house, the dang dog got rewarded for being such a mooch! Plate licking and all…) Dogs aren't driven away, but they do have limits...

And here I think is the lesson of faith: be persistent with God: “Lord, help me!” God knows our need; He knew her need. But God is only impressed with faith, …and without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11.6) It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from: faith in God, gets His attention.

They aren’t magical words, but they are meaningful: Lord, help me! God wants to help those – not who help themselves – who come to Him in needy faith – crummy faith – crying out Lord, help me! God delights in those who come dependent upon Him.

Now then, He isn’t a genie, but He (according to His word) rewards those who earnestly seek him. The foreign woman was an example of someone who earnestly sought Jesus – calling Him by His proper name, and pleading: Lord, help me!

That’s faith, and that worked.

Father, thank You that You remember me in my need and You respond to my prayers accordingly. I want crummy faith, the kind that persists and honors You for who You are, and what You’ve done. Help me to share that faith with others and bring glory to You. I know I’m not a dog, but I do have needs. Lord, help me! Amen

Lord Save Me

4/27/2017 

Matthew 14.30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 

After a full few days of ministry, Jesus sent His men out, on Lake Galilee to take a break from the service, and services, they held. They headed out in their boat without the Lord, and in the middle of the night were rowing hard because of the wind. At some point, they saw what appeared to be Jesus walking toward them on the water and they cried out in fear – who walks on water? 

Jesus assures them it is just Him, and Peter then says, “Lord, if it’s [just] you, tell me to come to you on the water.” To which Jesus responds: C’mon. Then, Peter, always the imaginative sort, steps out of the boat onto the water and begins to walk (O my gosh!) towards Jesus. Verse 30: But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 

There are prayers, and then there are effective prayers. Peter prayed effectively: “Lord, save me!” 

In life, we may not get to get out on the water – although I am sure there are times when we wish we could – but I think there are times when we find ourselves out in deep water. Deep water calls for effective prayer. It’s as simple as, “Lord, save me!” 

Jesus saved Peter even though Peter asked for the experience. So, maybe it’s true: we ought to careful what we ask for. However, when God gives us what we want, we cannot forget to experience whatever it is without Him. I think our problem, like Peter’s, is we ask for stuff from God and then, like a hungry dog, run off to enjoy it before someone or something else can come along and take it away. We forget that all we have, and are, are for God’s pleasure and, in His pleasure, we’re to enjoy him. 

Peter, possibly, challenged Jesus: “Lord, if it’s You…” If we need to be careful what we ask God for, we also need to be careful in challenging Him – He thinks we’re serious. Because, when Peter went a-sinkin’, Jesus was a-thinkin’: “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Peter, don’t ask if you don’t think it’s gonna happen: God takes you seriously. Why do we ask God for things and then doubt He’ll come through for us? It kind-of defeats the whole process of prayer.

But the recovery is this – whether wind or waves – Lord! Save me! I think that’s when I get to the end of my rope and realize that only God can help me. That seems to be my mode of prayer in these current days. And, in those moments when the wind and the waves are too much for me (as they should be), I ask God for help; asking in expectation that somehow, some way, He’ll come through on my behalf.

Father in Heaven, I give Peter style points for being the only one to get out of the boat and walk. That took courage. But Lord, it’s more than a spontaneous challenge – it’s trusting You to save me whatever my need; even if my need is to do without. I ask for courage, and I ask for faith.

“So, let go my soul and trust in Him, the waves and wind still know His name…*” Amen

*Bethel Music - It Is Well Lyrics

Have and Have Not

4/26/2017 

Matthew 13.12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. – Jesus 

This is one of the chapters in the Scripture that I would call, ‘a hard saying.’ But I think it has more to do with humility and respect. God’s ways are God’s ways. My job is to cooperate with God in His ways. 

Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, or illustrations out of ordinary life to explain, and describe to His hearers, about the Kingdom of Heaven, and relationship with God. In order to comprehend all this, we moderns must remember, Jesus was speaking to Jews. And this wasn’t their first rodeo. God had been specifically speaking to the Jewish people for over 1400 years. What God didn’t say to them directly, He said to them through His prophets, priests, or kings. 

So, for Jesus to say what He said in Matthew 13, was not Jesus being a bully to them, it was His way of saying: Here is what you’ve been told for centuries, as it is expressed in everyday living. Hence parables. Stories. Illustrations. Analogies. Look guys, I’m trying to help you understand… 

By this time in Jewish history, there’d been many re-writes and amendments to the Torah, or God’s Law. What Moses gave to them in the desert had been with them for nearly 13 centuries. But as men are wont to do, they found it necessary to amend, or re-write the Law as it applied to their everyday life; and they also added to it because of historical and/or societal changes. It was their instruction manual. 

But, their instruction manual took the place of relationship with God, and God never intended for that to happen; and a very powerful thing called tradition created enormous pushback. And here is where I think Jesus was going with what He was saying: Lookit! If you don’t use what you’ve already been given, how can you expect to receive more than that? What you have is what you have, and you won’t use it! So, unless we go back to square one, we’re not going to make any progress is attempting to get to square two.  

They weren’t humble and respectful in their approach and so, what they had, they lost. It’s at this point where I think this has to do with you and me today. God continues to speak to us – generally through nature, but specifically through His word, the Bible; and often through relationship in prayer and communion with the saints. If we won’t pay attention to what we think we have through these means, we stand in danger – as they did – of losing what we think we have.  

And the bottom line: God is sovereign, and He chooses to deal with us His way, not ours. All that is required of us is to cooperate – the very thing the Jews got out of the habit of doing – since about Day 1. The principle, if we can call it that, is listen to, and put into practice what God is asking us to do today. The more we prove ourselves in that, the more responsibility He gives. It’s pretty darn simple… 

Father, each of us stands alone in our relationship to You. You deal with us collectively, but each of us must fully cooperate with You. In listening. In obeying. Help me today to cooperate and to gain more, lest I lose what I think I already have. Thank You for speaking and continuing to do so. Tune my ears to hear, and my heart to obey – amen.

Albeit, the Hard Way

4/25/2017

1 Samuel 30.6 6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.

The story goes like this: When David and his men reached Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So, David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. What happened, was while David and his men were with Achish in Gath, the Amalekites raided the town where David, his men, and their families lived.

When their anguish turned to anger, we find the men wanting to stone David and David being greatly distressed. (I think it important to note that David wasn’t afraid of being stoned for what was probably his mistake.) Earlier in his career, David told Saul: Now let my lord the king listen to his servant’s words. If the Lord has incited you against me, then may he accept an offering… (1 Samuel 26.19). In other words, if I have it coming, so be it. David owned his error.

People look to leaders to do the right thing. However, leaders are people too and sometimes, they do the wrong thing. What makes a leader a leader is what he does when he makes a mistake. David was greatly distressed when his men were talking of stoning him; but what set him apart is what he did as a leader: he sought strength in the Lord, took responsibility for his actions, and then, led his men to victory. We need to note that David sought the Lord in his battleplan (see verses: 7 and 8).

David’s mistake was going to the Philistines in the first place, he never should’ve done that. He chose to follow his own counsel, not God’s. When we screw up – go immediately back to God; the sooner, the better.

Of course, leaders are disheartened when they make mistakes, but the true leader takes responsibility and acts to correct the mistake and move on. Yes, people may be hurt, upset, or want to jump ship. But usually what makes the difference, is how the leader carries himself to face and correct the mistake. That’s what will win people back or drive them away.

David’s men didn’t seek God, they simply reacted. Many people in the organization simply react when the one (or ones) they trust in, do unwise things. Many a church has split over a leader’s mistake. But the split comes from how the leader decides to handle the mishap. Handle it badly, or play the blame game, and watch what happens: they may not stone you, but they will leave you.

Here’s the good news: But David found strength in the Lord his God. David decided it’s best to trust God and seek His wisdom. David stood in front of his very disheartened, and angry (David, how could you!?) men, took responsibility, came up with a godly plan, and reversed the situation. His acting in a godly manner won the day.

I am learning, albeit the hard way, that paying attention to God in what I choose to do is wisdom. Looking back, I can see I used to think wisdom was only for the wise, and that's simply not true…

Father, thank You for the story of David and for the mistakes he made. David learned, albeit the hard way, to learn from his mistakes and follow You. May I do the same. You will lead me in the way everlasting – I just have to cooperate. Simple. Amen

Willing to Learn

4/24/2017

Matthew 11.28-29 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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.” – Jesus

I know lots of people who are weary and burdened. It seems like just about everyone I run into these days has something going on in their lives that is wearying or burdensome. If it’s not jobs (have or don’t have) it’s health, or relationships or fears, or unrest – something. A lot of folks are burdened by something. I know I am. And everyone has a story to tell.

Jesus said, Come to Me… that’s a command of sorts. It’s really an invitation, of sorts, but the Lord wasn’t offering it as an option among many other options a person could or couldn’t do. He says, He is the Only One who can help the weary and burdened.

So, Jesus gives us three things to do: Come to Him, take His yoke upon us, and learn from Him. Paul said we are not to be unequally yoked in marriage and in other life commitments. What he meant was we’re not to get tied up with people who are not operating within the same worldview as we are. Believers should be very careful in their dealings with those who do not submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

But we, who are in the Lord, are to be yoked with the Lord. That yoking is a bonding of our life and energies with the One who is yoked identically with God the Father. If it’s good for Jesus it ought to be good for me. If that’s what Jesus does, then I ought to do the same. If I am yoked with Him then it seems I ought to be in such proximity with Him, that I learn from Him; doing what He does, saying what He says. And the payoff is rest.

Jesus isn’t stressed. He is who He is, because, He is. If that is Him, then why am I so stressed about what I have or don’t have, where I am or not? His offer is that if I hang with Him, I’ll learn from Him and last I knew, He’s pretty smart. And generous. And loving.

My trials in life are upon me, and more will come, but in Him (and with Him) I will learn to operate in His rest, and not be all, in my stressed. All I need do is learn to hang with Him.

Father, I think one of the hardest lessons of life to learn is that I am not, all that, and a bag of chips. I need You every moment of every day. And that’s where I want to be, with You. Your yoke is form-fitting and necessary as I learn to walk, and learn from You. Here I am, willing to learn from You again today. Amen

Equipped to Go

4/23/2017

Matthew 10.16-20 16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” – Jesus

In my devotional today, it reminded me that Jesus never sends us out without equipping us for the mission. Matthew 10, is a great example of that truth. Jesus sent His men out into the mission field of the nation of Israel. He said: “Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’” (Matt. 10.6-7) And so, He sent them out.

And then He said the above: I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. He equipped them for the journey with His word, and told them exactly what to do. He even told them what to expect in the form of pushback, or persecution: But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

These men were being sent out to convince the rest of their nation that the Kingdom of God had arrived, and that they, those very people, were invited to participate. The problem was: not all of them would believe; and many of them would be downright hostile to the invitation: who the (bleep) do you think you are!?

But Jesus, on mission from His Father, sent them on mission from Him. Although it was to be arduous, and dangerous, Jesus equipped them to go with resources they didn’t even know existed. All that was required of them was, the first step.

I am in a new season in my life. The things working against me are daunting, but I am reminded today that the journey, the mission, and the battle are the Lord’s, and He will, as He has promised, provide all I need. The greater exercise in this season is listening and waiting, and expecting my orders to move forward. And taking the first step. I’m expecting something that He will equip me for. That might only be: more of the same – but...

Where God guides, God provides. God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.

And so my prayer is this: Here I am, Lord. Send me. I’ll let you know how it goes…

Father in Heaven, if You cannot be trusted in all, then You cannot be trusted at all. Thank You that not only are You the great Provider; You are also the Great Equipper. There is much work to be done and I ask for the next step – In Your Name, Amen

Everyone Eats

4/22/2017

Matthew 9.13 "But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” – Jesus

I think if we really want to know the heart of God, we might stop and meditate on the words of Jesus: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I think we moderns ought to quit focusing on the Mosaic Law, by trying to weave its rules into our relationship with God.

Sacrifice was an important part of the Law, but it wasn’t the Law. It was a means God used to test the hearts of His people helping them with issues like greed. But, when it was all said and done, they got to eat the meat cooked on the altar. Not always, but most of the time. And every day at some point or other it smelled like a Texas barbeque out there in the middle of nowhere as they wandered from Egypt toward the Promised Land. Yum!

Even though sacrifice was commanded by the Law, they got to eat it. Hmmm. I think that’s pretty cool from this God we seem to perceive as awesome and powerful but with anger issues… (Here, kid. Have a steak!) Like Mean Joe Greene tossing his jersey to the young fan in the tunnel who offered him a Coke! God’s heart has always been for mercy. Everyone eats.

And God has always led His people to be like Him. Be merciful as I am merciful. Jesus said: Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (Matthew 5.7) He also said: For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matthew 5.14-15) Those aren’t stern warnings; they were encouragement for them to be like God: merciful and forgiving.

So, when Jesus calls out the Pharisees for criticizing Him for hanging out with newcomers, He simply replies: mercy boys, mercy, not sacrifice. It’s about love, not about keeping the rules. When we come to know God in His love, we realize what He is really after. If we kill a bull and burn it to ashes, and nobody eats, and God gets all the ‘glory’, we’re still hungry!

If we offer God’s acceptance to people and insist they have to follow the rules in order to get it; what have we given, and what have they gained? It’s no wonder people are disappointed with religion – we’ve made it all about big fire but no food. A lot of effort, just to leave go away on an empty stomach. Or, worse, leaving on a stomach filled with ashes: believing it’s the rules that make us right before God, and being okay with that. But starving, nonetheless.

Mercy gives the ‘offer-er’ something to eat. Mercy gives the one hungering for God, freedom from the rules, then fills them with God’s love and acceptance just the way they are… God’s love takes care of all the rest.

Father, may I apply the words of Jesus anew today. It is about mercy. And Lord, my sacrifice is mercy; getting what I don’t deserve. May I help others in honoring You, but to do so by their mercy, and not their sacrifice. May I and others, be like You – everyone gets to eat. Thank You for Your great love and for asking me just to believe in You. You’ll take care of all the rest… Amen

A Divine Question

4/21/2017

Matthew 8. 26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

Afraid, is a real thing. But, being afraid is a choice.

The question for them, and the question to us is: Why are you so afraid? My answer: Well, Lord, things aren’t working out quite like I planned. His response: Who is in control of all of this: Me or you? My confession: Well, You are Lord. But… His reply: But what? If I am in control, then why are you so afraid?

Their complaint: Well, Lord! The boat! The wind! The waves! You were sleeping! It was terrifying! We had to do something! Thank God, er, You, that You were here! We’d have sunk!

Afraid is a real thing. We go through it all the time. Well, some of us do. And being afraid is the natural response to the fears that creep in when circumstances don’t go our way. The fears, the what-ifs. These things plague us and tear away at our faith. Our faith can either be feeble or ferocious – we get to choose.

God’s response to His children is: Why are you so afraid? The divine question is designed to penetrate deeply into our souls: when is it that God has stopped being God? It is designed to get us to stop, look, and listen to the noise in our minds and decide if it is real or imagined. I could’ve been killed! Is the excuse. But the question comes back, Well, were you?

And God’s real question: Where am I in your fears? Am I gone in your minds because you insist on looking to your fears rather than to Me. If so, you are left with fear, and left without faith. And without faith you are lost, doomed, and back to where you were before you claimed Me: dead in your trespasses and sins.

Jesus wasn’t irritated with them because of their lack of faith. He may have been disappointed, but He wasn’t mad. I think He uses these stories to show us how He helped them, and, how He’ll help us. Without faith, it is impossible to please Him. Insisting upon fear is deeply tragic and gets us nowhere fast.

Probably one of the biggest battles in this unpredictable life of ours is: the battle of belief. Fears untamed go a long way to diminish our faith. Faith in Jesus frees us from fear.

Lord, today I ask not that You increase my faith, but that You help me to use what I already have. According to You, a little goes a long way. You know my circumstances and my lack of sleep last night. I bring all of my concerns before You and lay them at Your feet. Do with them as You will, and let me walk with You in faithful peace this day. Amen

Pretense, Prayer, and Practice

4/19/2017

Matthew 6.33-34 33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Jesus

If there is one word to be said about the Christian life, and the Lord who is over it, it is this: counterintuitive. The Christian life is counterintuitive. It’s not what we think. Even when we’re immersed in it, it isn’t what we think.

I personally hold, the so-called, Sermon on the Mount, to be one of the most difficult passages of Scripture for modern Christians. Why? Because it was written to a Jewish audience that was living under the Mosaic Law (with all of its then interpretations, amendments, re-writes, and impossibilities). The stumbling block for us moderns: we’re not Jews under the Mosaic Law. So, when Christ addresses ‘legal’ issues to a then Jewish audience, and we try to interpret them as we think they apply to us today, we (us) run into difficulties.

That being said, there is more to the sermon than Jesus dealing with the Jews. Chapter 6 deals with, pretense, prayer, and practice. If one wants to be truly religious, one has to talk the talk and walk the walk; it is way more than putting on a show. True religion, said St. James, is to look after widows and orphans in their need. No pretense there; just the gritty underbelly of poverty, squalor and need. True religion is a happy willingness to wade into that world, dumping endless resources into seemingly endless needs. (Where God guides, God provides). Thank you Brent and Virginia; Phil and Denise.

True religion also requires true prayer – which boils down to simply communicating openly, honestly, and often (always) with God. God knows what we need before we even ask Him, but the mystery and marvel is this: He wants to talk with us about it…

True religion requires also, true practice: there is a God and I am not Him.

With all the difficulties of life – modern or ancient – there is a calling upon the race of man to depend on God, over and above food, clothing, and shelter. Looking after widows and orphans in their need also requires helping them to see and believe God as their true and only Resource. Man is limited, God is not.

Whether ancient Jew or modern Christian, seek first [God’s] kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. All what things? All of the things we spend so much time and energy chasing after. Ancient or modern, Christian or Jew, we all need God; all the time; every day. And God? All God asks is that we seek Him with an honest heart – in purpose, prayer, and practice. We do need to live and God knows that; and promises to provide.

Counterintuitive? Yes. Simplicity? Yes. Heaven’s way? Yes. Happiness forevermore? Yes.

Father, thank You for the life to which You’ve called me; life that is so different than the life I call normal. Help me to seek first, all the time, in honesty and truth, that which is of utmost importance: YOU! Thank You for providing all I need, and reminding me today of Who You truly are! Amen

Happies

4/18/2017

Matthew 5.3 “Blessed...” - Jesus

It’s my humble belief that the word, blessed is one of the most overused, misused, and misunderstood words in, for sure, the western world. That doesn’t mean there isn’t blessing or that one cannot be blessed; it’s just that our perception of blessing isn’t necessarily accurate, or blessed.

Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 5, speaking of blessings, or ‘happies’. He speaks of nine happies and a glad in verses 3 through 12. He never once mentions money or possession; and He doesn’t speak of health. He does speak of: poverty, mourning, hunger and thirst; persecution, insult, and [vicious] liable; He mentions persecution three times. Jesus says happiness can be the result of all these things because, happiness, or blessing, isn’t because of what we have, but because of – wait for it – who we are and Whose we are.

We are God’s children, and God has us.

The world screams for happiness through the venues of health, wealth, life, liberty, and the pursuit of whatever it is that makes one happy. Your happiness is yours; mine is mine. But when we look at what we call blessings, God says they come from other sources than where we would look for them.

The chiefest happiness that ever was, is, or, will be, is God, and the saving knowledge of Him. Of course, it is one thing to know God, it is quite another just to know of God. When we accept who we are and whose we are in the understanding of blessing or happiness, we wouldn’t want anything or anyone else but God, regardless of our circumstances – good, bad, or indifferent. In God, we are blessed.

That is a hard pill to swallow in the western world where so much of happiness is valued by how much we have (or don’t have) of a, b, or c – or, x, y, or z. I have had conversations with people in the recent year who’ve expressed to me of how blessed they are with literally little to show for it. They happily blame God for their blessing, and gladly speak of it… 😊

True blessing comes from the seeds of true contentment and Jesus said to find contentment in poverty of spirit, is a great place to start. What Heaven values is different than what is valued on earth. Heaven proclaims blessing on the one who has God, and speaks of little else. They might seem too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good, but one cannot put a price tag on that which is priceless.

You can’t put a price on God’s blessings, or the values of Heaven.

I’ve spent many years looking in the wrong direction: I’ve focused on the values of earth. I wish I’da spent more time and energy believing what the Bible tells me than listening to the propaganda of Madison Avenue. But, I'm on a different path (in present circumstances) beginning to see things differently. Today I am more content in progress in that direction, than in previous pursuits…

Father, create in me a contented heart; and thank You for, as St. Paul said, supplying all my need out of the riches of Your glory which have only the price-tags of crucifixion and resurrection attached. Thank You for the path of contentment that only comes from You – Amen.

Preparation and Proclamation

4/16/2017

Matthew 3.3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” – St. Matthew

The gospels were not written in real-time – they were written looking back. The prophet Isaiah, didn’t call John by name, but he foretold what he would one day do. Matthew, a disciple of Christ and one of the Twelve, understood John’s ministry as the one described by Isaiah. Malachi (300 years after Isaiah) saw the same thing: “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me.” (Malachi 3.1)

I don’t see anywhere in Scripture where it speaks of me, save: “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” (John 17.20-21a) I am one who has believed their message.

John was not one, who would be seen strutting around proclaiming he was God’s messenger as foretold by Isaiah the prophet; but John knew who he was, and what he was called to do: prepare God’s people for the coming Messiah, and proclaim Jesus when He arrived. Isaiah lived about 700 years before the birth of Jesus; and John was born about the same time as Jesus.

As I read all this today, Easter Sunday, I thought about what Scripture might say about you and me, were we written therein. Would it say we were to be preparers and proclaimers of God’s glorious message to mankind; that He had sent us to cry out to our relatives and friends: ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’? It doesn’t, but that is who we are.

In each successive generation since the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus, God has placed His messengers to prepare and proclaim His message of salvation. It may not be distinctly written somewhere that we are; but we are. God’s plan is that we are.

As we take inventory in our minds, who is it, that God has called us to, to prepare and proclaim? Who do we work alongside? Who are we related to? Who will we engage in conversation with today that will benefit from a conversation of preparation and proclamation? Not only are we to enjoy God’s friendship and presence, but we’re to invite others to enjoy it as well.

This Easter Holiday, (or Resurrection Day) is a proclamation of what God has done. Some are ready for it; some are not. But we – those who believe – are to prepare others for that proclamation by being the people God has called us to be, and to live as God has called us to live, so that others may accept the proclamation that He is not here, He is risen! (Luke 24.6)

We don’t seek a hero, we seek a Savior. We don’t seek a crucified Savior, we seek a risen Savior! The tomb is empty. Death could not hold the Author of life!

Father, may everyday be a day of preparation, not for His coming, but for His return. May I be used to help others see and be ready for that great Day. Thank You that as part of Your Church, I am called to prepare and proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord because: faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. Amen

In the Name

4/15/2017

1 Samuel 17.45 David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied."

It’s not about me. It’s not about you. It’s not about Goliath or any other foe or problem. It’s about God.

For sure, David went into ‘battle’ physically outmanned. For sure, the enemy was skilled and successful at what he did – he was, a champion, and still alive after many conflicts. He had an armor bearer, someone to assist him. But David only had faith.

The world cannot buy into the whole faith-thing. It wants the powerful, and proven so. It wants champions and heroes who can kick butt and get the job done… don’t just get your taxes done; get your taxes won! The world wants militaries and powers and advantages. The world knows their track-record points in the direction of: the fittest survive. The world does not know the one who proclaims: I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty!

Faith on earth is viewed mostly as fantasy; maybe if there are gods, maybe they’ll do something. The faithful one, however, moves because God moves and has no faith in himself, but only in God. One thing is for sure, the nay-sayers will have to give an account one day.

I am facing what appears to be, in my mind, a giant. A friend of mine happened to call last evening and we discussed my giant. He encouraged me to have greater expectation in God as I approach my giant. Is the battle about me, or is it about God? Are my chances in me, or are they in God?

I had to stop and think that one over.

The battle is the Lord’s. (1 Samuel 17:47) My pastor told me: Paul, you can work and let God rest; or you can rest and let God work. I smiled, he’s good for ‘pastorly’ quips like that. But he’s right. And I know it.

The battle is the Lord’s. Goliath comes with his skill and victories – and his title: champion/hero. Titles are overrated. The saint is called to battle, but only when the Lord says to go, and only in the knowledge that his participation in the battle is to see the Lord’s glory in victory. David had only his faith and his indignation. Naïve? Well, maybe. But guess who died…

Father in Heaven, the battle is not for the fittest, but for the faithful. You don’t stop the battles, but You promise to see us through them. It’s not about me, Lord; it’s about You. May I walk in the light of Who You are today and remember the faith that You’ve called me to. The battle is Yours. Amen

God Regretted

4/14/2017

1 Samuel 15.35 Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.

This is a sad story because Samuel really loved Saul. This account should be familiar to multiplied thousands of people who've put their trust into another, only to find their trust shattered by the one they've trusted in. This was the case with God and Samuel, and Saul.

To be fair, Samuel was the king-maker. He was the one appointed by God to do the work of obedience in anointing Saul and everyone looked to Samuel as, someone who knew what he was doing. Samuel was the prophet and judge. Samuel was the one to whom God spoke.

And Saul was a disaster. And Samuel mourned for him. I think people wondered about Samuel’s choice…

People do have potential. People are put on earth to be successful and productive. God’s intent seems to be to help people overcome the evil of this world, and to make a decent life for themselves as they journey toward Heaven. But that intention and help that God provides, is only as the people He has created partner and walk (live) with Him. God never intends for any of us to go it alone. With God is success, without God is, well, Saul.

This verse says that God regretted He made Saul king. To our human ears that may sound like God – the Almighty and Omniscient One – made a mistake. Notice it didn’t say God, regretted that He made Saul; it says, He regretted He made Saul king. Saul, through his own choices refused to cooperate with God. And it cost him the crown.

Does God regret what He has sent us to do when we end up like Saul – a train wreck? I think the All-knowing One sees what we could have been with Him, rather than what we are without Him. God believes for the best in all of us – why else would there be God?

We are the regrettable – we are the ones who’ve rejected God and wound up in the place we are. Notice, we’re not the deplorables; God never looks at us that way. And here is where the love of God comes to our rescue: our lives are not the sum-total of what we do; our lives are the sum-total of who we are. And who we are, is the sum-total of how we view God; He is either Lord of all, or not at all.

God was not, Lord of all to Saul. And Samuel mourned and God regretted – not His decision, but Saul’s choice. When we chose other than God, I think God regrets our choice. I think God regrets and family and friends mourn. Ah, but the love of God and the power of forgiveness.

God can work through our train wrecks. It won’t be pretty, but it is a sign of His indescribable love. God is the God of chances and all it requires on our part is, repentance…Jesus says, now, go and sin no more.

Father in Heaven, I think about my life and where I am at this point and for one, I am glad that You love me and have not given up on me. In my Saul-ish ways, I have my own share of train-wrecks. But I am humbled that You are still working in my life to correct the damage, and keep me going in the direction You’ve chosen for me. Find me willing to obey, and compliant with all You are doing in me – Amen!

The Test

4/13/2017

2 Corinthians 13.7 Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. – St. Paul

I call them, my Bible Scholars. They are between 11 and 13 years old, and they are part of my Adventure Rangers group at church on Wednesday nights. We teach them about doctrine, manhood, biblical worldview, cultural issues, and sexuality. (Want to see boys squirm, bring up the topic of sex…) The thing I’ve noticed about 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th graders is they tend to be omniscient – they know everything, and what they don’t know they make up as it goes.

Several of the boys in my group are enrolled in the Academy at our church and are pretty smart, but they are also kids. They are kids on their way into manhood, but they are kids. And like many of us who were raised in or around the church they are full of factoids – just the rote stuff they've been taught.

So, last night during our Bible Study, we talked about the advantages that Jesus employed in His earthly ministry that are also available to us. And we talked about Christ’s obedience, and His prayers. We looked at 3 different portions of Scripture, and I asked them to write down what they saw of Jesus in the passages. I pointed at my head and told them, “Don’t just tell me what’s in here.” I pointed at my heart and said, “Tell me what’s in here.” That’s where they struggled a bit, because at this point in their lives, Jesus is still mostly academic – just a bunch of factoids.

Boys will be boys until they are taught to be men, and my strategy with them is to move past the factoids of faith, and to deal with the issues of faith. I think Paul the apostle dealt with the same things with the Corinthian Church. He said to them: I’m praying to God that you’ll not do anything wrong— not so that people will see you’ve learned your factoids, but so that you will do what is right because of your relationship with Christ and what is in your heart. (My paraphrase) The Test, is that their relationship with Jesus be their guide, not just me, or some other adult telling them how to act appropriately.

And bible scholar or not, I believe this is the way for all mankind. Don’t act, or not act just because you know the rules; act because of your love for, and relationship with, Jesus Christ. Our actions will reveal a viable relationship with the Lord, and our testimony will be the reality of who we are, in Him. Anybody can obey when the attention is on – the test is what is done when the attention is off; that is what matters.

Paul dealt with a bunch of Bible Scholars in Corinth, and he told them: it’s not who you are when everyone is looking that matters; it’s who you are when they’re not looking that counts. What we know shows what we can remember. What we do in Him is what will make the difference with what we know.

Father in Heaven, it’s not what I know, but Who I know that’s what is important in this life, and the one beyond. That I may know You, and walk in ever-increasing fellowship with You, is my prayer. Help me Jesus as I try to help my bible-scholars… Amen

The Power of Weakness

4/12/2017

2 Corinthians 12.9 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

This thought smacks against human culture and humanism; in our eyes, we’re not to be weak but to be strong – that’s the way of the world, the survival of the fittest. But Heaven is not earth, and the culture of Heaven is utter dependence upon God in all things, all the time.

I was not raised by the culture of Heaven, and I suspect others were not as well. I suspect many of us were raised with western Americanism (not nationally, but hemispherically). The culture of the west is you pull yourself up, as we say, by your bootstraps and you are never to be a burden to anyone. That sounds good, and it sounds strong, but according to the culture of Heaven, it’s way wrong.

The Bible enjoins us to work, to produce, and to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Work is a good thing for a person to do if that person is capable of doing so. But work is not the end, it is only a means. We are put on earth for two reason, to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever (Westmister Shorter Catechism).

To glorify God we must refrain from the pervasiveness and  power of sin. We were brought into this world in sin (through no fault of our own) and invited to glorify and enjoy God as He frees us from the power of sin, and the power of self-strength. Humanity believes it can free itself to do better; God says, My power is made perfect in [your] weakness – reliance upon Him, not on myself. Apart from God, I can do nothing.

Our life on earth is a life of difficulty tainted with sin. Our sin is against God and others. The perniciousness of sin can only be dealt with by the power of God offered to us in Christ Jesus, and by following Him (His teaching and example) as He leads us to fellowship and friendship with God.

The issue boils down to whether we will follow Jesus or not. Our problem is we want to fix ourselves and the reality is, we’re impotent to do so. To follow Jesus, we have to admit we’re weak, and that’s where the western culture of rugged individualism collides with the reality of human weakness. Jesus only helps the weak. And the real rub: we have to admit we’re weak.

Our culture lies to us, to convince us, we’re strong; that we don’t need God. Again, the clash of cultures. We admit we are weak, but we don’t remain there: we remain in the presence of God to overcome, by His presence and power, the weakness that is in us. It’s the only way it works… And it is so against everything we hold dear as humans and westerners…

And, so, today, I admit my weakness, and cry out to God for help. God helps the humble, but leaves the proud to their own devices. A Proud in his devices is doomed to a frightful future. The humble, boasts all the more gladly about his weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on him as he makes his way toward Heaven.

Father, today, admitting my weakness, I ask only this: help me. In my weakness, Your power rests on me. Amen

A King Over Us

4/10/2017

1 Samuel 8.19-20 19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”

Sometimes people get fed-up with leadership. They get so fed-up that they demand something new, and in Samuel’s day, they demanded something new: a king. Up to this point, in their history, Israel had been led by prophets and judges who were by their very nature, religious in nature. And now, because the shine had come off the apple, they came to Samuel and demanded someone – other than Samuel – to lead them as their king.

First, I notice their mind was made up: “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. Samuel, you’re not listening to us – we are tired of you, and want the glitz and glamour of royalty!

Second, they sought to be what they imagined was best: Then we will be like all the other nations… For some reason the thought of having a king was more desirable and formal than the seeming informality of a judge.

Third, they wanted a hero: a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles. Heroes seem to get things done. Heroes are ones who’re supposed to have the guts, grit, and gusto to punch the enemy in the face and keep him at bay. Let me be what I will be; but go and fight my battles for me.

Life is not about fighting, but it is about battles. And battles come in all shapes and sizes; some from within, some from without. We have pushback and difficulty in this life – just try taking a walk on a gusty, windy day. Paul said, the battles we fight are not carnal or worldly – they are the battles that arise to deny God, and make Him less in our eyes and mind. I think the biggest battles we fight are against the thoughts in our own minds: people, places, perspectives.

We’re to fight those battles against our imaginations and thoughts. Paul said, we’re to take every thought captive and control it, because if we don’t, they’ll run wild.

Israel had a king – they just couldn’t accept Him because they couldn’t see Him, and He told them to take responsibility for themselves. Responsibility for me is hard work. Accountability to Someone else is even harder…

The freedom to have a king is still present today. And God’s offer is still the same: Let Me be your King, and I will lead you to be responsible, accountable, and to lead purposeful and meaningful lives for My sake, not yours.

Accepting, and cooperating with God’s leadership is possibly one of the biggest battles of all…

Father, You are King and are to be treated and respected as such. Lead on, O King eternal, the day of march has come; henceforth in fields of conquest Your tents shall be my home. Through days of preparation Your grace has made me strong; and now, O King eternal, I lift the battle song. Amen

Accompanies My Confession

4/9/2017

2 Corinthians 9.13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. – St. Paul

For a couple years, I worked for a company whose whole MO for doing business was: Live Generously. Now, this might be a strange business model for a company which sells insurance, investment, and retirement products. But, that was the way they operated, and in reading Paul’s second missive to the Corinthians, he seemed to be telling them (in chapter 9): live generously.

Paul said, when we do, “… others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies [our] confession of the gospel of Christ, and for our generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.” So, this is all about God and His glory and obeying His heart in giving.

I like the phrase: “…others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies you confession of the gospel of Christ…”; that’s like putting our money where our mouth is. Jesus said, what comes out of the heart is what comes across the lips. And when the heart and the lips move, the hands should follow. St. John said: Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3.18) Giving is active obedience to the Gospel (which is directly tied to our wallets…)

So, when we give, God is praised. God is praised because God provides and His provision proclaims His promises and His presence. God is not far away from our needs; He meets our needs through the lives of others, and we meet theirs by our obedience that accompanies our confession of Jesus Christ. Love in action.

I’ve heard it said we’re to live in a spirit (mindset, lifestyle, habit) of abundance. Scarcity is like weeds but abundance is a beautiful flower that dominates the view and God is praised and we are happy, not because of clinging, but because of release. To God be the glory!

It’s not what we give but that we give! Live generously: time, talent, and treasure…

Father in Heaven, I am motivated to give. I don’t have a job and my resources seem to be few, but the act of giving frees me to the obedience that accompanies my confession of the gospel of Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for me. May I live today in that obedience – Amen!