They Had It

12.13.2010

Hebrews 10:34 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. ESV

Oh the pull and push of culture as we witness the utter perversion of Christmas each year. The music, the media, the mushiness, and the merchandise – it’s sickening. Happiness is not found in stuff because there is no substance in stuff.

These people, to whom the writer was addressing, had their property plundered by others who’d decided that they had the right to do so. These people, whose allegiance was to God, stood by and watched as those whose allegiance was to the government, ransacked their houses and property and took every precious thing. They couldn’t, however, take what they had hidden in their hearts: the truth. Everything on earth and of the earth is passing – only that which is hidden away in the heart by faith is enduring; and they had it.

Persecution like this is right around the corner for us. This calls me to a heavenly perspective and a faith that won’t settle for second-best. Nothing on this earth can bring me happiness – only God can and He’s the one who said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12 ESV)

Father in Heaven,
When all around me is eroding and slipping away
You’ve given me the gift of faith by which I’ll stay
Close by You forever and with You I’ll be found;
For it is by faith I stand in You on holy ground. Amen.

Given and Guided

12.10.2010

2 Timothy 1:15 15 You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. ESV

It is indeed lonely at the top – there are few who truly understand the vision and capture the passion for the mission. It’s lonely at the top and even lonelier in prison awaiting execution. I tend to think that Paul might’ve had a question or two for the Lord regarding his circumstances. But I also tend to think that Paul practiced what he preached. I tend to think Paul’s relationship with the Lord was such that he truly entrusted his situation to God and looked forward to beheading as the last step before rounding the bend into the Lord’s presence forever.

All who were in Asia turned away from Paul including a couple of leaders (I assume because they are mentioned specifically). But Paul didn’t turn away from the Lord and the Lord didn’t turn away from Him. And true to his mission, Paul used every opportunity to encourage and edify as he awaited his death. His letters were all about being courageous and careful and none of it was poor pitiful me.

So I am encouraged today as I think about Paul’s response to walk as he did with trust that Jesus is completely in control of all that I do and am and wherever I find myself. Paul’s circumstances didn’t derail his love for God and for others, nor did they cause him to whine and complain. His circumstances fanned the flame of urgency and caused him to make the best use of his remaining days as he awaited departure into a future that all of us in Christ long for.

Father in Heaven,
I firmly believe that all of my days are given and guided by You. May I respond by using them to fulfill the mission You’ve given me and to live in ever-increasing passion for Your Kingdom as I await my departure from here and enter into there in Christ – in His Name, amen.

Why Bother?

12.9.2010

1 Timothy 5:9-10 9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, 10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.

Last night at men’s group we talked about being a mature Christian. First, we all decided that we knew of very few people we would call mature; and second, we confessed none of us were mature. I think some of us looked at the quest for maturity as a lot of work and thought, why bother. The threshold is pretty high.

Paul set the threshold high when it came to widows in the church. If we’re to read the above and use it as a standard, then few women come to my mind. But if that is the goal (so to speak) then my question is, why not? Why not be a widow who meets the age and has been married only once; who has a good reputation for serving; who has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, cared for the afflicted and devoted herself to every good work? Why not be a mature Christian, even if no one else seems to want to be?

Maturity is not a rank or really even a privilege; maturity is an indicator of the depth of devotion one has for the Savior. Maturity is an indicator of the level of influence of the culture upon us. Maturity is the result of life having kicked the crap out of us and we find ourselves crap-less, selfless, and humble. Maturity is not what you say you are but how you live in relationship to Jesus Christ.

Why bother? Because the world is dying in need for such people. Our families and churches; our cities and towns need such people. Our places of employment or study need such people. Maturity is obvious to others.

Father in Heaven,
May I mature before You, in You, and through You. May I not see maturity as an end in itself but may I prove useful to You more and more as You reach into the lives of people who are dying for a Savior. Help me to live side by side with You and to keep in step as You fulfill Your desires for me – I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

The Best and Most Essential

12.8.2010

1 Timothy 4:7-8 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

I cannot number the times I have heard someone bemoan the fact that they are “out of shape” and they’re going to do something about it. I hear the hew and cry of those who bemoan (outwardly) the presence of Christmas goodies and their need to protect themselves from overindulgence so that the outcome of such indulgence won’t be evident in February once the goodies are long gone and the Visa bill is due.

I know others who live by silly myths believing that somehow by holding to the knowledge of a rabbit’s foot, a dream catcher, or some other idiotic notion that they’re preparing their way for whatever their understanding is of God and heaven. Superstition is a powerful deceptive force – strong enough to guide people away from the reasonableness of truth. Paul warned Timothy (and by his words to Timothy, us as well) to stay away from such nonsense. Paul maintained that godliness is of value in every way as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 

Thoughtful, intentional, regular exposure to God’s word is some of the best and most essential training in godliness we can get. Our Bibles ought to be well-worn. Our minds should be filled with God’s truth and the histories presented in Scripture… or they will be simply full of something else.

I like the, ‘promise for the present life and also for the life to come’ part. I need help everyday in the present life; and I so look forward to the one to come when life will take on a whole new dimension.

Jesus,
Be with me Lord Jesus I ask You to stay close by me forever and help me I pray. I’m glad I reside safely in Your tender care as You prepare me for heaven to live with You there. Amen.

Still Reading

12.7.2010

Colossians 4:18 18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. ESV

Just the other day, I read Paul’s personal greetings to the Church in Rome (chapter 15-16). In chapter 15 he speaks of visiting them on his way to Spain. He then tells them that he was on his way to Jerusalem to bring needed aid to the saints there – and on that trip everything changed; I’m pretty sure from that point on all Paul spent the rest of his life in prison.

What do we do when our plans get interrupted? What do we do when things suddenly change? How do we handle it when life deals us a hand that seems to hamper our freedom and threaten our effectiveness? One thing’s for sure; Paul didn’t quit thinking about his people and did his best from jail to stay connected. And Paul’s effectiveness and leadership morphed into a prison ministry the likes of which were rarely repeated.

What are the things that are hampering our ministry today? How are those hindrances helping vitalize our vision and cultivate our creativity? Think about this: no one told Paul he couldn’t write letters. Surely somebody could have, but apparently some of the letters got out – amen? Apparently what some overlooked as a pathetic prisoner pitifully penning prose, God saw as a means to keep His message going; and some two thousand years later, we’re still reading Paul’s letters.

God’s plans for our influence and how He uses it are totally under His control and command. My job is to adapt to the situations I find myself in and bloom for Him wherever that may be. We are still reading Paul’s letters…

Father in Heaven,
Your word is not bound by chains or prisons or death or demons or anything else. And Your word goes out from Your heart through Your people wherever they find themselves. I pray for the ability to adapt more and more. I pray to be creative and useful. I pray that rather than kick at my ‘chains’ that I would praise You for Your limitless power to help me share Your truth wherever I am – amen.

And Let it Begin with Me

12.6.2010

Philippians 4:22 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. ESV

There is a vast difference in Paul’s tone between this epistle and say the Epistle to the Galatians or the one to the Corinthians. This seems to be a kinder, gentler letter with the intent to be gently redemptive as well as gently corrective. Maybe the issues weren’t as dramatic in Philippi or maybe prison life helped Paul find a different way to address the issues one finds in local churches. Wherever there are groups of people meeting together as churches, there are going to be personality issues until God by His Spirit through the leadership of the church brings about maturity.

Euodia and Syntyche, both believers, apparently effective helpers, apparently had an inability to get along. Paul gently addressed the issue and solicited the local leader of the church to assist him in helping these two women put aside their differences and work together for the good of the church and for the gospel. Sometimes there has to be someone who comes alongside to make peace between believers even in the church.

So, there are two things here on which I must focus: One is my own ability to get along with those in the church who rub me wrong, and the other is to gently help bring about peace, love, and cooperation when I am aware of issues among others. Divisiveness has no place in the church and can be extremely destructive unless it’s addressed and quenched. I must make sure it has no root in me and must gently, kindly deal with it when I see it in others.

Father in Heaven,
Let there be peace on earth and in our local churches and let it begin with me. I know I judge others needlessly and I pray for the gift of grace to help and not criticize. Thank You for this word today, I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

I Believe in You

12.5.2010

Psalm 119:66 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. ESV

One could read Psalm 119 and see it as all about keeping the Law, or one could read Psalm 119 and see it as all about faith; one way is performance, the other is relationship.

The writer of this Psalm I believe, was looking beyond the Law. The commandment, precepts, statutes and rules were not written down in some document but were written upon his heart for he said, I believe in Your commandments; he put his faith not in the Law but in Him who was behind the Law, and immeasurably linked to every part of human existence.

The confusing part is when we get hung up on the rules. Paul gives a number of commands in Ephesians 5 and 6 that could look like commands but Paul would be the first one to tell us that relationship with God has nothing to do with keeping the rules and everything to do with loving relationship with God who, like a spouse or a relative, or a good friend, has earned the right to speak into our lives. Our obedience to their words isn’t performance based but out of respect for their love and knowing that what they say is probably for our best.

Yes, we want to please God, but not because we can go to Him and boast of all our rule-keeping. We please God because we trust Him and love Him out of respect for the fact that His intentions for us (and His presence in our lives) are for our infinite good. So, to say no to what is unhealthy for us is not done out of tip-toeing around the Tyrant, but loving our Creator to the point of accepting that all He does in us, for us, and through us is totally good and for our greatest benefit. So, that’s why we can pray like the psalmist, “Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments… because I believe in You!”

Father in Heaven,
Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. Help me to walk in the paths of Your commands because I seek them, trust them, and love You. Amen.