Granting Favor

10-09-16

Nehemiah 1.11b b Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man. – Nehemiah

Sometimes there is a deep-seated passion, complaint, request, imploration of God to do something way beyond ourselves. Such is the little prayer above: [Lord], give Your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man…” the man was none other than Artaxerxes, (are-tah-zerks-eez) the Persian emperor.

Perhaps the one in our life we’re seeking grace and favor with is an estranged loved one, an ex-spouse. Perhaps it is a co-worker with whom we have constant difficulty. Maybe it’s a reluctant client or prospect. Who knows. But our need is to gain access or approval, or even just an audience is big, and bigger than us, and we need God’s help.

Nehemiah knew God had called him (through his love for and passion for his country) to go back to Jerusalem and take action. The trouble was, he needed employer approval to do so and he held a position in the palace (the then equivalent of the White House) that not just anyone else could hold: it wasn’t like there was another cup-bearer-in-waiting ready to do the job on the day Nehemiah got sick or wanted to go on vacation.

So Nehemiah prayed. Do we pray? Do we seek God’s help with people? What lengths do we go to, to get God’s attention in order to get the attention of others?

Nehemiah prayed and, like Ezra before him, he confessed not only his own sins, but also the sins of the nation before him. The Israelites had a lousy relationship with God… that’s why Nehemiah was currently living in Persia, working in the court of a pagan king.

But he prayed and he sought success in what he sought, and he asked God to grant him favor in front of the emperor who may have been less than cooperative at the thought of having his cup-bearer gone for an extended period of time. Our request for favor with someone may also include some discomfort with the others we already have favor with. We need to factor that in. We may need to solicit their help in prayer and cooperation as well.

Nehemiah prayed. Nehemiah sought God’s help. Nehemiah took God to work with him every day.

Father in Heaven, as I deal with people here on earth, I pray for success, and for favor with them. I pray to You to grant me the things I cannot attain on my own – especially since I keep resorting to whining, complaining, and frustration. I know You know, and I know You care. Teach me to be first at Your throne before I venture off into my day. May I honor You in my vigilant prayer. Amen

When Wrongs Happen

10/8/2016

Ezra 10.17 ...and by the first day of the first month they finished dealing with all the men who had married foreign women. – Ezra, the Priest

Today, as I read Ezra 9 and 10, I wanted to do as Ezra did: “I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled hair from my head and beard and sat down appalled…” I wasn’t as distressed by what they did, as I was at how they chose to deal with what had happened.

The events of Ezra’s time were some 2500 years ago. I’m an American, some 2500 years later. They were a culture governed by the Law of God and I am governed by the mercy and grace of God. They were forbidden by their law from intermarriage with non-Israelis. But they intermarried and broke the Law of God. Now what!?

Ezra the priest commanded them to “put away” their foreign wives. That meant divorce them and get rid of them. I’m not them, but I do know: two wrongs don’t make a right. I know they did what they thought they had to do, but to turn women, and children away because of their mistake is wrong. Commitment to God at the level of disenfranchisement of others is wrong. I read this and can't begin to imagine the emotional trauma.

The other thing I can’t imagine is the lengths we go to do what we think is right. And we do it all the time. What they did was wrong, but sending the women and kids away is wrong as well – who would care for them? Did they give their divorcees the then equivalent of alimony and child-support?

I am glad the Bible shares this kind of stuff because it underscores our need for God. We too, non-Jews in our day, need God to show us what to do. But it needs to happen long before we start making stupid mistakes at the expense of others. Like Ezra, I am appalled.

The lesson for me today is simply this: God, show me what to do and when (and how) to do it so I don’t find myself engaging in the practice of trying to cover up one wrong with another for the sake of trying to please You. Scrambled eggs cannot be un-scrambled.

My goal today is not to vilify obvious poor behavior and poor decision making on the part of these ancients – I wasn’t there and I am not them. But I am me and I do stupid things that result in pain to others. There is something to be said for repentance, but it must include restitution if possible, and for forgiveness always. My goal is to learn from their mistakes and try not to make the same mistakes.

The right thing to do is to do what is right to in an attempt to prevent stupidity and hurt; and to be wise in the future when stupidity happens. Because, stupidity happens. That’s why I need God. That’s why the crucible of pain is so important in prevention of future stupidity. My goal is to be humble and wise and allow God to help me in my relationships with my fellow man. I’m responsible to them, I’m responsible for me.

Father, this account in Ezra scares the crap out of me because I know what I am capable of. Help me to walk humbly at your side and to try to do to others as I would have them do to me. Repeated wrongs never make right, and I ask Your help and guidance in avoiding the wrongs; and Your courage in doing what is right when wrongs happen. Amen

They Knew

10/7/2016

Luke 29.19 The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people. - St Luke

It’s interesting how Jesus dealt with His detractors, Jesus knew them. Jesus knew what they believed, where they stood, and how they conducted themselves. He knew they were petty, selfish, and often somewhat tyrannical. He knew they loved their positions of authority, but not the people they served. Jesus knew.

They knew He knew. They knew He spoke parables against them and it rankled them. They wanted nothing more than to rid the earth of this Nuisance. But their reluctance was with the people they served – they were afraid of those people. And why not be, the Jewish population in those days had a lousy track record of insurrection and violence against those with whom they disagreed. The leaders knew that full well, as well.

While on earth, Jesus was in sync with the Father in every aspect. What the Father said, He said. What the Father commanded Him to do He did. But Jesus was also a lot like us – He could read people. Most people aren’t all that hard to read. Most of the time they blab on so much about themselves, one needn’t do any reading at all; it’s simply, stop up your ears and run for your life!

And because of His close union with the Father, Jesus knew the history of the Jews with God: it wasn’t pretty. Jesus knew.

And now that He’s ascended, Jesus knows us too. Jesus knows what we do, what we say, and what we think. He knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts. And so, when Jesus asks question of the religious ruler/detractors of His day, He is, in essence, asking you and me the same questions. And when He spoke to them in parables, He also speaks to us in parables. Do we listen, are the parables about us?

The difference between us and them is this: the believer today accepts the Lordship of Christ (or is supposed to). Those back then weren’t really sure. Not everybody today is a believer – not even everybody who goes to church is a believer. But we have His sayings and parables to help us to know where we stand with Him. He knows where we stand, do we?

The same principle applies to us today as it did to them way back then: “Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; [but] anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.” Have I truly embraced the Cornerstone; or have I rejected it? It’s worth considering. The answer is what is on display for all to read especially when I don’t think anyone’s looking – or cares.

Father, it isn’t who I am when I’m in Church putting on a show of how good and godly I am; it’s when I am alone – who am I when I am alone, when I think no one is looking. May I be found broken to pieces by having fallen on the Stone; not crushed into powder by having It fall on me. Lord, You know. Amen

My Mina

10/6/2016

Luke 19.13 So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.' – Jesus

I did the quick math: a mina was the equivalent of about three months’ wages, or roughly, $7785 USD (adjusted for inflation and calculated at a rate of $15/hr. at an FTE of 173 hours/month). What would you do if someone gave you $7785 and said: Invest this until I come back then show me know how much you made?

We are all given something. We all have something to invest. It may be time. It may be a talent. It may be treasure. But we all have something. The question from Jesus is: what will you do with it?

Yesterday I spoke with a gentleman who mentioned a motivational sign on my desk which reads: Don’t judge each day by the size of the harvest; but by the amount of seeds you sow. We talked about the need to sow seed. All of us have seed to sow. Are we sewing, and if so, what harvest are we looking for? Are we sowing purposefully or helter-skelter? Do we have a plan? Are we following the plan?

Truth is, we are sowing – whether we realize it or not, we are sowing. Our lives are comprised of sowing: time, talent, and treasures; and then reaping what we sow. If we sow generously, we’ll reap generously. If we sow sparingly, we’ll reap sparingly. If we sowing purposeful activity, we’ll reap purposeful reward. If we’re sowing Facebook, we’ll reap the reward of that. The question is: how are we using our time, talents and treasures; and what do we expect in return?

It doesn’t matter if one believes or not: truth is, sowing equates to reaping. What would you do if someone gave you three months’ worth of wages and said: go, invest this, and bring a harvest? What would you do?

Truth is, Jesus has given to each of us a mina of sorts. He has given us the resources we have to make a difference in this world. Some take His resources and, attempting to make a difference, bring back tenfold; their 7785 becomes 77,850. Some get only half: 7785 becomes 38,935. Some take His resources and bury them in a sock, in a hole in the ground thinking: what’s the use? If we see no purpose, we’ll see no reward. Do we believe our lives are on purpose?

It took one person to get my attention yesterday: “I like your sign!” His comment reminded me of my purpose and the resources that are mine. What am I doing with my mina? What are you doing with yours?

Father in Heaven, thank You for the reminder of minas and what my life is about. Thank You that You have, indeed, given me time, talents, and treasures to invest in the lives of people for Your purpose. Lord, may I put them to work anew today so that tomorrow, I will reap what I’ve sown. Amen.

True Riches

10/3/2016

Luke 16.11 11 “So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” - Jesus

Yesterday, I was having a conversation with a friend and I mentioned the word dogma. While dogma tends to lean toward creed, doctrine, or canon, it also leans toward belief. What one believes is not necessarily the truth; but it is what one believes. The stronger the belief, the more dogmatic the belief. In Jesus’ day, like ours, there were those with strong (dogmatic) beliefs.

Jesus said things we take as canonical or dogmatic. For instance, Jesus said (speaking to the Jews of His day): “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. (Matthew 5.31-32) Yet in our day, divorce and remarriage is quite common.

Does that mean that those who’ve divorced and remarried for reasons other than sexual immorality are forever adulterers and there is no remedy for their sin? That sounds like the only other sin Jesus didn’t die for is divorce. (The other, other sin Jesus didn’t die for is unbelief.) Nonsense. Truly, divorce is a serious thing, but it isn’t unforgivable. Many remarriages beyond divorce are happy and lasting.

In the context of the above, Jesus is addressing money and the proper use of money. He said: “So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” To my knowledge, a lot of people (especially in the west) have issues with money handling. It is said: either you have money, or it has you. Many are in the, it-has-you group. The question is, in the areas of money and marriage, what do we do?

What we do is allow the Lord to lead us in money and marriage. Both are serious issues. Both are issues of the heart. And both (if not handled properly) have major consequences. Jesus I think was making a fairly obvious statement: if you’re not good with money or marriage, who will seek you out for guidance and counsel? No dogma – just fairly obvious observation.

To my knowledge, everything can be forgiven – except unbelief. Marriage matters, money matters – all can be forgiven. What cannot be forgiven is the heart that persists in unbelief. Many have unbelief. At some point – I contend – unbelief has them. When unbelief reaches stage two, in my mind, then there is no turning back.

The dogma is this: Let Jesus have our money and our marriages (and everything else) and He will help us do what is right. We may not end up being money managers or marriage counselors, but we will be taught by the Lord to do what is right, and honorable. True riches, I’d say…

Father, help me to learn, repent, and to learn. Teach me Your ways, and may I walk in them. Use me to help others and encourage them along life’s path. Give me serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the grace to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference and walk therein. Amen.

When He Came to His Senses

10/2/2016

Luke 15.17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!” – the Prodigal

The following are words I found in the Thesaurus for prodigal: wasteful, reckless, dissolute, profligate, extravagant, uncontrolled. I think these words aptly describe a brash young man who demanded his father give him the share of his inheritance and let him go off on adventure. I think they help us understand more of what a prodigal might be. The reason I think all this is because I think it’s important to understand where the young man may have been coming from when he made his decision to flee the roost and venture out on his own. Why do people do what people do?

We can label the young man all we want but what was really going on in this parable? I think the underscore of all this is the thought: “With the right resources, I can make it on my own without you.” And I think a lot of people are prodigals. I think prodigal-ism is part of the human condition.

Jesus said, “When he came to his senses…”, the young man had lost his senses in his thinking. And many of us have done that, or are in the process of doing that. I think prodigals are alive today. (I almost said ‘and well’, but we all know the story, and the prodigal at some point was less than well.)

Which leads me to this: It is amazing where we turn for help when we realize we cannot make it on our own without _______________ (fill in the blank). The prodigal turned to his father.

The young man (with hunger, humiliation, and sorrow) saw in his mind, his father’s kindness and abundance, and how well he treated his staff. In desperation he thought: at least the servants at home have it better than me. And so, in hope, he left where he was, took his empty stomach, and went home.

What he didn’t estimate was his own value; he didn’t understand how much he was loved and missed by those at home. (Okay, the older brother was a bit perturbed… jerk!) And here is where we discover that some are at home and want to leave, but some are at home and are bitter and resentful. Some leave home and realize it was better there; and some stay but chafe, and chafe, and chafe…

Part of the lesson for me as I consider my own prodigalism is this: where in all of this story is contentment? Paul told Timothy: But godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Timothy 6.6) He went on to say: For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (V. 10) Money was the issue with the prodigal and his bitter brother. God wants to heal us from our love affair with money (which is really just a love-affair with ourselves.)

Father in Heaven, prodigal or no, we all need You. I know I do. I am sorry for the thinking I’ve done and I realize with You is the answer to all my need. May I be content with where I am and what I have and honor You with all You have given to me. Thank You for this reminder that to be godly is one thing, but to be content in godliness is truly another. May I be content with what I have today. Amen.

The Other Side

10/1/2016

Psalm 126.6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.

We might ask, what is on the other side? Difficulty in life ought to be viewed at least in that way: what will things be like when this is over? Nothing on earth lasts forever. There are realms of forever, but for now, they are only shadows on this earth.

The ancient Jews had been sent into exile for seventy years. They had been brutally ripped out of their comfort zone and sent into dismal pagan exile. God deemed it necessary for them to experience His divine displeasure for their dalliances with pagan religion and false gods. It seems He said, if that’s what you want I will give it to you… full measure. So they went into exile even they never thought the God they worshipped would do such a thing. We should never underestimate what God will, or won’t do.

It is no wonder, then, that they went out weeping and ultimately came home rejoicing. Say what you will about nationalism and patriotism, they are important. They aren’t to be used as weapons, but they are to be embraced because: home is home. What would happen to us if our culture was to be suddenly removed and replaced by something foreign? It would be a hard thing.

The principle of this psalm is sewing and reaping. That seems to be a common thread in the philosophy of Scripture. They went out (willingly or unwillingly) into exile, sowing tears. They came home rejoicing carrying promise and provision. The other side of what they experienced was joy, peace, and promise fulfilled. God had said He would bring them back.

What about us? Is God in control of our lives or are we just winging it on our own? If God is in control (not because we say He is, but because He is…) then there is always another side to things. Whatever we are facing – even with tears – is going to bring about a harvest of some kind, because it seems, that is the way God works. Whatever He takes from us (yes, God takes) He will restore something else to our benefit.

Now, friend, this isn’t meant to be glib; you may be facing something very difficult in your life; at some point or other, we all do. But it is meant to be an encouragement that God is with those who trust in Him. It may not feel like it (as if feelings were the acceptable litmus test to all the ups and downs of life) but we must come to terms with things that are bigger than we are, and a God who is bigger than all. Tears are seeds to sow because of what grows from them. If the fruit of our tears is growth in our relationship with God then so be it – we’ll be: returning with songs of joy, carrying sheaves!

The other side is what ought to get us going. We ought to wonder: what is the outcome of all this? And can I be patient and curious enough to see it through? Sewing tears; reaping abundance.

Father, in my present perceived problems, I pray for spiritual stamina to wait and see what You will do. I pray to be an encouragement to others and to help them in their weeping. May my weeping become reaping as I watch in wonder as You do the things You do. Thank You for the seeds of tears and the harvest of abundance – Amen.