3.31.2011
Psalm 49:12-13 12 But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish. 13 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. NIV
It has taken me years to realize that the Psalms in the Bible were not all written by David. The particular Psalm quoted above was written by the sons of Korah. It’s part of a collection of psalms found in Book II of the psalms starting with Psalm 42. The songs of the sons of Korah are Psalms 42 through 49. This psalm reads more like a collection of proverbs than it does as a song.
Just about everyone I know wants more money. This goes for both the rich and the poor. We men, and especially those of us in the west, seem to never have enough; and always want more and more. Ironically, we want equity, justice, wisdom, and security, and yet we keep putting those in power who trust only in their wealth, and then ask us to do the same; and many of us, do the same.
The calling of the Church of Jesus Christ is to trust in God – Alone. This is very hard to do living in a society that trusts in riches and even writes on its money, In God we Trust. Solomon the greatest and richest king of Israel, once wrote: A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything. (Ecclesiastes 10:19 NIV) Money is the answer for self-reliance.
Depending on God is hard until one sees the futility of depending on anything else. With God I may not have a full bank account but I will have peace; I may not drive the best car on the road, but I will have His acceptance. Seeing the futility of money and self-reliance is a gift from God. The world focuses on money – the Church and all who are in Her must focus on God.
My dealings with wealth have been selfish and stupid at best; I’ve always had a hard time with money (and really, money isn’t the issue, lack of self-control is). I’ve bought the lie that more money means an easier life. And now as my life is beginning to show signs of age, and wear and tear, I’m reassessing the things I’ve bought into and redirecting my thoughts toward how to work with God to keep people from dying like beasts with no knowledge of Him. I’ll let Him control the money and I’ll do what He says – “…God will redeem my life from the grave; He will surely take me to Himself.” (Psalm 49:15)
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Sayings
3.30.2011
Judges 8:21“Come, do it yourself. ‘As is the man, so is his strength.’” NIV
The other night my pastor said, “Prayer is not getting ready for the battle; prayer is the battle!” That caught my attention because of the things happening in my life and in the lives of the people around me that I know – Elisa, Steve, Rob, Jesse, Mike – to name a few; as well as my wife and kids. The battle is fierce and the stakes are high and true warriors are supposed to be on their knees pushing through to the victory of God.
Keep that in mind.
In Judges 8, the Midianite kings, Sebah, and Zalmunna, said to Gideon at the moment of their execution, “Come, do it yourself. ‘As is the man, so is his strength.’” (v8). In other words, “Gideon, show yourself to be who you think and say you are!” And he did and those two died mercilessly.
In Psalm 42, the sons of Korah complained that men said all day long, “Where is your God!?” In other words, “What difference is God making in your life – who needs God!?”
In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul in pointing out the futility of the Corinthian’s argument about resurrection, quotes Isaiah 22 saying, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” In other words, “What’s the use?” And then he rebukes them quoting a saying they all knew, “Bad company corrupts good character.” Or, “be careful the influencers in your life.” And lastly he quotes Hosea, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (Hos. 13.14 NIV) In other words, “This all has a point to it, and God has the final say.”
There are sayings in life that encapsulate our world view and our understanding of God; of who is really in charge, and what’s really going on. Here’s one that really got my attention: Prayer is not getting ready for the battle; prayer is the battle.
Because of that, here’s one that I think I can apply to my life: Today, I pray!
Judges 8:21“Come, do it yourself. ‘As is the man, so is his strength.’” NIV
The other night my pastor said, “Prayer is not getting ready for the battle; prayer is the battle!” That caught my attention because of the things happening in my life and in the lives of the people around me that I know – Elisa, Steve, Rob, Jesse, Mike – to name a few; as well as my wife and kids. The battle is fierce and the stakes are high and true warriors are supposed to be on their knees pushing through to the victory of God.
Keep that in mind.
In Judges 8, the Midianite kings, Sebah, and Zalmunna, said to Gideon at the moment of their execution, “Come, do it yourself. ‘As is the man, so is his strength.’” (v8). In other words, “Gideon, show yourself to be who you think and say you are!” And he did and those two died mercilessly.
In Psalm 42, the sons of Korah complained that men said all day long, “Where is your God!?” In other words, “What difference is God making in your life – who needs God!?”
In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul in pointing out the futility of the Corinthian’s argument about resurrection, quotes Isaiah 22 saying, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” In other words, “What’s the use?” And then he rebukes them quoting a saying they all knew, “Bad company corrupts good character.” Or, “be careful the influencers in your life.” And lastly he quotes Hosea, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (Hos. 13.14 NIV) In other words, “This all has a point to it, and God has the final say.”
There are sayings in life that encapsulate our world view and our understanding of God; of who is really in charge, and what’s really going on. Here’s one that really got my attention: Prayer is not getting ready for the battle; prayer is the battle.
Because of that, here’s one that I think I can apply to my life: Today, I pray!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Finding Their Purpose
3.29.2011
1 Corinthians 14:1 1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. NIV
They say that usually, the further one goes from a crime the more obvious it becomes as to who done it and how – one glaring exception to that is the Kennedy assassination. There are those who insist that it was a giant conspiracy; there are others who say we aren’t smart enough to keep that many secrets, and to have so many contingencies with someone knowing about it and someone blabbing. That’s kind of how I feel about the whole tongues thing in 1 Corinthians 14 – Paul seems to be emphasizing prophecy but many continue to emphasize tongues. And the further we get away from it the more confusing it seems.
There is nothing wrong with spiritual gifts; but Paul’s emphasis was prophecy. Prophecy is the gift of speaking out truth. Prophecy is fed by diligent and regular feeding upon (reading and applying) God’s word. Prophecy is speaking out of the overflow of what has been poured into the heart. People are going to be saved by hearing and knowing the truth. And Paul underscores this by saying, “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.” We don’t see people getting saved because of spiritual gifts, but because of love.
My approach to tongues is both guided and guarded. If you were to ask me if you should pray in tongues, I’d probably say, yes – but then I’d ask you, how are your daily times with the Lord – are you feasting and feeding upon His word? Are you speaking out truth? Are you loving on others? People get saved because they are loved and exposed lovingly to the truth.
Jesus said the greatest commandment is this: to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and the second one is this: to love our neighbor as our self. Tongues and prophecy find their purpose in those two statements…
1 Corinthians 14:1 1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. NIV
They say that usually, the further one goes from a crime the more obvious it becomes as to who done it and how – one glaring exception to that is the Kennedy assassination. There are those who insist that it was a giant conspiracy; there are others who say we aren’t smart enough to keep that many secrets, and to have so many contingencies with someone knowing about it and someone blabbing. That’s kind of how I feel about the whole tongues thing in 1 Corinthians 14 – Paul seems to be emphasizing prophecy but many continue to emphasize tongues. And the further we get away from it the more confusing it seems.
There is nothing wrong with spiritual gifts; but Paul’s emphasis was prophecy. Prophecy is the gift of speaking out truth. Prophecy is fed by diligent and regular feeding upon (reading and applying) God’s word. Prophecy is speaking out of the overflow of what has been poured into the heart. People are going to be saved by hearing and knowing the truth. And Paul underscores this by saying, “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.” We don’t see people getting saved because of spiritual gifts, but because of love.
My approach to tongues is both guided and guarded. If you were to ask me if you should pray in tongues, I’d probably say, yes – but then I’d ask you, how are your daily times with the Lord – are you feasting and feeding upon His word? Are you speaking out truth? Are you loving on others? People get saved because they are loved and exposed lovingly to the truth.
Jesus said the greatest commandment is this: to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and the second one is this: to love our neighbor as our self. Tongues and prophecy find their purpose in those two statements…
Monday, March 28, 2011
Your Name Here
3.28.2011
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 4 [Your name here] is patient, [Your name here] is kind. [Your name here] does not envy, [Your name here] does not boast, [Your name here] is not proud. 5 [Your name here] is not rude, [Your name here] is not self-seeking, [Your name here] is not easily angered, [Your name here] keeps no record of wrongs. 6 [Your name here] does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 [Your name here] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 [Your name here] never fails.
1 Corinthians 13 is the Psalm 1 of the New Testament. Haven’t read Psalm 1 lately – maybea good time to do so. The Scripture has a good system in place for us to check ourselves and see how we’re doing; the Love Chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, like Psalm 1 is part of that system.
Here is an exercise we can do: From verse 1 to 3 of 1 Corinthians 13, insert the Name Jesus for the word love.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not Jesus, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not Jesus, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not Jesus, I gain nothing.
You see, without Jesus, I can do nothing of any value; and if I can’t insert my name into verses 4 though 8 then I’m not getting it. The Scripture is to be having its effect upon my life, and the Bible gives me a place or two (or three or four) to check up on myself to see how I’m doing. Judge my life, how am I doing?
O Lord, you have searched me
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O Lord.
(Psalm 139:1-4 NIV)
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 4 [Your name here] is patient, [Your name here] is kind. [Your name here] does not envy, [Your name here] does not boast, [Your name here] is not proud. 5 [Your name here] is not rude, [Your name here] is not self-seeking, [Your name here] is not easily angered, [Your name here] keeps no record of wrongs. 6 [Your name here] does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 [Your name here] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 [Your name here] never fails.
1 Corinthians 13 is the Psalm 1 of the New Testament. Haven’t read Psalm 1 lately – maybea good time to do so. The Scripture has a good system in place for us to check ourselves and see how we’re doing; the Love Chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, like Psalm 1 is part of that system.
Here is an exercise we can do: From verse 1 to 3 of 1 Corinthians 13, insert the Name Jesus for the word love.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not Jesus, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not Jesus, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not Jesus, I gain nothing.
You see, without Jesus, I can do nothing of any value; and if I can’t insert my name into verses 4 though 8 then I’m not getting it. The Scripture is to be having its effect upon my life, and the Bible gives me a place or two (or three or four) to check up on myself to see how I’m doing. Judge my life, how am I doing?
O Lord, you have searched me
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O Lord.
(Psalm 139:1-4 NIV)
Saturday, March 26, 2011
For the Faithful
3.26.2011
Psalm 44:17 17 All this happened to us, though we had not forgotten you or been false to your covenant. NIV
I’m glad Psalm 44 is included in the Bible. It starts out with a wonderful statement: I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; 7 but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. 8 In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever. (Ps 44:6-8) That’s the right perspective.
But in verse 17 there seems to be some misunderstanding: All this happened to us, though we had not forgotten You or been false to Your covenant. Ummm, that’s exactly what happened – they were indeed forgetful and false; that’s why God punished them so severely and sent them into exile! The writers of this song, the sons of Korah, seemed to have forgotten the Book of the Judges.
Or maybe, just maybe the song was written for the faithful and sung in longing for the Lord to reestablish His power and authority over the whole nation. Maybe this is the song of the remnant who never gave up on God like their fellow countrymen did. Maybe this is one of the prayers of the Redeemed, like that in Revelation, which asks, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” (Re 6:10) Somebody has to continue to hold up the torch of faith.
In God’s judgment, not everyone is killed nor is everyone safe because John writes again in Revelation 13: If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. (13:10) We are only ever safe as we worship and trust the Lord; our death on earth however, whenever, it comes, is not the death of our relationship with God – it is only the entrance through which we pass as we enter eternity. The only ones who fear death are the ones who don’t trust the Lord.
Today, I am witnessing the death of my country. I am watching my own land go to hell in a hand-basket. But that doesn’t call me to whine about it; it calls me to seek God and trust Him in the midst of it. God is in control and He will save those who are His no matter wherever they happen to be and whatever happens to them – their only requirement is unshakable faith in a God who irrevocably saves…
Psalm 44:17 17 All this happened to us, though we had not forgotten you or been false to your covenant. NIV
I’m glad Psalm 44 is included in the Bible. It starts out with a wonderful statement: I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; 7 but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. 8 In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever. (Ps 44:6-8) That’s the right perspective.
But in verse 17 there seems to be some misunderstanding: All this happened to us, though we had not forgotten You or been false to Your covenant. Ummm, that’s exactly what happened – they were indeed forgetful and false; that’s why God punished them so severely and sent them into exile! The writers of this song, the sons of Korah, seemed to have forgotten the Book of the Judges.
Or maybe, just maybe the song was written for the faithful and sung in longing for the Lord to reestablish His power and authority over the whole nation. Maybe this is the song of the remnant who never gave up on God like their fellow countrymen did. Maybe this is one of the prayers of the Redeemed, like that in Revelation, which asks, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” (Re 6:10) Somebody has to continue to hold up the torch of faith.
In God’s judgment, not everyone is killed nor is everyone safe because John writes again in Revelation 13: If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. (13:10) We are only ever safe as we worship and trust the Lord; our death on earth however, whenever, it comes, is not the death of our relationship with God – it is only the entrance through which we pass as we enter eternity. The only ones who fear death are the ones who don’t trust the Lord.
Today, I am witnessing the death of my country. I am watching my own land go to hell in a hand-basket. But that doesn’t call me to whine about it; it calls me to seek God and trust Him in the midst of it. God is in control and He will save those who are His no matter wherever they happen to be and whatever happens to them – their only requirement is unshakable faith in a God who irrevocably saves…
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Hitting the Brakes
3.24.2011
1 Corinthians 9:18 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it. NIV
Sometimes you have to learn things the hard way – that is the story of my life. Now, before I evoke pity from you, I want you to understand that learning the hard way is not without its benefits – believe it or not, I have learned some things and feel I am a better person for those lessons learned. For me vocational ministry was not what I thought it to be, nor is it something I especially desire to do again. Today, I would agree with the apostle Paul and say just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make any expectation of remuneration in preaching it. I am free to be free.
Part of my ministry these days is Pastoral Respite. I fill in for guys I know in their churches when they need to be absent or need a break. I enjoy doing that; and I enjoy doing that for free. And I feel free when I do it because I’m not looking for a job, I have one; and I’m not looking for a church, I had one of those and presently, it ain’t for me. But where and when I can, I offer myself as a substitute to fellow ministers for them to be free to take necessary time off and not have to worry about honorariums and that sort of thing. What then is my reward? Knowing that I can offer a service to those in need and partner with them in a very important part of their ministry: hitting the brakes.
Having been a pastor, I know the tension between loving and leading a flock, and when sometimes, loving and leading is very difficult. So to be able to come alongside someone as both a friend and a resource surely amounts to something…
Father in Heaven,
Today, thank You for the freedom to do what I can do, and to do it for free. I pray for my friends in ministry and ask that You refresh them, and bless them in how they go about making their living. I thank You for the privilege of partnering with them and for being able to help whenever I can… in Jesus, amen.
1 Corinthians 9:18 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it. NIV
Sometimes you have to learn things the hard way – that is the story of my life. Now, before I evoke pity from you, I want you to understand that learning the hard way is not without its benefits – believe it or not, I have learned some things and feel I am a better person for those lessons learned. For me vocational ministry was not what I thought it to be, nor is it something I especially desire to do again. Today, I would agree with the apostle Paul and say just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make any expectation of remuneration in preaching it. I am free to be free.
Part of my ministry these days is Pastoral Respite. I fill in for guys I know in their churches when they need to be absent or need a break. I enjoy doing that; and I enjoy doing that for free. And I feel free when I do it because I’m not looking for a job, I have one; and I’m not looking for a church, I had one of those and presently, it ain’t for me. But where and when I can, I offer myself as a substitute to fellow ministers for them to be free to take necessary time off and not have to worry about honorariums and that sort of thing. What then is my reward? Knowing that I can offer a service to those in need and partner with them in a very important part of their ministry: hitting the brakes.
Having been a pastor, I know the tension between loving and leading a flock, and when sometimes, loving and leading is very difficult. So to be able to come alongside someone as both a friend and a resource surely amounts to something…
Father in Heaven,
Today, thank You for the freedom to do what I can do, and to do it for free. I pray for my friends in ministry and ask that You refresh them, and bless them in how they go about making their living. I thank You for the privilege of partnering with them and for being able to help whenever I can… in Jesus, amen.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The Landscape of 1 Corinthians 8
3.23.2011
1 Corinthians 8:6 6 …yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. NIV
When I read a passage I tend to pick up on certain words and descriptors that catch my attention. For instance, God the Father, from whom…and for whom…. And, Jesus Christ, through whom… and through whom… These are faith builders for me, and teachers, that help me in my understanding of who God is and how I should view Him.
All things come from God; there isn’t a thing anywhere in heaven or on earth, that didn’t come from Him. If there are monsters, they came from God. If there are extra-terrestrials like the babe in V, they came from God. Everything that is, is His. And all things came through Jesus Christ. Jesus is, whether we see Him as this or not, Creator God. So not only do all things come from God through Jesus Christ, but Paul also states that, through whom, (Jesus Christ) we live.
So, if that is the case, then how I view God the Father and God the Son is important because I live for the One through the Other; by the Other – God the Spirit. And somehow, someway, God is One – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – co-equal, co-eternal, co-existent. Jesus was submissive to the Father as He was led by the Spirit to do God’s will on earth. The Spirit was submissive to the Father and to the Son as He has come to dwell in cesspools like us as we wrangle over stupid things like food and drink; power, production, and position. And God is submissive to His love and will that His goodness prevail, and all come to know Him… Who knew such things lay around the landscape of 1 Corinthians 8?
And this is the God I worship, Who cares for me, provides for me, and leads me to do the right thing as I interact with my fellow fallen. If I’m living right, then I’m following His counsel, and being a channel of His goodness to the world around me…
Father in Heaven,
From Whom, through Whom, and by Whom all things are. You have called me to live with this understanding so that I may live honorably before You and do as You command – to love You with all I am and have and to love my neighbor as myself. Help me God! Amen.
1 Corinthians 8:6 6 …yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. NIV
When I read a passage I tend to pick up on certain words and descriptors that catch my attention. For instance, God the Father, from whom…and for whom…. And, Jesus Christ, through whom… and through whom… These are faith builders for me, and teachers, that help me in my understanding of who God is and how I should view Him.
All things come from God; there isn’t a thing anywhere in heaven or on earth, that didn’t come from Him. If there are monsters, they came from God. If there are extra-terrestrials like the babe in V, they came from God. Everything that is, is His. And all things came through Jesus Christ. Jesus is, whether we see Him as this or not, Creator God. So not only do all things come from God through Jesus Christ, but Paul also states that, through whom, (Jesus Christ) we live.
So, if that is the case, then how I view God the Father and God the Son is important because I live for the One through the Other; by the Other – God the Spirit. And somehow, someway, God is One – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – co-equal, co-eternal, co-existent. Jesus was submissive to the Father as He was led by the Spirit to do God’s will on earth. The Spirit was submissive to the Father and to the Son as He has come to dwell in cesspools like us as we wrangle over stupid things like food and drink; power, production, and position. And God is submissive to His love and will that His goodness prevail, and all come to know Him… Who knew such things lay around the landscape of 1 Corinthians 8?
And this is the God I worship, Who cares for me, provides for me, and leads me to do the right thing as I interact with my fellow fallen. If I’m living right, then I’m following His counsel, and being a channel of His goodness to the world around me…
Father in Heaven,
From Whom, through Whom, and by Whom all things are. You have called me to live with this understanding so that I may live honorably before You and do as You command – to love You with all I am and have and to love my neighbor as myself. Help me God! Amen.
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