Finish My Course

09/30/15

Luke 13.31-32 31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.” – Dr. Luke, the Physician

What does one do with a death threat? Does one take it seriously? Does one become afraid? Or does one call someone’s bluff? Death threats can be real or they can be a façade. I suppose it all depends on who is making the death threat. In Jesus day, a death threat from the sitting ruler would have given most people pause, and cause to believe the threat was real – murder in Palestine was as old as Cain and Abel.

There are those who are threatened by a death threat and are afraid; then there are those who, when threatened, adopt the mentality: if it resorts to me being killed, I am going to continue doing what I do until I wind up in the morgue. Only death can stop such a one.

Jesus, on the other hand, knew He was going to die. He knew He came to die. But He knew when He was going to die and He wasn’t going to stop doing what He did until He died. And He knew He would rise again. The only way He knew all this was He was told all this by the Father and He believed. Belief isn’t the salvation here, it’s the Source of the information. Belief is key when God is in charge; death has no power when God is in charge.

Jesus, focused on what God told Him to do, took Herod’s threat in stride and stayed focused because He knew Herod wasn’t in charge of His death, God was. And God is in charge of the death of all His children: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints (Psalm 116.15). Their race is over, they kept the faith.

I’ve yet to receive a death threat; perhaps that day is yet to come. But I don’t lay awake at night and worry about it either. My goal is to keep the faith, run the race, and when it’s over, it’s over. In life it is more important to stay focused on what God says than on what someone else threatens. If I die in the process, then I die. But my goal is my goal and that is what I’m to stay focused on.

What I am more conscious of today is things like greed, pride, selfishness, and unbelief. What I am more afraid of is forgetting about God and just doing my own thing. The silent killers for me are those things that take me off my goal of staying focused on what God has called me to do. That’s my big concern.

Father, threats are threats and it wasn’t Herod who killed the Savior. Jesus stayed true to His mission and because He did, I am writing this, in faith, today. Help me to stay focused on Your mission and plan for my life, and to let distractions pass right on by. I need Your help in battling distractions and I need Your help to remain faithful. That is my concern and my prayer – amen.

Consideration

9/27/2015

Haggai 1.2 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.”

I’ll get around to it. That’s what we say. Priorities. Scheduling. Importance. Necessity. When it becomes important, I’ll get it done, but in the meantime, I know I need to give it some attention at some point and when the timing is right, I’ll get around to it. When God says, Go, rebuild My House, then it probably ought to be done. It ought to get done.

Darius, the king of Persia felt like the Lord told him to send some people back home – whomever would go – and get His temple rebuilt. The days of the exile were ending and God knew one way to get His people off the stick was to give them a priority – something He knew they’d buy into – to go back home after a seventy year vacation. So God told Darius to tell the Jews, go back and rebuild.

It’s amazing what seventy years can do. Seventy years can change one’s perspective. Seventy years can age you. Seventy years of seeing the sun come up and go down can cause one to get used to one’s surroundings. Everything seems to be normal after seventy years. Most of the people reading this haven’t yet lived seventy years. For that matter, I haven’t lived seventy years, but I’ve lived sixty, and even now, I’ve aged, my perspective has changed, and things have become normal. I’ve yet to get to the point where what doesn’t hurt, doesn’t work…

Life gets complicated. Stuff comes up. Lives need to be lived and houses need to be built. It seems the focus of Haggai is simply this: can we do all these things and still do them with God as our Priority? Apparently, the invitation to go home sounded exciting at first and then petered out to the usual personal preferences and priorities. Haggai was a wake-up call to not forget about God, which got them deported in the first place.

How many times do we put off the great and settle for the good? Nothing wrong with good but good can also mean comfort and inaction rather than action. I may not smoke and may not chew, and may not go with girls who do, but what really matters is what I am doing, making a difference in this world for the Kingdom of God? What has God called me to do, and is it my first (and really only) priority? I guess what Haggai said still has bearing upon all this today: Consider your ways.

I think considering my ways on a daily basis is probably more important than what I actually do. Is God a part of my process, or is God my process? I can flat talk myself out of things. It’s easy. But what I am called to is to do what God says first, and everything falls into place after that.

Lord, as I consider who I am and what I am to do, may it be in consideration of You. Help me to focus on the great and be real about the good. My best and my all trumps just showing up. You have spoken to me today, may I act in accordance with that – amen.

Divine Discussions Divine Decisions

9/23/2015

Luke 6.13 And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles... – St. Luke, the Doctor

There were many who followed Jesus, but the Lord chose only twelve. There were large crowds that followed Jesus but only a handful were selected to be His closest companions.

In Luke’s gospel it says in 6.12 “In these days [Jesus] went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.” It was like God had handed Him a large tray full of precious jewels and Jesus examined them all and chose twelve to be His closest students. I can’t imagine the thought process involved. It is the power of prayer and the counsel of God.

I think there was a divine discussion as the Father said, “This one. That one. That one over there.” From before the foundation of the world was laid, God already knew who would be on Jesus’ team. It wasn’t a matter of popularity, or intellect, or good looks; it was a matter of divine decision. Prayer is part of the process.

I don’t know that I’ve ever prayed all night about something. I know I’ve worried all night as I’ve faced tough things. I know as I do what I do, prayer must be a part of all I do; as a husband, a father, a churchman, a business man; a citizen of this country; as a child of God. Most of the time I just wing it. Most of the time I think about praying for an instant and then fly off and do what I think I ought. Rarely have I set aside a period of time to have a divine discussion and really listened for the voice of God to show me: This one. That one, that one over there.

I love the way the New Living Translation puts it in Philippians, chapter 4, verse 6: Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. That is great advice; especially for those who tend to worry about everything and fear the worst.

Today, I am reminded that I must pray. I almost wanted to say, I need to pray more; but quantity doesn’t necessarily mean quality. I must pray. I must include God in all my doings; my comings and goings. I’m not keeping score, I simply look to God to help me as I seek divine decisions.

Father, awaken in me anew, the reality of prayer and the preciousness of Your presence. Help me to stop and discuss with You what I am trying to do, and to thank You for what You are doing, and what You’ve already done. It is a trust thing and I ask for Your help in this, this day. Amen

Greatly Loved

09/22/15

Daniel 10.19 And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” – Daniel, the Prophet

Last night as I laid down to sleepy land, I prayed for a man whose situation has changed dramatically. I think what he thought was true, wasn’t; and now life has changed. As I spoke with him on the phone I could hear tension and disappointment in his voice and I thought, hmmm, things are not as they were.

I started singing in my mind, Jesus Loves Me, as I prayed for this guy. Then I realized, Jesus loves me! I mean, I knew that, but it hit me pretty hard that Jesus does indeed love me. He loves me with a love that defies logic for He sees me in a way that defies my self-belief of who I am. I see me, mostly, as a miserable wretch; that’s the furthest thing from His mind. He sees me perfect and whole and in Him.

I read in the Book of Daniel this morning and I read the above which is what the angel Gabriel said to Daniel in a vision. If only I and the man I mentioned could hear those words we might think differently. But, we have heard those words. We are greatly loved. The Bible tells us so.

Daniel was greatly loved because he was doing the Lord’s bidding in a foreign land surrounded by pagan worship and fellow Jews who’d lost their belief. You and I are no different because we are loved by the same God who greatly loved Daniel and chose to have him serve a pagan king in a land filled with all sorts of weird and vile things. The love for us is expressed in the Savior who took our sins upon Himself and went to a cross to die the death meant for us. Great Love spared us from that fate.

And great love carries us through each day. Great love doesn’t spare us from great difficulties, but great love assures us that we too are to be “strong and of good courage” in the midst of things we find less than appealing. Jesus loves us, this we know, for the Bible tells us so.

I am going to visit the man this week. I’m going to find a way to encourage him and I’ve made up my mind that I’m going to find a way to pray for him. Is he perfect and without fault in his circumstances? Probably not. Is he a child of the Great King? I believe he is, even if he doesn’t fully recognize it. But since he is, he may need to be reminded that he, in his present situation, is greatly loved by the Great King who is with him is every moment of every day for all of his life.

Father, today I am reminded of just how much You love me. The Bible told me so. Today, I am out to serve You and help others in their situations to remember that as children of God, we too, are greatly loved. We are adored. And we are helped in our circumstances to remember just how loving, and wonderful, and patient You are with us – and Your great love drives You to do so. What is man that You are mindful of him? I haven’t figured that out, but I am glad You are! Amen

That Prayer

9/18/2015

Luke 1.13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.” - Dr. Luke

I get it. As a former pastor, I get it. As a churchman I get it. As a spouse, a parent, a business owner, I get it. As an intercessor and child of God, I get it. God answers prayers, but He also answers that prayer.

Zechariah the priest was on duty and he was supposed to lift prayers and incense to God on behalf of God’s people. And he did; but Zechariah had a prayer of his own: God, I’d like a son. He might’ve even said, please, and he might’ve even said, thank You for what You are already doing. I get it.

There are times in our lives in which prayers are lifted, but there are also times in our lives when there is a prayer, something that just won’t go away from us personally. The deepest need. The deepest longing. The ache that won’t quit; that which just won’t go away. It’s that prayer.

And I think it was to that prayer to which the angel Gabriel referenced when he told Zechariah that God indeed had heard his prayer – that prayer. A son was on the way…

A friend of mine (quoting another) says God answers prayers like this: Yes. No. Wait. And, if you insist. There just may be some truth to that, but Zechariah, because of the then age-old importance of bearing offspring, probably made it a plea to the Most High. I think, for the longest time God told him, “wait”. And Zechariah did. And Zechariah may have thought the answer was, no; but he kept praying because his longing, his desire, his pain was so deep. And no one else could help.

Who’s at fault when a couple can’t bear kids? The husband? The wife? Doesn’t matter, and shouldn’t be a point of contention, but sometimes it is. We don’t culturally value children these days like they did in those, but to the ones who really want one and can’t they usually pray that prayer.

Childbearing may not be your issue – it might be a new job, or a new client, a healing, or a financial miracle. Whatever it is, it may be for you, that prayer. You may be in leadership, or in the shepherding of others, and you may offer up corporate prayers (and perhaps incense), but among or alongside whatever corporate stuff you pray for is that prayer and God is attuned to the heart that prays. And we shouldn’t be surprised on that day (angelic visitation or not) when the prayer gets answered.

God gives His kids what is best for them. The answer to prayer whether it’s yes, no, wait, or, if you insist, is all in perfect harmony with His loving heart. And His answers are in tune with His love and He never does anything apart from His love.

Lord, may we simply pray and trust You with whatever the answer is. It may have been Your will to say, no to old Zech, (in reality it wasn’t) but You heard his prayer and felt his heart. I trust You in our walk together it is no different. May I simply pray – Amen.

All Better

09/17/15

Revelation 22.4-5 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. – St. John

I have a grandson; and he is grand. He is sweet when he’s not being a little pill and he seems to think his Pop-pop is okay. I like that. I like being okay with a 2-year old. After he’s had a rough moment it is comforting to reassure him, “Maxx, everything is all better”. He seems to like that: all better. Hugs and happiness abound.

I thought about that as I read John’s description in Revelation 22 today: “They (God’s people, the chosen, the faithful, the willing) will see His face. Darkness will be banished and the light of the One who said, “let there be light!” will be their light; and they will reign as a favored and royal priesthood forever and ever.” All better.

We long in our present days for things to be all better. We long for strong leadership who will give us what we want and take us to where we want to go. But nationalism never accomplishes that’ only relationship will give us what we truly need provided the relationship is the right relationship. Only with God, are things, all better.

I must admit, I get a bit confused when I read the revelation of Ezekiel the prophet as he describes how things will be (I’m assuming) in the millennial Kingdom. But the reality is the Eternal Kingdom where God will be God and His people will be His children and all will live in the light as He is in the light for the blood of the Lamb has cleansed, paid, and provided for an eternal order of goodness and light. All better.

It is good to know that despite my longings and wishes for all better today, there is the permanent promise of all better tomorrow. It’s good to know that I am presently pacing and right on track for the day when the light of God will be my only Light and I will live in His presence forever and ever. It makes the scarcity of the present day more bearable when I look forward to what will be eternally, all better.

Today, I live in the light of the promise of Light. Today, I live knowing the darkness will soon be banished and I will see His face and live in His light. Today, though there are rough places and the presence of sin and death, there is the light of the promise of His Light and the knowledge that for me, one day soon, all will be all better. Amen.

Complete

09/16/15

Revelation 21.4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. St. John

What a gift that God Himself will do this for His people. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes – the very tears that He created us to shed. Death shall be no more; the limitlessness will take its place. Mourning over loss, crying, and disappointment will be gone. All of these things with which we are so familiar will simply be no more. What a gift. Death will be replaced with life and sin will be gone. Our eyes will be opened and for once we will finally see. I think we’ll realize what it means to be complete.

What moves me, when thinking about all this, is how much God values His children; that He would do all of that. Not every day is emotional for me. But some days are and when they are, they are rough. There is a release that takes place when emotions, having been pent up, are released.  It seems to be a freeing of what needs to come out, and there is an accompanying peace…often; not always, but often. Our God understands the way we are made and what it takes to keep us from going stark raving nuts. God so values us and His valuation is complete.

I think too, I am moved that our God, my God wants to be with me. That is a hard thought in these days of tension and turmoil in the world and culture around me. However, that hard thinking about God’s delight in sharing in my life somehow brings me peace as well. He wants to be with me. He designed me to be with Him and one day He will do whatever it takes for me to be complete and free. No more tears. No more tangles.

I am moved today to rethink some things. All is not lost even though sometimes it sure feels that way. God is about the business of taking things away from me in order to replace those things with what is good and real, and true. He will do these things and I won’t know how, but I will know He did. What an amazing God who has said, he will be My son, and I, will be his God.

The world, as hard and brittle as it can be, seems somehow less daunting today. He will wipe away all of my tears and I will be finally complete. I will be as He always intended for me to be. And all I want to do is to be with Him forever.

God is with me in all I face, in all I experience. God is with me in my highs and lows and I needn’t look without for Him, but within. He has made my heart His home, and will arrange it as He intends it to be with all of my deepest desires and pleasures in mind. God will remove what has served a purpose for a time and will replace it with what I need for the eternal day.

No tears, no crying. No mourning, no pain. Amen.