devotions

Where was Thomas?

2011-08-18T09:16:00.000-07:00

Scripture:
John 20:24 “Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.”

Obervation:
Jesus has been tried and crucified. John and Peter have raced to the tomb to find it empty. Mary has stayed at the tomb long enough see Jesus (there is an entire study opportunity on that alone). The body of Jesus is missing and arguably the disciples are the prime suspects. It’s been a few days and the disciples are all gathered behind locked doors in fear of the Jews. They have gathered together for mutual encouragement, protection, and fellowship. They know Jesus has risen, but they don’t really know the next step. So, they are all hiding out together. All but Thomas, he seems to be missing. He's off on his own somewhere. Why is he gone? Is it because his faith is shattered and he no longer believes? We do see evidence of this a couple verses down. Has he just decided to move on and get on with his life? Was he busy at work? Did he have a date? I don't know. What I do know is that by not being with the others, he missed seeing Jesus and missed the opportunity to have his faith restored. He needlessly continued languishing in doubt until he finally did meet with Jesus.

Application:
I relate to Thomas. Many times in my life when I have had a crisis of faith, or have simply allowed other things to take dominant importance, I have avoided the gathering of my fellow believers. This has been to my detriment every time. Yes, the Holy Spirit is with us always, yes the Lord seeks us out; but Jesus also says “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” I learned a long time ago that the times I don't want to be in church; maybe I'm hiding a sin, maybe I have an issue with someone, maybe I think something else seems more fun; these are the exact times I need to be in the fellowship. Jesus shows up in the gatherings of believers, and I don't want to miss that.

Prayer:
Father, I want to be where you are. May it not be said of me that when you showed up, I was off somewhere else. I love you Jesus, Amen.

looking good to go to the feast

2011-08-16T07:58:00.000-07:00

Scripture:

John 18:28, 29

28 Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate came out to them and asked,…”

Observation:

Jesus has just been arrested and the Jewish leaders have spent the night interrogating him. Knowing their laws did not allow for them to execute anyone, they took him to the Roman governor to have him try Jesus and sentence him to death. They knew Jesus didn’t deserve death, they knew that they were creating a false case against him for political reasons. And that’s why this verse sticks out to me today. Here they are in the middle of a contrived trial attempting to take an innocent man’s life, and their concern is being ceremonially clean enough to be able to eat the Passover. They are apparently unconcerned about the deeper issue of sending a man to his execution; instead it’s all about the appearance of entering the palace and therefore not being able to partake of the religious ceremony.

Application:

I am forced to ask myself how often I do this. Am I more concerned about keeping up the religious appearance than I am of following the heart of Jesus? Do I avoid certain movies, activities or establishments because of what people would think all the while engaging in gossip, treating others poorly, and not watching my thought processes? It is relatively easy to keep up the religious appearance; don’t do that, don’t go there, don’t talk like that around those people. But the Lord cares about my heart more than my rules list. If I am truly following after His heart, I naturally won’t do those things or go those places. My heart will yearn to bring Him glory. I need to be more aware of the condition of my heart to ensure I am not busy killing a man while trying to still look good enough to be able to attend the church service.

Prayer

Father I ask you to search my heart and reveal anything that needs work on. I pray that you strengthen my so that my relationship with you continues to grow in earnest and that I don’t just look busy “doing church” in order to impress people here. May the attitudes of my heart and the work of my hands bring you glory. Amen

freedom in being clay

2011-08-15T10:19:00.001-07:00

Scripture:

Jeremiah 18:3-6 “3 So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. 4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. 5 Then the word of the LORD came to me. 6 He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the LORD. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.

Observation:
Jeremiah has been proclaiming the Lord’s words against the sins of Judah. Here He uses the image of a potter to show His absolute sovereignty. Like the potter, the kingdoms of the world are simply clay in His hands. The Lord can do as He pleases to fulfill His will. The next few verses discuss how if He promises blessing, but the people sin, the Lord doesn’t have to bless. If He promises destruction, and the people repent, the Lord doesn’t have to destroy. He is sovereign, and He can do as He pleases. Although this passage of scripture talks specifically about His reaction to sin and repentance, the fact is the same in any situation; the Lord is sovereign and He is in control.

Application:
This verse hits me in an interesting way today. Just over a week ago I completely blew out my knee and I am facing the prospect of potentially never walking unassisted again. This injury is a life changing injury and I have honestly spent some time questioning the Lord. What He is doing in this? How could He allow this to happen? What did I do to deserve this? This injury is not a sin related punishment, and the Lord did not cause it. It just happened. And in the middle of it, God is still on His throne and He is still sovereign. In the midst of my pain and disability, the Lord can do whatever He wants. I am simply clay. If He wants to heal me overnight, He can. If He wants to leave me in a wheel chair for the remainder of my life, He can. I am simply the clay in His hands. There is great comfort in that to me today. It means that I don’t have to force an outcome and I don’t need to invent reasons for why it happened. I need to simply rest in His sovereignty and seek to glorify Him in the midst of these circumstances. I am finding it incredibly freeing to be clay.

Prayer:
Father God, I acknowledge that I am simply clay in your Hands. I thank you that you are a skilled potter and that you are shaping me into the vessel you choose. Please help me to remember that no matter what the doctors say, it does not negate your sovereignty and I can bring you glory no matter the diagnosis. Amen

Are you drunk?

2011-04-07T07:15:00.000-07:00

1 Samuel 1:13,14 "Hannah was praying in her heart and her lips were moving but her voice was nit heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her "how long will you keep on getting drink? Gt rid of your wine."
How clueless was the man of God? Here is a woman in distress, who had theoretically appeared at the temple distressed 3x a year for a long time, and I stead of offering compassion, wisdo
, or prayer; the best he can come up with is "quit drinking". Really?
How often do we do that? Maybe we misunderstand. Maybe we are just to calloused. Maybe "quit drinking is today's version of "just get over it."

I don't want to be that way. I don't want to sideline people's pain because I am not sensitive enough to the Spirit. I want to feel compassion. Lord help me to love your children.

For our struggle...

2011-03-24T10:46:00.000-07:00

I am not one to typically overly spiritualize every experience. I don't see demons behind every bush. I don't blame my own mistakes and circumstances on the "the Devil made me do it." But there are days and seasons when I can't help but say, "You know what, this goes way beyond just a bad day. What is going on here?" It's days and season's like this that I am reminded that I am in a war, there are in fact demonic influences all around, and the best thing that Satan can do is distract me into forgetting that fact. It's in these seasons and days that he doesn't attack straight on - because then I would fight back. Rather, he is most effective at simply taking me out of the fight, of wearing me down, of making me think that life just sucks.

How does he do this? Not by manifesting huge power, but by distracting us with the little things. Maybe a computer shuts down at work, or a boss goes on a manic rampage. Maybe circumstances crop up that require plan changes. Kids get sick and gas prices rise. Maybe sleep is interrupted by stressful and violent dreams. Maybe meetings with people take the place of meeting with the Lord. Little things, that by themselves have no spiritual impact. But these little things are manipulated to take our eyes off of what's truly important and to focus on the things of this world. These little things cause us to put on the wrong armor and to fight our own battles against worldly things. This is not the way of the Lord.

Paul tells us in Ephesians "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."

This verse tells me a couple of things. First, my battle has been against the wrong enemy. I have been struggling against flesh and blood. Second, if I am to take my stand against the devil's schemes, that means the devil actually is scheming. My idea that he is not involved in any of this is false. And lastly, the battle is not mine, it is the Lord's. It is His armor. He fights. My job is simply to clothe myself in Him and to stand my ground. I have to admit, lately, I've not been able doing a lot of standing.

How are you doing? Are you having trouble standing your ground? Are you involved in the wrong battle? It's time to Armor up, Saints of God. Dive into God, surround yourself with some fellow soldiers, and lets hold the line. How can I be fighting with you?

Look at Me!

2011-01-27T08:14:00.000-08:00

Acts 3:4 "Peter looked straight a him, as did John. Then Peter said "look at us!".

This is a well read story of Peter healing a beggar by the side of the road. I'm not quite sure why this strikes me so hard this morning. Perhaps I just find it odd. After all, the beggar had just asked for money, wasn't he already looking at them? It occurs to me that he probably wasn't really looking at them. I imagine him sitting there, eyes downcast, begging ashamedly. Not really looking up, just reaching out his hand. I don't see this as a posture of humility, but rather as desperation and dejection. I see this daily in the beggars in my own town, sitting on a street corner holding a sign, not really looking up at the people they are asking money from.

How often do I approach God this way? If I am honest, it is often. Just this morning I am feeling extremely beat up by the world. I don't approach God this morning humble yet confident, rather I am approaching him broken and tired. My head is hung low, and I am just begging for any scrap from his table. I am reminded of the Psalm "why so downcast O my soul?"

Then comes the amazing part of the story, Peer commands "look at us!". The message version says Peter looked him straight in the eye. This had to be unusual. I can't imagine that many people looked this beggar in the eye, or allowed him to look them in the eye for that matter. But that's what Peter does. He wants the man's full attention, and he causes the man to lift his eyes. Then, instead of giving the man what he thinks he needs, he gives him Jesus.

In my heart this morning, this story resonates. It's as if I hear God commanding me "look at Me!". He is making me lift up my eyes. He is raising my countenance. And what I see is Him looking back at me, not shunning me because of my downtrodden state. And instead of offering me my grocery list of whines, He is offering me what I need; Jesus.

My response? To look up at Him, look into His loving eyes, and accept His love. I choose to finish the psalm; "why so downcast o my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my savior and God".

Psalm 121: "I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?"

Marked

2010-10-14T08:43:00.000-07:00

Nehemiah 12 and Acts 3
There is so much in these chapters that is hard to break down each nugget, but I will try.

The first nugget is the way Nehemiah describes David. He talks about David as "the man of God". What a legacy. Was David called that because he had essentially been the last king to follow God? Or did following God mark his life so much that even generations later that is how they remembered him? I think it was the latter. I want to live my life like that, not for my glory, but that God's faithfulness would be evident.

The second nugget is the response of Peter to the beggar in Acts 3. The beggar was asking for money but Peter saw past that to the real need, to the spiritual need. Instead of giving him spare change, Peter healed the man in the Name of Jesus. What would have happened if Peter had had money to give the beggar? Would he have done what we do and just handed money to the problem and hoped it fixed itself? I don't think so. Again, I think his life was so marked by following Jesus that this was his natural response. I again want to live such a life.

The third nugget is the way the two chapters talk about being clean before the Lord. Nehemiah talks how they dedicated the wall and themselves to God. The choirs came and sang and marched. The priest purified themselves and the people. Sacrifices were slaughtered. Everyone rejoiced. But it took the acts of the priests, and the sacrifices and the choirs to dedicate them. Acts talks about being dedicated to the Lord as well. Vs 19; "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord," The difference is; now it is our responsibility; and it is surprisingly simple. (Note: I did not say easy) Repent and turn to God. That's it. Believe in Jesus who was killed. It is no longer up to the priests and the sacrificers and the choirs to dedicate us. The work has been done and is completed. Now it is up to us. Repent and turn to God, so that our sins may be wiped out and the times of refreshing will come. Too often I rely on others for my salvation. I figure if I go to church and clap along with the worship I good. If I have the pastors pray over me, I must be ok. But I don't take the responsibility upon myself to repent and turn to God himself rather than some earthly expression of Him. I think the biggest nugget of this morning is that when I do just do the simple thing of repenting and turning to God, in every moment of my life, then my life too will be marked in such a way that I will see past immediate needs into the true needs of people, I will be able to offer physical and spiritual healing through Jesus, and I will be known as a man of God. And then, God will get the glory.

Using up the soil

2010-09-30T09:08:00.000-07:00

September 30, 2010

Luke 13:5-8 ”I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish." Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'" 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' "

The people seem to have been trying to justify themselves, at least that’s how Jesus seemed to take it. They point out some heinous act by Pilate, and he comes back with “Do you think they were bigger sinners than….” They were trying to deflect, and Jesus points it right back at them. He does this by telling the story of a fig tree that is not bearing fruit. “For three years I’ve been coming to this tree looking for fruit and haven’t found any Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?” Wow, this is not the happy Jesus from the flannel boards. This is angry-eyes Jesus. This is the Jesus who demands something from His followers. He demands fruit. And those not bearing fruit, He says to cut down. This is the real Jesus. So much of our culture, even within the church, says that if we will simply go to church and be “good”, we will go to heaven. Here Jesus says hanging out with him is not good enough. Vs 24-27. "We ate and drank with you, you taught in our streets. And he will reply “away with you evildoers!” This chapter makes me nervous. Am I bearing fruit? Am I truly doing all I can do or am I simply taking up space and “using the soil”? I don’t think I am just using up soil today, but I know that I have a tendency to coast when I can. This verse reminds me that coasting in the Kingdom is not acceptable. We are to be bearing fruit.

Fortunately, Jesus offers hope. In the parable, the farmer asks for one more year so he can fertilize the tree. Jesus allows that in the parable, saying if it doesn’t bear fruit in that year to cut it down then. Jesus expects fruit, but He also gives us opportunity to grow. My questions to myself today are: am I producing fruit, am I fertilizing myself, am I doing more than just eating and drinking and listening to Him teach? What do I need to do today to not just be "using up the soil?"

Father, I know that I cannot bear fruit on my own. Please work in my life to produce a crop that is pleasing to you. I love you Jesus,

Amen

They tried to keep him from leaving

2010-09-21T10:07:00.000-07:00

September 21, 2010

Luke 4:42, 43 "At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. But he said, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent."

There is a lot of good stuff in Luke 4. The temptation of Jesus is a Gold mine that could be studied for years. In fact, there are parts of it that hit me in an extremely personal way this morning that I will be praying about. But I am not going to write about that. What hit me this morning was the end of the chapter, a couple of verses that I have never paid much attention to. A couple of verses that remind me of most of the Christians I know, if we were being honest.

The story goes that Jesus went out to pray in a solitary place. And the people, like usual, went looking for him. This scenario is repeated throughout much of the Gospels. Jesus goes to pray, people want something from him, so they track him down. But here is the part of the verse that I normally skip over; "They tried to keep him from leaving them." They wanted to keep Jesus for themselves. They had just gone through all the work to find him, now they wanted to keep him there. I doubt that they consciously wanted to be selfish and keep him all to themselves. I think rather that they were so focused on their own needs and desires, they just weren't thinking about the fact that others might need Jesus too.

How often do we do this in our lives? I think we do it more than we realize. If not in our minds, then definitely in our thoughts and actions. We searched for Jesus and found him. We know where he is, he is in the church down the street that we attend. Maybe he is in our small group bible study. And we go to visit him on a regular schedule. Maybe he is in our home and we visit with him every morning. But here is the question; do we ever take him with us to all the places we go, or do we leave him where we found him and beg him not to leave. "I'm going to need you tomorrow morning again Jesus, please just stay here." Again, we may not do this consciously - but when is the last time you took Jesus to work, or to the bank, or to the playground with your kids. When is the last time you invited someone to come to where Jesus is, or introduced them to Jesus? When is the last time you went up to someone with a problem and told them "I know the answer, you've got to meet Jesus."?

Jesus told the people "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent." And now, that responsibility falls on us. How are we doing? Are we telling people the good news, or are we satisfied that we know the good news, and that's good enough for us. Our hearts may be thinking one thing, but what our are actions saying? I am reminded of growing up. I had a crush on the neighbor girl for years, but I never told her. I "loved" her from afar, but it never affected her life. Love is action, and by not taking any action, she never knew she was loved. That's how it is with our faith. We can truly think we love someone, or we can know that Jesus loves them, but if we don't tell them - if we don't put feet to our faith, they will never know, and our love will be useless. Love that doesn't do, isn't love. Love is action. Jesus is for us, and for everyone else. We must not, I must not, keep him to myself any longer.

Father God, please help me to introduce your Son to those around me. Forgive me for trying to keep Him to myself. I love you Jesus.

Amen

Drinking from the fire hose

2010-09-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

Revelation 21:6 "He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life."

One question screams in the back of my mind as I read this verse today; "How thirsty are you?" Jesus tells me, here and in other verses, that if I am thirsty He will quench my thirst. Funny thing about thirst, we get used to not drinking. I have been told that we live in a massively dehydrated society. People don't drink enough water. Oh, we may drink plenty of liquids, but most of those don't count. So we end up dehydrated, which leads to a multitude of problems, including but not limited to; fatigue, headaches and joint pain, water retention leading to weight gain, and trouble concentrating. I personally know these effects as I have a habit of replacing water intake with Diet Pepsi and Rockstar.

I feel this is the way I am in my walk; I may be thirsty all the time, but my tendency is to drink the wrong things. Instead of reading the Word, I read books about the Word. Instead of truly worshipping, I listen to Christian music in my car or my office and call it adequate. When I am in terrible thirst, I may drink from the water of life, but just enough to get through that moment. Then I go back to what is habitual. And I end up Spiritually fatigued, I get Spiritually fat and lazy, I have trouble concentrating on the things of God. I become Spiritually dehydrated.

Hence the question in the back of my mind this morning; "How thirsty am I?" Although my Spirit is crying out for Water, I give it substitutes. But here is Jesus, inviting me to drink straight from the stream, without cost. That means He is offering me as much as I want, and I think He wants me to drink alot. Jesus invites us not to just dip our face to the surface of the Water and take a sip. Rather, He invites us to plunge our heads into the flowing Water and to drink until we are bursting. And then, to do it again.

So today, that is my intention. I made a commitment to myself the other day to cut back on the Diet Pepsi and to completely quit the energy drinks. At the time I had no idea it would translate into my walk with the Lord, but that is how He works. He is inviting me to put down the substitutes, and submerge myself in the stream of Living Water. He is inviting me to the spiritual equivalent of drinking from the fire hose.

Thank you Father for giving me access to your Water. May my thirst drive me not to cheap substitutes, but rather may it drive me straight to You.

I love you Jesus,
Amen

Open hearted

2010-06-03T10:22:00.000-07:00

June 3, 2010

Psalm 27:19 "As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man."

I am a pretty decent actor. I am comfortable on a stage and I am comfortable in front of a group of people. I am good at my job because I can relate and fit in from the warehouse to the boardroom. Over the years, I have refined the art of putting on the appropriate face for the appropriate crowd. And to be honest, I am convinced that so has the majority of people in the world. In our lives we now have Facebook and Myspace and Twitter, and a hundred other websites that allow us to portray an image out to the world. But it may or may not be real. I like the country song lyrics that say "I'm so much cooler online."

So, if everyone is acting to some degree, and putting up the profile they want others to see, how do we ever see the real person? We watch their heart. How do they treat others, even when no one else is looking? What is their attitude like? What do they spend their money on? Under stress, how do they react? The heart will always betray itself, no matter what the face is showing.

1 Samuel 16:7 says " But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." The question I am asking myself this morning is; how does my heart look? Am I believing my own marketing? Am I acting like something that I am not? Or, am I guarding my heart to protect it from evil and to allow it to serve and glorify the Lord. I don't want people to see something that isn't me, I want to live open hearted. And I pray that if I do that, that my heart will reflect me as a man who loves his Lord.

Father, please do a heart check in me. Remove anything that needs to be removed. "Create in me a clean heart Lord." I love you Jesus,
Amen

God went for the jugular

2010-05-27T08:36:00.000-07:00

May 27, 2010
Romans 8:1-4 (Msg) "With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.
God went for the jugular when he sent his own Son. He didn't deal with the problem as something remote and unimportant. In his Son, Jesus, he personally took on the human condition, entered the disordered mess of struggling humanity in order to set it right once and for all. The law code, weakened as it always was by fractured human nature, could never have done that.
The law always ended up being used as a Band-Aid on sin instead of a deep healing of it. And now what the law code asked for but we couldn't deliver is accomplished as we, instead of redoubling our own efforts, simply embrace what the Spirit is doing in us."

Paul tells us that the Law was good, in that it showed us what right and wrong are, but it was powerless in that it couldn't keep us from doing wrong. So there was a "fateful dilemma"; God wanted relationship with us, but He couldn't because we were condemned by our sin. So God took on the problem. I like this version of these verses; "God went for the jugular..." The imagery there is incredible. God saw the human condition, and loved us so much that personally took on the human condition in order to set things right. By taking on our sin and dying in our place, we no longer face condemnation. That relationship is restored. "The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death."

This dichotomy between the Law and Grace gets confusing. Sometimes Grace doesn't feel right. We think we still need to earn relationship through the law. But it doesn't work. The Law may keep us from sinning for a while, or we may "look" like we are doing good. But we are not truly reconciled to God. "The law always ended up being used as a Band-Aid on sin instead of a deep healing of it." Many Christians are trying to earn grace and salvation by following a set of rules: don't watch that movie, give to World Vision, throw out your TV, mow your neighbors lawn. And these things may be good (Christ did not come to abolish the Law), but they don't change the condition of our hearts. Like Paul said, we tend to redouble our own efforts. "This time I'm not going to ..., next week I'm going to three church services." I ask myself - "how's that working out for you?" The honest answer is - it's not. No matter what we do, no matter how we act; on our own we can not be counted righteous. We need to "Simply embrace what the Spirit s doing in us." Is it easy? No. Is it worth it? Absolutely. I am so thankful that through Christ, I no longer stand as one condemned. Through the Spirit, I can live freely and be in relationship with God.

Father, thank you for coming to this Earth, entering the disordered mess off struggling humanity, and saving me. Help me to embrace your Spirit in my life. I love you Jesus,
Amen

We are all slaves to something

2010-05-26T07:36:00.000-07:00

May 25, 2010

Romans 6:16-18 "Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

We are all slaves to something. We all offer ourselves at one altar or another. If, as Paul puts it, we "offer the members of our body" to sin, then we become entrapped in that. Sin begets sin. And as vs. 23 says "The wages of sin is death." Being a slave to sin kills relationships, kills opportunities, kills faith. It leads to emotional, spiritual and eventually physical death. On the flip side, righteousness begets righteousness. Living to please God heals relationships, creates opportunities, and builds hope. It leads to emotional, spiritual, and physical life.

I believe in free will, but I believe that free will all boils down to one question, one decision. Will I choose sin or righteousness? What I decide in that one choice will dictate all future decisions. Everything will be influenced by that one choice. One choice (even if it is made every day) will set me on a course of action and point me in a specific direction. We are all slaves to something. Today I choose to be a slave to righteousness, I accept the second part of vs. 23 "but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Father, I praise you for saving me from slavery to sin. I thank you that you offer me eternal life, and that you enable me to be a slave to righteousness. I admit my powerlessness to do that on my own. I love you Jesus,
Amen

What God always wanted to do for us

2010-05-24T10:22:00.001-07:00

May 24, 2010

Romans 5:1, 2 (Msg) "By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise."

What an incredible word picture this is, and what an awe-inspiring thought. "By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us." What God has always wanted to for us. Imagine that. God was waiting around for Eternity for you and I to make the decision to enter through faith so that He could doe what He has always wanted to do, to make us right with Him and fit for Him. That's how much He loves us.

And I love the next part; "We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise." He has already thrown open His door to us, and we find ourselves in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory. Standing tall, no longer hunched over from the burden of sin and this world. When we turn to God through Christ, we find Him there waiting for us. He pursued us, not the other way around.

Father, I am humbled and awed by your love. Thank you for reconcilling me to you through Christ. I love you Jesus,
Amen

For His Name's sake

2010-05-24T09:51:00.000-07:00

May 20, 2010

Romans 1:5 "Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith."

Reading the book of Romans is like drinking from a fire hose. There is so much there. It is possibly the most complete book of theology that Paul penned. My understanding is that Paul hadn't made it to Rome to teach them personally yet, so he wanted this letter to be enough for them until he could get there. So we have this great letter that outlines everything we need to know about Christ, and he starts it with this simple (and often overlooked) phrase; "for His name's sake".

Paul is reminding us all, right from the beginning that everything God has done for us is really for Him. He is love, so He love us. We are to bring Him glory, not ourselves glory. We are to bring Him praise, not ourselves praise. We are to build His kingdom, and not our own. We reap incredible benefits from being loved by Him, but the benefits are not the reason we follow Him. He is the reason we follow Him. Everything we do is for His Name's sake and not our name's sake. I need to remember that every day.

Father, help me to give you Glory. I repent of the times when I think that this world has anything to do with me. May I always point everything back to you. I love you Jesus.

Amen

I dont want to wait until He slays me

2010-05-18T08:44:00.000-07:00

May 18, 2010

Psalm 78:34-37 "Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again. They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer. But then they would flatter him with their mouths, lying to him with their tongues; their hearts were not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant."

The Psalmist is once again reminding Israel of all the Lord has done for them from the time they were in Egypt to the time of David. He reminds them of God's faithfulness, and of their own unfaithfulness. I am struck by this section of verse this morning because it reminds me of my own faith so often. "Whenever God slew them, they would seek him." Why does it seem that so often we only seek God when we are in trouble? Why do we only cry out when we are in despair? And, perhaps even more perplexing; why after turning our hearts to Him when He responds, do we then turn around and reject Him again? "But then they would flatter him with their mouths, lying to him with their tongues; their hearts were not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant."

What will our faith story look like when it is being recalled in the future? Will we have a story like the Israelites; God was faithful but they weren't? Will we even have a story of faith to be told? I want my story to read different. I want my story to read; "He cried out to God in trouble, and God heard him. He remembered that God was his Rock, that God Most High was his Redeemer. And after he remembered that, he continued to cry out to God. In times of trial and times of joy, he cried out to God, giving God all the Glory. He learned of God's faithfulness, and he remained faithful to God all the days of his life. And he taught others of the goodness of God, and God's name and power were known throughout the land."

That's the story I want told about my faith. That is the story I want to be able to tell about the faith of those around me. It is our responsibility to encourage each other, to build each other up, to take this faith journey together. So that when we reach the end of the story we all hear "Well done, my good and faithful servants. Enter into the Joy of your Lord."

Father, I beg forgiveness for the times I have not remained faithful. I beg forgiveness for the times when I have only acknowledged you in the midst of my pain. I beg forgiveness for the times I have not acknowledged you at all. Help me to be faithful. Help me to live a faith story that inspires others and brings you Glory. I love you Jesus,
Amen

Truth and Consequences

2010-05-13T14:39:00.000-07:00

May 13 2010

2 Samuel 24:10-12 "David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the LORD, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O LORD, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing." Before David got up the next morning, the word of the LORD had come to Gad the prophet, David's seer: "Go and tell David, 'This is what the LORD says: I am giving you three options. Choose one of them for me to carry out against you.' "
1 Thessalonians 2:13,14 "And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. For you, brothers, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews,

There is Truth, there is consequences. We see this throughout the Bible and throughout our lives. In the passage above from 2 Samuel, we see the consequences of sin. David did a dumb thing and counted the army. He knew he messed up and he begged for forgiveness. And although the Lord forgave him, there was consequences. God gave David three options for punishment and seventy thousand people died. Consequences of sin are real.

In the passage from Thessalonians, we see the consequences of obedience. They accepted the word of God, and the consequence was that the word went to work within them and they became imitators of Christ. But through that; they also suffered for Christ. Consequences to obedience are real. That may not sound so encouraging but it is. For even though the Thessalonians were suffering, we know from other passages in the Word that suffering brings us closer to Christ. That is a consequence of our suffering.

No matter what, the Truth has consequences. When Truth comes into contact with our rebellion (sin), the greatest Consequence is that it requires the death of Christ to purchase our forgiveness and redemption. But many times, we see consequences affect our everyday life as well. We will always be forgiven if we ask, but we may not get off without paying some consequence. The good news is that when Truth comes into contact with a repentant heart, the consequence of eternal separation from God is removed. For the Truth (the Word of God) is always at work within those who believe.

Father God, help me to always be aware of the consequences of my thoughts and actions. Help me to count the cost of my sin, and also to count the cost of obedience. May I always remember that the ultimate consequence of my obedience is eternal life spent with you. When I face consequences of repented sin, or uncomfortable obedience, may you give me strength and grace and mercy to stand up under those consequences. I love you Jesus,
Amen

It's not time for resting

2010-05-06T08:03:00.000-07:00

May 6, 2010

2 Samuel 11:11 "11 Uriah said to David, "The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my master Joab and my lord's men are camped in the open fields. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and lie with my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!"

The story of David and Bathsheba. There is so much in this story that worth studying, there are so many lessons to be learned. I could contemplate the fact the David stayed in Jerusalem while the army was off fighting. I could think about the varying degrees of David's sin, from adultery to murder. Like I said, there is so much to be learned in this chapter. It's almost like drinking from a fire hose.

But instead of trying to break down the entire story, I was struck this morning by this one verse. David had called Uriah home from the battle lines with the thought being that if Uriah went home and slept with his wife, David could try to say that the father of Bathsheba's child was Uriah and not himself. Sounded like a good plan, as far as sin-covering manipulative plans go. The problem was, Uriah wasn't cooperating. Uriah wouldn't go home to his wife. Uriah didn't know about the affair between his wife and David, but he knew what was going on around him. His brother's in arms were in the middle of battle. The were living in hard conditions and dying. He felt it would dishonor them relax with his wife. If the rest of the guys didn't get to come home, neither did he.

What strikes me about this verse, is how I don't share in this attitude. There is a battle going on in this world. A spiritual battle for the souls of mankind. And I am sitting home sipping coffee and enjoying my wife. Sure, I do my "spiritual duty" now and then. But I don't live in an awareness of what's going on around me. I fight a few skirmishes and then retreat without an cognitive thought of the battle going on around me. I put down my sword, lean my shield against the wall, and go about my life as if nothing is happening. But stuff is happening, all around me. People are hurting and in despair, children are being misused, souls are being dragged to hell. And I am content sitting on the couch watching the Biggest Loser. Who am I to think I should be sitting on my hands doing nothing, that the things of God don't concern me?

Now, I don't think God is calling us all to live the life of warrior monks. He wants to bless us and give us rest. But we need to have the constant awareness of what is going on around us. We need to engage in the battle. While we are on this planet, in this life, we owe it to the One who died for us to go out and fight for His children. It is not for us to say "Whew! I'm saved, that's awesome. Now I can relax." Rather, it is for us to realize we are saved, now we need to re-enter the struggle and go back for those who aren't yet safe.

Father God, forgive me for being spiritually lazy. Forgive me for eating and drinking and relaxing when there is a battle raging around me. Please give me the strength and the courage to enter the fight, in your Name, and to not abandon those still fighting. I love you Jesus,
Amen

Good ideas, or God ideas?

2010-05-03T10:38:00.000-07:00

May 3, 2010

1 Chronicles 17:1-4 "After David was settled in his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent." Nathan replied to David, "Whatever you have in mind, do it, for God is with you." That night the word of God came to Nathan, saying: "Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in."

David had a good idea. He wanted to honor God by building him a house. David didn't think it was right that he should be living in a palace while the Ark of the Covenant was sitting in a tent. And then David took his good idea and did a good thing; he went to the prophet of God. And Nathan listened to the good idea, couldn't find anything wrong with it, and gave good advice. "Whatever you have in mind, do it, for God is with you." The problem was that the good idea wasn't necessarily a God idea. It seemed like it should be, but it seems no one asked God about it. David asked Nathan, and Nathan didn't ask anyone.

So, David started planning, and Nathan went back to doing prophety stuff, and God stepped in. "That night the word of God came to Nathan, saying: "Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in." ... "Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their leaders whom I commanded to shepherd my people, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" (vs. 6) David had an idea, Nathan had an opinion, but God had other plans.

I identify with both David and Nathan in this story. Like David, I sometimes have great ideas that I think will bless the Lord. So I find Godly men and women, and I ask their opinions and advice. And I begin to move forward. But I don't necessarily ask God, because after all it's such a great idea that how can God not be on board. And it may be a good idea, just maybe not a God idea. Or maybe it is a God idea, but maybe I don't understand my role in it. Maybe I'm just supposed to help someone else do it. (David ended up gathering the supplies for Solomon to build the temple.) Other times, I am like Nathan. People come to me with their good ideas, it strikes a cord in my heart and just feels right, and I tell that person; "Whatever you have in mind, do it, for God is with you." But I don't ask God. I go off of my own wisdom of feelings. And then God has to correct me. He has to come and tell me that the idea is not His idea. And I have to go back to the person with a new message. They get confused and I look double minded. (Notice, God isn't double minded. I just never asked Him in the first place.) This has happened a few times in my life.

I don't want to follow my own good ideas. I want to follow God ideas. And to do that; I need to ensure that I am seeking God about the ideas. It is still important to consult with other Godly men and women, but I need to make sure that they too are seeking God about it. And when someone comes to me, I need to make sure I am seeking God for them, not just going off of my own wisdom or feelings. If someone honors me by asking for my council, I need to honor them by making sure the council I give them is from God.

Father, help me to always seek Your wisdom. May I not be satisfied with good ideas, but may I strive after God ideas. I love you Jesus,
Amen

Inquire, listen, obey

2010-04-29T09:29:00.000-07:00

April 29, 2010

2 Samuel 5:19-20,23-25 "so David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?" The LORD answered him, "Go, for I will surely hand the Philistines over to you." So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. ...so David inquired of the LORD, and he answered, "Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because that will mean the LORD has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army." So David did as the LORD commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer."

David inquired, the Lord answered, David did. Sometimes I inquire and just do before I hear the Lord's answer. Sometimes I think I hear the Lord, and I do - but I never really inquired. Sometimes I inquire, hear the Lord's answer, and then don't do. Occasionally I inquire and then don't wait for an answer and then don't do. Sometimes I don't inquire, hear, or do. Sometimes I just do.

The trick here, is to be like David; To inquire of the Lord, wait for His answer, and then do it Exactly like He said. I wonder what would have happened if David heard the Lord's answer, but didn't want to do it. If he thought his own strategy was better than God's. I mean really, wait until you hear the sound of marching in the tree tops? That just sounds weird. Maybe we should just bum rush them right up the middle. I think if David had done that, his kingdom would have been cut very short. (Just look what happened to Saul)

There is a movement lately to do more praying, and that is a good thing. Prayer melds our hearts with the heart of the Lord. The problem arises when we either don't wait for God to answer, or we don't do what He tells us. Prayer is awesome, but the Lord also requires action. Too often we pray God's blessing over our plans, but we don't wait to hear if He has better plans. Then we wonder why we fail. We need to pray, listen, and then act. When we do that then our hearts are one with God's, the plans are His not ours, and lives are changed through our actions. And all the glory goes to the Father.

Jesus, help me to take this three pronged approach to everything I do: inquire, listen, obey. I love you Jesus,
Amen

He offers rest

2010-04-26T15:04:00.000-07:00

April 26, 2010

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

These are some of the most comforting words to me in all of Scripture. I tend to get worn down and weary, a lot. I long to come to Jesus and have Him give me rest. But I admit, I've used this passage selfishly. I want rest, I want to come to Jesus, I want take his yoke. At times it seems I fail to remember that this passage is perhaps one of the best evangelical passages there is. When people are in crisis, or just getting beat up in life, it doesn't always matter in their minds that Jesus saves them from their sins and offers eternal life. Really, who wants an eternity of the stuff they are going through. Sometimes what people need is help right here, right now. And this is what Jesus is offering - rest to the weary and the burdened.

I have been listening to Casting Crowns again on YouTube today and I came across their song "Love them like Jesus", and once again their lyrics have floored me.

"You’re holding their hand, you’re straining for words, You’re trying to make sense of it all
They’re desperate for hope, darkness clouding their view, They’re looking to you
Just love them like Jesus, carry them to Him, His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don’t need the answers to all of life’s questions, Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
Love them like Jesus'

If we are truly in relationship with people, life will get messy. Divorces will happen, jobs will be lost, children will die. It is during these times, when people need the Lord the most, that words often fail us. Or worse, words make it worse. I remember when we lost children through miscarriages, or when my father died, people's sympathy fell short. "Everything will be alright" isn't always what people need to hear. It is during these times we need to not offer words, but show the reality of this passage. As Casting Crowns puts it; "Carry them to Him, His yoke is easy, His burden is light. You don’t need the answers to all of life’s questions, Just know that He loves them and stay by their side Love them like Jesus'' I need to show people Jesus, to help them find rest in His arms. To love on them, take their burden, be Jesus with skin on. Once they've had a chance to find rest and comfort in the here and now, then I can share the good news that goes on into eternity.

Father, help me have a compassionate eye out for those who are weary and heavy burdened. May I come alongside them and lead them to you, may I help carry their burdens and so you may give them rest. Help me to not confuse things with empty words, but to simply love the hurting and the lost like you do. I love you Jesus,
Amen

This business of love

2010-04-22T07:05:00.001-07:00

April 22, 20

Matthew 9:12-13 "On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Jesus desires mercy, not sacrifice. What does that mean? It comes down to the condition of our hearts. Many Christians today offer sacrifices; we sacrifice our time to go to church, we sacrifice our money for the tithe, we may even sacrifice time occasionally for a serving project. And these are good things. But Jesus cares about how we treat people. What are our thoughts on others? Jesus says this while eating with tax collectors and "sinners". He ends the thought with "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." This tells me that it is all about the people. Is it possible for us to offer our sacrifices of time and money and not have the right attitude about the people? Absolutely it is. Even if we don't have bad thoughts about the people we are serving, but instead look at them as "projects", we are in the wrong. Christ sat with the "sinners", he had meals with them. They followed him around, not because they were his projects, but because they wanted to be near him. He loved people. He had mercy.

This is what the Lord is speaking to me today. More than any service project or act of worship, he desires that I have mercy, love, and compassion towards his children. That I build relationships with them. That I get off my pedestal of "serving" and get down to the business of loving.

Father God, thank you for this word today. Teach me to love your children like you love your children. I love you Jesus,

Amen

Sometimes we encourage, sometimes we are encouraged

2010-04-20T16:38:00.000-07:00

April 20 , 2010

1 Samuel 23:15-17 "While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life. And Saul's son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God."

David was in a bad place. Everything was going wrong. He had been anointed by Samuel, had become a leader of men, and then was chased out of the palace by Saul. He was running for his life. He had just rescued the town of Keilah, and then been betrayed by the people he rescued. Now David had learned that he was once again being hunted. I imagine that he was tired of hiding, and feeling a bit discouraged. I imagine maybe he was even beginning to question what was going on, and if God knew what He was doing. I imagine these things because of what this verse tells me - "Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God." If David had been particularly full of strength at the time, Jonathan wouldn't have needed to help him find strength. Way to go Jonathan!

I love this verse because it shows how much we really on each other. Here is David, writer of the Psalms, man after God's own heart, and he needs to be encouraged. He needs someone to come help him find a little strength. If David, this mighty man of faith, needs help sometimes - then how much more so do I need to lay aside my pride once in awhile and admit that I need help? But I love the other side of this verse too. I love the action of Jonathan. Although he should have been king after Saul, he turns his back on that to go encourage David. He understood his place in the plans of God. "Don't be afraid," he said. "My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this." If Jonathan, mighty man of God, laid aside his supposed rights (his right to the throne) in order to go and encourage his friend - how much more so do I need to lay aside my pride to go and encourage. It's not about me, or my accomplishments. It's about how I can help and encourage others to fulfil their purposes in God's plans. And through that, I will be filling my purpose.

We do not walk this journey of faith alone. Sometimes we need encouragement, and sometimes we are the encouragement. May I never forget that. May I never be so arrogant as to try to run this race alone. I need others, and they need me.

Father, thank you that you did not leave us alone, but rather that you modeled relationship. Help me to keep my eyes open for those who need to be encouraged, and help me to lay down my pride when I need to be encouraged. I love you Jesus,

Amen

The Lord who delivered me.....

2010-04-15T07:10:00.000-07:00

April 15, 2010

1 Samuel 17:34-37 "But David said to Saul, "Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine."

Israel is facing a battle, and they are facing it poorly. For forty days the giant Goliath has been taunting them and taunting God. One man has the king and the armies of Israel quaking and running in fear. No one would stand against Goliath because they were terrified. Then along comes this teenager who steps up to the challenge. This boy who says he will fight Goliath. Everyone accuses him of being arrogant, or to young, or to inexperienced, and they try to keep him from fighting. Then David says these words "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And with that thought in his mind, he goes out and with simple weapons slays the giant.

I think the story of David and Goliath is so popular because it seems like we are constantly right in the middle of it. We have Giants in our lives taunting us; health issues, the economy, sin, work, family - you name it, we have it. And it seems that at different times, we play the part of the different characters in the story. Sometimes we play the part of the Israelite army, and these giants cause us to quake in our boots. They can cause us to doubt our God. We feel hopeless, helpless, and powerless. We may form up our battle lines, but as soon as the giant starts in his taunt, we tend to scatter. Sometimes we play the part of king Saul, and we offer rewards and bribes to others to come and kill our Giant.

But God wants us to play the part of David. He wants us to stand up to the giants in our lives, confident that the battle isn't really ours, but rather belongs to the Lord. And the Lord prepares us for this by putting us through similar situations and by proving faithful. He trains us. How did David know the Lord would prevail? Because he had seen it before. "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." The Lord had moved in the lives of Saul and the army, but they let their present circumstances distract them. David kept his eyes on the Lord and remembered what He had done for him in the past.

This is my challenge today. I am facing giants, and I know many people who are facing giants of their own. And some of them are huge, and they have big swords. But God is bigger. The same God who rescued us in the past, who washed our sins away, is the same God that wants to fight for us now. He wants to win our battles and show Himself as God. This is why it is so important that we make it a habit to remember the times He fought for us in the past. So when we are faced with Giants, our confidence in what He has done will overpower the fear we have in front of us. Because we know that the same Lord who delivered us in the past, will deliver us now.

Father, thank you for fighting for me. Thank you that I don't have to be afraid of my giants, for I know that you will knock them down. I love you Jesus,

Amen

If you are really turning to the Lord....

2010-04-09T16:12:00.000-07:00

April 9, 2010

1 Samuel 7:3 "And Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, "If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines."

It seems my life, and the life of most people I know, seems to be sort of cyclical. I have times where I am extremely close to the Lord, and times when I get lazy and I start to slip away. And then, when I realize finally that I have drifted, I try to get close to Him again. The problem is, when I try to get close to Him again, I do so while at the same time trying to stay close to habits or hangups that led to my drifting away. Maybe I want to get close to the Lord, but I also want to keep being excessively negative. Maybe I want to keep watching movies or TV shows that I probably shouldn't be watching. Maybe I want to draw close, but don't want to take the time to truly seek the Lord, or to serve Him, or to change some of my thoughts and attitudes. What ever it is, it seems that my tendancy is to want to have my cake and eat it too. I want to live in the world, and be close to God.

The Israelites seem to have this problem too. Reading their history in the Old Testament, it's easy to be judgemental and think they were idiots. Their whole nation was cyclical, worshiping God and then straying from Him. In hindsight, I can say the same thing about my life - what an idiot. Anyways, in today's verse, Israel was once again seeking the Lord, and Samuel had message for them. He basically told them that if they really wanted to return to the Lord with all their hearts, then that's what they needed to do. With all their hearts. Not with just a part. They had to get rid of the Junk in their lives, and they had to commit themselves wholly to the Lord, and then He would deliver them from the hands of the Philistines. And they did, so He did.

In my life I am in a season of seeking the Lord in a deeper manner than I have in a long time. And I hear Him telling me to get rid of some of the Junk in my life. Only then will He truly deliver me. So slowly and painfully I am getting rid of Junk. And He is helping me, and He is delivering me.

Father, thank you that you give us the strength to follow you. Please help me to give you my undivided love and service. Help me get rid of the Junk in my life that keeps me from fully serving you. I love you Jesus,
Amen

As the leader goes....

2010-04-08T07:02:00.000-07:00

April 8, 2010

1 Samuel 3:1 "The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions."

In 1 Samuel 2 we learn that the sons of Eli the priest are wicked and are taking advantage of God's people. So much so, that the Lord puts a curse on Eli's family saying no man in the family line will ever grow old. God is so serious that He says in 3:14 "Therefore, I swore to the house of Eli, 'The guilt of Eli's house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.' " It is in this context of Israel being led by wicked priests that we are told that the word of the Lord was rare and that there were not many visions. This seems to be an example of "as goes the leader, so goes the people." Eli had a responsibility to honor God, and to teach the Israelites to honor him. Instead, he allowed his sons to do evil, thus setting an example to the people. I can't help but think that the word of the Lord was rare, not because the Lord didn't have anything to say, but because the priests and the people had quit listening.

As a leader, I have two responsibilities that stand out to me this morning. 1) Do not take advantage of the people I am leading. Do not scorn their service and their sacrifice. They serve the Lord, not me. 2) My example counts for everything. I need to be seeking the Lord, and I need to be encouraging those I lead to do the same thing. As goes the leader, so goes the people. I do not want to have it written about me that in my days, or in my ministry, the Word of the Lord was rare.

Father, teach me to lead your people. Please help me to be an example that leads people into your presence, not away from it. I love you Jesus,

Amen

What has He done for you lately

2010-04-07T15:15:00.001-07:00

April 7, 2010

Psalm 66:16-20 "Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!"

When was the last time we called out "Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me"? As Christ followers we should be spreading His glory, we should be be telling others the wonderous things that He has done for us. Not only does it encourage others, it encourages us. It is far too easy to get caught up in the stuff of life and to loose sight of what God is doing. By making a habit of telling others, we remind ourselves of God's goodness. When we focus on the Light, we don't have time to be distracted by the dark.

Father, may I continue to have the privilege of telling others what you have done for me. May I be a mouthpiece for Your glory. I love you Jesus,
Amen

Sincere heart, or spectacular ministry?

2010-04-05T11:55:00.000-07:00

April 5, 2010

2 Corinthians 5:11-12 "Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too. Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart."

"Those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart." I think just about anyone who is honest can say they know of a spectacular ministry that just doesn't have a sincere heart. Maybe the people started with sincere hearts, but something happened. Maybe they got caught up in success. Maybe they got caught up in ego or pressure to perform. Whatever happened, their hearts became less sincere, but the outside appearances of their ministry were great. Paul is giving the Corinthians "an answer" for those people, which tells me that it was a problem.

And it is a problem. The Bible reminds us that God does not look at the outside appearance, but rather at the heart. Do you participate in a "spectacular ministry"? Where is your heart? Do you participate in a "less than spectacular" ministry? Where is your heart? Paul seems to be saying it's all about the sincerity of our hearts. Are we working for God's glory, our own?

Father, I once again give you my heart. Father, help me not to get caught up in any trappings of success, but rather may my heart always stay pure and sincere - desiring to please you and to persuade others of your love. I love you Jesus,

Amen

Whose example is being followed?

2010-03-26T16:16:00.000-07:00

March 26, 2010

1 Corinthians 11:1 "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."

Wow, that's a bold statement. As leaders we should be able to make that statement. As Christians we ought to be able to make that statement. But I wonder how many of us can make that statement in confidence. I wonder if I can. When people follow my example, what are they really following? Are they seeing the example set by Christ? Or, are they seeing the example set by me? Even more thought provoking, are they seeing me and blaming it on Christ? This happens all the time in our culture. Christ has a bad reputation because of the actions of his followers. We aren't following his example, but people who don't know him don't know any different. They just assume what Jesus must be like because of how we, especially leaders, act.

James 3:1 has been haunting me all week. "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." What, judged strictly? This verse should cause us to take pause and examine ourselves and the example we are setting. If we are presuming to be teachers, leaders, mentors, we better be very careful about what we are doing. Jesus' name is at stake, as are the eternities of those we are teaching, leading, or mentoring. The example we are setting has more far reaching effects than we can imagine. May we truly be able to tell people "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." And, if for some reason we can't say that, then lets be honest enough to admit that and take the appropriate action.

Jesus, I pray that you help me to continue to follow your example so that I can show You to those who are following me. I love you Lord,
Amen

Do we cheapen Grace?

2010-03-25T07:15:00.001-07:00

March 25, 2010

1 Corinthians 10:1-13 "For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert.
Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry."We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test the Lord, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.
These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

The Israelites were all under the cloud, all passed through the sea, were baptized into Moses, ate the spiritual food, and drank from the spiritual rock which was Christ. From outside appearances, they were under God and in God. They thought they were all good. And yet "God was not pleased with them; their bodies were scattered over the desert." Even though they were surrounded by God, their hearts were set on evil things. And they paid the price.
Today, those of us in the church are similarly under and in Christ. We have the Spirit indwelling, we eat the same spiritual food and drink, we are baptized into Christ. We like to think that we have it together. And yet I wonder if God is not pleased because our hearts are set on evil things. I understand grace, but I wonder how much we spit in the face of grace. We have been taught that we are still sinners, we are still "human" and that Christ will continue to forgive us, and I believe that is true. But I still think we cheapen grace. We test the Lord, we follow our own evil desires. We do what we want. We go with the theory that it is easy to get forgiveness than permission. Oh, we go to church and we attend our Bible studies, we put up a good show - but do our hearts and our lifestyles show that we are truly his?

I do not fully understand grace, I admit that. But I am learning more and more that I should not take advantage of it. Paul says that "when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" I think to often in my life that way out for me if forgiveness after the fact, rather than strength during the fact. That needs to change. I don't want to face the Lord one day and have him tell me he is not pleased with me. I don't want to think I was doing ok; sinning, repenting, repeating as necessary, and in truth just be angering God. Paul warns "if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" I don't want to be that person who is killed by snakes and left in the desert. I want to make sure that my heart is set on obedience and loving Him, not on doing the minimum required to be called a Christian.

Father, forgive me for cheapening grace. I thank you that you help us stand up when tempted. I love you Lord,
Amen

All things to all people

2010-03-24T16:27:00.000-07:00

March 24, 2010

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 "Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. "

I think subconsciously, we all follow verses 20-22. I think it is our nature to try to be all things to all people. Think about your social circles, and your work environment. We want to be liked, so we adapt to the environment. I have been thinking a lot about High School lately, as my 20 year reunion is coming up. Everyone in High School becomes like everyone else. It's the only way to avoid being a total outcast. For those of us who didn't fit in with one group, we simply adapted to another.

We do this today in our workplaces. We may work in an environment that isn't necessarily "us", but we join the crowd, we fit in. We behave as our bosses would have us behave so we can get ahead. We take part in the office politics so we don't take the brunt of the office politics. And in our social circles, same thing. I personally have 3 or four very distinct social groups I hang out with, and most of them don't intermingle. I am not necessarily trying to "fit in", I just like a variety of people.

We do this in our churches. We get around "church people" and we clean up our act. We behave a little better, tell a little cleaner jokes. We play the part, because it is what is expected.

And all of this isn't necessarily a bad thing. It is good to be able to relate to a vast number of people. The question really is, why are we becoming all things to all people? If it is so we gain something; status, power, prestige, image; then those are totally selfish and bogus reasons. If we become all things to all people because you generally like the people and want to build a real and authentic relationship, that's a good thing (as long as we don't compromise who we are and what we believe). And, if like Paul says in Vs 19 and 23, we do it for the sake of the Gospel, then that is a God thing.

Father, please help me to not avoid certain people, or groups of people, out of arrogance, fear or pride. Help me to build authentic relationship with all people. And when I have built authentic relationship, help me to show them You. I love you Lord,
Amen

So we don't forget

2010-03-19T15:56:00.000-07:00

March 19, 2010

Joshua 4:4-7 "So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, and said to them, "Go over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."

Life is tough. Tough things happen. We can go from riding a Spiritual high to believing God has abandoned us in a very short time. The birth of a baby brings us joy; that baby gets sick and we wonder why God left us. We hear a great sermon on Sunday and get fired up for God. We go to our job on Monday and our boss is a jerk. We quickly forget about what God did, and complain about what God didn't.

God knows this about us. He knows we are a fickle, double minded race. That is why He has us set up reminders. Circumcision was a symbol of the covenant. The stars show us the Glory of God. And He had the Israelites build altars to commerate what He had done. He knew that as soon as they met a little resistance, they would forget His goodness. In this story from Joshua, the Lord has them take 12 stones to commerate the crossing of the Jordan, so that future generations would remember what the Lord had done and so that "all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God." (vs 24)

I am no different than the Israelites. I praise God, and I question God. I knew that I knew that I knew that the Lord brought me to Oregon; then I went through 2 1/2 years wondering everything from whether or not I had heard God to wondering if He even exists. I hit a rough patch in life and I questioned God. I didn't have reminders set up. I didn't have a pile of rocks that I could go back to and say to myself "Here the Lord showed Himself. I remember that time. He is real, and He does love me." I am trying to get in the practice of this, as I understand it's importance. I need to get in better practice.

Father, thank you for all the times you have made yourself evident in my life. Help me to set up reminders of your goodness so that I never forget that you are faithful. Please forgive me for my times of unfaithfulness. I love you Lord,
Amen

True Humility

2010-03-18T16:36:00.000-07:00

March 18, 2010

1 Corinthians 3:1-10 "Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men?
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds."

Paul is addressing a division in the church at Corinth over who follows who. Some follow Paul, some Apollos, and some Peter. And the church is splitting over the disagreement. In steps Paul and basically tells them to stop being stupid and to grow up. They are acting like children, "mere infants in Christ". Then Paul goes on to model great humility. "What is Paul? Only a servant."

What is great about Paul's statement, is that he is not self-deprecating. He doesn't have false humility. He doesn't say that he is no good, rather he just points out that God is better. Paul had a a specific task, as does Apollos, and by the grace given them they do that task. And they will be rewarded for that task. But it is God who does the real work.

I struggle with this. I tend to overcompensate for arrogance by saying that I am nothing, and down-playing what I do. In my effort to assign all worth to Christ, I equate myself as worthless. I was confronted with this the last time I led a meeting. For laughs, and in an effort to not be arrogant, I am pretty negative about myself. I criticize what I do. But this isn't true, and this isn't true humility. Humility understands who you are and what you do, and where that fits into the grand scheme of things. We are not worthless, we were bought with a price - the highest price possible. God has given us a purpose, and through his grace we perform that purpose. And that purpose has value. That is why Paul later talks about building with gold, costly stones, wood, straw or hay. (vs. 12) What we do has value. If we do it well, (building with gold and costly stones) it has high value. If we do it poorly (with wood, hay or straw) it is of little value. But it has value. The trick is to understand where our purpose fits into the larger picture. Metaphorically speaking, we may build a beautiful building out of Gold, but it is still just one building in all of Creation. And God built creation. We may do a good thing, but God does better. In the end, we are just servants. We are not the center of the show. We are gears in a machine. What we do helps the next task, and the next, and on and on. "Paul planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it Grow." We ought not think to highly of ourselves, and yet at the same time; we ought not think to low of ourselves. After all, the price that was paid for us makes us priceless.

Father, teach me true humility. Help me not to think of myself more than I should for what you allow me to do and what you have called me to do. And, please help me not to think to low of myself. I love you Lord,
Amen

Mysterious Wisdom

2010-03-17T16:50:00.000-07:00

March 17, 2010

1 Corinthians 2:6-8 (Msg) "We, of course, have plenty of wisdom to pass on to you once you get your feet on firm spiritual ground, but it's not popular wisdom, the fashionable wisdom of high-priced experts that will be out-of-date in a year or so. God's wisdom is something mysterious that goes deep into the interior of his purposes. You don't find it lying around on the surface. It's not the latest message, but more like the oldest—what God determined as the way to bring out his best in us, long before we ever arrived on the scene. The experts of our day haven't a clue about what this eternal plan is. If they had, they wouldn't have killed the Master of the God-designed life on a cross."

Paul starts this chapter talking about keeping it Simple. He says when he first came to the Corinthians he "didn't try to impress you with polished speeches and the latest philosophy. I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did—Jesus crucified." When we are young Christians, or pre-Christian, we need to hear the simple message. Jesus came, Jesus died, Jesus rose. These are the basics that everything hinges on. But as we grow and mature, there is additional wisdom to be gained. "We, of course, have plenty of wisdom to pass on to you once you get your feet on firm spiritual ground"

However, Paul explains that the wisdom we need to gain is not the "fashionable wisdom of high-priced experts that will be out-of-date in a year or so. It's not the latest message, but more like the oldest." The wisdom we need to seek is God's wisdom, directly from God. I have a pet peeve, I don't like it when preachers preach out of the foot notes. It drives me crazy. They make the explanation of the scripture seem more important than the scripture. Foot notes, commentaries, other peoples devotions, blogs and books about scripture are good, don't get me wrong, but they aren't Scripture. Scripture is God-breathed and useful for many things. Commentaries are man breathed and are man's attempts to explain God.

I need to remember this as I read all the latest books and listen to great sermons. These things are good; in fact I am currently reading three very good books right now that help me understand God and my relationship with him a little better. But at the end of the day, as a maturing Christian, I need to be spending more and more time in the Word of God. I need to seek His wisdom. "God's wisdom is something mysterious that goes deep into the interior of his purposes. You don't find it lying around on the surface. It's not the latest message, but more like the oldest—what God determined as the way to bring out his best in us, long before we ever arrived on the scene." Only when I am directly speaking and learning from my Lord, and not relying on someone else's interpretation (as good as it might be), will I truly begin to grow. Only then will I truly get to know my Savior.

Jesus, please continue to build in me a passion and a hunger for your Word. May I gain access to that mysterious wisdom that goes deep into the interior of Your purposes. May your word transform me. May I diminish, and may You be glorified. I love you Lord,

Amen

Through Christ I am triumphant

2010-03-16T09:51:00.000-07:00

March 16, 2010

1 Corinthians 1:7-9 "Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful."

I'll admit, many days I don't feel strong enough to last to the end. I don't feel like I have what it takes to affect the world in a positive way. And I definitely don't think I will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. I know me. I know my thoughts, my weakness, my emotional state. I know where my shortcomings are and how often I fall. There is no way I can survive till the end as blameless, and there is a very good chance that as I slide backwards, I am going to be taking a bunch of people with me. It's pretty depressing when you think about it.

But here's the thing; it doesn't fall on my to stay strong by myself. I don't have the natural talents and abilities. In reality, I am unfaithful. But HE IS NOT! This verse reminds me that God is faithful. He will keep me strong, when I rely on His strength. I will be kept blameless. He has given me Gifts, and if I accept them and use them then I will affect the world. On my own, I will fail. Through Christ, I will be triumphant. And when I am triumphant, it is Jesus who will be glorified. It's pretty awesome when you think about it.

Father, help me to lean on Your strength, help me to accept and apply your gifts, and thank you for being faithful when I am faithless. May I grow ever more faithful as you mold me into the image of your Son. I love you Jesus,

Amen

What are we harvesting?

2010-03-15T10:38:00.000-07:00

March 15, 2010

Galatians 6:7, 8 (NLT) " Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit."

Secret sin. There is no such thing. The Word makes it very clear that all sin is seen by God, and what is done in darkness will eventually be revealed in light. And yet, we think if no one knows what we are doing, and if we "aren't hurting anyone", then there really isn't a consequence. After all, we live in grace and if we simply repent we are going to be OK. And so we continue to sin against God, thinking there are no consequences. But in this passage Paul, who is the one who expounded on Grace more than anyone else, says we will reap consequences. We reap what we sow. Now, most of who call ourselves Christians don't consciously live "only to satisfy our own sinful nature", but if we continue to sin is that not what we are doing? If we are caught in a "habitual sin". are we not choosing to satisfy our own nature? I understand addiction, I have a few. But I also know that if we really want to, we can break those addictions. There is help available. We are to lean on each other. But the problem so often is that we don't want to. We secretly crave to satisfy our sinful nature. And Paul says this is a dangerous thing, because out of that nature we harvest decay and death.

We need to closely examine our lives. Are we harvesting everlasting life? It is because we are living to please the Spirit. Is our ministry not effective? Is there quarreling and contention? Are we spiritually impotent? Are we secretly harboring sin? I need to make sure I am not misled, I cannot mock the justice of God. When I am living in unrepentant sin, I will harvest what I plant. But praise be to Jesus that there is a way out. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." John 1:9 When I confess my sin, and become truly repentant (meaning I stop indulging in that sin) then the Spirit can harvest everlasting life.

Jesus, this morning I confess that I am a sinner. But I want to live to please Your Spirit. Please forgive me and cleanse me from unrighteousness. Help me to harvest life, not death. May you be glorified in my Life. I love you Jesus,
Amen

It's our choice

2010-03-15T10:36:00.001-07:00

March 14, 2010

Galatians 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. "

Jesus's death set us free, and yet we all still struggle with sin. Why is that? Many people tell me that sin "trapped" them. Or "the enemy led me astray". Or "God tested me". And while these may or may not be at least partially true, the real truth is that we let ourselves "be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." In our culture, it is not popular to lay the blame on ourselves, but it really is us. We choose to be burdened by sin. Or let me put it another way, sometimes we fail to choose not to be burdened by sin. Sin is a choice, every time. If we are not proactively choosing to stand firm in our freedom, and to involve ourselves fully in what the Holy Spirit is wanting to do in our lives, than we are passively choosing to be burdened. Sometimes not making a choice, is the choice.

So how do we stand firm? First, we make the conscious effort to stand firm. We offer our bodies as living sacrifices. (Romans 12) We spend time with the Lord daily in prayer and in the Word. We focus on whatever is true, and noble, and right, and lovely. (Philippians 4) And we put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6) every day. We choose to be proactive in our faith. We choose to seek the Holy Spirit. There is an old adage that says "an idol mind is the Devil's playground" and to a large extent that is true. When we are not focusing on Christ, we allow ourselves to be enticed by sin, and we become burdened by the slavery of sin.

Father, today I choose to be proactive, not passive, in my faith. I choose to not let myself be burdened by a yoke of slavery. Please help me to stand firm. I love you Jesus,
Amen

Anyone trying to kill me?

2010-03-12T15:44:00.001-08:00

March 4, 2010

Mark 11:18 "The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching."

Has anyone tried to kill me lately for what I believe? Why not? Am I not living/believing such a radically different perspective on life that it flies in the face of the norm? Could my household be called a house of prayer for all nations, or would I be known as a den of robbers? At my workplace, am I being a light, even if that light offends?

I recently read that Jesus was killed because of his teaching to Love each other. I read stories how the teaching to love your neighbor is still getting people killed in some parts of the world. Am I doing that? I don't think I am. I live in a nice cozy culture where I think about loving my neighbor, and I feel better about myself for thinking that way, but I don't actually do anything. I try to love my enemies, but it's hard. I struggle with loving those that aren't my enemy.

What do I need to do in my life that stirs up this much controversy. Not bad controversy, just... controversy. I am not looking to offend people, but I am looking to make such an impact for Christ that some are offended. I don't think you can make an impact for Christ without offending people. Jesus himself said "they hated me, they will hate you." They killed Jesus for His teaching. I don't even have people looking at me sideways because of my teaching. I need to make a bigger impact. I need to help change lives. I need to take Jesus to a hurting world. And when doing that pisses off a few people, well; Jesus said it would.

Father God, please continue to transform my life. Teach me be a light in the darkness. I love you Jesus,
Amen

One thing you lack

2010-03-12T15:43:00.001-08:00

March 3, 2010

Mark 10:21,22 "Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth."

What wealth is holding us back? Is it material things, money? Maybe it is our time, maybe it is talents. It doesn't matter what it is, we all have some sort of wealth, something that we feel is "mine, mine, all mine" that we don't want to give up. Maybe we need to feel financially secure. We may not be overly greedy, but we may hoard what we do have. I personally don't like to give up my time. I only have so much of it outside of the office, and it is precious to me. Maybe we have relationships that the Lord has asked us to give up. Maybe it is relationships that the Lord has asked us cultivate. Sometimes our wealth is even a ministry that the Lord wants us to walk away from.

Wealth, time management, talents, relationships; in and of themselves these things are not bad. It is when we hold onto them so tightly that they get between us and God that we have a problem. That is when they turn into idols. Our culture loves idols. We have bumper stickers that say "He who dies with the most toys wins", we have churches that pride themselves on the number of campuses they have or the number of attendees, we even have "American Idol". The Lord is asking us today to put these things to the side and to focus on what is truly important, following him.

Father, help me to lay aside all my wealth and all my idols. May I count everything as loss for the glory of following Christ. I love you Jesus,

Amen

A lesson in leadership

2010-03-11T09:07:00.001-08:00

March 11, 2010

Deut: 17:16-20 "The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the LORD has told you, "You are not to go back that way again." He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold. When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel."

God had given the guidelines for the King; don't acquire possessions, wives, or wealth. These things lead astray. Write out a scroll of the law, and read it every day. Then he will know and revere the Lord. Don't consider themselves better than others, don't turn from the law. And then he and his descendants will reign. Unfortunately, none of the kings followed this. They all amassed wealth and wives. They quit following the law, in fact they eventually lost the law for a few generations. And their country suffered.

Those of us in leadership can learn a lot from this. The people we lead are affected by what we do, how we live. The regulations may be a little different; not many of us are acquire great numbers of horses, and most of us have only one wife; but the concept is the same. The concept is to avoid things that will entice us away from Christ. Wealth, possessions, relationships while not being bad in and of themselves; when they become our focus we are in trouble. Try focusing you eyes on two things simultaneously that across the room from each other and see if you can do it, you can't. Sometimes I try to focus on the TV and my wife at the same time. I may look like I am accomplishing this task, but I'm not. Something is suffering. Either I don't fully hear what my wife is saying, or I miss a significant part of Smallville. Unfortunately, it's my wife who usually ends up being the one I ignore. And that's how we get with God.

Oh, we may try really hard to focus on Christ and on things of the world, but we rarely are successful. And the problem lies in how it affects those around us. When I ignore my wife for Smallville, she is the one that feels hurt. After all, I got what I wanted at the time. When we spend all of our time at work, or even in ministry, and it takes away from our family time, it is our children who suffer. We see this in the life of David. Although he followed God, he also amassed horses and wives, and his family was a mess. Solomon acquired even more, and the dynasty was doomed.

And when we neglect the Word of God, everyone suffers. We begin to make plans based on our intellects. We begin to lead from our perceived skills or talents. Eventually, God gets forgotten. We may do things in His name, but not in his power. And the end result is always the same, we are led into bondage. We probably won't be physically exiled, but we go into spiritual exile. And unfortunately, those we are leading are taken away with us. They pick up our habits, they pick up or disciplines (or lack thereof), and they wind up in our exile. As the King, leader, father, parent, goes; so goes the nation, organization, family.

Father God, please help me to remember that I am not only accountable for my self, but I am accountable for the example I set for others. Please create in me a burning hunger for Your Word. Help me to not turn to the right or the left. I also pray for all of those within my sphere of influence, may they see You when they see me. Holy Spirit, please guide me as I guide others. I love you Jesus,
Amen

Is my life evidence?

2010-03-10T18:08:00.001-08:00

March 10, 2010

Galatians 1:23, 24 "They only heard the report: "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." And they praised God because of me."

Paul is reminding his readers of his past life to make the point of how the Gospel he is preaching has nothing to do with him, and everything to do with Christ. Paul's evidence for his words are his own experiences. He can point to his changed life to show the truth of the Gospel. The man who had previously been "zealous for the tradition of my father's" was now preaching the Messiah to the Gentiles. This could not be something that he made up, and those who knew him could see that. It was his radically transformed life that pointed back to Christ.

I wonder if I can use my life as evidence for the work of Jesus. Can people who knew me prior to Christ see a difference since Christ? Can people who haven't known me for years see that something is different about me? Do my actions and attitudes portray and glorify Christ. Can it be said "they praised God because of me."? Sadly, I am not sure. There is a lot of life transformation that still needs to happen. It is my prayer that I continue to grow into the image of Christ, so that when people demand evidence of my faith I can point to my own life and say "the man who formerly... is now...." For in the end, it is our lives and not our words that will make the biggest impact (positive or negative) for the Gospel of Christ.

Father God, please continue transforming me. May my life show evidence of You. I love you Jesus,
Amen

Sometimes it's better not to speak

2010-03-02T14:47:00.000-08:00

March 2, 2010

Mark 9:2-10 "After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)"

God bless Peter, he was an impulsive kind of guy. His heart was right, but his head didn't always catch up. I like verse 6; "(He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)" The disciples were seeing an amazing sight, and they were understandably freaked out. Peter, being a man of action, thought the moment called for some kind of word or action, but he didn't know exactly what. So he just blurted out the first thing that came to mind; ""Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." He wasn't sure what the situation called for, but he felt it called for Something.

I like this verse so much because it reminds me of, well; me. I am uncomfortable with inaction. I am a spur of the moment kind of guy. When I hear or see the Lord, I want to act. The problem is, like Peter, I sometimes just speak or act for the sake of speaking or acting. I don't know what I'm doing or why, but I am doing it with all my heart. Sometimes though, I just need to BE in that moment. Jesus didn't invite the guys up the hill to DO anything, he took them there to Observe something. And sometimes, that's what the Lord wants to do with us. He just wants to show us something, maybe it will be something for us to grasp on to later, sometimes it is just so He can show us His glory. Whatever the reason, our best reaction is to just sit there in awe and wonder, giving Praise to God. Sometimes our words and actions just mess up the moment.

Father, please help me know when to act, and when to be still. May I recognize the times when I am to just sit back and be in complete awe of You. I love you Jesus,

Amen

forgotten bread filters

2010-03-01T17:19:00.000-08:00

March 1, 2010

Mark 8:15 "15"Be careful," Jesus warned them. "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod."

Jesus was trying to have a teaching moment with His disciples. He had them all alone in the boat, a rare occasion for teaching where there were no crowds clamoring or Pharisees trapping. Just Jesus and His guys. So He tries to take advantage of the moment and pour into the boys. And they completely miss it. Jesus starts to tell them to be careful that the culture and environment of the day doesn't seep in and taint the teaching and lifestyle they have learned. Instead, they interpret His words in the light of their current situation; they forgot to bring bread and now they think they are in trouble.

I can imagine the tone of Jesus voice; "Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: "Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don't you remember? 19When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?" "Twelve," they replied. 20"And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?" They answered, "Seven." 21He said to them, "Do you still not understand?" Here's my paraphrase of that; "Really? You think I am talking about bread? Hello - didn't you just see me make bread? Don't you get it?"

I don't know that I can fault the disciples dim-wittedness though. This happens to me, and other Christians I know, all the time. There we are, trying to listen at the feet of Jesus; but in reality we are distracted by life. It may not be "Oh no, we forgot to bring bread." but it may be "What am I supposed to do next",or "How am I going to pay that bill", or sadly enough even "I wonder if I should date her/him". And we go into our prayer closet or we dig into our Bible. And the Holy Spirit tries to talk to us. Maybe He is answering our specific situation, maybe not. But we hear him through our forgotten bread filters, and we apply what we hear directly to that tiny (in God's eyes) situation. Sometimes that is appropriate, often it's not.

Many times I've heard the story/joke about the guy who just opens his Bible and reads whatever it opens to and thinks it is direct revelation from God. So one day he opens to the verse " So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself" Thinking there must be some message in this verse directly to him, the man closes his eyes and opens to the next passage; "Go ye and do likewise."

To many times that is how our prayer lives go. The trick, and I haven't learned it very well yet, is to approach God with our ears open to His agenda, not ours. He will give us what we need, and tell us the answers to our questions. But sometimes He wants to tell us something HE thinks is important, like about watching out for the "yeast" of the Pharisees.

Father, please help me to not miss what you are trying to teach me because I come with pre-conceived notions of what you are doing or I come distracted about my own concerns. May my heart beat to Your heart, may my ears hear and understand what you are telling me. And, please help me avoid the yeast in my world. I love you Jesus,
Amen

Don't be afraid, just believe

2010-02-26T20:15:00.000-08:00

February 26, 2010

Mark 5:36,37 "While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?" Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe."

We all have these experiences in life. We ask the Lord to do something, or He tells us He is going to do something, and then something happens. It may or may not be as drastic as having the daughter we were praying for die. Maybe the job doesn't come through, or the bills don't get paid. Maybe the tough times don't get any easier. And it seems if the Lord is to late. Then the great encouragers in our lives come out. "'Your daughter is dead', the said. 'Why bother the teacher any more?'" They may not even mean to be discouraging, they think they are being "realistic". But what they do is crush our faith. Unfortunately, at times we all have these people in our lives. Even worse, at times we are these people in someone else's life.

I love the words of Jesus here. "Don't be afraid; just believe." Jesus knew the plan wasn't completed yet. He knew what was going on. He also knew that fear is one of the great faith killers in our life. It could be said that fear crowds out faith. We start by believing, and then when things don't go the way we think they should, we start to fear the outcome. It's not that we no longer believe, we just believe that God failed. Or we believe He doesn't care for us. And we fear that everyone else is right, and that we are all alone. Sometimes, it is when we are at this point that Jesus asks us to make the conscious choice to keep believing in Him, to keep having faith that He will do what He says He will do. It is easy to have faith when things are going right, but sometimes God wants to make sure we will still have faith in Him even when everything, and everyone, tells us we shouldn't. It is during those times when the Lord loves to make Himself known. It is then He tells us "Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep."

In my life right now, there are a few instances where I am hearing "it's dead, just leave the teacher alone." There are dreams that I haven't seen come to life, ministry situations that I am frustrated with, and job situations that I am frustrated with. At times I wonder if God even cares to listen to my prayers. But then I hear him whisper "Don't be afraid; just believe." And it is then that I know I can rest in His arms, lay my head on His chest, and wait for the time when He finally tells me "Why all the whining, it wasn't dead just asleep."

Father, thank you so much that you always care for me, even when the world is telling me You don't. Help me to always build up the faith of others, and not tear it down. May I be a light and an encouragement for Your people. I love you Jesus,
Amen

Out of sight, out of mind

2010-02-24T12:09:00.000-08:00

February 24, 2010

Numbers 15:37-41 "The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the LORD your God.' "

The Lord knew that people would forget His commands. So much so, that just a few verses earlier He set up sacrifices for unintentional sins. We has humans are rather dumb. If something isn't constantly in front of us, we tend to forget. Out of sight, out of mind. Unfortunately, that is even true of God's word and His commands. If we aren't constantly reminded, we forget. I know this happens in my life. I don't forget God all together, I just get lazy and undisciplined. There have been times when I set out to Fast and Pray, and then halfway through my sandwich remember that I am supposed to be fasting. Or, I'll tell someone that I will pray for them and then I don't pray until the next time I see them and am reminded. That's just the way our minds work sometimes, and God knew that.

Throughout history God had his people build altars to remember what He had done, now He wants them to put tassels on their clothes so that when they see the tassels, they will be reminded of Him. It's like tying a string around your finger to remind you of something. What a good idea. Today, we do similar things to the tassels. Maybe we wear a cross around our necks to remind us, or put a Bible verse as our screen saver. Maybe we tape post it notes to our steering wheel. I personally put my prayer list on Google calendar so it emails me every morning what I am supposed to be praying for.

Here's the problem though; we still forget. We see the reminders and they grow routine. We don't read the emails to pray, the cross just becomes something we put on in the morning. I have found over the last 20 years that the only way to truly remember who God is, and what His commands are, is to daily meet with Him. To get into His Word and build relationship. Because when He is right in front of me every morning, there is no way He is out of sight out of mind. And on those days when I "forget" to meet with Him, I can tell the difference in my day.

Father, help me to meet with you daily. May you never be so far out of sight and out of mind that I forget who you are, and thereby forget who I am. I love you Jesus,
Amen

That Cushite chick

2010-02-23T21:07:00.000-08:00

February 23, 2010

Numbers 12:1,2 "1 Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. 2 "Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?" they asked. "Hasn't he also spoken through us?" And the LORD heard this.

It always seems to happen. Things are going along well, and then jealousy pops up and dissension begins. Oh, it might disguise itself as a valid concern; "Because of his Cushite wife", but the core issue is jealousy. Jealousy over success, jealousy over power. And then we go looking for excuses. We see this with Miriam and Aaron in their statement "Hasn't he also spoken through us?" What they're really saying is; "What makes him so special? What makes him think he's the only one who... After all, he's not that cool, he married that Cushite chick."

This should not be how God's people react to each other. We should be celebrating each others victories, we should be encouraging other, not looking for faults. Not trying to "better" ourselves by tearing each other down. I am setting this up as a personal challenge to myself and my ministry. Yes, the Lord has spoken through me. Yes, I am and have been a leader. But there are other leaders and the lord also speaks through many other people. It is my calling to help them succeed.

Father, help me to build others up, not try to tear them down out of jealousy. I love you Jesus.
Amen

I know who I am, and who I am not

2010-02-22T14:04:00.001-08:00

February 22, 2010

Mark 1:7,8 "And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

John the Baptist had an understanding of who he was, and who is wasn't. He knew he was "the Voice of one calling in the desert." He knew he was to call Israel to repentance. He knew he was to usher in the Kingdom of God. And he was doing these things, passionately and unreservedly doing them. But he also knew who he wasn't. He knew he wasn't the Christ. He knew he was just a man.

Johns comment that "the thongs if whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down to untie" is not some statement derived from a low self esteem. And it is not false bravado. It is a statement straight from the heart of understanding. Too many times we offer false humility in an attempt to get people to affirm us. Or, we are trying to hide our own arrogance by trying to sound humble. I know that at times in my life and ministry I have been guilty of not knowing my "place." I forget that I am merely the messenger. I get caught up in the hype, or in peoples compliments. I love to hear that "I" have touched somebody in a positive way for Christ. But I need to remember that I did nothing. It is all Jesus, I am merely a vessel.

This is not to say that we don't play a part in what the Lord is doing. John the Baptist, and all the apostles, certainly didn't suffer from thoughts of inadequacy that kept them from fulfilling their task. Instead, we dig deeper into the Lord, we refine the skills and talents He gave us, and we boldly stride down the path He set us on. I heard it said once that Meekness is not the absence of power, rather it is restrained power, maybe better thought of as understood power. We know that we have access to Power in Jesus Christ. Power to do tasks, to proclaim truth, to heal the sick, to change lives. But it is important, especially for me, to understand the fact that the power does not come from me. I am just a tool in the hand of one who is "powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie" And I am cool with that.

Father God, today I come before you humbly acknowledging who I am and who you are. Thank you for choosing to use me for your purposes, may I not grow arrogant nor may I think any less of myself than I ought. I remember today that my value is based solely on the cost of what it took to purchase me, which was your Son's death. I thank you that though I am unworthy, through the filter of Jesus' blood you count me worthy of being adopted by you. I love you Father,
Amen

I'm not crazy

2010-02-19T19:56:00.000-08:00

February 19, 2010

Acts 26:24,25 "At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defense. "You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane. I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable."

Have you ever had this happen to you? You are explaining your faith and the person interrupts you with "You are out of your mind". Maybe it's a family member who doesn't share your faith. Maybe it's a friend who sees changes in you that they aren't comfortable with. Maybe it's a co-worker upset because you won't do "what everyone else is doing". Maybe it's someone you are talking to who has been hurt or betrayed by the church or by Christians. This world has no shortage of people who think we are out of our mind for our faith. The trick is to be like Paul.

Paul knew what he was talking about. This is not the first time he had explained his conversion to someone. He was confident in the details, he was confident in the fact. He knew who he was, and he knew who Jesus was. Paul had no questions about whom he placed his faith in, and that allowed him to make the statement "What I am saying is true and reasonable". It makes me wonder if I have that kind of answer. When people call me crazy, do I get defensive or doubtful? Do I have second thoughts? Or do I have confidence in what I am saying? Do I know where I have been, where I am going, and Who I am going with? When we know that we know that we know, the what we too say will be true and reasonable.

And that knowing only comes through an effort on our part to get to know Jesus. Not just as someone who we hear about at church, but as someone we know personally. Paul didn't tell someone else's story, he told his story. He told about his relationship with Jesus, and about what He had done in Paul's life. And that is what we need to do. Because quite frankly, if we haven't made the effort to know Jesus personally and we are just regurgitating someone else's story, or what we heard in Sunday school; well then, we probably do sound insane, And sadly, if we only believe it because we heard it somewhere and have never checked it out for ourselves, then we may just be insane.

Father, thank you for working in my life. Help me to remember how you have moved, so that I may have an answer when people think I am crazy. I love you Jesus,
Amen

The Great Divider

2010-02-18T20:08:00.001-08:00

February 18, 2010

Acts 25:19 "Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive."

Jesus is the Great Divider. For years now Paul had been in prison under made up charges. And now, with the new governor in position, it only took the Jewish leaders a few days to show up demanding Paul's death. Why? What had Paul done? As Festus said, its; "about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive." All the uproar, all the rioting centered around Paul and the followers of the Way was because of that; "about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive." It seems unfathomable that there was that much controversy. After all, didn't Jesus teach Love? Didn't he minister to the children? Wasn't he accepting to all? Yes. But he is also the one who said; "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law -" (Matt 10:34,35) Jesus is Love, but that love causes division.

Is Jesus the Great Divider in my life? Craig Groeschel mentions those that have "IT" attract criticisms for their faith. Do I attract that, or do I attract criticisms for not being enough like Jesus? I don't want to be like the world, granted I have a long way to go, but I want to be different. I want to do business different than most, I want relationships that are deeper, I want compassion that breaks my heart. I don't want to alienate those who need Jesus, and I don't want to be so "religiously" uptight that I am ineffective. If my love for people causes those who are on the extreme side of religion, I'm ok with that. I want to be uncompromising in my faith, in my love, and in my character. I want Jesus to be the Great Divider in my life - old me to new me.

Father, teach me to be like Jesus. Show me how to love those who need love, show me how not to try to impress the modern day Pharisees. I love you Jesus,
Amen

These are the names of the men

2010-02-17T07:22:00.001-08:00

February 17, 2010

Numbers 1:3-5a "You and Aaron are to number by their divisions all the men in Israel twenty years old or more who are able to serve in the army. One man from each tribe, each the head of his family, is to help you. These are the names of the men who are to assist you:"

This is a big task the Lord is giving Moses; list all the men. It ended up being over 600,000 men, all listed individually. Like I said, a big task. An organizational nightmare. It may seem strange that I am almost more impressed by this task then some of the others, such as crossing the Red Sea or escaping from Egypt in the first place. Those things had extreme Supernatural help from God. He did the work. But the census, as in the construction of the Tabernacle, require the work of men. That's what impresses me about the size of the task. It is a daunting thing to try to accomplish. And yet, God assists in a huge way; he tells Moses exactly how to do it, and who to have help him. "These are the names of the men who are to assist you." And then, after the census is complete, God even tells Moses where he wants the people to camp. All throughout Moses' time with the Israelites Moses gets specific instructions. I've got to say, I'm a little jealous.

Some days I wish I would get that clear of directions. I wish I would hear; "Ken, here's what I want you to do - go there and talk to this person and then do that thing followed by talking to this person...." I wonder why the Lord doesn't speak that clearly anymore. Is it to build my faith? Is it to help me to learn to trust Him one step at a time? Or, is it that He does still speak and I am just not listening? When I "hear" Him, or I feel the nudge to go and speak to someone or do something do I listen and obey? These are the questions I will be wrestling with today.

Father, I am listening today for your voice. Help me to hear, and help me to obey. I love you Jesus,
Amen

The Lord stood near

2010-02-16T15:16:00.001-08:00

February 16, 2010

Acts 23:11 "The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."

Paul is having a bad couple of days. The Holy Spirit had compelled him to Jerusalem, where he knew he was walking into prison and hardship. Now that he was in Jerusalem, that was all coming true. A riot has been started, the people have tried to kill him, and he has been arrested. When the Roman Commander puts Paul in front of the Sanhedrin, the argument gets so violent, the soldiers have to pull Paul out of the middle of it again. He has been beaten and bruised, and he knows he is in for worse. Even while he is being held in jail, a group of guys are vowing to take his life. (on a side note; do you ever wonder what happened to those 40 men? They had vowed not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul, and yet they didn't end up killing him. Did they re-neg on their vow, or did they die of hunger and thirst. Inquiring minds want to know.) These are a few stressful, frightening days for Paul. I can't imagine the pressure. I don't know how I would react. Would I give up, would I question what God was doing?

I don't know how I would respond to this situation and I don't know for sure how Paul was responding at that moment. What I do know, is how Jesus was responding. He was standing near to Paul and offering courage. Have you ever been in that type of situation, where you are frightened or stressed and someone you trust comes and stands with you. Just their very presence is reassuring. You can rest easier knowing someone bigger and stronger is there and they have your back. It strikes me as incredibly awesome that the Lord did more than just speak to Paul on this evening. He stood near to him.

I am extremely comforted by the fact that I serve a Lord who stands near his people. I have had some bad times in life, and I know more are coming. That's just how life is. And I take great joy in the fact that even though I may not physically see Him, I know my Lord is standing near. I know that to get to me, the enemy has to get through Him; and in that knowledge I find rest.

Thank you Jesus for standing near me. Thank you for giving me courage when I am weak and frightened. Thank you for allowing me to call you my Lord. I love you Jesus,
Amen

They saw the light, but didn't understand the voice

2010-02-15T10:11:00.001-08:00

February 15, 2010

Acts 22:6-11 "About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, 'Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?' 'Who are you, Lord?' I asked. 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,' he replied. My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me. "'What shall I do, Lord?' I asked. 'Get up,' the Lord said, 'and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.' My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me."

Paul is recalling his journey on the road to Damascus, where he had been on his way to arrest and persecute believers. When he was almost to the city, he got knocked down and blinded by God. This is where his companions "saw the light but did not understand the voice..." And what a drastic voice it was. Jesus sent Saul on to Damascus, and while Saul was there the Lord gave him instructions to change the world.

Do you ever feel like Paul in this story? I do. Now don't get me wrong; the Lord has never literally knocked me off a horse, blinded me, and then sent me to strangers. But I have had a few of those "a-ha" moments when I truly feel like the Lord spoke to me and put me onto a task. And it's great when everyone else hears the same thing. Or they can confirm the Word. But often, they can't or they don't. They see something has happened, they see evidence of the Lord. They "saw the light", but they may not have "understood the voice." What do you do at those times? What do I do?

It is times such as this where it is important to make sure you have a right relationship with the Lord. It is important to know who knocked you down, and whose voice you are listening to. "I am the Good Shepherd, and my sheep know my voice." It is also important to make sure you are surrounded by good people. People whom you trust. People who, even though they didn't understand the voice, know that they saw the light. That know you well enough to know that something has happened. Someone that will take you by the hand, and walk with you. "My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me." Surrounding ourselves with these people is not a good idea, it's a necessity - especially for those in leadership. It is during these times, when you know that it was the Voice of God, that you grab the hands of those around you and march on to fulfill your instructions.

Father, may I have the courage to listen to you. Please continue to bring people into my life who will rally around me, and whom I can rally around, as we follow your voice. Help us to follow Your directions to impact the world for Your Kingdom. I love you Jesus,
Amen

Action and words

2010-02-13T08:43:00.001-08:00

February 13, 2010

Acts 20:20,21 (NLT) "20 I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. 21 I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus."

There is something about this verse that is getting me today. I can't quite put my finger on it, and I am having a hard time expressing my thoughts. But here we go anyway. I'm a big fan of saying what someone needs to hear. People often come to me get encouragement or even to hear what they don't want to hear, but what they know they Need to hear. And hopefully I say it with grace and love. (It has been pointed out to me in the past that I don't necessarily have the gift of tact.) I don't shrink from the task of correcting, teaching, or encouraging. Here's the problem; I wonder if I am as bold in telling people what they really need to hear - that they are loved by the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul had a message to preach, and quite often it was a message of correction. But it was always tempered by a message of Grace. This is the message I want to be speaking; yes correction may be needed, but above all else Jesus loves us.

Here is the part of this verse that has me a little... agitated (for lack of a better word) this morning; "I've had one message for Jews and Greeks alike". I don't know that I do have one message. I know what my message to believers is, but if I am honest I need to question what my message to the rest of the world is. I don't condemn them (at least I try very hard not to), but I don't necessarily build them up either. Sometimes my message is: silence. I may love them. I may be a nice guy and serve them, but if I don't tell them of Jesus love, what am I doing?

There is an old saying, falsely attributed to many people, that says "preach the Word at all times, and only if necessary use words." This saying is false. We do need to preach the Word through our actions - that is the whole point of Lifted Ministries, but we also need to tell people the "necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and having faith in our Lord Jesus." If we do not give people the whole message, we are doing a disservice to them and to God. We must tell everyone, Jew and Greek, believer and non-believer, through our actions and through our words - Jesus loves you, now repent and turn to God.

Father, help me to spread your Love and your Message. Give me courage to speak what needs to be spoken. Help me to speak and act with grace and mercy. Help me to not only speak correction, but to speak Love. I love you Jesus,
Amen

I know Jesus, but who are you?

2010-02-12T06:47:00.000-08:00

February 12, 2010

Acts 19:13-16 "13Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." 14Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15(One day) the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" 16Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding."

Paul had been doing some pretty cool stuff. The previous verses say that even items that Paul had touched were taken to the sick and they were cured. That's the Power of the Holy Spirit. And other people wanted it. Now, I am not entirely sure why they wanted it, but from the context it doesn't seem like they wanted the working of the Spirit in their lives, rather they wanted the working of the Spirit FOR their lives. They didn't want a life change, they wanted Power. Maybe they wanted fame, it doesn't really say. It's what the text does say that catches my eye; "tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus". If they were believer's, there would be no trying. To quote another wise sage; "Do, or do not. There is no try". If they were true believer's, the Power of the name would have been invoked. Here's the second clue; "They would say, In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches." Not in the Name of Jesus who has changed our lives, but rather; "in the name of this one guy - you know, who this other guy talks about."

So these people are going around, thinking they are cool, trying to drive out demons. And it seemed to be working ok, for the most part. Until one day. One day the evil spirit answered back. And what the evil spirit says makes me pause. "One day the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" But who are you? The correct answer here is; "I am a child of the King, adopted into His family, bought with a price, washed by the blood. Even so, it doesn't matter who I am, but what matters is I come in the name of I AM." When we truly follow Jesus, we are granted the power of the Holy Spirit. We go in His name, not our name. It's not the name "whom so and so preaches", rather it is the Name of the One who knows me, and whom I know. The name of the One who lives in me, not some guy I've heard of. When we truly love and follow Jesus, His name gives us power over the demons. But more importantly, gives us the power to make it through the day. To handle temptation, to offer and receive forgiveness, to love others. It is not Power for our glory, but for His glory.

The reason these verses give me pause? Because sometimes I feel like those seven sons of Sceva. I feel like I am just faking it. And sometimes that feeling is reality. I am just going through the motions. Doing my church deeds to look like I am doing ok. I don't normally go around trying to cast out demons, but I do try to live a life pleasing to God. And sometimes, my attempt at living that life are the equivalent of "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches..." In the scriptures, when the seven sons did that, the demon turned on them for it knew they had no power. And the possessed man attacked them, overpowered all seven of them, and drove them from the house naked and bleeding. Sometimes I feel like that happens to me. I get overwhelmed, and I get pummeled.

So what's the solution? I need to know Jesus for myself, to truly know Him intimately. He can't be some guy I've heard about, on whose coat tails I am trying to slide by on. Rather, I need to build relationship with Him, deeply love Him, obey and serve Him, and realize that I can't get by riding on His coat tails. Rather; I have to acknowledge every day that I can only get by riding in His arms. I need to not "play" Christian, but actually live what I profess.

Father, thank you for the Holy Spirit. Thank you that through Jesus' death and resurrection, we have the power to do all things and to bring you Glory. Father, may my life bring you Glory, may you continue to help me become the man you created me to be. I love you Jesus,
Amen

Jesus colored glasses

2010-02-11T06:56:00.001-08:00

February 11, 2010

Leviticus 16:1,2 "The LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died when they approached the LORD. 2 The LORD said to Moses: "Tell your brother Aaron not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud over the atonement cover."

It strikes me odd that the chief priest did not have access to God 24/7. He could not just go into the presence whenever he wanted. And when he did go into the presence of the Lord, he had to follow a bunch of rules. He had to bathe, and put on special clothes. He had to provide a bull and some goats. He had to provide a scapegoat to be left out in the desert. He had to bring incense so the smoke would conceal the Atonement cover, and he would not die. God is Holy, and He cannot be approached by impurity. Enter Jesus.

Jesus is our scapegoat. He took the sins of all of us on his shoulders so that we can approach God without dying. The writer of Hebrews tells us; "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Heb 4:15,16) We can approach God when ever we want, through prayer. Christ was our priest without sin. Through Jesus colored lenses, God now looks at us and refrains from showering His wrath on us. Thank you Father for providing a sacrifice for my sins.

Father God, please do not let me grow arrogant over the fact that I am allowed to approach your throne with confidence. I confess this morning that I am a sinful man, and I acknowledge that it is only through Christ that I am allowed to approach you. Thank you for that sacrifice. I love you Jesus,
Amen

Psalm prayer

2010-02-04T10:21:00.000-08:00

February 4, 2010

Psalm 19:7-14
" 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.
11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Father, I can't say that any better. I love you Jesus,
Amen

We must be willing

2010-02-03T22:02:00.000-08:00

February 3, 2010

Exodus 35:5, 21, 22, 26. 36:2 "5 From what you have, take an offering for the LORD. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the LORD an offering..21 and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. 22 All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewelry of all kinds: brooches, earrings, rings and ornaments. They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the LORD. 26 And all the women who were willing and had the skill spun the goat hair. 29 All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the LORD... 2 Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work."

There are two adjectives that the Lord uses to describe the people who were doing the work of creating the Tabernacle - those whom God had given skill, and those who were Willing. At least 6 times in these two chapters God makes reference to those who are willing. It's not enough that the people were given the skill, they had to be willing to use it. It's about the heart. God gives us all gifts. Gifts of talent, or skill, or spiritual gifts. He gives us the gift of forgiveness and salvation. But we need to be willing to accept these gifts and use them. The gifts are not for our benefit only, or our glory. Rather, they are for His Glory. It reminds me of the lyrics of an old DC Talk song - "the gifts that He's given aren't just an exhibit, but a tool that He's given to use for His sake, but just as He's given He can surely take." God gives us the skill to do what He asks us to do, but then it's up to us. His purposes will be met, His plan will succeed. It's up to us if we have a part in that plan. As for me, I want to be found willing.

Father, I am willing. I thank you for the skills you have given me, the talents you have given me, and the calling you have given me. Please help me to be willing. Give me the courage to step out into what you have asked me to do. I love you Jesus.
Amen

Not going without you

2010-02-02T19:45:00.001-08:00

February 2, 2010

Exodus 33:15 "Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. "

God was talking about leaving the Israelites. He was fed up with them. He was going to send them on up to the Promised Land, but He said that if He went with them, He would probably kill them. And that would be bad. But Moses didn't want to go without God. In essence, Moses said "if You don't go, we don't go." I want to live my life like that. Even when I have given God reason to be upset with me, I want to beg Him not to send me away from Him. Moses didn't want people to question God's integrity or His glory, so he insisted that God go with them. If the Israelites went alone, they would have brought dishonor on God. Again, I want to be so jealous for God's glory in my life, that I go nowhere without Him. I don't want to wander astray. I don't want to wander out of covering and protection. I don't want to wander.

Father, please do not send me without You going with me. Thank you for the promise to never leave me nor forsake me. Thank you for the omnipresence of your Spirit. I love you,
Amen

Out came this calf

2010-02-01T10:52:00.001-08:00

February 1, 2010

Exodus 32:24 "So I told them, 'Whoever has any gold jewelry, take it off.' Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!"

And out came this calf? Weird, considering in vs. 4 it says "He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool." He cast the idol, worked it with a tool, and yet it just "came out that way." Who does Aaron think he's fooling? Why did he come up with such a stupid lie? Why do I?

I look at the story of Aaron and the calf, and I see myself reflected back at me. I justify my sin. I come up with the best answer I can. Um, I just was checking my email and this just loaded up. Or, I was just telling this story and suddenly.... Our nature is to sin, and then to try to hide from it. Genesis 3:8-10 "Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?" He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid." That's what we do. Instead of confessing our sin and dealing humbly with our God, we hide and we lie. The problems is, we are never as smart as we think we are. We get caught, and then it is worse.

James tells us to confess our sins to one another. The theme of the New Testament is if we simply confess our sins, and ask for forgiveness, then we will be forgiven. And then means telling the truth, even if that truth is "it seemed like a good idea at the time."

Father, first I pray that you help me to avoid sin. May my heart be molded to yours more and more everyday so that my first inclination is to not sin in the first place. Bur when I do sin, help me to be honest and forthright, confessing quickly and seeking repentance. Thank you for your forgiveness. I love you Jesus,
Amen

Ask not what God can do for you

2010-01-28T06:56:00.001-08:00

January 28, 2010

Acts 4:27-30 "Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen., Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

Peter and John had just been thrown in jail and threatened by the religious rulers. Here they were back with the rest of the disciples and they were praying and acknowledging that everything that had happened had been by God's power and will, decided beforehand. And they prayed. But they didn't pray for deliverance. They didn't pray for blessings. They prayed for boldness. They prayed that God would display His power so people would glorify Jesus. Maybe they didn't pray for material things because they had no need. The next few verses talk about how everyone brought all their possession so there was no need. And that may be part of it. But I think it's more than that. They understood God. Living for Him isn't about what He can do for us, it's about what we can do for Him, through His power and for His glory.

Father I ask you this morning for great boldness. Please stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.
Amen

I've got people

2010-01-27T14:02:00.000-08:00

January 27, 2010

Exodus 18:17-23 (Msg.) " Moses' father-in-law said, "This is no way to go about it. You'll burn out, and the people right along with you. This is way too much for you—you can't do this alone. Now listen to me. Let me tell you how to do this so that God will be in this with you. Be there for the people before God, but let the matters of concern be presented to God. Your job is to teach them the rules and instructions, to show them how to live, what to do. And then you need to keep a sharp eye out for competent men—men who fear God, men of integrity, men who are incorruptible—and appoint them as leaders over groups organized by the thousand, by the hundred, by fifty, and by ten. They'll be responsible for the everyday work of judging among the people. They'll bring the hard cases to you, but in the routine cases they'll be the judges. They will share your load and that will make it easier for you. If you handle the work this way, you'll have the strength to carry out whatever God commands you, and the people in their settings will flourish also."

Leaders often become ineffective when they try to do it all themselves. I am not sure why we think we need to do it all; maybe it's ego, maybe it's fear, maybe it's just our own inexperience. Whatever it is, it ends up hurting us in the end. God did not intend for us to fly solo and bear all the weight of His instructions. He believes in a team. When Jesus sent out the 70, He sent them two by two. In this passage, Jethro lays down a model of leadership we would all do well to follow; the model of breaking it down. Have one guy over ten people, one guy over 5 of those leaders, one guy over a few of those, and so on until it comes down to the Leader.

I like the American Express commercials - I've got people. We as leaders need to have people with us to help us, to advise us, and to go with us. Yes, the leader needs to set the vision and the pace, but he (or she) needs to bring people with him. It's good to have people. When you share the burden, "you'll have the strength to carry out whatever God commands you, and the people in their settings will flourish also." And more importantly, God will be glorified.

Father, please continue to mold me into a better leader. I love you Jesus,
Amen

Embrace the desert

2010-01-26T10:12:00.001-08:00

January 26, 2010

Exodus 14:11-14 (Msg.) "They were totally afraid. They cried out in terror to God. They told Moses, "Weren't the cemeteries large enough in Egypt so that you had to take us out here in the wilderness to die? What have you done to us, taking us out of Egypt? Back in Egypt didn't we tell you this would happen? Didn't we tell you, 'Leave us alone here in Egypt—we're better off as slaves in Egypt than as corpses in the wilderness.'"
Moses spoke to the people: "Don't be afraid. Stand firm and watch God do his work of salvation for you today. Take a good look at the Egyptians today for you're never going to see them again. God will fight the battle for you. And you? You keep your mouths shut!"

That's how it starts. First, we cry out to God. It could be to save us from some harsh injustice, like the Israelites, or it could be from something else. Maybe it's asking for deliverance from a sickness, or just a bad situation. Maybe we are just bored with our walk and want something more, something deeper. Maybe in a moment of uncontrolled joy we cry out to God and ask Him for more of Himself.

And then, God answers. To the Israelites He sent Moses. To you and me He may answer differently. He may speak to us through His Word, He may send a friend with a word for us, He may whisper to our hearts. However it is, God answers. And at first, we are excited. We are humbled that the God of the universe remembered us in our need. And we start to follow what He says, what He asks of us.

And then, quite often, something happens. We start to become frightened of what God is doing. We feel as if we are being pushed out of our comfort zone, even if our comfort zone was a terrible place to be. And we hesitate to do what God asks. We begin to question whether or not He really has our best interests in mind. After all, if He really loved me, He would just do what I had asked Him to do and not require anything from me in return. Sometimes we stop right there. We can look ahead a little and see where the Lord is taking us and we decide we don't want to go. And we stay where we are. We turn around and go home. And sometimes we are able to see a little farther ahead and we see the final destination. For the Israelites, that final destination was the Promised Land. It was freedom from slavery. For us it could be a dream fulfilled. It could be freedom from an addiction. It could be heaven. And when we glimpse that vision, we decide it will be worth the journey and we joyously leave our own personal Egypt with joy.

But God is a wise God, and He rarely just takes us immediately to the goal. He knows that we need a time of training, a time of testing, a time of preparation. So, more often than not, He detours us through a desert. For the Israelites, it was a literal desert. For many of us it is something else. There are as many different definitions of the Desert Experience as there are committed Christians. (If you haven't been through at least one desert, I would question you are either a brand new Christ follower, or whether you are truly committed). Now, I'll give us some credit. We usually enter the desert faithfully and with a sense of anticipation. Our faith is high. After all, God called us here.

But then it happens. It gets hard. It gets scary. We aren't necessarily sure what God is doing. We aren't privy to all of His plans. And we begin to freak out just a little, or maybe a lot. And we allow our hearts be ruled by fear and uncertainty rather than by faith. And we cry out. "They were totally afraid. They cried out in terror to God. They told Moses, "Weren't the cemeteries large enough in Egypt so that you had to take us out here in the wilderness to die? What have you done to us, taking us out of Egypt? Back in Egypt didn't we tell you this would happen? Didn't we tell you, 'Leave us alone here in Egypt—we're better off as slaves in Egypt than as corpses in the wilderness.'"

We were better off as slaves in Egypt? Really? Now to us, we can look at the Israelites and think they had obviously lost their minds. But I dare you to look at your own reactions to the desert. Maybe it was "I don't understand. It's too much God, you promised you wouldn't bring things I can't handle and I'm telling you, I can't handle this. Why have You abandoned me God? This wasn't on the brochure, I didn't sign up for this." I remember a few nights, in my own desert experience while unloading freight into a grocery store at two in the morning actually crying out "This is just great God, I didn't realize you brought me to Oregon just to kill me. Weren't there enough graves in Washington, where at least I had friends I could lean on?" (Sound familiar?)

It is at these times, and they will come, when we need to listen to the voice of our Moses; ""Don't be afraid. Stand firm and watch God do his work of salvation for you today. Take a good look at the Egyptians today for you're never going to see them again. God will fight the battle for you. And you? You keep your mouths shut!" That's all we need to do. We need to stand firm, shut up, and watch God do His work. And He will, every time. It may not be as dramatic as parting the Red Sea or destroying the Egyptian army, but He will work. He will provide Manna in the desert. He will provide water from the rock. Our job is simply to accept it in faith, to quit whining, and to continue on in the journey He has called us to.

We need to take a bigger picture look at the Israelites here, and we will touch on it more in the coming days as well. Their whining and lack of faith eventually got so bad that God did the only thing He could do with their stubborn hearts - He let them die. He took the promise from them, and He gave it to their children. He gave it to those who would accept it. The challenge today, especially for me, is to not fear the desert. It is to not whine about the desert. Rather, the challenge is to embrace the desert. Acknowledge the fact that it is for our own good. It is a time of training, of preparation. And it is in the desert that God shows up in Power.

Father God, help me to embrace the desert when you lead me there. May I learn the lesson, complete the training, and may my faith increase as I see Your mighty power displayed. I love you Jesus,
Amen

Staring into space

2010-01-25T11:50:00.000-08:00

January 25, 2010

Acts 1:9-11 (Msg) "These were his last words. As they watched, he was taken up and disappeared in a cloud. They stood there, staring into the empty sky. Suddenly two men appeared—in white robes! They said, "You Galileans!—why do you just stand here looking up at an empty sky? This very Jesus who was taken up from among you to heaven will come as certainly—and mysteriously—as he left."

I can picture this scene in my mind. The disciples had been through a lot recently, and here they are talking to the resurrected Jesus. Suddenly, He rises up to the sky and disappears. I imagine all the disciples just kind of standing there with their mouths open wondering what just happened. Then two angels show up and ask, "You Galileans!—why do you just stand here looking up at an empty sky? " I can imagine the answer was something like, "uh, He was here, now He's not. What's going on now, what do we do? Uh...hmm...uh..."

The angels reminded them they knew what was going on. "This very Jesus who was taken up from among you to heaven will come as certainly—and mysteriously—as he left." In essence, "don't just stand there looking stupid, go to work. He left, He's comin' back. He gave you a job to do, do it."

Sometimes this feels like my life. I find myself doing the equivalent of staring off to space, wondering what is going on with Jesus. I stall, I get confused, I zone out. But then I hear the word of the Lord, "Hey you! What are you waiting for. You know His purposes, be about them." I am thankful for this reminder today. It's time to shake off the fog and get to work.

Father, thank you for who you are. May I be a blessing to You today.
Amen

Who am I

2010-01-22T18:11:00.001-08:00

January 22, 2010

Exodus 3:11 "But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"

What a question, "Who am I?" I have felt this way for years. With the calling I have received from the Lord, I feel extremely unworthy. I have no idea how to accomplish the task He has set before me, and quite frankly I am scared to tackle it. I at times want to ask God not to send me. If I am honest, I can say I've spent the last few years asking God not to send me.

But I love the response of God in vs 4:11,12 "The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD ? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." I need to remember these words as I step into this calling. It is not I who need to accomplish great things. It is God who is going to do great things through me. It's His job, I just need to show up.

Father, tonight I reaffirm that I am showing up. Please do your work through me. I love you Father,
Amen

Proactive, not reactive faith

2010-01-21T10:30:00.000-08:00

January 21, 2010

Luke 21:34-36 (Msg.) "But be on your guard. Don't let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it's going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don't go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that's coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man."

Jesus is not full of happy happy joy joy words this morning. He is full of end time prophesy. He talks about some scary stuff coming before He returns. He talks about persecutions, wars, and disasters. He tells us that we will be hated because of Him. He tells us that the world will generally be a bummer place to be, and that the "time of the Gentiles will be fulfilled." I don't know what that means, but I don't know that I like the sound of it. In short, Jesus is giving us warning.
And that warning is: "Be on your guard". But what does that mean? I get "Don't let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping"; that's the "what not to do". So if we don't do those things, what do we do instead? How do we proactively be on our guard? Here is my list:

Stay in the Word. Not just reading it for 20 minutes a day and moving on, but actively studying it. Applying it to life. Dwelling on it. Memorizing it.

Pray. Not just a rote prayer before meals and bed times with the kids. But times of focused prayer. Taking the focus off of ourselves and turning it to others.

Worship. Not just for 20 minutes on the weekend with the congregation, but living a lifestyle of worship. Col. 3:17"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Serve. Not just once a month setting up chairs. Rather, look for ways to serve your spouse, your children, your neighbors. Doing things for others without expecting anything in turn. Not doing the dishes with the hopes of getting some lovin', but doing the dishes because your wife needs a break.

Fast - I've never actually done this, but I've heard it's a really good idea.

Pretty much, I need to follow Colosians 3 "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

When I do that, I will develop a proactive rather than reactive faith. Then I will be able to be on my guard, and I will be able to rely on His strength to make it through.

Father, may I grow more and more every day into the likeness of your Son. Help me to be proactive in my faith. I love you Jesus,
Amen

Don't flaunt it, even if you've got it

2010-01-20T13:02:00.000-08:00

January 20, 2010

Luke 20:45-47 (Msg.) "With everybody listening, Jesus spoke to his disciples. "Watch out for the religion scholars. They love to walk around in academic gowns, preen in the radiance of public flattery, bask in prominent positions, sit at the head table at every church function. And all the time they are exploiting the weak and helpless. The longer their prayers, the worse they get. But they'll pay for it in the end."

The world has seen to many of these religion scholars. And unfortunately, there are times when I have been one. The temptation to get recognition is huge. For awhile I feel the only reason I wanted to be a Pastor was so I would be able to claim the title of Pastor. But Jesus wasn't like that. He was the ultimate scholar (after all, He wrote the Book), but he didn't flaunt his knowledge. That's how I need to be. It goes to the old saying, "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." People need to know how much I care. I need to apply my knowledge, not flaunt it.

Father, please help me to deflect all glory from myself, and to point it all to You. I pray that you contine to make me into a man who reflects your Son to the point where I am no longer visible. I love you Jesus,
Amen

Crying stones

2010-01-20T12:57:00.001-08:00

January 19, 2010

Luke 19:39,40 "Some Pharisees from the crowd told him, "Teacher, get your disciples under control!" But he said, "If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise."
When was the last time I was out of control for Christ? So overcome with worship that I couldn't help myself? When is the last time someone thought of me as a Jesus Freak. It's been a long time, if ever. It makes me wonder if the stones are crying out in worship, and I am so oblivious and caught up in myself that I just don't hear them.

I want to get to the place where I worship my God with wild abandon. Where I don't care who is watching, but rather care about Who is watching. I want to live a life of worship. And if people think I am over the top, that's ok. I want to perform for an Audience of One.

Father, I do worship You. Forgive me for not worshiping fully in Spirit and Truth. I love You Jesus.
Amen

She's a persistent one, that old lady

2010-01-18T16:37:00.000-08:00

January 18, 2010

Luke 18 6-8 (Msg) "Then the Master said, "Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won't step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won't he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?"

Ah, the parable of the persistent widow. The old lady who finally got what she wanted because she annoyed the judge so much with her constant nagging, he finally gave in. I used to think this was the picture of God, if we just nag him enough, He will do what we ask just to shut us up. But that's not the point. The point is, if the judge in the story finally gave in, how MUCH MORE will God grant us mercy since we are His chosen? I like the verse when you look at it like that.

However, I am focused a little more on a different aspect of the verse today. "But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?" Is my faith persistent? I say I am praying, but do I pray once and then whine when it isn't answered? (um, unfortunately - yes) When I fast, do I fast until I get hungry and then forget I am fasting? (um, unfortunately - yes)

In the parable, Jesus is praising the persistence of the widow. She kept at it until she knew she had the desired result. And He is saying that is how we are to be. We are to continue praying, even if we don't see immediate results. I always hear stories of people who prayed for someone for YEARS, finally for the person to come to knowledge of the Lord. If I was being honest, I am lucky if I pray for someone once. I am reminded of the story of Jacob when he wrestled God, and would not let go. That's how I need to be with my faith. Have I seen the vision God gave me come to pass? No. Why? Perhaps I have not been persistent in pursuing it or praying about it. I am reminded this evening that God never fails, but quite often I do. They say the prize doesn't always go to the most qualified, but rather to the person who wants it the most. Persistence. I don't have it, but I need it.

Father, please forgive me for my lazy approach to faith. Please help me to develop perseverance and persistence so that I may bring You glory. I love you Jesus,
Amen

I am merely a servant

2010-01-17T19:04:00.001-08:00

January 17, 2010
Luke 17: 7-10 (Msg) "Suppose one of you has a servant who comes in from plowing the field or tending the sheep. Would you take his coat, set the table, and say, 'Sit down and eat'? Wouldn't you be more likely to say, 'Prepare dinner; change your clothes and wait table for me until I've finished my coffee; then go to the kitchen and have your supper'? Does the servant get special thanks for doing what's expected of him? It's the same with you. When you've done everything expected of you, be matter-of-fact and say, 'The work is done. What we were told to do, we did.'

We are just servants, nothing more. And yet many times we like to be praised for our "accomplishments". We point out the ministries we lead, we like to be known for what we are doing. We keep statistics to judge ourselves against others. We think we deserve some sort of recognition for what we do.

But that's not how Jesus says we should act. Instead, we need to remember that we are simply doing what servants do. We don't deserve special pats on the back. (although, we will be rewarded, it is by God and not by man). We may be entrusted with positions of leadership. We may have large ministries. But that doesn't mean we are any better than anyone else. After all, we are al just servants of the King.

Father, my I always remember that I am merely Your servant. May I serve You humbly, and may I go about the task You have asked of me. May my response at the end of the day be "What I was told to do, I did." I love you Father,
Amen

Trusted

2010-01-17T19:03:00.001-08:00

January 16, 2010
Luke 16:10 "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much."

I find it interesting that this passage is in the middle of Jesus talking about money. I always here it quoted about other things such as ministry and talents. And it is also those things. But, it's in a passage about money. Jesus is talking about the direct correlation between money and our hearts - between money and our salvation. Jesus wants to know where our hearts truly are, and one of the ways He does that is by looking at how we handle money.

For years, I was full of faith in every area of my life, but my money. That was mine. I messed it up, I didn't feel Jesus needed to come in and figure it out. But I was wrong. What I was essentially doing was not trusting Him fully. Once I got this concept, my faith changed. The way I handled money changed. There is a saying, "to really know a man's heart, look at his check book and his calendar." It is my desire to be trustworthy in the little things (money, time, talents) so that I may be counted trustworthy in Kingdom things.

Father, I renew my trust in You. I beg of you to mold me into a man that can be called trustworthy. I love you Jesus,
Amen

Party in Heaven

2010-01-15T21:27:00.001-08:00

January 15, 2010
Luke 15:7 "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

There is more rejoicing over the one than the 99. I think my perspective is off. I tend to rejoice over the "growth" of Christians. Over the number of people I see serving. And this is good, but what about the "sinner"? Honestly, I don't work that hard to spread the gospel to the sinners. Oh, I have a few friends who would qualify, but I don't really share the gospel with them. I hang out and sin with them. I think they are a lost cause and I can be temporarily lost with them.

But Jesus says the angels rejoice over these people. He tells two stories of people searching for that which is lost. It obviously means a lot to Jesus, as He Himself came "to seek and save that which was lost." I need to change my perspective. I need to introduce these people to the Living God. I need to seek out those who are lost.

Father, change my perspective. I can't shake the quote I heard the other day. "Doesn't the Lamb who was slain deserve the reward for His suffering?" Father, these lost people are your reward. Help me to bring them home to You.
Amen

Count the cost

2010-01-14T06:59:00.000-08:00

January 14, 2010
Luke 14: 28-32 "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him,saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish. Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple."

I have an old David Meece song going through my head "You gotta count the cost, if you're gonna be a believer, you gotta know that the price is one you can afford". This has been a running theme for me the last couple of months. Counting the cost. What is the cost to be a disciple? If I look around, honestly, I'd say that most people don't think the cost is all that high. Sure, it means we don't do a few things, or say a few things in public. Maybe we give up a few hours a week to "serve". But in all reality, I would say the majority of Christians I know don't think that the cost is that high.

The Lord is laying something totally different on my shoulders. I feel that the cost is almost more than I can bear. I feel called to, I don't know - maybe higher purpose is the right phrase, anyway - I feel called to holiness. I feel a call to leave everything and follow. Jesus says in an earlier verse "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." Carrying that cross is looking very scary to me lately. It used to just mean I behave a little more, after all that's the example I see. But now it really does mean dying - and that is frightening.

Father, I am at a place of fear of You. I know you are asking for more, I also know that I can't do it on my own. Please fill me with your Spirit, not so I can be "happy", but so that you can gain glory.
Amen

A little goes a long way

2010-01-13T15:32:00.000-08:00

January 13, 2010
Luke 13:18-21 "Then Jesus asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches." Again he asked, "What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."

A little goes a long way. The mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds around, yet when planted it becomes a large tree. One tiny seed, planted in the right place becomes a huge tree. Yeast. Yeast is small. Yet when a little bit is worked into the dough, the dough rises to much larger than it's original size. Again, a little bit goes a long way.

Jesus is saying this is what the kingdom of God is like. If each of us would just spread a little bit of His Kingdom, just do our part, the Kingdom would explode. It's not that much, and it shouldn't be that hard. Just spread the Kingdom. Just love on somebody. Just tell them about Jesus. Each one reach one and all that. I don't have to save the world, or transform the world. I just need to do my part. My tiny, tiny part.

Father, help me to be like a mustard seed. May I grow where I am planted and help to spread your Kingdom.
Amen

Don't worry

2010-01-12T14:55:00.001-08:00

January 12, 2010
Luke 12:22-34 "Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Don't worry, yeah right. Maybe God didn't notice when He was writing this verse, but all of His examples have something in common. The ravens, the lilies, the grass - all out side! I don't want to live outside. I want to live in a shelter. I want my family to live in shelter. I confess, I do worry. A lot. I know my worrying doesn't add a single hour to my life, in fact it probably has reduced years from my life. Some call it worrying, I call it being responsible. I have people who depend on me. Unfortunately, God calls it lack of faith. He has given me people who depend on me to depend on Him.

"And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well." I want this to be my life verse. I want to have faith in this. I want to have this kind of faith in God, but I am faltering. I feel the pull to do exactly what this verse says, but fear is holding me back.

Father, help me to not be afraid. Fill me with your Spirit. I love you Jesus,
Amen

if not gathering, then scattering

2010-01-11T10:06:00.000-08:00

January 11, 2010
Luke 11:23 "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters."

For some reason, this verse stood out to me extra harsh this morning. I have known this verse for years, but have never applied it to my life. I am not against Jesus. Haven't been for years. However, there are many times in my life when I haven't been Actively for Him. I have been lazy, or apathetic, or indifferent. In my mind, that hasn't been against Him, and certainly hasn't been scattering. But I realize this morning that I am wrong.

I have known that people in my work place and elsewhere may have a hard time believing that I am a Christ Follower. I never thought much about that other than how it damages me. But that is selfish. When those people do find that I am a follower, my reputation isn't imporved, but His is tarnished. People have the right to say "look, that just proves what I've always known." I am scattering. And by scattering, I am against Him. That's not a cool revelation. I don't like that epiphany. This brings to mind another familiar verse - Rev 3:16,17 "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." I guess He takes this pretty seriously.

Where does that leave me? It leaves me with a choice. Am I for Him, or am I against Him? Am I gathering or am I scattering?

Father, please give me the strength and the courage to live FOR You, not against You. I love you Jesus,
Amen

Not what you do, but Who you know

2010-01-10T21:53:00.000-08:00

January 10, 2010
Luke 10:19,20 "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Jesus had just sent out the 72 workers to spread the news of the Kingdom of God. To go and heal. To minister. And they had great success. So much success that they want to share with Jesus about it, about what they had done. "The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." (vs. 17) They thought that was the highlight, that through Jesus they had great power and could do cool things. I doubt they were arrogant about it. I don't see them strutting around saying "oh yeah, we bad." Rather, they were excited about being a part of what Jesus was doing. They returned "with joy".

But Jesus came around with a mild rebuke. First, He reminded them that it was He who had given them the power. (Ok, maybe they were being a little arrogant about it.) But then He brought them to the reality. The main thing that matters, the one thing, is that they're names were written in the book of life. It wasn't about the miracles they performed. It wasn't about what they commanded demons to do. It wasn't about how spiritual they were. What mattered was that God knew them. Their names were written in heaven. The sheer magnitude of that fact eclipsed everything else.

I think that in today's church, we are very much like the 72. We get impressed with the power of Christ, and what we can accomplish through it. It may not even be arrogance. It could just be joy. (Ok, maybe we are arrogant). We quote how many salvations we've seen in our churches. We talk about the people that got healed. We give progress reports on how our building funds are being met "through Jesus". But I wonder, do we take enough time to simply rejoice and be grateful that our names are written in heaven. It's not about what we do, it's all about Who we know.

Father, help me to continue to serve you. May your power be made manifest in my life for Your glory. But above all, may I never loose sight of the amazing grace given to me in the fact that my name is written in heaven. May that one thing, remain my one thing. I love you Jesus,
Amen

Doesn't matter who the crowds say I am

2010-01-10T00:05:00.000-08:00

January 9, 2010
Luke 9:18-20a "Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say I am?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

This is an important distinction in our walk with Christ; who the crowds say He is, and who we say He is. Quite often, we tend to follow the crowd. In America, we seem to be spiritually lazy and we just listen to what we are told. Maybe we've bought the newest fad book - be it Purpose driven whatever, or Prayer of Jabez, or Vision's of Fat Guy - we tend to buy into it hook, line and sinker. Not that those are bad books, they just aren't the Bible. Or maybe we watch a TV show, or listen to a famous preacher from Texas on the radio. It doesn't matter. It's all us hearing what the "crowd" has to say. It is us studying for the question "who do the crowds say I am?"

But Jesus wants to know who we say He is. And in order to be able to answer that question, we need to get to know Him. Not about Him, but truly know Him. We need to study His word, not the books written about His word. We need to pray to Him, serve Him, humble ourselves before Him. Then, when we are asked the question, "who do you say I am?" We can answer with confidence, like Peter - " Peter answered, "The Christ of God."

Father, help me to know you. Help me to know who You are for myself. I love you Jesus,
Amen

The seed falls

2010-01-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

January 8, 2010
Luke 8:15 "But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop."

Ah, the story of the farmer and the seed. Some fell on the road, sine fell in the rocks, some fell in the thorns, some fell on the good soil. The road are those whom when they hear, the devil comes and they never believe. The rocks believe for a while with joy, but then hard times come and they fall away. The thorns do good, but then get choked and never mature. There is a theme here. Something comes. The devil comes, testing comes, life comes; and people fall away.

But the good soil. These are the people with good hearts. They accept and believe and live happily ever after, right? Not so. They are the ones with noble and good hearts, that's true. But they only produce a crop after they persevere. That means stuff still comes, they just stand through it. I'm not sure I like that. These people should get along without having to persevere. Nothing should come at them they need to persevere through. They believed God. They're good people. But that's not how it works. We all get to believe God, and we all get the stuff of life coming at us. It's when, and only when, we persevere something that we grow mature and produce a crop.

Father, I would like to say that I don't want anything harsh to come my way. But that's just not realistic. My life today proves that. Rather, I ask for Your strength to help me persevere. May I mature and produce a good crop for Your glory.
Amen

Looking Back

2010-01-07T09:53:00.000-08:00

January 7, 2010
Genesis 19:26 "But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt."

This is a pretty dramatic story. God is sending His angels down to see if the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah are really as bad as He's heard. Feeling nice, the Lord tells Abraham that he is going to destroy the two cities because of their wickedness. Abraham begins bargaining for the towns, settling on "What if only ten can be found there?" He (the Lord) answered, "For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it." (vs 18:32) So, the two angels go to town to see if they can find 10 righteous people. They immediately find Lot, who takes them into his house. That night, "all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house" and demanded that Lot turn over the two "men" so that the guys in town could gang rape them. Lot refuses, the angels pull Lot back in the house, and the angels decide destruction is needed for the town. They tell Lot to get his future sons-in-law, grab his family, and get out. The sons won't go, so Lot takes his wife and two daughters and flees the city. Seems only four righteous people could be found.

Now, Lot's instructions were simple. Run away and don't look back. There was nothing worth looking back for. The towns were full of wickedness and sin. The family was being rescued. And yet, Lot's wife looked back. Maybe she was just curious. Maybe she felt a tug on her heart for what she had left behind. Maybe she sought the security of what was known rather than the insecurity of running away. Whatever the reason, she looked back. And she was destroyed. Turned into a pillar of salt.

How ofted does this happen in my life? I've never been turned into a pillar of salt, but still. How often do I get pulled out of wickedness, just to look back. To dabble in sin instead of jump in all the way. To wonder "what if" about past experiences. Unfortunately, I would say I look back all too often. And as for not getting turned into a pillar of salt, what if I am. What if looking back causes me to be totally ineffective? In essence, a pillar of salt? If I was honest, I would say that this does actually happen. I don't want to go down in history, nameless (we never did hear Lot's wife's name) - known only as being a pillar of salt. I don't want to look back any longer.

Father, thank you for rescuing me from my own Sodom's. Help me to keep fleeing, and give me the strength to not look back. I love you Jesus,
Amen

Paradox

2010-01-06T21:10:00.000-08:00

January 6, 2010
Luke 6:45 "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."

This is way to convicting. i know how my mouth speaks. And yet, I know the good that comes out of my heart. And here is the conundrum, the paradox. Though I am an evil man, the Lord lives in me and does good. Though the Lord lives in me, my nature still shines through, and it's not pretty. Oh that I could be completely transformed.

Father, take my life, my heart, my soul and transform them into your likeness.
Amen

Because you say so

2010-01-05T09:09:00.000-08:00

January 5, 2010
Luke 5:5-7 "Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets. When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink."

"But Jesus, I've already tried that, it didn't work. I've been working hard and have nothing to show for it, can't you just leave me alone so I can go home and get some sleep. But God, I know what I'm doing better than You. After all, I'm the professional fisherman here."

Peter amazes me. He had just spent a hard nights work, doing what he always did, for no return. And then along comes this Rabbi, who tells him to do it again. "Come on Peter, do it once more." Peter's first words make sense to me. "Master, we've been doing this, it doesn't work." I can appreciate that. That's how I feel in my life every day. I hear him say, "Get up, do it one more time". And my typical response is, "Jesus, I've been doing that. It doesn't work."

It's Peter's next line that astonishes me. "But because you say so, I will let down the nets." What? Peter, man - are you crazy. Go home, get some rest, your done for the day. But he doesn't. He has an obedient heart. He goes against what he thinks he knows, and does what Jesus tells him. And the result? A catch so big it takes two boats to haul it in. I often miss this in my life. I stop at "it didn't work". I wonder what would happen if I just changed my attitude and my heart. If I went to work, or went to church - not with the attitude of "I've tried this before", but rather "Because You say so, I will..." Imagine what would happen. What haul of fish have I been missing?

Father, today - because You say so - I will once again set out into the water. I will put down my nexts. And I will wait with expectation to see what you have for me. Please give me the strength daily to be obedient. I love you Jesus,
Amen

Authority

2010-01-04T11:06:00.001-08:00

January 4, 2010
Luke 4:31-36 "Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath began to teach the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority. In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, "Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!" "Be quiet!" Jesus said sternly. "Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him. All the people were amazed and said to each other, "What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!"

Twice they were amazed at His authority. Now granted, I am sure that Jesus spoke as one in authority, after all He is The Authority. But I am curious about these statements anyway. Did not the Priests and the religious rulers speak with authority? Were they not the ones with the direct link to God? What were they doing if all the crowds were amazed by someone with Authority? I know the answers to most of those questions, but they are still ponderous.

What makes me really wonder is; is that why there is such a disconect today with people and the Church? Do we no longer speak with authority? Do we speak about things we have heard of, but don't personally know? This weekend's sermon was all about how people outside the Church view the Church. It isn't very positive. When asked how they view Jesus, it was overall positive. We have lost our authority. The question was asked, has the Church divorced Christ. I would say we are at least cheating on her. We don't speak and act as people who have had a life changing encounter with the Creator. And that needs to change. We need our authority back.

Father, please help me lean in closer to you every day. Help me learn from Your authority that I may be able to move forward in that authority, to bring You glory. I love you Jesus,
Amen

Thats where we can hear him

2010-01-03T21:04:00.001-08:00

January 3, 2010
Luke 3:2 "during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert."

The Word of God came to John in the desert. It seems God likes deserts. He uses them as times of training, and times of purification. The Israelites were in the desert for 40 years. Abraham was in the desert when he fled from Pharaoh. John lived in the desert, and then preached in the desert. Jesus spent 40 days in the desert. God likes deserts.

In our lives, we all go through desert experiences. We all have times when God needs to separate us from something, so he sends us into the desert. If we haven't had a desert experience, maybe we need one. Sometimes the desert is meant as discipline, but even in that we can learn if we pay attention. Because like it happened for John, sometimes the Word of God comes to us while we are in the desert, because that's the only place where we are able to hear it.

Father, thank you for your deserts. May I see desert experiences as times when I can draw close to you rather than whining about being punished. I love you Jesus,
Amen

The God who seeks

2010-01-02T11:40:00.000-08:00

January 2, 2010
Genesis 3:8,9 "Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"

Adam and Eve ate the fruit. They did what they had been told not to. They went against God. In short, they sinned for the first time. And they're reaction to their sin? They hid. They new they were wrong. They were afraid of getting into trouble. So they hid.

And God's reaction to their sin? He went looking for them. He did not just let them stay in their sin. He sought them out to continue relationship. The did not get away with their sin, there were consequences. They ended up being banished from the Garden, but God did not leave them helpless. He still helped them. He made garments of skin for them to wear. This meant something had to do die. (The consequences of sin is always death) Even after being banished from the garden, God was still in their lives.

God is a God who seeks. Whenever my guilt and shame have caused me to try to hide among the trees and not be seen by God, I take comfort in the fact that He will seek me out. He won't let me wallow in my nakedness. Yes, there will be consequences, but those consequences do not include being abandoned by my God.

Father, thank you for being a God who seeks me. I love you Jesus,
Amen

Beginning

2010-01-01T20:08:00.001-08:00

January 1 2010
Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Powerful words, "In the Beginning". It signifies something new, something big. It is a time of beginnings. This is the first day of the new year. New Years Eve celebrations remind me that all people, no matter what faith they profess, are looking for hope, grace and redemption. Why else would we celebrate? We look forward to a fresh start. Even though our circumstances on January 1st are rarely different than they were on December 31st, we look at it as a new beginning. We make resolutions on how we are going to better ourselves, our lives, our world. We try to put the past behind us. We symbolically start anew. It's like humanity's heart is desperately longing to hear the words "my mercies are new every morning".

As I begin this new year, I too look forward with anticipation, longing to put last year behind me and to strive after God in a new way. Today I am thankful for new beginnings. Nothing major is new, I will still go back to work on Monday. I am still over weight. But I am reminded that God's mercies are new every morning. And even more, I am reminded that God needs to be the center of my new beginnings. Perhaps the four most important words of all time truly are "In the Beginning, God..."

Father, thank you for new beginnings. Thank you for being in the middle of them. May my life be centered on You more than ever this year. I love you Father,
Amen

There is a War

2009-12-16T18:03:00.000-08:00

December 16, 2009
1 Peter 2:11 "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul."

Which war against your soul. Which WAR against your SOUL. Man, I feel this lately. I feel that there is a war in my soul. I was listening to Todd Agnew's song War Inside today and it struck a chord.

"Do you feel the tension, do you?
Do you feel the grind?
Do you see the battle 'tween this
Flesh and soul of mine?
'Cause there's a war inside of me
Between who I want to be
And who I am
I do what I don't want to do
And don't do what I mean
I end up chasing all my nightmares
abandoning my dreams
Who I am is not who I want to be
Shackled like a slave when I know that I'm free
Wrong and right, truth and lie, death versus life
Everything in me is choosing sides
And the showdown begins
Do you feel the tension?"

I feel the tension. My work has been so stressful lately that I need an outlet. My flesh cries out for things of the flesh. My heart cries out in anger and hatred. I am not who I am, I am not who I want to be. There is a WAR in my soul. And it is affecting my testimony.

I know that I cannot win this war. But I also know who can.
Father God, I submit to your power and your authority. I confess my sin and I embrace your grace. Please cleanse me of the darkeness in my heart and fill me with your Spirit. Once again I ask for forgiveness and invite you into my life. Help me win this war Father.
Amen

Not passive

2009-12-10T07:22:00.000-08:00

December 10, 2009
2 Timothy 1&2
Our faith is to be an active faith, yet so many of us live it passively. Instead of aggressively doing, we passively ask the Lord to do for us. At least I do. I pray that He cleanse me, that He strengthen me, that He remove hardship. And then I sit back and wait. Now, I am not a fan of the saying "God helps those who help themselves." That's not Biblical. God helps those who admit they are helpless. But our relationship with Christ demands action on our part.

2 Tim 1:6 "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. " vs 1:8 "So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God" vs 1:14 "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." vs 2:1 "You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." vs 2:3 "Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." vs 2:15 "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."

These are action phrases. Fan into flame... don't just sit there and pray that God will make the flame bigger. Do something about it. Put more logs on the fire, blow on it. Fan that puppy high. Testify about the Lord. Sometimes we hide behind the saying "Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary use words." NO! Preach the Gospel at all times and don't be afraid to use the words. Faith comes from HEARING. Join with me in suffering. Don't wait for suffering, join in. Don't watch from the outside and hope the suffering doesn't affect you, but get in and get dirty. Guard the deposit. Don't just pray and hope that the Lord will guard it for you as you continue walking down the street. Imagine walking around with a million dollars in your pocket. Yes the police are there to protect you, but it is your responsibility to not walk down back alleys in the middle of the night where you and that money don't belong. Take part in Guarding the deposit. Be strong, endure hardship. Present yourself as one approved, a workman. These are active words.

Paul is not saying to become a man of works rather than faith. And he isn't saying that the Lord's part is somehow smaller than our part. But he is saying get off you butt and do something about the faith. Is my faith real? If it is, then what am I doing about it? Do I trust the Lord and live in obedience? Really? If the Lord asked me to quit my job, would I? I actually feel that's what He is telling me to do, and yet I am still employed. I prayed last night that He would orchestrate that I get laid off. That's passive.

I really don't like this mornings reading. It hurts. And now I have to figure out what to do about that.
Father, thank you for truth, even when it hurts. I love you Jesus,
Amen

No better, no worse

2009-11-30T22:29:00.000-08:00

November 30, 2009
Romans 3:22-24 "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."

There is no difference. All of us have sinned and fallen short of the Glory. This verse centers me. It reminds me that I am no better, and no worse, than any other. When I am feeling arrogant and think that I have my walk all figured out, I am reminded that I too am a sinner. I have no right to elevate myself. I am to forgive as I have been forgiven. I am to treat with grace as I have been treated with grace. "But for the Grace of God, there go I.' And, when I have fallen (which I do often), I am not to wallow in self pity and self hatred. For All have sinned, and are justified freely.

Father, I love you. Thank you for your grace, thank you for your Son.
Amen

Fear of people, but not of God

2009-11-27T13:20:00.000-08:00

Matthew 25:3-5 "Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him. "But not during the Feast," they said, "or there may be a riot among the people."

We wouldn't want a riot now, would we? It's OK to plot to kill God, but not to upset the people. That would be bad. Even if He wasn't the Son of God, apparently it's more OK to secretly plot murder than to upset the crowd. We don't want them mad at us.

Chapter 25 and 26 of Matthew tell the story of Jesus last night. We hear of the last super, we see the betrayer sell out Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, we see the arrest. We hear the chronicle of the mock trial, and the crucifixion. These words should move us more than any other words ever penned. They should cause us to break down weeping when ever we ponder them. For hear we see the death of God, for us. But.. we tend to glaze over this. It doesn't bug us that much. Maybe it's because we have read the following chapter and books. We know the death doesn't stick. But maybe it's because our priorities are so drastically messed up.

I see Christians who don't stand up for their beliefs all the time because it isn't "politically correct". Or maybe it would cause them to be uncomfortable. Or maybe it is just easier to conform to the world. Unfortunately, many of this do this unwittingly. I heard a quote once that basically said "What an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable is Christians who honor God with their lips, then walk out the door and and deny Him by their lifestyle." We (I) do this when we (I) praise God on Sunday, and use His name in vain in the office on Monday. This happens when we talk about purity in our men's groups, and then talk about the hot girls on in the next car on our drive home. Or worse, we go and look at crap on the internet, hoping know one notices. And why do we do this? Because we don't have our priorities straight. Maybe we are trapped in sin, and we need to be rescued. But maybe we have justified our sin because "everybody is doing it". Maybe we think others will think less of us if they know we are followers. Maybe we are afraid of being stereotyped. Maybe we are afraid that we will be persecuted. And maybe, we just don't want to upset the people. We would rather crucify Christ, than stand up for Him.

Father, may the story and implications of Your death no longer not touch me. May I fear, and love, You more than I fear or love myself. May I not care about the people rioting, because I care more about their souls and what You did for them. I love You Lord,
Amen

Practicing what I preach

2009-11-27T12:52:00.000-08:00

November 26, 2009
Matthew 23:1-4 "Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them."

Jesus really didn't have that much good to say about the religious leaders. They just didn't impress him that much. He didn't like their traditions by which they by-passed the word and work of God. He didn't like the way they were more concerned about their power and position than they truly were about those they were entrusted to shepherd. Basically, He didn't like them. (note that I didn't say that He didn't love them.) And I think this verse pretty much sums up why. They didn't follow their own preaching.

In my younger days, when I was a manger at McDonald's, I would occasionally enforce the management style of "Do as I say, not as I do." I would take shortcuts, I would slack, but I would expect my employees to follow the procedures and to work hard. I see this today in business. Many bosses tend to still manage this same way. And t causes companies to fail. Even worse, I see this in different churches today. How often does the news show stories of big name pastors who have fallen. They stand in the pulpit and preach against sin, and then they go back to their office where they sleep with their secretaries. It's wrong, it's tragic, and it damages the cause of Christ. I imagine the Lord saying "Obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach." It breaks my heart.

What breaks my heart even more is that I do this same thing. I may not be sleeping with my secretary, but then again, I don't have a secretary. But there are times I do this in Spirit. I may exude a life of Christ to my men's group, but would my employees see the same thing? I may tell my kids to obey Christ, but then they witness me falling again. James tells us in his letter (vs. 3:1) "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." And this is a verse that scares me. For I do presume to be a teacher. I put myself out there as an example to follow. And sometimes the responsibility and weight of that are to heavy to bare. It is at those times that I am thankful for Grace. It s when I know that I have become a pharisee that I repent, and lean all the more on the Lord.

Father, help me to be an example worth following. Empower me to practice what I preach, for I know that it is only in Your strength that I have any chance. I love You Jesus,
Amen

The second son

2009-11-25T10:35:00.002-08:00

November 25, 2009
Matthew 21:28-31 "What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard. I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go. Which of the two did what his father wanted? "The first," they answered. Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him."

Jesus is talking to the Pharisees again, who are again questioning His authority. He is speaking this parable against the religious leaders, likening them to the son who says he will go, and then does not. For God had come to them. They were the ones in-trusted with showing the way, with being the intermediaries between the people and God. And they weren't doing it. They were too busy making up traditions and oppressing the people through religion. Meanwhile, the "sinners" who had rejected the teachings of the Pharisees, who had turned their back on God, were now coming to Jesus in droves. These "sinners" were the ones being obedient. Of course this parable didn't go over well, but instead of causing heart change, it just caused a bigger division.

I look at this story and wonder which son I am. I have told the Lord "yes I'll go", but do my actions show it? Does my attitude show it? Am I just doing enough to make it look like I am doing the work the Father has for me. I don't know, I hope this is not me. But in moments of lucidity, I wonder what I'm really doing. So I feel two things. On one hand, this is a call for me to really take stock of what I am doing. To inspect myself, and to have the Lord inspect my heart, to make sure I am not the second son. And, this story gives my hope. Because, it tells me that I can repent and still be about the Father's business, and then He will be pleased.

Father, search me and know me. Help me to search myself. May I be about the business I said yes to. I love you Father,
Amen

But God...

2009-11-25T10:35:00.001-08:00

November 24, 2009
Matthew 19:7,8 "Why then," they asked, "did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?" Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning."

The Pharisees are again trying to test Jesus, and again He has to put up with dumb questions. They weren't even looking for the answers, they were just trying to set Jesus up. They knew He wasn't going to say it was ok to divorce, and they wanted to catch Him contradicting Moses. (Because, you know, it's worse to contradict God's prophet than it is to contradict God Himself. At least that's what they seem to be saying.) Jesus comes back with - "Moses only told you that because you are too big of idiots to do the right thing. He gave you a loophole, but really, the plan is no loophole." This verse isn't even really about marriage or divorce, it's about the Heart. Where is the Pharisees heart? They are trying to trick God, thus justifying themselves. In 20/20 hindsight, as the reader of this, I think they're dumb.

But I take a look at my life and realize that sometimes I do this same thing. "But God, Paul said all things are permissible, just not necessarily beneficial. I'm ok with that. I don't need the benefit...." "But God, so and so said this is what we should do, or that's how we should worship. 'They' said it was ok because." "But God...." (I wonder if He ever gets tired of being called "But God".) And then the Lord answers me - "They only said you could do that because your heart was in no condition to honor me fully." Wow, what a rebuke. My desire this morning is to ensure the softness of my heart so that I don't need loopholes. And further more, that I don't go seeking them just to justify my behavior. I want to serve and honor the Lord, the way He desires to be served and honored. Not some dumbed-down way because I am to stubborn to actually be obedient.

Father, break my heart. Mold it in the way You want it molded. I love you Jesus,
Amen

I wonder

2009-11-24T14:49:00.000-08:00

November 23, 2009

Matthew 15:3 " Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?"

The Pharisees were big on tradition. They had even gone so far as to create loopholes to the Word of God for the sake of tradition. Vs. 4-6 "For God said, 'Honor your father and mother' and 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.' But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,' he is not to 'honor his father' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition."

I wonder how many churches or denominations do this today. In the midst of our traditions, do we totally miss out on, or worse - nullify, the mission of God? I wonder if our Easter Bunnies and our Christmas Trees have more to do with tradition than the command of God. (I know they do, that was rhetorical) I wonder what we are not doing that we should be. I wonder if our passion filled speeches shouting down different agendas and lifestyles has become a tradition that blocks us from the command of God to reach out in Love. I wonder if we are acting like the unmerciful servant who was forgiven much and then did not forgive others.

Now, sin is sin, and the Bible is clear. But are we missing it? Are our traditions in the way? I wonder.

Father, help me to set aside my traditions and to obey your commands. I love you Jesus,
Amen

Lost sheep

2009-11-22T07:53:00.000-08:00

November 21, 2009
Matthew 9:36 "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

Jesus didn't look down on the crowds. He didn't look at them as outsider's, non-believers, dirty sinners. And He didn't look at them as service projects. He looked at them with compassion. When Jesus looked at the crowds, He didn't see them as willfully rejecting God and purposefully marching into hell. He saw them as helpless and harassed.

How does the church today look at the crowds. I would say it varies. There are certainly some that see everyone outside their walls as dirty rotten sinners who deserve to burn. A "we four and no more" attitude is prevalent in some churches. I think a lot of churches have a "service project" mentality. They want to serve the people to "show them the love of Christ". And there is certainly nothing wrong with this. But I think it is just a little off-center. Jesus obviously came to serve, He talked about it all the time, but He looked at people with compassion. We see this throughout the Gospels, not just in this passage. They were like sheep, and He is the shepherd.

I think one of the differences in the ways of thinking is that people do service projects to make themselves feel better. They serve, mark it off their list, and move on. Yes the people who were served were blessed, but what happens then?

I don't know, this verse requires more pondering. There is a deep truth here that I am not quite grasping. Here is what I have so far to apply to my life. Most people outside the church are not willfully disobeying and denying. (Although some are) They are not a service project. They are people, who are lost and helpless and without a shepherd. It is our job, my job, to help lead them home. To bring them into the flock. To get them under the protection of the shepherd. And for at least me, suddenly this verse is breaking my heart.

Father, give me a heart for your lost children. I love you Jesus,
Amen.

Climbing partner, or crowd member?

2009-11-20T12:35:00.000-08:00

November 20, 2009
Matthew 5:1-2 (Msg) "When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:"
Same verse (NIV) "Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying:"

Jesus' ministry was drawing huge crowds. And that's a good thing. But sometimes He had messages that weren't for the crowds. Sometimes he had deeper teachings that he wanted to share with His disciples, those who were truly committed to Him. At times like this He occassionally went off with just them, or He climbed a hill to see who would climb with Him. The message of the Beatitudes and this entire section was one such message. This verse doesn't say that He preached this to the crowds. Rather, the disciples came to Him. This was life-changing stuff, and only those truly committed were ready for it.

I wonder if we think this way today. Many churches draw huge crowds, and that's ok. Christ came for the masses. But those of us who claim to be committed to Christ need to make sure we are finding a way to climb the hill to find the truly life changing messages. We do that by going to the "deeper" services our churches may hold. We do that by engaging in daily Bible study on our own. We do that by joining Small Groups. We do that through mentoring and being mentored. We don't do that by simply attending on a Sunday morning and calling it good. As good as Sunday morning services are, and they are, they are not the end of it. They don't change our lives long term. We have to climb the hill to get to Jesus. And then we need to climb the next hill, and the next one. He wants to change our lives, but are we really that committed?

Father, help me to be a climbing partner of you. Help me not to be lazy and appathetic. And please help me to encourage others to do the same. I love you Jesus,
Amen.

As goes the leader

2009-11-19T20:04:00.000-08:00

November 19, 2009
Matthew 2:3 "When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him."

I have been disturbed, pun slightly intended, by this verse all day. The story is familiar. Jesus is being born in Bethlehem. The wise men come and talk to Herod. And Herod freaks out. The wise men go and worship and then sneak out of town. A dream warns Joseph, and he sneaks the family out of town. Herod finds out he's been duped and goes ballistic. He starts killing kids. But thats not what has disturbed me. Rather, it's the phrase "and all Jerusalem with him."

It was one thing for Herod to be upset. He felt threatened. He thought someone was coming or his kingdom. And that is understandable. But he managed to get the entire city riled up. His mood and actions set the mood and actions of all his followers. As went the leader, so went the people. And children died.

The reason this is disturbing me today is because I see it played out in my life. At work, I can set the tone of all the employees. We can all do what we need to do and have good attitudes, or we can all whine and complain all day. I set that tone. In ministry, people follow my example. If I am loving people, then those under my influence will love people. If I am not serving or loving, neither will those under my influence. And in my family, this really hits me. My attitude sets the tone for everything. My children will follow my example, whether I want them to or not. My wife will flourish or wither depending on how I treat her and treat the kids.

The truly sobering part of this, is how much my leadership influence affects others whether I mean it to or not. At times, I just breeze through my life without regard for those watching me, and that's dangerous. So today, I take this to heart. As goes the leader, so go the people. I need to remember that, and act accordingly.

Father, help me to treat my leadership role with respect.
Amen

Its a process

2009-11-19T07:09:00.000-08:00

November 19, 2009
Matthew 3:15 "Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented."
There is a time and a purpose for everything. Even in Jesus' life, there is a series of events that need to happen. There is a lot of specific reasons for events in Matthew 1-4.

Jesus is born in Bethlehem so that the prophecy in Isaiah is fulfilled. Vs 2:6
The Magi sneak away causing Herod to kill all the little boys so that a prophecy in Jeremiah is fulfilled. Vs. 2:18
Joseph takes the family to Egypt so that another prophesy is fulfilled. Vs. 2:15
Joseph takes the family to Nazareth so another prophesy is fulfilled. Vs. 2:23
John preaches in the desert fulfilling prophesy. Vs 3:3
Jesus gets baptized by John to "fulfill all righteousness." Vs. 3:15
Jesus is taken to the desert to show us how to stand against the accuser. Vs. 4:1-11
Then Jesus begins to preach.

A lot of things happened in Jesus life for a specific reason. Things that He had no control over, where he was born, where he lived as a child. Things He knew He had to do in order to fulfill His Father's plans. Things that He had to do to prepare Him for His ministry. I look at my life, and some of the seemingly random events and setbacks, and I wonder if they are serving a greater purpose. I look at the delays getting into ministry and wonder how I am being prepared. I wonder if someone somewhere will one day look at my life and learn lessons from my life, or that I will look back and learn some things from my life. Suddenly makes what I am going through maybe more worth it.

Father, help me to accept what You bring into my life. Instead of whining, help me search for the purpose behind my circumstances. I love you,
Amen

Grace, Love and Fellowship

2009-11-18T14:23:00.000-08:00

November 18, 2009
2 Corinthians 13:14 "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

I feel particularly moved by this verse today, and I am not really sure I can put my finger on why. It's just one sentence at the end of a letter. And a pretty harsh letter at that. And yet, Paul ends it with this blessing. There is something there. Maybe it is the reminder that even if we are being corrected in our walk, everything really is for our good. It is to be seen as a blessing, not as a punishment. The writer of Hebrews tells us "Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!", and "Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness", and again "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Maybe that's it. This letter is full of discipline, but Paul ends it this way to remind us that his goal is not the tearing down of his readers, but rather their building up. "This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down." (vs. 10)

The other thing that touches me today about this verse is how it seems to outline the role of each member of the Trinity. God is three in one - Father, Spirit, Son. He offers us different aspects of Himself - Grace, Love, Fellowship. This verse outlines how that works. Because of God's love, he sent His Son (John 3:16). Because of the Son, we have grace that will strengthen us, grant us forgiveness and freedom, and allow us to approach God. Becaues of the Spirit, we are in constant Fellowship with the Father and with each other. Awesome.

It's a good reminder for me today. God will correct me because He loves me. Jesus will strengthen me through His grace. And the Spirit will fill me, comfort me, and guide me as I participate in Fellowship with the Godhead.

Father, thank you for Your word. I love you,
Amen

Not on stone, on hearts

2009-11-16T21:49:00.001-08:00

November 16, 2009
2 Corinthians 3:3 "3You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts."

Not written on tablets of stone, but on human hearts. Anyone can make up stuff. Statistics, stories, reports. We tend to feel validated by numbers. We feel important when we see our names or our accomplishments written down. But with Christ, it's supposed to be different. We aren't supposed to care so much about human accolades. Rather, our goal is changed lives.
So the question today is what is the results of my ministry, what am I working for? Am I looking for the praise of men, or am I influencing hearts? And if I am working for the praise of men, what do I need to change?

Father, please heck my motives. Search me and know me. Transform my heart, and transform my ministry. I love you Jesus,
Amen

Training in our troubles

2009-11-15T17:24:00.000-08:00

November 15, 200
2 Corinthians 1:3-7 "All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us."

It is interesting to me what this verse Doesn't say. It Doesn't say that He keeps us from troubles. It Doesn't say that because He is our merciful Father that He will keep us from suffering. It Doesn't even say that we may experience some troubles, but not that many. It actually says the exact opposite with the phrases "in all our troubles... when they are troubled, the more we suffer for Christ... even when we are weighed down with our troubles." That doesn't sound fun, nor does it sound like the philosophy I hear so many Christians buying into; the philosophy of "because I am a Christian, I will be healthy, wealthy and wise. Everything will be butterflies and roses." These verses are actually telling us that we will have trouble, we will suffer.
But there's Good News! When we do suffer, we will be comforted! When we suffer, God showers us with comfort. And even better, we can know that our suffering and trouble is not with out a bigger picture reason. It is through the comfort we receive that we learn to comfort others. We are suffer and are troubled in order to teach us to help others walk through their suffering and trouble.

I once heard someone talk about the difference between sympathy and empathy. When we feel sympathy, we feel for the other person. We can feel compassion or pity for another person. Empathy is more than a feeling. It's knowing what the other person is feeling. It's projecting their feelings onto oneself. Because we have gone through troubles of various kinds, we can empathize with people who are going through them. It is one thing to feel sorry for someone. It is quite another to really be able to know what they are feeling and walk through it with them. For example, if someone looses someone close to them, or has a miscarriage, or looses a job, or goes bankrupt - and we have never gone through a similar experience - we can only feel sympathy. And sometimes, that's just not enough. We can't truly comfort these people, because we haven't ever been where they are. We haven't walked through what they are walking through and made it out the other side. If we have gone through whatever trouble or suffering they have gone through, we can show empathy. We know exactly what they are going through. We've been there. We can sit with them in their distress and understand what they need. We DO know how they are feeling, and we know how to walk through it.

And that is the point of our troubles. God comforts us, so that we can give true comfort to others. He trains us in our troubles and our sorrows. Imagine someone you know, who is without Jesus in their lives, going through something painful in their lives. Because of our own experiences, we can bring comfort to that person and potentially introduce them to the One who comforts us. We have instant credibility because we have been there. "Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer." With that mindset, I am able to endure the many troubles that come my way (and there have been many). Because I now know that I can comfort those whom the Lord puts in my path. And I can point them to Him.

Thank you Father for the training of troubles that you have brought into my life. Let me not wallow in my suffering, but rather use it as a base to introduce others to your Son. I love you Lord,
Amen