You've no doubt heard the old cliche, seeing is believing. It is an old and well used saying that is lacking in just one thing: It ain't so. Seeing is not believing, it is knowing. Believing occurs when we accept something based on testimony that allows us to come to see a heretofore hidden truth.
An example of this principle from my life is algebra. When I first took algebra, I did not see how one could arrive at a quantity utilizing a formula filled with unknown integers. When I first tried to solve for X I couldn't past the Y one would ever think this process made any sense.
However, as I listened to my instructor explain the principles, I accepted what she was saying even though I did not see how the process worked or even could work. The more I listened and trusted in her testimony, the more I say. As I came to believe in her words, I began to see the truth of the formulas and the unknown integers became known.
The book of Hebrews puts it this way, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see" (11:1). That is not to say that we accept things blindly or as a little boy is credited in saying, "Faith is believing what you know can't be true." It is to say that we accept things on reliable testimony and/or evidence.
For instance, if you we stranded on the side of a cliff when a fog rolled in, not being able to see how to descend, and having yelled for help you hear a voice coming to you from somewhere in cloudy atmosphere saying, "I live in these parts and have climbed where you are many times. You are standing on a narrow ledge, much too narrow to risk staying on until this fog clears. But not more than 10 feet below you is a ledge wide enough to lay down on. Just hang over the edge and drop to the ledge below.
Not ever seeing that ledge, you would have no reason to think one was there. But hearing this voice of one who has knowledge of the face of that cliff, you may accept his testimony and by faith envision the ledge below and drop to the safety of the ledge below.
As we listen to the words found in the Bible and come to believe in the testimony of the prophets and the apostles given by the inspiration of the Spirit, we begin to see the truth of the Gospel. And seeing, we too can let go of the precarious ledge of our self-direction and drop onto the safety of the ledge knowing "there is no Rock like our God" (1 Sam 2:2). Jus' Say'n.
Monday, February 29, 2016
Friday, February 26, 2016
Peace
In 1 Timothy, we read, "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people---for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives..." (2:1-2).
Did you notice the "first of all?" The Spirit is giving us a First Principle in community life. So, what is about to follow is of prime importance to you and I as Christians. It is not something to simply consider but something that we must concentrate our efforts towards, bringing it to the forefront of our Christian walk.
The something is prayer and the direction is toward others, and, in particular those in authority. As much as our leaders may disappoint us and even if we didn't and would not vote for them, we are to pray for them. Not only the ones who are in power in our country, but "all those in authority."
And the why is plainly revealed as well: "that we may live peaceful and quiet lives." In order for us to live in peace, peace must be prevail in our land. We cannot live in peace when our living space is caught up in war. So prayer for people, especially leaders, to work for peace is paramount.
The place to begin, of course, is in your own heart. It has to be something you desire and seek if you are to live a life of peace. You have to determine that you will live at peace with all, even you enemies (specifically those around you that don't like you, not necessarily foreign fighters you never encounter). As the old verse goes, "If it is to be, it is up to me."
OK. So I'm in charge of living in peace with everybody. What if someone simply will not accept an olive branch from me, what then? Pray! Pray for them regardless of how they treat you. As Jesus says, "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matt 5:44).
They still may refuse to live in peace with you but you have done what you could and that is all we are called on to do: "As far as it is possible with you, leave in peace with everybody" (Rom 12:18). We are called to peace, so peace must be our aim in all circumstances. In those time when peace is not possible, be sure it is not you that is destroying the peace. Jus' Say'n.
Did you notice the "first of all?" The Spirit is giving us a First Principle in community life. So, what is about to follow is of prime importance to you and I as Christians. It is not something to simply consider but something that we must concentrate our efforts towards, bringing it to the forefront of our Christian walk.
The something is prayer and the direction is toward others, and, in particular those in authority. As much as our leaders may disappoint us and even if we didn't and would not vote for them, we are to pray for them. Not only the ones who are in power in our country, but "all those in authority."
And the why is plainly revealed as well: "that we may live peaceful and quiet lives." In order for us to live in peace, peace must be prevail in our land. We cannot live in peace when our living space is caught up in war. So prayer for people, especially leaders, to work for peace is paramount.
The place to begin, of course, is in your own heart. It has to be something you desire and seek if you are to live a life of peace. You have to determine that you will live at peace with all, even you enemies (specifically those around you that don't like you, not necessarily foreign fighters you never encounter). As the old verse goes, "If it is to be, it is up to me."
OK. So I'm in charge of living in peace with everybody. What if someone simply will not accept an olive branch from me, what then? Pray! Pray for them regardless of how they treat you. As Jesus says, "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matt 5:44).
They still may refuse to live in peace with you but you have done what you could and that is all we are called on to do: "As far as it is possible with you, leave in peace with everybody" (Rom 12:18). We are called to peace, so peace must be our aim in all circumstances. In those time when peace is not possible, be sure it is not you that is destroying the peace. Jus' Say'n.
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Making a Way
Contrary to what many seem to believe today that they should be given health care, housing, college education, good paying jobs, etc., I grew up believing, as our Declaration of Independence declares, that we are endowed by our Creator with "the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." I believed that to have the life I wanted, while I had the God-given right to pursue, I would have to make my own way.
I believed that I would have to set goals, make preparations and work hard in order to gain the kind of life I wanted to have. The idea that the Federal Government would provide for all my needs, let alone wants, never crossed my mind. And, by the way, it still does not resonate with me. I believe that to be on the government dole is a bit like "owing my soul to the company store."
Just like when people use to live, work and purchase goods - all on company land and were therefore nothing much more than slaves on a different kind of plantation, I think many are giving themselves over to the control and ownership of the government. By providing the funding, out of the pockets of other citizens, the government also determine what you can and should have. You accept a right of pursuit begins and ends with those in power rather than insist on rights endowed by our Creator.
As I've experienced life over the last 60 years, I have come to see that my ability to pursue life, to make my own way, is limited by circumstances over which I have little to no control. I had a business, a new home and a path to retirement that was all retired when my first wife was diagnosed with stage four cancer. Everything came o an abrupt halt.
When I remarried and we began on a new and exciting path, within a couple of months, she was diagnosed with stage four cancer and our path has been altered ever since. I am simply not in control of the circumstances of life, I do not have the power to make my own way. I can work at it, I can react to it, but I cannot make it.
Thankfully, I have discovered that while I am not empowered to make my own way, I don't have to. And I don't have to trust in an over-bearing bureaucracy to give me handouts with strings attached. Instead, I trust in Jesus, who is "the way, the truth and the life" (Jn 14:6). My way is settled, it is "the path of life" (cf. Matt 7:13-14). And, whatever God allows me to have here, I have a future that is secure.
I'm not diggin in here, I'm passing through. "And my God will meet all [my] needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19). I cannot determine what life will bring my way but I can trust that God will provide for my journey and that my victorious life in Christ begins here but lasts into eternity. Jus' Say'n.
I believed that I would have to set goals, make preparations and work hard in order to gain the kind of life I wanted to have. The idea that the Federal Government would provide for all my needs, let alone wants, never crossed my mind. And, by the way, it still does not resonate with me. I believe that to be on the government dole is a bit like "owing my soul to the company store."
Just like when people use to live, work and purchase goods - all on company land and were therefore nothing much more than slaves on a different kind of plantation, I think many are giving themselves over to the control and ownership of the government. By providing the funding, out of the pockets of other citizens, the government also determine what you can and should have. You accept a right of pursuit begins and ends with those in power rather than insist on rights endowed by our Creator.
As I've experienced life over the last 60 years, I have come to see that my ability to pursue life, to make my own way, is limited by circumstances over which I have little to no control. I had a business, a new home and a path to retirement that was all retired when my first wife was diagnosed with stage four cancer. Everything came o an abrupt halt.
When I remarried and we began on a new and exciting path, within a couple of months, she was diagnosed with stage four cancer and our path has been altered ever since. I am simply not in control of the circumstances of life, I do not have the power to make my own way. I can work at it, I can react to it, but I cannot make it.
Thankfully, I have discovered that while I am not empowered to make my own way, I don't have to. And I don't have to trust in an over-bearing bureaucracy to give me handouts with strings attached. Instead, I trust in Jesus, who is "the way, the truth and the life" (Jn 14:6). My way is settled, it is "the path of life" (cf. Matt 7:13-14). And, whatever God allows me to have here, I have a future that is secure.
I'm not diggin in here, I'm passing through. "And my God will meet all [my] needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19). I cannot determine what life will bring my way but I can trust that God will provide for my journey and that my victorious life in Christ begins here but lasts into eternity. Jus' Say'n.
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Getting Real
In the early church, pressure was being applied by some to require that everyone submit to the ritual of circumcision, which would bring them under the constraints of the Law of Moses. The apostle Paul was having none of it. For one thing, he knew that "not even those of the circumcision kept the law" (Gal 6:13). It was a power move, adding a requirement the Lord did not give.
Aren't you glad that in the church today we've gotten past all that business of requiring things that can't be found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Aren't you glad that we have moved on from the constraints of legalism to embrace the grace Christ came to give us? What's that? We haven't? There are still those preaching a Grace Plus salvation? I stand corrected.
Of course there are those who insist on adding requirements of what we can eat, what we can drink, what style of worship is acceptable, what version of the Bible we can read, how much we must give, whether or not one can chew tobacco, and on it goes. We make these proclamations and many more thinking that they must be as important to God as they are to us. But are they? No, not really.
Listen to what Paul says about add-ons: "One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God" (Rom 14:5-6). Doesn't seem very impressed with them, does he?
Back in Galatians chapter 6, he lays it out in a very clear and concise way, "Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation: (v. 15). Making and keeping of rules and rituals has no real value to God. What God values is the fact that we have become real as Christians, that we are reborn as new creatures in Christ.
Paul goes so far as to say, "[4] You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. [6] For in Christ Jesus....The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love" (Gal 5:4,6).
If Paul were using our vernacular, he might say something like "Come on Christians, get real!" That's what God desires - not people who have a religious look but people who have a relational love for Him and His children. Jus' Say'n.
Aren't you glad that in the church today we've gotten past all that business of requiring things that can't be found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Aren't you glad that we have moved on from the constraints of legalism to embrace the grace Christ came to give us? What's that? We haven't? There are still those preaching a Grace Plus salvation? I stand corrected.
Of course there are those who insist on adding requirements of what we can eat, what we can drink, what style of worship is acceptable, what version of the Bible we can read, how much we must give, whether or not one can chew tobacco, and on it goes. We make these proclamations and many more thinking that they must be as important to God as they are to us. But are they? No, not really.
Listen to what Paul says about add-ons: "One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God" (Rom 14:5-6). Doesn't seem very impressed with them, does he?
Back in Galatians chapter 6, he lays it out in a very clear and concise way, "Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation: (v. 15). Making and keeping of rules and rituals has no real value to God. What God values is the fact that we have become real as Christians, that we are reborn as new creatures in Christ.
Paul goes so far as to say, "[4] You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. [6] For in Christ Jesus....The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love" (Gal 5:4,6).
If Paul were using our vernacular, he might say something like "Come on Christians, get real!" That's what God desires - not people who have a religious look but people who have a relational love for Him and His children. Jus' Say'n.
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
The Spirit of Adoption
"The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father'” (Rom 8:15).
So what does it mean that we have this Spirit of adoption? It means that, just as a child you might adopt, we are chosen. We don't have to try to somehow earn God's love, We do not have to go through an interview process or a period of probation. In Christ, "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children" (v. 16).
As such, we are not beggars pleading for some consideration of our need or bidders seeking to make a bargain to fulfill them. As children of God in Christ, "we are heirs —heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ" (v. 17).
As an heir, a seat at the table is yours. You don't have to your way in or wrangle for an invitation. In fact, neither of those tactics are of any value as only heirs, whether by natural course (Christ) or by adoption (us), are welcome.
When Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. And no man comes to the Father except by me" (Jn 14:6), he clear that this adoption through him is the only path to family status, the only thing way to the Father's table.
No one else can earn it or buy it or steal it. It is ours, our for the taking. All we have to do is to accept the gift of sonship that the Father seeks to bestow upon us. And, that is the only way we can receive it. It is also how we can lose it: The accepting or rejecting is our choice.
Listen to thee words of the Gospel of John, "He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (Jn 1:11-12).
You have the right to become aa adopted child of God, a co-heir with Christ but the choice is yours: This world and what it has to offer or the Kingdom of Heven and what it has to offer. Which life do you choose? Jus' Ask'n.
So what does it mean that we have this Spirit of adoption? It means that, just as a child you might adopt, we are chosen. We don't have to try to somehow earn God's love, We do not have to go through an interview process or a period of probation. In Christ, "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children" (v. 16).
As such, we are not beggars pleading for some consideration of our need or bidders seeking to make a bargain to fulfill them. As children of God in Christ, "we are heirs —heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ" (v. 17).
As an heir, a seat at the table is yours. You don't have to your way in or wrangle for an invitation. In fact, neither of those tactics are of any value as only heirs, whether by natural course (Christ) or by adoption (us), are welcome.
When Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. And no man comes to the Father except by me" (Jn 14:6), he clear that this adoption through him is the only path to family status, the only thing way to the Father's table.
No one else can earn it or buy it or steal it. It is ours, our for the taking. All we have to do is to accept the gift of sonship that the Father seeks to bestow upon us. And, that is the only way we can receive it. It is also how we can lose it: The accepting or rejecting is our choice.
Listen to thee words of the Gospel of John, "He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (Jn 1:11-12).
You have the right to become aa adopted child of God, a co-heir with Christ but the choice is yours: This world and what it has to offer or the Kingdom of Heven and what it has to offer. Which life do you choose? Jus' Ask'n.
Monday, February 22, 2016
Time on The Run
This morning is one of those mornings where my brain just wasn't ready to engage right away. I had trouble focusing in prayer, my readings seemed disjointed and when I was ready to write, I wasn't really ready. I sat here, looking at a blank page, thinking, "I've got to start writing, I'm running out of time."
Two things: 1) I don't really have to write, it's a choice I make and 2) I wasn't running out of time, time was running out on me. I wasn't running at all. I wasn't even crawling. I wasn't the one moving, it was time. Time was running out on me.
Time simply doesn't stop for anyone. Regardless of what we do or don't do, time keeps on moving. Whether you get to whatever it is you have in mind or not, time doesn't wait. I remember talking with a preacher about 30 years ago who was in his fifties and was lamenting that he hadn't finished his graduate degree (he only finished 9 hours). He found the amount of time it would take to finish going part time to be a bit overwhelming. However, the time it would have taken had marched on without him.
It took me 15 years from the time I started higher education until I completed a Doctor of Ministry. That was a long time but that 15 years came and went 20 years ago. Whether I had finished the degree plan or not, time was going to keep on moving. Time is not something we get through or run out of, time is the stuff of which life is made. And life keeps moving forward regardless of our efforts until life or time runs out.
Jesus warns of this very truth in saying, "As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work" (Jn 9:4). Time is on the move, it will not wait on us, we must move with it. How much time will elapse before it runs out on us entirely, only God can tell. But we can be sure that it will run out. Don't allow yourself to be lamenting one day, "I wish I had (fill in the blank) before time ran out on me." Jus' Say'n.
Two things: 1) I don't really have to write, it's a choice I make and 2) I wasn't running out of time, time was running out on me. I wasn't running at all. I wasn't even crawling. I wasn't the one moving, it was time. Time was running out on me.
Time simply doesn't stop for anyone. Regardless of what we do or don't do, time keeps on moving. Whether you get to whatever it is you have in mind or not, time doesn't wait. I remember talking with a preacher about 30 years ago who was in his fifties and was lamenting that he hadn't finished his graduate degree (he only finished 9 hours). He found the amount of time it would take to finish going part time to be a bit overwhelming. However, the time it would have taken had marched on without him.
It took me 15 years from the time I started higher education until I completed a Doctor of Ministry. That was a long time but that 15 years came and went 20 years ago. Whether I had finished the degree plan or not, time was going to keep on moving. Time is not something we get through or run out of, time is the stuff of which life is made. And life keeps moving forward regardless of our efforts until life or time runs out.
Jesus warns of this very truth in saying, "As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work" (Jn 9:4). Time is on the move, it will not wait on us, we must move with it. How much time will elapse before it runs out on us entirely, only God can tell. But we can be sure that it will run out. Don't allow yourself to be lamenting one day, "I wish I had (fill in the blank) before time ran out on me." Jus' Say'n.
Friday, February 19, 2016
Do What You Can
This past Wednesday I took an accreditation exam with the VA, which was on the heels of a rigid pre-qualification combined with referrals, a background check and a decision of worthiness to take the exam. I passed! But I am not yet accredited. My file has be sent to a supervisory attorney in Washington for his review and final determination.
So what do I do now? I pray and leave it in the hands of the Lord. There is nothing else for me to do. When you've done all that you can, you can't do any more and nothing more is expected. Do you remember what Jesus said to those who were criticizing the woman you poured the expensive perfume on Jesus? He told them to leave her alone for, "She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial" (Mk 14:8).
Whatever someone else might have been able to have done. Whatever else someone else might have wanted her to have done. She did what she knew to do with what she had. She did what she could. That was all God wanted of her.
The apostle Paul put it this way, "For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have" (2 Cor 8:12). God accepts the best that we know to do with what we have, not what someone else has or knows.
This is an extremely important truth of personal service and faithfulness before God. It is not for others to determine what we should give or how we should give it. It is up to us, as my brother Gary has often said to me, "according to our skills and abilities." God has gifted us all (cf. Rom 12; 1 Cor 12) and he desires that we use those gifts to his glory and the blessing of ourselves and others.
While we may need some direction in determining and honing those gifts as well as some guidance in putting them to use, it is ultimately up to each individual to "do what you can." As it is written:
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully" (Rom 12:6-8).
Jus' Say'n.
So what do I do now? I pray and leave it in the hands of the Lord. There is nothing else for me to do. When you've done all that you can, you can't do any more and nothing more is expected. Do you remember what Jesus said to those who were criticizing the woman you poured the expensive perfume on Jesus? He told them to leave her alone for, "She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial" (Mk 14:8).
Whatever someone else might have been able to have done. Whatever else someone else might have wanted her to have done. She did what she knew to do with what she had. She did what she could. That was all God wanted of her.
The apostle Paul put it this way, "For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have" (2 Cor 8:12). God accepts the best that we know to do with what we have, not what someone else has or knows.
This is an extremely important truth of personal service and faithfulness before God. It is not for others to determine what we should give or how we should give it. It is up to us, as my brother Gary has often said to me, "according to our skills and abilities." God has gifted us all (cf. Rom 12; 1 Cor 12) and he desires that we use those gifts to his glory and the blessing of ourselves and others.
While we may need some direction in determining and honing those gifts as well as some guidance in putting them to use, it is ultimately up to each individual to "do what you can." As it is written:
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully" (Rom 12:6-8).
Jus' Say'n.
Thursday, February 18, 2016
This Guy?
Nobody cared about vertically-challenged Zacchaeus, the loathsome little tax collector. For such a tiny man, he had become a big problem for his community working for the hated Romans, collecting taxes above what was due and keeping it for himself. He didn't deserve to see the rabbi Jesus, worker of miracles.
Being short as he was and hated as he became, his only hope to see Jesus was to climb a sycamore tree. As he gazed out over the crowd he saw this Jesus walking in his direction and then stop just below him, looking up.
Zacchaeus had to be thinking, "Oh boy, am I going to get it now. The Prophet is going to know who and what I am, and he will really give me what for." The crowd, no doubt, expected the same thing for this little parasite on society.
They would have all been wrong, nothing could have been further from the truth of Jesus' intention that day. "When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today" (Lk: 19:5).
Can you see his jaw dropping as he drops down from the tree? "Me, you want to come to my house and have dinner with me?" And the crowd had to have been thinking along with Zacchaeus, "Him, the little toad Zacchaeus? You can't be serious. Whay would a prophet want to eat with a lying, thieving tax collector?" Why? Because this was the reason Jesus came, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost" (Lk 19:10).
Jesus didn't come to just gather the good good guys around him, he came to turn the bad guys around, to return the lost sheep. Jesus came reach out to even the worst among us, to even your worst enemy. You know - that guy you can't stand? That guy, Jesus came to him. And, to top it off, he want your help to reach him.
You've got to be kidding, right? Nope! Jesus came to get that guy to turn around and he want you to help him make the turn. He wants you, looking for even that guy, to "go into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame" (Lk 14:21). Jesus wants no stone unturned looking to save those who are lost. Jus' Say'n
Being short as he was and hated as he became, his only hope to see Jesus was to climb a sycamore tree. As he gazed out over the crowd he saw this Jesus walking in his direction and then stop just below him, looking up.
Zacchaeus had to be thinking, "Oh boy, am I going to get it now. The Prophet is going to know who and what I am, and he will really give me what for." The crowd, no doubt, expected the same thing for this little parasite on society.
They would have all been wrong, nothing could have been further from the truth of Jesus' intention that day. "When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today" (Lk: 19:5).
Can you see his jaw dropping as he drops down from the tree? "Me, you want to come to my house and have dinner with me?" And the crowd had to have been thinking along with Zacchaeus, "Him, the little toad Zacchaeus? You can't be serious. Whay would a prophet want to eat with a lying, thieving tax collector?" Why? Because this was the reason Jesus came, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost" (Lk 19:10).
Jesus didn't come to just gather the good good guys around him, he came to turn the bad guys around, to return the lost sheep. Jesus came reach out to even the worst among us, to even your worst enemy. You know - that guy you can't stand? That guy, Jesus came to him. And, to top it off, he want your help to reach him.
You've got to be kidding, right? Nope! Jesus came to get that guy to turn around and he want you to help him make the turn. He wants you, looking for even that guy, to "go into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame" (Lk 14:21). Jesus wants no stone unturned looking to save those who are lost. Jus' Say'n
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Like Little Children
In response to his disciples' question as to who would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Mt 18:3).
It was not the answer they were expecting and his further explanation was not any closer: "Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (v. 4). He was turning their expectations upside down with his "least being the greatest" kingdom order.
It was clear that even after Jesus explained the kingdom order to them that they still did not get it as James and John came with their mother to Jesus who asked, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom" (Mt 20:21).
Although, one could say that they were getting the little child part down as they were childishly "calling shotgun" like a pre-adolescent wanting to sit by the door in the front seat of the car as it was regarded to be a more prominent position than the back seat.
Not actually, though as they were being childish instead of child-like. Therein lies the difference of what Jesus was calling them to and where they actually stood at the moment. One who is childish is very self-centered and demanding, while one who is child-like is very trusting, looking to and leaning upon the Father-Figure guidance and protection.
It was this trust factor that the disciples struggled with, especially as Jesus began talking about the crucifixion, which lay ahead of him in Jerusalem. They were uncertain and unsettled. Their desire for a place on the right side and the left came out of a desire to establish some control in contrast to just trusting in Jesus to lead them and provide for them.
Jesus call for them and for us to be like little children is a call to trust and obey rather then to have your own way or to establish boundaries of faith that are more akin to walking by sight. The truly righteous are not the ones who are always right, they are the ones who rightly "live by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor 5:7). You know, the way little children do. Jus' Say'n.
It was not the answer they were expecting and his further explanation was not any closer: "Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (v. 4). He was turning their expectations upside down with his "least being the greatest" kingdom order.
It was clear that even after Jesus explained the kingdom order to them that they still did not get it as James and John came with their mother to Jesus who asked, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom" (Mt 20:21).
Although, one could say that they were getting the little child part down as they were childishly "calling shotgun" like a pre-adolescent wanting to sit by the door in the front seat of the car as it was regarded to be a more prominent position than the back seat.
Not actually, though as they were being childish instead of child-like. Therein lies the difference of what Jesus was calling them to and where they actually stood at the moment. One who is childish is very self-centered and demanding, while one who is child-like is very trusting, looking to and leaning upon the Father-Figure guidance and protection.
It was this trust factor that the disciples struggled with, especially as Jesus began talking about the crucifixion, which lay ahead of him in Jerusalem. They were uncertain and unsettled. Their desire for a place on the right side and the left came out of a desire to establish some control in contrast to just trusting in Jesus to lead them and provide for them.
Jesus call for them and for us to be like little children is a call to trust and obey rather then to have your own way or to establish boundaries of faith that are more akin to walking by sight. The truly righteous are not the ones who are always right, they are the ones who rightly "live by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor 5:7). You know, the way little children do. Jus' Say'n.
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
More and Less
It may sound like a misspeak, "more and less," as the common refrain is always, "more or less." It only seems reasonable that we must choose between the two. One is either gong to be more or less not more and less. It would seem axiomatic that their must be a choice between the two.
Of course, in America, our instinct is to choose more. We do want fries with that. And, by the way, we want them Super Sized! We want bigger, better, faster, brighter, extra - we want the works. We want it all and a bag of chips. We not only want more, we want to be more.
We want a name for ourselves. We want to be recognized. We want to be important. At the very least, we want our "15 minutes of glory." We want something to point to that points out our unique value, our separation from the herd. We want center stage.
John the Baptist, however, did not want the spotlight. He did not want the glory. He did not want to be pointed out and set apart from the rest. In bold relief, he wanted to blend into the background, to be one who brought others to glory not bring glory to himself. In particular, he wanted to direct people to Christ and away from himself.
In John's words, "He must become greater; I must become less" (Jn 3:30). John's whole life was to be "the voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way for the Lord'" (Jn 1;23). His life's work and passion was to blaze a trail that led to Jesus, to be the one who helped to open eye to see the Lord, not to be seen.
Funny thing, because he did not seek his own glory, because he desired to deny self and bring glory to the Lord, John the himself became unforgettable and he was given a place of glory in his own right. As Jesus put it, "Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist" (Mt 11:11).
John was truly more and less. Because he chose to lose his life for the glory of Christ, "he found it" (Mt 10:39). Although counterintuitive, it is nonetheless true that humility is the path to honor. We become more as we strive to be less. Jus' Say'n.
Of course, in America, our instinct is to choose more. We do want fries with that. And, by the way, we want them Super Sized! We want bigger, better, faster, brighter, extra - we want the works. We want it all and a bag of chips. We not only want more, we want to be more.
We want a name for ourselves. We want to be recognized. We want to be important. At the very least, we want our "15 minutes of glory." We want something to point to that points out our unique value, our separation from the herd. We want center stage.
John the Baptist, however, did not want the spotlight. He did not want the glory. He did not want to be pointed out and set apart from the rest. In bold relief, he wanted to blend into the background, to be one who brought others to glory not bring glory to himself. In particular, he wanted to direct people to Christ and away from himself.
In John's words, "He must become greater; I must become less" (Jn 3:30). John's whole life was to be "the voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way for the Lord'" (Jn 1;23). His life's work and passion was to blaze a trail that led to Jesus, to be the one who helped to open eye to see the Lord, not to be seen.
Funny thing, because he did not seek his own glory, because he desired to deny self and bring glory to the Lord, John the himself became unforgettable and he was given a place of glory in his own right. As Jesus put it, "Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist" (Mt 11:11).
John was truly more and less. Because he chose to lose his life for the glory of Christ, "he found it" (Mt 10:39). Although counterintuitive, it is nonetheless true that humility is the path to honor. We become more as we strive to be less. Jus' Say'n.
Monday, February 15, 2016
Sacrifice or Surrender
"Give it up for Lent" is a notion that most Christians are aware of if not participate in, even when Catholicism is not their personal tradition. The idea of somehow participating in the suffering of Jesus' crucifixion by fasting from something for the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday is very appealing to those who embrace the idea of Christian sacrifice.
Sacrifice, going back to the days of Moses, who instructed the Israelites in the practice of self-denial by literally sacrificing animals from their flocks, giving up the first and best to God, was re-defined by the apostle Paul as offering of ourselves as "a living sacrifice" (Rom 12:1). What the Holy Spirit revealed through the apostle, however, was less of a giving up as it was a giving in.
To give up something for a 40 day fast as a discipline has some value but only if manifests the surrender of one's heart to God, only if it reflects and operates from a place of love and devotion to God rather than a tradition to uphold or an exercise to endure.
Do you really suppose that God is moved by the simple fact that one does without carbs or survives with social media or gives up television for 40 days? Do you thinks that those acts have any real value in and of themselves? Is God really grooving on our giving up something temporarily that most of the world lives without everyday?
He might be - if it really means something to us, if we are seeking to set something aside so that we can draw closer to Him, focus more closely on the sacrifice of Christ and grow deeper in our commitment to the Lord. A 40 day fast from whatever might really be of value if we are trying to be more perfect in surrender to God and not just more pious in enduring a sacrifice for our traditions.
Lent is a tradition, neither good nor bad in and of itself. The 40 days of fasting is likewise has no intrinsic value. The real question is whether one is enduring a sacrifice or engaging in surrender. Are you just giving up goods for a little while or giving in to God for good? Jus' Ask'n.
Friday, February 12, 2016
The Kingdom
John the Baptist boldly proclaimed, "“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near" (Mt 3:2) and the religious leaders of his day were down with tthe idea of God's kingdom finally being established on earth. They were hopeful of its time drawing close so that the children of Abraham would finally reign over the earth.
But their concept of kingdom was not that of God's, for while they, and even Jesus' own disciples, we're looking for a tangible something coming to a touchable someplace, Jesus spoke of an intangible reality present, existing in the hearts of God's children. The kingdom was not a region on the map but a reign in the heart:
"Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is in your midst" (Lk 17:20-21).
The coming near John spoke of was not just a matter of a point on a timeline drawing close, it was a pre-eminence of God's will directing the heart. The kingdom of heaven is as near to you as the desire of your heart or as far away as the dust of a distant shore.
If the kingdom of heaven is what you seek, look no further as the King is right here, right now, inviting you to share in its glory: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me" (Rev 3:20).
The full reality of heaven in a spiritual plane that we enter as we leave time and step into eternity but the kingdom road and the outer gate that leads to the full expression of heayou ven begins here and now. The path we choose to walk now is either kingdom territory or it is not:
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it" (Mt 7:13-14).
Jus' Say'n.
But their concept of kingdom was not that of God's, for while they, and even Jesus' own disciples, we're looking for a tangible something coming to a touchable someplace, Jesus spoke of an intangible reality present, existing in the hearts of God's children. The kingdom was not a region on the map but a reign in the heart:
"Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is in your midst" (Lk 17:20-21).
The coming near John spoke of was not just a matter of a point on a timeline drawing close, it was a pre-eminence of God's will directing the heart. The kingdom of heaven is as near to you as the desire of your heart or as far away as the dust of a distant shore.
If the kingdom of heaven is what you seek, look no further as the King is right here, right now, inviting you to share in its glory: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me" (Rev 3:20).
The full reality of heaven in a spiritual plane that we enter as we leave time and step into eternity but the kingdom road and the outer gate that leads to the full expression of heayou ven begins here and now. The path we choose to walk now is either kingdom territory or it is not:
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it" (Mt 7:13-14).
Jus' Say'n.
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Reflections
The apostle Paul proclaims, "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation" (Col 1:15). The word we translate "image" is from the Greek "icon" from which the name of a very famous camera was derived, "Nikon."
Back in the day, I used to have one. I was able, when such things were necessary, to develop my own negatives. I wasn't exactly an Ansel Adams but I did win a blue ribbon at a county fair for a black and white photo of a big-rig in motion. However, I digress.
The point I want to make is that the word used for Jesus means "exact representation" or image. An image, that when seen, allows you to visualize that which it reflect. In particular, Jesus so perfectly reflected the Father that he could rightly say, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (Jn 14:9).
You might be thinking, "Of course, he is, after all, the Son of God." True and as such and as such, we would expect that he would bear the Father's image. But who is our Father? Is it not "our Father in heaven" (Mt 6:9) to Whom we pray? Did not God "create mankind in His own image" (Gen 1:27)? What, then ought we to reflect but God's own image?
Of course, we ought to reflect God's image but we will reflect the image of that which we hold closest, that which make the greatest impression on us. If it is money, we will reflect greed. If it is power, we will reflect control. If it is sex, we will reflect objectification. As one of my instructors at Harding University's School of Biblical Studies once put it, "That which we perceive is that which we believe and that which we believe is that which we become."
We reflect what is most important to us. We reflect that which our very being leans into. Do you remember Silly Putty? You could shape it, bounce it and roll it out like dough. But when you pressed it into a comic book or newspaper, it would come away with the image of the print into which it was pressed.
In a sense, we are like that. We will bear and reflect the image of that which we press into. Whatever it is that we hold tightly enough to make a lasting impression will be what people see in us. If it is God whom we hold closely in our hearts, then it will be His image that others see reflected. And they will know, Christ followers, that "God is really among you" (1 Cor 14:25). Jus' Say'n.
Back in the day, I used to have one. I was able, when such things were necessary, to develop my own negatives. I wasn't exactly an Ansel Adams but I did win a blue ribbon at a county fair for a black and white photo of a big-rig in motion. However, I digress.
The point I want to make is that the word used for Jesus means "exact representation" or image. An image, that when seen, allows you to visualize that which it reflect. In particular, Jesus so perfectly reflected the Father that he could rightly say, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (Jn 14:9).
You might be thinking, "Of course, he is, after all, the Son of God." True and as such and as such, we would expect that he would bear the Father's image. But who is our Father? Is it not "our Father in heaven" (Mt 6:9) to Whom we pray? Did not God "create mankind in His own image" (Gen 1:27)? What, then ought we to reflect but God's own image?
Of course, we ought to reflect God's image but we will reflect the image of that which we hold closest, that which make the greatest impression on us. If it is money, we will reflect greed. If it is power, we will reflect control. If it is sex, we will reflect objectification. As one of my instructors at Harding University's School of Biblical Studies once put it, "That which we perceive is that which we believe and that which we believe is that which we become."
We reflect what is most important to us. We reflect that which our very being leans into. Do you remember Silly Putty? You could shape it, bounce it and roll it out like dough. But when you pressed it into a comic book or newspaper, it would come away with the image of the print into which it was pressed.
In a sense, we are like that. We will bear and reflect the image of that which we press into. Whatever it is that we hold tightly enough to make a lasting impression will be what people see in us. If it is God whom we hold closely in our hearts, then it will be His image that others see reflected. And they will know, Christ followers, that "God is really among you" (1 Cor 14:25). Jus' Say'n.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Double Down
To double down in Black Jack is to continue your current play but to increase your bet, hoping the next card will be a winner. It is a good strategy if you hold the right card. It is a terrible one if your cards are anything less.
In politics, to double down is to keep moving in the same direction, digging in deeper, raising the stakes, so to speak. And, if you are on the right track, it is a good play to make. But, if you are going off the rails, it is a train wreck waiting to happen.
Last night, as I watched the New Hampshire primaries play out, I noticed that nearly everyone was claiming a vindication of their message - a win in some manner regardless of percentage of votes garnered. They each seemed to believe that they just needed to keep presenting the same message, only raise the stakes.
In actuality, there was only one winner on the right and one on the left, the rest actually lost, reflecting the fact that the voters were not buying the message delivered, the deliverer of the message or both. In any case, to simply ignore what the voters were saying and continue pressing forward seems to indicate the insular world that politicians tend to live in. Reminds me a bit of Little Johnnie's mother who commented on the marching band saying, "Look at that. Everyone's out of step except my Little Johnnie!"
Jesus said of the insular hypocrites of his day, "they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn" (Matt 13:15). It seems our politicians have a similar problem.
But, before we pass judgment on the hypocrites and the politicians (is that redundant?), perhaps we ought to take a look at our own lives. Are we really open to hear the truth, to turn from our waywardness or are we set in our ways, insulated from the Word of God and fact-based warnings of others.
Many smokers still insist it really isn't hurting them. Gambling addict often believe they have it under control all the way to losing everything. Junkies started out just experimenting with the very drugs that result in their expiration. Marriages are destroyed by "harmless" Internet chatting. All along the way, people who care are warning and God's Word was calling but they or we were not hearing being too busy doubling down on the path to destruction.
What about you? Is there a passage of Scripture that you are avoiding because it doesn't resonate with your choice? Are there friends and family trying to talk to you about something that just makes you angry and you shut them off? Is there something in your life that you just don't want to take a close look at or peer down the road to see where it might end? Is it possible that you are doubling down on the wrong cards? Jus' Ask'n.
In politics, to double down is to keep moving in the same direction, digging in deeper, raising the stakes, so to speak. And, if you are on the right track, it is a good play to make. But, if you are going off the rails, it is a train wreck waiting to happen.
Last night, as I watched the New Hampshire primaries play out, I noticed that nearly everyone was claiming a vindication of their message - a win in some manner regardless of percentage of votes garnered. They each seemed to believe that they just needed to keep presenting the same message, only raise the stakes.
In actuality, there was only one winner on the right and one on the left, the rest actually lost, reflecting the fact that the voters were not buying the message delivered, the deliverer of the message or both. In any case, to simply ignore what the voters were saying and continue pressing forward seems to indicate the insular world that politicians tend to live in. Reminds me a bit of Little Johnnie's mother who commented on the marching band saying, "Look at that. Everyone's out of step except my Little Johnnie!"
Jesus said of the insular hypocrites of his day, "they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn" (Matt 13:15). It seems our politicians have a similar problem.
But, before we pass judgment on the hypocrites and the politicians (is that redundant?), perhaps we ought to take a look at our own lives. Are we really open to hear the truth, to turn from our waywardness or are we set in our ways, insulated from the Word of God and fact-based warnings of others.
Many smokers still insist it really isn't hurting them. Gambling addict often believe they have it under control all the way to losing everything. Junkies started out just experimenting with the very drugs that result in their expiration. Marriages are destroyed by "harmless" Internet chatting. All along the way, people who care are warning and God's Word was calling but they or we were not hearing being too busy doubling down on the path to destruction.
What about you? Is there a passage of Scripture that you are avoiding because it doesn't resonate with your choice? Are there friends and family trying to talk to you about something that just makes you angry and you shut them off? Is there something in your life that you just don't want to take a close look at or peer down the road to see where it might end? Is it possible that you are doubling down on the wrong cards? Jus' Ask'n.
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Focus
We may be living in the most difficult time in history to be faithful simply because temptation has been risen to a new height in our country as promiscuity is celebrated in media, pornography saturates the Internet, drugs are common place and even being legalized, and greed is the undercurrent that drives people from Wall Street to the welfare lines, where everyone demands more and more.
Temptation is everywhere to have more, get more, do more, buy more, eat more, play more but be responsible and respectful and reverent less. And temptation is hard to resist. As Mark Twain quipped, "I can resist anything except temptation."
Because of the pressure to give in to temptation and the weakness of our flesh, we tend to excuse rather than endure. When we are faced with temptation it is so easy to give in and then to skirt the responsibility and try to lay the blame somewhere else. The gamut of the blame ranges from the un-named, "It just happened," to the name-game popularized by Flip Wilson's character, Jeraldine: "The Devil made me do it!"
Temptation is everywhere and it is, as it were, tempting. But it is not overwhelming or irresistible for with every temptation to do wrong, there is the equal and opposite opportunity to do right. When tempted to watch pornography, you could choose dust off your Bible instead. When tempted to have an affair, you could choose to plan a get-away with your wife. When tempted to do drugs, you could choose to attend a 12-step program and encourage others as well as yourself to victory.
Temptation never appears alone, it simply gets the most attention as it tends to be where we focus. It gets our attention and we give it our consideration, often without weighing it against the outcome or the alternative. Moses proclaimed, "… I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him" (Deut 30:19-20).
With the temptation to choose a path of destruction of your family, your faith or your future, there stands an opportunity to support and fortify the same by choosing to act in love toward God, your family and even yourself. Choosing the good brings life to you and your children, and honors the Lord. Choosing evil undermines the good of all three.
What we usually wind up choosing is determined largely by what we focus on. If we focus on what we don't have, greed is given the spotlight. If we focus on what we have, then gratitude is given a place to shine. If we focus on our spouse's worst traits, an affair becomes more attractive. If we focus on his/her best traits, then our spouse becomes more attractive. It truly is a matter of focusing on the good or the bad. Where is your focus? Jus' Ask'n.
Temptation is everywhere to have more, get more, do more, buy more, eat more, play more but be responsible and respectful and reverent less. And temptation is hard to resist. As Mark Twain quipped, "I can resist anything except temptation."
Because of the pressure to give in to temptation and the weakness of our flesh, we tend to excuse rather than endure. When we are faced with temptation it is so easy to give in and then to skirt the responsibility and try to lay the blame somewhere else. The gamut of the blame ranges from the un-named, "It just happened," to the name-game popularized by Flip Wilson's character, Jeraldine: "The Devil made me do it!"
Temptation is everywhere and it is, as it were, tempting. But it is not overwhelming or irresistible for with every temptation to do wrong, there is the equal and opposite opportunity to do right. When tempted to watch pornography, you could choose dust off your Bible instead. When tempted to have an affair, you could choose to plan a get-away with your wife. When tempted to do drugs, you could choose to attend a 12-step program and encourage others as well as yourself to victory.
Temptation never appears alone, it simply gets the most attention as it tends to be where we focus. It gets our attention and we give it our consideration, often without weighing it against the outcome or the alternative. Moses proclaimed, "… I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him" (Deut 30:19-20).
With the temptation to choose a path of destruction of your family, your faith or your future, there stands an opportunity to support and fortify the same by choosing to act in love toward God, your family and even yourself. Choosing the good brings life to you and your children, and honors the Lord. Choosing evil undermines the good of all three.
What we usually wind up choosing is determined largely by what we focus on. If we focus on what we don't have, greed is given the spotlight. If we focus on what we have, then gratitude is given a place to shine. If we focus on our spouse's worst traits, an affair becomes more attractive. If we focus on his/her best traits, then our spouse becomes more attractive. It truly is a matter of focusing on the good or the bad. Where is your focus? Jus' Ask'n.
Monday, February 8, 2016
The Tree
I hadn't ever though of it in these terms before, but I was reading a devotional thought from Genesis chapter 2, where the author posed the question of just why everything else was perfect for man but the tree in the middle, the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, was off limits.
Why even put such a tree there? Was it really just to have a taboo to test the ability of man to be obedient? Was it there just so man could have a choice between good and bad? Or was it there for a deeper reason, an opportunity for man to come closer to God in a more intimate relationship?
What if the tree was placed in the middle of the garden (cf. v. 9) to give man a choice of the center of his being? What if man could choose to eat of the tree and "become like God, knowing good and evil" (3:5) or to rely on God, being drawn into deeper intimacy with the Father as He revealed to them what is good and what is not?
Isn't that the true challenge of mankind to this day, who or what will occupy the center of our being? Isn't our struggle against the temptation to displace God from the throne room of our heart and ascend to it ourselves? Isn't that our real battle at the heart of it all: Will I make my own way or will I seek God's?
Do you remember what Jesus taught his disciples to pray? "...Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven..." (Matt 6:10)? And do you remember what he modeled in another garden when he was facing the choice of the cross? "...Yet not my will be don but yours" (Mk 14:36).
This is the question man must ask and answer: "Will I trust God or self?" And, just as in the Garden of Eden, Satan is there on the sideline saying, "You don't need to wait on God. You can do this on.your own. Trust Me in this!"
So, what do you choose? To make your own way or to embrace God's? Will you listen to the hiss of the Serpent, the devil standing by your side, tempting you to ignore God's call? Or, will you draw near to God, growing in intimacy with Him as you listen to His voice, seeking His way? Jus' Ask'n.
Why even put such a tree there? Was it really just to have a taboo to test the ability of man to be obedient? Was it there just so man could have a choice between good and bad? Or was it there for a deeper reason, an opportunity for man to come closer to God in a more intimate relationship?
What if the tree was placed in the middle of the garden (cf. v. 9) to give man a choice of the center of his being? What if man could choose to eat of the tree and "become like God, knowing good and evil" (3:5) or to rely on God, being drawn into deeper intimacy with the Father as He revealed to them what is good and what is not?
Isn't that the true challenge of mankind to this day, who or what will occupy the center of our being? Isn't our struggle against the temptation to displace God from the throne room of our heart and ascend to it ourselves? Isn't that our real battle at the heart of it all: Will I make my own way or will I seek God's?
Do you remember what Jesus taught his disciples to pray? "...Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven..." (Matt 6:10)? And do you remember what he modeled in another garden when he was facing the choice of the cross? "...Yet not my will be don but yours" (Mk 14:36).
This is the question man must ask and answer: "Will I trust God or self?" And, just as in the Garden of Eden, Satan is there on the sideline saying, "You don't need to wait on God. You can do this on.your own. Trust Me in this!"
So, what do you choose? To make your own way or to embrace God's? Will you listen to the hiss of the Serpent, the devil standing by your side, tempting you to ignore God's call? Or, will you draw near to God, growing in intimacy with Him as you listen to His voice, seeking His way? Jus' Ask'n.
Friday, February 5, 2016
HisStory
"In the Beginning, God created..." (Gen 1:1). The Bible begins with the story of God bringing the world into existence and ends in the Book of Revelaton with Him bringing Creation to a close. In between the story includes His interaction with man and His call upon our lives. The Bible, through and through, is His Story, in fact, that is what history is: HisStory.
We tend to think of the history of the world as Our Story, the story of how man evolved through the annals of time, overcoming, achieving, developing into a superior creature that has carved out the landscape, tamed the seas and even ventured into space. We humans see ourselves as the main actors on the stage of life and, in particular, each one of us tends to see our very own self as the star of this epic movie - the one occupying center stage.
It's even difficult to imagine a world without me, isn't it? Oh, of course you could imagine it without me, you're having trouble conceiving of a narrative without you. While it may be difficult to see how the story evolves without your supporting cast, as long as you were still in it, you can visualize the saga continuing - sort of like Will Smith in the 2007 blockbuster, "I Am Legend."
Even Christians have a sense that self is the center of the earth epic. Although we acknowledge God's part in it, we muse less over what God's part is deferring to our role. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I've heard people say, "God has a plan for me" or "I wonder what God's plan is for me?" It's kind of like the universe was created around their existence, that theirs is a starring role in the screen play of life.
I hate to burst your bubble but, you are not the main character. Life is not really your story. History is His Story and God's plan of redemption is being worked out in history. Both you and I are invited to be a part of God's plan, to serve Him and minister to one another, but it is not about you, it is not about me, it is about God.
And here's the deal: If we don't come to understand God, we don't come to understand the world and what it's all about. A history of the world without His Story, is one of everything coming from nothing, evolving without rhyme or reason or direction, going nowhere by random, witless acts of that just somehow work themselves into something that appears to have been ordered but really is one grand accident coming out of nowhere, with no power and no mass that exploded and brought everything into being held together by the laws (?) of physics. Really? Rules with no Ruler?
The reality is that "since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities -- his eternal power and divine nature -- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made..." (Rom 1:20). As much as from the Bible we can hear His Story, we can see His Story in the ordered universe around us.
From before the beginning, God is and we can know His Story, which includes us if we truly desire it for if "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you" (Jer 29:13-14). Jus' Say'n.
We tend to think of the history of the world as Our Story, the story of how man evolved through the annals of time, overcoming, achieving, developing into a superior creature that has carved out the landscape, tamed the seas and even ventured into space. We humans see ourselves as the main actors on the stage of life and, in particular, each one of us tends to see our very own self as the star of this epic movie - the one occupying center stage.
It's even difficult to imagine a world without me, isn't it? Oh, of course you could imagine it without me, you're having trouble conceiving of a narrative without you. While it may be difficult to see how the story evolves without your supporting cast, as long as you were still in it, you can visualize the saga continuing - sort of like Will Smith in the 2007 blockbuster, "I Am Legend."
Even Christians have a sense that self is the center of the earth epic. Although we acknowledge God's part in it, we muse less over what God's part is deferring to our role. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I've heard people say, "God has a plan for me" or "I wonder what God's plan is for me?" It's kind of like the universe was created around their existence, that theirs is a starring role in the screen play of life.
I hate to burst your bubble but, you are not the main character. Life is not really your story. History is His Story and God's plan of redemption is being worked out in history. Both you and I are invited to be a part of God's plan, to serve Him and minister to one another, but it is not about you, it is not about me, it is about God.
And here's the deal: If we don't come to understand God, we don't come to understand the world and what it's all about. A history of the world without His Story, is one of everything coming from nothing, evolving without rhyme or reason or direction, going nowhere by random, witless acts of that just somehow work themselves into something that appears to have been ordered but really is one grand accident coming out of nowhere, with no power and no mass that exploded and brought everything into being held together by the laws (?) of physics. Really? Rules with no Ruler?
The reality is that "since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities -- his eternal power and divine nature -- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made..." (Rom 1:20). As much as from the Bible we can hear His Story, we can see His Story in the ordered universe around us.
From before the beginning, God is and we can know His Story, which includes us if we truly desire it for if "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you" (Jer 29:13-14). Jus' Say'n.
Thursday, February 4, 2016
The Gain of Loss
As I was driving between patients yesterday, I listened to Dave Ramsey tell the story of a man he knew that had buried $300,000 in his back yard for years. When he finally dug the money up, he still had the $300,000 he put in the ground but, due to inflation, it wasn't worth what it was when he originally put it there. Worse yet, adding to the cost of keeping hold of his money so tightly, he missed out on the opportunity of market growth during that particular time that could have netted him nearly $3,000,000.
If he would have been willing to accept the loss of personal, direct control of his money, he would have gained the multiplying effect of compound interest instead of losing to the discounting effect of inflation. The gain of his loss would have been staggering.
This is precisely what Paul was talking about when he wrote, "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ" (Phil 3:7-8).
If he had decided to maintain personal control of his life, following the dreams of his early years, he would never have become an apostle, never have written the lion's share of the New Testament, never have joined Christ in glory at his death. But by losing the personal control, giving it over to Christ, he gained more than we can even begin to imagine.
In the words of Jesus, "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it" (Mk 8:35). What about you? Will you lose out on true life by holding on to the life you have carved out for yourself or will you gain true life by giving that life over to Christ? The choice is yours, gain or loss. What's your choice? Jus' Ask'n.
If he would have been willing to accept the loss of personal, direct control of his money, he would have gained the multiplying effect of compound interest instead of losing to the discounting effect of inflation. The gain of his loss would have been staggering.
This is precisely what Paul was talking about when he wrote, "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ" (Phil 3:7-8).
If he had decided to maintain personal control of his life, following the dreams of his early years, he would never have become an apostle, never have written the lion's share of the New Testament, never have joined Christ in glory at his death. But by losing the personal control, giving it over to Christ, he gained more than we can even begin to imagine.
In the words of Jesus, "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it" (Mk 8:35). What about you? Will you lose out on true life by holding on to the life you have carved out for yourself or will you gain true life by giving that life over to Christ? The choice is yours, gain or loss. What's your choice? Jus' Ask'n.
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Instecting Fruit
Jesus said, "Each tree is recognized by its own fruit" (Lk 6:44). That seems simple enough. If you find apples on a tree, it's an apple tree. If you find pears instead, it is a pear tree. It isn't rocket science, it should be easy enough. But....we so often manage to fail when we apply this principle to what Jesus had in mind: People.
He wasn't concerned about fruit picking but instead picking friends, mentors, associates, mates, leaders, etc. He is saying that we should choose who we will let into our lives by the fruit that they bear - the things that are evident in their lives. In other words, what they claim to be should be evident without words by what their lives produce.
A good person produces good fruit and a bad person produces bad fruit (cf. Lk 6:45). See how easy that is? And yet, we pick mates and then divorce them, we pick mechanics and then fire them, we pick friends and choose to avoid them. Sound familiar at all? Of course, we've all made some very bad choices, fruit notwithstanding.
Why is that? Why do we so often have so much trouble inspecting the fruit that a person bears just like we would with a tree? Often it is because we don't really look for the fruit. How many see things after marriage they didn't notice when dating? Right?
Sometimes it is because we don't take enough time for the fruit to be produced. When I moved to California, I was very pleased to have an orange tree in my back yard. It turned out to be a very special orange tree as it produced lemons. Entering into a relationship of any kind without taking the time to actually see the fruit they produce is very risky business.
There are, of course, times when we simply don't truly know what kind of fruit we're looking for. When you're looking for a church, for instance, what is the fruit you should be looking for? Is it the name over the door, is it their growth factor, is it their worship style, just what is it?
How about looking the fruits of the Spirit? How about when selecting a church, a partner or a confidant that we look for evidence of "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self- control" (Gal 5:22-23)?
You may have other things you're looking for as well: a potential husband with a job, a wife who can cook, a church with a youth program, etc. But if the fruits of the Spirit aren't there, whatever else is present won't really matter. Jus' Say'n.
He wasn't concerned about fruit picking but instead picking friends, mentors, associates, mates, leaders, etc. He is saying that we should choose who we will let into our lives by the fruit that they bear - the things that are evident in their lives. In other words, what they claim to be should be evident without words by what their lives produce.
A good person produces good fruit and a bad person produces bad fruit (cf. Lk 6:45). See how easy that is? And yet, we pick mates and then divorce them, we pick mechanics and then fire them, we pick friends and choose to avoid them. Sound familiar at all? Of course, we've all made some very bad choices, fruit notwithstanding.
Why is that? Why do we so often have so much trouble inspecting the fruit that a person bears just like we would with a tree? Often it is because we don't really look for the fruit. How many see things after marriage they didn't notice when dating? Right?
Sometimes it is because we don't take enough time for the fruit to be produced. When I moved to California, I was very pleased to have an orange tree in my back yard. It turned out to be a very special orange tree as it produced lemons. Entering into a relationship of any kind without taking the time to actually see the fruit they produce is very risky business.
There are, of course, times when we simply don't truly know what kind of fruit we're looking for. When you're looking for a church, for instance, what is the fruit you should be looking for? Is it the name over the door, is it their growth factor, is it their worship style, just what is it?
How about looking the fruits of the Spirit? How about when selecting a church, a partner or a confidant that we look for evidence of "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self- control" (Gal 5:22-23)?
You may have other things you're looking for as well: a potential husband with a job, a wife who can cook, a church with a youth program, etc. But if the fruits of the Spirit aren't there, whatever else is present won't really matter. Jus' Say'n.
Monday, February 1, 2016
Vigilance
Today my wife goes back in the hospital for her 2nd partial lung resection following a number of earlier surgeries along with chemo, radiation and some alternative treatments. After this surgery, there will be more chemotherapy. Due to all that she has endured and some important lifestyle changes, she is at the cusp of reaching and surpassing our personal goal of celebrating our 5th anniversary. Considering her doctors originally gave her only a 26 percent chance of reaching two years, we feel more than blessed.
We're now dreaming and believing that God will grant us even more than we could have possibly imagined five years ago. And, God being our helper, my wife and I are looking forward to growing old together. Some of you may be thinking that I've already achieved the growing old part but actually my hair is prematurely gray and I'm also premature 60. And besides, 60 is the new 40. And you're only as old as you feel...and pardon me while I take a nap so I can finish my thought. What was my thought?
Apart from some rare exceptions, cancer doesn't just go away because you have surgery or go through therapy, even when it is successful, even when they say, "you're cancer-free." My wife has been declared by doctors to be cancer-free more than once, but she isn't. Like most surviving, stage-four cancer, she has had to be vigilant. The more vigilant you are, the better your chances of continued life. It is a lifetime effort of winning the battle against cancer - a battle in which can never be ultimately won without the help of God.
It is a battle, by the way, that all Christians have some personal experience as sin is very much the same and we "all sin, falling short of the glory of God" (Rom 6:23). Sin, as much as we work to rid our lives of it, doesn't quite go away. The temptation, like radical cancer cells, is always there and can flare up into full-blown rebellion against the Will of God if we are not vigilant.
Drug addicts in 12 step programs are very aware of this struggle. Individuals trying to overcome gambling, pornography, over-eating and whatever vice has a grip on them find that it never truly goes away. We live on a battlefield where the "spiritual forces of evil" (Eph 6:12) are constantly looking for ways to entrap us or recapture us. We live in a war zone where, without God and constant readiness against the foe, we will fall: "be careful when you think that you stand, lest you fall" (1 Cor 10:12).
The Good News is that, in the middle of such a battle, we are not alone as Jesus promises "I will never leave you as orphans" (Jn 14:18). And, His power is more than sufficient for our victory. A victory of life that we can experience even in the middle of the battle, even in the shadow of death. When cancer no longer defines you, when addiction no longer drives you, when sin no longer can claim you, you are winning even though the struggle is not over and even though your spirit may be released from this body. Don't give up, don't give in, instead give it over to God. Jus' Say'n.
We're now dreaming and believing that God will grant us even more than we could have possibly imagined five years ago. And, God being our helper, my wife and I are looking forward to growing old together. Some of you may be thinking that I've already achieved the growing old part but actually my hair is prematurely gray and I'm also premature 60. And besides, 60 is the new 40. And you're only as old as you feel...and pardon me while I take a nap so I can finish my thought. What was my thought?
Apart from some rare exceptions, cancer doesn't just go away because you have surgery or go through therapy, even when it is successful, even when they say, "you're cancer-free." My wife has been declared by doctors to be cancer-free more than once, but she isn't. Like most surviving, stage-four cancer, she has had to be vigilant. The more vigilant you are, the better your chances of continued life. It is a lifetime effort of winning the battle against cancer - a battle in which can never be ultimately won without the help of God.
It is a battle, by the way, that all Christians have some personal experience as sin is very much the same and we "all sin, falling short of the glory of God" (Rom 6:23). Sin, as much as we work to rid our lives of it, doesn't quite go away. The temptation, like radical cancer cells, is always there and can flare up into full-blown rebellion against the Will of God if we are not vigilant.
Drug addicts in 12 step programs are very aware of this struggle. Individuals trying to overcome gambling, pornography, over-eating and whatever vice has a grip on them find that it never truly goes away. We live on a battlefield where the "spiritual forces of evil" (Eph 6:12) are constantly looking for ways to entrap us or recapture us. We live in a war zone where, without God and constant readiness against the foe, we will fall: "be careful when you think that you stand, lest you fall" (1 Cor 10:12).
The Good News is that, in the middle of such a battle, we are not alone as Jesus promises "I will never leave you as orphans" (Jn 14:18). And, His power is more than sufficient for our victory. A victory of life that we can experience even in the middle of the battle, even in the shadow of death. When cancer no longer defines you, when addiction no longer drives you, when sin no longer can claim you, you are winning even though the struggle is not over and even though your spirit may be released from this body. Don't give up, don't give in, instead give it over to God. Jus' Say'n.
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