In this world of high-profile celebrities, sports stars, political figures and the "beautiful people," it is easy to feel that the rest of us commoners go unnoticed. There aren't any paparazzi trying to take our picture or news anchors calling for an interview or biographers writing our story. Really, who is going to notice a "C" like me among so many "A" list personalities?
The answer is found in the most unlikely of places: On the branch of a sycamore tree. His name was Zaccheus and he was no one's best friend. He was a hated tax collector, who others went out of their way not to notice. He was also very short, making him easy to overlook.
When the Messiah came to town (cf. Luke 19:1-10), he was too short to see past the crowd and no one would make room for him. So, he climbed a sycamore tree in order to catch a glance as He walked by.
But Jesus did not walk by, he stopped near the tree, looked into Zaccheus' eyes and called him down. Who would notice a "C" like you or me? The God of heaven and earth would and does. In fact, He looks so closely and carefully that "even the very hairs on your head are numbered" (Luke 12:7).
You are noticed. You are loved. You are a child of God.
Jus' Sayn
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Leaving The Mountain
Mountain top experiences with the Lord are awesome times when we bask in His glory, when we feel particularly close to Him and our spirit swells in delight. That feeling can be produced in a worship experience, attending a workshop or seminar, or simply a time in your life when you are feeling particularly at peace in the Lord.
However, mountain top experiences are not where our mission lies, they are meant to prepare us for the battle below. Just as the Israelites, who were camped at Mt Sinai where God spoke from the mountain top were told, "you have stayed long enough at this mountain" (Deut 1:6), it is time to engage the Amorites in battle, we too must leave the mountain top to engage the enemy.
Quiet time, worship time, seminars and times of peace are for our healing and equipping so that we can fight the good fight. The struggle we face is where the victories are found and it is where we truly grow as Christians.
Enjoy the mountain but do not try to take up residence there nor become anxious when that time is over. Look to the hills for your strength but use in on the battle field of life.
Jus' Sayn.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Freely Giving
Buying a house, setting up a retirement plan, investing in the Market, having a healthy savings account, taking out an IRA, setting aside for a rainy day - all these are what people often think of when the subject of stewardship comes up. A good steward is supposed to take care of the money his Master puts in his charge and investing wisely protects it and grows it as well. All that is true but also quite false as well. What...?
The good steward is to use wisely what his Master puts into his hands; however, he is not to simply wisely invest it for himself. The good steward invest the Master's resources in order to gain return for the Master, not self. That would certainly include funds to provide for the family God has given you, but not primarily. God has many more children He is concerned with than just you or yours and the good steward is concerned about all that concerns his Master.
Listen to what Jesus says, "Freely you have received; freely give" (Matt 10:8). The context of that passage has to do with what the disciples were given and how it could be used for Kingdom good. This includes you money but also your time and energy as well. God wants to bless you but expects you to bless others as well. The point of stewardship is not to invest the Master's resources but to invest them in that which brings a return to the Master.
For whom do you invest the money, time and energy you have been given? What is the end game of your gain?
Jus' Askn.
The good steward is to use wisely what his Master puts into his hands; however, he is not to simply wisely invest it for himself. The good steward invest the Master's resources in order to gain return for the Master, not self. That would certainly include funds to provide for the family God has given you, but not primarily. God has many more children He is concerned with than just you or yours and the good steward is concerned about all that concerns his Master.
Listen to what Jesus says, "Freely you have received; freely give" (Matt 10:8). The context of that passage has to do with what the disciples were given and how it could be used for Kingdom good. This includes you money but also your time and energy as well. God wants to bless you but expects you to bless others as well. The point of stewardship is not to invest the Master's resources but to invest them in that which brings a return to the Master.
For whom do you invest the money, time and energy you have been given? What is the end game of your gain?
Jus' Askn.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Seeking God
When you read the stories of the Divided Kingdom of Judah Nd Israel in the books of 1st & 2 Kings as well as 1 st & 2nd Chronicles, you will find that not many we're of much account; few were really successful as leaders of God's people. One notable exception was Hezekiah. The nation of Judah prospered under his leadership. He was worthy enough that when he was on his death bed, the Lord extended his life for 15 years (see 2 Kgs 20:6).
What was it about Hezekiah that made him different? He wasn't particularly the wisest or the strongest of Judah's kings but Hezekiah, "In everything that he undertook...sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered" (2 Chron 31:21).
Sounds a bit like Matthew 25:33, where Jesus says to "Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you as we'll." Moses and Jesus reveal the principle of true success: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters" (Col 3:23). In other words, do your best to honor God, not impress others, and you will find true success.
The universal truth is that we are here to serve God for the benefit of man not necessarily to benefit from man's approval. Serving God is our true and highest calling. When we seek His will with all our hearts, rather than just seek blessings, our lives will have true and lasting meaning, and we will be truly successful.
We will be, as a result of seeking God first, be truly blessed. As Jesus promised, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life" (Luke 18:29-30).
No one who seeks God first ultimately fails in this life or the next.
Jus' Sayn.
What was it about Hezekiah that made him different? He wasn't particularly the wisest or the strongest of Judah's kings but Hezekiah, "In everything that he undertook...sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered" (2 Chron 31:21).
Sounds a bit like Matthew 25:33, where Jesus says to "Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you as we'll." Moses and Jesus reveal the principle of true success: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters" (Col 3:23). In other words, do your best to honor God, not impress others, and you will find true success.
The universal truth is that we are here to serve God for the benefit of man not necessarily to benefit from man's approval. Serving God is our true and highest calling. When we seek His will with all our hearts, rather than just seek blessings, our lives will have true and lasting meaning, and we will be truly successful.
We will be, as a result of seeking God first, be truly blessed. As Jesus promised, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life" (Luke 18:29-30).
No one who seeks God first ultimately fails in this life or the next.
Jus' Sayn.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Faithful Prayer
The Israelites sinned against God by rejecting His direct rule through Samuel. Instead, they demanded a king "such as all the other nations have" (1 Sam 8:5). Choosing to have a king like the other nations would place them outside God's will in this matter and would produce the kind of consequences that come from rebellion against God.
Nonetheless, Samuel would not turn from them, he would fail to continue his work of intercession for the people as a priest of Almighty God. Samuel declared to the people, "far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you" (1 Sam 12:23). Despite Israel's rejection of God and the tacit rejection of him as their leader, Samuel continued to faithfully pray for them as God desired.
You may have been praying for a spouse or a child or a friend, who time after time chooses to turn their back on God and resist your intercession on their behalf. You may have reached the point where you wonder if there is any point in continuing those prayers. The answer is yes! To begin with, there is always hope as long the breath of life is in them and, more importantly, is is God's will that we pray for one another.
We are even called to continue in prayer for "kings and all those in authority" (1 Tim 2:2), and goodness knows how hopeless most of our political leaders seem to be. I pray dail for Preident Obama, Speaker Boehner and Leader Reed - I can't see them changing but I know they can be changed by God's mighty power.
Regardless of how hopeless it seems to be, prayer always has the potential to change anything or anyone. It only makes sense to keep on keeping on - be faithful in prayer.
Jus' Sayn.
Nonetheless, Samuel would not turn from them, he would fail to continue his work of intercession for the people as a priest of Almighty God. Samuel declared to the people, "far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you" (1 Sam 12:23). Despite Israel's rejection of God and the tacit rejection of him as their leader, Samuel continued to faithfully pray for them as God desired.
You may have been praying for a spouse or a child or a friend, who time after time chooses to turn their back on God and resist your intercession on their behalf. You may have reached the point where you wonder if there is any point in continuing those prayers. The answer is yes! To begin with, there is always hope as long the breath of life is in them and, more importantly, is is God's will that we pray for one another.
We are even called to continue in prayer for "kings and all those in authority" (1 Tim 2:2), and goodness knows how hopeless most of our political leaders seem to be. I pray dail for Preident Obama, Speaker Boehner and Leader Reed - I can't see them changing but I know they can be changed by God's mighty power.
Regardless of how hopeless it seems to be, prayer always has the potential to change anything or anyone. It only makes sense to keep on keeping on - be faithful in prayer.
Jus' Sayn.
Monday, September 2, 2013
The Jethro Principle
Moses was wearing himself out and the people were being frustrated despite his best efforts. The problem? One man biting off more than he could chew. The solution? The Jethro Principle. Let me explain.
Moses, being aware of the need of counsel from God, set himself up as judge for the entire nation of Israel. People would come to him and stand in line all day, waiting to be heard. By evening he was exhausted and many would have to return again, not being heard and not certain they would be heard next time.
Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, saw what was happening, took Moses aside and said "You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone" (Ex 18:18). He further suggested that Moses "select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain —and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens" (v 21).
Moses took on more than possible for one man, more than God had called him to do. Moses assumed he was called to meet Israel's need, and certainly he was, but he was not called alone. God had raised up many faithful men in his company to help. Moses bit off more than God had called him to chew.
Seeing a need does not necessarily mean you are called to meet that need. Unless you are called of God to meet it, it is not yours to meet. It is important that we seek His call in prayer, Bible study, listening to wise counsel of faithful believers and paying attention to life's circumstances. If you are feeling overwhelmed by all the good you are trying to do, it is likely you have reached beyond your call. Maybe it's time to delegate or ask for help.
Jus' Sayn.
Moses, being aware of the need of counsel from God, set himself up as judge for the entire nation of Israel. People would come to him and stand in line all day, waiting to be heard. By evening he was exhausted and many would have to return again, not being heard and not certain they would be heard next time.
Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, saw what was happening, took Moses aside and said "You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone" (Ex 18:18). He further suggested that Moses "select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain —and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens" (v 21).
Moses took on more than possible for one man, more than God had called him to do. Moses assumed he was called to meet Israel's need, and certainly he was, but he was not called alone. God had raised up many faithful men in his company to help. Moses bit off more than God had called him to chew.
Seeing a need does not necessarily mean you are called to meet that need. Unless you are called of God to meet it, it is not yours to meet. It is important that we seek His call in prayer, Bible study, listening to wise counsel of faithful believers and paying attention to life's circumstances. If you are feeling overwhelmed by all the good you are trying to do, it is likely you have reached beyond your call. Maybe it's time to delegate or ask for help.
Jus' Sayn.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Seeking God
Through the words of the prophet Jeremiah, The Lord declares that He has "plans to prosper you, not to harm you. plans for hope and a future" (29:11). These are wonderful words of comfort and joy on which many bank their salvation, and rightly so. However, these words were not spoken in a vacuum.
As Paul Harvey used to say, "And now, the rest of the story," "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). God's promise of hope and a future rests on our heart's desire of a future with Him. If we are half-hearted or unconcerned with the glory God has in store for us, it will remain in storage. When we seek the glory of God with all our hearts, it will be revealed to us.
It is not enough to give God lip service or to play at Christianity. It is not enough to appreciate what Christ has done, we must assimilate his will into our lives. It is not enough, in the words of author Kyle Idelman, to be a fan, we must be a follower of Jesus. That is to say that we must be disciples not just admirers. Our focus and life path must be altered to that of our Lord or he is not our Lord.
Imagine a football player who only read about and discussed football - will he ever be on the roster? How many pilots just read the instruction manuel and go to the pilot's club but never fly a plane? Would a fisherman not fish or a hunter not hunt? Would they be content to stay in the camp and talk about how to hunt or fish?
When you seek something with all your heart, your body, mind and soul are in it as well. You are changed by what your heart desires. Have you made a personal relationship with Christ your heart's desire? Or is He more of a back burner kind of thing?
Jus' Askn.
As Paul Harvey used to say, "And now, the rest of the story," "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). God's promise of hope and a future rests on our heart's desire of a future with Him. If we are half-hearted or unconcerned with the glory God has in store for us, it will remain in storage. When we seek the glory of God with all our hearts, it will be revealed to us.
It is not enough to give God lip service or to play at Christianity. It is not enough to appreciate what Christ has done, we must assimilate his will into our lives. It is not enough, in the words of author Kyle Idelman, to be a fan, we must be a follower of Jesus. That is to say that we must be disciples not just admirers. Our focus and life path must be altered to that of our Lord or he is not our Lord.
Imagine a football player who only read about and discussed football - will he ever be on the roster? How many pilots just read the instruction manuel and go to the pilot's club but never fly a plane? Would a fisherman not fish or a hunter not hunt? Would they be content to stay in the camp and talk about how to hunt or fish?
When you seek something with all your heart, your body, mind and soul are in it as well. You are changed by what your heart desires. Have you made a personal relationship with Christ your heart's desire? Or is He more of a back burner kind of thing?
Jus' Askn.
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