In Luke 10:38-42, Martha, having been busied with all the necessary preparations for entertaining a guest such as Jesus, comes to him, complaining about her sister Mary, who has been sitting at his feet the entire time, listening to he Master speak, instead of helping with the chores.
Martha saw a need and was filling it, while it appeared Mary was just relaxing and leaving all the work up to her. The truth was, Mary also saw a need and was filling it, the need to hear he Master speak the need to spend time with the Lord.
Both of the women were right, both were filling needs, but Mary was filling a higher need, or a true need, which Jesus noted in saying, "Mary has chosen what is better" (Luke 10:42b). In comparing what Martha was doing to Mary, Jesus went on to say that "there are few needs, indeed, only one" (Luke 10:42a).
Jesus' words are not meant to suggest that Martha shouldn't have been concerned with the necessary preparations. The Bible clearly teaches that we are to "work with our hands" (1 Tim 4:11) but what the "Martha's" of the world or the "Martha" in each of us needs to know is that there comes a time when the good must be set aside for the better.
Have you not hears or said, "I just don't have time to read my Bible"? Or, "I'm just too busy to have a daily quiet time." Or, "I have too much on my plate to make it to church." The truth is, we allow our lower physical needs to squeeze out our higher spiritual ones. We let the the temporal rule over the eternal.
Since both are needed, shouldn't we insist on time for each?
Jus' Askn.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Sunday, November 17, 2013
The Day of The Lord
I was reading from 1 Thessalonians 5 this morning, which warns about "the day of The Lord" (v. 2). This warning, as is true most of the time it is found whether Old Testament or New, is directed to believers rather than others.
It is important to note why that is. Why are God's children primarily the ones told to be ready? I believe the reason is that the world depends on us to share that message and encourage them to get ready for that day - we are to "go to the roads and country lanes to invite them" (Luke 14:23).
For us, the day of The Lord is not only the final day of judgment for biblically there have been many days of The Lord, days of judgment (Isa 13:6) or salvation (Mal 3:2). The day of The Lord is whenever he interacts with man in a special way.
Today may be the day The Lord provides you a divine intersection with someone who needs salvation or encouragement or help in some way. Today may be the day The Lord has a divine appointment to allow you to come to a fuller understanding of revelation. Today The Lord may have a divine opportunity for you make a difference in the world around you. Are you watching, are you praying, are you ready?
When Jesus was asked about that day in Matt 24, he told them about two days and warned his disciple, "Therefore keep watch" (v.32) and "be ready" (v. 34). In Colossians 4, Paul tells us to prayerfully watch for every opportunity to serve God by reaching out to others (vv. 2-6).
Today may be the day of The Lord for you, whether the last or just the next, you are called to be ready.
Jus' Sayn.
It is important to note why that is. Why are God's children primarily the ones told to be ready? I believe the reason is that the world depends on us to share that message and encourage them to get ready for that day - we are to "go to the roads and country lanes to invite them" (Luke 14:23).
For us, the day of The Lord is not only the final day of judgment for biblically there have been many days of The Lord, days of judgment (Isa 13:6) or salvation (Mal 3:2). The day of The Lord is whenever he interacts with man in a special way.
Today may be the day The Lord provides you a divine intersection with someone who needs salvation or encouragement or help in some way. Today may be the day The Lord has a divine appointment to allow you to come to a fuller understanding of revelation. Today The Lord may have a divine opportunity for you make a difference in the world around you. Are you watching, are you praying, are you ready?
When Jesus was asked about that day in Matt 24, he told them about two days and warned his disciple, "Therefore keep watch" (v.32) and "be ready" (v. 34). In Colossians 4, Paul tells us to prayerfully watch for every opportunity to serve God by reaching out to others (vv. 2-6).
Today may be the day of The Lord for you, whether the last or just the next, you are called to be ready.
Jus' Sayn.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Discerning Not Judging
So often, people who are obvious adulterers, liars, drug users, thieves or some other moral cipher, state defensively and emphatically, "You don't know me! You can't judge me!" Some will even reference the Bible, for which they have little other use, "Do not judge or you will be judged."
Well, they are absolutely as right as they are indefensibly wrong. The Bible does say we are not to judge (Luke 6:37). But it also says, in the rest of that verse, "Forgive and you will be forgiven." How can we forgive if we have not first identified a wrong?
In fact, the very point of the biblical imperative to not stand in judgment has to do with choosing to forgive over punishment. Reconciliation is the mission of God's children - punishment falls into God's domain: "'It is mine to avenge, I will repay', says the Lord" (Rom 12:19).
However, in order to forgive, we must first discern the wrong, which needs to be addressed. We are to inspect and discern the difference between "good and bad fruit" (Luke 6:43-45). And, we are even challenged to "remove the speck from your brother's eye" (Luke 6:42b). But, only after we "take the plank out of our own eye" (Luke 6:46a).
Discernment is necessary in order to make forgiveness possible. It is also necessary in protecting against those who are not willing to be forgiven or repent from their hurtful ways - the wolves in sheep's skins" warned about in Matthew 7:15.
Judge - not. Discern - yes. Forgive - always. Reconcile when and if possible.
Jus' Sayn.
Well, they are absolutely as right as they are indefensibly wrong. The Bible does say we are not to judge (Luke 6:37). But it also says, in the rest of that verse, "Forgive and you will be forgiven." How can we forgive if we have not first identified a wrong?
In fact, the very point of the biblical imperative to not stand in judgment has to do with choosing to forgive over punishment. Reconciliation is the mission of God's children - punishment falls into God's domain: "'It is mine to avenge, I will repay', says the Lord" (Rom 12:19).
However, in order to forgive, we must first discern the wrong, which needs to be addressed. We are to inspect and discern the difference between "good and bad fruit" (Luke 6:43-45). And, we are even challenged to "remove the speck from your brother's eye" (Luke 6:42b). But, only after we "take the plank out of our own eye" (Luke 6:46a).
Discernment is necessary in order to make forgiveness possible. It is also necessary in protecting against those who are not willing to be forgiven or repent from their hurtful ways - the wolves in sheep's skins" warned about in Matthew 7:15.
Judge - not. Discern - yes. Forgive - always. Reconcile when and if possible.
Jus' Sayn.
Friday, November 15, 2013
Angry Whopper
Yesterday, I noticed a Burger King marquee, which proclaimed: The Angry Whopper is back! Not having dined at a BK restaurant in years, I was not aware it had gone missing. Was there an Amber Burger alert I missed?
I may have been unaware because there was another angry whopper that was present in BK's Angry Whopper's absence: The whopper of a lie that it is ok for Christians to be angry. Now that's an angry whopper that should be exposed on a marquee.
As anger is an emotion, it is said that we can't help being angry, that the Bible says it's ok to be angry (cf. Eph 4:26) and that even Jesus got angry when he drove the money changers out of the temple (John 2:15).
To begin with,while we may not be able to stop becoming angry, we can control our anger and mitigate it or even supplant it altogether. Uncontrolled anger turns to bitterness and rage while controlled anger diffuses.
Ephesians 4:26 doesn't say it's ok to be angry, it commands us not allow sin to rise out of it by letting the sun go down on it or giving it the opportunity to morph into an uncontrolled emotion in which we injure others and/or our own self.
And just where does the Bible record Jesus being angry when he drove out the money changers? Oh, that's right - it doesn't. He didn't act out of anger or rage, he acted out of a sense of justice and devotion to the Father. He didn't lose control, he maintained it.
So what does Ephesians 4 actually teach about anger? 1) Keep it under control, 2) Refuse to let it simmer and 3) Send it packing ASAP (cf. Eph 4:26-31). Jus' Sayn.
I may have been unaware because there was another angry whopper that was present in BK's Angry Whopper's absence: The whopper of a lie that it is ok for Christians to be angry. Now that's an angry whopper that should be exposed on a marquee.
As anger is an emotion, it is said that we can't help being angry, that the Bible says it's ok to be angry (cf. Eph 4:26) and that even Jesus got angry when he drove the money changers out of the temple (John 2:15).
To begin with,while we may not be able to stop becoming angry, we can control our anger and mitigate it or even supplant it altogether. Uncontrolled anger turns to bitterness and rage while controlled anger diffuses.
Ephesians 4:26 doesn't say it's ok to be angry, it commands us not allow sin to rise out of it by letting the sun go down on it or giving it the opportunity to morph into an uncontrolled emotion in which we injure others and/or our own self.
And just where does the Bible record Jesus being angry when he drove out the money changers? Oh, that's right - it doesn't. He didn't act out of anger or rage, he acted out of a sense of justice and devotion to the Father. He didn't lose control, he maintained it.
So what does Ephesians 4 actually teach about anger? 1) Keep it under control, 2) Refuse to let it simmer and 3) Send it packing ASAP (cf. Eph 4:26-31). Jus' Sayn.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Just Use It!
In 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18, we read a part of the high-calling of Christians (there's actually more in the surrounding verses): "...encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
Wow! Really? I am to be all that and more? I'm not sure I'm up for all that, especially the parts, which contain modifiers such as everyone, always, continually and all. I know me. I can be moody at times. I can be selfish on occasion. I reach my limit with people some days. I don't always even want to pray, be thankful and forget about rejoice when my blood pressure is up, my energy level is down and my want-to is busted.
The simple fact is that I don't think I have it in me to rise to this level of discipleship. Contrary to the Nike* imperative! I just can't do it! True, but God can. And, if we are willing to yield to His will and rest on the power of His Spirit within, "The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it" (1 Thess 5:24).
God doesn't just release the power to save us from the consequences of our sins, He releases the power to sanctify (make holy or set apart) our lives of sin. He not only can help us live up to the high-calling above, He "is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us..." (Eph 3:20).
As a Christian, you may think you do not have the personal power to live up to such a high-calling but you would be wrong for you have the personal indwelling of God's Holy Spirit. You have more power than can be imagined. So, paraphrasing the Nike* ad, "Just Use It!"
Jus ' Sayn.
Wow! Really? I am to be all that and more? I'm not sure I'm up for all that, especially the parts, which contain modifiers such as everyone, always, continually and all. I know me. I can be moody at times. I can be selfish on occasion. I reach my limit with people some days. I don't always even want to pray, be thankful and forget about rejoice when my blood pressure is up, my energy level is down and my want-to is busted.
The simple fact is that I don't think I have it in me to rise to this level of discipleship. Contrary to the Nike* imperative! I just can't do it! True, but God can. And, if we are willing to yield to His will and rest on the power of His Spirit within, "The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it" (1 Thess 5:24).
God doesn't just release the power to save us from the consequences of our sins, He releases the power to sanctify (make holy or set apart) our lives of sin. He not only can help us live up to the high-calling above, He "is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us..." (Eph 3:20).
As a Christian, you may think you do not have the personal power to live up to such a high-calling but you would be wrong for you have the personal indwelling of God's Holy Spirit. You have more power than can be imagined. So, paraphrasing the Nike* ad, "Just Use It!"
Jus ' Sayn.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Independent Living
We live in a time when a growing number of people are accepting dependence on the federal government as a natural part of their existence. For many, it no longer a temporary setback, which causes some embarrassment and a strong desire to get back on one's feet - it is rather a benefit they have come to expect as both a right and something that is right.
From the viewpoint of those who want to provide more opportunity for individuals to receive federal assistance, it is seen as a matter of compassion as we share the corporate abundance with those who have less. And I agree that we need to provide for those unable to provide for themselves, but there is a line where we keep people from rising out of this dependency and deny them the full life God intends - a life of giving as well as receiving.
Jesus tells us to "bear each other's burdens" (Gal 6:2), but at the same time he says, "each one should carry their own load" (Gal 6:5). The message is that we should live independent lives until and unless someone is overloaded with burdens requiring help that we freely offer. This help, however, is not meant to be forever and always, only for as long as truly needed - to bridge the gap, so to speak. For some, the need will be forever due to special needs but for most, it should help them back onto their own feet.
Listen to what The Lord calls us to: "You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody" (1 Thess 4:11, 12).
We would be better and the federal government more helpful if we were looking for ways to create more opportunities instead of more handouts.
Jus' Sayn.
From the viewpoint of those who want to provide more opportunity for individuals to receive federal assistance, it is seen as a matter of compassion as we share the corporate abundance with those who have less. And I agree that we need to provide for those unable to provide for themselves, but there is a line where we keep people from rising out of this dependency and deny them the full life God intends - a life of giving as well as receiving.
Jesus tells us to "bear each other's burdens" (Gal 6:2), but at the same time he says, "each one should carry their own load" (Gal 6:5). The message is that we should live independent lives until and unless someone is overloaded with burdens requiring help that we freely offer. This help, however, is not meant to be forever and always, only for as long as truly needed - to bridge the gap, so to speak. For some, the need will be forever due to special needs but for most, it should help them back onto their own feet.
Listen to what The Lord calls us to: "You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody" (1 Thess 4:11, 12).
We would be better and the federal government more helpful if we were looking for ways to create more opportunities instead of more handouts.
Jus' Sayn.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
The God Of Our Fathers
When God appeared to Moses, he introduced himself as "the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob" (Ex 3:6). The significance of being the God of Moses' fathers is that God was not appearing just then or for that moment, God had been involved in the national life of Israel for generations.
Therefore, the call of Moses was not not done in the moment for the moment but rather a continuation of God's work among His people down through history. Moses' part in this work would not be the beginning or the end of what God was accomplishing, but rather a part of a greater work or piece of a larger puzzle.
In our culture, we tend to see things from a single view lens, pointed at today. We don't know much or care too much about history and don't reflect much on how our actions today impact tomorrow. We are a "here and now" kind of people who live for the moment.
God however, is not the "here and now" God, but rather God is "from everlasting to everlasting" (Neh 9:5). His work, unto which He calls us didn't start with us and does not end with us. We may not live to see the results of our labor - we may not enjoy that fruit until glory unless we trust God to bring it about and rejoice in faith not waiting for confirmation by sight.
Hmmm, seems like I read somewhere that our confidence as Christians comes "by faith and not by sight" (2 Cor 5:7).
My point is: Do not get too wrapped up in or concerned with results of ministry efforts, instead concern yourself with serving God in your generation, leaving the results, which may be for another generation, up to God. Simply put - live by faith in what God is continuing to do and not by what little you can see today.
Jus ' Sayn.
Therefore, the call of Moses was not not done in the moment for the moment but rather a continuation of God's work among His people down through history. Moses' part in this work would not be the beginning or the end of what God was accomplishing, but rather a part of a greater work or piece of a larger puzzle.
In our culture, we tend to see things from a single view lens, pointed at today. We don't know much or care too much about history and don't reflect much on how our actions today impact tomorrow. We are a "here and now" kind of people who live for the moment.
God however, is not the "here and now" God, but rather God is "from everlasting to everlasting" (Neh 9:5). His work, unto which He calls us didn't start with us and does not end with us. We may not live to see the results of our labor - we may not enjoy that fruit until glory unless we trust God to bring it about and rejoice in faith not waiting for confirmation by sight.
Hmmm, seems like I read somewhere that our confidence as Christians comes "by faith and not by sight" (2 Cor 5:7).
My point is: Do not get too wrapped up in or concerned with results of ministry efforts, instead concern yourself with serving God in your generation, leaving the results, which may be for another generation, up to God. Simply put - live by faith in what God is continuing to do and not by what little you can see today.
Jus ' Sayn.
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