Kind of a Big Deal

Scripture: And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. Mark 6:51-52

Observation: At the end of what is probably the two most famous miracles of Jesus - the feeding of the 5,000 and the walking on the water - the disciples are astounded and confused. In other words, they still don't "get it". Up until now, they've been following Jesus, and they have seen dozens of miracles, but those have mostly fallen into the category of healings. This was the prophesized sign of the Messiah - the lame walk, the blind see, etc. Thousands of people were flocking to Jesus as a result, but mostly because they wanted something. And his closest follower still didn't understand.

However, the entire playing field just changed. Jesus is doing something new, and the disciples - people so in tune with Jesus that they themselves can now miraculously heal people - are awestruck. And here is what just changed: Jesus went from miracle worker, to God Incarnate by ... creating, and commanding creation.

Application: These two miracles have become so familiar as Sunday School kids tales, that I believe we have missed how HUGE these two events are. Jesus just created bread - literally, just "poof, here's a ton of bread" - and demonstrated total control over creation. These are powers that are the dominion of God ... God creates. In fact, man's physical science has proven that matter cannot be created, so it can only be done by God. And Jesus just did it.

I need to be awestruck by this!! Jesus wasn't a miracle worker, he was God among us. I don't want to miss the "real Jesus" by being passively familiar with the nice stories ... I want to worship Jesus as God, understanding the amazing gift of his life, presence, death, resurrection, and forgiveness.

Prayer: Lord, your plan is so amazing, so perfect, and so mysterious. May I never take Jesus for granted. And it isn't enough to simply be thankful for grace by faith in Jesus - I am thankful for the full plan, for your love that was so great you bankrupted heaven to have Jesus dwell on earth for a time. I celebrate his life, love, death, resurrection, and grace, as I love you, oh Lord. Amen.

Those Who Have Ears

Scripture: And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” Mark 4:21-23

Observation: The parable of the lampstand is clear - if you have the light of truth, you do not hide it away, but rather you keep it out and visible in order to provide that light to others. The 'hidden' lessons Jesus teaches through parables are not done so to remain hidden, but rather they are done so to educate so the disciples may make them known to others. However, verse 23 is interesting ... who is supposed to have ears in order to hear? There are two possible explanations:

1) When the disciples grow in their understanding, they will then be able to understand and pass along the knowledge.

2) When the disciples go forward to teach, there will be some people who choose to listen, and conversely therefore there will be some who choose not to listen.

As with the seeds, our job is to spread the seed, cast the light, and make the truth known ... others will decide if they listen or not.

Application: My wife showed me today a painful Facebook post. It was on the City of Bothell's wall. Our city is about to have the grand opening of its new city hall. The post was from a person chastising the city because ... my church is providing free music and free refreshments for the event.

We serve our city. We live in an area where over 80% of people self-identify as non-Christian, and our church shines our light by constantly serving our community. As a result, the city asked us to help them out, and we said "yes" ... free of charge, out of our own time and pocket for dozens of volunteers. And people are ... pissed off that the city would even TALK to a church.

How extremely sad it is to see first-hand what it looks like when disciples shine the light of Jesus, and people actively refuse and reject it. We aren't even there preaching or talking about Jesus ... we are handing out coffee and donuts, and playing four secular songs, all with smiles on our face, love in our hearts, and not cost to taxpayers. And someone is mad about it.

Prayer: Lord, I pray for the man who posted this today. Please give him "ears" for the very first time ... please find some way for him to hear something that opens his heart to love. This is all about a person who has rejected you, and seeks validation for his wayward decision. He is far from grace, far from love, far from joy. I hope somehow, someone, somewhere will show him your light. Also, I pray for our church volunteers working the event. May there be no issues, but if there are comments made directly, please be with us in spirit to reflect kindness, patience, peace, and love. Amen.

Meaningless Judgment

Scripture:
These ten times you have cast reproach upon me;
    are you not ashamed to wrong me?
And even if it be true that I have erred,
    my error remains with myself.
If indeed you magnify yourselves against me
    and make my disgrace an argument against me,
know then that God has put me in the wrong
    and closed his net about me.
Job 19:3-6

Observation: Job's friends have judged him, and Job gives his response ... they have no right to judge him. If he has sinned, God is judging him, and all the things God can do to him - lowering him in health, status, love, life, wealth, etc. - are SO much more than the petty words of his "friends" that their judgment is meaningless. In fact, by elevating themselves through that judgment, they are shameful and now under God's judgment themselves for exhibiting such pride while failing to show any mercy.

Application: I checked ... and yes, I blogged on part of these same verses last year, and clearly still have not learned my lesson.

I am SO quick to judge others - to consider them foolish for their life choices, or stupid by their actions, or sinful by their behavior. As if I expect my judgment to have any bearing on their lives, and to somehow carry weight in a way that would drive them to change. Truly, all my judgment does is prove that I am a petty, little, prideful, arrogant, cruel jerk.

While God does not curse, he does remove blessing, and as a result I see the results in others' lives. I see their destroyed relationships, personal struggles, divided families, lost ambitions, broken lives, and sometimes I feel sorry for them. But instead of encouraging, I judge. They will never respond to that except through hatred of me. And what is happening to them - as a result of God's absence in their lives and thus God's real-time judgment on their lives - is so much worse than my ridiculous words.

In that context, my only possible response to others should be pity and mercy. Even someone like me who struggles to love others can see that the important parts of their lives are filled with pain, and their future eternity is SO much worse, that being kind is the LEAST I could possibly do.

I have GOT to turn this around.

Prayer: Lord, I beg for your forgiveness of my terrible judging nature. It is a sin of mine - not others - when I judge them in any manner. Please forgive that sin, and also aid me in repentance of this characteristic. Turn me from the inside out to not judge, but to see others as already being in judgment and to instead reflect the love and mercy of Jesus upon them. I sincerely seek this change in my life so that I never have to see myself in Job 19 again. Amen, and amen.

Hope in the Promise

Scripture: And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead? I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Acts 26:6-9

Observation: All accusations against Paul - the reason he is persecuted now, and the reason he himself even originally persecuted the church - boils down to two points:

1) Faith in God includes with it the hope that there is eternal life.

2) The way for receiving that hope from God is through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, a.k.a. Messiah.

The Jews believed the first of these. However, they had surrendered their understanding of the second of these in favor of The Law and all the myriad of rules that had now formed around The Law. As a result, they persecuted Christians despite the fact that the primary message of Christians was that the prophets all stated that the hope of eternal life was found in the Messiah, and Messiah had now come.

Application: I am reminded that, today, there are really three kinds of people when it comes to faith in God and Jesus. Christians believe in God, and believe that faith in Jesus provides for eternal life. Agnostics reject the existence of God. However, in between is this ... a large spectrum of people who believe in SOMETHING related to possible eternal life related to some kind of more powerful and spiritual being, but have no idea how to get there.

Unfortunately, the real challenge for Christians isn't always to just tell people about Jesus, because the real "issue" is that people don't want an answer to their hope for eternal life ... at least not an answer that will force them to change their way of life. This is what some people mean when they say they don't want to change their lifestyle to become a Christian. At worst, that can mean they know some pretty hypocritical Christians and don't want to be like them. At best, though, it means that they have chosen to be completely embedded in the world and want nothing to do with any concept that may challenge the status quo of their lives.

What amazes me personally is when those same people say that their lives ... suck. I have seen that - people who talk about how terrible life is, but that they would never want to change it. That of course is the greatest lie of Satan - the lie where he disassociates cause and effect related to poor decision made related to God, and painful results of our lives, and ways of responding to and coping with those results.

Prayer: Lord, may I be part of your work to help others connect up points in their lives between their hope in eternity, and faith in Jesus. The connection is clear, solid, and unmistakable. I will seek to deliver the message of that connection daily. Amen.

A New Type of Judgment

Scripture: Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:5

Observation: I noticed this in a passage a couple days ago, but see it clearly here again: Judgment is an activity to be embraced - not feared - by faithful believers.

This goes against conventional wisdom and the human instinct to seek acceptance and fear judgment. However, for believers, judgment means God has 'drawn near' to us ... that he has entered into our situation, and we are in his loving presence. When that happens, there is no mention here that God will sort through our innermost fears and secrets and call us out. Instead, he will be a witness against sorcerers, adulterers, liars, oppressors, and others who don't follow his commandments.

Application: Talk about being different! Everyone in society fears being judged, and oftentimes believers fear the judgment of God ... going so far as to claim that fearing God's judgment is actually a sign of faith, and if you don't fear that judgment maybe you don't actually believe in God or in his sovereign authority in your life.

However, this passage would claim that judgment is not to be feared. And if we truly believe in Jesus - and the fact that our faith in Jesus washes us clean and is the one quality we require for eternal salvation - then there is truly no judgment to fear.

This concept goes beyond judgment of God, and extends to the judgment of others. We must not fear the judgment of others because the criteria they use to judge us is meaningless. Does it hurt my feelings when someone judges me? Yes. However, if they judge me and find me in alignment with them, that may be worse ... it may mean I am aligning myself to the ways of the world and not to God. In some cases, such as my attitude toward marriage, I should also welcome judgment, because it likely means I am not conforming to the world, but being transformed by the words of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord, I wish to be different. I wish to be so different that people judge me and find that I am not like them in attitude or behavior. Some will hate me for that, but that is okay too. May I turn away from judging others, and open myself freely to judgment from others, so that someday I can revel in your judgment. Amen.

Everything I Say and Do

Prayer: Lord, it is by this that I know these actions are yours: Satan is actively opposed. I beg for your protection, your word, your comfort, and your strength. May I be focused on your word in Romans 12 and James 3 ... my entire life a living and visible sacrifice to you, with a tongue that will only praise and not curse or judge others. You have me in a place, at this time, for your purpose - may I not lose that mission due to the frustrations and actions spurred on by evil forces. It is not for my comfort, or my peace, or my honor that I ask these things, but for your glory only. Again I ask the fruits of your Holy Spirit to be upon and in me at all times so I can be different than those around me. In the name of Jesus, my savior and my lord, I pray. Amen, and amen.

The Number that Doesn't Matter

Scripture: When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. Acts 2:1

Observation: Acts 2 is a chapter that is full of numbers, and is focused on numbers. It says that Peter was standing with the 11 apostles; That about 3,000 were baptized that day; That more were added to their number daily. These are important details. However, verse 1 intentionally ignores a number some might think important ... how many were the "all" who first received the Holy Spirit?

There are several interpretations. This might mean the 12 apostles, or it might mean the ~72 believers whom many say were the core of the believers that waited in Jerusalem, or it might mean the ~500 who were witnesses to Jesus' ascension. Certainly this is a detail Luke - the author of Acts - knew, given that he took the time to research Peter's entire sermon, and the book of Acts is primarily about the growth of the church and therefore addresses numbers of believers often. It's likely Luke knew the names of every person in that room. Therefore, the conclusion is that he intentionally chose not to say the number. Why?

Because it wasn't important. In fact, going a step further ... it was important that the number (and names) not be known.

Application: Jesus well understood two principles about human nature and the future nature of the church that were critical. The first is that people need leaders. He himself raised 12 leaders above others, and 3 leaders above those 12. It is for this reason that those 12 are identified and Peter singled out on this critical day. However, Jesus also understood that believers who love him and worship God are all equal, which is why he corrected the disciples about their squabbles over who was greatest, and washed their feet at the last supper.

Too often, I create hierarchies in my mind. I see "degrees" of believers. I talk about the "core" versus the "congregation". Jesus - and Luke - would have none of that. Yes, there are leaders: Pastors, Elders, Missionaries. And there are those who head up ministries or committees for a season in order to get a task done. However, in the church no one is above another. For this reason, Luke chose to ignore who the "founders" might be to avoid them receiving undo honor.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your reminder to me to maintain my humility. I am in a season where I could easily allow pride to overtake my heart - I could easy transfer the blessings you have provided into an attitude of achievement and pride where I attempt to set myself above others in all areas of my life. Please help me avoid this dark, terrible trap. Please help me keep my heart humble, and my mind focused on you. Show me your purpose of placing me in a new position, around new people, so I may do your work and serve your people. Thy - not my - kingdom come!! Amen.

God's Sacred Word

Scripture: So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. Nehemiah 8:2-3

Observation: The first recorded official act after the walls of Jerusalem have been rebuilt is the reading of The Law. We see this as a repeated activity - the reading of scripture done to mark milestones. Moses did it upon the Exodus (he had to get the Law first); Joshua did it claiming the promised land; even Jesus did it to declare his mission at the start of his ministry AND to teach the disciples their mission after his resurrection.

The word of God in the Bible is more than just good teaching ... it is itself sacred. That isn't to say we should worship a book, but we should understand that we are to worship God by taking his word as so important that it is worthy of being the focal point of every important activity in our lives.

Application: I am reminded again that my discipline with devotions is more than just "lessons" I need to learn. This is special, sacred time in my life every day. It is to be taken seriously. Reading the Bible does more than teach me something, it blesses my life, and the lives of my family, my friends, and my coworkers. When taken seriously, it can set a tone for my days and my attitude, and it can radiate into every element of my work and activities.

Reading the Word can anoint a temple, restore a nation, sanctify a city, aid an endeavor ... and it can certainly bless me if I properly engage in humility and faith.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for providing your Word - for creating this way to learn and grow and mature every day. My devotional time is a blessing, and I regret waiting so late in life to begin this wonderful journey with you. Help me every day to find the space and time and heart to focus on your Word, so I may become a better disciple of Jesus, and so your blessings in my life can in turn become greater blessings for others. Amen.

The First One Redeemed

Scripture: But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas” - a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. Luke 23:18-19

Observation: Jesus took the death upon the cross we all deserve - his death takes the place of the death that we are due as a result of our sin and failure to obey God. However, at his trial, this occurred very literally ... Jesus was crucified as a direct one-for-one replacement of Barabbas, a person under a Roman death sentence. Jesus was found innocent, but someone had to die for Barabbas' crimes, and it ended up being Jesus and not Barabbas.

Application: Throughout the Bible, God's eternal plan is made manifest through a technique whereby something - a law, a proverb, a song, a prophetic word - is written as a reference to some specific situation, then we find hundreds of years later that this was a universal concept with broader application and direct relationship to Messiah.

Jesus' trial and crucifixion is of course the pivotal point in God's plan. Much of the old testament laws - from rules about trials, to Passover procedures, to imagery in the Psalms - actually apply to this event. However, the activities of this event in turn apply to the salvation of believers. Barabbas is part of that. We can be confident that Jesus' death is a sacrifice that takes our place in punishment because Jesus literally took Barabbas' place in punishment.

Furthermore, Barabbas himself becomes more than a literal person, but a representation of myself and all other believers. Barabbas' crimes were insurrection against Roman authority, and murder. In other words, he rebelled against authority and violated the ten commandments, just like I do ... daily.

Prayer: Lord, I am like Barabbas ... and may I in fact be Barabbas! I rebel against your law, fail to trust your leadership, and break your commandments regularly. But in this, I also know that Jesus made himself the sacrifice for my sin, and through my belief in him I can be released from the prison of judgment and receive salvation. May I never think of myself as better than Barabbas, yet may I also strive every day to avoid sin and rebellion. Amen.

The Spirit of Repentance

Scripture: Now then make confession to the Lord, the God of your fathers and do his will. Separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from the foreign wives. Ezra 10:11

Observation: It isn't enough for the people to confess their sins to God, they must also repent - to actively turn away from their sin, and undo that part of their lives. In this case, it is an extreme example: They must give up their wives and children because they married foreign people who worship other gods against God's law. However, all sin violates God's law, and all sin is equal ... thus in the case of every sin people must both ask forgiveness of the sin and repent of it.

Application: I struggle with this in the sins in my life. I'm ok confessing those sins - in telling God "here is a sin I committed, please forgive me." Of course, he already knows my sin, he didn't need me to tell him about it, and he has already provided Jesus as a means to aid in my forgiveness. What God REALLY wants me to do is to repent ... to turn away from the sin, turn my heart away from the thoughts and habits that produced the sin, remove myself from situations that trigger or tempt me, and thus never commit that sin again.

This is hard. So hard, in fact, that most of us can't do it. And that is the true wonder of the Holy Spirit. In many cases, it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that a heart can be changed.

In the example in Ezra, there was a practical action that could aid in repentance ... divorcing the foreign wives. In my case, there are also changes I can make, and I am working on those. For example, I am changing some of my staffing situations in order to remove people who cause me emotions like anger and frustration, and thus trigger sins like poor thoughts or bad language.

However, I must also fix my heart, and for this I need the Holy Spirit. I need to change my attitudes in a holistic way in my life so that similar situations still can't trigger the same sins. this will start with a healthy love for others, and fruits of the spirit like love, patience, gentleness, and self control. These are called fruits "of the spirit" because the Holy Spirit can produce them within me, and I need them.

Prayer: Lord, I do pray for your spirit to be within me throughout my days to aid me in repenting of my sins. I am so quick to anger and quick to judgment, and I truly wish to turn away from those issues. Please help me repent. Please change my heart so that you may be better reflected through me in the world. Amen.

Hosanna in the Highest

Scripture: Saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Luke 19:38

Hosanna!!!

God's Protection

Scripture: And all the king's servants who were at the king's gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage. ... And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage to him, Haman was filled with fury. Esther 3:2,5

Observation: Despite the orders of the king, Mordecai continues to observe God's law and refuses to bow to anyone or anything but God. Other officials openly question him - publicly challenging his beliefs - and Haman will plot to kill him and all the Jews. However, Mordecai will not conform with public opinion, personal threat, or unmoral laws.

Of course, God has already provided the means to escape the vicious judgment that is planned against the Jews. Even before this, Esther has been elevated to queen, where she will use her position and influence to undermine Haman's plot and protect the Jews. Mordecai had already saved the king from a plot and thus won favor in court. Therefore, even though a terrible sentence is issued against the Jews (that they shall all be killed in every province of the land), that fate is reversed by events God has already set in motion.

Application: There continue to be questions in the Church in general about how "political correctness" that runs contrary to God's law will eventually impact us on a day-to-day basis. This lesson in Esther would instruct us in two areas.  First is that we must remain observant of God's laws regardless of any public or civil pressures to violate those laws. Second is that God has already provided for this situation, even if we don't know it.

This latter fact is especially comforting. I have told others that some day I expect to have my life derailed in some way due to my faith in Jesus. However, the example of Mordecai shows that - for not just myself but others - God has already set in motion protections. That may not mean that I'll be able to keep my job. I may still suffer and be persecuted for my faith. However, there will be a way out that will further honor God's glory and bless me and my family.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your provision and protection! I don't say that as a "someday" prayer, or as a hopeful future ask. I thank you for already protecting me - you have already done it, and now it is just a matter of time to wait to see your plan and purposes unfold. I especially thank you for loving my wife and children as you do, so they may be protected even further by whatever events unfold in the future. Every day, I will serve you gladly, and seek to bring glory to you. Amen.

The Lord's Pleasure

Scripture:
Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
    make melody to our God on the lyre!
He covers the heavens with clouds;
    he prepares rain for the earth;
    he makes grass grow on the hills.
He gives to the beasts their food,
    and to the young ravens that cry.
His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
    nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
    in those who hope in his steadfast love.
Psalm 147:7-11

Observation: It pleases God when he cares for us! He takes pleasure when we trust in him - when we place our hope in him for his provision. He enjoys sending the rain even to simply provide food for beasts and birds, let alone when we trust that he will provide for us. On the flip side, he doesn't care at all about the things we do for ourselves. It doesn't delight or please him to watch us work and labor in order to produce our own provisions in life. As we toil to plow the earth for food, or earn money to buy bread, he really wishes we would simply hope for his love.

Application: Every day, I am proud about how well I do my job. I make plans, execute on those plans, and they work. Sometimes I thank God for his blessing, and I do know that God has blessed my work beyond what I have earned.

However, God takes DELIGHT when we simply trust in him. Even when I'm at my best with my faith in God, I am getting it backwards: I thank him for blessing my work, when instead I should be simply trusting him and looking for HIS work where I can join him.

God loves me - and all of us - so much, that it delights him when he can simply give us everything we need. He doesn't want us to go work for what we need. Of course we are to do his work, and sometimes that involves doing well at my job ... the place where he has placed me. But one way I could please God more is by simply allowing him to love me, and gladly receiving my daily bread from him without care or concern about what I might need to do to earn it.

Prayer: Abba, father, your love is beyond my imagination. As a father, I know how great it feels when I can care for my children, however you take it to the extreme of actually wishing we would just turn over all cares, worries, concerns, efforts to you and settle back into your loving arms. How amazing is your love!!! May I lean onto you more and more every day, trusting in your provision, enveloped in your great love. Amen.