Hallelujah

Scripture: Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,

"Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
    the Almighty reigns."

Revelation 19:6

 

Observation: I look forward to singing Hallelujah before the throne of God, along with billions of others. What an amazing life it will be to celebrate the wedding of the lamb - to sing rejoice, and bask in the love of God forever.

 

Application: As we end another year, I know that the coming of Jesus is closer. I do not know the day or hour of his return, so I know I must be ready in heart, mind, and body. I must make my life - my daily, everyday, walking-around life - a living sacrifice to God, as my spiritual act of continual worship.

 

Prayer: Lord, I have a HUGE decision ahead of me, and I am praying for your guidance explicitly in this context - that whatever I am to do is directly connected to where I can best serve you and bring your word and grace and love and joy and good news into this dark corner of the world. I want to make my waking moments a sacrifice to you, and someday I want to sing with the multitude - to sound like roaring water - with songs that celebrate you. Please give me your guidance and wisdom. Amen, and amen.

 

 

 

Chosen by Choice

Scripture: You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. John 15:16

Observation: Jesus has an informative conversation that focuses on the verb "to choose". Throughout his ministry, people have chosen to follow Jesus ... or not. Even those who were called made a choice to leave their homes and families. Some followers later decided that Jesus' teachings were too hard and chose to stop following him. In these later chapters, Judas chooses to betray Jesus, while Peter will choose to deny Jesus.

However, Jesus says here that the disciples did not choose Jesus, but he chose them. That implies a lack of freewill - that these individuals were selected to become believers and eventually tortured martyrs, without any say. That seems contradictory to our understanding of God's love of people, and of our understanding of salvation by faith. Therefore, that must NOT be what Jesus is saying.

Instead, Jesus is saying the has chosen this group for a specific purpose - to found his church. There is a mission to be done, and they are chosen by Jesus to do it ... and bear fruit. In other words, choice question is two-way:

-- We choose to believe in Jesus.
-- He can then choose us to do his work.

By extension of that, it stands that Jesus cannot - or will not - choose us to do his work unless we have first chosen him.

Application: I have seen many people doing work for which Jesus has chosen them over the past three weeks. It is important for me to recognize that these people have clearly chosen Jesus first ... they have so committed to that choice that Jesus can now entrust them with the work of his church. These are people with whom I should place my trust and brothers and sisters, showing grace and understanding for them. They have been chosen by Jesus, so they must be good enough to be part of my life.

Prayer: As you know, lord, I continue to struggle with judgment. While I have felt improvement in that area, I still can do better especially as it extends to patience and kindness and love toward my fellow believers. Help me continue on my path of improving maturity, and to embrace those whom you have called into your family. Amen.

A Foot-Washing Prayer

Scripture: If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ... Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. John 13:14-16,20

Observation:

Application:

Prayer: Lord, my family is tired to the point of being non-functional. We are not sleeping, we are not playing, we are barely talking, and we are not celebrating. We have not had time together with each other, and we have not had time with our friends, and we have not had time with you. Every night we are serving until we are tired and sore and cold until we can only sleep.

And then every night, you send us even more. You don't send dozens more, you send hundreds and thousands more. You send the meek, you send the powerful, you send the foreigners, you send the neighbors, you send the faithful, and you send the hate filled. We greet them with smiles, candy canes, cookies, and lights, and we try to send them off with love, friendship, and an invitation to start to know you better. In other words, we strive to receive them and wash their feet. You already love them so much more than that ... you would wash their feet, but you also already died for them.

Please, lord, be with my family tonight. Give us your strength - please give to us not as the world gives, but with your love and strength - so that we may further serve those that you send. For hours on end, bring them to your place, and let us receive them with a joy they know cannot be of this world, so that they become curious of the love of Jesus. Help us to just do the simple acts you have called us to. And lord, in the end, may you renew our strength as a family. Please give us your love and grace in our recovery so that we may celebrate you - our Lord God, and our Savior Jesus Christ - with songs and gladness and the love we have as a family.

In the wonderful name of Jesus I pray. Amen, and amen.

In My Weakness

Scripture: As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” John 9:1-3

Observation: As we know, Jews believed that physical punishments were a result of God's curse brought on through sin (and since all people sin, there was never a way to really dispute this). However, when presented with a man born blind, Jesus presents another alternative - the man is blind as a means of serving God's purposes.

In this case, the man is blind so Jesus may heal him and thus exhibit his greatest healing-of-the-bling miracle, that is restoring sight to a many who was completely born without the physiology required to for sight. However, Jesus' teaching can also be generically applied to anyone ... that everyone's physical weaknesses may exist not as a punishment, but as a way for God to work his will in the world through us. Such work can manifest as healing, but it could also manifest as our ability to perform some deed despite some limitation, or the miraculous change in our lives that can only result through the movement of the Holy Spirit.

Application: How do I consider the "weaknesses" of others, and of myself? Do I see them as the gateway through which God will work here on earth?

Interestingly, I probably DO see this opportunity in others, but not in myself. I view my faults and weaknesses as issues that require fixing (and many of them are just that), however I never pray about how God might use such weaknesses. Meanwhile, I look at others, and I am inclined to pray just that - that God use their situation to perform miracles or transform situations that no one could ever expect and thus make himself manifestly known.

Certainly God can use my weaknesses ... but am I brave enough to let him? Am I ready to be transformed suddenly for his purposes? Am I willing to attempt to do something in some area where I am known to be weak so I can show God's might and Jesus' love to others? Yes, I believe that I am.

Prayer: Lord, please use me - and especially please use my weaknesses. Paul asked you many times to take away his weaknesses, and instead you showed him that it was through his weaknesses that your strength became obvious. Please use me that way as well - take my weaknesses and make them your strength. Amen.

Condemned Already

Scripture: Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. John 3:18

Observation: In this one sentence, Jesus clarifies the nature of salvation through faith. Specifically, unlikely what some people believe, no one is condemned by God because they reject Jesus. Instead, Jesus clarifies the order of operations here, so to speak ...

1) Everyone is already condemned.
2) Those who believe in Jesus as Messiah are then not condemned.

Put this way, there is no judgment for rejecting Jesus. Instead, the judgment of God already rests on mankind as a result of our sin. No one digs themselves into a hole by rejecting Jesus. Then, faith in Jesus removes the condemnation so that we may receive eternal life with God (verse 16).

Application: When I talk to many non-Christians about my faith, many of them are simply ambivalent to Jesus. They just don't think about him. It isn't that they reject him. I feel this may be because they think they have a safety net ... they may not believe, but if they don't reject Jesus then IF there IS a God then MAYBE they'll get a pass because they were "good people".

Should I be clearer with people that this isn't a "gray area" issue? There is no middle ground where they can simply not commit? As Neal Peart wrote, "if you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice." This is another interesting message to consider.

Prayer: Lord, please continue to feed my heart with your word so that, when you present to me opportunities to do you will, I can be a vessel filled and ready to pour out your love to others. As your will be done! Amen.

He's My Daddy

Scripture: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. 1 Peter 1:3-4

Observation: Every time I have ever seen a discussion of the "names of God," it almost always focuses on the old testament names. They include ancient Hebrew names, and their Aramaic and Greek translations ... Yahweh, Jehovah, Adonai, Elohim, El Shaddai, etc., and including descriptive suffixes to identify God's character. However, Peter clearly articulates the new testament name for God that we who live in this day and age are now very familiar with, and which we may take for granted.

Father.

The coming of Messiah was the culmination of God's redemptive plan for mankind. God himself identified Jesus as his son, and by his words and resurrection Jesus called his disciples into a adopted relationship with his father, to be part of the inheritance of salvation. In other words, this name is in fact the final revelation of the character of God. This goes beyond the fact that he "is" or is everything, or that he is all powerful, or a provider, a creator, a giver of life, a protector, a defender, or one who delivers justice. God is Father.

Application: There are very few thing in life that have an immediate impact on me physically, but there are two. One is when my wife gently touches my neck, as it always relaxes me every time. The second is when my daughter calls me "daddy". Usually I'm just 'dad' these days, but when she calls me daddy my heart leaps involuntarily ... it reminds me of the love I have for both of my children.

I think that's what God always wanted from mankind. He wanted sons and daughters. He loves us so much that he gave us free will in expressing that love, and mankind instead turned away from him. Jesus restores the possibility of that relationship. This is deeper than faith, belief, obedience, worship, and alike. This is about a special relationship - that kind that makes us feel protected, provided for, and everything implied by all God's other names, and that also makes God's heart flutter when we return that love to him.

I think he wants us to make his heart flutter.

Prayer: Abba, daddy, I love you. As I have been praying, I know you are my provider, and you have never, ever, ever, ever, EVER failed to guide and protect and love me. As a little child, I only want to hold your hand and be lead through this time in my life. I don't even need to know where we're going! I just want to wrap my hand around your finger, look up at you with trusting eyes and a smiling face, and walk beside you wherever you are taking me. Thank you for adopting me. Amen.

For Whose Benefit?

Scripture: Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus—I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. Philemon 1:8-10

Observation: Paul is sending Onesimus - the former slave of Philemon - back to Philemon. He would like Philemon to forgive past issues and receive Onesimus as a brother in Christ, and while he says he could order Philemon to do so (it appears Paul is the one who lead Philemon to Christ), he instead wishes to appeal to Philemon "for love's sake". However ... who's love is he talking about?

Paul expresses his love for Onesimus, describing him as a son. He describes Onesimus' love for himself, discussing his assistance during his imprisonment. And Paul seems to make it clear that Paul and Philemon are close to each other. However, it appears this appeal is not for the sake of any of those relationships. Instead ... Paul is challenging Philemon to grown in Christ-like love by loving Onesimus - a man who legally wronged Philemon - and forgiving him for no other reason than because Paul has asked it an Philemon owes his salvation to Paul.

This isn't about loving and forgiving Onesimus who is likely happy where he is, and it isn't about Paul's convenience in prison who would like Onesimus to help him. It is about maturing Philemon's understanding of love.

Application: I never realized this metaphor about Jesus. God - his father - sent Jesus to earth ... and to be honest Jesus probably wasn't thrilled about leaving heaven. God's instruction to people was simple: Love my son. Those who do receive the benefit of eternal life.

Likewise, what Jesus has commanded us to do is love one another, just as he has loved us. Since we know we are forgiven through faith, we are to forgive and love others even when they wrong us.  And this is everything Paul is saying ... 'Philemon, you are loved by me, and I love Onesimus, so love and forgive Onesimus.' "For love's sake" is, therefore, for the sake of Philemon learning to love by transferring his relationship with Paul to another person.

And this is what I am to do with everyone God has placed before me. There are 4-5 names right now that come into my head as people who I have been struggling with - people who are really creating struggles in my life - and my lesson today is to simply love them because God already loves me. This has nothing to do with them ... it is about my relationship with God.

If I love God, I must love whom he loves. Placing hard people in my life may be to teach me to be Christ-like.

Prayer: Thank you for your lessons today, Lord! I will practice love toward others through kindness and assistance. Amen.

Sound Doctrine

Scripture: Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. 1 Timothy 6:2b-4a

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Titus 2:1

Observation: In letters to two of his young apprentices, Paul encourages them regarding their teaching using similar words. In both he talks about sound doctrine. In addition, in both letters he provides specific information about certain behavior for church leaders and church members, especially commenting on the pursuit of wealth and honor as activities to be guarded against.

And where does "sound doctrine" come from? It comes from the words of Jesus AND from alignment of behavior to godliness ... which again Paul also relates to the characteristics common to the fruits of the spirit.

Application: I have been reminded again recently that I need to take seriously my pursuit of the qualities of gentleness and patience. These qualities do not seem very useful when it comes to daily life. However, when looking closely at the character of God and Jesus, they are critical. God would be patient for CENTURIES before taking action to correct situation. And even when correcting Pharisees, Jesus took time to engage with them and at least attempt to guide them to the truth.

As for me, I tend to admonish people quickly, and become openly frustrated when others don't comprehend issues immediately. Forget taking time with others - I grow weary of wasted seconds of time.

Love is patient and kind, and God is love. Paul would instruct me to not only learn the words of Jesus, but to also align my behavior to godliness. I need to become a patient, kind, gentle person.

Prayer: Lord, please do forgive me for the many, many times that I fail to reflect you and your love to others. I am sure I could do so much more for you kingdom if I were simply soft-spoken at times. May I learn to evangelize without opening my mouth, and instead behaving with gentle patience. Amen.

The Basics According to Paul

Scripture: We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. ... For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face. Colossians 1:3-8; 2:1

Observation: Paul has never before met the church in Colossae. It is a church planted by Epaphras, and never visited by Paul who is now imprisoned in Rome and thus with no expectation to ever meet them. He has heard of their faith, but has no other insight into them and their church other than its proximity and therefore likely affinity to the church at Laodicea.

As a result, this entire book of Colossians is, effectively, "generic." This is a letter of generic teaching filled with the default teaching/instructions from Paul. The four chapters, therefore, address the following subjects that it appears Paul would consider the most basic elements of Christian behavior in the church:

-- Upholding each other in prayer
-- Acknowledging Jesus as the head of the church
-- Reconciliation and redemption through faith in Jesus
-- Avoiding human-based belief systems
-- Avoiding stumbling over issues related to Jewish law (the sufficiency of faith)
-- Repenting from your old life and old morality
-- Rules for good Christian families for husbands, wives, children, slaves, and masters
-- Being wise in words and teaching to outsiders

Application: How am I doing at these? Or to be more specific, which of these basics am I probably doing worst at? To be honest it is prayer ... my prayer life just isn't good enough. I may often speak to God in my head, but I am rarely giving him my full attention in any meaningful act of conversation, confession, worship, praise, thanksgiving, or humble submission. I may seek help - may being the operative word - but I rarely thank him for success or turn to him with questions or simply tell him how great he is and how much I love him.

And I certainly don't bring others to him in prayer outside of my immediate family and maybe a struggling friend rarely.

These are things I need to be doing daily. Continually. And these are the basics - the baseline of behavior according to Paul. This is an area I can improve.

Prayer: Lord, you are so great, and your ways and love are so amazing!! I praise you, Lord, with all I am, and seek to make my life a daily act of praise and worship toward you so others can know your glory. I do ask for your assistance in my actions every day, so that I can reveal you to others, serve you through others, and love you by others. Please forgive me of my sins, and give me strength to forgive others for the very minor issues that may offend me, as I would seek to love them and not wrong them. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.

Who Am I?

Today I was going to write about "our responsibilities as mature Christians". Fortunately, before I started, I was reminded of the truth: I am nothing. I am not mature. I am a prideful, arrogant, abrasive sinner. I have not earned anything from God, let alone done anything that I should consider myself better than others. Instead, in my sin, God chose to sacrifice his son Jesus - purely out of his love - to atone for my shortcomings, redeem my soul, and grant me eternal life.

Who am I that the lord of all the earth, would care to know my name?

Who am I that the eyes that see my sin, would look on me with love?

Who am I that the voice that calms the sea, would call out through the rain and calm the storm in me?

Not because of who I am, but because of what you've done.

Not because of what I've done, but because of who you are.

Work by Faith

Scripture: What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone. Romans 9:30-32

Observation: In comparing the Jews and the Gentiles, Paul lays out the basic and definitive "faith vs. works" discussion. However, there is a nuance to this passage that goes WAY beyond the basics. The issue is NOT that works are meaningless when it comes to righteousness and salvation. It is that works performed without faith are meaningless.

In Paul's example, Jewish compliance with the Law does not provide righteousness, but not because of the Law, but because of the attitude of the Jews - they have not pursued the Law by faith. It is THIS clarification that brings the "saved by faith" discussion into alignment with other elements of scripture. For example, when James writes about works, he too includes the context that works exhibit faith, and as Paul is saying it is both faith and works that are being exhibited together. The Law does not exist for compliance ... it exists as a method for exhibiting faith.

Application: Attitude matters!!

When I serve God - at a light show, or by de-icing sidewalks before service, or by inviting people to church events, or by telling someone about Jesus, or actively avoiding anger - I am obeying various commands. However, compliance is not enough. I must be doing these things because of I have faith ... that I believe in Jesus as the Messiah, and know that God is sovereign in the world and worthy of my love and trust and hope. As a result, my obvious response is to obey their words.

This is deeper than "faith vs. works". This is about doing works because of faith. Works are spawned by faith. Works are the natural progression of faith. And so as I head into a season of joy - and a pretty good amount of work - I must guard my faith as the source of strength and love to enable that work.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the works you have laid before me. I continue to serve behind the scenes, and I continue to lead in some activities, and I continue to engage where you call me, and I continue to seek opportunities to do you will daily at work. May I remember to always tie that work to my faith in you, so I will never weaken, and never stumble. Amen.