Free Will Acts of Faith

Scripture: Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and that is sufficient for us.” John 14:8

Observation: When it comes to faith, humans are at odds with the very character that makes us unique in God's creation - free will. We wish to retain our options when it comes to God, and thus want definitive proof of God before believing. However, there are two issues with this:

1) God already provides us with proof many choose to ignore.

2) If God every provided people with some sort of proof that was so powerful that it would be impossible to deny it, that would remove our free will and thus nullify our faith.

Philip is unsure he wants to choose to believe in Jesus. Instead, he wants to have no other choice. That would be submission, not faith.

Application: In our "post-Christian" society, this is the attitude of many. They will not believe in God or Jesus because they cannot find "proof". Of course, they cannot find proof because they choose not to find it. They are more willing to believe lies on television that truth expressed in sunset. They are more likely to believe philosophies espoused in fictional novels than wisdom defined in the Bible. They are more likely to believe in zombies than the risen Christ.

What do I believe that replaces my faith in God? I believe in my abilities at work, which supplants my faithful reliance on God's grace. I believe in my ability to protect my life and my family, which causes me to fall short in asking for God's protection.

Faith only exists as a result of the free will bestowed by God ... faith only exists when it is a free choice whether or not to believe. Full submission that should result from that faith is also a choice, and it is a choice I need to make more often during my daily walk.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for allowing us to serve you this Christmas season. I wish I had a lighter heart in this. I love you and believe in you, and I will try to live that in my thought life more often. I surrender to you. Amen.

Understanding Misunderstandings

Scripture: "But we know where this Man is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where He is from" ... Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has the Scripture not said that the Christ comes from the seed of David, out of the town of Bethlehem where David was?" ... They answered him, "Are you also from Galilee? Search and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee." John 7:27,41-42,52

Observations: The people and even the Pharisees know some of the prophecy, but not all. They "know" Jesus is from the region of Galilee, and thus declare he cannot be Messiah because of at least three reasons. Some think Messiah will come from Bethlehem, some think his origin will be unknown, and some think at least he will come from a place that has had a history of prophetic work.

They are all mistaken. Messianic prophesy does day Messiah will come from Bethlehem, AND Nazareth (in Galilee), AND Egypt. Jesus fulfilled all three. In addition, Jonah was a prophet from Galilee, thus proving the Pharisees incorrect in their historical knowledge.

The bottom line is this - the prophesies are confusing, and thus everyone has made their own interpretation by some means. In such a way, any conversation about Jesus' origin could be met with opposition.

Application: How often is the Bible used in this way? How often do believers - myself included - make a determination about what the Bible says, then use that to defend our opinion?

There are a great many issues this potentially applies to in modern society. The solution is to know more and more of God's word, but also to listen carefully when there are apparent contradictions. God cannot contradict himself, so in these areas of confusion is where conflict can arise. In these matters, believers pick sides and either attack or defend with vigor. I must not fall victim to that mindset. It is important to understand the higher teachings of Jesus - of loving others and being a peacemaker- above issues pertaining to nuanced law.

Prayer: Jesus, please help me be a peacemaker. That is likely a word that has never once been applied to me before. I wish to grow into that role. I wish to be the kind of person who sees and responds to people rather than their words and issues. I want to continue to grow is knowledge and wisdom, but then to engage with others through love, patience, and mercy. Please guide me by your spirit. Amen.

Belief in Son and Father

Scripture: "The Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all men should honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Truly, truly I say to you, whoever hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death into life. Truly, truly I say to you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live." John 5:22-25

Observation: There is an interesting point being made here. First, God does not judge, but has granted that authority to Jesus. Second, Jesus' criteria for judgment is simply belief in God evidence by listing to and believing in Jesus. Third, as Jesus is at that moment on the earth, now is the time to believe in him.

Jesus has laid out a simple statement - believe in his and his word, and receive life free of God's judgment.

Application: I am confused by one element of this passage, and that is the fact that God the Father no longer judges anyone, but rather all judgement is committed to the Son Jesus. My easiest way of understanding this statement is that ... the criteria for judgment changed to be based on belief in Jesus. I believe that to be so. However, even in this criteria, Jesus clarifies the statement ... we must listen to Jesus, and through our belief in him we must also believe in God, as Jesus teaches a message of continued belief in God.

This of course introduces a different thought process when I meet Hindus in my community. They are willing to learn of Jesus, but only to add him to their number of gods. They do not believe in Yahweh, Jehovah, El Shaddai, Adonai, Elohim, or any other name we give to the one true God the creator.

There is always a dual requirement for faith. One if belief in God, the other is belief in his word. Jesus, in saying God has committed judgment to the Son, simply says that therefore we must believe in Jesus and his word, and that his word is that we must believe in God. Faith still requires faith in God the Father.

Prayer: Dear Lord, may we - myself, Laurie, and others in our church - keep finding ways to teach others of your love, your ways, and your truth this Christmas season. Amen.

Every Knee will Bow Before Him

For who can stop the Lord almighty!?

Our God is the lion of Judah.
He's roaring with power and fighting our battles.
Our God is the lamb that was slain
For the sins of the world; His blood breaks the chains.

And every knee will bow before the lion and the lamb.
Every knee will bow before Him.

Adding Another Discipline

Scripture: Confess your faults to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much. Elijah was a man subject to natural passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the sky gave rain, and the earth brought forth its fruit. James 5:16-18

Observation: At the end of James - what I have heard called "God's little instruction book" - James encourages the reader to pray more often. He specifically discusses praying for the sick, praying confession, and praying for each other's sins and redemption. In the midst of that, he uses Elijah as the example of a man of prayer.

For Elijah, prayer was not a one-way transmission. Prayer was a conversation. Elijah received detailed instructions during times of prayer. In all cases, he received guidance for both word and actions, and in many cases he received direct responses to requests like withholding rain or calling down fire on a sacrifice. This is the nature of prayer. Prayer is the baseline communication channel with God. It is not just about talking to God, but combined with scripture it is the means of talking with God.

Application: I know I do not pray enough. I say those quick prayers during the day about specific events or issues, but I don't have a time of relational prayer with God.

In the last two years, my devotions have changed my heart and my daily walk with God. I am closer to him, encouraged by his word and instruction, challenged by his teaching, and comforted in his love. I need to now establish a time of daily prayer. I need to determine a way I can clear my head - and my schedule - to find dedicated time of sustained prayer with God every day.

Prayer: Lord, please guide me in determining my path of prayer. Help me to rightly prioritize time with you in my daily walk. Amen.

Woe to the Prideful

Scripture: Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily after the error of Balaam for a reward, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. Jude 1:11

Observation: Jude is pronouncing a warning against those people who, in the church, are actually rebelling against the teaching and pronouncements of God. He compares them to three old testament events, and thus to understand their sin it is good to understand those events.

The way of Cain: Cain withheld the best part of his sacrifice to God, was angered by the blessing of Abel that resulted, in jealously murdered Abel, then believed he could lie to God about the event.

The error of Balaam: Balaam accepted payment to curse the nation of Israel. However, when God informed him that he must bless and not curse them, he even then boasted about his insight about God's will.

The rebellion of Korah: Korah lead a rebellion against God's chosen prophet - Moses - seeking to usurp the authority of Moses and Aaron in the camp in the wilderness.

In all three cases, the sin is clear ... pride. All three of these individuals were blessed by God - by life (Cain), liberty (Korah), and honor (Balaam). Instead of responding to that blessing with thanks, they rebelled against God. They rebelled primarily against God's authority in their lives ... that God cannot judge them (Cain), or set leaders over them (Korah), or direct their actions (Balaam).

Application: Again with the pride!

Pride is the one trait that sets us against God, because it breaks the two components Danielle Strickland spoke about at GLS (and I was recently reminded of). Pride disagrees with God about who he is, and about who I am in relation to him.

God is my sovereign source of authority. He has blessed me, and I have nothing without him. Yet by him, I have everything I need. He has authority in my life, and I willingly submit to that authority. I need to continue to meditate on my pride, and keep myself in humble relationship with God every day. The alternative is terrible.

Prayer: Lord, may I only walk humbly with you every day. I seek to serve you, and to do so by serving others. Show me your will and your way, and help me to keep my head bowed. Amen.

The Substantive Nature of Faith

Scripture: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Observation: The author of Hebrews will go on to provide the litany of faith evidenced by the patriarchs. Not just Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but Noah, Abel, Enoch, Moses, Samson, Rahab, Gideon, David, Samuel, etc. In all these cases, he defines the faith they had not by their word or actions - not by something they professed or by the fact they waited, acted, or did anything at all. Instead, he defines faith by the results that proceeded from God. Faith became real through ... a flood, the falling of Jericho, the birth of a child, a future exodus, an enemy's defeat, etc.

In addition, in each example where the author goes into some detail (Enoch, Moses, Noah, Abraham, Joseph), faith is part of a relationship with God. Either through a life of seeking God's will, joy in a life following God, or directly listening to God's word, the individual learns of God, and demonstrates faith.

The author calls faith "the substance" of things hoped for, and "the evidence" of things not seen. Faith is not the unseen hope ... it is the very real, very tangible elements of the relationship with God.

Application: Faith and hope are not the same thing. Paul's letters document them as independent elements. Faith is not hoping something will occur. Instead, faith is trusting in a tangible outcome because one is in a relationship with God. Sometime we may know the outcome ('I'm building a boat because I know there will be a flood'), but sometimes we may not ('I just wanted to be closer to God, I didn't know he'd make me a prophet!'). However, faith has an outcome, and that outcome is observable and real.

So many times I have heard this verse out of context. I have heard it quoted in a manner that directly connects the first three and last three words only. The result is "Now faith is ... things not seen." This is not my lesson today! Faith is seen!! In my life, faith was ... promoting a Purpose Driven Life campaign and ending up with 400 people in 33 small groups ... and working nights at the lights when 12 people would show up and now having nights of 4,000. I did not do those things - God did them, and he allowed me to express my faith, engage with him, so that I could see the substance and evidence and therefore be encouraged, strengthened, and joyful.

I see God's action in the midst of faith. I see direct causality. I might hope for certain outcomes, but more importantly I see the manifestation of faith. God is good, all the time!!

Prayer: Dear Lord, I praise you in my heart, and with my words, and in song and thanksgiving! You are the almighty God, and the loving father. You are the giver of life, and the restorer of the downtrodden. Thank you for your responses to the faith of all your people!! May your name be honored and lifted up in all the world, and in Bothell. Amen, and amen.

Tithing to My High Priest

Scripture: Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. Surely the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a command to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, from their brothers, though they also come from the seed of Abraham. But this man, whose descent is not numbered among them, received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. Without question, the inferior is blessed by the superior. Hebrews 7:4-7

Observation: In this long message relating Jesus to Melchizedek, the author spends significant time discussing the nature and greatness of Melchizedek. In addition to the translations about his name and home, he points out that Abraham himself - the greatest of the patriarchs and father of the Hebrews - gave his tithe to Melchizedek and was in turn blessed by him. This is an act of supplication, with Abraham forever acknowledging the inferiority of himself and his decedents to this priestly king who is without beginning, without end, and without lineage.

When the old testament, therefore, proclaims Messiah as the chief priest in the order of Melchizedek, it is declaring that Jesus is the great priest over the Hebrews, and that all the ritual law required by the priests descended from Aaron are no longer required as there is now a new priesthood.

Application: I have written about Melchizedek before, as I firmly understand him to be not a man who simply ate dinner with Abraham, but rather the appearance of the Son of God in the old testament. (I understand there are alternative interpretations, and I am not opposed to them.) Regardless of his nature, he was clearly acknowledged by Abraham as the high priest of the Lord, and the man most worthy of honor through the giving of God's tithe. Abraham, a man who at the time was so rich and powerful that his household was defeating entire other nations in battle, gave freely to God's high priest.

This lesson is directed to the Hebrews, who need to escape their ideas of ritual sacrifice of animals performed by temple priests, instead accept the permanent sacrifice of Jesus Christ as their high priest, and respond to that sacrifice with faith. I was never subject to the ritual law, and thus don't have a habit to break. However, I do need to remember to respond to Jesus in faith. I need to keep my tithe and remember it was established by Abraham himself. I need to remember what it establishes ... my subjugation to the Jesus, the high priest of God, and my acknowledgment of that greatness.

Prayer: Lord, I still carry a reminder in my wallet that I have is yours. It is burned in my heart. I know everything I have is yours, and I know that you do not even require all of it, but only what is expected to represent faith. I freely and joyfully give, fully acknowledging your greatness, your blessing, and your love. Amen.

The Mystery of Godliness

Scripture: Without question, great is the mystery of godliness:

God was revealed in the flesh,
    justified in the Spirit,
seen by angels,
    preached to the Gentiles,
believed on in the world,
    taken up into glory.

1 Timothy 3:16

Observation: I have become interested in the pronouncement of "mysteries" in the writings of Paul. He names several, and here he names "godliness" - specifically, it appears, the mystery of Jesus being both of the flesh but also God. He attributes six traits to this mysterious fact of the godliness of Jesus, and four of them I get as traits of Messiah ... he was God but in the flesh, he was filled with the Holy Spirit, he was acknowledged by angels, and he was taken into heaven.

However, two traits don't seem "godly" per se: He preached to the Gentiles, and was then believed in by the world. In other words, it appears Paul is attributing "godliness" specifically to the trait of ... being Messiah but simultaneously moving beyond the selection of the Jews and instead reaching out to the salvation of all mankind.

As a mid-first century Hebrew, Paul is educating a fellow Hebrew on the true nature of God. God is NOT the God of the Jews, but he is the God of the world. Therefore, the mystery of the Messiah - and evidence of Messiah's godliness - would be that he would not be the savior of the Jews, but the savior of the world. This is the mystery that was overlooked in the scriptures.

Application: As an early 21st century Christian, I need to be educated. God is NOT the God of Christians, but he is the God of the world. Therefore, Jesus is not the savior of the Christians, but the savior of the world. This is a mystery that has been overlooked in the Bible.

I forget sometimes that God loves the jerk making my life problematic at work as much as he loves me. I forget that Jesus was sacrificed to save the person who cut me off in traffic just like he died to forgive my sins. And I forget that I was (and often still am) the problematic jerk cutting people off. The point is, everyone on earth - Christian, Hindu, Muslim, agnostic, democrat, republican, queer, murderer, male, female, African, Asian, American, Chinese, Indian, mystic, atheist, or whatever label defines a belief system - is beloved by the God of the universe, and saved by the power of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection if they only choose to believe.

This is the mystery of godliness ... that in God's great love, he would choose to make himself known to ALL of his own creation, in the hopes that by their simple faith all may live with him forever.

Prayer: Lord, thank you could never, ever be enough for the salvation that comes through Jesus. I know I cannot earn your love and blessing because you have already freely given it. May I only move step by step daily toward being more worthy of that love. Amen.

Paul's Purposful Prayers

Scripture: In every prayer of mine for you all, I have always made requests with joy, due to your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now. ... And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all discernment. Philippians 1:4-5,9

Observation: Paul begins many of his letters with this formula - stating that he is regularly praying for the church because of their great quality of some kind, and then further praying that they will increase in another quality. In the case of the church at Philippi, their great quality is in their mutual and united fellowship within their church, and the quality they should grow into is an increase in knowledge and discernment. Without formal instruction or stern lesson, Paul even tells them how to do this at the end of the letter ... to think on those things that are good and righteous.

In beginning this and other letters by this formula, Paul is effectively making two statements to the church:

1) I know you and value your strengths and qualities.

2) I love you and wish for even more for you.

Application: What would Paul say about me and my church? If there were a "Letter to the Bothellites" written to the "believers who meet at Evergreen", what would Paul's intro look like?

For our church, he would certainly say, "I pray often for you, due to your great love for your community and your heart to change the lives of others through the Gospel of our lord Jesus Christ." On the other hand, about two verses later he would say, "And this I also pray, for your unity, that you may do your great work without division or quarrels of any kind amongst you."

It is probably in this manner than I know I have found my church home ... that these two prayers about my church would likely be the same two prayers Paul would say for me. He would say that I sincerely want to reach the community with the message of salvation and see more people discover faith in Jesus and be baptized ... and he would say that I get easily frustrated with fellow believers and pick sides in arguments.

The challenge is, we have had some bad arguments, and I sincerely believe they have been initiated by Satan in a battle against Jesus through our church. I know the lies told, and the attacks made. I know who has gone years without releasing even a slightest hint of anger, keeping it stored inside to seek vengeance. I know the actions that triggered division and sadness. I know the personal desires that planted the seeds of strife.

In all these things, the righteous have not been blameless, but I believe they have been faithful, honest, and repentant. I know those who have been faithless, dishonest, and shameless. With that knowledge, it is difficult not to "pick sides" ... and even more difficult, I imagine, to understand there must be no 'sides' in the first place. In this, I fail.

My desire in 2017 is to, therefore, become a person - and a church - worthy of a Philippians-like letter from Paul: A letter that begins with a prayer about a strength, followed by a prayer about an improvement that isn't even bad - it doesn't even warrant correction - but rather is just an area for growth that requires only gentle guidance.

Prayer: Dear Lord, please do forgive me of my judgment, especially as it applies within the church. I know we are all part of your body, even when we disagree, and dividing our body against itself only harms your mission through us on earth. May I grow from these experiences, Lord, as well as Phil, Jed, Laurie, Caleb, Greg, Betty, and others. May we be worthy of encouraging letters. Amen.

Learning the Law

Scripture:
You have been good to Your servant,
    O Lord, according to Your word.
Teach me good discernment and knowledge,
    for I have believed Your commandments.
Before I was afflicted I wandered,
    but now I keep Your word.
You are good and do good;
    teach me Your statutes.
The proud have spoken lies against me,
    but I keep Your precepts with my whole heart.
Psalms 119:65-69

Observation: The psalmist has one powerful theme - seeking to learn, know, and understand God's word. He describes both the goal of understanding the law, and the benefits that come from God's teaching.

In this specific case, the psalmist aligns understanding and learning the law to the ability to overcome the evil ways of this world. He indicates that, because God has taught him the statutes of the law, he is able to overcome and resist issues when others speak lies against him. In addition, he indicates he had before wandered away from God, but God's own word and commandments brought him back.

Application: So far, this is the passage of this long psalm I best relate to. I know I don't know God's word well enough yet. However, when I was lost, the little I did know helped me to return, and the little I know now has helped me through some trying times in this modern world. I can discern good from evil, and while I myself regularly sin I do not embrace the evil of these times.

My devotional reading has helped me to patiently overcome some of the major challenges, especially those that occur at work related to populist culture. I have found the bible to be even more amazing than I believed it was. For example, this psalm itself is known for three things ... it's very long, its exactly in the middle of the Bible, and it is repetitive. However, I have found it interesting with each subsection having a small twist on the theme that provides a different insight partially because the small twist becomes magnified by the structure of the psalm.

I want God to team me good discernment and knowledge. I believe in his commandments. There was a time a wandered and was afflicted, but now I at least try to keep God's word. I love the fact he is teaching me every day. When hard times come and I am attacked due to my beliefs in the law, I know those attacks to be lies and I will hold fast to God's law with all of my heart.

Prayer: Abba, father, thank you for your word and your teaching. May I meditate on your law day and night. Forgive me when I fail to observe it, and teach me your will. Amen.

Let me Hear You Speak

If I'm still,
     let me hear you speak,
not the tone of my transgressions
     but the song of the redeemed.

My great desire is to be with you,
     but this is the place you chose for me.
To lift my cross and give everything.
     This is the time you gave to me.
 
For me, to live is Christ, to die is gain.