The Hardest of These

Scripture: If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. If I give all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Observation: I am nothing. With God, the heart is of paramount importance. While actions reflect the hearts, beginning with the heart of God - a heart of love - drives all proper behavior. Without that love, our actions are misguided and misdirected even when they appear great. I regularly fail to have that kind of loving heart even when I perform the actions of God.

Application: Why is loving SO hard? Why do all of us as humans struggle just to think kindly of each other, though we would attempt hard works on a regular basis?

My job is not to trouble myself with IT problems or direct others in running technology. My job is to change the lives of others. I can only do that if I first love them.

Today, I have an opportunity to impact people's lives. I can do it by discussing their failures and providing them direct instructions about how to correct their mistakes ... and I may have to do just that. However, I can also show grace, patience, and kindness. I can value them as people above whatever value their work may have. I can help them move forward in life, not just get through a day of their lives. I need to make this choice.

Prayer: Lord, this morning, please grant me your patience and love. I cannot have what I need within my heart on my own. I need your Spirit. Please support me, and allow me to serve others. Amen.

God in Everything

Scripture: They journeyed from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom, and the soul of the people was very discouraged because of the way. The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no bread or water, and our soul loathes this worthless manna.” So the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, and many children of Israel died. Number 21:4-6

Observation: Israel is on the march, and everyone comes out to oppose them and forces a fight. In this reading alone, four nations initiate a fight a lose to Israel, and another hires Baalam to curse them. However, Israel takes a long detour to avoid the people of Edom. This is, of course, the nation that rises out of Esau's line. Clearly God does not want Edom to inadvertently oppose Israel, and the likely reason is that God continues to honor Abraham as the father of more than one nation despite Israel being the one people group through whom his blessings will come.

Application: Again I see how God works through many circumstances all the time. While the old testament focuses on the Jews, God is at work everywhere. He continues to care for Edom. He has a powerful prophet in Persia is famous for his authority over blessings and cursings of people but will only act according to the will of God (even if he beats his talking donkey). God controls everything, not just Israel.

After a lot of soul-searching yesterday, I have realized I need to surrender deeper to God. I still fear his decisions and potential directions. What I need to remember is that ... God is in charge of everything, whether or not I surrender to him. Therefore, failing to grant him full authority only hurts me by keeping me outside of his will and direction for my life. God wants me to have a peaceful, joyful life, and I refuse to surrender to his love and patience. This needs to end.

Prayer: Lord, again today I say please grant me the fruits of the spirit. I surrender my emotions and thoughts to you. May I seek your voice and your way daily. I will work with you, not against you, in finding patience, joy, and gentleness as a way of life. Amen.

Teaching a Sinner

Scripture:
Make me to know Your ways, O Lord;
    teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
    for You are the God of my salvation;
    on You I wait all the day.
Remember Your mercies, O Lord, and Your lovingkindness,
    for they are from old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth
    or my transgressions;
According to Your lovingkindness remember me,
    on account of Your goodness, O Lord.

Good and upright is the Lord;
    therefore He will teach sinners in the way.
The meek will He guide in judgment,
    and the meek He will teach His way.
All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth,
    for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.
For Your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity,
    for it is great

Psalms 25: 4-11

Observation: In asking for love and teaching, the psalmist repeatedly asks God to lead and teach him, through his mercy and his love, and then says ... God will teach sinners.

Application: In my pride, when I first read this I thought "that's what I want, for God to teach me, and isn't it great that God will teach sinners too." Then I realized my arrogance ... I am the sinner. I have sinned so much, I don't even remember all my sins. It is only by God's love that he is able to offer me his word and provide me guidance and instruction. It is by that love that God also has forgotten my sin, through the redemptive death of Jesus. And it is only when I humble myself in meekness and humility - when I understand these truths about myself - that God will truly be able to work within me to bring about a changed heart, a clear understanding, and true mercies.

Prayer: Lord, I am a sinner. I am the leper at your feet. Please forgive me sins, and give me a pure heart. As Jesus is my Lord, please teach me your word. Imprint it on my heart, embed it in my soul, and keep it ever before my eyes so that I may better understand and humbly walk with you daily. I ask you take my hand and lead me. Amen.

Following Orders

Scripture: Having come in sight of Cyprus, we passed to the south of it and sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre, for there the ship’s cargo was to be unloaded. When we found the disciples, we remained there seven days. They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem ... While we stayed there many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. When he had arrived, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own hands and feet, saying, "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this manner the Jews at Jerusalem shall bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'" Acts 21:3-4,10-11

Observation: Paul is twice warned by friends whom he trusts not to go to Jerusalem. He goes anyway, declaring he is prepared to be imprisoned or even die for Christ. The question is, though, why would he think that was expected or even required? There can, it seems, only be three answers to this question. First, he was truly seeking to become a martyr. Second, he was still ashamed of his past persecution of believers and sought to be prosecuted as a penitence. Third, he wished to be arrested to he could plead his case to Caesar as a Roman citizen and thus go to Rome (which he did).

None of these make a lot of sense. Paul knew his mission on earth, continued to write to churches, and never otherwise indicated a desire to have his ministry end. Paul trusted in forgiveness through Jesus and thus had set aside his shame of his past actions against the church. And the scenario of pleading through a court trial to be transported to Rome as a prisoner ignores the fact that he was in Greece just two chapters ago and likely closer to Rome than Jerusalem ... he could have just gone there himself.

Application: There is a fourth option ... Paul is just obediently following orders.

How often do I follow orders when I know the outcome is bleak? I guess the first problem is, I rarely hear orders. Yes, I knew I needed to serve at Alpha. But I can't really think of a time when I was told "do X, and bad-thing-Y will happen to you" and I did X. Paul gave an example of someone willing to do whatever he is told to do for Jesus, regardless of the earthly consequence. He trusted that freedom or arrest, saving or death, or whatever else might happen was part of God's plan, and was willing to receive any outcome.

What outcomes might be in store for me? It certainly depends on the orders I receive.

Prayer: Lord, here I am. May I - myself and Laurie - listen to your call, your orders, your direction, your will. My answer is 'yes'. Amen.

An Acceptable Sacrifice

Scripture: When you offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Lord, offer it so that it may be accepted. Leviticus 22:29

Observation: In the instructions to the priests about sacrifices is this ... to offer the animals and sacrifices "so that it may be accepted." If there is a special manner in which it will be accepted, it stands to reason there is a manner in which the sacrifice would be unacceptable. Neither is covered in these verses (though procedures are provided earlier).

Therefore, it seems this manner of offering is not a procedure, but an attitude. Especially with a sacrifice of thanksgiving, it would makes sense it would be offered with a right heart, thankful to God, and humble in light of his blessing. In other words, after spending some time discussing procedures for sacrifice, and the proper quality of the animals, God reminds everyone that their heart attitude matters.

Application: Deeds and intentions always go hand-in-hand in our interactions with God. I pray often for the proper actions. I don't pray enough for the proper attitude. When I sing worship, my heart gets into the right place. However, when I seek to be calm at work, I often fail because my heart does not get the message. As a result, I fail to comply with my own notes to myself ... I am not typically understanding, supportive, caring, or appreciative.

Unacceptable sacrifice is a waste. When making the sacrifice, the priests were reminded to do so in an acceptable manner. Therefore, when seeking to serve God, it is a waste if I fail to also bring a humble heart to the table - the alter - before the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, please calm my heart this week. I seek to be humble before you, slow to judge, quick to care. I know it won't be fair, and that's okay. You never promised fair, you promise strength and love. Those are so much greater. May I value others, and present to you a proper heart. Amen.

I'm Not Home Yet

Sometimes it feels like I'm watching from the outside.
Sometimes it feels like I'm breathing, but am I alive?
I won't keep searching for answers that aren't here to find.

All I know is I'm not home yet,
This is not where I belong.
Take this world and give me Jesus.

Gateway to the West

Scripture: On the Sabbath we went out of the city to a riverside, where prayer was customarily offered. And we sat down and spoke to the women who had assembled. A woman named Lydia, a seller of purple fabric of the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God, heard us. The Lord opened her heart to acknowledge what Paul said. When she and her household were baptized, she entreated us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and remain there.” And she persuaded us. Acts 16:13-15

Observation: Paul has traveled to Philippi in Greece, in what would today be recognized as Europe. There we know he will establish one of the historic churches, and he will continue to bring the good news to the region and eventually to Rome. However, his work starts with one woman - Lydia - known simply as a seller of purple fabric. She believes, is baptized, and ... becomes the very first European or "western" Christian.

As God knows all hearts and actions, this then was not accidental. God introduced Jesus to what we would consider "the west", and what even then they knew was outside of the middle east, through the faith of a simple woman. Lydia sells cloth which implicitly is special because of her ability to achieve a certain color of dye. However, her family status is unknown (her "household" is baptized but that is vague so she probably isn't married), and humble (she is just a local woman who has come to pray at the river). She hosts Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke in her home, gives them added rest later in this same chapter when they are released from prison, and ... is never mentioned again.

Application: In God's sight, the great event of belief in Jesus is not all the great works that can be done by believers, but it is the humble act of belief that results in eternal salvation. Lydia is special not because of anything she did, but because she was simply willing to listen, believe, and commit to a faith in Jesus.

As I serve in Alpha, I think I have forgotten this. I see several men who are regularly attending church and talking about Jesus, but ... am I giving them credit for some words and deeds without knowing if their hearts have committed? God doesn't care about the deeds until the heart is committed. I need to remain faithful in my service. Instead of thinking I've been handed an unrewarding job of simply leading a conversation of young Christians, I need to consider ... maybe I have been handed the tough job of leading a conversation of young churchgoers through the task of owning and committing to faith in Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, today I pray for Jake, Ryan, JP, Elijah, Jake, and Jeff. I see a possibility them covering up a lack of commitment through words and deeds. May those who are not actually believers find faith and accept Jesus and Messiah. May those who are believers find a depth of faith that amplifies your love. And may I stay faithful to your call and your commands. My answer is yes. Amen.

Betraying Ones Motives

Scripture: Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and when they came out they blessed the people, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. A fire came out from before the Lord, and it consumed the burnt offering and the fat that were on the altar. When all the people saw this, they shouted and fell on their faces. Leviticus 9:23-24

Observation: At the conclusion of Aaron's ceremony to become chief priest, God erupts as fire from the tabernacle and consumes the offering being burned on the alter. For many in the audience, this may be the first time they have seen a visible sign that God, in fact, is dwelling among them in the tabernacle.

The response of the people is vague. They shout and fall on their faces. One interpretation is a shout of joy for the appearance of God, and immediate response in worship. Another interpretation is a cry of fear for the all-consuming fire, and diving to the ground in terror. The question of which one this represents, then, in partially defined by what we now believe of Israel ... if they love and praise God, or if they only fear him.

Application: This is an example of how motives matter when acting before God. Words can be false, and actions can have by multiple meanings. We may serve God selfishly for reward, or for his love and glory only. While even selfish actions demonstrate a heart yielded to God's promises, motives then are the evidence of a life given to Jesus.

I know when I have strayed regarding my motives. I have, at times, sought God for my own ends. I may hope that my ends align to God's purpose, but I get the order wrong in my heart.

I do seek ways to ensure my motives are align to God's love and kingdom. It is important to get this right every time. I can do this by testing my thoughts against God's word ... by putting my plans into the context of his teaching, not in the context of my own will, to see if his teaching aligns to the intended action. I can do this even better by - first and foremost - praying for God's will to be in my heart in the first place. Again I see the practice of prayer is not just a way to connect with God, but also a way to improve my service, my life, and my daily actions.

Prayer: Lord, I do look to add prayer to my daily "habits" in a better, more frequent, higher quality, and loving manner. I seek your face, your will, your guidance, your forgiveness, your mercy, your judgment, your correction, your direction, your love. Amen.

God in All Situations

Scripture: With these words they scarcely restrained the crowds from sacrificing to them. Then some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there and persuaded the crowds. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing he was dead. But as the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. The next day he departed with Barnabas for Derbe. Acts 14:18-20

Observation: Paul and Barnabas go to Lystra and are mistaken for gods due to signs and wonders performed through them. They have to actively prevent people from sacrificing to them as Greek gods. However, Jews from elsewhere have followed them, and they incite non believers to the point the stone Paul nearly to death.

That is a turn of events! At one moment there are people attempting to worship Paul and Barnabas, and they suddenly flip and try to kill them. These are initiated by two things. The worship is initiated by a miraculous healing of a crippled man. The stoning is initiated by Jews from Antioch and Iconium who stand opposed to The Way. In both cases, there are human actors involved. The actions of the Jews is clear, but the crippled man "had faith to be healed".

Application: In all circumstances, it is the actions of people that produce results, either for or against God. In the positive, the faith of Paul and the crippled man produce a healing. In the negative, the persuasion of angry Jews from another city incite attempted murder. And in between, the enthusiasm of confused people creates chaos involving myths.

I have seen all three of these in some fashion in my life. I have seen amazing acts and healing performed by faith. I have seen confused people not understand how to blend strange belief systems. I have seen angry groups attack innocent people. The challenge for me is ... can I see God at work in all three circumstances? Can I see his will and purpose and process working through even those situations involving people opposed to him? Can I see his love of the angry and confused and faithful?

Prayer: Lord, today I pray, help me to see you in everyone. May I see your will and your way in all circumstances, all people, and all times. Amen.

Israel Breaks Its Stereotype

Scripture: And all the skilled men who were doing all the work of the sanctuary came from the work they were doing, and they said to Moses, “The people are bringing much more than is needed for the service of the work which the Lord commanded us to do.” So Moses issued a command, and they circulated a proclamation throughout the camp, saying, “Let no man or woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing any more. Exodus 36:4-6

Observation: The Jews gave TOO much to God!

So often in the wilderness stories, we are quick to read about the failings of stiff-necked Israel. We hear their moaning about food and water, witness their rapid decline to idol worship, and all the while wonder how this can be so shortly after God has demonstrated so many miracles and wonders to save them from Egypt. However, we fail to acknowledge their good side. Often the "rebellions" involve several dozen people out of a nation of hundreds of thousands. Their "grumbling" may be - not justified - but understandable (you go three days without water and see if you may start to grouse a little).

And here we see a total freewill offering - people asked to give just what they feel compelled to give - get so out of control that the worker have to cry 'stop' and the people need to be restrained from giving more. Now THAT is generosity toward God.

Application: Often in my thoughts, I am quick to think of "issues" regarding topics of faith, believers, the church, and non-believers. I fall into the trap of stereotypes. Church members grumble and complain. Believers are hypocrites quick to criticize while ignoring their own sin. Seekers are quasi-intellectuals over relying on themselves. Non believers are lost and hurting and lonely. While none of these are untrue, per se, they are likely inaccurate over half the time and at best an oversimplification of a variety of complex issues that comprise everyone's relationship with God and others.

Here, the stiff-necked, disobedient, malcontent Jews ... voluntarily give God far more than can possibly be useful let alone needed, and must by actively prevented from giving more. Yes, just days ago they built a golden calf, and they aren't getting off the hook for that! But also, they clearly understand their mistakes, and in fact love and honor God.

And yes, church members gossip too much, and are quick to take offense at others' sins while sinning. But ... they in fact love and honor God. I need to quit being a stereotypical self-righteous know-it-all and see the positive traits.

Prayer: Lord, I do love my church, and I love the people there. I am quick to think on their weaknesses, and slow to admire their strengths. They love, honor, and serve you and others. Help me to see the best in others, and turn my heart to love early and often. Amen.

Selecting Associates

Scripture:
I have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
    my welfare has no existence outside of You.”
For the holy ones who are in the land,
    they are the majestic ones; in them is all my delight.
Those who chase after other gods,
    their sorrows will be multiplied;
their drink offerings of blood I will not offer,
    nor lift their names on my lips.
Psalms 16:2-4

Observation: The psalmist (David) discusses the relationship between God and three different people in these three verses. The first is himself. He has a direct relationship with God as his Lord, and places his very existence in God's hands. Second are other believers, in whom David enjoys their company. Finally are non-believers and those who have other gods, and they are contrasted from the first two in both their sorrowful life and the fact David will not associated with them.

By placing himself as a central figure when it comes to relationship with others, David is exhibiting a human trait. Our lives - in our daily actions, and in the narrative in our heads - is primarily about us, even when we place God first. David does this - even though he will discuss his relationships with others, he states he doesn't even exist outside of God. He therefore - in the context of his life - divides everyone as believers whom he delights to be with, or non-believers whom he won't even mention by name.

In this way, David is committing himself to fostering a life with God by surrounding himself with Godly people, while actively disassociating with idolaters and the unfaithful.

Application: Pursuing friendships with exclusively Christians would be difficult for me to do, however it may be what we are instructed to do. At the very least, there is a difference between whom you take council and advice from, and those whom you engage with only socially. Even more difficult would be for me to practice this at work, where I cannot only associated with believers.

I think it is the first of these David is teaching. Jesus even tells us to go into the world - to be salt and light - so therefore total isolation from non-believers is contradictory. However, true friendship with believers only is reasonable. To do this, I likely need to better connect with other believers at my church. I am not a great "friend" of anyone there, which can make me lonely.

Prayer: Lord, please guide me daily in the ways I associated with everyone. Let my friendship be given for your purposes, and let my time be given for your kingdom. Amen.