Thursday, October 26, 2017

Jesus is the Difference Maker

Scripture: But I confess this to you: I worship my fathers’ God according to the Way, which they call a sect, believing all the things that are written in the Law and in the Prophets. Acts 24:14

Observation: Paul stands accused before the Roman governor, not of any crime, but of breaking Jewish tradition. In making his defense, Paul narrows the charges against him down to this one thing ... Paul believes ALL that is written in the scriptures. This "all" includes the nature, character, and mission of the Messiah. Therefore, the charges against Paul synthesize down to one element. Paul believes Jesus is the Messiah, and therefore worships God in the context of that belief ... "the Way, which they call a sect."

Paul has done nothing wrong. Felix will find no fault in him. Next, Festus will find no fault in him either. Later, Agrippa - the Jewish figurehead king who therefore understands Jewish law and scripture - will not only find no fault in Paul, but will observe that he has done "nothing wrong" even with regards to Judaism. The entire issue, therefore, is about the nature of Jesus and whether he is the Messiah. In this concept, Paul is clear ... he believes all the things that are written, has personally met the resurrected Jesus, and therefore defines his faith in God through Jesus.

Application: It is this faith and belief alone that we Christians are judged ... that we believe in Jesus as Messiah. This separates us from others every day. It is for this that others will question our actions, discourage our words, and make rules about what we can say. It is by this belief that I was reprimanded for telling others about faith and hope, despite the fact that dozens of others thanks me for inspiring words. Heading into the Christmas season, it is my central knowledge of Jesus that will create issues with regards to how government offices speak about this season.

Paul is always a great model, but especially in this one sentence. He "confesses" one part of his accusers' statements, that he indeed believes in God through a different mechanism or lens than other Jews, and that is through the Messiah who is Jesus. The Messiah was defined by scripture, which were fulfilled by Jesus, and manifest in his resurrection.

It is by this same way that I worship God ... through the salvation I have received through Jesus, and my hope in the promise of eternal joy. I have personally experienced God's love, so I know my hope to be secure. Paul's very simple explanation in this matter is my personal explanation as well.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the witness of so many saints over history who have endured so much just because of one clear truth, that you are a great God who worked out salvation for all of us through faith in Jesus. I worship you today and every day. You are the one worthy of my praise, worship, love, and attention. Thank you for Jesus. Amen.

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Taking One's Case to Arbitration

Scripture:
Even now my witness is in heaven,
and my advocate is in the heights!
My friends scoff at me
as I weep before God.
I wish that someone might arbitrate
between a man and God
just as a man pleads for his friend.

Job 16:19-21

Observation: Job, in his first response to the second round of judgment from his friends, repeatedly points out how terrible the friends are at comforting him. Job is under attack from God himself, and the 'friends' repeatedly talk about how bad Job is to complain. By now, Job has decided that - even though he wishes he would just die and escape God's wrath, who has aligned all kinds of curses and scorn against him - he cannot turn away from God.

Instead, Job now wishes for a witness in heaven, someone who may advocate for him and arbitrate between himself and God. When it comes to resolving this issue that has created this great chasm between himself of God, resulting in pain and scorn and loss, he does not want the comfort of friends (who don't comfort but accuse). Instead, he wants ... a heavenly arbitrator, who will plead his case just like a friend would. In other words, Job wants Jesus.

Application: This is the second time I have seen Jesus appear in the book of Job. I do love seeing Jesus in the Old Testament, as it more clearly shows the true prophetic testimony of the Messiah. As a story that addresses the conundrum of human existence - how do believers reconcile the concept of a loving God vs. earthly pain - the fact that the heart of Job's true need is for the Messiah to stand in the gap between himself and God as one who erases whatever sin he has ... this provides great hope. The hope is because I now know Jesus as that arbitrator in heaven, and as the friend who comforts.

It is this hope I hold to every day, and will remember during pain and stress and frustration and anger.

Prayer: Lord, what a friend I have in Jesus. Your ways are so above mine that you understood your own nature to create this amazing relationship between yourself and me, a terrible sinner who could never be worthy to stand in your presence. Thank you for your love and mercy. I will trust in that love, and hope in Jesus, all the days of my life. Amen.

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

I Don't Always Understand but I Believe

Help me to move.
Help me to see.
Help me to do whatever you would ask of me.

Help me to go.
God, help me to stay.
I'm feeling so alone here, and I know that you're faithful,
But I can barely breathe.
God, help me.



Monday, October 23, 2017

The Ultimate Elevator Speech

Scripture: The God who made the world and everything in it - He is Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in shrines made by hands. Neither is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives everyone life and breath and all things. From one man He has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. He did this so they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. Acts 17:24-27

Observation: Paul amazingly summarizes the entire purpose of creation in four sentences. God created everything, and as a result he does not need anything or any work that any human could possible build in his honor. However, God reveals himself through creation and through our lives so that each person may seek him and believe in him as Lord.

That's it. That is the purpose of creation and the meaning of it all ... God seeks to reveal himself to us - though he is close to us at all times anyway - so that we may believe in him. The critical point is that it is God who acts. God creates majestic things as evidence of his love, authority, beauty, power, and grace. That creating includes the diversity of people, many types and nationalities all brought out of one creation. God does not need us to create any of this ... not idols, not temples, not statues, and not new definitions of mankind.

Application: Paul is the master of the elevator speech! Here he is, brought to speak at the center of philosophical thought in all of history - Mars Hill in first century Athens - and he is able to summarize the nature of God's creation in four sentences, and the argument for salvation through faith in Messiah in another two sentences ... that God is willing to overlook our ignorance in this time of judgment if we have faith.

This is a message I seek to remember. When discussing faith, I seek to stick to "Christ crucified" ... the idea that I shouldn't debate and discuss issues, but present the gospel. The gospel includes God's authority, love, and mercy, as the backdrop for salvation through faith. In speaking, Paul was demonstrably a master at this. I wish I could emulate him.

Prayer: Lord, give me your wisdom this week, please. May my words be short and full of your love. I desire the chance to express your truth, and I wish to be able to do so as clearly as Paul. Mostly, I seek to do you will at all times, to have the strength to resist evil thoughts and words, and to meditate on your word so that I may be renewed in your spirit. Amen.

Friday, October 20, 2017

God's Unending Attention

Scripture:
What is man, that You think so highly of him
and pay so much attention to him?
You inspect him every morning,
and put him to the test every moment.
Will You ever look away from me,
or leave me alone long enough to swallow?

Job 7:17-19

Observation: In the midst of his appeals - Job declaring that he remains righteous and therefore cannot understand the curse upon him - Job turns from his friend to God and wonders ... why does God even care enough about mankind to curse him?

God is all-powerful and wonderful. So Job wonders why would he even take time to consider any man. Furthermore, why would God waste his time testing individual men? And when they fail, why spend energy punishing them ... why not just ignore them and let them die as their final punishment? Due to the painful sores upon him, Job observes that God's attention is so acute that he even takes the time to analyze how Job swallows his own saliva.

Application: Of course, the answer to Job's questions are obvious. God pays attention because he cares about us. When we are doing well and right, we are happy for that attention. When we fail and sin, that attention feels like part of the curse. However, it is all the same ... God's love means that he, in fact, cares about our swallowing, breathing, pain, and happiness all the same.

Like Job, I wish God only paid attention to me on my good days. When I'm angry, or sinful, I don't want God looking my way. When I'm peaceful and kind, I pray that he's smiling down upon me.

Job and his friends believe God is cursing Job, they are just debating why. Job wishes the curse would end by God simply going away. However, the truth is ... God isn't the source of any curse, and he will never forsake us in any situation.

Prayer: Abba, thank you for loving me! I am so sorry when I fail to return that love through proper behavior and obedience. Please forgive me sins and my thoughts, my anger and my pride. Today, I ask for just whatever you would like to provide me, as it will always be enough. Amen.

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Praise Gives Requests a Context

Scripture:
My heart is confident, God;
I will sing; I will sing praises
with the whole of my being.
Wake up, harp and lyre!
I will wake up the dawn.
I will praise You, Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to You among the nations.
For Your faithful love is higher than the heavens,
and Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
God, be exalted above the heavens,
and let Your glory be over the whole earth.

-----
Who will bring me to the fortified city?
Who will lead me to Edom?
God, haven’t You rejected us?
God, You do not march out with our armies.
Give us aid against the foe,
for human help is worthless.
With God we will perform valiantly;
He will trample our foes.

Psalm 108:1-5,10-13

Observation: David begins this psalm by declaring his confidence in God. He declares praises and song, lifting up the Lord in music and praise and declaring his greatness over the entire earth and all of heaven. Then David cuts to the chase ... his army is on the move, it is not doing well, and needs God's help to be victorious.

In other words, David enthusiastically testifies as to the greatness of God and how he is willing to shout praise and song from dawn to dusk every day, and then David lays his petition at God's feet, wondering why they are not doing well and why God has not joined with his army in defeating his foe, and asking for assistance.

Application: If I have a relationship with God - not just a faith in the Lord, but a relationship - then I wouldn't ask for favors as a first communication. I would greet God, discuss life, praise him for his creation, comment on the splendor of life and the earth. Then, if I had a petition to bring, I would do so, in the context of trusting now in his greatness.

If I am a man after God's heart, certainly David should be my example.

Prayer: Lord, your love indeed reaches to the heaven, and your faithfulness reaches to the sky. I will lift my voice to worship you my king! May today I find my strength in the shadow of your wings. You have given me favor and protection. You have shown me great connection with several people when I have felt alone. I thank you and praise you for your faithfulness. May I return that to others, in your name and by your grace, this day. Amen.

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Matters of the Prideful Heart

Scripture: But Peter told him, “May your silver be destroyed with you, because you thought the gift of God could be obtained with money! You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God. Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” “Please pray to the Lord for me,” Simon replied, “so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” Acts 8:20-24

Observation: In response to Simon the Sorcerer attempting to buy the ability to lay on hands, Peter harshly corrects him. However, he is very clear about the correction. He is not correcting the desire to serve others through they laying on of hands - he is correcting the internal heart and attitude of Simon who sought to be able to do this for his own purposes. Peter tells him it is his heart - not his actions - that are not right before God. Simon must pray for forgiveness, not due to his words or actions, but the intent of his heart.

The outward act - attempting to bribe Peter and John in order to receive supernatural power - was evidence of sin ... but it was not the sin itself. The sin was inside of Simon ... jealousy and pride and covetousness. Simon wanted the spiritual authority of Peter and John. He wanted this ability, not so he could then teach others about Jesus and serve God through ministry, but so he would again have a supernatural capability that impressed others. And it is good to note that Simon replied to this correction, acknowledging Peter's authority and faith as greater than his, and submitting to Peter by requesting prayer.

Application: Of course, my sins are just like Simon. Things I do and say are only outward manifestations of ... pride and jealousy. When I see someone at work succeeding at my perceived expense, I get angry, and this is only because of pride. I am arrogant beyond 'to a fault'.

I must take Peter's correction to heart. Especially in the area of pride, it is my heart that is not right before God. I must pray about correcting the intent of my heart. This is not about behavior, it is about attitude, and my attitude remains broken and flawed after all these years.

Prayer: My Lord, you do know my heart. You know I love you and wish to seek you and serve you. You also know I hold tightly to pride, anger, and arrogance. These are the parts that continue to harden my heart. I seek, Lord, and new heart! I wish the kind of heart that is soft and receptive, a heart that is vulnerable to the harsh pains of this world and therefore only protected by trusting you. My you, and not my own abilities, be the only source of my behavior every day. I ask, Lord, that you forgive me of my pride, and help me to have a new heart. Amen.

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

We All Fall Short

Scripture: Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil.” Job 1:8

Observation: In discussing Job, God describes him as a man of 'perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil.' however, it is the line immediately before that which is disturbing ... 'no one else on earth is like him.' Job is unique in that he ... obeys God, honors him, and rejects evil.

In other words, Job is the only person on earth with these attributes. This is intended to commend Job. However, at the same time it also convicts everyone else. No one fears God, turns away from evil, and has perfect integrity.

Everyone on earth falls short of God's desires for our behavior. By calling out Job - the exception that proves the rule, so to speak - even God indicates that no one meets the standard. Furthermore, Satan implicitly agrees. He does not himself bring up other names, and is ready with a plan of attack against this one sole holdout.

Application: Without doubt I am part of the "everyone" ... I fail daily, maybe even hourly, to meet God's standards. This is one of the lessons of Job: We cannot alone achieve God's standards. Or maybe we cannot achieve God's standards, period, even with help. It is only by Jesus that I am forgiven and receive grace, and it is also by Jesus that I better understand and can attempt to emulate that standard.

If true goodness is impossible, that does not mean I should not try. Job is struck by repeated disaster, and immediately praises God. When I fail - and I do/will - I must immediately respond by still trusting in God's love and plan. I rely on his mercy, and have proof in my life that it will never fail.

Prayer: Lord, I do know of your love, mercy, forgiveness, and grace. I rely on it, as it has been shown to me so often. May I seek your word, laws, and examples for defining my activities, behaviors, attitude, and words. Amen.

Monday, October 16, 2017

Observing the Wrong Laws

Scripture: Remember the instruction of Moses My servant, the statutes and ordinances I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. Look, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome Day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse. Malachi 4:4-6

Observation: Malachi concludes with the prophesy of the coming of new Elijah, who will usher in the arrival of the Messiah. The people are reminded to obey the law, the statutes and ordinances given Moses at Horeb. Malachi is being very specific by referring explicitly to the commandments from Horeb. These commandments were NOT ... the ceremonial statutes, or temple procedures, or sacrificial requirements. These were the ten commandments - the laws associated with behavior and morality. They primarily focused on loving God, and loving each other, with specific instructions about what that looks like (for example: having no other gods, obeying parents, not committing murder or adultery, not lying or stealing).

Malachi chapter 4 is how the old testament ends. We then immediately find the start of the new testament where ... John, the new Elijah, arrives and prepares the way for the Messiah ... and Jesus arrives to find a people with little love or care for each other ruled by leaders who focus on ceremonial practices. And with that arrival, the work of Messiah from verse 6 is performed. Jesus does teach of the love the turns children and parents toward each other and heals relationships, but also defines the test that now clarifies eternity for all - the curse of non-belief.

Application: As flawed humans, yet creations of God and in his own image, how is it that we can all repeatedly do exactly the opposite of what we are instructed to do? The Jews did ... recording the words of Malachi in their own scriptures and the promise of a coming Messiah, then doing exactly the opposite of what the prophesy instructs regarding compliance with the law.

As I ask these questions, I know I point fingers at myself. I am better at following procedures than loving others. I am quick to judge, without being good at caring. If I turned my every thought to loving others as my extension of loving God, my daily thoughts and deeds would be SO different. Instead, I obey some processes while criticizing others for failing to obey moral statutes and practices. I need to apply this lesson to myself, and care about how I align myself to God's commandments every moment of every day.

Prayer: Dear Lord, please do forgive me for my wayward deeds and practices. I am a sinful human, and I fail to comply with just your most basic instructions every day. I seek your forgiveness, and I strive to repent of my ways. I wish to walk in your perfect statutes with you every day. This is my goal, and I do ask for your assistance. Amen.

Friday, October 13, 2017

Blaming the Lawless

Scripture: Though He was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail Him to a cross and kill Him. Acts 2:23

Observation: Peter makes an interesting accusation here concerning who put Jesus to death, and who they are blaming. It is now six weeks after the crucifixion of Jesus, and certainly that time did not pass in silence. There has been talk. The disciples have been active. Jesus himself has been seen by hundreds and hundreds of people. And thus one thing Peter calls out in his speech on Pentecost is a response to the claim that it was the Romans who crucified Jesus. Peter specifically addresses this is three parts:

1) It was all God's plan.
2) You - the Jews - did it.
3) You did it by hiding behind and using lawless people.

By "lawless", Peter does not mean criminals, but rather he is being literal in the Jewish sense ... those without The Law ... gentiles. The Jews connived to have the lawless Romans execute Jesus under Roman authority, despite the fact their accusations were of Jewish origin (and were found under examination to be without merit). Nevertheless, the Jews were able to theoretically point a finger and say "they did it" ... the Romans were the ones who chose to kill Jesus, they sentenced him, they performed the act, so the Priests and Sadducees and Pharisees were only spectators.

Application: How often today do I put in motion events that will result in a specific outcome, but ensure I am not the one who actually carries out the act? And how often with that event and outcome be something that might not be loving, kind, or merciful? This is how we Christians deal with our shortcomings ... just like the Jews did. It is someone else who ... causes the opioid crisis. It is my customer who ... rejected the project placing your job in jeopardy. It is the president who ... doesn't care about Puerto Rico.

Blaming others for outcomes - especially when I worked the situation to create or at least allow those outcomes - means I did it. Peter made that clear. The good and faithful cannot manipulate the 'lawless' for their purposes and walk away without blame.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I think you for your faithfulness this week, and in how you continue to work with us in all these situations. My family needs peace and balance. You give so much to us. I will examine how I act every day, seeking to not only do your will but to ensure I am not bringing about bad outcomes through deception or omission. Amen.

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Checking the Source Material

Scripture: On the second day, the family leaders of all the people, along with the priests and Levites, assembled before Ezra the scribe to study the words of the law. They found written in the law how the Lord had commanded through Moses that the Israelites should dwell in booths during the festival of the seventh month. ... The whole community that had returned from exile made booths and lived in them. They had not celebrated like this from the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day. And there was tremendous joy. Nehemiah 8:13-14,17

Observation: Ezra and Nehemiah have been reorganizing the nation of Israel, and specifically the city of Jerusalem. After much of the rebuilding, they hold this event to read the scriptures, and the next day begin a study of the scriptures with local leaders. There they discover the Festival of Booths - a festival commanded in Leviticus - and they hold the festival. However, verse 17 makes an interesting statement ... that they had not celebrated the Festival of Booths since the time of Joshua.

Now, Leviticus was written by Moses, and the Festival of Booths is to commemorate the years in the wilderness. Since the festival would logically begin AFTER the wilderness period, and Moses did not cross the Jordan River with Israel, this means the Festival of Booths began to be celebrated once Joshua was leading them as a nation settling into the land. We now know it ended after Joshua. Therefore, this festival - commanded by God in Leviticus - was observed for only ~30 years. At most.

How quickly had Israel turned from God's instructions? Festivals are the FUN part of the law, and they could not observe them for a long time. If that could only last one generation, certainly items such as ceremonial cleanliness and debt forgiveness and conflict resolution were not going to last. Meanwhile, with the loss of agreement and understanding of the law, but with a general understanding of the law, it is no wonder other rules and traditions were created and adopted that did not comply with God's instructions yet were enforced as societal expectations.

Application: I get so worked up over things I think are right and wrong. How sure could I be that my perceptions are correct? The only way is to read the source material - the bible - and when I do, I don't see a lot of rules about ... proper timing of taking the offering, how to conduct communion, elder responsibilities, building maintenance budgets. I DO see a lot of information about ... caring for the poor, loving others, giving of treasure, resolving conflict, using kind words in correction, avoiding judgment, demonstrating patience.

I read the bible most days, and fail to put these things into practice within a matter of minutes. Maybe the Israelites did pretty good in holding onto the instructions for 30 years after all.

Prayer: Lord, today I ask for your spirit as I navigate earthly and work-related issues and problems. I know I can bring your heart with me into these situations. I wish to be patient and kind and gentle. I try to find joy and peace and goodness. May your spirit be with me, and with Laurie, in all things this day. Amen.

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Just an Ordinary Believer

Scripture: "Moreover, some women from our group astounded us. They arrived early at the tomb, and when they didn’t find His body, they came and reported that they had seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they didn’t see Him." ... That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and those with them gathered together. Luke 24:22-24,33

Observation: The two men traveling from Jerusalem to Emmaus have this miraculous encounter with the risen Jesus. However, only one is named (Cleopas), who himself is never previously names. That said, part of their role is revealed through inference. First, they were both still with all the disciples on the morning of that third day - they were there when the women returned from the tomb with the report about Jesus' and the angels. Second, once they determined they had seen Jesus, they returned to "the Eleven", and thus it is clear they are not part of the 11 core disciples.

Therefore, they are ... part of the mostly nameless collection of 75-200 followers who comprised the followers around Jesus but were not ever part of the main group. They are ... just ordinary believers. Then again, there is nothing ordinary about Jesus walking with you for hours and personally teaching you about the scriptures. And their commitment to Jesus was so strengthened that it can also be inferred that they remained very active in the church ... by inclusion of this story in detail, it is obvious at least one of them was in proximity to the church leaders ~20 years later when Luke is interviewing witness for his gospel.

Application: There is no such thing as an "ordinary believer" once they have truly encountered Jesus. Yes, not everyone is a pastor, elder, or teacher. And not every believer has really received word and instruction from Jesus. However, in general every believer has the ability to lean into their faith and be an influence in the world.

I am not always certain I can do that, as I know I am at BEST ordinary. There are days I aspire to reach the level of "ordinary". However, other times I know something has worked, like how I have been thanked form my witness here at work several times in the last two weeks.  Those thanks have come quietly, in hushed tones and sometimes in coded words, but they indicate a working of the spirit.

I would like to be an ordinary believer more often.

Prayer: Lord, I am simply part of the nameless crowd of your church. That said, I know that nameless believers are the ones you always choose to do your great work. I would like to do your work every day. Here I am. Send me. Amen.

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

That Which Gets Remembered Forever

Scripture: Beside them the Tekoites made repairs, but their nobles did not lift a finger to help their supervisors. Nehemiah 3:5

Observation: This chapter is a list of all the people who repaired Jerusalem's wall and where they worked. In the midst is this ... one people group - the Tekoites from a neighboring town - are named, however it is explicitly stated that their "nobles" did absolutely nothing. The common people helped, but the town's leaders did not in any way contribute to the work.

For eternity, this fact is now memorialized. The Tekoites themselves are honored. They are called out again in verse 27, meaning they were generally willing to help wherever they needed, as these two locations are almost opposite each other and therefore of no significance to their city. However, the Tekoite nobles are forever shamed as people who absolutely did nothing to serve God. This was clearly a point of contention for Nehemiah, as in this chapter he does not call out anyone else this way. This chapter is all about giving credit to those serving God, except for this one explicit statement. Forever, the Tekoite nobles are the people who wouldn't serve God.

Application: What activity of mine will be remembered forever? Okay, probably nothing ... no one is writing a historical record of my work that will last thousands of years. But if they were, would my refusal to act be the thing that is written about? Or would my faithful service be documented? There are hundreds of people in this chapter for whom the latter is the case, but one group for whom the former happened.

My lesson - besides 'don't tick off Nehemiah' - is this: When the time comes to do God's work, show up and do it. There are plenty of times to rest, but when God needs something done is not that time. I am sure there were hardships and challenges with building the wall, but hundreds of people who were not trained as stone masons pitched in. All the "nobles" had to do was show up and lend a hand. They could have walked around with water, or swept up rubble. They didn't need to kill themselves, but they didn't lift a finger. When it is time to do God's work, I can lift a finger and do it. And I need to every time.

Prayer: Lord, may I serve you this week and this month through labor and sacrifice. I will show up and work. May our efforts with the Christmas lights be to your honor and glory, serving your purposes, by creating the environment for love to reach others. Amen.

Monday, October 9, 2017

Praise God from His Temple

Scripture:
Now praise the Lord,
all you servants of the Lord
who stand in the Lord’s house at night!

Lift up your hands in the holy place
and praise the Lord!


May the Lord,
Maker of heaven and earth,
bless you from Zion.

Psalm 134

Observation: This psalm is a simple call to worship. It is three verses, divided into two parts. In the first part, the writer calls the people to worship, telling them to praise the Lord, lifting up their hands in worship, while in God's house. In the second part, the psalmist seeks blessing from God for the those who worship.

In all cases, the location of this action is God's house. It is described as the Lord's house, his holy place, and Zion (the temple mount). This is both the location of the action - the servants of the Lord stand in the Lord's house - and the origin of the blessing. This is not to say Zion - the temple - IS the blessing, but rather it is the location of God and thus the place from which any blessing from God will come.

Application: I worship God and raise my hands at church. I do this out of the lessons I have learned about God's love, goodness, and faithfulness in my life, and the fact I know I owe him my worship and my love. While I pray for blessing - and have absolutely been blessed by God - I do not seek blessing as a response to worship. I believe that is actually why this psalm is divided. The writer tells them to worship, and asks for blessing ... that doesn't necessarily mean one begets the other.

If it did, it would probably work backwards. I worship in part because I have been blessed. May honor be to those who worship simply out of their love for the Lord, without blessing! They will be the first in the kingdom, in seats of honor. And I - one who has been blessed and responded out of that blessing - will be last.

Prayer: Lord, again in the last few days I have struggled with my pride. I am an arrogant man, wrongly confident in myself and my abilities. I know the results of my pride, that I will be last in your kingdom. I am confident I will be in your eternal kingdom as a true believer in Jesus, but I know that I can never have a position of importance because I have sought such status for myself already. Please do forgive my pride. I do seek to be humble, and worry that I don't know how. I will start with praising you. I will lift my hands and praise you, in my daily life, in my worship time, and continually in my heart. I praise you in your true holy place, the temple within my heart. Amen.

Friday, October 6, 2017

God's Actions when we Act

Scripture: Queen Esther daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote this second letter with full authority to confirm the letter about Purim. Esther 9:29

Observation: To my knowledge, this is the only Old Testament book in which the text declares the author and purpose of the book. This passage clearly states it is written by Esther and Mordecai to confirm the circumstances surrounding the festival of Purim. (I did a very quick check, and most sources concur it is likely written by Mordecai.)

This makes the book unique. While there are strong assumptions about who wrote books like Daniel, Ezekiel, and the entire Pentateuch, none of them come out and explicitly cite themselves (they may declare the source of the words, but there are questions about if someone else transcribed them). This would certainly invite the question, then, about why this sentence is included in Esther. The most likely answer is that this situation required some authoritative evidence. To me, the most likely reason for needing such authority is the condition of the Jews with regards to festival observances. They had fallen out of practice with regards to festivals required in Deuteronomy. This was now an opportunity to renew a unifying practice.

However, all festivals ordained in Deuteronomy - while they were in remembrance of events - included practices that honored God. Purim has no such ritual or references designed to honor God and acknowledge his authority. In fact ... God is not mentioned at all as being the source of power that granted the Jews such great victory over their enemies, and the concept of some higher controlling authority is only once broached between Esther and Mordecai throughout the book.

Esther and Mordecai seem to confirm themselves as the heroes. They write the book, perceive their story is required as definitive authority, do not mention God, and even in the end create a epilogue (chapter 10) summarizing Mordecai's greatness.

Application: In the book of Esther, I see two people - Esther and Mordecai - struggling with the balance between God's authority versus their own actions. They tell of a series of events in which they acted ... and there is no doubt the acted with courage, guile, intelligence, and decisiveness. However, the narrative indicates God's authority and control ... placing them in circumstances way before action is needed, introducing devine 'coincidences' (the king's reading of the historical record at exactly the right time, the timing of Haman's actions), and providing supernatural protection for all Jews in their moment of peril.

And so the lesson for me is ... God is in everything, even when we do not acknowledge him. Yes, the lesson is also ... acknowledge God!!! But it is clearly possible for God to work through people who themselves are not active in their acknowledgement of God.

This is a lesson I have seen in conversations at Alpha, where those still questioning their faith can say things that influence the belief of other seekers. However, this does not mean I should function independent of God and let him work things out. I must stay close to God and pursue my relationship with him.

Prayer: Lord, I know that this very day I do not appear to be a man seeking after your own heart. I pray for your spirit this day. Please, Lord my God and my father, be with me this day. Forgive my sinful words, actions, and thoughts. I know I am flawed, as the flesh is always sinful and weak. I do wish to walk with you this day. Please guide my steps and hold my hand. Amen, and amen.

Thursday, October 5, 2017

The Great I Am

The Lord of Lord.
The King of Kings.
The Holy Lamb above all things.


Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Bearing Fruit in Dark Times

Scripture: All of the priests and Levites were ceremonially clean, because they had purified themselves. They killed the Passover lamb for themselves, their priestly brothers, and all the exiles. The Israelites who had returned from exile ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the Gentiles of the land in order to worship Yahweh, the God of Israel. Ezra 6:20-21

Observation: As the new temple is completed and Israel renews their ceremonies, three people groups are mentioned as joining into the Passover celebration. First are the priests and Levites, who have followed ceremonial procedures. Next are the Israelite exiles who have returned. Third is ... "all who separated themselves from the uncleanness of the Gentiles of the land in order to worship Yahweh."

This third group are not Israelites. And they are not Gentiles, for the are separate from the Gentiles. These are a new classification of people - converts. These are people who have joined with the Jews in now worshiping the God of Israel, and thus are part of the first celebratory events of the new temple. They are likely Persians and Chaldeans and Babylonians who were around the Jews during their exile, learned of God from the exiles, and thus when the exiles were released they either came with them or chose to come and worship God during this first celebration of the temple. They are not Jews ... but they are believers.

Application: As noted before, God was never JUST about the Israelites. They were the chosen people in order to address a specific scenario God has been working out in this world, culminating with Jesus. However, throughout the Old Testament, others believe in God, and now we specifically see the people who conquered the Jews being converted and committing to God by direct participation in Jewish celebrations and events.

In other words, the Jews - cast into the darkest of worlds by force, and by the authority of God's wrath against them - came out of that situation with proven fruit of their love and faith for God. They told of God's greatness while in their misery. They convinced others of God's power while they had been reduced to nothing. They moved the hearts and minds of their neighbors to worship, while they themselves lacked the capacity to worship as they wished.

This speaks into our dark time of pain. This informs our message today ... responding to terrible acts and senseless violence with a message of hope even when that hope isn't obvious.

Prayer: Lord, the terrible acts of the last 36 hours are a catalyst for conversation. Yes, the world appears to be abandoned by goodness. However, we know that the greatest hope in history is here now, in our midst. May we all, myself included, have the courage to tell others of your love, and of the hope found in Jesus, when they struggle with death and disaster. Amen.

Monday, October 2, 2017

Hope for the Righteous Majority

Scripture: I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don’t need repentance. Luke 15:7

Observation: In response to the Pharisees attitude toward sinners, Jesus tells three of his most famous parables - the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. He concludes the first about the lost sheep with this statement - that heaven rejoices more for one recovered sinner than for "99 righteous people who don’t need repentance."

This is notable not only for the clear point of Jesus' mission being the repentance of sinners, but for this interesting paradigm ... everyone needs repentance! Therefore, these "99 righteous people who don't need repentance" don't really exist. Or more accurately, the righteous people are truly self-righteous, and do not believe they need repentance. It is for that reason heaven will not celebrate them ... they are actually lost but don't realize it, and thus are going to remain lost.

Application: The 99 righteous people who don't need repentance ... I used to be one of them. I was somewhere along the spectrum of someone who intellectually dismissed the idea of salvation and/or a 'good' God, and that life therefore was something I could figure out on my own.

This is where the world is, and this is the real challenge Jesus tried to address over and over when it came to the Pharisees. Yes, there is sadness when someone absolutely does not believe in the possibility of God. However, it seems Jesus focused on those who believed in God but yet did not comprehend the idea of salvation through faith. Either they saw no possibility of salvation, or focused on 'The Law' as a means to an ends.

Today, this brings one word to my mind: Hope. I used to be hopeless. Now, I need to bring hope to others. This is my true daily mission. Yes, I can gently and kindly love others. But the mission is to bring hope through the gospel truth.

Prayer: Lord, my days will be strange over the next week or so. You know where I need to be when. May I look for opportunities to bring hope to others, and may you grant me your eyes and heart in doing so. Amen.