Proper Judgment for Pride

Scripture: And you, his successor, O Belshazzar—you knew all this, yet you have not been humble. For you have defied the Lord of Heaven and brought here these cups from his Temple; and you and your officers and wives and concubines have been drinking wine from them while praising gods of silver, gold, brass, iron, wood, and stone—gods that neither see nor hear nor know anything at all. But you have not praised the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny! Daniel 5:22-23

Observation: The hand has appeared and written on the wall, and Daniel is about to interpret the writing for King Belshazzar. It is a judgment of doom, which will be fulfilled that very night. Before interpreting, Daniel tells the king the reason for this sentence from God. Yes, Belshazzar has violated the Temple items. However, his sin is pride, his offense has manifested as worship of other gods, and all of this has occurred within a context of knowledge.

Belshazzar knew of the Lord based on the actions of Nebuchadnezzar. Yet he took the items of the Lord, and used them to honor other gods, as he believed he could ignore the dangers of judgment that could come from such an action.

Application: My pride is terrible. There are times I sin with full knowledge of my actions, and don't care. In this, I am worthy of only judgment and death.

Pride is the path to worship of earthly idols, and thus I must squash this tendency in myself. This is of primary importance in my life. My pride must be surrendered fully, and in all ways. No matter what, I will sin for I am human, but there is a difference between errors and willful dishonor of the Lord. It is only by my pride that the latter produces in me a mind to actively neglect the instructions of Jesus and the will of God.

Prayer: Lord, please forgive me for my sins, and especially for my pride. I know I am beneath almost everything and everyone on earth, yet I behave as if I am master of my own fate. May I repent of my pride and all the actions it creates. I seek your ways only, and hope to find my joy in your love alone. Amen.

The Water of Life

Scripture: He told me: "This river flows east through the desert and the Jordan Valley to the Dead Sea, where it will heal the salty waters and make them fresh and pure. Everything touching the water of this river shall live. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will be healed. Wherever this water flows, everything will live." Ezekiel 47:8-9

Observation: Ezekiel is being shown the waters that flow from the temple; from the Lord. They flow out as an eastbound stream. As this stream goes, it gets deeper ... it's water is not used up but increases! When it reaches the deadest place of all, life becomes abundant and supports a thriving lifestyle. When Ezekiel looks back, more and more life emerges, with trees that produce abundant, never-ending fruit and medicinal leaves. Everyone who comes to this river - a river that grows and grows and nurtures life in abundance - is provided for and thrives.

Application: I love this river!! It is the river of the Lord's love, his promise, and the pouring forth of his blessing through the Messiah. As the Gospel - the news of salvation from God through faith in Messiah - goes out, the trickle of that news becomes a mighty provision of salvation, which brings the dead to life, restores hope, and feeds the souls of (now) billions and billions.

I live on the shores of this river. I am a fish in the Dead Sea ... where I once was, dead and unable to survive, I now thrive. I am a child splashing and playing in fresh water, enjoying a bite of fruit when I please, and lounging carefree in the shade of a tree that never withers.

I so wish I could truly be at that river right now. I wonder if my dad is there today. He liked camping by the water.

Prayer: Lord, may your river always flow through my home, giving life to my family and I. May we enjoy that river, but also add to it and cause it flow even greater to our neighbors, our community, and our city. I love your river, your love, and your salvation found in Jesus. Please say 'hi' to my dad as he now gets to enjoy this river in heaven. Amen.

Love One Another

Let's have some fun today!

Understanding Government Compliance

Scripture: For the Lord’s sake, obey every law of your government: those of the king as head of the state, and those of the king’s officers, for he has sent them to punish all who do wrong, and to honor those who do right. 1 Peter 2:13-14

Observation: Peter is writing primarily to believing Jews who have not been fully scattered and incorporated into the Roman empire. He advises them on the balance between faithful behavior and government compliance. He has told them they are to behave well as examples for others, and to continue their faith as the new generation of priests in - and the building blocks of - the Church of Jesus Christ.

Now, he addresses governmental compliance. Believers are to obey the laws of government. That said, there is a caveat here ... these laws are designed to punish those who do wrong, and honor those who do right. This is clearly discussing common behavioral law. He is writing at a time when Caesar demands worship of himself, and he is certainly not condoning that. Rather, there is a hierarchy. This is, obey the Lord as the faithful priests of Jesus, then obey the behavioral laws of government as members of this society.

Application: Last week, our governor issue an order that explicitly says "congregation singing is prohibited". I posted on social media my ideas about this, which is ... the Lord commands us to sing and praise him personally, publicly, and congregationally, and I will be obedient to the Lord first. This Sunday, our church sang at every service as an act of obedience to the Lord.

Did this violate Peter's instructions? Certainly not. Peter is discussing right laws that enforce societal peace and prosperity. Peter's instructions are in the context of all other writings, which place the teachings and precepts of Jesus first. There is no ambiguity about this.

For years, I have been thinking about the coming oppression of the church in the United States. The fact our government publicly issued a decree that violates every law we have about government intervention in religion, and in general society said "yes" without even blinking an eye, tells us where we are in this journey toward oppression. It has arrived, right on the coattails of several government laws opposed to God's laws and will. I have also been thinking about where we will draw the line ... where the Church will know which government rules it must not accept ... how we can differentiate between disliking laws that defy scriptural laws, versus laws that directly impact our alignment to the Lord.

Fortunately, when that moment has come, it was obvious ... we absolutely cannot quietly accept an order to not worship the Lord.

As Peter - along with Jeremiah and Jesus before him - instructed, there are government rules we will obey. However, in matters that directly contradict the Lord, I will be obedient to the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, I feel the die is cast. This first order was small, but it was the reaction of others that was the telltale sign. There was total acceptance by the masses. By this I see the path is before us. Please, Lord, give me, my family, my church, and all your faithful followers, the strength to walk your path. Amen.

Faith Results in Action

Scripture: Dear brothers, what’s the use of saying that you have faith and are Christians if you aren’t proving it by helping others? Will that kind of faith save anyone? James 2:14

Observation: James dives into the discussion of "works" with this question ... if faith doesn't result in the action of helping others, "will that kind of faith save anyone?" He is speaking quite literally, as he then gives an example of a person who speaks a word of blessing for someone who is cold and hungry, instead of providing them with food and clothes.

Faith results in action, and the most worthy action is to help - and to thus save - others. The saving of others can be in tangible, earthly ways that result in actual saving of them from unhealthy situations. It can also of course be in guiding them in faith and thus saving their eternal hope. In whatever case, James is very clear that faith results in action, and that without that responding action faith itself is ... unproven, dead, useless, unreal, incomplete, and potentially even unacknowledged by God himself.

Application: I do service in the church, but am I doing the work that "saves" others?

Every day, I should be finding ways where I can help others practically. This isn't just about being nice, but about doing activities that address real-life, tangible issues. Aiding the poor is an obvious start. Leaning into the personal challenges many are facing today, with the loss of income and isolation from others, is an immediate need requiring action. These are actions I should look for every day, and at all times.

Prayer: Lord, may I do your work today, beyond just service. I have faith in you, and desire that, more and more, that faith will manifest through work that saves others. Amen.

Recounting a Story of Faith

Scripture: Well, how much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah and David and Samuel and all the other prophets. Hebrews 11:32

Observation: As the writer of Hebrews recounts the faith of the Jews, he recounts both individuals by names and acts throughout scripture. He explicitly names 13 people, plus recounts at least 11 scenarios (some of which are actually done many times, like kings who ruled well and leaders who won battles). The situations are long and various ... he names those like Abraham and Moses and David, but also Rahab. He recounts the explicit protection upon Daniel in the lion's den, and the general faith of those who walked through the parted sea.

The story of the Lord and his actions is a story of faith. It is a story of God acting within human circumstance whenever someone trusts in him and turns their situation over to his will. Even those who experience pain do so with the faith of restoration, and time and again we see that God does this. When people believe in the Lord and place their faith in him, the Lord provides.

Application: I believe this truth with all my heart ... the Lord provides. I have seen this truth manifested so many times that I believe it as much as I believe I am sitting here right now. His provision has and is and always will be real. His provision is both earthly and spiritual; he gives me all I need, and abundantly more, in my daily life, while comforting my heart and mind whenever I reach out to him.

I am reminded today that I could see the Lord in my life even more if I were to express my faith even more. The more faith I exhibit - by surrendering thoughts and issues and decisions to him and seeking his will - the more of his goodness will be delivered. I am not talking about more earthly blessing, for I have abundantly more already than I deserve, but rather his goodness would be in his presence, his spirit, his comfort, his joy, his peace, and his love.

Prayer: Lord, this week I have felt a bit stressed and overwhelmed again, and begun to wonder again at my abilities. I do not need to wonder, for certainly I know my abilities are insufficient and meaningless. However, I know by faith that you are with me, and you will guide me, and you will provide. May I surrender my shortcomings to you, for I know you are able to do all things. Amen.

Prayer of Peace and Prosperity

Scripture: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces. This I ask for the sake of all my brothers and my friends who live here; and may there be peace as a protection to the Temple of the Lord. Psalm 122:6-9

Observation: The psalmist expresses this prayer for Jerusalem ... peace within the city, and prosperity for those who live there. The purpose of this prayer is to benefit three entities ... brothers, friends in the city, and the Lord's house.

Application: In this very chaotic time, this same prayer is what I wish - and what many wish - for our cities and our nations. First, that there be peace within our cities, and prosperity for those who live in our communities, neighborhoods, and nation. We are praying this because we want those around us, and especially our friends, to live good and safe lives.

However, it is the last element of this passage that resonates, which is ... we also want to the Lord's house - his church - to have peace and protection. There continues the very likely threat that this will not be the case. I expect that, very soon, the attitudes of our society will continue to evolve until there is outright hostility toward Christianity, with that hostility manifesting as action against the church and those of faith.

We pray for peace throughout our land, and the primary purpose is so that the church may continue in safety, and in turn continue to safely reach others with love, aid, and the good news.

Prayer: Lord, I do pray this day for peace and prosperity in Bothell, in Washington, in the pacific northwest, and in the United States. May there be peace within our land, and within all our homes. I pray this for the sake of coworkers, friends, family, and brother and sisters in Christ. And I pray this for the safety of your church. Amen.

When We See Messiah

Scripture: The Lord God says: "I will take a tender sprout from the top of a tall cedar, and I will plant it on the top of Israel’s highest mountain. It shall become a noble cedar, bringing forth branches and bearing seed. Animals of every sort will gather under it; its branches will shelter every kind of bird. And everyone shall know that it is I, the Lord, who cuts down the high trees and exalts the low, that I make the green tree wither and the dead tree grow. I, the Lord, have said that I would do it, and I will." Ezekiel 17:22-23

Observation: At the beginning of this prophesy, God gave Ezekiel a 'riddle' about a sprout from the top of a tree, then explained it. The sprout was the first wave of exiles, removed from Judah, and given the chance to thrive and survive. However, their leaders then went against their sworn oath - an oath sworn by God's own name - and will now be destroyed.

After explaining all of that in detail, God pronounces that there will later be another, second sprout. This sprout will be different. It will be planted high for everyone to see. It will send out many huge branches. It will produce seed, and thus foster life. It will provide shelter and shade and comfort for "every" living creature. By this tree, everyone will learn of God. And God declares this is something he will do.

As the first three sprout is a metaphor, so is the second. The second is Messiah, planted upon the line of David, spreading throughout the world via the church, providing the life-giving message of salvation by faith, which is a promise meant for the entire world.

This is further instantiated by the very next topic - brought up out of the blue - which is the punishment of sin, whereby God directly says he will forgive and let live anyone who turns away from sin. He further clarifies that this is all about an individual choice, and not about punishing parents for children's actions for vice versa. This is EXACTLY the gospel ... total forgiveness of our past, and eternal life, by making the personal choice to turn to obedience in the Lord (now by faith in Jesus instead of the Law).

Application: I love seeing Jesus show up in the old testament! It is so amazing to reinforce the truth of scripture ... that God explicitly said he has a plan for salvation, and that plan occurred. God says "I will plant a metaphorical tree that will provide life for everyone everywhere", and Jesus now provides life for everyone everywhere.

The Lord said he would do it ... and he did!!

Prayer: Lord, you are so amazing in all respects. Your wisdom, love, justice, and mercy are apparent and abounding. You permeate our lives. May I never fail to worship you and glorify you in song and praise and thanks, for by your greatness you have saved me. Hallelujah to the Lord God almighty! Amen.

Hope in the Possibility of Many

Scripture: "Son of dust," he said, "you live among rebels who could know the truth if they wanted to, but they don’t want to; they could hear me if they would listen, but they won’t." Ezekiel 12:2

Observation: Ezekiel is being given prophesy to tell the exiles, which are actually warnings of what is about to happen to those still living in Jerusalem. The Lord repeatedly calls them "rebels" for they continue to sin and to disobey the Lord. This is not because their hearts are hardened, or because God isn't trying to correct and teach them. In this verse, the Lord explicitly says ... the ability to correct their lives is something they possess. The could know the truth, and they could hear from the Lord. However, they don't want to. They don't listen.

This is all part of the reclamation effort of the Lord. Back in Jerusalem, Ezekiel even saw the people there accuse the first-wave exiles of being evil ... they were the ones carried off, after all. Instead, the remaining people continue to sin greatly, and are about to be brutally destroyed. Meanwhile, the exiles have been told to repent, correct their actions, love the Lord, and settle into their new situation until some future time of redemption. But they aren't listening. Some have completely turned to worshiping Babylonian gods. Some simply lament their situation. Few have accepted correction and returned to the Lord.

Here, the Lord clearly says they could return to him. They could still have great lives - albeit in a different place - if they would return to the Lord. They aren't listening yet. They don't want to return to God yet. But they could.

Application: I have spent many days pondering the despair that - perhaps - our nation cannot be restored. It is possible that God will choose a downward path for our region. However, God also reminds me today that this is NOT about a nation, a government, a city ... it is about people, about souls, and any number of people can still return to the Lord. It is their choice. They can accept Jesus. They can listen to the message of salvation.

Okay, most in this area don't want to accept Jesus. Most won't listen. However, there is hope for some, and eventually some will become more, and more will become many. I may be living in the time "some", but I must maintain hope for many.

Prayer: Lord, today I pray again into our small community of Bothell and the light was are about to try to shine during the holidays. I believe we do affect lives through our Christmas lights, and this year will be very, very different. There is absolutely no doubt that I live among rebels who don't want to know the truth. However, we are trying to give them the opportunity to listen. May thy will be done, and your message heard, in this season. Amen.

Salvation is a Promise

Scripture: He has given us both his promise and his oath, two things we can completely count on, for it is impossible for God to tell a lie. Now all those who flee to him to save them can take new courage when they hear such assurances from God; now they can know without doubt that he will give them the salvation he has promised them. Hebrews 6:18

Observation: The Lord has in fact declared promises and taken oaths, swearing them by his own name. One such promise is this - he offers salvation to all who place their faith in Jesus Christ as Messiah. If we believe in the Lord, then it is not possible to disbelieve this truth, for it is a sworn promise.

Application: There are elements of life with which I struggle and find difficulty, even when I attempt to surrender them to God. These doubts can grow and become more general, and even yesterday I had an internal dialogue about how someone may "lose" their salvation. The writer of Hebrews reminds me this very day that ... the Lord himself, by his very name, and promised salvation to all who have faith.

And I have faith! I may wonder about daily events and long-term outcomes, but I know the Lord God almighty is the creator of heaven and earth, and that Jesus Christ is his son and my savior. I could do better - regarding my behavior, my thoughts, and my fears - but the promise is stronger and bigger than anything else.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your great promise. You are holy. May I too worship you seven times a day, for I love your laws, I love your mercy, I love your love, and I love your promise. Amen.

The Point Is We Must Try

Scripture: "Son of dust," he said, "I am sending you to the nation of Israel, to a nation rebelling against me. They and their fathers have kept on sinning against me until this very hour. For they are a hard-hearted, stiff-necked people. But I am sending you to give them my messages—the messages of the Lord God." Ezekiel 2:3-4

Observation: The Lord has arrived and chosen Ezekiel to be his prophet to the exiles. The reason for this call is stated here ... the exiled Jews have continued to sin against God even after the first defeat by the Babylonians and their removal from Jerusalem. These are a people familiar with prophesy that, if they did not correct their ways and honor Yahweh, they would suffer. They have received written instructions from Jeremiah to live well in this new land but to continue to honor and serve the Lord. They have witnessed the leadership of Daniel and others, who have remained faithful to the law and in return actually been honored with position in the king's court.

And yet, they continue to sin against the Lord. This phrase - to 'sin against' God - is most commonly used to directly apply to idol worship and the honoring of other gods. Therefore, it is clear that these people have seen their land destroyed, family members killed, themselves dishonored, their livelihoods and homes taken away, their very bodies removed by force to a new place ... and have actively decided to keep right on doing the very thing they have been told is the cause of all this. Now Ezekiel will warn them further, but even the Lord knows they still won't change.

Application: This is probably the one aspect of evangelism I worry about the most in this dark region of the world ... that no matter what we say, and how true it is, the people will absolutely not listen. However, to that point, Ezekiel is the evidence that ... we are still to evangelize.

In his very commission, Ezekiel was warned the Jews are stubborn and rebellious (verses 2:4, 2:5, 2:6, 3:7, 3:8, 3:9) and straight-up told they won't listen to him (verses 2:7, 3:6, 3:7, 3:11). I get this point ... this is a hopeless mission. However, I also get this point ... God is not only commanding Ezekiel to do it anyway, but then holding him accountable if he doesn't at least try.

And that is the point here, in the pacific northwest. At least we must try to tell others the gospel. We must try to love a community that actively celebrates sin. We must try to give hope to a people group that actively rejects and rebels against God. We must try to live our own lives as a light in this dark place. Even if we were directly told that it would never, ever change (and we have NOT been told that), we must at least try.

Prayer: Lord, please give your Church throughout this land the strength it needs today. May your will be done, and as that will is to spread the good news of Jesus to all people, help us to find a way to have that voice today and in the trying and difficult, and maybe even dangerous, weeks to come. Amen.

Entering the True Promise

Scripture: This new place of rest he is talking about does not mean the land of Israel that Joshua led them into. If that were what God meant, he would not have spoken long afterwards about “today” being the time to get in. So there is a full complete rest still waiting for the people of God. Hebrews 4:8-9

Observation: As the writer of Hebrews discusses entry into the promise of salvation by faith, he clarifies that this entry is not the same event as entering the promised land. However, simply by echoing back to that event, he is by reference comparing the two.

When the Jews first went to the promised land, they were denied entry for one reason ... lack of faith. They didn't believe God could give them the land, despite having recently witnessed him defeating Egypt. For this reason, they were not allowed in, forced to wander for a time. That generation never entered the land, but rather it was the next generation who did not directly witness the Lord's mighty hand that entered the promised land.

In turn, it remains this faith that Jesus defines as entry to the promise of life. Faith - belief in Jesus and in turn in God - is the cost of admission. Until we have that faith, we wander this earth ... and whoa to anyone who, when placed in a situation to embrace that faith, instead turns away.

In the end, it seems this is the warning of the author of Hebrews. There are Jews who have now heard about Messiah, may even be part of those who consider themselves part of the believers, however in their hearts they don't actually "believe". They understand the concepts, they know the scriptures and the prophets, but they fail to place their faith in Jesus.

Application: This is the heart of what we have been discussing at church. There are "Christians" who are not coming to church out of fear. This is troubling. Only God knows their heart, and certainly there are reasons to be careful in certain circumstances given every individual's health issues. However, there is clearly a test of faith taking place.

Again, only the Lord knows the hearts of others. It is clear, though, that this is a time when everyone must decide the nature of their belief. Is it just a logical understanding, or is it faith?

Prayer: Lord, I pray for my friends and those about me who have not yet re-engaged in church. May their faith emerge, even stronger than before. Help them past their fear, and please move their hearts to show their faithful resolve. Amen.