Probably the Normal Architype

Scripture: When Jesus saw him coming he said, “There’s a real Israelite, not a false bone in his body.” Nathanael said, “Where did you get that idea? You don’t know me.” Jesus answered, “One day, long before Philip called you here, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi! You are the Son of God, the King of Israel!” John 1:47-49

Observation: The introduction of Nathanael to Jesus is interesting. It shows the example of how to bring someone to Jesus, and Andrew simply tells Nathanael to "come and see" for himself if Jesus is the real deal. However, the immediate faith of Nathanael is also interesting. He says Jesus doesn't know him, and Jesus simply says "I saw you under the fig tree" and somehow that changes everything for Nathanael.

It is interesting how this was handled in The Chosen. Nathanael was having a personal crisis of life and faith, praying, and believing he received no answer he wondered out loud - with great emotion - why the Lord refused to see him in his time of need. Jesus saying he DID see him, therefore, was extraordinarily personal, and would account for an immediate response of faith. It isn't clear in the text that this is accurate as to what happened, however clearly something happened because Nathanael's response to such a simple statement of "I saw you" is strong, immediate, and permanent.

Application: When I tell people how I finally believed in Jesus ... that he somehow totally overhauled my life simply because a woman at work asked me to spend the day at Disneyland with her ... it could sound trivial. It wasn't! The smallest thing was so personal to the crisis occurring in my life, so directly targeted at my heart, and so aligned to my need in life, that is altered my outlook on Jesus strongly, immediately, and permanently.

I prayed, God saw me, and weeks later he did what only he could do. It was not random, and it was not a literal answer to a question. Instead, it was so perfectly aligned to the emptiness I had in my life. It was an emptiness that only an all-powerful, omnipotent God could know about, and only a close, loving father could care about.

And I am sure Nathanael and I are not alone in how our moment of faith occurred. In fact, we're probably the normal architype. People reach a low point, seek a Lord they barely know and may not even believe in for relief, and not immediately - but soon - they get an answer that is so much more than they could have even thought of if they had designed a solution for themselves.

Prayer: Lord, I have thanked you often for my life today, but I could never, ever thank you enough. You have blessed me beyond anything I could have hoped or dreamed, bestowing upon me your love. You saw me. I will never lose sight of the fact that you love me. May I have the honor of worshipping you forever and ever. Amen.

Looking for the Wrong Things

Scripture: When Jews from Jerusalem sent a group of priests and officials to ask John who he was, he was completely honest. He didn’t evade the question. He told the plain truth: “I am not the Messiah.” They pressed him, “Who, then? Elijah?” “I am not.” “The Prophet?” “No.” Exasperated, they said, “Who, then? We need an answer for those who sent us. Tell us something—anything!—about yourself.” “I’m thunder in the desert: ‘Make the road straight for God!’ I’m doing what the prophet Isaiah preached.” John 1:19-23

Observation: As John the Baptist begins his ministry, the Pharisees come out to figure out what is going on. They explicitly ask him if he is one of three people ... the Messiah, Elijah returned, or "the Prophet" (a person promised by Moses). John he clear that he is none of these, but rather he is the fourth person they should REALLY be expecting; he is a prophet predicted by Isaiah, whose function is to explicitly prepare the Jews for the arrival of the Messiah.

What happens next is ... the Pharisees dismiss John almost entirely, and thus ignore Jesus when John fulfills his mission by pointing to Jesus as the Messiah.

The Jews have so misunderstood the word of God that they entirely miss the boat. Moses declared there would be a great, eternal leader to come to Israel, and somehow the Jews did not equate that to the Messiah. Elijah was taken up to heaven, with no promise nor prediction that he would ever return, yet somehow they expect that to happen. And many prophets declare the coming of Messiah with Isaiah being the most clear on the topic, yet when John points out that he is in fact aligned to that prophetic message they reject the concept, even questioning John's authority to baptize.

The law and prophets have declared that Messiah will come to the world, by way of the Jews, to restore the entire world to the Lord, and that he will be introduced through one prophet with a message to "make way for the Lord." While that is happening before their eyes, the Jews are instead looking for other people with different purposes and missions and different messages, confused about who is who and what was and wasn't promised. They are looking for the wrong things, and thus miss everything.

Application: I think humans look for the "wrong things" because we confuse what we want with what we need. We search for what we want. God gives us what we need, plus what he knows we should want. How often do I miss those gifts?

I want comfort. The Lord has given me a good job that creates the provisions I need for comfort, yet I often get lazy with my work and think THAT downtime represents comfort. It doesn't, and it could cost me the provision if I keep it up. I want happiness. The Lord has given me a wonderful wife, and I ignore her while I play games on my phone as a source of happiness (which it isn't). This kind of list could go on and on.

I don't want to be a like Pharisee looking for Elijah's mythical return, and thus missing Jesus. I don't want to look for what I want, and miss the great things the Lord has offered me.

Prayer: Lord, I do know you have blessed me in so many ways, far more than I could want. May I find joy and peace and love only in you and in your blessings, for I truly want no more than that. Amen.

Forgiven Without Even Asking

Scripture: But the other one made him shut up: “Have you no fear of God? You’re getting the same as him. We deserve this, but not him—he did nothing to deserve this.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom.” He said, “Don’t worry, I will. Today you will join me in paradise.” Luke 23:40-43

Observation: The conversation on the cross with the two criminals is most interesting, perhaps, for what is NOT said. We know one criminal mocks Jesus, but the other quiets the first, then asks Jesus to "remember" him when Jesus enters his kingdom. Jesus confirms the man's faith and salvation, telling him he will be with Jesus in heaven this very day.

At no point does the criminal ask for forgiveness of his many sins.

The second criminal is promised salvation by Jesus for one quality only, which is his profession of faith in Jesus as Messiah. He doesn't apologize for his crimes, and in fact the very thing he says before even professing belief in Jesus is that he is fully deserving of his sentence ... painful death by crucifixion. He knows what he has done in life, and while he may be sorry for it in his heart, there is no request for absolution coming from his lips. Instead, he simply and publicly declares ... he fears the Lord, and believes in Jesus. For this, he is promised salvation in heaven.

Application: Yes, we are all taught this over and over again, but ... salvation is by faith alone. I can argue against my own heart in this matter, reminding myself of the spirit of several New Testament letters, that while salvation comes from faith, evidence of faith is found in actions. However, the fact remains that Jesus grants salvation by one criterion.

And I fully and completely believe that Yahweh is the Lord God almighty, creator of heaven and earth, that Jesus is his manifest son and the Messiah who lived, died on the cross, was resurrected from the dead, and now sits at the right hand of the Lord. By that faith, I trust in my salvation. I do wish I did a better job living into that faith ... that I lived as if my entire life was truly a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. I do ask for forgiveness of my many sins, each individually being worthy of death, yet I believe in Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord, again, please do forgive my sins and erase them from your ledger. As you know my heart, you know I believe in Jesus as my Lord and savior, so please see me only in his great and wonderous light. Amen.

We Shout Out Your Praise

There’s joy in the house of the Lord today,

And we won’t be quiet!

God Defines Destruction Differently

Scripture: Jericho was shut up tight as a drum because of the People of Israel: no one going in, no one coming out. God spoke to Joshua, "Look sharp now. I’ve already given Jericho to you, along with its king and its elite forces." Joshua 6:1-2

Observation: God is about to lay out his plan for defeating Jericho - which involves marching around the city for seven days when the walls will then fall - and Joshua will act on that plan in total faith. However, the Lord introduces the conversation with an interesting statement, and that statement is directly tied to a significant fact.

The Lord says he has already given Jericho to Israel ... past tense. Yes, the most likely 'theological' reason for this is that God is over all time and therefore knowing something will happen is the same as it already having happened. That said, the precursor condition to this conversation is significant. The residents and leaders of Jericho are scared to death of Israel. They have locked down the city, creating their own self-imposed siege and prison. In effect, they have already surrendered and become defeated victims by their own decision, caused by their fear. There is still the action of Israel required to complete the task of destroying the city, but as for the people of Jericho, they are already destroyed.

This idea - that people are destroyed or defeated not when they are killed in battle or have their city burned, but when they have realized that their way of life is opposed to Yahweh's will and direction, and thus turned inward and out of fear changed their lives to avoid Yahweh's truth - is prevalent throughout the Old Testament. It applies to individuals who have defied the Lord then attempted to seek sanctuary in safe cities, other countries, or even within regulations and traditions involving things like temple practices. This same idea applies to Israel itself when it attempts to defend itself from the Lord's curses already pronounced on them by Moses, where they lock themselves in Jerusalem to the point of their own starvation despite having active prophets remind them that their actions are fruitless as they committed the sins defined by God's curse.

Yes, the Lord does "destroy" people, but that destruction is rarely about how they die, and actually more reflective of how they live in hardship and misery, imprisoned by their fear of what the Lord may do to them.

Application: I think that, if Jericho would have simply opened their city and surrendered to Israel, based on the knowledge they already had that Israel had divine power behind them, they would have simply lived a good life. They would have aligned themselves to the Lord's will, and just been incorporated into that will. Their destruction was ensured when they became afraid God's will, and they had already "lost" when they behaved in alignment to that fear and thus lived their lives with dread and doom.

I know there are bad elements of the world, but I do not live in fear. This was emphasized during the pandemic, when I truly never once felt fear, nor embraced the idea of living in a manner of dread to some illness. Those who did ... have literally had their lives destroyed, mostly mentally. It is so sad to see how their outlook in life is forever altered for the worse.

For the most part, these people are still alive, living in a manner that actively resist God's will, and thus the common motivator for their lives is fear. Make no mistake, they are already destroyed.

Prayer: Lord, I have often prayed for you to give comfort to those who have lived, and are living, in fear and burdened by mental hardships caused by the events of the past five years. However, today I see this situation differently. These people are your enemies who act in resistance to you, which creates fear in their hearts, and you have, in fact, already defeated and destroyed them. Yes, I hope some will change their hearts and minds and join you, like Rahab's family. As for the rest, I don't know what to pray, but that your will, and your victory, has already been done. Amen.

Welcome to the Day He Made

Scripture:
The God of gods—it’s God!—speaks out, shouts, “Earth!”
welcomes the sun in the east,
farewells the disappearing sun in the west.
Psalm 50:1

Observation: This worshipful passage opens with the image of the Lord shouting out to the entire Earth. It is sunrise, and the Lord himself awakens nature.

Application: I was up early, well before sunrise today, and at one time was looking out as the world began to lighten. It was like this. The dark makes everything unseeable, but then the sky begins to lighten, and birds begin to sing, and it seems that God himself has awakened the world. Now we are only about 30 minutes past sunrise, and outside everything is revealed, normal, without any shroud or unseeable place.

What a blessed thought, to consider the Lord himself being part of the awakening of every day! While he controls the motion of the heavens and earth, he also shines his love on us. He gives us a heart to consider each day as a new hope, a new beginning, a new opportunity. The Lord himself welcomes me to the day he has made.

Prayer: Lord, this is the day you made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it. Halleluiah. Amen.

One Path for a Glorious Welcome

Scripture: When you see soldiers camped all around Jerusalem, then you’ll know that she is about to be devastated ... And then—then!—they’ll see the Son of Man welcomed in grand style—a glorious welcome! When all this starts to happen, up on your feet. Stand tall with your heads high. Help is on the way! Luke 21:20,27-28

Observation: Again Jesus is asked about the end-times, and again he gives answers about all the 'normal, standard' disasters that will come, and about which so many people will think they represent the end-times, but they don't. He even goes so far as to tell the disciples not to worry about it, because they'll be arrested and killed for their faith long before that.

However, he then does address the subject that began the conversation ... the destruction of Jerusalem. He tells the disciples they will see it, and the language he uses really couldn't be clearer that Rome will in fact destroy Jerusalem and scatter all the Jews away and into the empire. And then - THEN - Jesus will be greatly and gloriously welcomed!!

This is not the second coming of Christ. Rather, this is the moment when the Kingdom of God, and the promise of salvation through faith in Messiah, will well and truly be made known to all people. The disciples themselves are to up on their way, making this pronouncement, because the barriers will have been torn down, as the destruction of Judah means Jews can - in fact, must - travel freely through the empire. Disciples are to be ready for this. What at first sounds terrible - the total destruction of the temple and Rome's fury poured out on Judah - will instead become the very catalyst to proclaim Jesus to the entire world, as it will free the disciples to distribute themselves throughout all of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, effectively giving them the travel authority of Ceasar to move about and declare Jesus as the Messiah.

Yes, it won't be quite that easy, as there will still be a Roman religion and Ceasar-worship laws to overcome, but overcome them "Christians" will. And this will begin because the temple falls.

Application: I sit here wondering if we are seeing the signs of the end-times (while knowing no 'signs' were truly given), praying for the second-coming to happen (while knowing there are still billions of souls to save). In both contexts, my greatest worry is that the society I live in will completely collapse in my lifetime, likely caused by the decay of our entire moral center and the casting aside of Jesus and the Lord's teachings. Yet here is the lesson today ... perhaps the collapse of the "Christian United States" would be the greatest catalyst for the salvation of billions through Jesus Christ that human history has ever seen!

There is a very logical way that occurs, as the ~200 million Christian Americans would be forced to flee to all corners of the world. We saw the power of the gospel when only a couple thousand missionaries were sent to the 'new world' 400 years ago. We saw the power of the gospel when only a few hundred eye-witnesses of Jesus were thrust into the Roman empire 2,000 years ago.

We would all perceive the implosion of America as the greatest socio-political disaster in the history of mankind. There is a great chance that the Lord would view it as the greatest redemptive opportunity in the history of mankind. Which of those do I truly care about?

Prayer: Lord, yes, I pray for thy kingdom come. When I say that, I always mean that I hope Jesus will return. However, the true nature of those words is supposed to be the desire to see your will done here on earth, as the kingdom of heaven comes here. Well, if your kingdom on heaven can be accomplished without the United States, or is even improved and accelerated by the removal of our nation, well then please be with me, my family, and the faithful in our land. Thy kingdom come. Amen.

Love the Lord Your God

Scripture: And I command you today: Love God, your God. Walk in his ways. Keep his commandments, regulations, and rules so that you will live, really live, live exuberantly, blessed by God, your God, in the land you are about to enter and possess. Deuteronomy 30:16

Observation: Just before this, in verse 11, Moses encourages the people that "this commandment" ... singular ... he is giving them isn't difficult. And the one commandment is this, to love Yahweh. All else follows this. If they love the Lord, they will stay in relationship with him, meaning they will obey his precepts and instructions, and in all of that context they will live a great and blessed life, because the Lord will be oh so very close to them. And it all starts with simply and truly loving Yahweh, as he has already loved them.

Application: I pray for nearness to the Lord. I pray for guidance. I pray for assistance. I pray for revelation of the path I should walk, for health and joy for my children and wife, for strength to overcome evil, for words to say to the lost, for peace in the midst of social angst. However, what I fail to pray for - and what I fail to do enough - is simply love the Lord.

I do love Yahweh. I know this in my heart. However, just like my wife complains about when she is feeling distant from me, I don't show that love enough, nor in the proper ways. I love the Lord, but ignore his precepts. I love the Lord, but don't just talk to him about my worries and my joys. I love the Lord, but don't immediately thank him for good tidings in life. I love the Lord, but spend time mentally transfixed on mindless and terrible distractions instead of focused on him. I love the Lord, but I don't think of how I can show that love daily.

If I were to simply spend time pondering and expressing my love toward the Lord, surely all else will follow.

Prayer: Lord, please forgive me for the many ways I sin and wander away, and seemingly express by thought and deed that I must not love you. I do love you, my Lord and my God, my savior and redeemer. You are my Lord, and my heart is yours. However, my heart is flawed and hard, and a little scarred. I say today, and will say more often, but more importantly show more often, that I love you, Lord. Amen.

Current Curse of Confusion and Contrariness

Scripture: God will send The Curse, The Confusion, The Contrariness down on everything you try to do until you’ve been destroyed and there’s nothing left of you—all because of your evil pursuits that led you to abandon me. Deuteronomy 28:20

Observation: Moses lists out the curses that will befall Israel if they turn away from the Lord, and those curses begin with this ... confusion and contrariness on everything. This section goes into much more detail, including total erosion of civilization with Israel and a return to slavery of the survivors ... it gets ugly, and Israel in fact realizes all those curses as they turn further away from the Lord. However, at their heart, all the problems begin with two mental states of the people:

-- Confusion: This is a lack of understanding of all aspects of life. It includes those practices intended to honor the Lord (like worship, legal compliance, and ceremonial activities), but also general daily living such as how to offer hospitality to strangers, government administration of cities, sanctity of marriage, and farming practices.

-- Contrariness: This is a division and conflict regarding any and every topic. It is most obvious in Israel when it divides into two different countries, but in truth it exists in almost all activities and topics. These conflicts manifest regarding land ownership, treaty enforcement, community rights ... a variety of issues, which repeatedly devolve into disagreement.

Application: Confusion and contrariness are the order of the day in the United States, to the point that it isn't even worth pointing out the many, many natural truths about which we are confused, nor the extreme manner in which almost every topic one can imagine becomes are philosophical / intellectual / political / cultural public battle to the death.

But what about me, personally?

From the perspective of contrariness, I used to be very competitive in my opinions. I have definitely softened. I still have a solid and unmoving stance on biblically-based truth, but I would prefer not to fight about such issues. I would rather "preach Christ crucified" than debate the law and prophets. I am privately critical of those who have strayed from the Lord in word and practice, but I don't engage in public debate, and I actively avoid hearing about such fights to the point that some may think I'm uninformed (or at least under-informed).

As for confusion, I have a good understanding of the Lord, though of course my actions are sometimes misaligned to that understanding. I would say there are times I am confused about the confusion of others ... times when I know the logic of the situation in inconsistent and can't believe others don't know that, too.

However, to be clear, I live in a society that is under these curses - a society that is actively turning away from the Lord, and thus very, very obviously exhibits both contrariness and confusion - and that means that I am under this curse. This is why Jesus is even more important right now. Jesus is not just the savior who can offer me forgiveness from when I fall into confusion and contrariness, and thus protect my soul for eternal salvation. He is also the perfector of the age, who will return and deliver us out of this state of curse. Jesus is the way, and it is only by him that anyone can be delivered from these curses, and not by our own actions and thoughts.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you so very much for Jesus, and his promised salvation. Yes, we are a cursed people, just as Moses said we all would be, and that was a prophetic word to show us the need for Messiah. May our nation turn to Jesus in preparation for his return. Amen.

Looking Back is the Worst Waste

Scripture: Remember what happened to Lot’s wife! If you grasp and cling to life on your terms, you’ll lose it, but if you let that life go, you’ll get life on God’s terms. Luke 17:32-33

Observation: Jesus' teaching about the coming of the Son of Man is confusing. There is an interpretation that this is about the second coming and the rapture. There is also an interpretation that this is about is impending death and resurrection, and how everyone is to respond the call to discipleship that follows. I this second context, the response of people is provocative. People are to immediately follow, leaving behind even their possessions in their house. Some will respond to the call, and some won't, even when they are next to each other and hear the same call.

Most interesting is the reference to Lot's wife, a very minor character in Genesis who did nothing but "look back" upon the destruction of Sodom, and was immediately transformed into a pillar of salt. Did she look back with longing on the life she was leaving behind? Did she look back with sadness thinking of friends who were being destroyed? The fact is, it doesn't matter ... she looked back because that old life - the life angels had commanded her to leave behind - remained in her thoughts.

Application: I have understood now for several months that one of my major problems is that I keep looking back at my life.

I look at certain elements of pain and hardship and relive them over and over again, renewing the pain in my heart. I look at certain events with joy and fond memories, and grow sad that those times cannot ever be relived. I look at old friendships and feel guilt over lost connections. In all of this, I invent scenarios of how things could be changed or altered in a manner that would improve my current life in some way.

But here is the truth ... my life is amazing and wonderful! Dwelling on these thoughts of the past, even the good memories, are ONLY causing me pain and sadness. They lead me into melancholy moods, wicked thoughts, and disconnected discontentment. Looking back at life is terrible.

And here's the real issue ... every moment I spend doing this is time I am not thinking about the Lord. It is time I am not meditating on his word, considering and thanking him for the blessings of my life, developing a closer relationship with him through the Holy Spirit, listing for his guidance and instruction of how I should walk his path for my life, enjoying the wonder of his hands all around me, serving him by serving others. I not only make myself sad when I think back on my life, and deny myself the love, joy, and blessing the Lord is bestowing upon me in the present, and turning my face away from Jesus and the prize of future eternal salvation.

I could 'fix' so much in my life if I spent my mental time meditating on the Lord, his word, and his work in my current life, and not looking back on the old, broken, and flawed life of the past.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for reminding me again today of Lot's wife, and of your plans and intentions for me. Those intentions are in the future, not the past, and the blessings you have given me are right here for me to enjoy now. May I be present, in the present, with you. Amen.

Faith is Not a Continuum

Scripture: The apostles came up and said to the Master, "Give us more faith." But the Master said, "You don’t need more faith. There is no ‘more’ or ‘less’ in faith. If you have a bare kernel of faith, say the size of a poppy seed, you could say to this sycamore tree, ‘Go jump in the lake,’ and it would do it." Luke 17:5-6

Observation: In response to a lesson about how disciples are to freely forgive those who sin against them, this is the response of the disciples ... they ask Jesus for "more faith". This is clearly because the teaching from Jesus is difficult. It can be very angering and frustrating when a person sins repeatedly - or severely - against us, and compliance with Jesus' teaching to always and repeatedly forgive is a hard thing to do.

However, Jesus' response to this is equally hard on the disciples. The response is that there is no such thing as "more" faith. You just HAVE faith or you don't. If you have faith, then anything you try to do can be granted by God. He uses the example of a tree jumping in a lake, but the actual lesson is, if you have faith, then when you try to forgive someone you will because the Lord will give you the strength and mind to do so. However, if you try to forgive someone and cannot, that is a lack of faith, not less faith.

Application: I am faithful, but maybe not as faithful as I think I am for I continue to struggle with forgiveness. I say I forgive, but I still wish ill on others, and I'm not sure how these two mindsets interplay with each other. I know David has many examples whereby he actively asked the Lord to punish - even kill - those who wronged him, yet he was a man after God's own heart.

Clearly faith is not a continuum. I can't have 'some' faith. I either have faith in the Lord in this matter, or I don't.

Prayer: Lord, again I say today, I have faith in you, and so I put all matters of wrongdoing behind me. If it is wrong to also desire punishment for those I have forgiven, I ask, in faith, for your Holy Spirit to guide me to a different mindset. I trust in your Spirit to change my heart in reflection of my forgiveness of others. As I have been forgiven for so very, very much, I freely forgive others of the little they have done to me. Amen.

Stop the Foolish Noise

Scripture: You may be wondering among yourselves, “How can we tell the difference, whether it was God who spoke or not?” Here’s how: If what the prophet spoke in God’s name doesn’t happen, then obviously God wasn’t behind it; the prophet made it up. Forget about him. Deuteronomy 18:21-22

Observation: Here is the statement, straight from the greatest prophet, Moses, on how to identify a false or fake prophet ... what they say doesn't happen. The faithful people are to reject and forget about such people.

Application: I hate that I dwell on this so much, but ... we have so many, many people in our church who hang listen diligently to false prophets. These prophets declare and predict outcomes on a number of topics, from political elections, to global finance, to medical outcomes. They post on YouTube and publish online, amassing thousands - sometimes millions - of 'followers' who listen and believe what they say. And they are almost always wrong. The rate at which they are right is less than would be expected by even random chance. And still faithful believers of Jesus whom I know listen to them, defend them, and live elements of their lives based on these false words.

I just don't understand. I guess this type of action isn't the in the same category of the law as idol worship. Idol worship is an abomination and capital offense, whereas listening to false prophets is kinda just ... stupid, distracting everyone from listening to the real prophets the Lord assigns to speak his words. And again, I hate that I waste my time even thinking about this and allowing it to bother me, but it strikes too close to home when such fools are share their foolish understanding with us with such urgency and emotion that it demands mindshare. I wish the foolish noise would stop, so we could better hear the still, small voice.

Prayer: Lord, as I just said, I wish the foolish noise would stop. However, more importantly, may I just find the stillness of my own heart, and the prayerful time and attitude, to listen for and hear your still, small voice. Amen.

Actively Pursue Humility

Scripture: When you’re invited to dinner, go and sit at the last place. Then when the host comes he may very well say, ‘Friend, come up to the front.’ That will give the dinner guests something to talk about! Luke 14:10

Observation: Jesus uses the example of this dinner to make a key point about humility in the kingdom of God. Those who try to 'take' a place of honor may find themselves humiliated by being forced to vacate their place. However, those who simply take a humble seat at the table may be publicly honored by being promoted to a better spot. The point is, being humble is always better, at it leaves room for honor, while self-promotion can lead to humiliation.

Application: I am in a position of humility now, and the reminder in my life today is this ... in need to be mentally content in that position. I must not attempt to promote myself, or find some outlet of self-promotion, or seek a way to elevate myself.

If that is to come - if I am to be promoted or in some way honored - that will come from the Lord, without my effort.

And in this place of humble position, I need to do a better job of simply living within that role. I need to do the humble work that aligns to this position, and just do it to the best of my ability. In this way, I can honor the Lord himself. And if that also means I simply remain in this humble position for the rest of my earthly work career, that's great too. I would rather simply attend the wonder banquet of blessing the Lord has prepared, than to be dishonored before others because I attempted to obtain more for myself.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for all you freely give to me and my family. May I simply and quietly do the work before me, with humility. I do not want or need any earthly acknowledgement. May I instead keep my eye focused on only one future honor, that being your statement of 'well done, good and faithful servant.' With my eye on that prize alone, I am your servant. Amen.

No More Getting Kicked in the Shins

Scripture:
If you reason with an arrogant cynic, you’ll get slapped in the face;
confront bad behavior and get a kick in the shins.
So don’t waste your time on a scoffer;
all you’ll get for your pains is abuse.
But if you correct those who care about life,
that’s different—they’ll love you for it!
Save your breath for the wise—they’ll be wiser for it;
tell good people what you know—they’ll profit from it.
Proverbs 9:7-9

Observation: Lady Wisdom is speaking, and her lesson is black-and-white. Those who totally reject wisdom cannot be reasoned with, and any attempt to do so will actually get a wise person both physically and emotionally abused. However, if wisdom is taught to those who actually want to learn about what it means to live a good life, the wisdom will be lovingly received. Therefore, wise people are to ... "save your breath" for those good people who desire wisdom.

Application: I spend far too much mental energy worried about how to redeem and restore our society that has embraced terrible and illogical concepts. I have even looked to 'learn' how I could communicate with people who have ideals that are completely removed from God's wisdom. And I know very well that I have been abused by such individuals in the past.

As the Church, we cannot give up on society. It is our mission - our great commission - to make disciples. However, it is not our assignment as individuals to correct other individuals who have so radically rejected God's wisdom that their lives have corrupted the very nature of God's creation. If I were to embrace this proverb, God himself is stating that any attempt to enlighten such individuals will result in personal pain, and is a waste of time.

That is a hard pill to swallow. However, what I know is that, while it may not be MY task to correct others, the Lord can do anything he wishes. He has other tools and other methods that go far beyond human communications about heavenly wisdom.

I don't want to be slapped in the face or kicked in the shins anymore. And I don't want to continue to spend energy ... worry, meditation, or time ... trying to figure out the best methods to communicate with scoffers and arrogant cynics. I would prefer to allow God to do God's work, and I'll do the work he has planned for me.

Prayer: Lord, I do know you have work planned for me, and yes I know some of that includes evangelism. However, I also know there are many out there willing to receive your wisdom, even hungering for that wisdom and love and joy. May I find where you are moving in those areas, and join you there. Amen.

Everyone is Brought to the Crossroads

Scripture: I’ve brought you today to the crossroads of Blessing and Curse. The Blessing: if you listen obediently to the commandments of God, your God, which I command you today. The Curse: if you don’t pay attention to the commandments of God, your God, but leave the road that I command you today, following other gods of which you know nothing. Deuteronomy 11:26-28

Observation: As Moses gives instructions to Israel, he explicitly addresses the choice of blessing vs. curse. He really couldn't make it clearer. If Israel obeys the Lord, they will be blessed, living a comfortable life. If Israel disobeys the Lord, and especially if they pursue other gods and follow pagan rituals, they will be cursed.

Application: Everyone - literally everyone - stands at this "crossroads" at some point in time in their lives. This crossroads is NOT about just making mistakes, committing sins, or being disobedient and failing to follow every command. This crossroads is about one choice ... the question of believing in the Lord God almighty, creator of heaven and earth, and receiving the blessing of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ as the son of God ... or rejecting that, and in place of it pursuing some other 'truth', be it in the form of a different religion, or personal fulfillment of life, or quest for pleasure and wealth.

Everyone gets brought to that crossroads, and everyone makes a conscious decision. Some will return to the crossroads and change their decision. In the end, I wish they understood that his a blessing-versus-curse decision ... and which one contains the blessings.

Prayer: Lord, I once chose 'curse'. I am so thankful you found me, led me back to the crossroads, and allowed me to choose blessing. You are my Lord and my God, my savior and redeemer, my way and truth and life. Amen.

Relax into God's Provision

Scripture: What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Luke 12:29-30

Observation: While these verses in this translation are very different than accurate translations, they carry a similar sentiment. Jesus is teaching the people to not worry about their daily lives. Not to worry about where and how they "get" things in life, and instead to pay attention to the wonder and love of the Lord so they can experience how he "gives" to them freely. In this way - by recognizing the generous love of God - we truly experience life with God. This relaxed open-handed living is simply a better way to live.

Application: I fully recognize how the Lord blesses me daily. I know, in fact, that I am incapable of achieving anything in life, and that I truly could not have the life I have if it were not for the Lord's generous gifts and blessings daily. However, the word in all of this that jumps out to me is "relax."

Relaxation remains difficult. Most of us, myself included, still find ways to be stressed about our daily work, and to get anxious over what we are doing. Even when I am doing a poor job at work, I then take on other stresses ... looking for ways to fill my mind with the difficulties and conflicts of the world, hearing ideas about what must be done to address earthly issues.

Jesus is calling all of us - including me - into a wonderful concept. Go ahead to do your daily work, but never stress about it. The Lord provides!! You can do your best, and he will take care of you, for he loves you so very, very much.

I still should do my best, but I will seek relaxation of mind within that context of good work.

Prayer: Lord, I know you provide, and you are my provider. You have given me such a wonderful life. I thank you for your great love. May I not only walk daily holding your hand, but relax in your loving hands every day as well. Amen.

Greeting Others with Peace

Scripture: When you enter a home, greet the family, ‘Peace.’ If your greeting is received, then it’s a good place to stay. But if it’s not received, take it back and get out. Don’t impose yourself. Luke 10:5-6

Observation: Jesus gives instructions to 70 of his disciples about how to spread word about the Kingdom of Heaven, and it begins with this greeting ... 'Shalom'. They are to greet others with a heart of peace.

The good news of Jesus as Messiah, and of the Lord's redemption of mankind, and of how we all desire to bring heaven here to earth, begins with a kind introduction of peace and wellbeing. It isn't a message of guilt, or accusations, or fear, or threats, or conflict, or correction. Instead, the message of Jesus is entirely the opposite. It is a message of hope, comfort, kindness, gentleness, guidance, security, salvation, and joy.

Application: This all is something I know, and it has been at the very heart of how we have practiced reaching others for Christ at our church. We show kind hospitality, without judgment and conflict. We invite others to simply enjoy their lives, but perhaps adding in a conversation about the love of God and the joy found in our hope in Jesus. These conversations are presented in peace, and hopefully with the spirit of Shalom that Jesus prescribes.

I would hope others who are faithful in Jesus would embrace this approach. In my heart, I hope I retain this approach, for of course sometimes in my heart I don't always feel this way toward those living by the world's model these days. I do desire to be kind. I would desire to bring peace to others.

Prayer: Lord, again I say, I desire to bring peace to others. May I not be a bringer of conflict or any negative emotion, but rather present others with the opportunity to simply relax, awash with the peace of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

A Dream I'm Trying to Remember

This is a post that is not about my devotional reading today. Instead, I am thinking of Lahaina. As I have said before, this is one of my favorite places on earth, and it is effectively ... gone. And yes, it will be rebuilt, but it will never, never, ever come back like it was. The Lahaina I love is truly lost forever. However, the people remain.

May that serve as a reminder to me that all of my earthly life is of no worth, except for the people and souls I encounter. The entire world will fade away, but the eternal love the Lord will always exist, and those with faith in Jesus will endure with him in the real paradise. May I make Lahaina my reminder that the only thing of value is people, and the only thing important is the decision everyone makes about Jesus.

Amen.

Learning How to Not Want Stuff

Scripture: After they left the mountains of Abarim they camped on the Plains of Moab at Jordan-Jericho. On the Plains of Moab their camp stretched along the banks of the Jordan from Beth Jeshimoth to Abel Shittim (Acacia Meadow). Numbers 33:48-49

Observation: This is the last campsite for Israel, as they prepare to enter the promised land after 40 years of wandering. While they went a lot of places, seemingly randomly, they were not actually wandering day-by-day. There were 40 campsites, and some of these occurred in two times of rapid succession ... during the first few days and months after leaving Egypt, and again during the final year when they marched around Edom and through Moab. In most cases, they would stop for a year or two at a time.

That said, they were camping. When the cloud of Yahweh lifted from the holy of holies, they needed to be ready to move. They were living in tents, and taking with them only what they could carry and perhaps what a bull could pull on a relatively small cart. Any farm fields they had cultivated were left behind, and livestock must be in manageable herds.

In other words, Israel cannot collect stuff. Even when they have been in the same place for many months, they cannot acquire keepsakes or any person items that are not useful in their daily living. Even the useful items must be in manageable quantities, without redundancy. They can't have the "everyday" and "nice" version of anything, and they cannot hold onto older items because they are sentimental or might need the item in the future. In this way, they are more and more dependent on the Lord every day, for every provision, and not just for manna from heaven to eat or water from rocks to drink, but for even utensils and supplies they may need on a daily basis, but cannot just keep on hand for themselves.

Application: We have so much ... stuff. I have a three-car garage that is about 50 percent shelf space for decorations, tools, and old supplies I may need someday. I have a closet behind me stacked floor to ceiling with boxes I don't even know what they hold. Combined, my wife and I have a walk-closet with hanging space around it all, floor space below that, and three dressers/chest-of-drawers, all full of our clothes and shoes. We have put keepsakes in our attic space that we haven't even then looked at for a decade. In just one example of 'practical' items ... we have FIVE full sets of dishes ... an everyday set, a nice set, a winter set, a special Christmas set, and an antique glass set that was first owned by my wife's grandmother.

And we can have all this because we haven't moved in 23 years now. We have lived in this house that entire time, and thus when we have things we don't need today we can simply find a place to put the items. There will come a time in likely 5-10 years when we will move, and at that time we will make a lot of decisions and get rid of much of it, however that day has not come yet.

As a result, perhaps I am missing out on a connection to the Lord. I am missing out on the chance to have greater dependency upon him. I know I AM dependent upon him ... I have many of these things because he has blessed us so well, and allowed us joy and pleasure in life. However, when I need something, I just go get it.

Imagine how real the Lord's blessing would be if, when I wanted something, I had to pray and wait to see if it somehow just showed up in the desert. Or more likely ... imagine how real the Lord would be if ... I just couldn't 'want' stuff, and instead lived a life where all I wanted was to live with him.

Prayer: Lord, again today I thank you for your blessings. I have nothing that isn't from your hand, and from your heart, and I thank you with all that I am for the joys of my life. May I not allow those blessings to diminish my daily need for you, my Lord and my God. Heal my mind from its recent issues so I may be closer to you moment by moment. Amen.

The Ultimate Lazy Response

Scripture: Herod, the ruler, heard of these goings on and didn’t know what to think. There were people saying John had come back from the dead, others that Elijah had appeared, still others that some prophet of long ago had shown up. Herod said, “But I killed John—took off his head. So who is this that I keep hearing about?” Curious, he looked for a chance to see him in action. Luke 9:7-9

Observation: Herod hears all that Jesus and the disciples are doing. These reports include miraculous works and major teaching events, with the possibility that Jesus himself is a great prophet. Herod knows Jesus is not John reincarnate, but other than that this entire issue raises his curiosity. As a response, Herod ... looks for a chance to see Jesus in action.

Jesus is everywhere, and people have total unrestricted access to him. In the previous passage, Jesus was in the midst of large crowds and doing his deeds so publicly that a woman was healed by him practically on accident. Herod could likely take a 1-2 day trip in a royal caravan and see Jesus, no problem at all, but while normal citizens will walk that distance just for a chance to touch Jesus, Herod won't make even that minimal effort. Yes, Herod is curious about Jesus, and as king he should be given the fact that some would believe that Jesus' teachings are radical or at the very least miraculous and historically meaningful. Instead, he "looks for a chance to see him in action" without taking any action at all to try to see Jesus.

Application: Herod exhibits the ultimate lazy response to Jesus ... being curious, but not taking even the most minimal of actions to learn anything more or satisfy that curiosity. I have known people who are curious about faith, and who take no action at all to learn more about Jesus, God, or any related element.

Most people will do something when they are seeking answers to life. Even when they seek it in the wrong place - spiritualism, false religions, or some earthly pleasurable practice - they will act and even study to explore the topic. And yes, discovering faith in Jesus involves action, either by learning and/or declaring such faith. However, every once in a while I have seen someone who says they are 'curious' and does literally nothing to satisfy that curiosity.

This may be one of the most unfaithful responses to Jesus ... and understanding that he represents something crucially important and meaningful, and not lifting a finger to explore what that might mean for one's life.

Prayer: Lord, I pray today in celebration for the baptisms we saw yesterday at church. Eleven people took action, discovered their faith in Jesus, and responded. I hope the celebration in heaven is still ringing this morning. May your hand be upon their lives, as they acted in response to hearing about Jesus. Amen.