Feels Like the Worst is Ahead of Us

I think a lot about how desperate these times are, and how difficult it is to bring the word of Jesus into this dark corner of the world. However, there is another side to this conversation ...

I believe that you and I

Are in the right place at the right time.

God called us by name

And he doesn't make mistakes.

Maybe we were made for these days!!

What Truth Smells Like

Scripture: In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse. 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Observation: References to aroma typically align to the instructions about sacrifice as handed down to Moses. Burnt offerings were repeatedly described as an aroma pleasing to the Lord, and the same is true of prayer and service to the Lord ... these things are said to rise to heaven and manifest before the Lord's throne as a pleasing aroma. So when Paul discusses how he - and in fact how all believers - give off a smell, it harkens to this same metaphor.

Paul says that believers give of an aroma, but that aroma is perceived differently based on one's attitude toward God. For those who desire salvation and seek the truth about their lives, the aroma is a "sweet scent" that is full of life. However, for those who reject God, reject the truth, and even actively seek the earthly lies about life, the aroma is more like "the stench of a rotting corpse," a foul smell of death.

Application: My friend and I will be slow-smoking a full beef brisket this Labor Day Weekend. For me, I know exactly what this will smell like ... it will smell delicious! It will exude smoke, mixed with roasted meat, and likely a hint of spices, and this will go on for hours and hours until we finally get to enjoy it. However, for a person who dislikes barbeque - or even hates all meat - such a person may describe this very different. They might describe the aroma as some combination of destruction plus burning organic matter, the kind of smell that may arise from a deadly house fire. As a worst-case scenario, they may even have a very painful experience involving such a situation, and the smell could trigger hurt-filled memories.

In this way, I understand Paul's metaphor about the aroma of the gospel message. Some may consider it an exquisite fragrance, and some may think it is a destructive stench. Some may be drawn to it, their inner hunger triggered even as they were far away from it, and some may seek shelter away from it, seeking escape from the intrusive air blown their way. Some may hope to be invited to share in it, and some may hope to have it go away as soon as possible.

Interestingly, in all cases, the actual smell is exactly the same. The smell doesn't change ... it never changes and is itself identical in composition and chemistry at all times and in all places, as it reaches all people. It is the personal reception, interpretation, and attitude of the individual that changes. And there is nothing we can do about that.

Again, that is exactly like the truth found in the gospel message. As it is delivered into the world, some will find it pleasing, and they will be drawn to it, even hunger for it. Others will find it intrusive and repulsive, perhaps even painful. But the truth itself is the same.

Prayer: Lord, so many times we desire not to offend people in discussions about how the Church interacts with the world and delivers your gospel. Today's reminder is clear, that to a great degree we cannot offend nor protect. Rather, we can only be faithful to you and deliver your words and your work into the world, and it will be received based on how people choose to receive it. May more and more people find the truth to be a pleasing aroma. Amen.

Hoping Others will Think Deeper

Scripture: Later on, Sennacherib, who had set up camp a few miles away at Lachish, sent messengers to Jerusalem, addressing Judah through Hezekiah. 2 Chronicles 32:9

Observation: The better translation of this passage is not that Sennacherib had set up camp, but that he was actively laying siege to Lachish. As the king of Assyria, Sennacherib had never failed to defeat a city, and that wasn't going to change now. He would defeat Lachish, then march on Jerusalem, where ... one night the Lord would kill so many members of his army that he was forced to return to his capitol, Ninevah, without defeating Jerusalem.

Application: Just this week I watched a Youtube video about the archeology of Ninevah, and finding both the palace artwork and inscriptions describing King Sennacherib's campaign against Israel and Judah. It names both Sennacherib and Hezekiah, depicts a drawing of the siege of Lachish, says that was the greatest city he defeated, and stops short of saying he was able to conquer Judah (and leaves Jerusalem completely out of the narrative). In other words, the ruins of ancient Ninevah 100 percent align to this portion of 2 Chronicles.

I find it so amazing to see, over and over again, the historical accuracy of scriptures. I feel this way not as a way for me to better believe scriptures, but as a way to perhaps let others know the reality of scriptures ... not that I have to be the one who delivers that message, but they could find it on their own. To have absolute proof that so many parts of the bible are real must certainly make others think about belief in the Lord in a deeper way.

I hope that is true.

Prayer: Lord, I know all your word is true and reliable. May others discover the truth found in you, either by their own curiosity, or by our delivery of your good news. Amen.

Short Lives and Eternal Love

Scripture:
Men and women don’t live very long;
like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,
But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly,
leaving nothing to show they were here.
God’s love, though, is ever and always,
eternally present to all who fear him.
Psalm 103:15-17

Observation: The power of the Lord - and especially his great love - is mighty and eternal. Throughout this psalm, the greatness of every element of the Lord is discussed eloquently and in terms that make it clear he is unequaled. From his grace, to his mercy, to his love, to his judgment, to his authority, to his control, to his wisdom ... in everything Yahweh is both supreme and eternal. However, as this passage clarifies, this is not true for humans, who by comparison live a short time, have lives as fragile as delicate flowers, and can parish through a flash of a storm or accident.

Application: It has been over a year since Lahaina burned ... reduced from the town we love, to literally several thousand piles of ash. The heart of Lahainatown was erased from physical existence, and along with it over 100 lives. Many others - people and institutions alike - have chosen to leave permanently. It was only just this week that my wife and I had the heart to watch some of the post-fire news reals, and to see some of the first-hand video of both the burning and the personal hardships that occurred.

It is true, humans and human things of this world do not live very long. Even when beautiful like wildflowers, they can be totally wiped away in an instant, as by a storm.

Yet even in the context of loss and destruction and death, the hope of God's authority remains. That authority brings with it love, grace, healing, and comfort, and it brings those things in such great measures that we cannot even understand. And the Lord will provide those things to all people, forever.

Prayer: Abba, our daddy, please continue to heal the people of Lahaina and Maui. They remain hurting and lost. Some are stronger, some feel your love, but some are so very broken and lost, and this still after a year. Lahaina was just buildings, but the people make it a place worthy of your goodness and love and comfort. May a place named after the searing heat of the sun become better known for the warmth of your love. Amen.

We Are the Special Mission

Scripture: I, Paul, have been sent on a special mission by the Messiah, Jesus, planned by God himself. I write this to God’s congregation in Corinth, and to believers all over Achaia province. May all the gifts and benefits that come from God our Father and the Master, Jesus Christ, be yours! Timothy, someone you know and trust, joins me in this greeting. 2 Corinthians 1:1-2

Observation: Paul addresses this letter to the church at Corinth, but also intends it for a much, much larger audience. He includes in the greeting the entire region of Achaia, which includes the entire Peloponnese peninsula, several small islands, and a piece of the Greek mainland. The interesting part of this introduction is the explanation of his work, stating that all of Paul's mission work is a "special mission" and "planned by God himself."

In this manner, Paul is implying two things. The first is that the Lord has a plan for Paul's ministry, and that plan is not yet complete. This is reenforced when he then later talks about the harrowing trouble he met in Asia Minor from which the Lord saved him. The second implication is that the salvation of those in Corinth and Achaia is truly part of the Lord's plan. As Paul has visited them and mentored them, following God's plan, they then ARE that plan.

Application: As I have thought often about the work of the Church in our modern time and within our current culture, this is a perfect sentiment to remember ... God has a plan, and that plan included the salvation of ME.

I have told my story about praying to the Lord for a new direction in life, attending a nearby church, and having God show up in my life (uber-short version!). I discovered a couple days ago that that church ... no longer exists. It's not surprising given the passing of time and the state of the PC(USA). However, one thing I thought of is that, in its time and place, that church was part of God's plan, and that plan included giving me just enough hope to survive and rediscover Jesus. I may be one of thousands who received hope from that church. I am one of billions who receive hope from the universal Church every day. This is the Lord's plan, at both the individual and global level.

We are all sent on a special mission by the Messiah, Jesus. It is a mission planned by God himself. The amazing thing is that we are now sent on this special mission, because at one time we WERE the special mission!

Prayer: Lord, I will stay in this mindset today. Thank you so very, very much for making me someone's mission over 30 years ago. May I recognize that I am now on special mission for you, and that mission is to bring the hope found in all your gifts and benefits, which come from God the Father and Jesus Christ our savior, to others. Amen.

Learning How to Defend in Faith

Scripture: As soon as they started shouting and praising, God set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir as they were attacking Judah, and they all ended up dead. The Ammonites and Moabites mistakenly attacked those from Mount Seir and massacred them. Then, further confused, they went at each other, and all ended up killed. 2 Chronicles 20:22-23

Observation: With three nations unified and about to attack Judah, Jehoshaphat does not seek outside help to defend his country. In fact, he doesn't even really raise an army. Instead, he turns to the Lord, with praying and fasting, and eventually marches out into "battle" with a force that is lead not by chariots or archers or infantry, but by ... a choir. The Lord responds as he always promises he will; He fights the battle for Judah, turning the enemy's own tactics against them, and completely killing the enemy by their own confusion. Judah reaps reward without fighting at all.

It is in this example that all of Judah's kings should have learned and forever understood the truth about their nation. They have seen the northern kingdom of Israel fall further and further away from the Lord, and the result is continued loss of territory and loss in battles. However, when Jehoshaphat models total faith in the protection of the Lord - not by his own hand as king, but by leading the people in faith - Judah (now just two tribes) defeats three other nations without even fighting. Unfortunately, future kings won't learn from Jehoshaphat's example.

Application: As I have spent time worried about how the church may stand up against the evil earthly concepts of popular culture - to "defend" against misleading lies - perhaps it is better to consider Jehoshaphat's model. In other words, all we really have to do is trust in the Lord, continue in prayer, sing worship, and in public to simply stand firm and give him all praise and honor, and then wait to see how all the various enemies and their evil tactics will ultimately destroy each other.

Perhaps we are seeing some of this when certain ideals like transgenderism begin to run into conflicts with champions of radical feminism. It is difficult to see how some of these cultural issues could 'kill' each other, however it was probably difficult to understand how three allied armies accidentally slaughtered each other, too.

I am tired of watching Christians 'fight' against culture. My own extended family is doing it, and all I can think of is that it is harming - not advancing - the mission of Jesus' Church. I would rather mount a defense that involves singing and praying and trusting the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, I have said many times that I don't know how our society today reverses course when it comes to the evil deceptions that are misleading so many. But I know you can do it, and you don't need us to become militant or aggressive. May we, your believers, continue to just love others, to worship you, and to give our faith and our lives wholly to you. I know you can take care of the rest. Amen.

Embracing the Truth Within the Faith

Scripture: Think straight. Awaken to the holiness of life. No more playing fast and loose with resurrection facts. Ignorance of God is a luxury you can’t afford in times like these. Aren’t you embarrassed that you’ve let this kind of thing go on as long as you have? 1 Corinthians 15:34

Observation: Paul is giving the church at Corinth a true word about resurrection, and that word is simple ... it must be true, for the truth and faith found in Jesus includes resurrection as a core component. It would be impossible and illogical to 'believe' in Jesus, and doubt resurrection, when it is the resurrection of Jesus that both proves is Messiahship, and is declared by the apostles who are teaching all the other truths. It is ignorant to believe it all, believe the teaching of witnesses, then question the key fact.

Application: Today, I am thinking of this fact ... God hates sin, and has taught us through multiple lessons how we should live in order to have the best life possible. Christian faith in Jesus is all about receiving forgiveness and salvation, and thus entering into relationship with God and therefore that best life possible. Therefore, how can any Christian become a champion of sin?

I heard a pastor today say that the parable of the 10 virgins is actual prophesy that, in the end times, 50 percent of the churches will be false churches that are actively rejecting Jesus. At first, I thought that extreme, but as I think on it I realize it is happening. Denominations are becoming active champions of sin, following doctrines that are illogical, taking positions that are impossible, ignorantly declaring belief while rejecting the truth found in such belief.

The entire Church should be embarrassed we have allowed these debates to occur. While we should not fight publicly, we can simply acknowledge what Jesus has told us ... half the churches have (or will) let their lamps go out, and Jesus will not admit them. As for me and my house, we will ensure we keep our lamps lit, and that we are within a community that aligns to the truth and not just the faith.

Prayer: Lord, I struggle sometimes to pray in a manner that would hope your prophetic words do not come to pass, for I know they will. Therefore, today I only ask that you give us wisdom to embrace all the elements of truth that comprise our faith. May we do better to obey all your words and teachings and precepts, for they all point to the hope and salvation found in Jesus. Amen.

It Isn't About Tongues

Scripture: So where does it get you, all this speaking in tongues no one understands? It doesn’t help believers, and it only gives unbelievers something to gawk at. Plain truth-speaking, on the other hand, goes straight to the heart of believers and doesn’t get in the way of unbelievers. 1 Corinthians 14:22

Observation: Paul has been lecturing for some time by now about speaking in tongues. Specifically, he does not like that, in their gatherings, the church in Corinth spends time with everyone just praying out loud in tongues, with no intelligible teaching or pronouncements or singing. Everyone is just showing of a spiritual gift, and no one is sharing any gift with each other that actually supports others.

Application: I do not speak in tongues. I never have, and I struggle with the idea of doing so (I get the principle and purpose, but just not the ability). That said, I know dozens of people who do speak in tongues. I will say this ... I am so very, very tired of those people declaring that all believers should pursue this gift.

Paul has already been explicitly clear, that no one gets every spiritual gift. We each get some, in varying degrees, thus creating a unique skillset with which to serve Christ. So why does everyone who speaks tongues think that everyone else should too? Some go so far as to declare it is a mark of true faith itself. Nicki Gumble declares it is often 'one of the first' gifts people get once receiving the Holy Spirit.

Paul said the Corinthians were showing off when they all spoke in tongues, and it would be better if people used other gifts to do things like prophesying, teaching, hosting, worshipping, and praying. I believe in the gift of tongues; I don't have it, but I do have other gifts of the Spirit. I don't understand why this means that some Christians doubt the degree - or even the existence - of my faith. Faith isn't about speaking in tongues, it is about placing our trust in Jesus Christ, and that faith spurs us on to serve him and others out of the outpouring of his love, using gifts of the Holy Spirit to do so.

Prayer: Lord, I do know gifts change over time. May I be gifted by your Holy Spirit for no other purpose than to serve you, Jesus, and to serve all those in and through your Church. Please fill me more and more with your Holy Spirit so I may do your good work all the more, as you would have me do it. Amen.

Future Issues for the Northwest

Scripture: The priests and Levites from all over Israel came and made themselves available to Rehoboam. The Levites left their pastures and properties and moved to Judah and Jerusalem because Jeroboam and his sons had dismissed them from the priesthood of God and replaced them with his own priests to preside over the worship centers at which he had installed goat and calf demon-idols. Everyone from all the tribes of Israel who determined to seek the God of Israel migrated with the priests and Levites to Jerusalem to worship there, sacrificing to the God of their ancestors. 2 Chronicles 11:13-16

Observation: When Israel divides, Jeroboam immediately changes the nature of worship, creating centers for idol-worship, and a new structure for such worship that removes the responsibility from the Levites. In response the Levites leave Israel (abandoning their ancestral homes) and go to Judah, and in response to that all the faithful believers - those who trust in Yahweh and desire to continue to honor and worship him as defined by the law - also leave Israel for Judah. This means ... Israel is now mostly devoid of anyone who wishes to honor the Lord and obey his instructions for proper worship and living.

The end result is the total collapse of the moral center of Israel. From now on, it will be pointed out over and over again that Israel - later called Samaria - is disobedient to the Lord, they follow the sin of Jeroboam by worshipping idols, they reject the Mosaic covenant practices defined by the Lord, and they are in rebellion against the Davidic covenant. Ahab will take them deep into baal worship, their nation will get attacked over and over, and eventually when the Assyrians take them into exile it will be permanent ... they will NOT be part of the return from Babylonian exile when the country is reinstated.

We know that the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel began when Jeroboam completely cast aside the proper worship practices and set up idols. However, what really removed all hope from their future return to faithfulness was when all the faithful believers - the Levites, and all those who wanted to properly worship the Lord - gave up on Israel and left.

Application: The church I attend has fewer attendees now than it did five years ago, and it isn't because people are leaving our church. It is because people are leavings the Pacific Northwest. We have had hundreds of people just move away to other parts of the country. And make no mistake, yesterday my wife and I had extensive conversations about our future plans to move away, too.

The big question, therefore, is ... where (and when) is the tipping point? What is the 'critical mass' of believers at which, when we get any lower, the region has no hope but to remain mired in sin and idol worship, cursed to devolve until the Lord decides enough is enough? How many believers are needed to give hope that this region could be pulled back from moral collapse, and ... have we already crossed that line?

With God, all things are possible. Elijah thought he was the 'only one' left in Israel who believed, but he wasn't; God let him know there were thousands more. That said, Israel didn't recover.

Every day I see something on the local news that represents another step down the path of normalizing the unthinkable depravity of sinful rebellion. Every day I think 'there is no way back'. Every day I hope I'm wrong. However, learning from Israel, and seeing all the Levites and believers departing for other regions of the country, perhaps my prayer should be that I stop hoping with my human mind, and instead lean into the Lord's will.

Prayer: Lord, I was born and raised here. My family has roots here back 200 years. My mom still lives in the home my parents bought 60 years ago, two years before I was born. Today I heard someone say that praying "thy will be done" is scary because your will may not align with our plans. Well, I pray "thy will be done". If this region is to see revival, so be it, and please send help. If this region is surrendered to the sins so strongly embedded in the hearts of the people here, so be it, and please send us away to your safety. Amen.

Thinking on Biblical Interpretations

Scripture:
Know this: God is God, and God, God.
He made us; we didn’t make him.
We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.
Psalm 100:3

Observation: In this interpretation, this verse makes ... almost no sense. This is because there are actually multiple root words being used here, but in creating a simplified reading of the text, both words have been interpreted as "God". One of the words is Yahweh, the Great I Am, the name of the Lord as given to Moses. The other word is less specific, but is intended to define God the Creator, the being who should be known and understood by all humans as the one who created the universe. Therefore, a better understanding of this verse would be something like "Everyone should know this ... Yahweh is the Creator of everything, including you; You are his and he cares for you daily."

Application: I have been using The Message for my devotions for two weeks short of a year. It hasn't been as terrible as I feared it would be. ;-)  There are some elements of The Message that provide very clear and very interesting insights. There are other times when, most certainly, the attempt to simplify a complicated idea results in not only a narrow understanding, but a clearly flawed - or different - understanding. I may appreciate this version of the Bible more than I did a year ago, but I'm also looking forward to a new version.

Prayer: I declare today that God, you are God, my God, the God who provides for me and my family. I love thinking on your names, like Yahweh, Adonai, Elohim, El Shadai, El Roi, Jehovah Nissi, and so on. That said, I declare this, that you are the great God, creator of heaven, earth, and me. I am yours, and you care for me. Thank you for your great love. Amen.

Not Seeking Truth, but Seeing Proof

Scripture: When all the leaders of Israel were ready, the Levites took up the Chest. They carried the Chest, the Tent of Meeting, and all the sacred things in the Tent used in worship. The priests, all Levites, carried them. 2 Chronicles 5:4-5

Observation: The grand opening of Solomon's Temple begins with bringing the Arc of the Covenant into the holy of holies. With it, they bring the Tent of Meeting, originally constructed to hold the arc and the place where Moses met with the Lord in the center of the Israel camp during the wilderness years. Doing a quick look-up of key dates, it was approximately ... 480 years from the date the Tent was constructed, to the date the Temple was completed.

And in all that time - almost five centuries - a structure made out of animal skins has been in continuous use, and still exists.

This fact is completely and totally inexplicable within any natural or normal context. Organic material simply doesn't last centuries; it doesn't last years. Even the sacred things - forks and plates and lamps - would not last centuries, even though they're made from metals. It is barely believable that a wooden box could last that long, even with it being covered with gold, knowing that it has actually passed through enemy hands as a conquest of war.

Watching these items being paraded through the streets of Jerusalem and into the Temple could leave only one impression on any logical person. Some great and supernatural power has protected these things. Couple that with what happens later - at the completion of Solomon's prayer, fire and lightning strike the alter and light the burnt offering - and this is all evidence of Yahweh without anyone actively asking for a miraculous sign.

Application: I would love to be a witness to some miraculous sign that is seen by thousands and thousands of people, for which there can be no explanation but that the Lord is real. I know he is real ... I don't seek any more proof than I already have ... but I do wish something would happen that even the most cynical couldn't deny.

And of course that is the issue. If the cynical can't deny it, then belief would not be based on faith. I may really like the idea of suddenly everyone believing in God, turning to Jesus, and discovering joy and hope by the Holy Spirit. However, that isn't what would happen because those converts wouldn't have discovered faith. They would have seen 'proof' without seeking 'truth'.

In the end, undeniable proof just doesn't work, and God knows it. Those of us who believe don't need it. Those who don't believe couldn't reconcile it.

Prayer: Lord, as I desire a revival, let it start with this idea. May we foster in the world a desire to seek truth, hope, joy, and love. And may those desires turn hearts toward you. Amen.

Listening to Every Belief

Scripture: Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn’t take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. 1 Corinthians 9:19-22

Observation: Paul is making an important point about his method for evangelism. He does not walk around declaring himself a great evangelist. Instead, he enters into the world and lives of others and meets them where they are, how they are, and engages with them ... often not even as a peer, but as one who would serve them to earn the right to talk to them. And what kinds of people does he engage with, and how does those align to our more modern descriptions?

Religious = Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and others who believe in other gods

Nonreligious = Agnostics, Atheists

Meticulous moralists = Activists on the side of near-radical 'moral correctness'

Loose-living immoralists = Anarchists and even active and remorseless criminals

The defeated = The poor and homeless who have given up on life

The demoralized = Those without hope, pushed into mental illness and clinical depression

And how does Paul engage with them? He doesn't take on their issues or belief systems. However, he "tried to experience things from their point of view". In other words, he actually listens to them, finds out what they believe, hears about their experiences and decisions, learns of their logic and philosophies that drove their conclusions. Then ... still holding onto his anchor point that is Jesus Christ ... then he can speak to them about the gospel message.

Application: This is a foundational reminder today that, when interacting with someone who doesn't believe in Jesus, the best thing to do is to ask them "so what do you believe?" and then REALLY - with full interest and genuine curiosity - LISTEN to the answer! Ask questions. Learn more. Delve into the decision process and logic. Show genuine interest.

When I have done this, I have heard things that I know are absolutely false. They are logically ... insane, even by earthly standards. The things others believe to justify not believing are often beyond reason, and sometimes outright offensive. They can make your blood boil. However, it is important to remember two things.

First, my anchor remains in Jesus. As such, I can listen to anything even to the point of taking in 'knowledge' that is actively opposed to Jesus' teachings, and not be influenced. Second, Jesus loves these people, and died for them, and in fact he may have had them in mind much more than he had me in mind, so they deserve to be respected as people, and to hear to gospel.

And we know that will happen. If I listen long enough, eventually the person will ask what I believe ... and I guarantee my answer will have far more hope, joy, and even logic, than theirs.

Prayer: Lord, may I have the opportunity today, tomorrow, this week, next week, and all the rest of my life, to evangelize as Paul did. Please give me peace and discernment to simply ask them what they believe, and to truly listen with your heart of love to their response. May I then have your wisdom to reveal what I believe. Amen.

Getting Put Out to Pasture

Scripture:
Here’s a piece of bad business I’ve seen on this earth,
An error that can be blamed on whoever is in charge:
Immaturity is given a place of prominence,
While maturity is made to take a backseat.
I’ve seen unproven upstarts riding in style,
While experienced veterans are put out to pasture.
Ecclesiastes 10:5-7

Observation: As the wise writer continues with his observations of the world, he calls out this bad practice ... organizations that rely upon young, immature, inexperienced leaders, while casting aside older veterans who have acquired experience in their lives.

Application: Here's the deal ... I have been put out to pasture, and while sometimes it really bothers me, other times I kinda take it as a blessing. I no longer have the stress of leadership; I do not feel the weight that comes when my own decisions could truly impact the lives of dozens or hundreds of other people. At the same time, I don't necessarily get to decide for myself what to do. I have flexibility in my daily work, but not in my overall direction, goals, and outcomes. And I do find it interesting when peers, superiors, and even those clearly above me in a 'chain of command' come to me for advice.

However, make no mistake, I'm in the back seat. I do not have a place of prominence. After collecting decades of experience, having seen many successes and failures in my area of experience, I have no input into what any organization should do, or how anyone does anything. The people "in charge" - and I know who they are - made this decision.

Today, I take comfort that this is so very, very common that Solomon himself observed this almost 3,000 years ago. None of this is about me! This is just how people are, and they always have been this way. And by the way, lest I forget ... it's all smoke, just a temporary issue, embedded within of a temporary earthly life, to be erased and forgotten with the wave of a hand or even just a random breath of a breeze.

So I can enjoy my life. I can bless others, for I do not even know what tomorrow holds anyway. And I can fear the Lord and obey his instructions, as the best way of living and enjoying this life, until my body is cast back into the dirt and my soul returns to be with the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, I do not enjoy my life when I think sadly about issues that have occurred, and I do not enjoy my life when I am doing things that are disobedient to you. May my mind, body, heart, and soul draw closer to you, especially my mind. May my mind focus on you, meditate more on your word, and apply itself not to solving worldly problems, but to simply understanding you and being with you. Amen.

This Cycle is Meaningless

Scripture: I saw a youth just like this start with nothing and go from rags to riches, and I saw everyone rally to the rule of this young successor to the king. Even so, the excitement died quickly, the throngs of people soon lost interest. Can’t you see it’s only smoke? And spitting into the wind? Ecclesiastes 4:14-16

Observation: Solomon is the accepted author of Ecclesiastes, and here he talks of something he has seen ... a man go from a state of unknown to fame only for it not to last. He saw one of his own brothers go from being declared king by a large crowd, to being alone and begging for his life. To some degree, Solomon went from being declared the wisest man in the world - and standing in the newly built temple before the entire country while the very being of the Lord filled the space - to later simply going through the mundane work of ruling, and likely hearing about every complaint people have against himself. As we have all done, he likely saw people rise to power in business, only to see the business lost.

This is the way of it. Earthly success is achieved and lost in cycles. People rally to the success then slink away as it fades. The individual has their star rise, but it falls with little understanding of what changed, and popular opinion and praises rise and fall with it.

And both are meaningless. The praise and popularity of success - even rising from poverty to kingship - is meaningless. The loss of position and honor - be it as a king or business leader - is meaningless. How great of an indictment is this, then, that many people consider the achievement of professional success, and the labors and challenges they needed to overcome, to define their very lives, setting them up for feeling destroyed and lost when the cycles changes?

Application: This issue happens to so many, especially men (but increasingly women) in 'western' society. We strive for success in our field, achieve it along with acknowledgment and honor and praise from others, then it fades. We feel the ebb and flow of success. Worse, we experience the ebb and flow of popular opinion ... we think we earned honor, so therefore must have earned the later dishonor.

The wisest man of all time, educated by the most-wise Yahweh, says ... this cycle is meaningless.

So here I am, on the downward side of the cycle, and I keep trying to tell myself not to care. The lesson I am taking away today is that it is true I shouldn't care about ANY of it. I especially need to ignore the fact that success ever occurred, for that too was meaningless. And I need to not care about any of the people who responded both favorably and unfavorably as it all happened, for they were just part of the meaningless cycle.

I need to do good work now, embrace the joy the Lord gives me every day, and serve and praise the Lord in it all. In this I will find peace in my heart, and purpose in life.

Prayer: Lord, I am languishing again due to my attachment to the world. I wish to move way beyond the world, and into your purposes and joy. I will strive to do good work, honorable to myself, my family, and most importantly to you. May that be all I care about in the world, and all else may I direct to you, serving you by loving my wife and family, loving others, and declaring your praise. Amen.

God of the Third Party

Scripture: And you, Solomon my son, get to know well your father’s God; serve him with a whole heart and eager mind, for God examines every heart and sees through every motive. If you seek him, he’ll make sure you find him, but if you abandon him, he’ll leave you for good. 1 Chronicles 28:9

Observation: David's final act is to proclaim the building of the temple, commission Solomon for that work, and take up a collection to fund the project. Throughout these two chapters, the Lord is often referred to in a specific way. He is called ... the God of someone else. In this verse, speaking to Solomon, David calls him the God of your father. He previously called him "your [Solomon's] God". In a few verses he declares God as "my God" both when addressing Solomon and then when addressing the public. After taking the collection, he declares the treasures have been given to "our God", and the people are to continue to bless "your God". The narrator emphasizes that the people did in fact bless "the God of their ancestors".

In some cases, this can seem like a personal connection ... God in fact belongs to individuals, just as one would refer to their own parent or friend. In other cases, it feels a little more like it's instructional, that David is telling people they should have that familial connection if they don't already.

Application: I use the word "my" when referring to the Lord and to Jesus. Jesus is my Lord and savior. God is my abba father, my protector, my provider, my rock and foundation. However ... I need to examine my heart, because I don't feel that close to him. And that's a big problem.

I do want a personal relationship with God. However, my guilt and shame over continued sins - anger, swearing, lust, hate, sorrow, distrust - results in me pushing him away. He doesn't leave me, but I withdraw from him, like an angsty teen who doesn't want to be hugged.

I don't want God to be the God of others ... of third parties. I want him to be my God, declared so by me, because I own the relationship and desire to move toward him at all times.

Prayer: Lord, my Lord and my God, I do love you. Please forgive me for my hard and foolish heart, and thank you for your patience with me. You know I am bad at all relationships. May I find my way to improving ours. Amen.

Ordering, Planning, and Executing

Scripture: David didn’t keep a count of men under the age of twenty, because God had promised to give Israel a population as numerous as the stars in the sky. Joab son of Zeruiah started out counting the men, but he never finished. God’s anger broke out on Israel because of the counting. As it turned out, the numbers were never entered into the court records of King David. 1 Chronicles 27:23-24

Observation: This overall section of the chronicles - three chapters - is detailing the order and structure David decreed for all aspects of governance and operations. From worship, to finances, to courts, David defined teams with orderly responsibilities. Interestingly, in the middle of all of it, the event of David's ill-conceived census comes up. This was the event that raised God's great anger, forcing David to choose a punishment.

In other words, there is a seeming lesson about how the Lord approaches earthly work and daily functions. The Lord appreciates order. He approves of people being assigned tasks, with elements of both purpose for doing the tasks, and structure for defining who does what activities. However, the Lord disapproves of human analysis about the ability for the Lord's work to get done. He expects a level of faith. If the work is the right work, trusting the Lord in one's ability to do the work - whether that involves skill, knowledge, resources, or manpower - is part of the expectation.

The logical conclusion is that people are to trust in the Lord in all aspects of daily work and life. We are to obey to the Lord in ordering our activities and defining what work is to be done. We are to listen to the Lord regarding the plans and structure for doing such work. And we are to trust in the Lord for the knowledge, skills, and abilities to actually do the work.

Application: This is an interesting thought about the way in which the Lord guides all of us. I immediately recognize that I tend to jump around on this procedure, probably skipping some of them and varying in my diligence on them all. I may pray to God to help me do something, but never previously prayed about what I should be doing in the first place. I may receive guidance about what work or activities should be done, but then create my own procedure and model for doing it, then declare in faith that the Lord will help me do it my way.

My wife and I are about to enter a new phase in our lives. We both know it, though we haven't quite said it that way. We are both praying about it, though. This lesson today is a good understanding of how we should be praying. We first need the Lord's clarity and wisdom to define the order of our lives ... to tell us what work and activities he wants us to do next, and perhaps the purposes for such activity. Then, we should seek out the plan for such activities ... the structure of where we will do these things, with whom, and when action should be initiated. If we are obedient with these, we can certainly have faith that he will then give us all the help we could need to execute on his good and perfect will.

Prayer: Lord, as you know, we are in fact seeking your will and direction for our lives. We are entering the final acts of our earthly careers, and feel you have a purpose for us in this phase. We also see certain doors closing, but have not yet found the new, opening doors. May your will be done. Please give us your wisdom to order our steps and our path. Amen.

The Honor of Knowing Joy

Scripture:
You made me so happy, God.
I saw your work and I shouted for joy.
How magnificent your work, God!
How profound your thoughts!
Dullards never notice what you do;
fools never do get it.
Psalm 92:4-6

Observation: In this psalm of praise, the writer declares how wonderful it is to find happiness and joy in God's handiwork. He sees the Lord's hand in everything, recognizes his perfect work, and experiences his wise thoughts.

This is not so for "dullards" and "fools." Such people do not notice the Lord in the things of the world, and thus have no understanding of the wonder of creation. They experience the world as only an accident of nature, and even in that context they focus on earthly hardships and problems and challenges of an empty life.

Application: I rejoice, for it is a blessing of God to even just experience joy! Happiness and wonder and joy are most abundant in the context of understanding the Lord's love and wisdom and authority. It is therefore and honor and gift from God to have such a context in life. Trusting the Lord - knowing that the Lord is in control of the world and has wonderful designs and plans for us all - accentuates all the happiness of life.

Prayer: Hallelujah to you, Lord God almighty. You are the provider of all wonder, all joy, all happiness, and all good things. May I praise you forever and ever. Amen, and amen.

Not the Fashionable Wisdom

Scripture: We, of course, have plenty of wisdom to pass on to you once you get your feet on firm spiritual ground, but it’s not popular wisdom, the fashionable wisdom of high-priced experts that will be out-of-date in a year or so. God’s wisdom is something mysterious that goes deep into the interior of his purposes. You don’t find it lying around on the surface. It’s not the latest message, but more like the oldest—what God determined as the way to bring out his best in us, long before we ever arrived on the scene. 1 Corinthians 2:6-7

Observation: As Paul has done a couple times, he discusses the idea that the wisdom of the Lord is a mystery, though that mystery has been revealed by the Lord himself through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. That said, the Lord's wisdom is unknown if one is not in connection with the Lord. For this reason, the wisdom is not common to the world, and it is not at all aligned to popular opinion. It is not "the latest message" and it isn't "lying around on the surface" of popular culture, easy to find. It absolutely is not new-age thinking, but is the oldest of all wisdom, determined effectively as part of creation itself.

Of course, Paul also has an important caveat to anyone who would seek such wisdom. It is available "once you get your feet on firm spiritual ground." Again, to understand the true wisdom that defines the best way to live one's life, you must first ... have a relationship with the Lord, Yahweh, God almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Application: I began to write my reaction to this, and was just now surprised by what that reaction was. I find I am sincerely glad for terms like "post-modern" and "enlightened" and "progressive" and "new-age" and "post-Christian" ... terms that are used throughout the world today to describe some new philosophy, or concepts, or moral code, or way of living. I am downright happy for the existence of such terms, because by their own use and existence they openly declare that these concepts are NOT in any way aligned to the purposes and wisdom of the Lord.

Society has openly declared that its ideals have moved beyond any 'old' way of living. The full trinity - Lord God the father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit - tell those of us of faith that proper, life-giving wisdom is old, unchanging, and the best. We, therefore, don't need to have any confusion about if the emerging 'wisdom' of this age is well-aligned to the Lord's wisdom ... this very age openly and actively declares that it is not.

Prayer: Praise, all praise, to the Lord! You, Lord, are the source of truth and of wisdom and of knowledge. May I seek your wisdom only, and not the popular or fashionable wisdom. Yes, your wisdom is founded in love, secured by your truth, and defined by your word. Every day, may I dive below the surface and into the mystery of your word, and find there your wisdom. Amen.

Context for Rejection

Scripture: The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out. 1 Corinthians 1:18

Observation: Paul begins his letter to the church at Corinth with encouragement about who they are, what they believe, and why it is that other factions in the city - perhaps people with more power and authority - are not joining in the faith. This is where Paul will delineate between how different people-groups come to faith, some by seeing miracles, some through logic, but the important method is preaching the truth about salvation through 'Christ crucified'. In this, he points out a truth that has remained true for millennia ... for those who are "hellbent on destruction" (aka completely reject the idea of God), the idea of Jesus bringing salvation through death and resurrection is the epitome of crazy nonsense.

Application: As I said, this fact has remained true to this very day. When we as Christians talk about salvation through belief in Jesus, those who are so far removed from God that they reject the idea that he exists consider us as if we are crazy. I have heard them use the words crazy, delusional, and mentally unstable. I have also heard much worse and more sinister ... that we are dangerous cultists, and a hate organization out to destroy society.

Here's the point. This is expected and known behavior, and has been for centuries. It is sad to be certain that large components of society are so deceived by the evil one that they have rejected the Lord. However, out of the basis of that rejection, their response to the gospel message is just ... normal. Of course they think we are crazy, just like dozens and dozens of generations in the past thought the same way. It's not personal against us, or unique to our time in history.

Prayer: Lord, I pray today for all those who think we Christians are crazy, and especially for those who so deeply believe it that they would openly declare it and fight against us. I know there will come a time when even they, faced with indisputable facts, bow to you, but in the meantime they are struggling with life and have no way of even knowing why. Yet even though they reject you, you have not rejected them. May many of them discover you before it is too late. Amen.

Quick to Embrace Earthly Ways

Scripture: All these soldiers came to David at Hebron, ready to fight if necessary; they were both united and determined to make David king over all Israel. And everyone else in Israel was of the same mind—"Make David king!" 1 Chronicles 12:38

Observation: With Saul dead and David having been anointed the successor by Samuel, the historian writing Chronicles documents ... all the military power that rallies around David to "make" him king. This is fascinating in the overall context of Israel.

-- Israel was without a king for ~500 years.

-- When God relented to give them a king, whom it would be was decided by the prayers of a holy prophet, who then anointed the Lord's choice and everyone agreed.

-- When God declared that man unfit, the same prophet anointed his future successor.

HOWEVER, Israel is now reacting as if the turnover of kingly authority from Saul to David is actually a military coup, to be accomplished through their own might and their own selection process, rather than an act of God. Yes, this is how kings worked in the ancient world, with the throne passed down a lineage and requiring a rebellion to change that, but that was not how Israel was supposed to be doing it. However, within one - ONE - king's reign, Israel has turned their model for selecting kings into the worldly model.

Effectively, God had said 'fine, I'll give you a king, and here is how I'll select that king', and as quickly as was humanly possible, people abandoned God's decision process for their own. Yes, in this case that process produced the same result as the Lord's model did, but that would not last.

Application: Once again, we see a teaching about how we - humans in general, and certainly myself explicitly - make mistakes because we make decisions for ourselves. In many cases, we follow this same progression. First, we place our faith in God to guide us, and it goes well. Second, we simultaneously ask for the Lord's guidance but also make a decision for ourselves, and behold they align so that goes well too, and we think we 'figured it out.' So third, we just make our own decisions.

Every direction the Lord has ever given me about my life has been perfect, while every decision I've ever made has been hit-and-miss, including some MAJOR misses. So why would I ever trust myself to make decisions about my life? Why would I want to? Of course, the answer is 'original sin' and the desire for humans to self-direct instead of trusting the Lord.

Prayer: Abba, my daddy, may I be reminded today that I am your child, and in fact my life is best when I surrender to you just like a child, take your hand, and simply allow myself in full trust to be led by you. May my mind no longer consider my future, but instead may I pray into your will and direction about my future, and in full faith and trust just follow your instructions. Amen.

That's My King

I'm not letting the rocks cry
Without joining the chorus!