I will Die Someday

Scripture: I think it is right, as long as I am in this bodily tent, to wake you up with a reminder, since I know that I will soon lay aside my tent, as our Lord Jesus Christ has indeed made clear to me. 2 Peter 1:13-14

Observation: Peter begins the instruction portion of this letter discussing the ever-improving character traits believers should strive to keep, and says it is proper for him to remind them of these traits as long as he is still alive ... for he will die exactly as Jesus told him he would. This could be just one of those offhanded comments like "we all know we'll die someday" types of comments, however we know the facts are different for Peter. He knows for certain - told to his face by the Messiah himself - that he will be crucified by the Romans. Peter knows that time is nearing, as suppression of Christians is spreading, so he isn't making an offhanded comment ... he is speaking as one for whom the Lord himself has revealed his fate, that fate in near, that fate is certain, and that fate is scarry.

Application: My fate is not revealed to me, and any discussion I have about my death is of the offhanded "I'll die someday" variety. However, I have become aware that "someday" now seems soon. I have friends who have died, and I hear of people younger than I who die regularly. Even my best-case scenario of how long my family genetics likely would have me live bring my end within sight ... I have had 'seasons' of my life that have lasted about the same number of years as there are between my 'now' and 'then.'

I'll die someday, and my greatest concern is that I am not doing the work of the Lord that I am supposed to be doing. Unlike Peter, I'm not using my time in this "bodily tent" to do all I could for the kingdom of God. Sure, I do some, but that is far from enough.

Peter reminds me today that there is still time. My tent is still standing (even as I dreamed last night about camping!). I have time to practice faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, brother affection, and love ... and then to act in accordance with all those toward others around me.

Prayer: Lord, the harvest field is before me. Send me. May I do better and better each day in following your ways, so that I may serve you all the rest of my days, no matter how long that may be. Amen.

Seeking the Divine Revelation

Scripture: The Chaldeans answered the king, "No one on earth can make known what the king requests. Consequently, no king, however great and powerful, has ever asked anything like this of any magician, medium, or Chaldean. What the king is asking is so difficult that no one can make it known to him except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals." Daniel 2:10-11

Observation: Early in Daniel's service to the king, Nebuchadnezzar demands interpretation of a disturbing dream is has had. However, he goes beyond just seeking interpretation; he actually requires the wise men to know what the dream is without him telling them. This act, therefore, goes far beyond just a wise understanding, or some psychological allegory or metaphorical interpretation ... and even the wise men know it. The wise men respond that what the king asks is unreasonable and even impossible, and that the only way this can be done is by "the gods". No human can meet the king's request. Nevertheless, Nebuchadnezzar proceeds with his demand, even declaring he will have the wise men killed for their failure.

The words of the wise men, however, are actually completely truthful. They have spoken wisely and honestly when they said that they cannot reasonably use their wisdom to respond to the king, and that only God could know the answer. Of course, God does know the answer, and he will reveal it to Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar's rejection of their completely true and accurate council provides insight into the real issue here. Nebuchadnezzar does desire an understanding of his dream, but what is really stirring him to sleeplessness and now action is ... he is seeking to discover God, and struggling to reconcile that emptiness.

Yes, Nebuchadnezzar's ask is unreasonable and he has been counseled as such. Yet he persists, knowing that the only explanation for success will be to discover something about the nature of the true God. He doesn't even yet know what or who that God is! He himself is not praying to any being. However, he has something bothering him deep inside, and has created a scenario whereby the only outcome is either a revelation about the divine, or despair. Daniel will bring the divine revelation, and Nebuchadnezzar will at first not understand it (creating a giant idol to be worshipped), but that only means Nebuchadnezzar applies the wrong context to his first encounter with the one true God. He does, in fact, have the Lord revealed to him, and it begins to change him.

Application: I am confident in this fact when it comes to the extremely lost and broken people in the world today ... they actually know they have a giant hole in their lives, and they keep seeking something to fill it. Unfortunately, they have chosen many earthly concepts. However, every once in a while, I see someone with absolutely no faith at all, but can tell they are trying to figure out if there is a 'divine' to fill their lives.

I hope we meet a lot of people like this over the next 30 days. I hope there are people who come to our Christmas lights show who can feel they have something missing - it's keeping them up at night, and they hope it is filled even though they can't explain how they feel but they know it can only be filled by something beyond their earthly understanding - and they discover the Lord. Sure, they may misunderstand who and what the Lord is at first, and misapply him to their lives, but it will be a start. It will be an encounter that leads to more.

Prayer: Lord, I do pray this. Please bring divine appointments to the Christmas lights. May this be a harvest time unlike even other years. Bring those who know they have a hole that isn't being filled by any of their earthly quests and ideals and pursuits, and give us your wisdom to simply reveal you to them. Amen.

Another Reminder of Prayer and Love

Scripture: The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:7-8

Observation: As Peter continues to encourage the exiles to do what is right, he reminds them of these facts. First, there will be an end-time when Jesus returns, and an end-time for each of our lives on earth. Second, knowing the end approaches, believers should be active in their prayer life. Third, the most important element is for believers to love one another - the new command Jesus gave the disciples - for such love is a form of seeking forgiveness for the sins we do inevitably commit.

These three items are presented in the context of understanding both the sins and evil actions of the non-believers in the world, and the persecution that will befall believers at the hands of the world. Yes, believers need to prepare, to endure, to avoid world actions; Peter goes into some detail on these aspects of life. Yet the key point is ... in the context of our hope in Jesus' return, pray regularly, and love one another.

Application: It is evident that these two 'issues' have been on my mind in the last months. I have often been called to think about my deficient prayer life, and upon my deficient heart and love for others. The latter of these has improved, as I do find myself with more mercy and kind thoughts toward others, especially other believers. I can still do a LOT better. And my prayer life is still lacking, as I do not turn nearly often enough to the Lord for all manner of assistance, encouragement, wisdom, and guidance. I pray for guidance, then don't ask for instruction when given choices. I pray for wisdom, then don't pray over any advice others ask of me. I pray for assistance, then don't pray over decisions I am asked to make.

I do need to continue to keep my heart turned toward the Lord. I must do this through regular prayer, bringing all matters to him, and therefore opening my heart more and more to his love I can pass onto others. I wish to be a successful exile, mindful of Peter's great instruction.

Prayer: Lord, I do desire to bring my heart and my mind before you more and more, which will also keep them both from wandering into the ways of the world, as well. Again I say, may I seek you, your mind, your direction, and your heart, in all matters, every day. Amen.

Endurance for the Someday

Scripture: You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7

Observation: As Peter begins his letter to the "exiles", he speaks of their faith. It is a faith that gives them strength and understanding, even as they have hardships that result from being a person of faith living among those who ridicule such faith and such people. His audience rejoices in their faith, proving their character by enduring trials. And the expected outcome of such endurance is ... praise, glory, and honor to come at the revelation of Jesus as the Messiah.

In other words, they do not suffer and endure for status and recognition among each other, and not for some kind of respect from the general public. They do so because, when Jesus is finally revealed to others, then their faith will be understood, and they will then be honored as faithful and good.

Application: The Christian themes, ideas, instruction, and encouragement of 1 Peter are pretty well understood after some study. In just this introduction, he introduces ideas that permeate all scripture and now all Christianity ... Christians are now the exiles in the world needing to live a life of obedience and faith while within a secular and heathen culture, and Christians will be persecuted to varying degrees for having a faith that requires a different style of living. These were the same ideals given to the patriarchs, defined by Moses, and further explained by Jeremiah and Ezekiel. The Jews were set aside and different for a purpose, and now Christians - by faith in Jesus - both inherit the promises of the Lord, and live a unique life as outcasts scattered throughout a secular world.

However, today I am reminded of the "why". We do not live this way to impress ... anyone! We do not exercise faith, patience, and attempted piety because we want to seem good to each other, or to be considered superior by non-believers (when in fact quite the opposite is far more common). We do it because ... SOMEDAY Jesus will be revealed to the entire world, and at that time the world will see that our collective faith made a difference. Believers will be celebrated (by others, each other, or by heaven, it is not clear to me).

We do not endure for recognition today. We endure to make the future recognition of Jesus all the greater.

Prayer: Lord, as an exile, I praise you. I remember today my exile status, and that my endurance through the cultural and political chaos of our current age is not about me, but it is about you and your glory. May you be known to the world soon, Jesus. Amen.

Trying to Release Judgment

Scripture: Don’t criticize one another, brothers and sisters. Anyone who defames or judges a fellow believer defames and judges the law. If you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? James 4:11-12

Observation: James could not be clearer in this passage ... believers are not to criticize, defame, or judge each other. All believers are attempting to do the will of the Lord, and judgment of anyone's methods therefore belongs to the Lord alone, for he alone is the judge.

Application: I have been angry for two days now about the pharisaical behavior of my sister inlaw, and how her words and actions have hurt primarily my wife, but also me. I could go on and on through a 30-year history of myself first-hand, and probably more like 50 years for my wife, about how much this woman has hurt us simply by declaring how much better her faith is than everyone else ... all while she experiences sorrow and hardship as a direct result of her failings.

I judge her, and claim a righteous high-ground because she judges us first. I know she's a Pharisee in the truest form I have ever seen, and Jesus gave us a clear example of how to respond to and judge Pharisees. However ...

1) Jesus is Lord, and I am not.

2) Judgment begets judgment, and I am nowhere near good enough to seek judgment.

3) My anger only harms me.

So I will try to release the anger today. It isn't easy, because her words and actions are simultaneously so provably wrong, and so intentionally hurtful. Again, I could go on and on, but ... I need to just stop, forgive, and move on in my heart. I trust in the Lord for my peace and joy, and for peace and joy for my wife. Judgment is his, not mine.

Prayer: Lord, I forgive Carol and release her to you for anything else. Please give my wife your peace today, a peace she cannot understand, in this matter, and allow us both to move on in our hearts and minds. We place you above us, and we have no place in this matter other than to continue to serve you and love others in your name. Amen.

They Have Not Prevailed

Scripture:
Since my youth they have often attacked me—
let Israel say—
since my youth they have often attacked me,
but they have not prevailed against me.
Psalm 129:1-2

Observation: How very often I have thought this during the last 13 months at least ... one of the most definitive signs of the Lord is not only the existence of Israel, but the history of hatred directed toward it. Israel is a nation that began as one childless old man, living as a foreigner in a tent. As his family grew, they went from being ignored, to being outcast, to being hated, to being oppressed, to being attacked. More than 3,500 years later, they remain outcast, hated and attacked, even by people who have no idea why they should possess such an attitude, let alone by evil terrorists who have made this one hate their life's mission.

Yet here they still stand, still existing, still a people. There is no explanation outside of the supernatural will of the Lord. Since their youth, the world has often attacked them, but the world has not prevailed.

Application: Once again, there is no explanation I could ever logically rationalize for the survival of the Jews outside of the will of the Lord. I will never stand against Israel or the Jews. I do pray for their acceptance of - their awakening toward - Jesus as Messiah. I do pray for the end of hostilities toward them, and for Shalom to exist in Jerusalem and throughout their land. I do pray for wisdom of their national leaders, softening of their religious leaders, and health for all their people whether or not I know them or have a connection to them. I pray that the misguided in society around me would reconsider the reasons for their own minds in these matters, and recognize the spiritual root cause as part of their own awakening to faith. I pray that Christians would be unified in our support of the Jews both publicly and privately.

Prayer: Lord, I pray all these things for Israel, for the Jews, for Christians, and for all people. By their actions as a people, may your nation of priests once again make you known to the very ends of the earth. Please bless them, so you blessing may flow to all. Amen.

The Promised Shepherd

Scripture: For this is what the Lord God says: See, I myself will search for my flock and look for them. As a shepherd looks for his sheep on the day he is among his scattered flock, so I will look for my flock. I will rescue them from all the places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and total darkness ... I will establish over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will shepherd them. He will tend them himself and will be their shepherd. Ezekiel 34:11-12,23

Observation: Ezekiel and all the exiles already in Babylon hear that Jerusalem has fallen, and it is revealed that this is the full destruction. Survivors will die and escapees will be hunted. The city and all within it are destroyed, and the Jews are now well and truly kicked out of the promised land. With this, God pronounces a special curse upon the "shepherds" of Israel, those leaders who were supposed to be caring for everyone. They used the resources of the flock to care for themselves, rather than actually taking care of the flock itself, and they are called out for this. However, just as the exile has a promise of future return, even the curse upon the shepherds also has a future promise.

The Lord himself will become the shepherd of the flock. He - the Lord God almighty, creator of heaven and earth - will come and care for sheep, finding the strays, rescuing those who are lost, saving those wandering in darkness. With this, the Lord will establish an earthly shepherd from the line of David to tend those sheep forever.

Application: I know how often Jesus called himself the good shepherd and used shepherd/sheep metaphors to define his mission or describe the behavior of people. I have been the one lost sheep who wandered away from the flock. I desire to hear my shepherds voice, to know it, and to follow him through the narrow gate into a secure life. I lay down daily under his protection.

The Lord IS my shepherd. He found me. His servant of David is established over me now, and I so wish to remain close to him, tended and guarded and cared for. The Lord promised this shepherd during the darkest moment in the history of his people, and I give glory to the Lord for fulfilling that promise, and thanks to the Lord that I am living within that promise.

Prayer: Lord, I say this again, thank you for your love and blessings, that I get to live as a sheep within your promised covering and protection. I also say this again today, may I find the humility to live as a sheep. I do not want my will, but your will. I want to hear, know, and obey your voice. I don't ask for strength to succeed in this world, but rather I ask for strength to set aside my foolishness and just obey you. Amen.

Delineating Human Wisdom

Scripture: Yes, you are wiser than Daniel; no secret is hidden from you! By your wisdom and understanding you have acquired wealth for yourself. You have acquired gold and silver for your treasuries. By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, but your heart has become proud because of your wealth. Ezekiel 28:3-5

Observation: In the prophesy explicitly against the king of Tyre, Ezekiel declares that king is wiser than Daniel ... yes, THAT Daniel, the Jew who by his wisdom has been raised to be the most trusted advisor of Nebuchadnezzar. Certainly, it is illogical to declare that the man who rules one city by his birthright alone is wiser than the man who went from captured slave to now advising the most powerful ruler on earth. And of course, as Ezekiel is declaring the true word of God, this is not quite what God is saying.

The king of Tyre is so wise that he has created the greatest trading center on the Mediterranean, and in so doing has acquired great wealth. He is brilliantly wise among men of business, trade, and expedition. And he knows it, openly proud of his wisdom. Daniel, on the other hand, has little knowledge in these matters, and does not seek to even understand them for himself. And in his humility, he turns to the Lord who reveals all great wisdom, ranging from territorial governance, to economic policy, to city leadership, to even accurate prediction of future events.

Daniel is not himself wise, but rather is granted wisdom by his faith in the Lord. The king of Tyre is actually very wise by worldly standards, and thus will be destroyed because his pride has led him to a place where he disregards the Lord.

Application: I do know the Lord has given me and my family very good intelligence, and I do know that this has been a trap for me in my life. I have looked for my own solutions to problems, considered my own path in my work, and done research and analysis to attempt to understand mysteries and issues. No matter how much I do that - even when I do that well - I will never be as wise as if I just prayed and sought the Lord's wisdom by faith.

The king of Tyre ruled a great city, where he and all the people were killed, and the city was eventually destroyed and partly flooded into the sea. His name isn't even remembered here in the bible, nor in the Wikipedia article about the history of the city. Despite possessing wisdom, understanding, and skill so great the Lord himself declares him wiser than Daniel, he is a failure, gone and forgotten. What hope do I have with my meager wisdom? The answer is 'none on my own', but I have all hope in the world when I seek the Lord's wisdom instead of mine.

Prayer: Lord, you are the wisest, the greatest, and the most powerful. You are legendary, and your ways are sure and true. May I only follow your wisdom in all matters great and small. Amen.

Churches are Not Perfect

Scripture: Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us. Hebrews 12:1

Observation: As the writer concludes a discussion of all the great Jews in history, he now pivots to the challenges of the believers. He encourages them this way ... with such a great group of witnesses - those who have for centuries stood fast in their faith - we should now lay aside the issues that ensnare us, and with endurance remain steadfast in our faith.

Application: I cannot read this without remembering the conflicts of the PC(USA) in the early 2000s, and how terrible it remains to think back on those conversations, even knowing then what would happen and seeing now that the outcomes were worse.

At the general assembly I'm thinking of, they even used part of this verse - "So Great a Cloud of Witnesses" - as the tagline and theme of the event. The primary agenda item at that event was (ultimately) the passing of a set of policies that explicitly and intentionally declared that we should not debate matters of sin and biblical truth ... in an effort to create "peace, unity, and purity." In other words, their method for laying aside the sin that ensnares was to accept the sin, leading to the path of declaring it not sin. In doing so, they ignored the actual point of Hebrews chapter 12 ... we should be strengthened by our faith and the faith of others, and struggle against sin even if it results in persecution, just as Jesus did.

These were dark times in my Christian journey, as I watched first-hand as all the negative attributes of Christianity came out. There was division and arguing. There was legalism and confrontation. There was wild misuse of scripture, and crazy human logic to justify actions. Ultimately, there were strong declarations by 'leaders' that the word of God was in error, incomplete, inaccurate, and outdated. And there was division. In all this, the body of Christ - the capital C 'Church' - became weakened by the apostasy of moral truth by some within the body, and the perceptions of those outside the body who therefore saw all Christianity as just another institution full of infighting and angst and even hate.

We left the church in order to find those who were actually running the race. We wanted a place where Christians were seeking to serve Jesus by 'doing' the great commission, and doing so out of their full faith in Jesus Christ as savior and master, their full reliance on Yahweh the Lord God almighty and his holy word, and their full engagement with the Holy Spirit for strength and direction.

Churches are not perfect. No church leader is perfect. The Lord absolutely knows that, most of all, I am very, very far from perfect. However, I desire to run the race with endurance. I desire to know and live within the word of God. I desire to make disciples of Jesus, baptizing and teaching, as the true pursuit of ministry. I desire to live out both justice and mercy while walking humbly with the Lord. Neither I nor my church do these things as well as we could, but I do want to keep running the race.

Prayer: Lord, I often ask for your strength in my daily walk. May I word it this way today. May I have the endurance found only in you so I may run the race that lies before us all. In your name, may I stand firm in the faith, as billions of witnesses before me have done, and by your strength and endurance may I live within your word, within your will, and within your body of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Such Difficult Instructions

Scripture: "Son of man, I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you with a fatal blow. But you must not lament or weep or let your tears flow. Groan quietly; do not observe mourning rites for the dead. Put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet; do not cover your mustache or eat the bread of mourners." I spoke to the people in the morning, and my wife died in the evening. The next morning I did just as I was commanded. Ezekiel 24:16-18

Observation: The Lord gives Ezekiel this information and this instruction ... tomorrow, the Lord is going to kill Ezekiel's wife, and he is not to publicly mourn her. He may be sad internally, but externally he must act as if nothing of consequence has happened, and this will be used as a sign for the rest of the Jews about how they are to act with Jerusalem is destroyed.

How impossibly difficult must this have been! Ezekiel - and likewise many of the other great prophets - has been ordered to do many difficult things, and to deliver tough messages. However, to be ordered to behave 'normal' upon the death of your own wife, and then to simply deliver the message to everyone that this is basically symbolism ... this seems beyond the norm. That said, Ezekiel does it and obeys the Lord, behaving exactly as the Lord required.

Application: I cannot imagine this, being ordered to act as if the death of my wife is meaningless in my daily life. My wife is truly the delight of my entire life, and if I someday do survive her passing it will be the worst and most devastating day of my life. I could never act 'normal' ever again, I feel.

This likely shows how poor of a disciple I truly am ... that there are scenarios in which I could not imagine successful obedience.

Prayer: Lord, I am such a weak believer. Please forgive my weakness. Amen.

In God we Trust

Jehovah
He is Rafah, He is Jireh
He’s the banner over us

This is just so well timed for the events of the past couple weeks. There is no other name in which we trust, and there is no other person in which we trust. As we continue to fight over issues - trivial and significant alike - waiving the flag in each other's faces as if it is a symbol that belongs to 'our side', let us remember that all the schemes and plans of men are meaningless before Jehovah Nissi.

No other!!

Knowing True Prophesy

Scripture: Then I said, “Oh, Lord God, they are saying of me, ‘Isn’t he just composing parables?’” Ezekiel 20:49

Observation: Ezekiel is well into his prophesies, making clear statements about what is to befall those still left behind in Jerusalem, and against surrounding lands and nations. He is doing this dutifully, declaring all the words the Lord has commanded. However, right here, after he has stated a prophesy against the forests of the Negev, he dares to respond to the Lord himself. His response is this ... the people aren't taking the prophesies seriously, but instead believe that Ezekiel is just telling stories as a teaching mechanism.

Surely this skepticism will not last long, as everything Ezekiel pronounces will occur withing just a few short years. That said, it must be frustrating for Ezekiel to be under such pressure to declare God's word, only to have people dismiss it as stories, fables, and metaphors.

Application: There is a warning here about calling out false prophets. I should not be so quick to question everyone just because I may not like their platform or tangential activities surrounding their message. I explicitly am thinking of certain prophets who begin and end every message with a pitch to buy their books. I find this detestable. That doesn't mean the messages aren't real

Prophesy needs to be tested against the word of God, and against accurate outcome of events. In that context, there are way too many false prophets declaring clear lies and deceiving believers and non-believers alike. I know there is a special judgment awaiting them. However, there are others making declarations that are clearly aligned to the word of God. Again, the same person who pitches his books has also made amazing, insightful predictions associated with Rosh Hashanah that are very aligned to others and to scriptures.

I will keep an open mind, and seek God's true word, for I know that it is becoming more and more important in these crucial days.

Prayer: Lord, I will be open to hearing your word, both in my reading, and also through your anointed messengers. May you give me, and all others, the wisdom to know the truth from the deceptions. Amen.

A Vision of Comfortable Living

Scripture: For Jesus is considered worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder has more honor than the house. Now every house is built by someone, but the one who built everything is God. Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s household, as a testimony to what would be said in the future. But Christ was faithful as a Son over his household. And we are that household if we hold on to our confidence and the hope in which we boast. Hebrews 3:3-6

Observation: As the writer compares Jesus to Moses, he uses a multi-layered metaphor, complex and yet simply understood. In the order they are applied to the metaphor, the people are:

-- Yahweh is the great architect and builder of a masterful house.

-- Moses is the most faithful servant of the Lord's household.

-- Jesus, the master's son, is the leader of the household and the entire family.

-- We - believers in Christ - are the household who live there.

There are SO many ways all of this could be unraveled and discussed; literally there is a full sermon series in these four verses. However, what has to jump out of all of it is ... how wonderful it feels to understand that we live in the Lord's great house. It is a great house, built by the creator of the universe, and as such it provides the comforts and security of all great homes. We are under the care of a master - Jesus - who provides for the household, and provides to the point of plenty without any want or need. We are even served by a brilliant servant, who gives guidance for daily activity that (if obeyed) results in peace and joy and gratitude and comfort and mercy and justness and pleasure. Again, in all of this, we get to be just the family, loved by the owner, cared for by the leader, instructed by the servant, and just living a wonderful life.

Application: This is the image I want in life ... comfortably living in the very palm of the Lord. Yes, I would be happier if I listed to the good instruction of the servant and if I trusted the master of the home with all provision, instead of trying to provide for myself and make my own decisions about my daily activity in all its forms.

I want this vision, and I can have it. The only thing that prevents it is my stubborn pride, hard heart, and egotistical attitude.

Prayer: Lord, I ask again today, please remove these three things from my life, for clearly I cannot do it on my own. I release my pride to you. May I live to just serve others. I release my heart to you. May I truly love others in all circumstances. I release my ego to you. May I not care what others think of me. Amen.