You Surpass Them All

Scripture:
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also praises her:
"Many women have done noble deeds,
but you surpass them all!"
Proverbs 31:28-29

Observation: This entire chapter is about the good and noble wife. Over and over, wisdom tells us how great it is for a man to find a good woman, and to avoid the bad woman who is nothing but a temptress. Here now is what that woman does, and it can all be summarized in one word ... kind. The good woman takes care of more than her family, caring for strangers and other villagers and market workers all the same. She is doubly prepared to care for her home and family. In all of this, others view her husband as wise and he is recognized as a peer to the other wise men of the village, because he was indeed wise enough to marry a wife such as her.

Application: My mother in-law has the first part of verse 28 embroidered on a pillow. However, all of this actually applies to my wife, especially verse 29.

My wife is an amazing person. She is a person who set aside a very successful career in finance to become the best possible mom, then years later returned to work as a wonderful pastor. She is good at everything she tries, and to the extent she has flaws, those flaws are never a matter of her heart and her caring for others, especially her family.

Sure, many women are good and have "done noble deeds", but my wife truly surpasses them all. And every other element of proverbs is true because of this fact ... I am a blessed man. Yes, I can be foolish and flawed and arrogant and proud. Oh yes, I can be proud. However, I am richly blessed because of how wonderful my wife is, and I know it.

Prayer: Lord, in my darkest times, when I was such a fool I didn't even know what wisdom was, you provided me with your love and the richest blessing of my life. I thank you. I give praise to you as my Lord and God, but I praise her with this compliment, she surpasses them all. Again I say thank you, Lord. Amen.

Only in the Temporary Time

Scripture: I hereby issue a decree concerning what you are to do, so that the elders of the Jews can rebuild the house of God: The cost is to be paid in full to these men out of the royal revenues from the taxes of the region west of the Euphrates River, so that the work will not stop. Whatever is needed—young bulls, rams, and lambs for burnt offerings to the God of the heavens, or wheat, salt, wine, and oil, as requested by the priests in Jerusalem—let it be given to them every day without fail, so that they can offer sacrifices of pleasing aroma to the God of the heavens and pray for the life of the king and his sons. I also issue a decree concerning any man who interferes with this directive: Let a beam be torn from his house and raised up; he will be impaled on it, and his house will be made into a garbage dump because of this offense. Ezra 6:8-11

Observation: The gentiles around Jerusalem, upset that the Jews are rebuilding the temple, have asked the king to stop it. The king, discovering that his predecessor ordered the rebuilding, sends this response ... all of you who are complaining are actually required to pay the Jews for doing this work, provide them with all they need for both construction and worship, and if you fail you will receive a death sentence and your family's home will be destroyed.

What a reversal! While it was 70 years between the exile and the return, it must be understood that those complaining about the Jews are descendants of those who celebrated when Jerusalem fell. As punishment from the Lord, their nations weren't just exiled, but were defeated and scattered ... the Edomites and Ammonites and Moabites don't exist anymore, by prophetic declaration of the Lord. And now, here come the Jews, not just existing but rebuilding Jerusalem and the temple, and when they try to stop it instead the king declares they must FUND it upon pain of death.

Application: This is just one example of what happens to those who oppose God's plans. Sure, they may succeed for a while (building had stopped for a time), but not only will they not prevail, they will fail spectacularly. They will not only fail, but their contrary efforts they will be put down with a definitive finality.

These Jews were justifiably afraid of all the people around them. They could not fight for their right to build and had to stop, waiting for the situation to somehow be resolved in their favor. This is what happened, by God's own hand.

So when I see this happening with issues designed to attack God's people now, I need to remember that we are only in the temporary time ... the time when the plots and schemes of evil appear to be overpowering and cannot be overcome by earthly might or logic or fighting. This is the time to wait for the situation to be resolved by God's own hand.

I want to fight against all the issues, but I can't and so I must not. God's got this.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you today for this reminder, that you are in control even of the evil plots and plans occurring all around, and you will even use them for your glory and purposes. I am not patient in such matters, so I lean into your patience from the Holy Spirit. To you be all glory and honor and praise, forever and ever! Amen and amen.

Supernatural vs. Impossible

Scripture: But after three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet. Great fear fell on those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” They went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies watched them. At that moment a violent earthquake took place, a tenth of the city fell, and seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake. The survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe has passed. Take note: The third woe is coming soon! Revelation 11:11-14

Observation: The first woe, which was the fifth trumpet blast, called out the legions of terrible hornet-locusts with scorpion stings to plague the earth for months. The second woe (sixth blast) released two hundred million mounted troops on fearful horses that carried plague, killing a third of the world. Then an interlude where we see the "two witnesses" testify for three and a half years ... or at least we thought it was an interlude! Instead, these years are part of the woe, which does not end until the witnesses are taken up into heaven.

So to summarize, the second woe involves:

-- Plagues that kill hundreds of millions of people

-- Two witnesses testifying, defying attacks, polluting water, and causing plagues

-- Those witnesses being killed by some enemy, prompting worldwide celebration

-- In view of the world, the witnesses being resurrected and taken up to heaven

-- An earthquake destroys much of Jerusalem, killing thousands

Only then does the woe pass. However, also, only then does those who oppose the Lord begin to "give glory to the God of heaven." They didn't do so when supernatural acts were occurring all over the world, but rather it required the impossible act of raising the two witnesses in full view of the world.

Application: I see the debate all the time on the internet when people wonder why God doesn't just "reveal" himself. I fully understand the answer as it relates to self-determination based on faith and love. However, one of the other issues is clearly the human ability to ... dismiss God's work and evidence.

The Lord has revealed himself in so many ways. He does so daily in small ways to almost every person, and has done so in extraordinary and supernatural ways to all mankind many times. And humans dismiss it. Now here in Revelation, we see humans dismiss wild and crazy events like global torture from a new breed of insect and the mass depopulation of the world as if they are just unfortunate issues, and not evidence of God's supernatural wrath. They have to see a literally impossible act - two bodies, dead for three days, and under constant live streaming on the internet, suddenly alive, made whole, spoken to by God, and levitated up into heaven - to begin to believe. Even then, they "give glory" to God but don't repent of their ways.

There are people who won't believe in Yahweh, the Lord God almighty, creator of heaven and earth. Amazingly, the Lord loves those people SO much, that he will both attempt to present himself and his greatness and his love to them over and over again, AND allow them to believe whatever they want about such evidence, even to the point of rejecting him.

Prayer: Lord, you are so great, so loving, so powerful. I see you in everything around me, and in everything you've done, and in everything you do every day. May others open their eyes, too. Amen.

Choosing How to Live

Scripture:
Four things on earth are small,
yet they are extremely wise:
...
A lizard can be caught in your hands,
yet it lives in kings’ palaces.
Proverbs 30:24,28

Observation: The writer of this proverb makes an interesting observation about four very simple creatures, and effectively that though they are small and weak, they make wise choices about how to live their lives. One of these is the lizard, an animal of so little strength and wisdom that any person can catch one without any special tools or weapons. However, they are often found in nice places, living in locations that would make humans jealous.

Application: I have seen geckos in Hawaii all the time, often hanging out by the pool at the resort ... a place we humans daydream of being.

This proverb makes me think about how I live, and especially what I do to live here. I live in relative safety and comfort, in a place that is completely provided by the Lord himself. Sure, I have a job, but what I do is meaningless in the scale of God's universe, and yet from it I receive resources for earthly living. This is the Lord's blessing.

I wish to live within the Lord's blessing like a lizard. I don't want to be dangerous, I don't care if I'm strong, and I don't want earthly wisdom. I do want to see that where I am is effectively the king's palace ... it is the Lord's kingdom and creation and provision. I want to live knowing he is my protection and shelter, and that the place where I am has a beauty and wonder that others may even desire for their own lives. In other words, I would like to choose a way of life that makes others consider me wise, while I know that I have no wisdom except for that which the Lord grants and guides me toward.

Prayer: Lord, you know very well I don't always live wisely. In fact, I do foolish things. Please forgive my terrible sins, and please forgive me when I turn away from your directions and instructions and commands and precepts. Again today I ask for you to lead me by the hand. May your Holy Spirit be near me and in me, so I may live in a manner more pleasing to you, while I meekly walk about within your great palace. Amen.

I Know this Prayer

Scripture: Another angel, with a golden incense burner, came and stood at the altar. He was given a large amount of incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar in front of the throne. The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up in the presence of God from the angel’s hand. The angel took the incense burner, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it to the earth; there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake. Revelation 8:3-5

Observation: In heaven, the prayers of the Lord's people rise before him like a fragrant offering. In this time, an angel takes those prayers, mixes them with burning incense, and ... initiates the destruction of all mankind. Hurling this mix of components initiates all kinds of disasters, followed by the terrible trumpet blasts (destruction of life, poisoning of water, damage to the sun and stars, with the last three being the great woes).

This absolutely begs the question, what were God's saints praying? What is being asked for that, when mixing it with fire from the alter of heaven, results in this reaction? Honestly, the answer seems clear. The Lord's people - who have been witness to the terrible actions of non-believers for years, and especially during the time of the seven seals - are praying for the end. They actually want it all to stop and be cleansed, society brought down to nothing, turned over to the will and judgment and mercy of the Lord, and nothing more.

Application: I know this prayer. I have said this prayer, though at other times I have also prayed for peace, patience, and more time delivering good news to the poor in spirit. But like I said, I know this prayer. I know the prayer that asks begs Jesus to come again, right now, and take us away. I know the prayer that calls to the Lord to make himself known with power and righteous might, smiting all evil and wiping out evildoers. I know the prayer that declares we are okay with the death of billions and the destruction of mankind's earthly 'stuff', so we can all just be with the Lord in heaven. I know the prayer that hopes the tribulation is real and we are taken away before the Lord lays waste to the evil of this world, but is actually okay with whatever the process is as we have hope in eternal joy. I know the prayer that, if ignited by holy fire and put into action, would put every disaster into motion.

There will come a time when the Lord's people - the saints who know Jesus as their Lord and savior - will speak this prayer with such vigor that the Lord will respond. That time is not yet, but it seems too close.

Prayer: Lord God almighty, creator of heaven and earth, today I am sad for your creation and what it will go through someday. May all of use who have placed our faith in you be in your hands at all times. I resign myself to your love and your protection; in fact, that is the perfect place to be. Thy will be done. Amen.

How we Weary the Lord

Scripture: You have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet you ask, “How have we wearied him?” When you say, “Everyone who does what is evil is good in the Lord’s sight, and he is delighted with them, or else where is the God of justice?” Malachi 2:17

Observation: Malachi begins with accusations against Israel from the Lord. He spends two chapters discussing how they have rejected him, which is manifested in how they have rejected every word and teaching and instruction he ever gave to them. As the last, special straw, he now declares that he is weary of them because not only do they reject what he has told them, but they declare that evil is good. They take that even a step further, stating that certainly the Lord is delighted in evil doers because of his own justice; since he hasn't openly punished (judged) such people, he must therefore accept their acts.

This - the very act of declaring that which the Lord has said is evil as being acceptable because the Lord loves people so much he offers an opportunity for repentance, forgiveness, and mercy - wearies the Lord. And the Lord's response will be to ... send "the Messenger of the covenant you delight in".

Once again, we see that one of the worst things humans do toward the Lord is reject his good teaching, and instead make our own decisions about good and evil. This is especially true when we use the Lord's own nature to justify the acceptance of evil. The Lord has grown so exasperated by this that he will send the Messiah to give final teaching and deliver a teaching that says ... forgiveness is available, all will be given a chance to repent, but judgment awaits those who do not. And that should be the end of this twisting of God's truth.

Right?

Application: Oh my!

I simply cannot read SO many passages in the Bible without thinking ... what in the world are these churches thinking? Now we see that Jesus ushered in the truth that should have overcome this concept that people who disobey the Lord are still "good in the Lord's sight" simply because the Lord doesn't smite them immediately. The Lord offers Jesus' death as a substitute for their judgment, if they will claim it by faith and declare him as their Lord and savior. That does NOT make their present actions good and acceptable.

Perhaps, therefore, it is a sign of faith to be wearied by these flawed actions and ridiculous conversations.

Prayer: Lord, may I do your work and your will today. I am far from perfect, so please forgive my sins, and help me to not judge others in their thoughts and actions, for I am very, very unqualified to judge. Instead, I seek your path today. Please take my hand and lead me. Amen.

Just Reporting the Facts

Scripture: The first living creature was like a lion; the second living creature was like an ox; the third living creature had a face like a man; and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. Revelation 4:7

Observation: In describing the Lord's throne room, John describes the "four living creatures" as having the appearance of four different created animals. It seems like there must be some significance to these, though it seems hidden from human logic. In fact, one of the creatures looks like a human, which actually complicates the thinking on this as they are not therefore just 'animals' as we would understand them.

Application: I was educated in understanding symbolism, well learned in various traditions for such metaphorical imagery. Yet I don't even have a beginning thought about what these four animals in combination may represent. By my thinking, that makes this image even more real. The author isn't trying to invent some hidden meaning, or creating a riddle to be solved about what is being told of. Instead, the author is just reporting what he saw. There were four living creatures that looked a certain way, and did certain things. There are numbers of beings, there are actions being done, there are animate creatures and inanimate objects that have certain appearances. These are just facts.

Someday I hope to see the four living creatures, and to just accept them as who and what they are, as part of the Lord's creation, just like me.

Prayer: Abba, your love is so wonderful, and your creativity in creation is so wonderful. May I never cease to marvel at your creation and beauty all around me. Amen.

Hurt People Hurt People

I was told this fact years ago and didn't understand it ... until a person greatly hurt me, and the Lord revealed to me that this person had been hurt so badly that they couldn't resist hurting others. In listening to this song today, after today's reading, I realize that even the uber-evil Haman was a man so hurt by SOMETHING in his life that, upon discovering that one meaningless man wasn't going out of his way to honor him, he constructed a plan to kill an entire people-group, paying $381 million(!) for the right to do so.

Here is the takeaway ... God's love will heal our hearts! Everyone fights a battle, and those of us with the love of God within us must accept the idea that "life bruises unequal". It is up to us to stop the cycle and forgive, even when it isn't asked for. Grace where grace is needed!!

Time to be Afraid

Scripture: I know your works—your love, faithfulness, service, and endurance. I know that your last works are greater than the first. But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols. Revelation 2:19-20

Observation: This is the second church in a row where Jesus' pronouncements are effectively as follows ... your faith is good, however some of you commit sins related to both recognizing the Lord as the true God and thus disobeying the commandments (with sexual immorality the prime example). In this case, these people are doing so because they claim to have discovered some hidden wisdom - they actually call it the "secrets of satan" (v24) - which is a teaching they now publicly profess.

And Jesus also declares the outcome of such actions ... they will be struck with afflictions and illnesses, and their children will die. This is consistent with other such declarations in scripture; even in Psalm 140 as part of today's reading, declares that those who oppose the Lord and his believers will have hot coals poured out on them and thrown into the fiery abyss of hell, and while on earth they will be evicted from their land and homes and hunted by violence itself.

The Lord gives time for repentance from doing wrong (v21), but in the end he will bring punishment on those who disobey, both in eternity and also in this life.

Application: Once again, as I have lamented before, the description of those cursed by their repeated and persistent disobedience is so very like our current society. I mean, this exactly describes modern cultural thinking ... 'through our better compassion and understanding of people, we now must understand, accept, and embrace all kinds of sexual behavior'. Is that not a "secret of satan"? Are these messages not originated by people who declare themselves to have some great insight like a prophet would?

And once again today I say, I am afraid for what will befall - and is already befalling - our society. Jesus pronounced the outcomes, reenforcing the word of God given to us even earlier, and we are not heeding his word. I don't fear for myself, but for our world.

Prayer: Lord, in the long-term plan of salvation, I am strong in your promises and I am not afraid of the long-term future. However, I know our earthly society is heading into a time of major problems. Please keep myself, my family, and your Church, in your loving hands. Amen.

Compromise Where Satan Lives

Scripture: I know where you live—where Satan’s throne is. Yet you are holding on to my name and did not deny your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness who was put to death among you, where Satan lives. But I have a few things against you. You have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block in front of the Israelites: to eat meat sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality. In the same way, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. So repent! Otherwise, I will come to you quickly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Revelation 2:13-16

Observation: The portion of this section directed to the church at Pergamum is very clear and direct. They live in a place overrun by the influences of Satan, yet to their credit they continue to declare their faith to Jesus. However, they have embraced compromise. The teaching of Balaam was one of compromise for the sake of practicality ... that the Israelites should eat food offered to idols because, after all, it is just cooked food, and the Israelites didn't participate in the sacrifice and worship. Meanwhile, the teaching of the Nicolaitans goes a step further, invoking the idea that there is no hard-and-fast morality for Christians since we are forgiven by faith for any and every act.

The end result of both of these teachings is that there are no truly forbidden acts for those who believe in the Lord and accept Jesus as Messiah. While there may be some level of morality necessary for a functional society, everything can be compromised so long as one holds onto their core faith. Jesus is clear to the church at Pergamum ... no, this is not correct. Repent! Otherwise, Jesus himself will fight against them with the "sword of my mouth", which is God's word.

Application: To the angel of the church in Rome ... to the angel of the church in Louisville ... to the angel of the church in Atlanta ... to each angel at every church in the denominations that have openly declared compromise with the word of God ... repent!

I do not want to see Jesus' Church requiring active correction from Jesus himself, and from the word of the Lord that they are ignoring. I want to see the Church as a light of both love and truth, able to declare both salvation by faith in Jesus, and joy by a relationship with the Lord.

Jesus knows where - and when - we live. He knows we live in the time of satan's authority over much of the world, and great influence through the culture he has corrupted. He knows we are holding onto his name, and not denying him as Messiah. But ... let's not hold to the teaching of Balaam and the Nicolaitans.

Prayer: Lord, Jesus, please correct your Church, and show us all how to repent. None of us want to fight you, for we do declare you as our Lord and savior, our Messiah and redeemer and protector. May we receive sound correction toward repentance in the areas we have compromised, and return to the full authority of your word. Amen.

A Matter of Compassion

Scripture: The Lord my God says this: "Shepherd the flock intended for slaughter. Those who buy them slaughter them but are not punished. Those who sell them say, ‘Blessed be the Lord because I have become rich!’ Even their own shepherds have no compassion for them." Zechariah 11:4-5

Observation: In relating the Lord's prophesies, Zechariah uses the metaphor of the shepherd. However, instead of this being about a 'good shepherd', it is instead about the reality of an 'earthly shepherd.' In such a context, the sheep are raised for slaughter. The shepherd ultimately sells the entire flock for prophet, and celebrates that profit as a blessing from God. Those who buy the sheep are then allowed to butcher them because that is just the way of it.

This is very different from the image of shepherds used by Jesus, and exemplified by people like David. Good shepherds raise the sheep, treating them as prized children. They will search for them when lost, and protect them from deadly danger. They lead them through valleys to the choicest field, calling them to follow, and the sheep know the voice of their loving shepherd and find confidence and comfort from him.

This metaphor isn't just a matter of timing, juxtaposing the care of the flock against its final destination. It is about the heart of the shepherd. As Zechariah says, this is a matter of compassion. One type of shepherd loves the sheep, and his goal is to keep them safe. The other type of shepherd loves payment, and his goal is to deliver them for a price. One shepherd has his heart with the present lives of the sheep, the other has his heart with the future death of the sheep.

Application: When we think about how to love others around us, one of the 'traps' is that we care about their salvation - or specifically their lack of eternal life - first and foremost. Yes, the curse of death that is upon non-believers is the most important element of their lives to address. However, telling them about eternal salvation with God doesn't seem valuable to a person who doesn't believe God exists. What they often need is someone to say ... you are loved, right here and now, the way you are, in your current circumstances.

Jesus did that a lot, dropping what he was doing to reach into the immediate issue of someone's life and simply show them they mattered, were seen, and are loved. That is the compassion our world of lost sheep needs. We need to spend all our time focused on how the flock is cared for now, and not about how we may be paid later.

Prayer: Lord, this is the mindset I wish to have in loving others, that I love them enough to simply be loving and kind and caring toward them as they are, this day. You do the saving anyway, not me. May I just be Jesus' hands and feet and heart with the current everyday world. Amen.

Nugget of Hidden Prophesy

Scripture: "The final glory of this house will be greater than the first," says the Lord of Armies. "I will provide peace in this place"—this is the declaration of the Lord of Armies. Haggai 2:9

Observation: The exiles have returned to Jerusalem. At first, they failed to begin the rebuilding of the temple, and through Haggai the Lord told them this was wrong, they needed to rebuild the temple or else all their efforts to rebuild their own lives would fail. Now they have begun, and they are disheartened by the results. The new temple seems to be far inferior to the old one. Some elders have memories of Solomon's temple, and using the rubble and inferior local wood, the new one is a shadow of the old. However, the Lord provides this encouragement ... in fact, in this one passage, the Lord makes TWO bold statements:

1) This temple will be "greater" than the first.

2) The Lord will "provide peace" in this place.

Given the context of this entire passage - the fact it is prefaced by the idea that the Lord is going to "shake all the nations" and bring the people of the entire world to the second temple - these two statements could be better understood as follows:

1) This second temple will be grander in size and status, better known throughout the world and even throughout history, than the first.

2) Within this very temple, the peace of the Lord will be passed to the entire world, with such great power that it will reverberate across time.

Does the Lord actually fulfill this one, small passage? YES!

This second temple is built, then expanded, with such grandeur that it eventually becomes the best-known building in the entire Roman empire, considered an engineering marvel of the time. Even after being destroyed, the part of it that still remains is a pilgrim site for Jews, and known throughout the world by everyone as the 'western wall'. The second temple is very much bigger and better known that the first temple.

As for historic peace, it was the second temple that Jesus visited. It was here he spoke and taught. It was here he confronted hypocrisy and declared hope and peace and joy. It was here that, upon Jesus resurrection, the Church first met, adopting thousands of believers from nations all across the world, and from this location they were all sent to pronounce the gospel of Jesus ... which is a message of finding peace with the Lord and thus personal salvation through simple faith in Jesus as Messiah.

God told the remnant that this seemingly unworthy copy of the temple would effectively become so grand that it would be recognized as a great building throughout history, and it would become the epicenter of peace throughout the entire world ... and it did.

Application: Yes, I see these two sentences in Haggai as Messianic prophesy. The Lord declared that the hope of peace to all mankind would emanate from the humble efforts of broken exiles, and it did. There is no other situation in human history where such a positive movement ever existed, let alone originated from such a hopeless origin point. However, that's consistent with every act of the Lord throughout the bible, throughout the history of faith, and throughout each of our own lives.

I believe in the prophesies of the Lord, and am delighted to learn of them.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your wisdom and knowledge, but most of all I thank you for your love and peace. May your Shalom be upon me, my family, my friends, your Church, and even all mankind, especially during this holiday season. I know peace begins with you. May it permeate the world. Amen.

An Object Lesson in Hope

Scripture:
I will bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name
for your constant love and truth.
You have exalted your name
and your promise above everything else.
Psalm 138:2

Observation: Psalm 138 is "of David" and scholars seem to agree it was written by David. In this verse, David calls out various elements of Yahweh that he is praising and giving thanks for, and these include the Lord's love, his truth, and his promise. However, David prefaces all this in with a very intriguing line. He says he will bow down "toward your holy temple" and of course ... in the time of David, no temple exists.

In other words, David has full confidence in all these aspects of God, and retains that confidence - to the point that he praises them in prayer and worship and public declaration - even if they aren't evident at that time. David knows there will be a temple, so he directs his praise as if there is a temple. David knows the Lord loves him, so he praises the Lord even when he is under attack. David knows the Lord himself has declared promises over Israel and over David's line, so he praises the Lord with the confidence that those promises will be fulfilled even after he himself is dead. He even continues on with how future kings and nations in all the earth will respond to the Lord, even though David doesn't even know what 'all the earth' looks like. He also declares God's love will last forever, without a real understanding of eternity. He just knows the Lord will do everything, and his outward act of this knowledge is to look toward the temple that doesn't yet exist.

We have a word for what David is doing, even though it doesn't appear anywhere in this entire psalm. That word is ... hope.

Application: What an amazing object lesson in hope from David. David has so much confidence - so much hope - that he can respond to a physical thing that doesn't even existing, and effectively instructing future generations to exhibit the actions he describes toward that thing, just knowing for certain that it will exist for those future generations.

I have great hope in the Lord, but I feel hopeless sometimes about our world. I am sure that is evident in looking at my devotions. I continue to appeal to the Lord for some revelation or revival in our society, but I also actively wonder if such a revival will happen, and lament how deeply our society has fallen into the evil trappings of the world.

I have confidence in what the Lord can do! I wish I had more hope in how the world will respond to the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, please forgive my shortcomings when it comes to hope. I hope our efforts tonight and every night at the lights bear the fruit you desire, and touch the lives you desire to touch. May the hope we do have in Jesus, in your love and in your free gift of redemption and salvation by faith in Jesus, manifest with power, and become physically apparent this Christmas season. Amen.

What We are Up Against

Scripture: But every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming; even now it is already in the world. ... They are from the world. Therefore what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Anyone who knows God listens to us; anyone who is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception. 1 John 4:3,5-6

Observation: John is very clear about this idea of the "spirit of the antichrist" ... it is a spirit, attitude, and message that is opposed to the truth of Jesus' love and salvation. However, here is the fact about this conflict between the truth and the lies. The truth originates from God, and in order to listen to the truth someone must know God and be prepared to hear it. The lies are from the source of all lies, the world, and in order to listen and believe the lies a person must be of the world.

Well ... everyone begins 'of the world' and so everyone begins predisposed to listen to the lies.

Application: I have had this said to me in a way that makes be believe it may be revealed knowledge ... there is a special place in hell reserved for those who originated and now aggressively champion the gender confusion concepts of our modern day. John has made it even more clear as to why they deserve such punishment, for they are imbued by the spirit of the antichrist, the very spirit within the world that has one purpose, which is to attack and oppose Jesus.

And here is what we are up against, we being the Church who possess the truth about Jesus: Those in the world won't - perhaps can't - listen to us, for they reject God himself.

I have continued to see this circular challenge in the bible, and desire to understand it, which is that belief in Jesus is the way to salvation with Yahweh, but belief in Yahweh is the first step to believing in Jesus. Perhaps the truth is that it isn't really a circle, but a progression. The basic is that one must believe in the Lord God creator of the universe ... they don't necessarily have to believe what he can do, or understand his mercy and justice, or have faith in his goodness in their lives, or accept that he loves them unconditionally, but they just need to believe he exists. In this, they can now believe that he sent his son as a way to teach and introduce all his ideals. When they believe in Jesus as Messiah, they now have eternal life and a path to learn all the rest about God's love and wisdom and plans.

Yet meanwhile, here we sit, in the world John told us about. It is a world where the lies of the world itself infect the people who don't believe in God, and thus they won't listen to the truth about Jesus. Instead of finding hope and joy in the truth, they live in festering despair and mental illness and depression and anxiety, while reconstructing every aspect of their identity to align to the lies.

I may find some level of personal gratification knowing that judgment awaits those who have perpetrated these lies. However, meanwhile here on earth, trying to be faithful to the great commission, this is what we are up against.

Prayer: Lord, we have way too many people dying on the inside because they believe in the world, and don't know you. Oh, how can we overcome?! It is only by your grace that the chains of this cursed antichrist spirit can be broken, and I ask you to do that. May the truth come that frees those enslaved by these terrible lies about identity and gender, and may it be heard. Amen.

Somehow I make Surrender Selfish

Scripture: Listen closely, my God, and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations and the city that bears your name. For we are not presenting our petitions before you based on our righteous acts, but based on your abundant compassion. Lord, hear! Lord, forgive! Lord, listen and act! My God, for your own sake, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your name. Daniel 9:18-19

Observation: Daniel, now an old man, knows from the prophesies of Jeremiah - prophesies he would have heard first-hand when he was a young man in Jerusalem - that the exile is to last 70 years, so he begins praying for their redemption and return. He outlines and confesses everything that they and their ancestors did to warrant exile, all the sins they committed and all the warnings they ignored. And then he asks for the Lord's favor now. However, that ask is NOT based on the fact they have corrected themselves. Instead, it is based on the Lord himself.

The Lord is the one who can deliver justice. He is the one and only judge. He is responsible for all mercy. The Lord has made declarations about his judgment and the punishments, and so now, by his own name and to his own glory, is the time to restore Judah and allow the exiles to return to the land.

There is a new king. Darius is a Mede, not a Babylonian, which echos of the other prophetic words delivered by Jeremiah and Ezekiel about the lifecycle of the exile and even the punishment of the nations that attacked the Jews. However, the release of the Jews would still be extraordinary. Yet Daniel prays for it, and again not because the Jews have earned it by correcting their ways, but rather quite the opposite ... they were in fact completely deserving of the punishment they received, that Yahweh warned them of in advance ... so as part of the ongoing evidence of the greatness and wonder and love of the Lord, now is the time to restore Judah.

Application: As I struggle to keep my prayer life active, this is perhaps an instruction for me ... when I pray, I pray too often about me. I pray for what I want, and what I've done, and what I hope for. I pray for my correction, my direction, and my sanctification. I ask the Lord for things in my life, and in the life of my family. I may say 'thy will be done', but that is sometimes I'm allowing for the idea that the Lord won't do what I want. Somehow I make surrender selfish.

Daniel's model is the superior example. He declares all he and the Jews have done wrong, then simply says that whatever happens next should be because of the Lord, to his glory and honor. Does he want the Jews to be released? Yes, of course (though there is a sad irony that he himself will not return from exile despite being alive at the time the return was granted). However, Daniel sincerely does not want the exile to end as a 'reward' for the Jews, or as a response to their good work while in Babylon. Instead, he wants the exile to end because the Lord said it would, and doing so will be yet another miraculous proof of the Lord's authority over human rulers of all kinds.

Prayer: Lord, I do ask for your forgiveness today for all I do. I am wicked in my flesh, and I fail so often even just within my heart and mind. I am not worthy of your love, and yet I know you love me anyway out of your great nature. As we head into this season, may I serve you, not out of my worthiness, nor out of my goodness, but rather may I do so simply because you have a plan for this community, and you have allowed me to participate in it. May the next four weeks be all about your glory. Amen.

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.

Help from Jesus Directly

Scripture: For it is clear that he does not reach out to help angels, but to help Abraham’s offspring. Hebrews 2:16

Observation: The writer of Hebrews is making a case about the status of mankind and our relationship with Jesus. He has used multiple scriptural references to show that the Lord has placed the world under the authority of Jesus, and not just to 'angels'. He sent Jesus in the form of a man to relate to us - thus temporarily "lower than the angels" - then raised him, "crowned him with glory and honor," and "subjected everything under his feet."

And why did God do this? He did it to ... help mankind. Jesus isn't powerful so that he can help angels, who can then help people. We are directly connected with Jesus for our help, hope, and power. This connection began through Abraham, and then became for all believers as we are adopted into the priesthood through faith.

Application: This is amazingly comforting to know that it is within both the will of Jesus, and the authority of Jesus, to help me here on earth.

I am not doing well lately. I feel ... cloudy. My mind wanders, and I spend time focused on mundane and unimportant matters instead of on my work or my wife. "Focused" is the wrong word, as I'm not even focused on those trivial items, either, and I am just as likely to have no concern or connection to anything I have done at the end of the day. Maybe I am in a little bit of a depression, though I do not know what may be triggering it other than a simple feeling that my current life is a bit meaningless (though of course it could be connected to the inevitable fracture of society as we await next week's elections).

I need Jesus' help to address my daily walk, as a believer in his salvation and an adopted offspring of Abraham. The Church needs Jesus' help to contend with all matters of societal collapse and moral failure, as the body of the Lord's priests on earth. Israel needs Jesus' help to protect from truly evil nation-state hostility, as the literal offspring of Abraham.

Prayer: Come, Lord Jesus. If you are not returning soon, may your spirit and power and love still come to help us all, your children. We need your authority over the evil of the world. We need your Holy Spirit to move and influence us to action. We need your protection from material and spiritual dangers. Most of all, we need to be closer to you in our relationship with you. At least I do. Amen.

What Will Be our Curses?

Scripture:
Let’s examine and probe our ways,
and turn back to the Lord.
Let’s lift up our hearts and our hands
to God in heaven:
"We have sinned and rebelled;
you have not forgiven."
Lamentations 3:40-42

Observation: This poem of woe tells of the downfall of Jerusalem and the people of God. Some stanzas tell of the terrible scenes of destruction now in the city. Some recall the horror of those who were attempting to survive the siege, living as cannibalistic savages. Some recall the actual attack and destruction inflicted by Babylon, and others mourn what exile life will be like for the survivors. However, this stanza represents a moment of internal reflection, when the write considers this fact ... this was done because we had abandoned the Lord, rebelled against his ways, and he was actually faithful to his centuries-old promises, so let us turn back to him and worship him.

Application: I live in a nation that is turning away from the Lord, and I know it. Everyone knows it, and many are actually proud of it. I wonder when this time comes ... when we will hit the point where we have sinned and rebelled, and instead of forgiving the Lord will exact his promised curses.

Which leads me to consider, what are his promised curses? The curses brought upon Jerusalem were explicitly announced when Joshua led the people into the promised land, and it was clearly intended as a warning for Israel, not a general warning for mankind. What will be our curses?

My wife and I have been discussing 'the rapture' for some time now - both the evidence there may be one, and the pre/mid/post tribulation timing - and I'm beginning now to think that the tribulation might be the clearest curse left to befall mankind. There is certainly alignment between other end-time issues in the world today, and now this general move of the 'western world' falling away from God. If this is true, then I can only hope for a pre-tribulation rapture.

And for those who experience and live within the curse, will they examine and probe their ways, and turn back to the Lord?

Prayer: Lord, there is an amount of both fear and comfort in everything I am thinking about today. With all my heart, I do love you, my Lord, and place my full faith in Jesus. Please soften my heart toward others so I may tell them of the hope found in you, and perhaps help them discover Jesus before a curse befalls them. Amen.