A Promise and a Plea

Scripture: He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. Revelation 22:20-21

Observation: This is how the entire bible ends, with this very declaration of Jesus, "I am coming soon," and with this response ... "Amen, come, Lord Jesus."

These words are not just casual words of encouragement, followed by an offhanded choice to 'agree' to the words as a sign of faith or obedience. This is a promise and a plea. Jesus promises and declares that he will come again to the world, bringing with him the new heaven, the new Jerusalem, and the new and permanent kingdom on earth so we may live with him and with the Lord forever. As believers, we plead that this will happen, and happen soon, so we may be with Jesus forevermore, living in the perfected future within the warmth and grace and love of the Lord.

Application: I say again, come, Lord Jesus. This is a prayer I have declared hundreds of times, and I would expect that makes me average among Christians. It may not be a stretch to say therefore that, throughout history, this three-word phrase is the phrase most said, ever.

Come, Lord Jesus.

This is a plea. It is my plea. I know there is life left ahead of me and my family, and within that life are future joys that we would all like to have and to share. However, nothing can compare to just being with Jesus and experiencing the Lord's presence. Joys will be replaces by greater joys, and hardships will be removed. The greatest moment in creation is yet to come, and it is the moment that Jesus finally claims the world and all within it in the name of the Lord. And as we use human logic to track created dynamics to measure what we call 'years' and 'time' ... perhaps 2026 will be the year when Jesus comes.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for a wonderful year, full of our grace, your blessing, and your love. You have cared for me and my family far beyond what I could hope, and absolutely beyond what I deserve. May I be a better man in 2026, finding a new passion to serve you in word and deeds. I end this year by praying it again, please, come, Lord Jesus. Amen, and amen.

Turning God into a Thing

Scripture: We assume the responsibility for carrying out the commands to give a third of a shekel each year for the service of the house of our God: for the bread set out on the table; for the regular grain offerings and burnt offerings; for the offerings on the Sabbaths, at the New Moon feasts and at the appointed festivals; for the holy offerings; for sin offerings to make atonement for Israel; and for all the duties of the house of our God. Nehemiah 10:32-33

Observation: Under the system of tithes and offerings established by the Law, the people are to bring forward four types of giving. One is the tithe, or one tenth of everything they produce. Another is the first fruits, a gift of the first harvest of the year and the firstborn of the flock every season. A third is any kind of offering associated with events, which can range from the birth of a child, to the participation in one of the annual feasts, to the commitment and admission of sin. Finally, the fourth is a 'goodwill' or 'friendship' offering, which is just whenever someone feels like they want to give more to the Lord.

It appears Nehemiah replaces that fourth type of offering here, and introduces something Jesus will address ... the "temple tax". Verses 34-37 discuss the recommitment to the other three types of offerings, then verses 38-39 review the logistics of all the collection of offerings, declaring that the people "will not neglect the house of the Lord." However, nowhere is there discussion of random friendship offerings. The people do not commit to just loving the Lord so much that they feel they want to give him even more. Therefore, Nehemiah implements - as the very first recommitment to offerings - a tax of a third of a shekel (~$550 in today's money) per male, so the procedures within temple can operate and the building can be maintained.

It is no wonder this was a controversial tax. It isn't part of the Law, and by being a significant fixed amount it doesn't 'scale' based on an individual's ability to pay (like the tithe or first-fruits do). However, the largest issue might be that it changes the relationship people have with God. Instead of giving to the Lord out of love and relationship, they now give out of obligation; Instead of giving to the Lord because of who he is as the eternal and loving sovereign creator, they now give to a building because it needs maintenance and supplies for weekly rituals almost no one ever sees.

In other words, it seems the temple tax represents the idea that ... Yahweh went from being the most important being in the universe, full of love and mercy and hope ... to being the most important building in Israel, full of crumbling stone and day-old bread.

Application: It is interesting that this 'tax' becomes the one the Jews question Jesus about, and that Jesus ultimately pays via a miracle. As God incarnate - and the son of God - Jesus knew what relationship with the Lord meant, and it didn't mean taking care of a building.

What "thing" have I turned God into? In what parts of my life has an object - and perhaps caring for that object - become a proxy for actually interacting with, and carrying about my relationship with, the Lord? Perhaps my home and my family, though I am confident that I don't really care for them, but the Lord cares for them perhaps despite my efforts.

This is a good lesson to keep in mind. My heart should always be pointed toward the Lord, and not toward the "stuff" I have that may even be from the Lord. I must spend time every day maintaining my relationship with the Lord, and not focused on "keeping" the blessings he provides.

Prayer: Lord, you have been with my family and I throughout this Christmas season, and I thank you. I love you greatly, and I don't say that to you nearly enough. May I keep you not just in my heart, but in the very front of my mind, every day. Amen.

To Live by the Crystal Sea

Scripture: And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God. Revelation 15:2

Observation: As the "seven bowls" are about to begin, John sees both the seven angels but also this gathering of the faithful who "been victorious" during what seems like the tribulation. They are standing beside a "sea of glass glowing with fire". This is a great sea that doesn't just look like liquid water that moves and reflects light, instead it appears more solid yet it also shimmers with an intensity.

This is the crystal sea of heaven. It is peaceful because it can never roar or rage with the energy of waves. It is beautiful in its purity and splendid reflection of dancing light. It is vast and thus still projects the strength of the great power of the ocean.

Application: Laurie and I have talked about "where to live" in heaven, and she is firm that she wants to live near "the crystal sea". I never knew this was actually in the bible until today, as I guess I've always overlooked it. This is a sea of both beauty and purity, but also calm and strength. It portrays the wonder and greatness of an ocean as we would understand it, but without any of the dangers we might think of related to flooding or storm waves. And it is uniquely capable of reflecting light in a manner so grand it makes it seem that it's "glowing with fire", and of course the source of light in heaven is the Lord himself.

I may still want to live by the river of life that flows from the throne, but I doubt I'm good enough for such real estate. I could live by the crystal sea.

Prayer: Lord, today I discovered your great sea in heaven. What more do you have to show me next year, in my next reading of the bible? Your word is new every day. Amen.

A Rare Rant and Commentary

Scripture:
Let beer be for those who are perishing,
wine for those who are in anguish!
Let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
Proverbs 31:6-7

Observation: These proverbs offer guidance for kings and leaders, especially warning them to remain focused on their leadership and obligations and not be distracted by vices like 'wine and women'. These two verses allow for the drinking of beer and wine by those who are not leaders, so that they can be distracted from their hardships. In this manner, it is clear that the issue is not that taking of such items are sin (for the bible could not declare 'let them do sin'), but rather that such actions do distract and numb those living in misery, and leaders should not be numbed to life.

Application: I am going to discuss something I rarely do. While I often express frustration with the 'political direction' of our modern society, I almost never discuss what I know about government activities based on my 25 years working in and with governments. If anyone reads this and doesn't want to read a political commentary, I invite you to ignore the rest of this post.

Related to this biblical verse, I will say two things:

1) At least at the local level in the U.S., there is no such thing as a "major conspiracy". Due to both their structure and collective intelligence, government could never, ever pull off a major conspiracy (though individual leaders could cover up their own activities).

2) There ARE actions the government performs that they do openly and publicly, and then convince the people of altruistic reasons they did it, when in fact they did it for more sinister purposes that support their own goals.

(Somehow, "the people" are convinced of exactly the opposite ... that there are huge conspiracies being masterminded by local politicians and leaders, but that everyday policy changes performed openly are generally good.)

I will declare here and now ... the legalization of marijuana falls into #2. Politicians know that marijuana has two side effects. First, it relieves general pain. Second, it affects brain function in a manner that decreases motivation to action. The net result of these is ... if you make marijuana available to those who are struggling in life, they are less likely to be angry toward the government about it because they aren't motivated to action, and don't feel the hardship so acutely. As a result, such people don't take action against local politicians who, instead of addressing issues of homelessness and meth epidemics, legalize marijuana so everyone can just cope with their terrible lives.

Instead of helping the poor and destitute, our local politicians have provided those who are in anguish and are perishing access to the modern chemicals so they can ignore their poverty and misery. They did so because then fewer people complain and they can get reelected. And make no mistake, looking at local political jurisdictions, there is correlation between a) widespread and massive homelessness, b) greatly relaxed policies and laws pertaining to drug use, and c) the dominance of one party - and especially its incumbents - in elections.

I am not saying that politicians were obedient to Proverbs 31 by following its advice, giving such chemicals to the poor and dying while avoiding its use themselves! I am saying that, for 3,000 years, political leaders have understood those who live in hardship can be subjugated through chemical means, and for some reason the majority of people are okay with that.

Prayer: Lord, please forgive my judgment. May your church, myself included, find ways to help and serve the poor and the broken and the destitute more and more, as you have commanded us to love others. This is the work of the church, not the government, so may we be your hands and feet and heart every day. Amen.

Prayer and Worship Come First

Scripture: Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and evening sacrifices. ... On the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord, though the foundation of the Lord’s temple had not yet been laid. Ezra 3:3,6

Observation: King Cyrus has ordered the reconstruction of the temple in Jerusalem, and when they Jews arrive they take inventory of who has arrived to help and the materials they have to work with, and ... instead of initiating construction, they initiate worship and sacrifice.

They know this is an act that could land them in trouble, as it will be seen due to the smoke, and they are effectively defenseless from anyone who may oppose their return. However, the Jews also know that they must thank the Lord for their return, and they cannot be successful in their endeavors without the Lord's blessing. For this reason, the returning leaders and priesthood first implements sacrifice.

Application: The acts of these first Jews returning to Jerusalem are a positive lessons about pursuing the Lord's will. Yes, I am to do as the Lord wishes, but central to that is initiating such pursuits with a heart of worship, thanks, and honor to the Lord. Instead of charging head-long into my earthly work, I always should take time to honor the Lord, pray, and worship.

I do this okay on days I do my devotions, but that is only about half the time. On other days, I just jump into what I'm going to be doing. It would be better to at least spend time in prayer every morning, and to pray again before beginning any significant activity.

Prayer: Lord, you have given us your instructions for the way to live a good life, and it begins with something I absolutely want to do, which is just to put you first in my heart and mind. May I seek you first every day. Amen.

Answering the Prayer of Wrath

Scripture: The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake. Revelation 8:4-5

Observation: As we are told of the 'end times' playing out in heaven, we see the opening of the seventh seal creating a short respite, followed by an angel who presents incense before the Lord, then hurls the fire of the alter and the incense censer down upon the earth. There is first a connection made between the censer of incense and the alter. Both are now together, creating smoke and a pleasing aroma that is rising before the Lord, and we know that the smoke that rises from the alter in this way is actually created by prayers. It is our prayers that rise before the Lord, and they are now intermixed with this censer of incense and together create a great natural attack upon the earth.

Application: Without getting into side issues like the timing of events, there is something about this assault on the earth that "feels" important. Several of the seven seals/trumpets/bowls produce natural disaster on the earth, but only this action described during an intermission involves explicitly intermixing the source of the heavenly action with ... prayers of the faithful believers.

That is what happens here (I think). The angel presents the censer of incense, and intermixes it with the prayers, then together launches that upon the earth. There is an implication here that the introduction of these disasters is, in some way, an answer to prayer.

If so, I totally get that. How often have a looked at our society today with diminished hope, and prayed that the Lord would just show up not with tenderness and love, but with wrath and fury and judgment? How often have I prayed that the Lord would appear with so much power and authority that his existence was no longer up for debate, and instead all non-believers would cower in fear? How often have I prayed that it would be great if the Lord just 'ended it'?

I think there are a LOT of prayers that we believers say that actually wish the Lord would hurl an attack on the earth with great thunder and lightening from heaven. We may vary in our idea of what that would produce - fear, belief, or even merciful death - but we do pray for it. It is interesting to think that there is an angel prepared with exactly the right combination of tools and materials to actually answer those prayers someday ... maybe soon.

Prayer: Lord, as our prayers rise to you today and every day, they will include prayers seeking your wrath upon the evil and unbelievers of earth. We see so much of this every day, along with so much pain, that we would rather just have it end and be called home, and having that happen through an undeniable expression of your ultimate power and authority feels right. May thy will be done in heaven and on earth. Amen.

Wearied by Original Sin

Scripture: You have wearied the Lord with your words. “How have we wearied him?” you ask. By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the Lord, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?” Malachi 2:17

Observation: As Malechi continues to reveal how the people have continued to disobey the Lord, he includes the manner in which they declare evil as good and question the justice and judgment of God. In other words, they decide for themselves what is good and right, and then either they use their own judgment to declare something that is actually evil as 'good', and/or they see that which is they believe is evil and wonder why the Lord doesn't oppose it even though.

Again, what was - and is - original sin? It is the act by humans to decide for themselves, and by their own standards, what is good and true, instead of turning to the Lord and asking for his teaching and decision in everything.

Application: This is how we continue to weary the Lord, by declaring for ourselves what is good. The ways a sinful and sin-filled society does this is obvious, however we as believers do this too when we declare even those words and actions as evil. Some are evil, but it isn't for us to judge, nor is it for us to seek justice broad and general justice, for we do not understand everything in the world within the context of the Lord's purposes.

We can know evil as we relate it to the true word of the Lord, however we cannot know the judgment the Lord has for such evil. And we must not declare as 'evil' things that are simply outside of our wish for how the world should be, without evidence within the word of the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, you do know the evil perpetrated in the world. May I continue to seek only your wisdom and knowledge and understanding and truth when it comes to living within this world. Amen.

Fear of Death and of Life

Scripture: When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” Revelation 6:5-6

Observation: John watches as the first four seals of the great scroll are opened, releasing the "four horsemen." The first (white), second (red), and fourth (pale) all have to do with violence and death ... conquering by war, killing by violence, and death by natural causes, respectively. However, the third (black) is different. He comes not with signs of violence, but with a balancing scale. Likewise, we are not told what his 'authority' is, but rather John hears guidance and instructions about food prices and produce.

These images are often referred to as the "four horsemen of the apocalypse" and it is assumed they are released in the end-times to bring pain on the world. If so, then we also see a glimpse of what 'pain' looks like in the end times. There are violent dictators bringing pain and suffering on weaker people (white horse). There are acts of violence and hate perpetrated by individuals and people groups (red horse). There are disasters and plagues causing widespread death and panic (pale horse). And there is ... economic hardship and uncertainty that upends personal lives (black horse).

This does indeed feel like the meaning of the black horse. The others are clearly about violence and death, but the black horse is about turmoil in daily lives of the living. All of these produce fear, as people are afraid of dying whether it be by war or random violence or disease. However, the black horse brings fear in a different way, through struggle and strife and confusion and difficulty and worries about survival. The black horse speaks to the part of everyone's life that produces a different fear, which is the fear that even before we face the fear of death, we experience a life of hardship and struggle, one where we can't afford what we need, let alone the niceties we want.

Application: I have resisted looking up commentary on this topic because I'm sure there are thousands of different interpretations of the horsemen, and everyone reads them into their current worldview. But wow, this all sounds like it's taken straight out of today's (sensationalist and fear mongering) news reports. Wars and tyrants ... shootings and assassinations ... pandemics and disasters ... and now job losses and inflation.

Yet here is the point: All of these are fears for people who don't have faith. While I don't want to die, I don't fear it. While I want to have provision and even blessing, I trust in the Lord for my daily bread. However, if you're a person who thinks the purpose of existence is to live the best life you can, and then you'll just cease to exist, ALL if this sounds fearful.

The horsemen tell me that, while we all know that people are afraid of the coming of death in all its forms, and especially if it is random and out of our control, the other prominent fear in everyone's hearts is about economic struggle. That is why many perceive the rich as 'evil' - because they assume they have avoided such base fear - and why many will commit evil and compromise their values to even just stabilize their economic situation. It is also why Jesus spoke of money often and indicated it is an indicator of your heart.

As Christians, we surrender our fear of death because of faith in eternal life. We must also surrender our fear of financial hardship because of faith in the Lord's love and provision.

Prayer: Lord, may I acknowledge and celebrate your provision every day, regardless of the form that takes. I glorify you, Lord, for your love surrounds me, and that is truly all I desire in life. Amen.

I Open the Door Again!

Scripture: Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Revelation 3:19-20

Observation: The message and warning to Laodicea is one of the more famous (and my favorite to consider), as it discusses both hot and cold water, with a complex historical metaphor behind it. However, after that warning is this amazing statement ... one of the most famous representations of Jesus in the entire bible, yet most don't know this is the source of the imagery.

Jesus warns the church about their lukewarm deeds and attitudes, and that as a result they may lose out on their blessing. He then effectively says two key messages as a response to this warning.

1) I rebuke you because I love you, so please, please respond to this rebuke and repent.

2) This is how much I love you ... I stand at the door of your hearts and knock, earnestly desiring you to let me in and to truly live within you. If you repent and open the door of your heart, I will gladly be with you.

Application: I have said this several times in the last six months especially ... I'm struggling with having the Holy Spirit inside me. I want that! I used to have that!! Now I feel I am missing him, and it hurts. It is evident in my actions and attitudes and my thoughts and my daily practices.

Well, I'm done with it. I open the door again!!! I am earnest in this and repent of my distracted life. I hear Jesus knocking, and I am answering again, renewing this in my life, and allowing the Holy Spirit into my heart and soul, hoping - begging - that he will enter, eat with me, and stay with me.

Prayer: Lord, with all my heart I say this today, please my your spirit live within me. Give me strength to remain on your path, not just as a general direction for my life, but as the one path I won't stray from hour by hour, and the narrow gate I will pass through, every moment of every day. Amen.

Finding God in the Details

Scripture: She [Ester] was taken to King Xerxes in the royal residence in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. Ester 2:16

Observation: The first two chapters of Ester set the stage for what is to happen, telling the story of Xerxes' great banquet, the refusal of Vashti the queen to be displayed at it, and the process to select a replacement for her that results in Ester becoming queen. Interestingly, there are some strange details included in this introductory section, and two of them seem to jump out as peculiar.

The first peculiar detail is about people. NOT including the key people in the story - Xerxes, Vashti, Mordecai, and Ester - we are introduced by name to 16 other people who will have absolutely nothing to do with the story. In fact, of these 16, only two are of any consequence even to this part of the story ... Hegai the eunuch who helps Ester prepare, and Memukan the noble who recommends how to punish Vashti for her disrespect.

The second peculiar detail is that the number seven pops up three times. Seven is ... the number of servants sent to fetch Vashti, the number of nobles consulted about her refusal to attend the party, and the year of King Xerxes reign in which Ester becomes queen.

One of the famously interesting elements of the book of Ester is its inclusion in Jewish scriptures despite the fact it never once makes any reference to God. However, that isn't to say that Mordecai, as the author, isn't revealing the hand of the Lord throughout. These two peculiarities are nods to that. The number seven is considered special to the Lord as it comes up many times in association with the Lord. In addition, there is a respectfulness in Mordecai giving names to insignificant messengers and servants that is consistent with how the Lord loves all people, and can use the actions of all people to work toward his own purposes. It would seem these details as provided in the prologue of the story - the part that is setting up the true action - is a way for Mordecai to call out to the reader, "I am telling the story of Ester, but as you can see this is actually about the Lord's hands-on actions even in influencing foreign people in the foreign city of Susa."

Application: I am reminded today that the Lord can do anything, anywhere, anytime, using anyone. He doesn't just use faithful believers at church, but his purposes can be manifested on earth even through the words and actions of people who don't know he even exists (Persian eunuchs and pagan governors?) and in the most unexpected places (at a drunken party and within a king's harem??). In the end, everything follows his order and plan, right down to how many people show up at meetings, and the timing of when final decisions are made.

Do I "leave room" for the Lord to show up and structure the day-to-day things in my life, using whomever happens to be around? Am I prepared to celebrate and honor the Lord when his plan falls into place in unexpected places - like work - through unexpected people - like unbelieving coworkers - at any moment?

Prayer: Lord, again I pray for your forgiveness and strength today. May my mind focus on you, and in seeking you in every moment of my daily walk. I desire to again move closer to you today and every day. Amen.

Do the Things Done at First

Scripture: Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Revelation 2:4-6

Observation: John recounts the message to the church in Ephesus by including this about their failures, that they have "forsaken the love you had at first". While they are still faithful and faith-filled, remaining consistent in their belief in Jesus and their hatred for wickedness, they have lost their first love ... they have lost that child-like spark of joy and commitment to Jesus someone has when they first believe.

Yes, the church does not tolerate wicked people, and tests false teachers (v2). They also hate the Nicolaitans, who accept worldly behaviors with a declaration that, as believers, they are forgiven so all is permissible. However, these are acts of obedience only. They aren't joyful. They aren't loving. They don't celebrate daily the fact they are redeemed and worship with happiness. While the obedience is good, the joy and love is better and even necessary for true faith.

Application: I often do this ... hate others while declaring I am 'good' due to some practice, while failing to truly be faithful to the Lord. I hate the practices of some in the church, but I am not a 'good Christian' who shows love and joy and happiness. The fact I hate disobedience is ironic compared to my own lack of obedience.

I want to eat of the tree of life, planted by the river that flows from the throne of the Lord. I want to repent and find my first love again, and thus have joy and celebration fill my spare time and occupy my mind day and night.

Prayer: Lord, please forgive my sins and my ways, and help me return to the love I had at first, the love I find when I'm not just hating what others do, but loving you and our word, meditating on it day and night, and celebrating the gift of salvation from Jesus. May my mind be filled with you. Amen.

God is With Us Now

My Christmas tradition ... that modern take on a classic.

Oh come, Emmanuel! I rejoice in this season, for the Lord will come to us. He is with us now, and he is with us in every moment of our lives when we either sit in peace, or when we want to cry out in pain and anger at the world. In our darkest moments, he is the light that wins through.

Again I say, rejoice!!

No More Performance-Based Faith

Scripture: This is what the Lord Almighty said: "Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other." Zechariah 7:9-10

Observation: As the exile is ending and the people return to Judah and Jerusalem, they come and ask what they should be doing. Specifically, they ask about a special annual fast they had been performing during the exile. This is how the Lord answers them ... they should care a lot less about 'procedures' they developed to show faith to the Lord (for were they even really doing those things for the Lord, or for themselves and their own guilt?), and they should instead just do what they were told to do for centuries by the prophets, which is to love one another.

Zechariah says this in more specific language; The people are to administer justice fairly, show mercy and compassion, caring especially for orphans and widows and the poor and anyone else in need, while never planning evil against anyone. However, that boils down to 'love one another', which is also how Jesus later paraphrases this same collection of instructions when asked about the greatest commandment.

The people, coming out of exile - a time when they were punished for failing to obey the Lord by following his commandments, but instead attempted to outwardly exhibit faith simply by clinging to perfunctory rituals instead - immediately wonder if the new rituals should be continued. The Lord responds just as he always does ... just obey my simple command to love the Lord and love others, and everything else falls into place.

Application: I have been trying to learn to love others more and more, yet I also know I do some performance-based faith myself. I can do that when I pray publicly without really thinking about what I'm saying, or perhaps even by posting this blog in a public-access forum.

Tonight, I will again serve at Christmas lights, and it will be a 'light' night as the weather will be terrible so we won't have many visitors. The issue is that I need to remember in my heart and mind that the goal is to love others, and show them the love of Jesus, not to be 'seen' as someone serving.

I know this is what bothers me about some other believers right now, who serve only for the social media photo op. Interestingly, whenever I see that in others, I also know how their lives are going, what is happening in their families, and I know there is correlation between how they exhibit their faith publicly, and how their faith then operates privately. This has always been the Lord's teaching ... when our faith is a performance, it results in a troublesome life, but when we have true faith, our actions will become a sincere outpouring of love to others.

More and more, I hope I can show love to others, instead of just acting like a Christian.

Prayer: Lord, I am here to serve others with your love, tonight and every day. Here I am. Amen.

Praising the Lord Before the 'lower case gods'

Scripture:
I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
Psalm 138:1

Observation: The psalmist (David) opens this song with a declaration that he will praise the Lord publicly, even before the other "gods". This represents an interesting sentiment that is common throughout the Old Testament, but that for some reason many faithful believers today struggle to grasp, which is the existence of "lower case gods".

We know for certain there is only one God, the Lord, Yahweh, God of Abraham, the creator of heaven and earth.  However, throughout the Old Testament, the Lord himself addresses issues with other gods by name. He calls Abraham out of a life of creating idols. By the nature of the plagues, he directly attacks 10 Egyptian gods. The prophets declare how Israel, as they turn away from the Lord, turn to named deities. Throughout all this, the Lord declares that idols made by human hand are exactly that - wood and stone made by man - and thus they are not gods in any way. On the other hand, he seems to acknowledge that named gods are out there, and is willing to even take action to subvert their presumed powers.

The issue here is that "lower case gods" are earthly concepts. Those concepts might - might - take a form and have a name, and it is even possible that this name and form is inspired by a demon with the purpose of turning people against the truth of the Lord. The earthly concepts might also be just that ... concepts that humans have placed at the center of their lives and lifestyle, making that concept central in their daily behavior.

And according to this psalm, we are to sing and praise the Lord, right in the face of these "gods".

Application: This is important for all Christians to understand. One of the best things we can do when confronted with a world that makes concepts like ... pursuing success through money, seeking pleasure through sexuality, championing good-sounding causes, achieving virtue through political fights, winning at work ... central in the lives of many, is we can publicly praise and worship the Lord. We can do this in song, we can do this by exhibiting peace, we can do this by holding onto joy in all circumstances, and we can do it by naming the Lord as the source of our joy and comfort and peace and trust.

I know I would do well by spending less time thinking about worldly topics and partaking in social media, and instead spending more time in praise and worship and meditating on the Lord's word. I would like to sing praise more often right in the midst of the "lower case gods" of this world.

Prayer: Lord, I do desire to praise you more, and especially all the more in public. I also desire to spend more of my time in general simply keeping you central in my heart and mind. Again today I ask for your Holy Spirit to fill me, so I may have your peace within me, rejecting all the lower case gods of this world and holding fast to you. Amen.

Trusting the Lord's Equation

Scripture: Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. Daniel 9:25-26

Observation: Recently, I learned a lesson that this passage is one of the most key verses to understanding the timing of how Jesus as Messiah comes to the world. It is about "seventy 'sevens'", which are then broken into units of 7+62+1 'sevens'.

The trigger moment becomes the royal order to rebuild the temple. That rebuilding will require 49 years (7x7), then it will be 434 years (62x7) before the Messiah is revealed and immediately put to death. Sure enough, these numbers work out perfectly, with some scholars mathing out the timeline and stating that from the date the King of Persia declared the temple should be rebuilt to the day Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey ("the Anointed One, the ruler, comes") is 483 years to the exact day (and he was "put to death" five days later). What happens next is the Romans - "the people of the ruler who will come" - destroyed Jerusalem and the temple, re-scattered the Jews, and they have not had a true day of peace since.

(Side note: By this text, the final 'seven' clearly takes place in some other timeline, and many believe it is the seven-year period of the rapture/tribulation associated with Messiah's second coming, the confirmation of the Messianic covenant to "many", aka Christians.)

Application: When I watched the video where I learned about this timing, I was a bit shocked. There is so much of this that just ... fits, and I don't understand why people doubt it. Okay, the original language is vague when it talks about "sevens" with no explanation of what a seven is (most would assume it's weeks), then also says there are 70 of them but explains what happens after 62 of them. I would admit that much of this only makes total sense after the context of Jesus, and therefore sceptics could think we are forcing all of these pieces of the puzzle together.

Then again, at this point in his life Daniel was in charge of the Magi, and was teaching them about the future movement of a specific star in the night sky that would signal the arrival of a great king of Israel who would rule the entire world. He was teaching this at a time when such movement of this specific star had never occurred before, and when Israel didn't exist! Daniel was a man of math and science, who could both solve complex problems AND function within abstract uncertainty. Or, perhaps a better way of putting it, he was like a mathematician that knows all the variables in an equation, but doesn't know their values.

As a Christian ... how does that work for me? Am I okay knowing the names of the variables, but since I don't know their values I can't calculate the result? Am I okay knowing that the result is already fixed and known by the Lord, and someday I'll be able to work out the variables and see how they all came together in the end?

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your love, and for the mysteries of your plan that continue to move around us. Please forgive my sins and continue to help me overcome my mistakes and moments of weakness, by your Holy Spirit. I desire to continue to work the equation as it were, to place my faith in Jesus and strive to obey his teaching and love others in your name, even though I don't understand how it all fits together within our modern society. I don't need to know the outcome, only that you do know it. Amen.

Unknowable to the World

Scripture: See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:1-2

Observation: In his conversation about God's love for us, John declares that all believers are "children of God". However, he also discusses the worldly problem with such a great and loving 'adoption' into the family of God; Since the world itself does not know God, it cannot know or understand us. Furthermore, what we will be - our form in heaven - isn't worldly, and therefore we don't even know ourselves what that will look like, for it "has not yet been made known" even to us.

Application: When I think about how 'the world' - our current society and all its social and political norms - reject faith because the truth of the Lord is far outside humans' core understanding of the world, I forget this truth ... the world CAN'T actually KNOW the truth. By its very definition, that wouldn't be faith.

The Lord created the world and reveals himself within that creation. The Lord speaks and interacts with people, and acts in their lives. Jesus was the Lord's own son and a component of his very being, who taught the truth of God and a hope in salvation through faith. The Holy Spirit is the power of God that can indwell within us and provide reliable truth and insight and guidance in our lives, in obedience to the Lord. However, when it comes to "knowing" the Lord, either you must believe that everything is of the Lord and therefore you see and hear and feel him around you all the time, or you do not believe that and therefore you never see or hear or feel the Lord.

In this manner, within the overall context of the world, the world - and the worldly - cannot know God. As a result, people cannot just innately know or understand Jesus and Christianity and Christians. It isn't their fault. Instead of knowing, they must find faith, believing in that which they cannot (yet) see and hear and touch.

Interestingly, once we as children of God do believe, we still don't even know what that means for our future selves. We don't know the form of our heavenly selves, likely because - still bound to the world as we are - we cannot fully comprehend a 'perfected self' in a spiritual form. When Christ appears, we will then know, for we will see his form and thus understand our own form. So at this time, there are elements of our faith that remains unknowable to us, and yet we have faith in the Lord ... those who don't have faith cannot begin to contextualize future salvation, and again that is not their fault.

Any and all level of knowing the Lord, therefore, begins not as an act of learning, but as an act of believing. Upon believing, we still won't know everything, but we'll have a path to learn.

Prayer: Lord, as we have now entered the Christmas season and working the lights at church, give us all your truth in our hearts, which is that the many non-believers we encounter in the next three weeks do not know you and cannot know you yet, but they can begin a journey toward faith. May love and joy help them on that journey, and help them understand beyond the world they see and feel and hear every day. Amen.

Attacking God's Instructions for Life

Scripture: He gave me this explanation: "The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it. The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws." Daniel 7:23-25a

Observation: Daniel recounts his first prophetic vision, and it is complex. Scholars have tried to understand it for centuries. It includes this "fourth beast" that is "different" from the others, and it seems logical (to me) that the difference might be that it is not a kingdom based on a specific ruler, but rather on a global ideology. Eventually, one powerful 'king' comes out of this beast and speaks in a manner that directly opposes the Lord himself, and actively oppresses the "holy people".

However, the most interesting element of this king's actions is this ... he will "try to change the set times and the laws." In other words, one of the ways this king will attack the Lord and the people of earth is to take actions that change the manner in which holiday observances are kept, and to alter the moral laws, both of which represent ways mankind is to behave as defined by the Lord.

Application: I cannot possibly understand what or who or when this "horn" is or is about. However, I can completely understand the attack it makes on the world, for it is the attack we are experiencing now in our current age. This is an attack on God's instructions for life. What the horn does is attempt to undo all those instructions, and how it does so is by speaking loudly and boastfully (aka powerfully and arrogantly and defiantly and continually) in direct opposition against the Lord himself and, by extension here on earth, against his holy people.

That is a perfect description of what is happening in this part of the world. The Church is publicly attacked loudly and arrogantly by people representing an ideology that looks to alter ... natural order, moral code, government operations, and even holiday traditions. The weapon of choice is loud, angry, confrontational public rhetoric, which manipulates the populace until hateful ideals that are in direct defiance to the Lord become popular opinion that many accept as logical facts.

I feel like this eleventh horn is here, now, and active. If so, even Daniel in verse 21 noted that this horn "was waging war against the holy people and defeating them" ... and we are being seemingly defeated in this part of the world for sure. However, this also means I can celebrate, for soon the Lord himself will intervene.

Prayer: Lord, let us all continue to live by your instructions for life. As the boastful lies of the enemy lead others astray and change their understanding of both your set times and your laws, may we continue to fight the good fight, bringing the truth to all, and declaring Jesus as the son of man who offers hope and salvation. Amen.

Identity Attacks are Nothing New

Scripture: Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. Daniel 1:6-7

Observation: When the first wave of Judah is taken into exile, there are four young men who will eventually rise into positions of prominence in the Babylonian court. When we first meet them, we see they are being "conditioned" for this new service, and that conditioning involves realigning their lives to depend on the Babylonian gods. They are now given food from sacrifices made to false gods, and their names are changed. The name changes are especially radical, as the four all had names that honor the Lord, and are given names in competition to that attitude.

Daniel (my judge is Elohim) becomes Belteshazzar (Bel is my judge)

Hananiah (under Yahweh's grace) becomes Shadrach (under Aku's command)

Mishael (who is what God is) becomes Meshach (who is what Aku is)

Azaria (servant of Yahweh) becomes Abednego (servant of Nego)

Without knowing the languages, these name changes may seem like simply changing a person's name into words within the local language, something that happens regularly in the New Testament. (Example: Cephas = Peter, as the first is Aramaic, the second is Greek.) However, that isn't what happens to these four in Babylon; This is an attack on their identity. Their new names were designed to give them the same characteristics, but aligned to a new god. These names are intended to remove their 'anchor point' in Yahweh, and realign them to an image that is entirely of the world.

Application: Satan's attack on human identity is nothing new. Yes, he has renewed 'traction' and broader success in this form of attack right now, as we see people struggle and even argue in anger over something as basic as pronouns. However, this form of attack against God's created humans is ancient.

And here is why satan uses this attack ... it works. In Daniel 1, many Jews are brought into this training program, presumably all receive the same treatment, yet only four resist. (Side note: Daniel so resists that, when writing of this years later, he turns the table and actually doesn't use the term 'Babylon', but calls the land by the Hebrew name Shinar, and the people the Chaldeans.) These four resist, and become the only four who pass the training and are drafted into the king's court. In fact, their ability and wisdom exceeds even the experienced advisors. However, all the others - again, likely dozens - who accept the identity reassignment to the point they embrace new diets and pagan names, fail. They surrender their heavenly allegiance in exchange for short-term comfort, and ultimately receive no earthly reward for doing so.

This is consistent with satan's attacks today. Those who have gone along with such issues like identity confusion and other forms of 'pop culture' behavioral changes get nothing out of it. Maybe the feel a little 'seen' now. However, they receive no rewards as a result of such activities, and in fact end up with many areas of their lives that are empty and depressing.

We know identity issues are of satan because we have millennia of evidence showing that this is what he does. This is his M.O. And I hate that it works so well.

Prayer: Lord, as we hope and pray for revival in our country, may it begin with overcoming the terrible attacks upon our young people when it comes to identity. Let us set aside the genericizing of individuals, and teach our young people that they are strong individuals, created unique by you, Lord, with an identity found in Jesus. Amen.

Knowing He is There

Scripture: The distance all around will be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on will be: "The Lord is There." Ezekiel 48:35

Observation: This is how the visions of Ezekiel end, by giving the Lord's holy city a new name. Ezekiel has been shown the temple, then the city. He is then told of the holy territory set aside for this location, and shown the river that flows from the temple the brings life and health to everything it touches. Finally, he is told of the territory of Israel and which areas the tribes will occupy. However, in the end, he is returned to the city, shown its gates, and given this name ...

Yahweh-Shammah

This is not defined as a scriptural covenant, on the same level as the Lord enters into with Abraham, Noah, Moses, or David. This isn't a statement that "if you do this, I will do this" that the Lord has done with them. Instead, this is just a declaration that, in the place where peace dwells forever, the Lord is there. He will dwell with the people, and send forth his love and peace and prosperity from his throne.

Application: There are a few ancient Hebrew words I really love. Shalom is one, effectively Hebrew's version of 'aloha', as today it is used as both a greeting and a farewell, but it means 'peace' and typically in context would mean 'peace to you'. Shemah is another, just the word 'hear', it is the first word of the greatest commandment and thus connotes the command to 'obey', beginning the phrase "hear, oh Israel," it is the name of the prayer Jews have now said for millennia, declaring the Lord as the one God and that we are to love him with all our heart and soul and strength. And of course, there are the names of God I truly love ... Yahweh, Abba, El Roi, Adonai, Elohim, etc.

I will add this one to the list ... Shammah. Every day I know the Lord is right here with me, his spirit working, his love present, his grace covering my mistakes. He sees me and he provides. Now I also know that someday, when I am "there", the Lord will be "there", too.

Prayer: Lord, I love you. I ask you to be with my family today in our trials, to be with my wife, my mother inlaw, and my father inlaw especially as they go through a very difficult issue. Please relieve the pain in my mother inlaw, and give doctors wisdom and sure hands to help and heal her. In all of this, I know for certain you are there, right there with her, as sure as you are right here with us. Amen.

Finding Peace in a Pagan World

Scripture: Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. 1 Peter 3:7

Observation: Peter gives instructions to both wives and husbands, beginning both sets of instructions with the words "in the same way". This certainly begs the question, in the same way as ... what? Looking back, Peter has just discussed at length how to live in a pagan society, and specifically teaches the believers they are to live in a manner that is humble and peaceful. He specifically says to submit to government authority, to show respect to everyone, and if you are a slave (perhaps now days, an employee) be humble and obedient in your work. Peter points out that this was Jesus' own attitude, as he submitted to authority even unto the cross, and even as the 'government' and human officials crucified him, he entrusted his soul to the true judge of the world.

Therefore, as spouses live "in the same way" with each other, we are to live with peaceful respect for each other. Perhaps the husband has authority over certain aspects of the home, but the wife is to be respected for her contributions, for it is the wife who makes one's life a 'family home' if you will. In this manner, there must always be mutual respect, mutual peace, and mutual humility.

Application: I do know my wife is a gracious gift from the Lord, and that gift transformed my life. Just as I love Jesus and choose to be a disciple every day, I love my wife and choose to be considerate and kind and good to her every day. And just as I disobey the Lord from time to time, I get angry toward my wife from time to time. I dislike it when I do that, for I do respect and love her so much.

It is interesting that Peter ties all of this together ... the manner in which believers are to live as exiles in the pagan world we find ourselves, in peace and submission to worldly authority, is the same way we live in peace within our homes. It is a peace found in humble partnership, not angry opposition. It is a peace found in collaborating within a structure while holding firm to our faith and beliefs and knowledge of the Lord, instead of fighting and protesting and shouting in conflict to impose our ideals and desires.

The blessing that is upon peacemakers is simply the fact that you don't feel the anger that the world thinks you should have toward everything. And in that peace - where we maintain our humility and simply operate in obedience to the Lord - we find joy in our lives, relaxation in our days, and love in our homes.

Prayer: Lord, as I consider the life of a peacemaker, I see I am in fact making progress toward this. May that continue, and may it continue within my marriage and my home as well. I desire to show respect and honor toward my wife every day, keeping peace in our house as well as in the world. Amen.

Between the Past and Future

Scripture: In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth of the month, in the fourteenth year after the fall of the city—on that very day the hand of the Lord was on me and he took me there. Ezekiel 40:1

Observation: Ezekiel is about to get the vision for the new temple. He will be taken in the spirit to Zion, and an angel with measuring tools will show him the layout of a new temple, complete with the walls, courtyard, rooms, sacrificial stations and the temple proper. This vision begins by telling us not when this new temple will exist, but when the vision is being given.

This is the 25th year of exile. most of Ezekiel's prophesies occurred in the 6th through 14th years of their exile (the time between when he and others were part of the first wave of exiles, and when Babylon finally destroyed Jerusalem). We know the exiles will remain in Babylon for 70 years, and that Ezekiel will not live to return to the promised land. This vision, therefore, is given at an odd time. It is both many years since the temple was destroyed, and many many years until they'll be able to return and begin reconstruction. So why now?

Perhaps this timing has to do with exactly what the exiles are experiencing at that moment ... nothingness. More specifically, they are experiencing a time when there is neither a recent catastrophe from which they are recovering, nor a pressing opportunity for which they are preparing. They are somewhere in the middle, just ... quietly living faithfully, ideally following the instructions of Jeremiah.

With the absolute and final destruction of Jerusalem now well in the past, they no longer have some false expectation of returning. They have settled in, built homes, gotten jobs, and started families. They now just live in Babylon. They have returned their faith to Yahweh and set aside their idols and other gods. They cannot engage in rote temple rituals, so instead their faith and worship to Yahweh has become personal, and exists in their homes where they can discuss and teach the Lord's precepts and love to their children. They are in the midst of "getting it" ... the exile life means living for the Lord even when you are both far removed from the grandeur of his past, and cannot yet see his miracles in the future.

It is in that moment, between the past and the future - a timing that seems like an empty and meaningless 'present' - that the Lord offers hope.

Application: If I have learned anything about the Jewish exile, it is that it is the model for living as a Christian. As we - myself and all Christians - continue to live in a time and place where we are surrounded by pagens and don't have access yet to our heavenly home, and as we simply seek to keep Jesus and the Lord central in our lives, it is sometimes difficult to recognize this fact ... we are somewhere between the past and future, and while we may think that this 'present' is empty and meaningless, it absolutely is not. It is full of hope.

We have the vision of the future, a life both in heaven and in a perfected world where Jesus reigns after the second coming. We know the past, where Jesus was resurrected and defeated death, and therefore by his perfect sacrifice we receive grace from the Lord. And here - right here and now - we can help others have hope that both of those things are as true and as real as the very air they're breathing.

I need to remember to "lock in" as an exile every day. I need to live a life focused on Jesus, and focused on the Lord, while also living within the world as it surrounds me. I need to ignore cultural influence, political angst, and sinful distractions, yet also engaging with earthly work within the towns and cities and neighborhoods and social settings of this time and place. I need to allow the Lord to continue to bless me and my family within this world, without embracing this world and its indulgences.

I live between the past and the future; between the revelation of Jesus as Messiah and savior, and the return of Jesus as Lord and eternal king. And every day, I can find hope, and offer that hope to others.

Prayer: Lord, please forgive my weaknesses. There are clearly times when the present world gets to me, and gets into me, in ways that it should not. I ask for your forgiveness of my sins, and for your daily hope in my heart. I know I am an exile, temporarily denied access to my true home. May I do good work for your glory, and offer hope to others. Amen.

Avoid Slandering Brothers and Sisters

Scripture: Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. James 4:11

Observation: This passage is specifically about how we interact with believers in the church ... the Greek word translated "brothers and sisters" is the generic word for "believers". That makes this instruction very clear, and very pointed. Believers are not to slander or judge other believers. Yes, we can and should correct them in a collaborative and helpful way when necessary, but we are not to speak ill of them. This is because, as believers, they are attempting to live by the Lord's will, and therefore we should not judge them, for only the Lord is their judge.

Application: This is a good reminder for me as I will prepare to be part of a "panel" speaking at church Sunday about giving and tithing. There are many people in our church who are not being faithful in this area, and part of me really wants to judge them. However, that is wrong.

I may instruct and correct, gently, in love, as if they are my brothers and sisters who need good information in order to then align their hearts to the Lord. If they do not, then the Lord is their judge, not me.

Yes, our household is very faithful in our giving. However, we fail in other areas. It is likely that those who fail at tithing are strong in those other areas where I am weak. This is the way the "body of Christ" works. I do hope that the Lord gives me wisdom and the words to help others understand how giving to Christ works in their own lives, and that I am able to educate, communicate, and maybe even offer correction as the Holy Spirit may convict others. But I will not judge.

Prayer: Lord, as I just said, may I be a voice for your will and your Holy Spirit this Sunday, giving good information and advice as you would have others hear it. Please remove my own judgment from the situation, and protect me from even having that judgment in the first place. Amen.

Pursuing the Purity of Wisdom

Scripture: Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom ... But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:13,17

Observation: James clarifies the kind of life that is produced by wisdom by discussing two different types of wisdom. First, he clarifies that wisdom produced a "good life" in which someone does good deeds. However, he then states that some people can do this while still being selfish, boastful, and lying, and therefore their wisdom is "demonic" (or we may say, earthly) and does not come from heaven. Wisdom from heaven has clear qualities, which James outlines.

Note that the first quality of heavenly wisdom is "pure". It is a wisdom that produces a pursuit of the Lord's precepts and guidance and obedience. From there, it assumes qualities that can be more visible on earth, but certainly don't often sound like 'wisdom'. People might appreciate someone who is peace-loving, considerate, sincere, and merciful, however they often look down upon those who are submissive, and now days even 'impartial' is considered bad because you're supposed to have a strong position on every issue.

Application: For years, I know I was none of the above when it comes to fruit of the spirit. Now days, while I sometimes talk with opinions, I am much more peace-loving, considerate, merciful, impartial, and even submissive than I used to be. No, I'm nowhere near good enough in any of these, I'm only saying I am improving.

What I am NOT is pure.

I remain so sin-filled - and so unable to just keep my mind and my heart focused on the precepts of the Lord and teaching of Jesus - that it's as if my heart truly is made of stone, totally impenetrable to the spirit. And I mean it with every fiber within me when I say, I hate this about myself. It is probably the number one reason why, when I look at myself, I know myself to be a fraud and a failure. I want to be 'wise' but I fail at step one, and certainly that is because I fail to allow the Holy Spirit to work within me. I ask the spirit to give me more strength and wisdom, then push the spirit away over and over again.

That said ... despite how frustrated and disappointed I am in myself ... I will not stop pursuing wisdom. I will not stop pursuing becoming better, and desiring the Holy Spirit to work within me. Even as I reach the final quarter of my life, I will desire to be better in the eyes of the Lord, and to be a better disciple of Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, in the name of Jesus I ask, please give me more wisdom by your Holy Spirit, so I may become more pure, more obedient, living a life in line with your precepts. Amen.

Jealous of What Was Rejected

Scripture: Because you have said, “These two nations and countries will be ours and we will take possession of them,” even though I the Lord was there, therefore as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will treat you in accordance with the anger and jealousy you showed in your hatred of them and I will make myself known among them when I judge you. Ezekiel 35:10-11

Observation: In this next prophesy against Edom, Ezekiel pronounces the Lord's decision to wipe out Edom and make its mountain cities desolate. He does this as Jerusalem falls and Edom rejoices, anticipating they will be able to take over the land of Judah. This is similar to the prophesies against Moab and Ammon, all of whom rejoice over Israel's downfall.

These three nations - Edom, Moab, and Ammon - are the three other nations founded by Abraham's family, and in every case their founder chose their current location hundreds of years before Israel even arrived, and were perfectly content with it for centuries. In fact, they chose their current location when offered the choice between it and Canaan. When Lot and Abraham became too prosperous to continue living together, Abraham gave Lot the choice, and Lot chose the move east of the Jordan. When Jacob and Esau last met Jacob decided that, wherever Esau went he would go in the opposite direction, Esau went into the mountains southeast of the Dead Sea.

These people-groups chose their homes, were perfectly content with them, lived in them for centuries, then when Israel arrived and took over Canaan they became "jealous" and wanted THAT land instead of their land. Once Israel removed the dangerous residents, and the Lord blessed their efforts by making the land prosperous as he had promised, only then did they perceive it as an upgrade. Prior to that, they could have chosen that land for themselves, and they could have invaded that land any time, but they rejected it.

Application: I think this is the way many people think in their lives, and I know this relates to how I think in my life, too. I become jealous of a certain lifestyle and want it, thinking I should have always had it, but in truth I never made the choices in the past necessary to have that lifestyle. Maybe I could have, or maybe I couldn't have. In my case, those former choices would have been very difficult and thus I took an easy path.

I could have been a lawyer - I even had guaranteed admission and free tuition to law school - but that would have required very hard work. I was offered guaranteed admission to an Ivy League school, and based on how I know several childhood friends who parlayed that into business success, I could be rich beyond my dreams now, but again that seemed like a challenge that represented too much effort. The list of things I "could" have done and intentionally didn't is long.

However, there is another side to this, and that is that my life is wonderful as-is. I wandered a path I didn't fully pursue, took jobs I barely cared about, moved to places of convenience, and ended up with an amazing wife, a wonderful family, good friends, comfort and safety and blessings beyond what I deserve, and daily joy.

And this gets to the real issue with Edom, Moab, and Ammon. They didn't choose poorly ... they were jealous of Israel. They made perfectly fine choices, then became jealous that they didn't have what they rejected, and hated the people who took the leftovers and worked to make the most of it.

I never again want to be jealous of any life I "could" have had, because I have a life that billions of others would be jealous of. And I have this life because of Jesus, and because of the Lord's great love for me and my family, not by any act or decision of my own.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you today for my life, which is all just a blessing from you. I have no desire for more, and I have no desire for a different past. You led me here, even when I didn't know I was following you, and by your great love I thank you again. May I continue to follow you now, with even more intention, every day. Amen.

Asking God for Wisdom

Scripture: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5

Observation: James begins his letter with a discussion about how to properly live as a Christian, and it is one of the most direct instructions ever given. It discusses living with hardships, having faith in God's response to prayer, being humble in good times and confident in hard times, persevering when tested, and fighting against sin. It is summarized as simply ... do what the Lord taught us to do, instead of just talking about it.

However, high up on the list is this advice as almost a precursor to all of it ... if anyone lacks wisdom, ask for it. The gift of wisdom is not intelligence. It is a spirit-filled understanding that goes beyond head-knowledge, and instead applies that knowledge to our actions in a way that fulfills the Lord's plans and intentions. It might be a type of 'insight' that isn't learned, but is revealed. When someone has this sort of spirit-provided wisdom, all the other elements James instructs become possible, for we have not only the instructions of the Lord that we know, but an understanding of how they apply to our lives on a day-by-day and moment-by-moment basis.

Application: I ask the Lord over and over and over again for 'guidance' and 'direction'. I ask him to lead me. I ask him to tell me what to do. I say I know what I should do and ask him for 'strength'. However, I never ask him for ... wisdom. And the truth is, none of the other things I just listed ... direction, guidance, followership, instruction, strength ... are spiritual gifts, yet wisdom is.

Wisdom is, in fact, what I need in my life, in my heart, in my mind, and in my soul. I need more than just knowledge about biblical instruction. I need more than just a sense that there is a path the Lord would have me walk today. I need wisdom ... that power provided by the Holy Spirit that doesn't just tell me what to do, but gives me the combination of insight and forethought and understanding to do it.

I want to persevere through the trials I am in right now. I want to be humble in my earthly successes (for I absolutely know I didn't earn them!) and be proud of my testimony about Jesus (so I can proclaim it to others). I want to overcome evil temptations, avoid anger, and rid myself of all moral filth ... all of that! Clearly, it is by wisdom that the Lord can grant the power to do this, so that is what I ask for, the wisdom of the Lord's Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Lord, I do ask this. Please give me your wisdom, dear Lord, by the Holy Spirit, to understand how I should proceed in all things and at all times, and then to have the tools to do it. May your Holy Spirit intervene for me and with me when I face hardships of all kinds, granting me the wisdom to see through the situation and respond as you would have me do, and thus build my faith more and more. Amen, and amen.

Looking Ahead to Reward

Scripture: He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. Hebrews 11:26

Observation: In the list of the faithful in Hebrews, this is what is said of Moses. Moses could have lived like a prince, but instead embraced his Jewish life, did slave labor, and eventually was forced to flee as a murderer. The writer declares he did this because he wasn't living within a present treasure, but was looking to the future reward of Jesus and life with God.

This is one of the major tenants of faith, that there is a future situation where faith produces reward. We may have current blessings, and we may also have current hardships, but they are both temporary and small. Rather, the greatest thing in our lives is a future we have to look ahead to, and involves eternity in the presence of the Lord.

Application: This is the hope I do cling to. I have ... issues ... in my life. They range from pain in my body, to mental turmoil reconciling my thoughts and actions, to difficult tasks I struggle to do at work, to conflict from time to time with others. However, I have hope that, by my faith in Jesus, one day all these things will go away and I will live forever in the presence of the Lord.

I do truly know that. I hope to cling to it more and more, and be able to enter into that hope in a positive way one day. Also, I'd like to live more and more within the teachings of Jesus so that my current life - while I know it would still have issues - would have fewer challenges, for I know the Lord's will is for the best in my life.

I do regard disgrace for the sake of Christ to be of the greatest value. I would rather be known for my faith, than known for any other activity.

Prayer: Lord, today as I sit here, I am not truly known for my faith. I know myself for my sins, and most others know me for my work. I would like to change both of those situations, beginning within my own heart and in your wonderful eyes. I know you see me. May I remember that daily. Amen.

Reflecting on a Better Heart

Scripture:
As water reflects the face,
so one’s life reflects the heart.
Proverbs 27:19

Observation: In this section of proverbs, the writer focuses on how someone's actions ultimately reveal what they think and feel. Just as a portrait of someone doesn't truly show what they look like, but rather their reflection does, so someone's words don't truly show what they think, but rather their actions do.

Application: Over and over, I know I fail the Lord by my actions. I declare I love the Lord and have faith in Jesus, then I swear and lust and lie and get angry with others over meaningless things. I spend my time engaged in meaningless activities instead of meditating on the word of the Lord, praying, or worshipping. In summary, my life reflects a heart that is not aligned to what I say or wish.

Prayer: Lord, I understand that my actions are flawed and wrong. I do want your strength to fix my life, correct my actions, focus my heart, and become more and more steadfast in you. Please, Lord, lead me and my family along your path every day. Please hold my hand and help my life reflect faith in you alone. Amen.

And Now the Time Approaches

Scripture: And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25

Observation: As the writer of Hebrews continues his instructions to the Jewish Christians about proper living and remaining strong in their faith, he includes this, which is that they are to encourage each other's faith and activities. They are to gather together and give each other motivation for continuing to love others and perform good deeds.

Application: This is a famous verse, often declared in the context of supporting church attendance. It is true that one of the major benefits of going to church is to be with other Christians who encourage your good work, and where leaders teach about what we should be doing both collectively and individually. Our pastor is currently doing a series on just this - what we should be doing in our lives as Christians - and the first two weeks have been about reading the bible, and prayer. These are good reminders for all, and good lessons for new believers.

And we do have new believers! We had 15 baptisms - adult professions of faith - two weeks ago, and many were powerful testaments of lives completely changed by Jesus. Our church still sees these kinds results regularly, with 30-50 baptisms a year, and it is moving and meaningful every time, to know that heaven rejoices with us for every soul finding faith in Jesus.

Within just a couple months, my wife and I will begin attending a different church. As she retires, we know we cannot remain at our church, at least in the short-term, for she will need to allow space for her successors to succeed and learn without her. We too need this, for we both could use some advanced teaching from other pastors. However, we will miss the heart of our church for the lost, and the focus on creating a path for those who have previously rejected Jesus but now can find their way 'home'.

We poured a lot into our church, obviously my wife the most as it has been her career for 14 years, but we have collectively given of our time, talents, and treasure. The truth is, I love it all, and when someone comes up out of the water simultaneously smiling, crying, and shouting for joy ... and in my heart I hear all of heaven celebrate ... it just lets me know these have been special years. And we will not give up meeting together, especially as we see the day approaching.

Prayer: Lord, may your hand alone guide us to where you would have us be in the future, both in the broad sense of our life, and in the immediate sense of every Sunday. When we follow your instruction, may we also find new energy and new ways to serve your kingdom on earth. Amen.