It Wasn't Actually a Parking Lot

Here's the deal ... I have told my testimony before, about praying to the Lord in my despair, and him changing my life. The part of the story I don't tell is about the moment I actually realized - sat bolt upright and acknowledged and declared to the Lord - that he had in fact changed ME, happened while I was driving.

"With tears in my eyes in the driver's seat" ... "like you were right there with me on the passenger side" ... really happened!

Yes, I already knew my life had changed. And I had told the Lord in prayer that I recognized what he had done. However, it was this other moment when I had to completely declare that my past was gone, and my future was now filled with hope. More than my life ... my mind and my heart were now changed. It wasn't the outside - where I was going - that he had changed, but it was the inside.

May I never, ever forget the great things he has done for me!

Hope Always Overcomes Despair

Scripture: In him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:4-5

Observation: John begins as a callback to Genesis 1, aligning Jesus himself to creation. As himself part of Yahweh, Jesus was part of creation ... Jesus himself was the 'word' that is part of speaking creation into existence. That said, this overall metaphor about Jesus is a little confusing.

-- First, Jesus is the word that was with - and a part of - God at creation.

-- Second, that creating word contains the power of life itself.

-- Third, life is strongest as a light that is part of the existence of mankind itself.

-- Finally, that light shines in darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it.

Therefore, there is another way of summarizing metaphorical introduction. The almighty God created mankind in his image, which looks a lot like Jesus, and put within him a special and unique kind of life that is explicitly interconnected with himself via the Holy Spirit (aka our souls). These spiritual souls are designed to change and improve - to light - the world itself, which at the spiritual level is the realm of satan and thus full of darkness. When we align ourselves to the Lord - with faith in Messiah, and connected to the Holy Spirit - our very life battles and overcomes evil, and in fact evil cannot win such a battle.

In short, what is really going on here on earth is ... a battle between the despair shaped by the lies of satan, and the hope found in the truth about Jesus. And faith-empowered hope ALWAYS wins.

Application: I know this when it comes to the ways of this world ... very often lies defeat the truth. This happens every day, and everyone would agree with that statement no matter what side of any issue on any topic anyone believes. On almost every issue, everyone believes their thoughts about it are true, anyone opposed is lying, and the other side is 'winning'. Even myself - who would declare that there are certain absolute truths found in the word the Lord God almighty, creator and ruler of the universe - would state that there are lies within this world that are defeating these truths within our society today.

However, I also know that hope prevails, and faith in Jesus lifts me to an eternal life beyond this flawed world. It doesn't protect me from pain and sorrow and hardships found in this world, but it gives me knowledge of the future. My soul - my light - connects with the Holy Spirit, and darkness will not overcome my light, because it is empowered by Jesus himself.

Yes, some days my light dims a bit, and on those days my life becomes a struggle. This is just further evidence that what John said - while confusing - is true. I exist by the word of the Lord himself, with life imbued by his will, and a light full of hope to shine in this place and time.

Prayer: Lord, I am here and now for a purpose. May my light shine for the glory of your will, your truth, and your word. Amen.

When Old Friends Remember

Scripture: The descendants of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, "You know what the Lord promised Moses the man of God at Kadesh-barnea about you and me." Joshua 14:6

Observation: As Joshua is assigning the promised land my lots, Caleb comes to Joshua to discuss his personal inheritance. He was to receive a special reward, because 45 years earlier, when the spies were sent into the land, 10 of the spies gave fear-filled reports about danger ... but Caleb and Joshua talked about how great the land was, and that certainly the Lord would conquer whatever people were there. When the fearful report swayed the people to not enter the land, the Lord punished them all, but rewarded Joshua and Caleb.

And here they are together, 45 years later. They are the only two men still alive from the rebellious generation that was forced to wander the wilderness. Joshua's reward was to become the leader that replaced Moses. Caleb's reward is to receive the land they visited, and thus he will be given the city of Hebron and its surrounds.

However, more than that, these two men have this (perhaps final) conversation. Caleb recounts that they were the ones faithful, and the Lord made promises to both of them. Joshua's reward has already been fulfilled, and it is actually up to Joshua to fulfill Caleb's promised reward. Of course, remaining faithful, Joshua will do so. And with that, the only two men who placed their faith in the Lord to be their warrior protector, are united in their old age, and their faith - and resulting bond - remains obvious and intact.

Application: There are so many things I thought about writing about today. One was from today's psalm, with David calling out those motivated by wicked intent, and how so many people are like that today ... and worthy of the curses David calls out. Another was from earlier in Joshua, where Israel failed to conquer the cities in their southwest area along the sea, which today is a place commonly called the 'Gaze strip' and from which terrorist groups still strike at Israel ... showing how failure to fulfill the Lord's full instructions can reverberate for millennia.

Instead, how about thinking on a kind and peaceful conversation between old friends! While it isn't said, certainly Caleb and Joshua has a special bond. They were on the spy mission together, which resulted in only the two of them being faithful to the Lord in their report. They united in their effort to overcome the nay-sayers, and when that failed and the Lord cursed the Israelites to wandering, they were given special long-term promises. All of this must have created a united past, and one would think a friendship for the future. That bond would have been obvious to everyone even decades later as everyone of that generation ... even Moses ... but not these two ... perished. However, these two not only survived but were allowed to enter the promised land.

I imagine this meeting involved much more than is reported. However, even just reading the report, there is an acknowledgement by Caleb that there were promises made by the Lord, and Joshua has received his (and Caleb honors that reward). It is in that understanding that Joshua received his reward that Caleb now will likewise receive his reward. That said, I imagine this was more like old friends remembering their past adventures together. Maybe they had not been around each other, especially for the last 5 years as Joshua had to lead a million people, but likely even longer as the overall size of Israel's camp and their advanced age may have kept them apart. But here they are now, recalling the grape fields they say, maybe still a little bitter that no one would listen to them ("but where are they now?" they laugh together). There is a final hug as Caleb departs and prepares to take his family out of camp and to Hebron. Joshua smiles, enjoying the distraction from the burden of leadership, before having to return to the assignment of all the other lands.

I am not yet 85, still decades from that. I hope to someday have old friends, and hope we will have good memories to talk about. I also know there will be a time when such a conversation with an old friend concludes with the knowledge that that will be our very last, final meeting. What I hope for the most is that, when that occurs, it only means it is our final meeting 'on earth'. I know some of my friends are bound for heaven. I need to be motivated to up that number.

Prayer: Lord, please give me the earthly courage to talk more and more about my faith to those closest to me. I have confidence in Rob and Brian, so my first thoughts are for Peter and Mark, but there are others that need to hear my testimony, and know your heart for them. Someday, when I remember life with these old friends, I sincerely hope it never involves a truly final meeting. Amen.

Service Marks the Leaders

Scripture: Then the Day of Unleavened Bread came when the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” Luke 22:7-8

Observation: It is the last day of Jesus' ministry, the day he will celebrate Passover and afterwards be betrayed, arrested, tried, and crucified. Passover will take place in the "upper room," which will be generously provided to them by a stranger. However, the room must be prepared, and whom Jesus sends to do the work of preparation are ... Peter and John.

Later in this verse we see the disciples discuss which of them will be greatest, and Jesus teaches them that - just as he serves and will be sacrificed - greatness in kingdom-terms is defined by humbly serving. We know Jesus had a hierarchy of his disciples, though, and that among all of them James, John, and Peter were the inner circle. The fact he sent two of them to do this work - to serve others - cannot be overlooked. When something was important and needed to be done just right, Jesus would rather have two top leaders actually do the task, than to assign it down to any number of lower followers. By Peter and John being the one who had to do all the prep work that day, he was marking them as leaders.

Application: I have lost my heart to 'do' at church, and it is a problem. For a long while, I recognized that what I should be doing at church is just showing up and 'doing' whatever needed to be done. Now, I want to sometimes show up, and mostly talk. I want to be seen as a leader, and am not doing much of anything. It is in this changed attitude that I am failing Jesus.

I need to return to the heart of just showing up, serving others, and doing work. That is all I am worthy of anyway ... having my head down and working tasks to which I have been assigned. I shouldn't want to do more. In fact, I should actively want to simply do that well, under the watch of my Lord.

Prayer: Lord, I do know I am failing when it comes to serving you, serving others, and being obedient, and that my failure is that I just am not doing the tasks. May I fix that, with your strength and guidance. Amen.

How About Just Shutting Up

Scripture:
When there are many words, sin is unavoidable,
but the one who controls his lips is prudent.
Proverbs 10:19

Observation: This section of Proverbs has much to say about ... saying. Verse 11 says the mouth of the righteous produces life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Verse 13 begins saying wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, while verse 14 ends saying the mouth of the fool hastens destruction. Verse 18 warns about lying lips and slander, and verse 20 calls the tongue of the righteous "pure silver."

Throughout these, there is a theme, and it isn't as a simple as 'good people say nice things that encourage, and bad people say mean things and lie'. It seems more like the theme is ... bad people will willingly say whatever they think, and since man has a sinful nature the words they say will be foolish and cruel, therefore wise people are not just less likely to speak foolishly, they are less likely to speak, period.

Application: This observation says a lot about an era in which everyone can say anything to everyone. Literally.

We live in a time of cruel communications that are so bad that we have fights over whether or not third party monitors of communications channels are working properly. Anyone, anywhere, can send a message that could potentially reach everyone, everywhere, and one of our biggest problems in society is ... they do.

Proverbs has a very simple solution to all this. Just shut up. If you want to be kind, don't say anything mean. If you want to appear wise, don't say anything stupid. If you want to become smart, don't participate in forums that are informed by fools. If you want to live in peace, don't engage in argument.

Living a life surrounded by kindness, wisdom, intelligence, and peace seems like something everyone would want. If only they would stop commenting, posting, criticizing, and complaining long enough to have it.

Prayer: Lord, we know social media is a problem. May I have the wisdom not to engage. May I have desire peace so much that I just don't engage in conversations in forums where people stir up strife. May we all find a little more joy in our lives, by doing a little less mindless talking. Amen.

Sinful versus Lost

Scripture: When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today it is necessary for me to stay at your house.” So he quickly came down and welcomed him joyfully. All who saw it began to complain, “He’s gone to stay with a sinful man.” But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord. And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much.” “Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:5-10

Observation: The story of Zacchaeus is only retold in the gospel of Luke. This is interesting, because it means that the eyewitnesses of the event had a different perspective on its significance than did a gentile writer doing research decades later.

As a Jewish tax collector working for Rome, Zacchaeus is labeled a "sinful man" by the other Jews. However, that is not the label Jesus gives him.  Jesus calls him "lost". God - and therefore Jesus - do not overlook sin, so therefore it seems there is a difference of opinion about what it is that Zacchaeus is actually doing, and it likely involves the broad reputation of tax collectors. Some tax collectors would cheat the Jewish taxpayers, over collecting the taxes and skimming the surplus for themselves. This is, indeed, sinful. However, by the text itself, it seems Zacchaeus is not doing that. When he declares that he will give half his wealth to the poor AND repay four-fold anyone he has cheated ... well, that wouldn't be mathematically possible if Zacchaeus were rich because of sinful cheating.

While Zacchaeus is 'sinful' insomuch that all humans are sinful, he was not rich due to his sin. Due to his profession, he was labeled sinful by the Jews, but Jesus understood that Zacchaeus was really just "lost" ... he was living a life outside of faith in Yahweh. Zacchaeus was drawn to Jesus, quickly agreed to host him, and had a complete change in heart by this meeting, because Jesus created a way for Zacchaeus to be "found" ... to enter a life acceptable to Yahweh.

Those watching the event saw a typical bad person repent. However, decades later, a gentile researching the facts understood that what really happened was that a typical 'normal' person who didn't have God in their life was offered the chance to allow God into their life, and that offer changed him forever.

Application: This may be nuanced ... or it may be massively differentiating ... but this thought process today makes me think that there is a major difference between trying to reach people for Jesus who are actively rebelling against the Lord through sinful lives and even championing the causes of sin, and reaching those who are just "lost" and wandering through life, trying to do their best to just live in this world, without any connection to God.

In addition, it makes me think that we as Christians need to be careful about labeling the latter as the former. There is a distinction between people who structure their lives as a pursuit of sin, and those who structure their lives as just normal people living in the world as they find it, but without knowledge of the Lord and faith in Jesus.

We all sin. We can all be labeled "sinful". I make mistakes daily that result in sin, and I am so thankful for the forgiveness and redemption I receive through faith in Jesus. However, for those without faith, there are many who are just "lost", and maybe all they need is to be found and invited to dinner ... into a life where they discover the love, hope, and acceptance of Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, as we meditate this day and this weekend on your greatest gift, your sacrifice on the cross and resurrection that opened the way for our forgiveness and reconciliation and salvation, may be keep in our hearts the lost of this world. They don't know you, and even if they did they don't feel accepted by you. Help us show them differently, and guide them to discovering you. May thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Amen.

Considering the Secondary Lesson

Scripture: Will not God grant justice to his elect who cry out to him day and night? Will he delay helping them? I tell you that he will swiftly grant them justice. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? Luke 18:7-8

Observation: Jesus gives a parable about prayer, and especially the direction to believers that they should be praying continually and often, appealing to the Lord for their needs. The parable involves a woman who appeals to a self-centered judge, and as a result of her continual appeals even he hears her case and responds to her. If an evil judge will listen to repeated appeals, certainly the Lord will listen to our prayers. If we "cry out to him day and night", he won't even delay, but will respond quickly.

However, there is a final sentence to Jesus' lesson that presents a secondary lesson. Jesus asks the question ... when he as the Messiah returns someday, despite the fact that believers have received this first lesson as the truth about prayer and faith in the Lord's faithful and loving response to our requests, will there actually be faithful people praying on earth?

This is a difficult question. For certain, Christians pray, but the real nature of Jesus' question is about their faith - aka confidence - that the Lord answers prayers. When we believe the Lord does answer prayer, it would be logical that we would bring every issue to the Lord in prayer. And if we don't ... maybe that means we don't really have faith.

Application: I have faith because of one major event in my life ... I prayed to the Lord, and he answered. I have told the story to non-believers, and they have doubted it really happened (specifically, that it wasn't just coincidence), however I absolutely know, without a shadow of doubt, that it did happen. I prayed, asked for the Lord to do the impossible to totally 'fix' my life, and he did it.

In addition, I have seen the Lord respond to other prayers, where there is no doubt that as a response to an abundance or prayer by faithful believers the Lord acted. I would declare, for certain, the Lord responds to prayer, and if any believer in faith prays to the Lord he will provide for their needs.

This begs two questions, and the first is general: If we have a Lord who loves all people, and he will respond to every need of every person who asks of him, why do people reject the Lord? Part of the core answer to that question is that they don't believe the Lord does respond to prayer. Maybe this is because they have had life experiences where those who 'love' them have rejected them, so they can't comprehend a loving God who would be kind toward them. Maybe they have so rejected the idea of the existence of God there isn't even a logical context to prayer. It is interesting when people like this DO pray during times of desperation, and it is by that we know that, somewhere in the heart of all people, there is a natural understanding that God is real.

But now for the second WAY bigger question: Why don't I pray more about everything? I know it isn't because of a lack of faith. It is because I get busy and just don't have prayer in my mind as a response to a problem. And unfortunately I know why I don't have a habit of prayer ... I believe I am not worth the Lord's time and attention. There are bigger issues in the world than my job, my health, my back pain, my vision quality, my minor depression, my work calendar, my time management, etc. etc. etc. I am trivial, bordering on meaningless, so when I pray it isn't about what I need or want, but about the issues of our world and the needs of others, and as general topics those don't pop up every minute or hour of every day.

Yes, I wish I prayed more often, and I wish a brought more of my daily challenges to the Lord in prayer. I know my life would be better if I did. However, I do know the worldly issues are big issues, and I'm glad to be part of a chorus bringing those matters to the Lord every day, too.

Prayer: Lord, in this venue I pray often, asking for your Holy Spirit to remind me to pray to you much more continually, about my personal life and challenges and needs. I do wish for that. I struggle with the idea that I might be worth listening to, but I hear Jesus' words and do wish to be found faithful in my prayer life. May I just be closer to you. Amen.

It Is Not Observable

Scripture: When he was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming with something observable; no one will say, ‘See here!’ or ‘There!’ For you see, the kingdom of God is in your midst.” Luke 17:20-21

Observation: In response to questions about the coming "kingdom", Jesus tells those asking - the Pharisees - this response ... that the kingdom is not observable, but rather is just something in your midst (and some translations say "within you"). He further clarifies this to the disciples that in the future they should not go chasing after stories of his second coming, for that is not how it will work.

In retrospect, it seems clear that Jesus is referring to the kingdom of God as the era when the Holy Spirit - God's own spirit - is active in the world. The Holy Spirit is not seen with one's eyes, but the impact and affect within people (in their midst) is experienced and known. In this way, the kingdom is very real to us who have both witnessed and understood the work of the Holy Spirit, and therefore the active participation of the Lord, in our lives and in our world. We see people healed both body and soul. We see hearts and minds changed by divine revelation. We see the paths of entire nations altered, and we see nature itself bring both hardship and relief to millions. We don't have to chase after all these things to understand they are the work of the Lord, and that they do not indicate that Jesus' second coming has occurred.

Application: I say often how I can observe the work the Lord all around me, though as Jesus points out ... I have never seen Jesus, I have never seen the Holy Spirit, and I have never seen the Lord. I do see the results of spirit-driven acts, spirit-guided faith, and spirit-inspired words, all the time. And I do see the glory of the loving creator who invented the world and all life upon it.

God sitting on a throne, with Jesus at his right hand, ruling the world as his kingdom ... that is not observable. The Holy Spirit influencing all good actions in the world, fighting against evil, exercising the very strength and wisdom of the world's creator, unified by faith in Jesus as Messiah and savior of the world ... this is very observable every day, and almost everywhere.

Prayer: Lord, may I see and experience you today, not because I am chasing after the concepts of 'finding' Jesus or evidence of his return, but because I simply see the work of the Holy Spirit everywhere. And may that same spirit be found in me. Amen.

Those who Actually Want Good News

Scripture:
The one who corrects a mocker
will bring abuse on himself;
the one who rebukes the wicked will get hurt.
Don’t rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you;
rebuke the wise, and he will love you.
Proverbs 9:7-8

Observation: As Lady Wisdom calls people to her - specifically calling those who are "inexperienced" to learn from her - she makes this statement about whom should receive wisdom. There are those who embrace wisdom by desiring to learn more about the Lord, and giving correction to such individuals will bring reward. However, those who mock the Lord cannot even receive correction, and anyone who attempts to correct them will just bring insult and pain upon themselves.

Application: I have seen this over and over ... those who completely reject the Lord, and mock the very idea of heavenly goodness, cannot receive wise correction. Attempts to correct such people bring pain, and wisdom herself gives an interesting instruction, which is that we shouldn't even attempt it for we will only get hurt.

This again reminds me of a consistent teaching from God. Christians are to evangelize to those who are, at some level, opening themselves up to the Lord. Those who have rejected every idea about God and Jesus can be left to be God's issue, softened and corrected (or not) based on his plan and timing. We are to give the good news to those who actually want the good news. If someone agrees they are inexperienced and would like to receive wise council about how to have a good life, then the wisdom of Jesus should be on our lips to pass along. As for mockers, they will only hate such teaching.

Prayer: Lord, may those who are open to you and your good news be placed in my path today, and on the path of other believers, so we may deliver your wisdom. Amen.

Both Us and Everyone

Scripture: “Lord,” Peter asked, “are you telling this parable to us or to everyone?” Luke 12:41

Observation: Jesus is giving instruction about how servants are to be prepared for their master's return, on alert, and doing his will. In the middle of this lesson, Peter asks this question, which as actually quite vague when it comes to understanding who "us" and "everyone" are. At the very least, it seems Peter is considering "us" to be the core believers of Jesus as Messiah - maybe just the very core group, or maybe the ~100 or so traveling with Jesus - and he isn't clear exactly who should need to be prepared.

Jesus' answer isn't as clear as one would hope. He keeps talking about servants who should be alert for their master's return, and about the difference between those servants who do the will of the master when he is gone versus those who don't. However, in verses 47-48 he does clarify that there are those servants who know the will of the master, and those who don't, and the worst punishment is for those who know the master's will but act contrary to that will. It seems, perhaps, that this therefore answers Peter's questions.

This lesson isn't for 'us or everyone' ... it is for 'us AND everyone'. The most core believers are instructed to be prepared for Jesus return, and to be always doing his will. As for those who have no knowledge at all about master ... well, just because one doesn't know the master and his will does not mean there isn't a master or that he will come home one day.

Application: As I consider this idea - that believers will be held accountable for doing Jesus' work, and non-believers are still accountable but considered differently - one thought strikes me. If those who know the master model his behavior and his will, those who don't know the master would be more likely to be doing his will.

This speaks to the behavior of the Church. The more we align to society, the further we are from the work of Jesus. The more we simply do the work Jesus gave us to do, the more likely we are to influence society in a manner that more closely aligns to the kingdom of heaven.

There are days when I know my work - the activities I do throughout the day - are well-aligned to Jesus' assignments, and I can tell that I have had a positive on others even without 'preaching' or in any way instructing them about Christianity. There are other days when I know I have not done anything of the sort. I do hope, more and more, I have days where I am completely active in the work of the master.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your patient instruction. May my family and I remain on alert for your return, and all the more so as we see the day of the Lord approaching. Amen.

His Deep Calls to My Deep

Scripture:
Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your breakers and your billows have swept over me.
Psalm 42:7

Observation: As the psalmist continues this song, he reflects back and forth about the theme of internal emotions vs. peace from the Lord. He is depressed, but thinks upon the calming rush of water and waves. He feels oppressed by the world, but recalls that his hope remains in the Lord.

Application: Just before beginning today's reading, I prayed. I asked the Lord why it is that, in my thought life, I seem to dwell in a cycle of anger. I actually have a running fictional narrative where I am in debate and conflict with others ... scenarios that are 100 percent fictional without any tie to reality in my life, and yet this is a recurring thought narrative for me. Why would I be like that? Why would I actively place myself into a mental state of anger and stress?

And here is the truth, immediately said back to me by the Lord ... this mental state is not from him. No, he is the deep, rushing mountain waterfalls that give joy and comfort. He is the warm ocean breeze and calming lap of waves on the beach. He is the beauty of a forest or field full of wildflowers, containing nothing but peace and comfort.

The Lord reaches out to me with his love, and offers me a life of peace. I actively retreat into a life of anger and angst and stress and trials.

Even Jesus today points out that all I need to do in life is retreat into the love and support of the Lord. I am more important than birds and grass, and so the Lord will absolutely provide for me. And he does! I so greatly love the quiet calm of lapping ocean waves on the beach, and the Lord has given me regular access to that. I love mountain views, and I live with them out my own window.

The deep of the Lord - his deep love and calm and reassuring sounds of his natural creation - calls to the deep of my soul. All I need to do is allow his love to sweep over me. Oh, how I wish I would just learn and receive his love.

Prayer: Lord, I do not even know what to pray today, for I realize that what I would ask for you have actually already given me. You offer everything, I then I ask for it because I just don't know enough to open my hands and receive your love and blessings. May my heart be softened and my mind renewed by the roar of your waterfalls, as your breakers and billows sweep over me. Amen.

Draw Closer to a Shema-Centered Life

Scripture: Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Observation: This is the true beginning of Moses' final speech and teaching to Israel, and this first sentence is the heart of the entire message. Jesus himself will declare this the greatest of all the commandments ever given by Yahweh to mankind, and it effectively breaks down into two parts:

1) Yahweh is the one and only God of the universe.

2) We are all to completely and totally love Yahweh with our entire being.

Every good thing in the entire world is manifested by those two concepts. Knowing that the all-powerful and loving creator is in charge of all things brings peace and joy to our lives. Being focused on how we can serve and obey the Lord keeps our lives in a right place. Of course, this works when everyone does this, and the fact most don't creates problems and issues and pain and sadness for us. However, the Lord remains in control.

Application: I cannot fathom how much better my life would be if I were more obedient with regards to the Shema. If I would only "listen" and make this fact the true anchor of my life - that the Lord is the great God of heaven and earth, and all my actions should be to love him with my heart, soul, mind, and strength - really nothing could be wrong in life. Sure, there would be evil people who hurt me. Yes, satan would create plots using the lost people of this fallen world to bring hardships against me. There would remain disease and disaster that cause difficulty in varying degrees. However, through all these things, the joy and love the Lord would permeate.

I know and I believe the Shema, but I don't live it in every moment of every day. That was what Moses encouraged, even knowing how difficult it is given the fallen nature of mankind. So the challenge remains, can I draw closer to a Shema-centered life?

This begins with one discipline, which is taking every thought and action captive and presenting to the Lord. When that is done, it manifests the "love God" part of the command as a "submitting your heart/soul/body" discipline. It looks like a Romans 12:1 kind of life, making my entire life a living sacrifice. It also creates a continual dialogue and thus a relationship with the Lord ... a true act of worship.

A Shema-centered life entails discipline, control, and attention ... soul, strength, and heart. I lack all three.

Prayer: Lord, I recognize that Moses set a high bar, at your wise direction, with the knowledge that most would fail. However, this is also your vision and goal for my life, to live in a Shema-based relationship with you. I do wish I could be better at this, and I desire to try. Amen.

Rejoice for Selection and Salvation

Scripture: Look, I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy; nothing at all will harm you. However, don’t rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:19-20

Observation: The additional 72 disciples have returned from their mission, telling wonderful stories about how the Holy Spirit gave them power to help others, cure the diseased, and even command evil spirits. This is wonderful, as it shows how the future church can serve Jesus by helping others. However, Jesus makes a point of clarity. The true reason to rejoice is not because of some kind of new authority or power granted by the Holy Spirit, or because evil spirits submit to that authority ... the reason to rejoice is that the disciples themselves have been saved by faith, appointed for this work, and their names written in the book of life.

Application: This is such a basic concept ... despite all the blessings and love we receive from the Lord, and despite good work we see come from Christians around the world, the true reason to celebrate is that Jesus called me to follow him, and when I accepted he wrote my name in heaven.

I do praise the Lord when we reach thousands on non-believers with the message of salvation at Christmas Lights. I do rejoice when I hear that Reach mission has successfully started a new church for the homeless in downtown. I celebrate when I see other local churches growing in size and influence, knowing this means there is positive motion in the kingdom of God. And yes, it is good to celebrate these things and to praise God for them, giving him all the honor and glory for the victories any of us might have, for it is only by the Holy Spirit that such victories come in the first place. However, Jesus is so right. The absolute number one thing I rejoice in is my salvation.

There is NO reason I even have salvation. I was and am a sinner. I struggled with, and outright rejected, belief. I continue to struggle with obedience and self-control. I very sincerely believe that I do not bring anything of unique or special value to the kingdom of God; nothing that any other random person couldn't do instead of me, and probably do it better. I truly mean this next statement ... I have no special value at all.

And yet ... AND YET ... Jesus saved me anyway. I sincerely don't know why. I am so not worth it, but he responded to my cry, changed my life, allowed me the opportunity to say 'yes' to him, and wrote my name in heaven.

That is very truly the great reason to rejoice.

Prayer: Lord, thank you. Amen.

Welcoming the Little Children

Scripture: An argument started among them about who was the greatest of them. But Jesus, knowing their inner thoughts, took a little child and had him stand next to him. He told them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me. And whoever welcomes me welcomes him who sent me. For whoever is least among you—this one is great." Luke 9:46-48

Observation: As the disciples are debating which of them is the greatest (a quality that it would seem they are not defining correctly), Jesus presents the powerful metaphor of welcoming a child. Effectively, he says that greatness is the quality of being kind, gentle, good, and welcoming toward the weakest of people. It has nothing to do with any major act and grand gesture. To put it another way ... the "greatest" disciple is the one who shows the most love toward the "least of you".

Application: I have SO much to say on this explicitly about one person - one Christian - who is so great in her arrogance that she declares herself "greater" than even pastors in knowledge and works ... despite all evidence in her life and behaviors to the contrary. Instead of going into details that infuriate me, I will instead simply think about this.

The greatest issue this person exhibits - and therefore that I would want to avoid myself - is that nothing she puts into practice in her "Christian walk" in any way serves the "little children" among us, when "child" is defined and Jesus intended in this metaphor ... in spiritual terms.

We have so many lost souls all around us, and I just wish more Christians would just find ways to be kind to unbelievers. We don't need to agree with them, but we can just ... welcome ... them with a smile and kindness.

I am not perfect at this, but my heart is growing and moving toward it. I sincerely hope that, as my years progress, I get better and better at seeing such people for who they are - spiritual children - and welcoming the least of these with kindness, gentleness, and goodness.

Prayer: Lord, may I have a soft heart, this day and every day, toward the spiritual children who cross my path. May I welcome them in your name, with kindness and love, that reflects your love for them. Amen.

Pursuing the Good, Not the Blessing

Scripture: "For your eastern border, draw a line from Hazar-enan to Shepham. The border will go down from Shepham to Riblah east of Ain. It will continue down and reach the eastern slope of the Sea of Chinnereth. Then the border will go down to the Jordan and end at the Dead Sea. This will be your land defined by its borders on all sides." So Moses commanded the Israelites, "This is the land you are to receive by lot as an inheritance, which the Lord commanded to be given to the nine and a half tribes. For the tribe of Reuben’s descendants and the tribe of Gad’s descendants have received their inheritance according to their ancestral families, and half the tribe of Manasseh has received its inheritance. The two and a half tribes have received their inheritance across the Jordan east of Jericho, toward the sunrise." Numbers 34:10-15

Observation: In a prior chapter, the tribes of Reuben and Gad begged Moses to let them stay in land east of the Jordan, and after negotiating about their level of support for the future insurgence into Canaan, Moses relented.

Now, we see Moses define the "promised land" for the very first time. The Lord never even defined it for Abraham, just stating it was "Canaan" and "all he could see" at different times. Now we have borders, and the eastern border is the Jordan River. Reuben, Gad, and one clan of Manasseh ... are NOT part of the promised land. By choice - in fact, by their urgent pleading and negotiation - they have opted out of the promise made to Abraham, chosen to forgo inclusion in Yahweh's blessing, all because they thought this other land was good for their sheep.

Yes, they found good grazing grounds, and decided it was preferrable to be excluded from God's blessing in favor of these grounds, instead of trusting that there would be even better land to be found in the promises of the Lord.

Application: At first, I thought this interpretation - that Reuben and Gad are now excluded from the promised land - may be overreaching. However, Moses was a man obedient to Lord, accurate in conveying the Lord's words, and specific when the Lord gave him specifics. Chronologically, just days or weeks earlier, the decision was made about Reuben and Gad, and now comes the promised land borders discussion, and there is no doubt Reuben and Gad are excluded. Moses then calls this out, stating they have "received their inheritance" as an act completely separate from the process of assigning the promised land of Canaan by lots.

I behave like Reuben and Gad often. I find something I like in life, and I 'make it happen' or pursue it, without discussing with God his plan and intention for my life. I pursue the 'good' and not the 'blessing'. I am content with something I currently have that is 'good enough' or brings me comfort or happiness, and I fail to consider the greater joy and blessing that could exist, and that the Lord might have planned for me. Maybe this current think is a blessing from God, or maybe it is just 'good pasture land' that I settle for, and which therefore prevents me from receiving the Lord's true blessing in my life.

Are there elements like this in my life right now? In some aspect of my life, have I landed on some fixed position or activity that I wasn't supposed to? Have I claimed the "good" instead of pursuing the "blessing"?

Prayer: Lord, you are my good shepherd, and light unto my path, that I wish to follow. If I have stopped in a place I should not have, please take my by the hand and lead me on to whatever you have for me instead. I may even think something is good, but if it is not from you, then I know that there is something better ahead. Please lead me on. Amen.

If I had Less to Forgive

Scripture:
You do not delight in sacrifice and offering;
you open my ears to listen.
You do not ask for a whole burnt offering or a sin offering.
Psalm 40:6

Observation: As the psalmist (David) praises the Lord for all he has done, he makes this statement ... the Lord doesn't actually delight in sacrifices and offerings. Sin offerings exist because of sin, and the Lord would much rather have faithful believers who study his word and instruction, and live a life compliant with the Lord's will. Yes, that is impossible, which is why first sacrifice was required, and later the salvation of Jesus was granted, but the very act of sacrifice and offering means we acknowledge we were not compliant to the Lord in the first place.

Application: I find I need to pray for forgiveness more often than I do, and the truth of the matter is that the Lord would love it if I prayed more ... but if those prayers were less about forgiveness because I had less to forgive.

If I had less to forgive, I would find ever aspect of my life was better. It is wonderful that the Lord has provided a path to salvation and forgiveness, but it is even better that the Lord has provided his word to guide a good and proper life.

Prayer: Lord, I have sinned often, and I do ask for your forgiveness. May I draw closer to you and your word, so I have less to forgive, and more of a life simply within your love and grace. Amen.