Reminder of the Real Issue

Scripture: So she [Michal] helped him [David] get down to the ground through a window. Then she took an idol and put it in his bed, and covered it with blankets, with its head on a pillow of goat’s hair. 1 Samuel 19:12-13

Observation: In helping David escape, Michal places a life-size idol or "teraphim" in David's bed. These are household idols, and the same term is used to refer to the idol Rachel steals from Laban. Obviously, Michal just happened to have one of these idols on hand ... in the king's household.

Saul's reign is at the end of the time of the judges. We have seen Israel descend further and further from God, embracing foreign gods over and over, and receiving punishment for it. When they ask for a king, it is because they refuse to correct this action and return to Yahweh, and instead want a ruler to primarily fight against the Philistines who have taken their western lands. We are reminded here that even the king who was anointed by a prophet, filled with the spirit, given power by the Lord, and provided many victories in the name of the Lord ... has idols around his home. This remains the real issue for Israel and for Saul.

Application: Our world has terrible problems all around us. Some people are starting to report improvements on many fronts, ranging from the end of the pandemic, to improved social conditions. However, we are not addressing our real issue ... the desertion of faith in Jesus Christ. Without that, our nation will continue downward.

I must not be caught considering other improvements as a change in direction for our nation. All else is insignificant. The Lord has shown us his discontent, and many have responded to that, however many more have not. And we are still a land in need of true revival.

Prayer: Lord, we live in a time and place of ever worsening faith. Please guide those of us who love you and believe in you, showing us what we may do to bring your kingdom and love others. If it is your will, light the fire of revival. If it is not, then please come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Why the World Hates God

Scripture: When the king realized how much the Lord was with David and how immensely popular he was with all the people, he became even more afraid of him and grew to hate him more with every passing day. 1 Samuel 18:28-29

Observation: David has become the most popular man in Israel ... leader of the armies, desired by the king's daughter, and praised by all in songs. For this, Saul becomes afraid David will usurp him and thus hates him more and more. This will evolve into outright murder attempts until Saul is destroyed.

Saul hates David because David is successful, and his success is only explainable as a blessing from God. Saul therefore covets what David has. In fact, while Saul has literally everything he could want by virtue of being king, he is jealous of how the people recognize David's success, how David succeeds in battles against even the king's enemies, and how the king's family likes David. Again, Saul himself has all these things! His family honors him, he is still a successful war leader, the people sing of him as well. Yet Saul hates David.

Application: As God has deserted Saul, he is now of the world, and David is of God. Therefore, it is clear that the world hates people of God because ... they succeed by God's grace, mercy, and love.

I have no true ability on my own. As I have been successful - purely by God's blessings - others have hated me. When our church succeeds at being a place of caring and joy where people gather in peace and fellowship, others hate us and strive to negatively impact our activities. In all cases, this has nothing to do with the success of these same people. They can be successful, yet they hate the success of God's people.

Moreover, they hate our joy, our peace, our hope, our love. It is truly these characteristics they attack, seeking to diminish or end those elements of our life.

David was full of these characteristics, people all around respected that, so Saul - a man now living outside of God's influence - hated David. I don't have these characteristics in the measure David had, but to the extent that God's blessings have given me joy, peace, comfort, and happiness, others have hated me and attacked those specific aspects of my life.

The world hates God, and thus hates the characteristics of God ... love, joy, mercy, peace.

Prayer: Lord, you know I am struggling right now in finding joy. I desire a purpose in life that is defined by you, and as I result I understand I will be attacked on these fronts, as the world hates you. Please continue to give me your peace, love, joy, mercy, and blessings. I desire you all the more. Amen.

Seeking the Promised Fruit

Scripture: If anyone separates from me, he is thrown away like a useless branch, withers, and is gathered into a pile with all the others and burned. But if you stay in me and obey my commands, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! John 15:6-7

Observation: Jesus gives his disciples this metaphor of the vine and the branches. He is the true vine, and we disciples are branches. The branches are where the fruit grows, but it is from the vine where they receive all nutrients. However, he also tells them that there is a consequence for separating from from the vine. Branches when separated wither and die, and then are only good for being burned as wood. However, branches that remain connected to vine produce fruit, and when that vine is Jesus they may produce fruit of their choosing, as they ask the Lord.

Application: I have seen branches cut from a plant in the spring and summer. At this time, when they are alive and leafy but then cut, they are green and supple ... but then over the next few days their leaves shrivel, they change color all over - the leaves and bark and internal wood - and become brittle and easily broken. They aren't just biologically dead by being cut from the tree, they are transformed into a dead and decaying thing.

The Lord promises that, if I remain in him, I will not just be alive, but I may ask for fruit from him.

Remaining in him means to obey his commands ... to avoid sins, love others, serve the Lord. I don't always do this well, but I wish to, and daily devotions in the word are a part of that.

The fruit I wish is ... meaning. I am a 55 year old man, with little to no understanding of my mission in life. I struggle to find joy in my daily work and activities. I am not even sure how to seek such joy and meaning. This is the fruit I ask for. I desire an understanding of the purpose that will give meaning to my journey and joy in serving the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, I ask it again. Please guide me this day to the purpose for which you intend for me, which will give joy and meaning to my life. May I walk with you on this journey. Amen.

Live a Life Without Worry

Scripture: Being kidnapped and held for ransom never worries the poor man! Proverbs 13:8

Observation: Though rich people may not have worries about daily living, they have other worries that the poor do not. This is just one example ... fear of kidnapping for ransom. No one tries to ransom a poor person, because their family has no money.

Meanwhile, the rich have no worries about how to acquire what they need to live, but they have every worry associated with retaining and maintaining that wealth. They worry about their home, livestock, land, harvest, servants. They fret about whom their children will marry and paying laborers. A poor person may worry about getting paid, and then affording the food they need, but not these other things.

Application: What kind of worries do I have in life that are a directly result of my earthly riches? I have regular conversations about ... the condition of my second house, my daughter's dancing, upcoming vacation travel, good restaurants, wine selections. These are ridiculous "worries". They are the worries of a rich man, the kind a poor man never has.

These worries all pertain to blessing I have from God, so my worries are rather faithless. If these are blessings, then they are also under the Lord's control, and thus not mine to worry about.

I should not behave like a rich man, but like a poor man who is blessed, and thus not worried about earthly items, but instead understanding how the Lord works in my life to provide. In this manner, instead of having different worries than a poor man, I can have no worries, and spend my energy honoring and worshiping the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your love and mercy and grace and blessing. May I live a life of worship, not worry, for I know that you are my provider. Amen.

Solving the Wrong Problem

Scripture: But they were not like their father, for they were greedy for money. They accepted bribes and were very corrupt in the administration of justice. Finally the leaders of Israel met in Ramah to discuss the matter with Samuel. They told him that since his retirement things hadn’t been the same, for his sons were not good men. "Give us a king like all the other nations have," they pleaded. 1 Samuel 8:3-5

Observation: The people of Israel have problems. The most glaring issue is that they have turned away from God, resulting in their current issue of having their nation occupied by the Philistines. The current issue is that Samuel has retired and placed his sons in charge, and they are corrupt judges. It is this second issue the people seek to address by asking to end their government structure - God as their 'king' and some judge who is filled with God's spirit raised up from time to time to lead and resolve matters - and establish an earthly monarch.

In other words, Israel is full of evil and corruption, the people have turned away from God and no longer obey his laws and precepts, and that has now infected the behavior of their leader judges themselves. However, instead of addressing that issue, they choose to ... depose the judges for a king. Clearly Israel is solving the wrong problem ... seeking a leader to organize them against Philistine - embracing an earthly concept to solve an earthly problem - instead of returning to the Lord.

Application: What earthly problem am I wishing to address through some earthly method, instead of just surrendering it to the Lord, seeking his guidance and even his action?

Daily, I try to think through issues and solve them. It is quite literally my job that someone pays me to do. That isn't so bad within the context of work. However, most matters in my life should be solved through prayer and surrender to the Lord. I may even discover that the issues are caused when I have failed to follow his instructions in the first place. And I am confident I would find that, when issues arise that are actually caused by the world reacting to my faith, the Lord will always protect me.

I need to stop solving the wrong problems, which are earthly issues where I seek earthly methods to find earthly solutions. The Lord is with me to assist with anything, if I will turn to him and honor him and trust in him.

Prayer: Lord, we have so many issues on earth right now. Those that are huge, I know I have no way forward but to pray to you for your worldwide support. However, the smaller issues that apply to my own life, I ask that you help me with. I surrender my depression, my thought life, and even my work to you. May I seek you to not just assist, but lead me in all matters. May I turn all aspects of my life over to you, thus addressing the issue of faith and trust, knowing that this will then solve all earthly matters. Amen.

Rejecting the In-Your-Face Truth

Scripture: Then the Lord began to destroy the people of Ashdod and the nearby villages with bubonic plague. When the people realized what was happening, they exclaimed, "We can’t keep the Ark of the God of Israel here any longer. We will all perish along with our god Dagon." 1 Samuel 5:6-7

Observation: The captured ark brings nothing but hardship upon the Philistines. This begins immediately with the overnight destruction of the idol of their god Dagon, then turns upon the people of Ashdod through disease.

There is an amazing revelation of the Philistines regarding their relationship with their gods and Yahweh. They adamantly establish here - and are even fearful of - the fact that Yahweh is all-powerful and totally capable of killing them and completely defeating their god. They have seen just the presence of the ark bring destruction of a large idol, and now see their people killed by plague. They fear the Lord, acknowledge how real and great he is, and openly state that their god is powerless against him.

And yet ... they ultimately will remain faithful worshippers of Dagon, continuing to sacrifice to him and worship his idol in their temple. Meanwhile, they will actively rid themselves of the Lord, and continue to attack the nation who is under the Lord's protection.

Application: There has never been good logic about why people reject the Lord. Sometimes that rejection is based on science, sometimes it is based on perceptions about rules. However, to me it seems that most of the time people reject God because he just doesn't fit into their lives.

The Philistines had a way of life. They liked the order they had worshiping something called Dagon, and they liked fighting wars in order to bring riches into their land. Therefore, it didn't matter to them of the fact that Dagon was meaningless ... and Yahweh was so powerful that he could wipe out entire cities and then prove his power through tests devised by Dagon's own priests. They weren't going to adjust their lives to align to these discovered truths.

And today, people have a way of life. That way likely involves an adherence to self-determination, which ultimately takes the form of any manner of self-fulfillment in daily life, like promiscuity, greed, laziness, or any other type of personal gratification. Facts about God and Jesus ... proof about hope and joy found through faith ... even when heard, they don't matter, because incorporating belief into their may require a change in their lives.

The alignment in this? It is when Palestine attacks Israel today, and people view Israel as the "bad guys" for reasons they likely can't explain, or at best are just ambivalent to a war occurring thousands of miles away.

People reject the truth - even a truth that is right in their face and obvious to any logical observer - because they simply don't want to impact their life and worldview.

Prayer: Lord, this is the task before us, which is to tell people more stubborn than the Philistines about Jesus. I often pray for revival and a great awakening. That may not be your will. However, I know it is your will to make Jesus known to any and all who will accept him. If we will not overturn the momentum of this nation, may we still reach the individuals with hearts prepared for you. Amen.

How I Search for You

Scripture: O God, my God! How I search for you! How I thirst for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. How I long to find you! Psalm 63:1

Observation: During a time when David has been forced from Jerusalem due to rebellion, he prays this ... that he longs for the Lord. In a "weary" land - a time and place where the fear of God doesn't exist, and thus the living water of God's love is absent - David searches for the Lord.

Application: There is no doubt that the here and now is a spiritually a "parched and weary land where there is no water." I do search for the Lord every day. I find him for sure ... in the beauty of nature, the love of family, the word of scripture, and the assistance he gives in my life. However, he isn't always in the faces of others, the behavior of groups, the words broadcast widely, or the gripping fear of many hearts.

How I long to find the Lord again in all these places.

Prayer: Lord, my Lord and my God, I praise you for your greatness. You have made all things, and you command all things. You are the source of joy, and the judge of the universe. It is by your will and your might and your love that everyone and everything is. May I find you this day and every day in this land. May this land return to you, and your living water flow again as a revival of joy and peace in our communities. I long to find you everywhere. Amen.

Wanting to Believe

Scripture: When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and said, “Do you believe in the Messiah?” The man answered, “Who is he, sir, for I want to.” John 9:35-36

Observation: This man is one born blind whom Jesus has healed. The man was then questioned by the Jewish leaders, and after being pressed he declared that certainly Jesus was a man from God, for it is known that no other healer or prophet had ever been able to cure a person born blind. Upon hearing about this question and the man's answer, Jesus gets direct ... asking the man if he believes in Messiah.

This question seems primarily about the man's understanding of the concept of Messiah. It appears Jesus is asking if the man is familiar with the idea that there will come a savior from God, specifically intended to provide hope and salvation to all mankind, and that this is a special kind of person sent by God, not just another prophet. In other words, Jesus is asking if the man believes in the idea of Messiah. The man - even though he himself has declared Jesus to be a great man of God - has not yet connected up Jesus as Messiah, for he says he wants to believe in a Messiah, if only he knew who it was.

Application: The blind man had been healed in the most powerful way possible, yet didn't connect up that Jesus was therefore the most powerful man of God in history. Likewise, around us is proof that God is the loving creator who loves everyone, yet so many people do not connect up the proof with the fact.

If asked about God, how many people today would provide a similar response ... that people want to believe, if only they knew of a source for such belief? If I asked people if they believed in God, most would probably give a yes or no answer, but deep down I feel like, for many, the answer is more along the lines of ... 'I want to believe if only I could be shown evidence.'

Or maybe that's the actual issue today ... they actually don't want to believe. They no longer want peace, hope, joy, and love. They want to define their 'purpose' through conflict, show their strength out of their fear, a declare their hurts as their unique strength. They place value in earthly labor and experiences, and as a result even embrace emotional hurt and struggles instead of desiring God's love.

Do they want to believe in the Messiah? What if the answer is "I don't care who he is, because no, I don't want to believe"?

May we find more people who desire the peace, joy, and love of God, so that we can begin a better conversation.

Prayer: Lord, perhaps now we are at a new turning point in society. May that include a new desire to find joy, or at least to escape fear. As some people do seek that, help your Church be prepared to ask them if they believe, and have an answer for those who want to believe. Amen.

What We Ought to Do

Scripture: Then they went on up into the hill country of Ephraim. As they passed the home of Micah, the five spies told the others. "There is a shrine in there with an ephod, some teraphim, and many plated idols. It’s obvious what we ought to do!" Judges 18:13-14

Observation: It is obvious what an army of Israel ought to have done ... to tear down the shrine, destroy Micah's false idols, and punish both he and his priest as is described by the law. What they did instead was steal the idols and other elements of the shrine, coerce the priest into leaving Micah, and eventually setting them all up in their new city to be worshipped by the entire tribe of Dan.

There was an obviously right thing to do according to God and the law, and instead the spies from Dan did the exact opposite, and yet still considered that as the obvious thing they ought to do.

Application: Every day, there are situations where this is something obvious I ought to do in order to better honor God, and many times I do the exact opposite. Perhaps I don't think of that action as the obvious thing I should do, but I still ignore the obviously right action in order to do something that is different. Often that different action isn't even for my betterment, but I just ... choose wrong.

I need to repair this element of my life. I must begin leaning into prayer and the Holy Spirit for strength in determining my actions, and then doing what I truly ought to do based on God and my belief in him. I cannot do the opposite anymore.

Prayer: Lord, please give me strength this day and every day to do your will. I ask that you forgive me of my sins, and erase them from my ledger, giving me a new heart this day. I desire to be closer to you, and to be worthy to draw closer. Amen.

It All Comes Down to This

We're living in a world that keeps breaking,

But if we want to find a way to change it ...

Love God and love people.

God's Three-Step Orchestration

Scripture: His father and mother didn’t realize that the Lord was behind the request, for God was setting a trap for the Philistines, who at that time were the rulers of Israel. Judges 14:4

Observation: The impending conflict between Samson and the Philistines is set in motion when Samson desires to marry a Philistinian woman. Though his parents try, Samson will not be dissuaded. It is a very odd request, as Samson has been raised a Nazirite and thus his life is dedicated to God, and marrying a foreign woman is expressly forbidden by God. However, verse 4 clarifies that this is being done by God, for the purpose of trapping the Philistines into fighting with Samson.

God could have used almost any catalyst to initiate such a conflict. He could have ... had the Philistines attack an Israeli city, or had Samson simply lead a group in rebellion against the Philistines, or created a confrontation between any number of of people that escalated. Using (what appears to be) a lust-motivated marriage that violates God's rules seems ... convoluted and inconsistent at best. However, there are three possible reasons for this approach:

1) Samson needed his heart changed. Thought dedicated to God, Samson did not have animosity toward the Philistines, as apparent by his desire to marry one of their women. He needed to first be changed. This happened when he was cheated by a combination of both men he had befriended, and the woman he loved.

2) Samson needed the humiliation of Israel to become personal. After being cheated, his wife is given to another man. This is done without any regard for him. At that moment, Samson understands that the Philistines are willing to do anything they like to any Israelite.

3) Samson needed to realize the plight of his own people. Yes, Samson has no killed some Philistines, but it is true that 'they started it' and he is the victim. Yet the Israelites are so oppressed that they hunt down Samson and surrender him to the Philistines, simply because "the Philistines are our rulers" (Judges 15:11). 

When all three of these conditions are fulfilled, Samson's full power in the Holy Spirit manifests, and then he becomes the leader of Israel. These conditions could not have existed without the setup God orchestrated.

Application: There are situations in my life that truly make me wonder about ... what could God possibly be up to that he would allow such a scenario. Some of these scenarios may just seem strange. A couple of them have involved pain and humiliation. Now I can see that when this happens - to me or others - God is likely preparing us for something more, just like he prepared Samson.

God prepares us by ... making our heart open to caring about the situation or circumstance where he wants us to focus, then making that important to us, and finally giving us a broader context in which to help others. This requires time. For Samson, even these few verses likely required a year or more. For others, the process may take a lifetime.

I now care about how Christians are being targeted as a result of cultural trends in the US. I don't yet know what to do about it, but I suspect that will come. Perhaps it will be cases-by-case empathy. We shall see. But I see this pattern from God now, my heart is changed, it is personal to me, and I look forward to living into God's plan.

Prayer: Lord, here I am, ready to serve as you would have me do. Thy will be done. Amen.

Attraction Follows Desire

Scripture: "But some of you don’t believe me." (For Jesus knew from the beginning who didn’t believe and knew the one who would betray him.) And he remarked, "That is what I meant when I said that no one can come to me unless the Father attracts him to me." John 6:64-65

Observation: It is a confusing statement, when Jesus says that only those whom God "attracts" or calls can come to Jesus. It has a ring of predestination, or favoritism, or judgment, all of which do not have positive connotations. We believe God knows all things and thus knows who will believe in Jesus, but it is a harder fact to think about God pre-selecting Jesus' believers. This would imply that some individuals do not have free will - they are mandated to follow Jesus - while others are cursed from birth to never receive the gift of salvation.

This is what seems to have offended others, and of course is not what Jesus is saying. Jesus is just saying something he has said other times, which is that only those people who accept the Holy Spirit and thus are open to having truth revealed to them, will then have that truth revealed. Someone must declare themselves open to the truth of God's love to then ... see that love, be attracted to it, and desire it enough to pursue Jesus.

Application: As our society becomes more and more bifurcated, I see there is this other division forming ... those who are responding to crisis with a longing for peace and hope and love, and thus may be attracted by God; and those who are responding with anger and a desire to take control themselves, and thus are rejecting anything other than earthly means of action.

It is that choice that opens or hardens a heart. It is that choice that aligns to what Jesus is saying about God "attracting" people to Jesus. It isn't an act of pre-selection, but rather it is a human choice to desire a renewed life, which then opens the relationship.

Prayer: Lord, all around us we see this strong division forming in the world. We all talk about it, and we all see it, and certainly you have always known it. While the world acknowledges this division along political and ethnic and social lines, I know it also exists when it comes to hope. May we find ways to blur that line. May we find ways to help those with no hope, at least desire some hope. This would be a first step toward your attractiveness toward them. Amen.

A Difficulty for New Believers

Scripture: They replied, "You must show us more miracles if you want us to believe you are the Messiah. Give us free bread every day, like our fathers had while they journeyed through the wilderness! As the Scriptures say, 'Moses gave them bread from heaven.'" John 6:30-31

Observation: As the people are asking Jesus for more bread - more miraculous feeding - they draw a parallel to manna. They call it bread from heaven, given daily by Moses, to justify their request that Jesus give them bread daily. When Jesus explains how they have misunderstood the scriptures and misapplied the purpose of miraculous feedings, they people grumble, causing Jesus to even clarify what it means to be called to him in faith.

Application: Just last night, we were talking about how new believers in Jesus can get confused when aligning their new understanding of faith with other belief systems. They can believe that concepts like ... spiritualism is just an extension of the idea of eternal life in heaven, or energy vortexes make sense since God created rocks and crystals, or zen practices can enhance daily prayer. It is hard to understand why these statements are not true without deeper understanding of Jesus.

In this example, the people had misunderstandings about what manna even was (it wasn't bread, nor from Moses), why it was provided (it wasn't a standard practice of God to simply rain down food every day), and the purpose of miracles in the first place (they aren't magic designed to build belief). With these mistaken baseline assumptions, the people grumbled when Jesus explained the basic concept of salvation by faith in Messiah.

None of these means these people couldn't eventually set aside their old practices and flawed assumptions for a deep relationship with Jesus. They may someday understand. However, patience would be required.

Prayer: Lord, I want to be careful considering myself a person with a mature understanding of faith, for I know that I can be flawed and wrong in so many ways. At the same time, our church is largely a collection of those new to faith, who often struggle with some of the basics and with finding the differentiation between your truth and good-sounding but flawed secularism. If I ever have a roll to play in helping with this, may your Spirit guide my words and my understand, and may not my own flawed thoughts be passed to others. I am not a shepherd to these sheep, but I may be a dog who aids in keeping them organized. But thy will be done. Amen.

Miracles by Our Definition

Scripture: "Stranger," Gideon replied, "if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors have told us about—such as when God brought them out of Egypt? Now the Lord has thrown us away and has let the Midianites completely ruin us." Then the Lord turned to him and said, "I will make you strong! Go and save Israel from the Midianites! I am sending you!" But Gideon replied, "Sir, how can I save Israel? My family is the poorest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least thought of in the entire family!" Judges 6:13-15

Observation: Gideon meets the Angel of the Lord, and when the angel says the Lord is with him gives a reply questioning this fact, for God has not done miracles for his generation. However, when the angel says the Lord is about to rescue the people by sending Gideon himself, Gideon questions this, declaring it impossible because his family is the least of the least of Israel.

In other words, Gideon doubted God because of a lack of miracles. However, when the angel told him of what the Lord was about to do, Gideon doubted it because it was impossible ... it would take a miracle! Gideon questioned God due to a lack of miracles, but then rejected the idea of the miracle about to be done.

Application: How often have I asked God for something that would take a miracle, and then when the outcome was complete and the matter remedied, not considered what happened to be a miracle? I have done this at least a few times I am sure. And I have seen others due to over very great matters. In some cases, they prayed to God but then believed the matter was resolved without God. In other cases, they weren't believers in God and thus didn't even ask, yet I know they received a miracle anyway.

Recently, I have been asking God for miracles when it comes to the nature of our society, our country, and the matters that plague it both literally and metaphorically. Some of these may soon be resolved, and these are of God's miracles for certain, and not by human hands.

It is easier to ignore God's work when a matter is improved incrementally - like expelling the Midianites, or developing protection from a virus - rather than a magical flash of a miracle. Incremental changes, lead by people, don't always meet our definition of a miracle.

Much of what we need will be improved incrementally, perhaps over years. I know I will look back someday and know it was done by a miracle of the Lord, since it cannot be done any other way.

Prayer: Lord, again today I pray for a change in the trajectory of mankind. We are in a time of continual fear and anger, with cultural and racial wars abounding. Fixing this will take time, but will also require the changing of hearts in billions of people, which is by all definitions a miracle only you can do. May your Spirit do exactly that. Amen.

Ignoring the Solution for Decades

Scripture: So the Lord let them be conquered by King Jabin of Hazor, in Canaan. The commander-in-chief of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-hagoiim. He had nine hundred iron chariots and made life unbearable for the Israelis for twenty years. But finally they begged the Lord for help. Judges 4:2-3

Observation: Israel sins some more, is conquered by a king of Canaan, and exists under this foreign occupation until the call upon the Lord again. This "unbearable" time when they failed to call upon the Lord lasted ... 20 years!

Israel has been told - and in fact has already seen in three previous cycles - how they are protected when they honor Yahweh, then defeated when they fail and turn to other gods, then saved again when they return to Yahweh. Yet here, we see the fail-and-return part of the cycle require almost a generation. There are adults who will be part of the coming battle against Sisera who have never known a time in their life when the Canaan king wasn't oppressing's them. They know that there is a way out of this ... honor God. However, they fail to do this for two decades.

Application: There is data that proves those who believe in Jesus have more hope, more joy, and more peace than those who don't. Not a total amount of these things, but more. So we sit in a time in human history when so many people need hope and joy and peace ... and there is almost no talk about Jesus as the solution.

I can talk all I want about the work of satan in doing this, but the truth is that mankind is in full collaboration. This is our nature. Not only is God a last resort we seek in times of trouble, but sometimes he is the resort we turn to long after the "last" resort was pursued years before.

Israel - the chosen people whom have been rescued over and over through tremendous miracles reinforced into their cultural psyche of centuries - didn't even try to seek God's help for decades. Today, the United States - a people blessed with the greatest natural and economic riches ever conceived in human history, and with its own history of miraculous salvation required at every turn to bring this nation into its current state - doesn't just fail to return to God, but now actively rejects God and even actively rejects the idea that our nation was ever dominated by a culture of Christian faith throughout all aspects of society.

How long until we return to God? Decades? Ever? We know we desire peace, hope, joy. Why won't we simply seek it in the most obvious and time-proven way?

Prayer: Lord, we need the revival of our communities, towns, cities, regions, states, and nation. It is daunting to think of the evil inertia at work in our country. This is a challenge only you can overcome. May it be your will to do so. Amen.

Delineating Reapers from Sowers

Scripture: The reapers will be paid good wages and will be gathering eternal souls into the granaries of heaven! What joys await the sower and the reaper, both together! For it is true that one sows and someone else reaps. I sent you to reap where you didn’t sow; others did the work, and you received the harvest. John 4: 36-38

Observation: Jesus has spoken to the Samaritan woman the well, who has returned to the town to state she has found Messiah. As the townspeople come out to see, Jesus tells this to his disciples ... that there is a great harvest coming, and he is preparing them to reap that harvest, for others have sown the seeds. This seems to beg a question ... who has done the sowing? In this example alone, there are at least four possibilities:

1) The prophets, who have provided context for the good news of salvation from the promised Messiah

2) Jesus himself, who has made himself known and continues to do so through the Holy Spirit

3) Circumstances created by God, which have made people hunger for peace, mercy, and clarity

4) The woman, who has now gone into the city to raise curiosity among the people, and who even at that moment are coming to seek the truth

For many Jews at that time, it seems they would only care about the first two sources of the message, and even then, in combination. They believed the prophets declared a coming Messiah, and when Messiah came it would be obvious by his nature. However, Jesus seemed to be telling the disciples to pay attention to the second two types of "reapers". Circumstances has created conflict with the Samaritans, to the point they questioned Jewish rules and authority, and yet they hoped for salvation and truth; The woman, sinful and outcast as she was, went into the city declaring a question so provocative - is this the one? - that everyone came out to see.

Application: When it comes to telling others about Christ, we may think about how to tell others about Jesus, point to prophetic words and the connection of his actions, etc. However, it may be more effective to lean into the situations of the modern day, and simply wonder if ... perhaps ... there is a God with a promise of love who may improve these situations.

Would we dare to simply talk about today's circumstances - the division, hate, and fear around us - and then ask people 'is it possible that Jesus could provide the hope and peace you desire?' Or could we even tell one person this, and allow them to go collect others whom they know feel the same, and say 'let's check it out'?

Can the fear, anger, and trepidation in the hearts of so many become the source of sowing?

Prayer: Lord, I am full of confidence in your ability and desire to use everything going on in the world right now as a source of your truth, your love, and your message of promised salvation. May some strong seekers begin wondering, and asking others to 'come and see'. May we help connect up the circumstances to a desire to find a different outcome that is born from you, and not from this evil world. Amen.

Unbelief is Not Real

Scripture: But if you are unwilling to obey the Lord, then decide today whom you will obey. Will it be the gods of your ancestors beyond the Euphrates or the gods of the Amorites here in this land? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15

Observation: The last line of this verse is famous ... it is, in fact, hanging in a framed picture six feet from where I sit ... "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." However, the first line of this verse is more provocative. It demands a binary decision. If anyone is unwilling to obey the Lord, then they must decide whom or what they DO obey.

There is no such thing as unbelief, or simple rejection of God. Belief is a universal truth of mankind ... everyone believes in something as the central motivating focus of their life. If that central focus isn't God, then it becomes something else. In the time of Joshua, this may have been the rituals and sacrifices and mantras and practices defined by some other belief system and directed toward carved idols. Today, this other focus may be one's self and the creature comforts afforded by money, or it may be honor achieved through expertise in a field of study.

Some will declare they "choose not to believe", but of course unbelief in God is a belief itself, and often comes along with a secular focus in life. Even when that focus is "good" - like a focus to help the homeless - it is still just a belief system that comes with everything from theories about life, to ritual work and practices, to public pronouncements of its virtues.

So Joshua's famous declaration for his family is truthfully a binary choice ... will you believe in Yahweh, or will you believe in something else? Unbelief isn't a reality in the human experience.

Application: I am reminded in this that, one of the great discussions to be had with a "non-believer" is ... "what do you believe?" Everyone believes in something. Today, the answer could very well orbit around social causes, ranging from race issues, to vaccine safety, to political policies. These are all belief systems, and anyone who has these 'causes' as a primary focus in their lives is not serving the Lord.

Yahweh, the Lord God almighty, and Jesus Christ his son, and his Holy Spirit here among us, are the primary focus on my life. I may spend my days working a job, but the Lord is whom I serve. I will have no other motivating focus in my life.

Prayer: Lord, even as I work today, may I always have you as the motivating focus of my life. Me and my house will serve you, oh Lord, and you alone. Amen.

Considered and Helpful Advice

Scripture: The good man gives wise advice, but the liar’s counsel is shunned. The upright speak what is helpful; the wicked speak rebellion. Proverbs 10:31-32

Observation: This is wise advice about what is spoken. A good man who gives good advice councils others with helpful words and thoughts. However, the wicked give advice designed to stir conflict.

Application: I have been praying in concern for the young men of my church recently. I am now one of the older members of the church, and we have many, many younger men who have recently come to faith. They are very good men, eager to discuss their faith, to learn more and more about Jesus, and to serve in the church. That has been wonderful! It is such a blessing to see others step into lead positions and own responsibility for the Lord's house.

However, I know the "degree of difficulty" that comes with our church. I know the attacks of the enemy that will come. And I am concerned that, when such attacks come, these men may not be prepared. I have been considering how I may advise them in order to prepare them ... first, if I should, and second, what I should say.

Therefore, Proverbs has shown me today that I should be prepared to give them wise advice, and to speak that advice in a manner that is helpful. I wish to strengthen them with courage and honor, not create a heart of fear or trepidation. And I wish to do it in a manner that demonstrates they are valued as new leaders and strong brothers. The words must be wise and helpful, and not create any rebellion with 'the world'.

Prayer: Lord, may you be with the men on my heart, this day and every day. Keep them under your protective wing, and in your blessing. Give them strong lives of faith. As you guide me, I am willing to advise and serve them, as one who has seen your mighty hand. I seek your Spirit and word in this. Amen.

Seeking but Rejecting Authority

Scripture: Then those who were sent by the Pharisees asked him, "If you aren’t the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?" John 1:24-25

Observation: John the Baptist is questioned about whom he is, and these are the three choices given ... the promised Messiah, Elijah returned, or "the Prophet" (an individual promised by Moses as his successor, because the Jews feared to hear God's voice directly). When John denies being any of those three, they question John's authority to baptize.

Interestingly, the Jews fully reject the authority of ... all three of the individuals they are implying would have authority. There have been many, many prophets since Moses through whom God has spoken, and they have rejected most. Elijah was so rejected that he was hunted by the king of Israel. When Jesus shows himself to be Messiah, they will reject him too.

There is something about mankind that we seek those with authority to guide and protect us, but reject their instructions that exist to guide and protect us. This is especially true when it comes to God, as many desire a peaceful, happy life, but reject God's instructions, council, guidance, and even his promise and love.

Application: Every day, I do something where I think to myself 'I shouldn't do this' ... and then I do it. The "shouldn't" is often based on knowing God's teaching. Maybe it's getting angry or frustrated about something that I know is meaningless in God's kingdom. Maybe it's a sinful or hateful thought. Maybe it's speaking a small lie.

Clearly, it is common for people to desire authority then reject it. However, I must not do that with God. I am under his authority, and must accept it.

Prayer: Lord, please forgive me for the times I reject your authority, council, teaching, precepts, laws, and instructions. May I be more obedient, as I am committed to being under your authority as my Lord and my God. Amen.

Proof of Spiritual War

Scripture: Here is a list of the areas still to be occupied: All the land of the Philistines ... Five cities of the Philistines: Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, Ekron. Joshua 13:2a,3b

Observation: God reviews with Joshua the areas of the promised land that have not yet been claimed. This was not unexpected, as God had even told Moses that they would win the land over time, as they grew in number. God outlines large territories based on mostly natural landmarks that are still to be settled. However, the land of the Philistines - and specifically these five cities - is specially significant.

This area will remain a thorn in the side of God and his chosen people ... well, for millennia now. Sampson himself went to battle against Ashkelon. All of Israel's and Judah's kings will struggle with the Philistines based in these cities. I know a pastor attempting even now to plant the first ever Christian church in Ashdod, and facing great resistance. In modern world affairs, the "Gaza strip" is a land of conflict and a final holdout of 'Palestine' fighting against Israel.

There is a reason the Lord named these five cities as a specific problem ~3,500 years ago, and it has nothing to do with whether or not he himself could have removed this conflict from his people. It is more likely he has allowed this issue to persist as further evidence of his awareness, control, and authority over the years, including his ability to humble his people while also giving them hope and opportunity to serve him.

Application: I personally see this region - Israel today and the tension with Palestine, Jordan, and others - as proof of supernatural, evil resistance to Yahweh. I am not calling any people-group evil, I am stating that there is obvious evidence that there is supernatural resistance to God's people, centered in this tiny land on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean. That can't happen for nearly the entirety of recorded human history without some spiritual reason, and spiritual reasons cannot exist without a spiritual realm.

The Lord is in full control, of that I am certain. I see the struggles today in Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ashdod, and it only re-enforces for me the fact that the Lord is managing the situation, just like he was when he reviewed the plans for the promised land with Joshua.

Prayer: Lord, today I pray for Israel and the entire middle east. Everything that happens there is part of your plan, though clearly it would be impossible for us to understand, except to know that the battles we see are just the earthly manifestation of the spiritual war waged against your great love by evil forces. May we someday see your peace and love reign in land. Amen.

When Given Great Understanding

Scripture: Then Jesus quoted them passage after passage from the writings of the prophets, beginning with the book of Genesis and going right on through the Scriptures, explaining what the passages meant and what they said about himself. Luke 24:27

Observation: After his resurrection, Jesus twice teaches the disciples about Messianic prophesy. One is generally to the "disciples" and is generally considered to be what was taught for his 40 days after the resurrection. Here is another time. During a seven mile walk, likely taking 2-3 hours, Jesus spends time with Cleopas and another unnamed man - both clearly believers and disciples but neither part of the 12 core disciples - teaching them about all the Messianic passages in the Old Testament, beginning with Genesis itself.

This is one of the greatest lessons there could be. This is, in fact, the one lesson that would have fully convinced any Jew of Jesus' Messianic status pre-crucifixion. Now that his work is complete, Jesus can fully demonstrate how every prophesy was fulfilled by word, deed, and events. And he passes this amazing knowledge to ... one unnamed person, and one person not previously named. This very deep and very personal knowledge is both an honor and a responsibility, as it gives these two people the unique ability to tell others about Jesus, and to pass along the knowledge and thus give others that same ability.

Application: In some way, Jesus has given us all some unique knowledge about him - his love, his nature, his lordship - that is ours to tell others. For many, this is our testimony ... our story about how we encountered Jesus and what he means in our lives. For some, this is truly special knowledge or insight into some component of his nature. We may receive this knowledge through actual divine means, or by being provide understanding of a biblical teaching.

For me, I have my testimony of how Jesus responded to me in my time of despair. I also have very clear understanding of why we need to communicate about Jesus in certain ways to non-believers, which is based in specific teachings of Paul. Similarly, Cleopas and his companion were given both the experience of their encounter, and deep knowledge about prophesy.

It is encouraging to see how Jesus still teaches us and gives us great understanding about himself, through both our interaction with him, and the word of God.

Prayer: Lord, you knowledge is so wonderful and so great, but it is never greater than when it pertains to yourself and the Messianic promise of Jesus. Thank you for your love, which gives us all understanding of our faith. May I find ways to guide others to discovering your love and knowledge as well. Amen.

Contemplating God's Gambits

Scripture: So Joshua and his army conquered the whole country—the nations and kings of the hill country, the Negeb, the lowlands, and the mountain slopes. They destroyed everyone in the land, just as the Lord God of Israel had commanded. Joshua 10:40

Observation: This conquest of an entire region begins with one king - the king of Jerusalem - fearing the alliance between Israel and Gibeon. Instead of attacking Israel, he rallies four other kings, and the five of them plan to attack Gibeon. Joshua, leading Israel, responds by attacking those armies, leveraging the miracle of the sun stopping for an entire day to finish the work, then systematically destroying the "helper" cities, plus four more. This effectively cleared the "hill country" for Israel.

It is interesting to note, however, that the motivation of this event is ... Jerusalem choosing to attack Gibeon. Gibeon has tricked Israel into a peace treaty, and Jerusalem will end up un-attacked by Israel and in fact un-taken for a couple centuries. The two city-states that therefore sparked Joshua into this action are not conquered by Joshua.

Application: It is interesting to consider how God creates circumstances to achieve his outcomes, both from the perspective of the outcomes and the perspective of the underlying circumstances. In this case, Gibeon has deceived Israel, but God uses that lie and resulting error by Israel to instigate a victory for Israel. God further uses the fear of the king of Jerusalem to make every other city in the region vulnerable, even though Jerusalem itself is a great stronghold with no reason to fear.

How is God using today's circumstances to advance his kingdom? How can cultural conflict, race riots, pandemic, and political division actively improve the ability of the Church to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ? We have seen some of this, as a year ago the move to online church amidst personal fears created a way to engage new believers. So what is next?

I like the idea from the teaching this week, that the church is on the once place where cultural repair and cross-cultural communication occurs. Those who are seeking to improve cultural conflict should be encouraged to consider widespread Christianity as a way for achieving their aim. I hope for the chance to spread that invitation.

Prayer: Lord, may I have the courage to communicate your kingdom to others. Amen.

When the Conflict Isn't Faithful

Scripture: On one of those days when he was teaching and preaching the Good News in the Temple, he was confronted by the chief priests and other religious leaders and councilmen. They demanded to know by what authority he had driven out the merchants from the Temple. Luke 20:1-2

Observation: Jesus has driven the merchants from the temple, and the priests come to confront Jesus about it. He refuses to answer their question about his authority, as likewise they can't answer his question about John's authority. However, it is interesting to note the initiating cause of this conflict, which is the fact Jesus expelled the merchants.

The priests should have no real interest in the merchants. The merchants function to provide sacrificial wares to travelers coming to the temple ... likely ranging from animals (so they didn't have to transport their own), to ceremonial items and clothes they may need. Such transactions should be meaningless to the priests who are performing their duties to God, and even if such transactions are necessary for worshippers, the location of those transactions - inside the temple court or on nearby city streets - is irrelevant.

However, this is the event that has triggered the latest escalated conflict between Jesus and the chief priest. Why would something that should be meaningless actually trigger major escalation? The obvious answer is that ... for some reason, expelling the merchants wasn't meaningless to the priests, and the most likely conclusion is that they received kickbacks from the merchants. It wasn't just that the merchants defiled the temple, but that the "den of thieves" Jesus referred to extended to an entire network of money-exchanges, extending all the way to the chief priest.

The priests receive their livelihood from God, via the sacrifices and donations of the people. Instead, the priests were also generating side-income from the temple-centric commercial marketplace. The fact their conflict with Jesus has no basis in an issue of law or faith, indicates that it is based in an issue in conflict with law and faith.

Application: We have SO many conflicts these days that have no grounding in the bible. It is critical to remember that we - believers - have no reason to engage in any conflict that is not well-founded in the word of God. Any other conflict isn't just baseless, but may even be contrary to the Lord's will.

God wasn't opposed to priests having money. However, he had provided a model for them to receive compensation by his laws related to sacrifice. Seeking their own income therefore removes part of their relationship with God, is in conflict with scriptures, and thus contrary to God's will for the priests' lives.

God wants me to love other people, but not through pronouncements about health practices, and certainly not through angry protests that divide and endanger. The bible tells us how to love others, and doing something different may be truly wrong in the sight of God.

Prayer: Lord, you have given us good instructions and guidance through the prophets and Jesus himself, about how to proceed in this world, even in such a time as this. May I take steps each day that don't just pursue your purposes, but do so as you have instructed. Amen.

Free Will and Outcomes

Scripture: I call heaven and earth to witness against you that today I have set before you life or death, blessing or curse. Oh, that you would choose life; that you and your children might live! Deuteronomy 30:19

Observation: As Moses concludes, he points out that Israel has a choice. They can choose to obey the Lord and receive blessing and life, or rebel against God and choose curse and death. The people have the right to choose, and they are fully informed of the pros and cons of their choices. That said, God himself knows that Israel will rebel and turn away from the laws, and thus will need saving in the future.

Application: How many people today choose their free will decision to ignore God, partially because they reject the cause-and-effect outcome of their decision? They either ignore or don't know that rejecting God means opting into a curse, but accepting the Lord means opting into blessing. God really couldn't be any clearer about this. He even over time gives us multiple ways to choose obedience and thus seek blessing and life, through love, alignment, and even just faith in Jesus. 

I fail to always obey the Lord's laws and precepts and guidance and teaching, but I still opt into life through faith in Jesus ... and I try in my flawed way to comply. How sad for those who fully reject the Lord, and thus actively declare their desire to be cursed. I wish they more fully understood their choice.

Prayer: Lord, may those around me, be they friends at work or strangers I pass by, learn and better understand the impact on their future of their choice related to Jesus. I would desire they choose life and blessing, by faith. Amen.

Longing for God's River

Scripture: There is a river of joy flowing through the city of our God—the sacred home of the God above all gods. God himself is living in that city; therefore it stands unmoved despite the turmoil everywhere. He will not delay his help. Psalm 46:4-5

Observation: In pronouncing God's greatness, this is the description of the Lord in heaven. God is in his city where he lives, and there is a river of joy flowing through it. Thus the city is never impacted by turmoil of any kind. It stands steadfast under the Lord's watch and protection and love and joy.

Application: I love the river of the Lord! The imagery is so many places in the bible is always wonderful. His river flows with life and abundance. So many wonder elements are associated with this river, as here in this verse is explicitly called a river of joy ... good things that bring joy to all flow from the Lord.

I do long to live by the Lord's river. I desire to wade into its waters, enjoy the fruit of nearby trees, relax on its grassy shore, while worshiping the Lord for the great goodness he provides. Whether this be true water, or the overflow of his love, it does not matter, for I trust in how great life in his city, by his river, will one day be.

Prayer: Lord, you are my hope, my peace, my joy, and my salvation. I long for your river of life, and to live in your heavenly city forever. Amen.

On Basic Bible-Based Belief

Scripture: But Abraham said, "The Scriptures have warned them again and again. Your brothers can read them any time they want to." The rich man replied, "No, Father Abraham, they won’t bother to read them. But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will turn from their sins." But Abraham said, "If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even though someone rises from the dead." Luke 16:29-31

Observation: The rich man in hell is asking Abraham that someone go and warn his family of that fate of those who fail to obey the Lord. Abraham's answer is straightforward ... everyone has already been warned! The warnings, guidance, instructions, and hope is already available to everyone in the form of the scriptures. If people won't obey the scriptures, there is little hope they would obey any other form of warning, even someone coming to them from the dead.

Application: In telling this parable, Jesus does make a direct statement about believing the sign of a person who rises from the dead, specifically that many won't believe in Jesus when he does just this, just as they haven't believed the prophecies about him. However, there is also a truth about current life and our society.

Our society has the bible available to them, with all its instructions, advice, hope, and warnings. Many won't read it, and many have false ideas about what the bible actually says. As a result, they don't believe the good news of Jesus as it stands in its written form, and thus can't have a personal encounter with the risen Christ.

How can I reach others with the good news in the bible? This is the challenge ... for anyone to find a path toward belief, there must ultimately be some basic belief in the truth of the bible. I feel that, perhaps, this belief could be in any basic truth in the bible. Yes, Jesus as the son of God is a great one, and the existence of God the loving creator is a great one. Other starting points may be ... belief in the historical facts of the patriarchs, interest in the kingship of David, wonder of the resurrection of Jesus, awareness in the facts of Jesus' birth, hope in general promised love and salvation, agreement in instructions about mercy to the poor, logical thought about living with hope.

Several of these actively resonate in the hearts of people today. Can we show these elements to others, not in our own words, but in the bible itself? Can these topics be a starting point for reading the bible? The rich man's brothers wouldn't "bother to read" the scriptures, but can we help others bother to read the bible, in addition to telling them about someone who rose from the dead?

Prayer: Lord, there is truth in the parable of Jesus, that warnings about salvation will be wasted on people so cynical about you that they reject the bible. Please guide your Church, and me, in how we may find ways to overcome that rejection of your word and start others toward faith. Amen.

Practical Advice for Fewer Problems

Scripture: Every new house must have a guardrail around the edge of the flat rooftop to prevent anyone from falling off and bringing guilt to both the house and its owner. Do not sow other crops in the rows of your vineyard. If you do, both the crops and the grapes shall be confiscated by the priests. Don’t plow with an ox and a donkey harnessed together. Don’t wear clothing woven from two kinds of thread: for instance, wool and linen. Deuteronomy 22:8-11

Observation: Intermixed into the middle of other laws - laws about proper dress, virginity, and the honest care of property - are these items. These have nothing to do with morality. Rooftops are used as outdoor living space, so make them so people won't fall off. Intermixing crops, especially vineyards, ruins both crops. If you strap two different size and strength animals to a plow, it won't work. If you sew clothing with a different material, it will actually damage the entire garment due to differing shrinkage and wear.

So ... don't do these things ... so sayeth the Lord!

God is just giving fatherly wisdom. He is teaching us how to live a life with fewer problems. In some cases like these verses, that teaching is clearly practical. Other times, it takes the form of laws, regulations, and moral constraints ... and these may look harsh, involving legal judgments and death-sentence punishments ... but they are still fatherly wisdom, given to teach us how to live life with fewer problems.

Application: How much improved my life would be if I was more obedient to the laws, precepts, and guidance of the Lord. So much of the sadness I carry with me stems from failures in the past, and the sadness is not that I sinned, but just in the memory of resulting pain I experienced as a result.

From topics like the proper way to construct clothing, to premarital sex, God has given advice ... that I have failed to observe too much in life. Even today I know I will do something opposed to his teaching and his wisdom. Yes, part of this is that I am a lesser being with lesser understanding. Yes, part of this is that I am a prideful person who fails to seek advice. Yes, part of this is that I am a fallen human in need of grace and salvation.

However, I can look to God more and more for direction. I can lean into his teaching and his word, and meditate on it day and night. I can move closer to Jesus through frequent prayer and praise. I desire fewer problems, so I will strive to observe my father's good advice.

Prayer: Abba, you are so great and wise. May your kingdom come here on earth, and may I help to make that so by living in a manner that better aligns to your good advice. You love me so much, you took the time to teach me. Thank you. Amen.

Comfort the Past is Past

Scripture: Never convict anyone on the testimony of one witness. There must be at least two, and three is even better. Deuteronomy 19:15

Observation: As Moses walks through the laws about judgment, this is the guidance about witnesses.  One is not enough ever. Regardless of the seriousness of the accusation, and regardless of the later discussion about the honesty of any witness, Moses is clear that 'never' is anyone to be convicted if only one witness gives testimony.

Application: I still get angry about the circumstances of my prior job. It is in passages like this that the Lord reminds me of how wrong it was ... understanding that the actions were clearly contradictory to God's wise laws, and comforting to know that he will judge others for this one day. However, I still get angry about the situation far too often.

I truly need to surrender my anger to the Lord. It does me no good, except to remind me how shallow and petty I am, and thus how much I need the Holy Spirit to soften my heart in order to love others well. Today again, God reminds me that what happened was far outside of his instruction and wisdom for mankind. This means I should leave it behind, just as I would leave behind anything that is not good, pure, holy, honorable, true, or loving.

Prayer: Lord, today I ask for your Holy Spirit to help me put the past even further in my past, and aid me in purging it from my thoughts. May I live only for your kingdom, your will, and your purposes. Amen.

Those who Reject the Party

Scripture: Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, "What a privilege it would be to get into the Kingdom of God!" Jesus replied with this illustration: "A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. When all was ready, he sent his servant around to notify the guests that it was time for them to arrive. But they all began making excuses ..." Luke 14:15-18a

Observation: In this parable, Jesus goes on to tell of how the rich man, angry that his invited guests will not come to the feast, sends out servants to invite anyone and everyone to the glorious party. They invite the weak, homeless, destitute, cripples, hidden, lost, ignorant ... literally anyone they can find. The point of the parable is that the invited people - the friends of the rich man ... aka the Jews - actually refuse to attend this extravagant party and make many meaningless excuses for NOT attending, and thus the rich man (God) invites the outcast (gentiles) to the party (heaven).

However, it is interesting to see the context of the parable, that being the exclamation of the person saying "what a privilege it would be be get into the Kingdom of God!" This man openly declares it would be great to get into heaven, and Jesus responds by pointing out that, for the pretext of relatively meaningless personal reasons, so many people who are invited into the the Kingdom of God will actually reject the invite.

People are told "come and enjoy a blissful eternity with the Lord, and all you have to do is show up," where 'showing up' involves believing in Jesus ... and instead they will say "no thanks, I would rather keep my head down and do my daily work here on earth until I die, ignoring God."

Application: I have witnessed this happen. I have seen people told "you can have a great life, and an eternal life of joy," and the listener responds "no thanks, that sounds stupid, and I know how the world works so I'll take care of myself." I was once that person, having actively decided that I had figured out how the world worked and didn't need to rich friend, or his party, and that maybe the friend didn't even exist in the first place so going to his party would make me a public fool.

The invited guests in the parable are doing just that, taking care of their earthly lives, too busy to ... you know ... attend an awesome, joyous party!

I must first ensure that I, personally, recognize that life with the Lord, and faith in Jesus, is in fact an awesome party, and that I am never, ever too busy in my daily life to miss out on that joy.

And I must find better ways of inviting others to the party. I would like to find ways of inviting them in a manner that they would be willing to set aside their earthly cares and check out the wonderful feast they are missing. If they refuse, I must also be willing to move on and invite others, those who are further away or less knowledgeable, in ever-expanding circles.

May will fill God's house!

Prayer: Lord, as we look to see whose hearts may have been stirred during the last year of struggles, may all your servants seek those to invite to your kingdom. We know of your joy, and of your great blessings. May be make the invitation to enjoy these same blessings known to more and more people. Amen.

Here in the Father's House

What looks to me like weakness is a canvas for your strength ... failure won't define me, cause that's what my father does!

Self-Sufficiency's Trap

Scripture: He fed you with manna in the wilderness (it was a kind of bread unknown before) so that you would become humble and so that your trust in him would grow, and he could do you good. He did it so that you would never feel that it was your own power and might that made you wealthy. Deuteronomy 8:16-17

Observation: As Moses warns Israel about obeying the Lord's commands, he also points out the things that can cause them to stumble. Becoming rich, and especially attributing that richness to their own abilities, is one of the primary issues. He uses the example of manna from heaven, and water from the rocks, to show them that they are powerless to even provide their own essentials without God, but he himself can give them all they need.

Application: Last night, we discussed a man who has rejected Jesus because he himself is fully self-sufficient. He is intelligent and skillful, and these traits have made him rich. He therefore has declared there is no God because he himself is proof that no one needs God. That said, in describing his personality and life, it seems he could best be described as an angry, lonely, lustful, friendless alcoholic.

Satan uses self-sufficiency to drive people away from Jesus. Moses pointed this out. The enemy will even give people great worldly things - wealth, knowledge, skills - as a means of creating the perception of self-sufficiency. I know I am furthest from God whenever I think about doing things for myself, or get proud of how well I am doing. I know I am falling into satan's trap whenever I think about what I have accomplished, or the successes I have had.

Self-sufficiency is the ultimate act of pride, and the definitive wedge between me and God. I am blessed that my false perception of my abilities have been damaged, and I can now be reminded that I need God and rely upon his blessing for my daily living. Even in a land of plenty, I know it is not by my hand and my deeds that I have anything, for the Lord himself gave me my hands and my life in this place and time.

Prayer: Lord, this day, I ask for your wisdom, your guidance, and your good gifts to provide for me and my family. I receive only what you provide, this day and every day, for I am insufficient without you. Thank you for your love. Amen.

There is No Neutrality

Scripture: Anyone who is not for me is against me; if he isn’t helping me, he is hurting my cause. Luke 11:23

Observation: As Jesus is talking about the issues of this generation - pointing out how many in the past sought the Lord but now they ignore Messiah - he pronounces a very black-and-white statement about faith. People either are "for" Jesus, or not, and if not then they are against him. There is no neutral position of ambivalence or indecision.

Application: Today, we have so many distinctions for classifying non-believers. They may be seekers, unchurched, de-churched, agnostic, atheist, spiritualists, or any other type of person who may or may not believe in any number of things that are not the faith of Jesus Christ as Messiah ... including actively believing in nothing. We use these descriptions as if some are better. We pretend someone who isn't certain is better than someone who actively attacks the church.

This is not Jesus' perspective, and his perspective isn't grounded in how easy it is to discuss matters of faith, but rather it is focused on salvation. There are those who have placed their faith in Jesus and thus serve in a manner to advance the Kingdom of God, and there are those who ... have not placed their faith in Jesus, and thus anything and everything they do is working against the Kingdom of God.

As we discuss Jesus at Alpha - and other venues - may we remember this. Those who are there may be close to making a different decision, but they are completely 100 percent on the wrong side of the fence at that moment and until they make that different decision. Let us not consider them with less urgency, but with more.

Prayer: Lord, I pray for everyone currently at Alpha who has not yet made a decision to flow Jesus. May that change over the next three weeks. For your kingdom, and for their salvation. Amen.

Not Trying Very Hard

Scripture: When reports of Jesus’ miracles reached Herod, the governor, he was worried and puzzled, for some were saying, “This is John the Baptist come back to life again.”... “I beheaded John,” Herod said, “so who is this man about whom I hear such strange stories?” And he tried to see him. Luke 9:7,9

Observation: Herod is curious about Jesus and giving him considered thought as he hears rumors of his actions. "Worried and puzzled" implies that he is actively thinking about him and trying to figure him out, and the question he presents to himself is "so who is this man?". He knows he is not John the Baptist returned, and doubts he is some other prophet. So Herod actively wonders about Jesus, but then also "tried to see him."

Well, he did not try to see him very hard, for he did not do so until the night of Jesus arrest, and even then it was only because Pilot sent Jesus to Herod. Jesus is openly walking around Judea. Thousands of people see Jesus daily! All kinds of people simply walk up to Jesus and talk to him, touch him, and sit in other's homes to listen to him. Common people and religious leaders invite him to dinner, and he comes. Yet Herod, the king of Judea, "tries" to Jesus but never does. Again, he certainly didn't try very hard, because it clearly wasn't that difficult.

Application: I have met people like this ... those who are on the fence about belief, and when asked about their beliefs may talk about how they believe there is 'a god' or even God himself, but they don't understand him, and certainly don't understand the role and purpose of Jesus. They actively search for some answers to their questions about God on the internet from time to time, but they have never gone to church or read the bible. They seem curious about matters such as eternity and afterlife and spirituality, and even think that perhaps the idea of God is the most logical ... and they want to figure out more ... but they never go out to see Jesus.

Herod claimed to be actively curious about Jesus, but he wouldn't even leave his house to go see a man who was literally walking around every day. Similarly, there are those who are curious about the meaning and purpose of life, but they are only curious on a level that aligns to their own lives and the means by which they seek knowledge.

This is the difference between those who wonder about matters of faith, and we who have a relationship with the Lord through Jesus ... we have met Jesus. And this is in fact our mission, not to communicate about the concepts and actions of Jesus, but to get these people to leave their homes and just go meet Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, I pray for friends, acquaintances, and strangers who have never simply tried to meet you. I hope that they become curious enough to simply come and see Jesus, and learn what you are about not by their own thought process, but by an experience of meeting you. Amen.