As Long as I'm Breathing

After a good prayer and worship gathering last night - preceded by my personal time with the Lord - I know that I have a reason to praise the Lord, oh my soul!! I'll praise in the valley, on the mountain, when I'm sure or when I'm doubting, when I'm feeling thankful, and when I'm not.

There is nobody greater than you!!

Unworthy and Loved Anyway

Scripture: Jesus went with them. When he was still quite far from the house, the captain sent friends to tell him, "Master, you don’t have to go to all this trouble. I’m not that good a person, you know. I’d be embarrassed for you to come to my house, even embarrassed to come to you in person. Just give the order and my servant will get well." Luke 7:6-7

Observation: A Roman Centurian is hoping Jesus can heal his servant and asks Jesus for this healing. However, before Jesus arrives, he sends a second message that Jesus should not come to his house because ... he is not a good person, and thus unworthy for Jesus to come to him.

The Jews in Capernaum have actually given a different report about the Roman officer, stating he is a good man who has even aided their village. However, the Centurian thinks differently of himself. He knows the issues of his heart. He knows his actions in the past and present. And he has true faith that Jesus is someone special sent from the Lord. In this context, the Roman believes himself to be unworthy to have Jesus enter his house and meet him face to face.

This is a common conflict when it comes to understanding the Lord and Jesus as Messiah. The conflict is that, when we understand the holiness of Jesus and of Yahweh, we also recognize our own unholiness, and how much everything about ourselves - from our past actions, to our daily thoughts - fall short of the mark of 'holy'. In that context, we are ashamed, and likely want to keep God at a distance, lest he become fully convinced of our unworthiness and decide to turn away and reject us.

Application: Of course, I am using the wrong pronoun here ... this isn't a 'we/our' matter, but an 'I/my' matter. I desire nearness to the Lord, and actively seek more and more influence of the Holy Spirit in my daily life, knowing I have placed my faith in Jesus Christ. Then I recognize that I am a total failure as a person, with sinful thoughts, wicked and angry ideas, and a past that no good being could ever accept. And I hope that perhaps the Lord can love me anyway, if he stays far enough away to not look too closely at who I really am and at all my failures.

This is the real good news. Jesus brought me - everyone - salvation, not because we are good or even can be good, but because the Lord simply loves us so much that, in the full knowledge of our once and future evil and failures, he wants to give us good blessings and eternal love anyway.

Am I faithful because I understands both side of this narrative ... that Jesus is Messiah and by that faith and the Lord's love I am saved, yet I am so helplessly evil that I am totally unworthy of that salvation and love, which makes the giving of it by the Lord all the more amazing? I don't know. I am unworthy and loved anyway. This I do know.

Prayer: Lord, yes I know all of this, including the fact that I am so ashamed of who I am that I am embarrassed for you to ever come close to me. But I need you, and I need the Holy Spirit's strength, to have any hope of ever straightening out my many flaws. Please heal my wicked soul. Amen.

The Most Difficult Lesson

Scripture: To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more payback. Live generously. Luke 6:27-30

Observation: Jesus gives very clear instructions in this version of the sermon on the mount ... Love your enemies. This is the "turn the other cheek" lesson. When people mistreat us, as believers, we are not to respond with anger. We are not to repay hostility with hostility. We are not even to simply turn and walk away. We are supposed to love these people who hate and attack us, giving to them what they would try to take and even more.

Application: Even after five and a half years, I struggle with this lesson. I tried to live it out at the time, and I still try today, but ... wow, is this hard. In my heart, I find it nearly impossible to 'love' those that have mistreated me. I can avoid taking action (no payback), but it is hard to imagine how I should give to them in the midst of their hatred and attacks against me.

I see so much general angst in the world, and much is directed at people "like" me. I want to give love in return, but I struggle to passively absorb such vitriol, even when it isn't specific to me personally. My only hope is really to trust Jesus, and further trust in every promise of joy, hope, love, peace, and blessing.

Yes, I have received all those things, and I don't deserve any of them. I have also received hate, abuse, deceit, accusations, and lies when I didn't deserve them. That is certainly Jesus' point ... absorb the evil that humans dish out, because you will receive the love the Lord dishes out. This remains my comfort.

Prayer: Lord, I struggle with many things in life, and this is one of them. Please, dear Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and through Jesus Christ as my redeemer and master, may my heart truly soften, truly be at peace, and truly live as you would teach. I want to love my enemies, and simply be generous even when they hate. In your great name, I desire to do your will on earth, and bring your kingdom near. Amen.

For Want of Simple Kindness

Scripture: “Will you give us permission to cut across your land? We won’t trespass through your fields or orchards and we won’t drink out of your wells; we’ll keep to the main road, the King’s Road, straying neither right nor left until we’ve crossed your border.” The king of Edom answered, “Not on your life. If you so much as set a foot on my land, I’ll kill you.” Numbers 20:17-18

Observation: Israel and Edom are kin, the two people descended from twin brothers Jacob and Esau. After all this time wandering, Israel makes a simple request ... to take a shorter route northward to their destination but cutting through Edom along the defined trade highway, a route used by many strangers daily. Not only does the King of Edom deny them passage, but he threatens them with war if they try.

Jacob and Esau - though they had major differences growing up - had departed from each other on good terms. In fact, when they last met in Genesis, Esau was heading toward this land southeast of the Dead Sea along with thousands of people to found their people-group, and asked Jacob to join him. Now, his descendants refuse to even just allow Jacob's people to cross the land. It is this rejection and refusal to simply be kind to Israel, that will set the two nations at odds for centuries to come. Edom will always be the lesser of the nations and will eventually be removed from existence, because they would rather make effort to create a hardship for Israel than do nothing in a manner that would seem kind.

Application: I do this. I will sometimes make an effort to be rude to someone because I believe I have some right that is being imposed upon, when the truth of the matter is that if I simply smiled and ignore the situation, it would be consider kind by that person, and much easier for me.

Why I do this, I don't know. I want to be kinder to others ... can I learn that sometimes kindness is as simple as not making the extra effort to be unkind?

Prayer: Lord, I do in fact wish to be kinder and gentler toward others, and to love others more and more. I see this can begin as simply as not being mean, rude, or angry toward others, and taking the time and energy to act on those negative feelings. May I not be Edom anymore. Amen.

Content with the Lord's Provision

Scripture: The crowd asked him, “Then what are we supposed to do?” “If you have two coats, give one away,” he said. “Do the same with your food.” Tax men also came to be baptized and said, “Teacher, what should we do?” He told them, “No more extortion—collect only what is required by law.” Soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He told them, “No harassment, no blackmail—and be content with your rations.” Luke 3:10-14

Observation: John is baptizing many, and he is very direct with his words. He rebukes those who are getting baptized simply because it is 'trendy' to do so, clarifying they need to be pursuing a new, cleansed life. When they ask what that life looks like, he answers, and his instructions sound like ... simply living a good and humble life ... a life content with the Lord's provision. Share your excess blessings with others, don't cheat and swindle others in order to get more, and don't be mean to others simply because you can be due to your position in life.

This is the cleansed, changed life ... receiving your 'daily bread' from the Lord, and being humble about it.

Application: I have so very, very much in life, more than I need for sure. And yes, I enjoy it, but I do try to give much of it away as well. I should consider doing more of that.

At the same time, I still try to "get away" with things in life. I sin when I know I shouldn't and I am lazy in my work instead of giving my full effort. These are not humble acts, but rather the acts of a person who simply thinks I can get away with certain things. As I do these things, I suffer, and I fail to live the full life the Lord would have for me.

May I be content with the Lord's provision, and also live in a humble manner, seeking and doing his will.

Prayer: Lord, again I say this morning, please forgive me for my sins. In my mind and actions, I fail to behave and think as you would have me do. May I repent of these things, and turn toward these better instructions, to live a life of generosity, giving away from the abundance you have given me, and being honest and kind in all dealings. Amen.

In the Age of Wisdom

Scripture: God spoke to Moses: “These are your instructions regarding the Levites: At the age of twenty-five they will join the workforce in the Tent of Meeting; at the age of fifty they must retire from the work. They can assist their brothers in the tasks in the Tent of Meeting, but they are not permitted to do the actual work themselves. These are the ground rules for the work of the Levites.” Numbers 8:23-26

Observation: As part of the structure the Lord gives Moses for the service of the Levites, he defines the age of work and retirements. Those Levites 25-50 are to actively do the work. Those younger are still learning. Those older are retired. They may advise and assist, but they are not to do the work.

Application: I know I have reached an age where I should be more valuable in an advisory role than in actual labor. The question I need to ask myself, however, is whether or not I am actually giving the advise and wisdom as I should. As I do less work, I seem to engage less with others, and that serves the opposite outcome.

Prayer: Lord, I desire to stand beside the younger generation. I have talked about how I am moving beyond hard labor within the church, but may I find the proper avenues to assist others. Amen.

I am For Israel

Scripture:
God, you can now release your servant;
release me in peace as you promised.
With my own eyes I’ve seen your salvation;
it’s now out in the open for everyone to see:
A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations,
and of glory for your people Israel.
Luke 2:29-32

Observation: Simeon, the old man who has been promised that he will live to see Messiah, beholds a two-month-old Jesus, and makes this joyful declaration. Messiah is the promised coming of salvation from the Lord. Jesus will bring these two elements to the people of the earth; To gentiles he will be a light that reveals God to everyone, and to Jews he will bring glory upon them as a nation.

The good news of salvation through belief in Jesus has certainly been a light to the world. It is by the gospel message that most of the world now believes in Yahweh, and even those who do not believe often have some context about the God of Israel we know to be the creator of the universe.

That said, it is interesting to declare the Jesus is the "glory" to Israel, knowing that many in Israel would reject him. Even still this is a point of contention for the Jews, many stating that belief in Jesus actually makes someone non-Jewish. However, the point is likely the fact that the Jewish people are forever now tied to the fate of all mankind. Yes, Jews have always had a level of importance beyond their size, in good and bad ways. In ancient times, their existence on the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea was contested by many. More currently, they are at the heart of news and conflicts, despite the fact their nation didn't even exist for 1,900 years.

It is by the gospel that the world understands the importance of Israel, even for those who don't believe the gospel, and this should seem like another indicator of Jesus' truth.

Application: I will and do continue to pray for Israel. And I pray our nation will both as a formal body, and as individuals, declare ourselves firmly aligned to Israel. It may be difficult to comprehend and understand God's plan for mankind, but it is easy to understand the fact he works through Israel for much of it. I am for God, and I am for Jesus, so I am for Israel.

Prayer: Lord, may you be with Israel and the Jewish people today and every day. Turn away the hate that comes at them from others with both your forceful might and your amazing love. May your Shalom prevail. Amen.

Serving in the Large Community

Scripture: Kohath was ancestor to the clans of the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites, and Uzzielites. These were known as the Kohathite clans. All the males who were one month and older numbered 8,600. The Kohathites were in charge of the Sanctuary. Numbers 3:27-28

Observation: The Levites are organized by three clans - by the three sons of Levi - and each clan is given responsibilities for the care of the Tabernacle and all the items of worship. In each case, this results in a large number of men assigned to care for a limited number of things ... literally tens of thousands of men who might need to take care of a few dozen pieces of fabric, or a handful of gold utensils, or a few valuable pieces of ornamental furniture, or a couple large chests.

Application: In truth, God doesn't give us hard work to do. When he asks us to serve him, the work itself is often light and easy, and includes a community to participate in it together.

For a few months now, I have been resistant from doing too much. I am attributing this to age. For several years, I have been jumping into work that involves labor - mowing lawns, lifting large elements of the light show, climbing ladders to hang heavy decor - but I am feeling this in my body now. However, I haven't found the 'fallback' role for myself yet. Instead, I'm withdrawing from some activities, without the next area of service to enter.

God certainly isn't asking a lot of me. I'm just part of a large clan, and so even the big-ish and important tasks have many hands to help. I need to be aware that I should be a couple of those hands and not withdraw from service entirely. At the same time, I can trust that God is not asking me to do some undoable tasks.

Prayer: Lord, as I consider my role within the body of Christ, please provide me with your wisdom. May I serve you as you have positioned and gifted me, but also in ways that advance your kingdom and contribute to your people. Amen.

Doing the Assigned Tasks

Scripture: From Judah: Nahshon son of Amminadab. Numbers 1:7

Observation: The Lord tells Moses which individuals will help with the census of the fighting men of Israel, and thus become their tribe's military leader. For Judah, it is Nahshon. This is a name of note, as Nahshon is actually in the lineage of David, and thus also Jesus. He was also the first person to present an offering during the dedication of the Tabernacle. Some 'traditions' about him not in the bible are that he was Moses' brother in-law (thus maybe married to Mariam), he was the first person to enter the Red Sea at its parting, and that later he would be the father in-law of Rahab the prostitute who aided in the defeat of Jerico.

That's a lot to attribute to one pretty obscure individual.

Application: I am again reminded today about how one person's basic work can play a part in God's plan. Ignoring even the non-biblical accounts of Nahshon, the fact he served in the original organization of Judah, and that he stepped forward with the first sacrifice for the Tabernacle, are significant in how the narrative of the wilderness transpires. This period was key for how the Lord would work through Israel for centuries to come, and Nahshon simply ... showed up and did the tasks he was asked to do.

How am I just showing up and doing my tasks? I work, but what other tasks should I be engaging with? It doesn't have to be work ... it could be just stepping forward for worship, or being humble when asked to do something.

I should have my eye open for something soon, some request of my time and effort to be made. And I should simply show up and humbly do it.

Prayer: Lord, in your wise words about Israel, you have given us so many examples of how we are to live. May I consider Nahshon's willingness to simply do the tasks assigned to him. Amen.

Hanging Out with the Holy Spirit

Scripture:
Talk to Wisdom as to a sister.
Treat Insight as your companion.
Proverbs 7:4

Observation: As a new section of Proverbs begins, the writer again makes the point about how valuable God's wisdom is in our lives. It is something to embrace every day, always. It is a treasure, and just as valuable as our very eyesight.

Wisdom is also something - someone - to be interacted with. We can "talk" to wisdom. And we should do so with familiarity. Wisdom is just like a sibling or family member, someone we are around regularly and in fact share our lives with. Insight is a friend who we can casually converse with.

Application: I have been praying recently about my desire to do a better job meditating on God's word ... on his wisdom. However, I never just casually talk to "wisdom". I never say "Hi, wisdom, what do you think about this, buddy?" I instead interact with wisdom as if it is some vague concept that extends from the Lord, and as such I can only approach the ideas of wisdom as a tangential component of my prayers and reverence toward the Lord.

Wisdom - the wisdom that can guide my life because it is that extension of the Lord - is the Holy Spirit itself. And the Holy Spirit can be a companion who I simply interact with. It can be a sibling who is just in my home, sharing my life with me, and effectively experiencing and witnessing all that I do. So we can just ... chat! When we do, wisdom can then just chat back and give me the insights I seek, advice I desire, and direction I so desperately need.

Prayer: Lord, you know I feel lost, as I have struggles recently with just my life in general. May I find a way, in my heart and mind and body and soul, to simply be a companion with your spirit. Holy Spirit, I wish to hang out with you and just listen to your wisdom. Amen.

Yes, I Need to Pray More

Scripture:
These things add up. Every one of us needs to pray;
when all hell breaks loose and the dam bursts
we’ll be on high ground, untouched.
Psalm 32:6

Observation: This psalm is all about prayer, and the fact we simply need to be praying to God, laying out our lives before him. When we do this, we will remain in his grace. When hardships come, he will be by our side. We will find joy daily. Every day - every time we pray - we get a fresh start, with our lives wiped clean of all problems and sorrows and guilt and mistakes. In Yahweh, and by prayer to him and relationship with him, we find all the remedies for the ailments of life.

Application: I have said this many times, including yesterday, that my prayer life is terrible. I do not pray enough, and I actively turn away from the Lord in my mind and commit sins and struggle with life. And yes, these two things are very related.

I need to pray more, and I need a better overall relationship with the Lord. I must stop holding back, for of course he knows my heart and mind anyway. I hold back from everyone, and it's a lonely existence. I must at the very least be open with the Lord, speaking to him regularly, sharing my life with him, and finding the peace, joy, hope, forgiveness, understanding, and love that he provides. It is always great when I do turn to him, and I need to do it more and more often.

Prayer: Yes, Lord, I desire to be closer to you, and I know you are not the one who ever pulls away. I will seek you. I desire to move toward you in both word and action, beginning with a better prayer life. Again I say, please forgive my sins, and help me expel evil from my life and my mind and my heart, so I can hear your spirit within me. Amen.

A Curse upon Lying Preachers

Scripture: Fake Messiahs and lying preachers are going to pop up everywhere. Their impressive credentials and bewitching performances will pull the wool over the eyes of even those who ought to know better. Mark 13:22

Observation: Once again, as Jesus is asked about the signs of the end-times, he deflects a bit and isn't direct in his response. However, along with the list of all the general issues that have always occurred throughout history, he includes this about false teaching. He calls them "fake Messiahs" and "lying preachers", and elsewhere the term "false prophets" is also applied. These are people who are lying to believers, making false pronouncements, and the truly bad news is that ... believers will believe them.

Application: This week, a faithful Christian wanted a meeting with our church leaders and told them all about the fact that many, many "prophets" on ... YouTube ... are declaring that the entire world economy will collapse by the end of this week, and the church needed to pull its money out of one of the largest banks in the world - that bank is going to fail, and bank insurance protections are actually a scheme by the government - and urgently buy gold instead. So sayeth ALL these prophets.

These are the same prophets that have repeatedly wrongly predicted ... the outcomes of elections, other political actions, the beginnings of wars, the endings of plagues, the healing of people, the occurrences of earthquakes, the death of world leaders, etc. All these prophets have five major similarities identical to all of them:

1) They focus on pronouncing terrible events, many of which involve U.S. politics.

2) These pronouncements are mostly fear-filled and divisive.

3) They claim these are words given to them by God.

4) They are never, ever right.

5) Hundreds of thousands, sometimes millions, believe everything they say, despite #4.

And Jesus knew they would be here near the end-times, liars with impressive credentials and bewitching performances, popping up everywhere, and pulling the wool over the eyes of even those who ought to know better.

Prayer: Lord, in the name of Jesus, today I first ask this. May you protect your faithful believers from such lies. May we actually know better. I follow on with this second ask. These liars, these false teachers, fake Messiahs, and lying prophets, who misrepresent you and besmirch your name through their lies in order to advance their personal earthly glory, may they be under a curse. May your strong hand correct and punish them, not just removing their influence, but bringing about punishment for the wrong they are doing to believers who should know better, but who do not and have been deceived. Be a jealous God, desiring your believers to believe only your true words, and actually smite those who make lying declarations in your name. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Minor Cuts Destroy Lives

Scripture: Any person with a serious skin disease must wear torn clothes, leave his hair loose and unbrushed, cover his upper lip, and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ As long as anyone has the sores, that one continues to be ritually unclean. That person must live alone; he or she must live outside the camp. Leviticus 13:45-46

Observation: When a person has a persistent skin disease, this is their life from that moment on ... they must shroud their face, dress like a vagrant, live is isolation, and continually declare themselves out loud as an outcast. In the actuality of daily life, this is a worse punishment than almost any non-capital punishment for any crime. For the 'wrong' of having damage to the skin that became infected, this person is publicly shamed forever, barely able to survive, without friends or family.

This seems so harsh, and certainly contributes to the issues the Jews would develop around the significance of their washing practices. It must have been one of life's greatest fears, to get a minor cut while working in the field or walking in open shoes along rock-filled roads, and hoping no infection set in, as would almost be normal in such conditions. A minor cut could destroy their life.

Application: This is certainly a metaphor for "minor" sins. Doing little things wrong now days - telling a white lie, looking with lust at a person, muttering God's name in vain - seem minor in daily life. However, they could be destroying our lives, creating the little weakness where greater issues can enter the body and mind, placing distance between us and God.

It is clearly impossible to live a life without ever doing those little things, which is why my faith in Jesus is so important. I know I sin. I know I create these 'minor cuts' in my life daily. And I know some of them have become infected from time to time. Because of Jesus, I don't have to have my life destroyed and live in public shame forever. I am washed by his blood.

Prayer: Lord, I do seek your forgiveness for the sins I have committed these last days. Please wash me clean, and help me to repent of patterns in my life that continue to nick my heart and soul. I desire to be spotless, and I can only do that through your grace and the sacrifice of Jesus. I claim that, as I do firmly believe in Jesus as Messiah, and my Lord and savior. Thank you for your mercy, and for not leaving me as an unclean outcast forever. Amen.

Seeking Wisdom to Respond to Lies

Scripture: Jesus said, "You’re way off base, and here’s why: One, you don’t know what God said; two, you don’t know how God works." Mark 12:24

Observation: When the Sadducees attempt to trick Jesus with a question about resurrection, this is the response ... they are ignorant of even the context of their question. They base this question on the assumption of marriage in heaven, when there is none. Also, the context they assume is about how relationships work for eternity, ignoring the fact that, in heaven, relationships are focused upon the Lord and love he pours out.

Ultimately, Jesus doesn't answer the question because the question itself is nonsense. It appears like a good question when taken as-is, but given the fact it is based on factual inaccuracies and bad assumptions, responding to it would only re-enforce (intentionally?) inaccurate logic.

Every day, people challenge the Lord by first, completely misstating his word or the historical facts surrounding his and Jesus' words and deeds, then misunderstanding his nature and purpose in the first place. The fact this same model is used to create all kinds of fights and division in our world today is evidence that this model is inspired by the originator of all lies, who used this exact same model in the garden of Eden. Satan deceived mankind by first eliciting a misunderstanding of what God even said in the first place, then outlining a faulty assumption about God's reasons.

Application: I have been through this issue several times in just the last couple days, and see it so very, very often on social media ... arguments that begin with a "Since X is true, then ..." type of statement, when X is absolutely untrue. Just yesterday, I was asked in a game board "Why doesn't God due miracles anymore?" Obviously, the answer to 'why' is moot, because God DOES do miracles every day. They further wanted to know why he didn't do "big" miracles to impress the world, and of course God has never needed to "impress" anyone and that has never been the purpose of any miracle, and thus their understanding of even the nature and definition and context of miracles is flawed.

This is just one example of this in daily life today. We see this on almost every thread on every social media platform, on every topic ... heck, this happened yesterday on a thread about a new luau in Maui. This is a dangerous model, and especially for us Christians sometimes asked to address questions about faith, we need to be prepared to respond like Jesus. Specifically, we need to examine and correct the question first, avoiding the trap of responding to flawed logic, inaccurate assumptions, and inaccurate bible quotes.

Prayer: Lord, you have shown us a model for wisdom, and how to avoid the trap the evil one creates with his lies. May we seek your wisdom in our conversations every day. Amen.

When Faced with Our Own Truth

Scripture: “Listen to me carefully. We’re on our way up to Jerusalem. When we get there, the Son of Man will be betrayed to the religious leaders and scholars. They will sentence him to death. Then they will hand him over to the Romans, who will mock and spit on him, give him the third degree, and kill him. After three days he will rise alive.” Mark 10:33-34

Observation: The truth is, Jesus could not have been more clear about what was about to happen to him. What he outlines here is exactly what transpires ... the Jewish leaders will accuse him of violating the law and sentence him to death, then the Romans will carry out that sentence and kill him, after which he will rise from the dead three days later. Even if you don't believe that would or can happen, there's really no way of not understanding that is what Jesus says will happen. Yet, the disciples just don't understand.

It seems this lack of understanding must be rooted in the idea that this is all just unthinkable. In their context, they see two completely unchallengeable facts. First, once people are dead, they are dead and cannot "rise". Yes, they have seen Jesus perform miracles that seemingly contradict that, but not upon himself, and no well after the person is buried. Second, Jesus is the Messiah, so it cannot be that the Jewish leaders themselves - the ones most studied about prophesy and who teach others about this very topic - will be the ones who reject and accuse and condemn Messiah.

The second of these facts - Jesus is Messiah - was clearly true. However, the conclusion that educated humans won't reject that fact, substitute their own version of truth, and then act upon their own conclusions, was wrong.

The first of these facts - the dead cannot be resurrected - was clearly false. Jesus had already done it, and would do it again soon with Lazarus. God can do whatever he wants, and the disciples assuming it couldn't be done was them rejecting that fact, substituting their own truth. Their conclusion was wrong.

Application: I was talking to my wife the other night about the modern phrase "living (or speaking) my truth". This is what someone says when they justify declaring their own thoughts on a topic ... that the declaration is "my truth". The issue is that this is often done when two or more people are in wild disagreement about the facts of a situation. The implication is that, by naming their version "truth", it is now unassailable fact. Since "truth" by definition cannot be false, "my truth" cannot be false.

This is all a concept I hate, and it is a concept that permeates mankind today ... and apparently has done so for thousands of years. Yes, it goes back to original sin. However, we at least used to leave room for the idea that such stances were still personal opinions or decisions or conclusions, and that they could be wrong.

There are many things about which I believe I know the truth, and I'm sure I'm wrong about many of them. But I do know there is only one source for truth, and that is the Lord. I must not have my own truth.

Prayer: Lord, the evil one has declared war on you, and his tactic has been to confuse in the hearts of men those things that best define you. You are love. You are truth. You are justice. You are mercy. At least three of these four now have completely corrupted definitions in the minds of billions of people. May we all return to your truth, and not cling to our own. Amen.

Standing in the Storm

Today is leap day, so the reading is just three verses about the bible itself. Instead ... let's turn it up!

Whatever comes,

I'm not giving up.

I still got some life in me!

Providing for the Absolution

Scripture: The anointed priest will then bring some of the blood into the Tent of Meeting, dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle some of it seven times before God in front of the curtain. He will smear some of the blood on the horns of the Altar which is before God in the Tent of Meeting and pour the rest of it at the base of the Altar of Whole-Burnt-Offering at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. Leviticus 4:16-18

Observation: Almost every sacrifice involves the process of presenting the sacrifice to the Lord before the tent of meeting, killing it if applicable, then burning it on the alter. This - the "absolution offering" (or "purification offering" in other translations) - actually defines two exceptions for this. In these two exceptions, as part of the killing of the offering, the blood is actually taken inside the Tent of Meeting. Here, it is sprinkled not on the tent itself, but on the curtain/partition that stands between the priest and the holy of holies. The blood is also smeared not on the normal alter, but on the small alter of incense that sits right there in front of the holy of holies.

In other words, this act requires an interaction with the Lord that is much more up-close. It isn't just addressing the confession of sin, but it is also addressing the fact that something has happened that could harm the overall relationship between the Lord and the entire nation of Israel. And what are the two exceptions or occasions that warrant this more intimate interaction? They are the accidental sinning of the priest, and the accidental sinning of the entire nation.

Application: I have read this section before, and I have in fact offered an absolution offering for myself ... for sins I may have committed for which I am not even sure and aware. I am just a member of the body of Christ, so my offering was standard, offered in the manner we have today (money, not burning goats), with a 'normal' process.

That said, as I have written often about the sins of our nation and the path we are on mostly without awareness of, or regard for, the Lord's commands, today I wonder what it will require to make a sacrifice in a manner that addresses and heals the direct relationship between the Lord and his people. Even just yesterday I wondered how it could be possible for all mankind to come back from the precipice. Well, here is a procedure ... but there is another truth beyond this procedure.

Jesus tore down the partition between mankind and the 'holy of holies', and he is the path the Lord now. So perhaps that is the answer ... faith in Messiah removes the need to address the fracture at that innermost access to Yahweh.

I understand Jesus became the sacrifice for all sacrifices, and his blood was spilt for all sin. He tore the cloth, and by faith we now have no partition between us and God. While certainly we all must continue to continue our actions within that relationship, seeking forgiveness for sin and pondering our state of 'cleanliness', our great high priest is already in front of the holy of holies, where our prayers rise like burning incense before the throne. And this is a great hope ... that there is already a way for all mankind - all nations, all God's faithful people - to be absolved and purified together, when we realize and overcome the unintended sins we are committing as a group, and return to the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, I have asked for restoration of our nation, knowing the major issues and sins we are perpetrating, and I have admitted that the issues seem to huge that I cannot fathom what the way back really looks like. Well, you defined a way back, then you defined how you already provided all that is needed for it through Jesus. You are so great and wonderful, my Lord and my God. May one day our division and fighting and blasphemies be turned to praise and thanksgiving and prayer in your honor. Amen, and amen.

Considering the Future Path Back

Scripture: Jesus said, “Moses wrote this command only as a concession to your hardhearted ways. In the original creation, God made male and female to be together. Because of this, a man leaves father and mother, and in marriage he becomes one flesh with a woman—no longer two individuals, but forming a new unity. Because God created this organic union of the two sexes, no one should desecrate his art by cutting them apart.” Mark 10:5-9

Observation: The Pharisees have asked Jesus about marriage, and Jesus gives a response that is vague enough that the disciples later ask for clarification. There is conflicting guidance on the matter ... the Lord intends for a man and a woman to come together without separation, yet Moses created a precept that allows for divorce. Jesus explains why ... Moses knew that people were hardhearted and could not comply with the true law.

This is difficult to understand, but the logic seems to be as follows. The Lord has commands and precepts and laws we are to comply with. However, when he knows we cannot do it, he sometimes makes a provision out of his mercy that allows us to remain close to him and perhaps later discover his truth and love, instead of simply throwing us into the darkness. He doesn't remove the existence of the law or even deny its negative ramifications, but in his mercy he provides a path back from the shame of the sin.

Application: I sin often, and I am so glad I am not thrown into the darkness. Instead, I have salvation through Jesus, and by my faith in Jesus I receive forgiveness. That doesn't mean I don't sin, nor does it mean I won't sin again unfortunately, and it absolutely doesn't mean my sin isn't wrong or it has no consequences. It means the Lord made a way for me to find my way back to him.

Eventually, maybe soon, maybe in a few years, or maybe a generation or two from now ... we are going to have a LOT of people who are living with the guilt and shame and remorse over the principles under which they lived their early life, and we - the Church - are going to need a way for them to reconcile to God and give their faith to Jesus. That doesn't mean embracing sin, but it does mean ... a process or method or logical path someone can easily take, without shame and earthly judgment, to rediscover God's love.

I don't think "embracing" or "approving" or "endorsing" the sin itself is the way. Neither do I think a process that would involve public denouncements or requiring an overt act of repentance is the way. It will need to involve a relationship between the person involved and the Lord, and trusting in that relationship, allowing that their faith simply exists and is real, just like we do with everyone else we baptize. However, the entry path - the starting point of that process - will need some divine guidance. I do not know where the church leader who can define such a path can be found anymore.

Prayer: Lord, this is my greatest fear for the young generation today. Not that they are behaving as they are, but that there is no path of return for them. Please do not leave them lost forever. Today's bad decisions cannot be eternal, but a future good decision can be. I pray you help us all in creating and supporting the path to that future good decision. Amen.

We are Billions of Johns

Scripture: Meanwhile they were asking, “Why do the religion scholars say that Elijah has to come first?” Jesus replied, “Elijah does come first and get everything ready for the coming of the Son of Man. They treated this Elijah like dirt, much like they will treat the Son of Man, who will, according to Scripture, suffer terribly and be kicked around contemptibly.” Mark 9:11-13

Observation: After the transfiguration, Peter, James, and John ask Jesus about a specific element of Messiah. With the full understanding that Jesus is truly Messiah, they wonder how that can be since the scriptural scholars agree that Elijah would "come" first to usher in Messiah. Jesus responds in a manner that indicates the fact that this prophesy wasn't about Elijah, but about a prophet in the manner of Elijah, and that prophet was John the Baptist. And true to prophesy, John came first, introduced Jesus, then was killed just as predicted.

This emphasizes the importance of John. It is always interesting how the first disciples did come to understand this, so much so that all four gospels emphasize John's ministry. Luke literally begins with an account of John's - not Jesus' - conception. Mark and John begin their recount with John's ministry, not Jesus. Matthew spends time on Jesus' childhood, but the first 'ministry' conversations are about John. Jesus' revelation about John was so well understood by the disciples, that in telling the world about Jesus they felt they absolutely needed the context of John.

Why has this changed? Why is it that we effectively never tell 'seekers' about John the Baptist? John is no longer "necessary context" for understanding Jesus or believing in his Messiahship.

Well ... maybe that last statement isn't actually true. Yes, John was the predicted form of Elijah who prepared the way for the Messiah with the message "repent, for the Kingdom of God is near!" However, it is very likely that John is now ... billions of believers, within the Church of Jesus Christ, who are supposed to be preparing the rest of the world to receive the gospel of Jesus by telling them that the Kingdom of God is near!

Application: If I am now John the Baptist - a form of Elijah who is supposed to be preparing the world to have a heart to receive the good news about redemption and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ - how am I doing at that? No, I don't need to wear camel hair and eat locust, but I am to be telling others of their need for salvation, softening their hearts to receive the love of God, and guiding them toward baptism.

There are elements of that I participate in. The one element I would like to improve on is ... softening their hearts. I am not a peace-making, heart-softening kind of person. I am too judgmental and strong-headed, angry at the world for its downfall and rebellion against God. I am not gently leading anyone to a point in their life where they are receptive to the idea of Messiah.

It is easy for me to declare that many people are so lost and broken - and in that brokenness, they are so violently hostile toward God in and anyone like me who may mention God - that there is no gentle path upon which to lead them to the metaphorical river. However, that is in fact the easy way out. It isn't the John way. If the world needs more John the Baptists, maybe I better get busy becoming one.

Prayer: Lord, I have a heart to be kind to others as a means to engage them about Jesus, but as you know I am not very good at that. May your Holy Spirit work within me every day, to soften my own heart, so I can find gentle ways to approach others and soften their hearts. Amen.

Commands Over Traditions

Scripture: He went on, "Well, good for you. You get rid of God’s command so you won’t be inconvenienced in following the religious fashions!" Mark 7:9

Observation: This is how Jesus responds to the Pharisees' question about why his disciples do not ceremonially wash before meals. He delineates the difference between God's commands, and the religious practices that have been created. In fact, what he really says is that they are in conflict and thus the religious people have completely discarded the actual commands and teachings and instructions of precepts of the Lord, because they would interfere with the religious-sounding practices and activities they wish to pursue instead.

Application: At its core, this is how I feel about my in-laws. They are faithful believers in Jesus, but they also give my wife grief over her job as a pastor, and the activities of our church. They question it because they think church requires ... old wood pews, hymnals, organ music, and a printed order of service with some activities labeled with Latin. They have their religious practices, and don't like it when the work of the Great Commission (for example) would interfere with those practices.

I am sure I have issues and blind spots in this area, too. I certainly have things I 'like' about certain church activities, and others I don't like, and carry those opinions regardless of what the Lord may instruct about which may or may not align to his commands. This is likely part of being human, and part of the trap of original sin, which is falling into a pattern of preferring our own decisions instead of relying completely on the Lord for instruction and decisions. I am not above that, and should not judge others. However, I can be aware of it, especially in myself.

The great point I think is that this is not about preferences, but about obedience and faith. Again, our behavior should align to the Lord's commands, and not to human-made standards, practices, and rituals, even when those elements were initially intended as a tool to assist with obedience (and especially when they were created to simply serve the church and not the Lord).

Prayer: Lord, may by behavior not be based on ritual, nor upon my preferences for what I like to do. Instead, may I simply follow your instructions and directions for living. Amen.

Only Able to Do what they Know

Scripture: When the people realized that Moses was taking forever in coming down off the mountain, they rallied around Aaron and said, “Do something. Make gods for us who will lead us. That Moses, the man who got us out of Egypt—who knows what’s happened to him?” Exodus 32:1

Observation: As Moses has spent several weeks on the mountain receiving God's covenant and instructions, Israel builds a golden calf and worships it as a god. These are people who have seen first-hand the mighty hand of Yahweh; They witnessed the plagues against Egypt, participated in the crossing of the parted sea, and even heard God's commands as he called Moses up the mountain. They know of Yahweh, even believe in him and celebrate him, but they have no idea what to do and how to behave when it comes to ... being with him.

Israel knows from their lives in Egypt that celebrating and being near your 'god' means to direct worship toward some golden statue, and that's what they do here. They know nothing else. They don't know how to pray, or how to be in relationship with the loving spirit of God, or to listen to that spirit in relationship, or feel hope and mercy and pass that along to others as an expression of faith. They just don't have these examples and lessons. Even as they know that the Lord acted with great might while being unseen, they cannot translate that into their daily behavior.

It is this understanding that make a relationship with the Lord so different from the rest of life. The rest of life involves material things and physical experiences. A relationship with the Lord involves communing with the Holy Spirit, trusting in historical truth, and listening for the voice of the Lord to guide and comfort and help and encourage.

Application: Lord, this is a lesson I forget often. I often look for you to act in this world ... for my relationship with you to manifest as something that this existence would define as "real". This error sets me up for idol worship ... for the idea that I will look to something physical to represent you, instead of simply looking to you and engaging in a relationship with you through the Holy Spirit.

Like Israel, I try to put you in the context of what I know of this world. That's backwards, and I know it. I should be putting this world into the context of you, its creator. My I remember that proper order and context more often, every day.

Prayer: Lord, you are my Lord and my God and my savior and my creator. You are also my daddy. May I order the rest of my life in a manner that makes you first and central, with everything else subordinate to you, and may that ordering then define my behavior. Amen.

Then Please Claim It

Scripture:
God claims Earth and everything in it,
God claims World and all who live on it.
Psalm 24:1

Observation: This powerful psalm is about the Lord claiming all the earth for his glory, honor, and good purposes. It asks who can be part of this world where the Lord rules, and answers that it is the faithful who believe and honor the Lord. This then begs for the response in the second half of the psalm ... that those who are failing to honor the Lord need to "wake up" because the King of Glory is about to arrive, and that King of Glory is the Lord God almighty, mighty in battle, strong in might, and prepared to judge.

Application: Again I say, oh that this would happen now! How wonderful it would be for the King of Glory - the Lord God almighty - to openly stake his claim in all the earth, oppose the evil that exists in our cities and in our society, and embrace the proclamation by his believers that he is wonderful, powerful, just, merciful, loving, and true. It would be so great if the earth and everything in it ... the world and all who live on it ... would turn their face to the Lord.

Prayer: Please, Lord, come claim your world. While even your faithful are not perfect and proper to your instructions, we strive to be so, and we long for your goodness to rule. There are so many challenges that it seems clear only your power and authority can overcome the dark of this world. Please, come claim it. Amen.

Sizing Up the Problem

Scripture: They said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness so we can worship our God lest he strike us with either disease or death.” Exodus 5:3

Observation: The stage is set for Moses to pursue the release of Israel from Pharoh, yet that isn't even what he first asks for. He doesn't ask for total release, he asks for ... a three-day weekend. It is to this simple request that Pharoh not only says no, but even gets angry and punishes all of Israel for asking.

This is the true size of the challenge ahead. Of course Pharoh wouldn't simply allow several hundred thousand slaves to walk away free. The economy of Egypt was based on slave labor, so saying "let us go" was a non-starter. But Pharoh won't even allow them to take a break to worship their God. There is no possible break in store for them, ever. This is the problem against which God will contend and win ... not one large problem like commanding Pharoh to release slaves, but one problem so huge that something miniscule by comparison is a total non-starter for Pharoh.

Application: I often think about the HUGE problems we have on earth, and wonder how God could overcome them. Well, I may wonder 'how', but I should never wonder 'if', because the Lord has proven his ability to overcome totally impossible problems. He doesn't just take on an issue, he takes on issues so massive that the tiny trial-run, inconsequential version of that problem is itself impossible.

I don't know what God's going to do about the problems in our world. They are massive. What I do know is that he is totally capable of fixing everything. He will decide how to do it. I just need to participate however he decides - which might even be just watching in awe - and worship the Lord both before, during, and after he acts.

Prayer: Lord, you are the great and mighty Lord God, creator of heaven and earth. You wield your mighty arm as you wish, and nations tumble. I celebrate how you will overcome these tremendous problems we have, and I don't celebrate after the work is complete, but now even when it seemingly hasn't begun. You have sized up the problem for us, and we know it is massive, which only makes your victory all the more amazing. Hallelujah! Amen.

Amazed when Others Listen

Scripture:
You rescued me from a squabbling people;
you made me a leader of nations.
People I’d never heard of served me;
the moment they got wind of me they listened.
Psalm 18:43-44

Observation: The psalmist has asked for the Lord's protection and salvation, and then acknowledges this outcome ... the Lord doesn't just deliver, but elevates him even higher. He doesn't just go from 'in trouble' to 'not in trouble,' but advances to "leader of nations". He advances from lowly to listened to.

Application: The low point in my life is now behind me, but in hindsight it looked a little like what is described here. I was in a job where I had been hired due to my expertise. Immediately, everyone there rejected all I said, resisted improvements, and backstabbed me to the point of destroying my career (and I did more fighting back than I should have). God rescued me from that - what had been considered a position of leadership - and placed me a seemingly obscure position, and from here ... I have had officials from countries ranging from Ghana to Romania to Brazil to Norway - and so many others - seek my advice, listen to my opinions and instructions, and consider me an expert. People I'd never heard of listened to me.

I am not personally proud of this. I truly wish to serve others in this capacity, and I sincerely find joy when a coworker succeeds because I was able to help in a situation. I remain at the bottom of any 'org chart' that could be created, and am content to be there. In rescuing me, the Lord has shown me a different way of living, and I embrace it. I do not wish to be served by anyone, nor have anyone seek or receive 'orders' from me. I only wish to avoid squabbling and help everyone I possibly can.

Prayer: Lord, you did rescue me. I know this, but I am still amazed by it, unworthy as I am of any attention or care from you. May I offer others the opportunity to feel better about themselves today. Amen.

Waiting for the Flood

Scripture: The Arrival of the Son of Man will take place in times like Noah’s. Before the great flood everyone was carrying on as usual, having a good time right up to the day Noah boarded the ark. Matthew 24:37-38

Observation: As Jesus concludes his passage about the timing of the 'end times', he compares it to Noah and the flood. People were "carrying on as usual, having a good time," ignorant of the impending event. Jesus uses that to describe how people won't know the timing of his second coming.

However, Jesus isn't just saying that the even will arrive like the flood did ... suddenly and unexpectedly. He is more directly saying that people will be behaving as they did "in times like Noah's". And what were those times like? "God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways." (Genesis 6:12) That is the immediate context right before "So God said to Noah ...". Earth was full of corruption and sin. Specifically, people had corrupted their own ways. They were not just acting in sin toward each other, but they were corrupting themselves. The people were doing things that harmed their very own lives, corrupting their very own 'image of God' through acts that undermined their own created nature.

These were the times of Noah, and they describe the time when Jesus will return.

Application: As we can read the budding of leaves on a tree and know that the winter is ending, so may the Church today read the signs of the times and be prepared.

Prayer: Lord, I am prepared, and hopefully working as you would have me do. I hope I do better at that every day, being a proper servant. May this be said of your entire Church, whether your arrival be now, soon, or still in the distant future. Amen.

Right Concepts but Wrong Context

Scripture:
When times get bad, people cry out for help.
They cry for relief from being kicked around,
But never give God a thought when things go well,
when God puts spontaneous songs in their hearts,
When God sets out the entire creation as a science classroom,
using birds and beasts to teach wisdom.
People are arrogantly indifferent to God—
until, of course, they’re in trouble,
and then God is indifferent to them.
Job 35:9-12

Observation: Elihu is the 'fourth' friend who shows up after the three elders have given up in correcting Job. He corrects everyone, and his message is this ... the Lord is the creator of all things and in control of the entire universe, so no one can possibly understand everything he understands and how he chooses to interact with his creation. He summarizes people's own reaction to the Lord this way: People turn to God when they are in need, but forget him when their lives are going good, and despite the fact that he has laid out all nature itself as evidence of his greatness, they usually ignore him completely (so of course he ignores them back).

Elihu probably does come closest to being accurate about the Lord, at least as far as the fact that humans cannot completely understand the Lord and thus should worship God at all times, in all circumstances. However, Elihu is still trying to explain God. The idea that creation itself is evidence of the Lord's greatness and love and power and complex mind is accurate, but the idea that the Lord ignores humans out of pettiness for us ignoring him denies the Lord's same love and patience and mercy.

And in all of this, Elihu is most wrong in this ... declaring he has it all figured out. Even when he is right, he is right due to his own intellectual judgment, and by human standards of correctness.

Application: When I read Elihu, I myself feel he is about 80 percent correct. If the wisdom of the three friends was sort of like reading Proverbs, and the wisdom of Job was sort of like reading Ecclesiastes, Elihu is some balance between them. He acknowledges God's greatness, states God is unknowable, and summarizes it by stating that the best we should all do is worship and trust in the Lord.

Yet, I find he is missing God's love. He declares understanding is a context that seems devoid of relationship. He has the concepts right, but the context wrong.

I am NOT declaring a better understanding than Elihu. I don't get the concepts and understanding right most of the time, and I fail to apply what I do understand almost all the time. However, I strongly believe in the context, which is God's great love, expressed most notably through Jesus Christ. The truth is, if that is all I really understand, it is enough.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your love. I do see your love and greatness all around me, but I also know it permeates our relationship with you. May I serve you better and better every day. Amen.

Let the Lion Roar

Hail, Hail Lion of Judah!!

Lamenting Common Sense

Scripture:
Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life;
don’t for a minute lose sight of them.
They’ll keep your soul alive and well,
they’ll keep you fit and attractive.
Proverbs 3:21-22

Observation: The more accurate translation of verse 21 tells the reader to hang onto "wisdom and understanding" - common words in Proverbs referring to the Lord's word and instructions - however "clear thinking and common sense" are an interesting spin on the same idea. These two ideas are so basic. They don't imply education or advanced philosophical thought, but rather just imply basic logic. And what elements of modern life completely defy "clear thinking and common sense"?

-- Celebrating babies being born either 'girl' or 'boy', then declaring that genders are fluid and non-binary

-- Protesting when police arrest a person who fights against them while committing a violent crime because we say the police did it due to the color of his skin

-- Celebrating the idea that everyone has an abnormal mental health anomaly, ignoring the fact that wasn't true just 30 years ago

-- Holding elections for the benefit of our country, and in those elections attempting to critically destroy everything we can about our country and our people

-- Justifying terrorist aggression as if it's a valid act of a territorial war, ignoring the history of the actual territory and local violent oppression

-- Stating we want to help the homeless and destitute restore their lives, while also facilitating 'safe' drug use

-- Refusing to allow trained individuals to examine the emotional stability of teens whose brains we know are undergoing major physiological change, and also defending the teens' access to guns

Application: I know very, very well there are hundreds of millions of people who would read what I just wrote and declare ME as the problem with society today. They would call me ignorant, racist, intolerant, privileged, unenlightened, uninformed, bigoted ... hateful.

And here is all I will say of them ... their souls are not alive and well, but I pray for their good that they will be someday.

Prayer: Lord, so many believers on earth have been declaring hope in 'awakening' and 'revival'. Oh, that it may be so, Lord! We as a society are in such a dark place. First and foremost, may we be your light. And second, may that light spark light in others and become a roaring flame. Amen.

No Idea What's Going On

Scripture: As he made his entrance into Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken. Unnerved, people were asking, “What’s going on here? Who is this?” The parade crowd answered, “This is the prophet Jesus, the one from Nazareth in Galilee.” Matthew 21:10-11

Observation: In addition to Jesus and his close followers, there are two types of people in this passage. One is the great crowd of people who have turned Jesus' entry into Jerusalem into a "parade". They line the street, throw robes and palm fronds at the feet of his donkey, and declare Hosanna and great praise to the point that it echos throughout the city. The second type of people is the occupants of Jerusalem. They have come out to witness the commotion, and are wondering what is happening. They ask "who is this" because they actually don't know why one man is receiving such a welcome as he enters Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover week.

But here's the deal ... neither of these two great crowds of people - which likely number is the six-figure range - have any idea what's actually happening. The city occupants don't know who Jesus is or why he warrants any recognition. The worshipping crowd thinks Jesus is some prophet from Galilee. What they both see is some recently-famous celebrity getting honored as he arrives for the public event and celebration. What they fail to see is that ... the Messiah, the Lord incarnate, the hope of all mankind, promised as the blessing of Israel and savior of all, has arrived to be publicly executed, sacrificed for all sins of all humans for all time, to then be raised from the dead.

What they think is going on is a fun and spontaneous parade tied into the celebration week. What is really going on is the event that will change the entire relationship between Yahweh human beings for all eternity, which has been planned since the dawn of time and predicted for millennia.

Application: Our human attitudes are so self-centered that we can often only understand events from the context of our own perception. We may be the only species capable of imaging outside of reality, and to extrapolate concepts beyond our experience, but usually ... we refused to do so when it comes to accepting the truths about God and Jesus.

Even today, just about an hour ago, I was thinking about how difficult it is for me to understand eternal salvation in heaven. It is easier to understand my non-existence post-death than to understand my continued existence post-death. That's just me being limited by a temporary lack of faith.

By faith, I wish to place my understanding of the world in the context of the Lord and his plan for the world. This is the only proper context, and would bring so much more meaning to everything in life. Just like the difference between seeing an event as a fun parade versus the fulfillment of the ultimate promise of God's love ... I might not understand why things happen, but I would find it all much more fulfilling.

Prayer: Lord, you are the only worthy context for understanding what is going on in the world. So many things confuse and frustrate me, but certainly that is because I repeatedly apply my logic and experience, even when I'm trying to apply your word and teaching. May I instead simply make you, and your love and mercy and hope, the context. Amen.

Definitive Rules Aren't That Clear

Scripture:
Here’s the rule: The light of the wicked is put out.
Their flame dies down and is extinguished.
Job 18:5

Observation: Bildad dives into his second speech with this definitive truth ... that evil people receive their just punishment and are forever sentenced to death. His speech goes on and on about the definitive downfall of evil, sinful people. They fall into their own traps, get caught by their own plots, trip on their own defenses. They die in their beds and are sent to rot in a grave, where they are never remembered, their lives amounting to nothing, with no fame or glory attached to their name. Bildad is clear ... it is definitively understood that evil people get their comeuppance.

Bildad says this is a rule, but we all know it isn't quite true. We all know that, here on earth, evil people often ... win. Yes, they lose in the end, and the eternal end of losing far outweighs a few decades of winning. But by earthly measures - which are the measures being discussed by Job's friends when they see his misery - evil people who completely and fully reject the Lord become famous, live in comfort, successfully pull of their plots and plans, and enjoy the choicest goodness that life offers. Sometimes, their names echo across history, never to be forgotten here on earth. The definitive rule Bildad states may be true in the context of eternity, but it is provably false within the context of a human lifetime.

Application: I well understand the perspective of Job, and that of the author of Ecclesiastes later, in this regard. I know evil people who have fully and completely rejected Jesus, deny the existence of the Lord God almighty, and find success and comfort in all aspects of life. They win out over others, including the faithful, causing pain. This includes those who have deluded millions - even billions - into lifestyles that destroy their own lives.

On earth, Bildad is wrong ... these people often win. Earthly pain and earthly comfort have nothing to do with evaluating if someone is good or sinful. However, I live in full comfort and faith that the Lord's eternal reward includes how we will, indeed, completely forget about those who chose to be outside of the Lord's grace.

Prayer: Lord, may I live within your grace, regardless of how my life proceeds on a daily basis. I desire to do your will, come what may. Amen.

But That it Were Just Common Sense

Scripture:
Isn’t it clear that they all know and agree
that God is sovereign, that he holds all things in his hand—
Every living soul, yes,
every breathing creature?
Isn’t this all just common sense,
as common as the sense of taste?
Do you think the elderly have a corner on wisdom,
that you have to grow old before you understand life?
True wisdom and real power belong to God;
from him we learn how to live,
and also what to live for.
Job 12:9-13

Observation: Job has openly asked the Lord to tell him the reason and nature of his suffering, and his friend Zophar criticizes him for challenging the Lord. Zophar says he has clearly sinned, is now paying the punishment, and it is now up to these friends to council Job so he can repent. Questioning God, Zophar says, is itself a sin. Job's response is quite interesting, and breaks down in this passage as two logical points:

1) Everyone knows the Lord is the ultimate authority in the world; even birds and fish know this. Therefore, the actual sin is for someone to declare themselves as 'wise' and thus be the ones who should council Job about his life.

2) Since the Lord is the only wise authority, he is the source of true wisdom about how to live. Therefore, it must be right and proper to ask God directly about what one has done wrong.

It is certainly a sin to declare what is right vs. what is sin independent of the Lord's instruction. This act is itself 'original sin' and is the source of most issues in society today. A wise person declaring the Lord's intentions, without that declaration being completely based on the Lord's own word, is committing the greatest of sins. Likewise, when seeking the truth about right and wrong, wise council is not the primary source of truth, but rather the Lord's own word and wisdom is the source of that authority.

Isn't this all just common sense?

Application: And the answer in 2024 is ... sadly, no. As a matter of fact, "common sense" in society today is that God's wisdom and authority is to be ignored. It is described using words like "unenlightened" and "regressive" and even "hateful". Common sense has been flushed down the toilet.

This is the real struggle we have as a church today, that the very idea that a sovereign Lord provides loving wisdom is totally rejected by a huge portion of the population, perhaps approaching a majority.  While the teachings in Job pertaining to the nature of life and human suffering can be confusing, they at least have one anchor point, which is that the Lord is in control and authority, working out all things for good. This is unwavering and unchanging common sense, which is no longer common.

Prayer: Lord, as I consider the words of my own mouth, talking about what is 'right' and 'good' and 'should be done,' may I also recant in my heart. I do not wish to be Zophar, a person wise in his own eyes as if I know your will and your ways and your heart and your purposes. I do not. May I simply live my life seeking your wisdom and direction, trusting in your good plan. Amen.

No They Don't Have to Ask

Scripture: And that’s exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn’t forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy. Matthew 18:35

Observation: Jesus explains forgiveness with this parable of the king who forgives and servant of their massive debt, but then the servant won't forgive a peer of a very small amount. As a result, the king reverses his mercy and punishes the wicked servant. Jesus summarizes the parable this way ... as we are unworthy of forgiveness but receive it anyway, so we need to forgive others unconditionally.

However, there is one prerequisite ... the person must ask for mercy. This opens up an interesting nuance - or loophole - which is, do we need to condition our forgiveness of others upon their requesting it? Do they need to understand their wrong and seek forgiveness for us to effectively forgive? And are we not accountable to forgive others until and unless they ask for it? Is this not similar to God's model, where he does not forgive our sin until we take intentional action to acknowledge him, obey his word, accept Jesus as our Lord and savior, and in that faith ask for forgiveness?

The answer is obvious: No. No, they do not need to ask. No, we don't get away with not forgiving them just because they didn't ask. We are to forgive proactively, just as our father in heaven desires to show us mercy, and proactively gave us Jesus as the Messiah, for us to find that path to forgiveness he already wanted to extend to us. We may want the loophole to exist. We may want to offer forgiveness only when someone who has wronged us has come to terms and humbly sought our mercy. But that is just wrong. We are already children of God, and by the very knowledge of the mercy we have received, so we must show mercy.

Application: I jumped on this verse, knowing this is what I wish ... that those who wrong me need to come to me, acknowledge their wrongdoing, and then receive my mercy. Oh, how terrible I am for even thinking that. And without doubt, that is completely wrong-headed.

And yes, this is the danger of The Message. It isn't a translation of God's word in the bible. It is a modern-language writing of the word in the bible, and in attempting to write at a 3rd grade level of understanding, it just flat-out oversimplifies the complicated truths. In this case, it added an entire clause that isn't in other translations ... they don't refer to a need for "anyone who asks". They MIGHT imply that forgiveness is explicit to other believers, whom you may already be talking to about their rights and wrongs, as this is the context of the passage and perhaps the meaning of 'brothers or sisters' as the object of forgiveness. But that is very different than any lesson about a prerequisite for offering forgiveness.

I thank God today for guarding my heart with his truth. It would be SO easy for me to declare that I don't need to forgive others, to push this false loophole. However, he clearly showed me that, no, that is wrong. I need to continue to let go of all anger and sadness and depression and worries about what has been done to me in the past, take into my heart the forgiveness I have professed and declared, embrace the forgiveness and atonement I have sought and thus received for my own errors, and move into the joyful life I now have in the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, yes I say it, thank you for your correct word, and correction, in my life. I have forgiven. Please continue to help me also forget. Amen.

A Blessing After All

Scripture:
Issachar is one tough donkey
crouching between the corrals;
When he saw how good the place was,
how pleasant the country,
He gave up his freedom
and went to work as a slave.
Genesis 49:14-15

Observation: Overall, the blessings of Jacob are confusing at best, as many of them are simply ... well, not blessings. Reuben is disowned, Levi and Simeon are said to be unwanted, Gad will be attacked by bandits, Benjamin is just gluttonous. Then there's Issachar, a tough beast of burden who succumbs to slavery. Considering this, there are a couple different possible meanings,

The negative meaning is just as said ... Issachar will succumb to slavery, and even eventually embrace it as normal. There are elements of this in history, as Issachar was founded in the heart of the future Samaria, with all their tribe taken into exile from the Assyrians, and potentially never returning. They potentially were taken away, and then embraced that new lifestyle and integrated into that culture.

The positive meeting of the blessing is that ... Issachar may represent the proper attitude of faith. Strong animals are prideful, headstrong, resistant to taming. However, when one finds a master that is willing to reward it well for its hard work, it will become not just compliant but will embrace that work in return for a good life. This is a life of surrender to our Lord. Living a life that is aligned to the Lord's instructions may look like compliance - even slavery - however it is really a good life, full of care and blessing, where instead of attempting to work hard to figure out everything for ourselves, we simply do what we are instructed and receive gifts.

Application: Thinking on this ... yea, I'm a tough donkey. I'm not even smart enough to be a lion or some other kind of untamable beast. Rather, I'm just a stupid ass. Too often, I refuse to do my work, and perhaps even hide away from the world. However, when I look around and see how wonderful life really is, and how blessed I am when I simply obey the Lord, I should want to absolutely surrender my false freedom, and embrace life as a slave to Christ.

Was this the "blessing" upon Issachar? That he would become a metaphor for faith in Jesus? I don't know. But if that works for my understanding, and the understanding of others, then it is a blessing after all.

Prayer: Lord, again today I say, may thy will be done. And in that doing may I be one who does it, as your servant, one desiring to obey you and your commands. Amen.