Feels Like the Worst is Ahead of Us

I think a lot about how desperate these times are, and how difficult it is to bring the word of Jesus into this dark corner of the world. However, there is another side to this conversation ...

I believe that you and I

Are in the right place at the right time.

God called us by name

And he doesn't make mistakes.

Maybe we were made for these days!!

What Truth Smells Like

Scripture: In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse. 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Observation: References to aroma typically align to the instructions about sacrifice as handed down to Moses. Burnt offerings were repeatedly described as an aroma pleasing to the Lord, and the same is true of prayer and service to the Lord ... these things are said to rise to heaven and manifest before the Lord's throne as a pleasing aroma. So when Paul discusses how he - and in fact how all believers - give off a smell, it harkens to this same metaphor.

Paul says that believers give of an aroma, but that aroma is perceived differently based on one's attitude toward God. For those who desire salvation and seek the truth about their lives, the aroma is a "sweet scent" that is full of life. However, for those who reject God, reject the truth, and even actively seek the earthly lies about life, the aroma is more like "the stench of a rotting corpse," a foul smell of death.

Application: My friend and I will be slow-smoking a full beef brisket this Labor Day Weekend. For me, I know exactly what this will smell like ... it will smell delicious! It will exude smoke, mixed with roasted meat, and likely a hint of spices, and this will go on for hours and hours until we finally get to enjoy it. However, for a person who dislikes barbeque - or even hates all meat - such a person may describe this very different. They might describe the aroma as some combination of destruction plus burning organic matter, the kind of smell that may arise from a deadly house fire. As a worst-case scenario, they may even have a very painful experience involving such a situation, and the smell could trigger hurt-filled memories.

In this way, I understand Paul's metaphor about the aroma of the gospel message. Some may consider it an exquisite fragrance, and some may think it is a destructive stench. Some may be drawn to it, their inner hunger triggered even as they were far away from it, and some may seek shelter away from it, seeking escape from the intrusive air blown their way. Some may hope to be invited to share in it, and some may hope to have it go away as soon as possible.

Interestingly, in all cases, the actual smell is exactly the same. The smell doesn't change ... it never changes and is itself identical in composition and chemistry at all times and in all places, as it reaches all people. It is the personal reception, interpretation, and attitude of the individual that changes. And there is nothing we can do about that.

Again, that is exactly like the truth found in the gospel message. As it is delivered into the world, some will find it pleasing, and they will be drawn to it, even hunger for it. Others will find it intrusive and repulsive, perhaps even painful. But the truth itself is the same.

Prayer: Lord, so many times we desire not to offend people in discussions about how the Church interacts with the world and delivers your gospel. Today's reminder is clear, that to a great degree we cannot offend nor protect. Rather, we can only be faithful to you and deliver your words and your work into the world, and it will be received based on how people choose to receive it. May more and more people find the truth to be a pleasing aroma. Amen.

Hoping Others will Think Deeper

Scripture: Later on, Sennacherib, who had set up camp a few miles away at Lachish, sent messengers to Jerusalem, addressing Judah through Hezekiah. 2 Chronicles 32:9

Observation: The better translation of this passage is not that Sennacherib had set up camp, but that he was actively laying siege to Lachish. As the king of Assyria, Sennacherib had never failed to defeat a city, and that wasn't going to change now. He would defeat Lachish, then march on Jerusalem, where ... one night the Lord would kill so many members of his army that he was forced to return to his capitol, Ninevah, without defeating Jerusalem.

Application: Just this week I watched a Youtube video about the archeology of Ninevah, and finding both the palace artwork and inscriptions describing King Sennacherib's campaign against Israel and Judah. It names both Sennacherib and Hezekiah, depicts a drawing of the siege of Lachish, says that was the greatest city he defeated, and stops short of saying he was able to conquer Judah (and leaves Jerusalem completely out of the narrative). In other words, the ruins of ancient Ninevah 100 percent align to this portion of 2 Chronicles.

I find it so amazing to see, over and over again, the historical accuracy of scriptures. I feel this way not as a way for me to better believe scriptures, but as a way to perhaps let others know the reality of scriptures ... not that I have to be the one who delivers that message, but they could find it on their own. To have absolute proof that so many parts of the bible are real must certainly make others think about belief in the Lord in a deeper way.

I hope that is true.

Prayer: Lord, I know all your word is true and reliable. May others discover the truth found in you, either by their own curiosity, or by our delivery of your good news. Amen.

Short Lives and Eternal Love

Scripture:
Men and women don’t live very long;
like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,
But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly,
leaving nothing to show they were here.
God’s love, though, is ever and always,
eternally present to all who fear him.
Psalm 103:15-17

Observation: The power of the Lord - and especially his great love - is mighty and eternal. Throughout this psalm, the greatness of every element of the Lord is discussed eloquently and in terms that make it clear he is unequaled. From his grace, to his mercy, to his love, to his judgment, to his authority, to his control, to his wisdom ... in everything Yahweh is both supreme and eternal. However, as this passage clarifies, this is not true for humans, who by comparison live a short time, have lives as fragile as delicate flowers, and can parish through a flash of a storm or accident.

Application: It has been over a year since Lahaina burned ... reduced from the town we love, to literally several thousand piles of ash. The heart of Lahainatown was erased from physical existence, and along with it over 100 lives. Many others - people and institutions alike - have chosen to leave permanently. It was only just this week that my wife and I had the heart to watch some of the post-fire news reals, and to see some of the first-hand video of both the burning and the personal hardships that occurred.

It is true, humans and human things of this world do not live very long. Even when beautiful like wildflowers, they can be totally wiped away in an instant, as by a storm.

Yet even in the context of loss and destruction and death, the hope of God's authority remains. That authority brings with it love, grace, healing, and comfort, and it brings those things in such great measures that we cannot even understand. And the Lord will provide those things to all people, forever.

Prayer: Abba, our daddy, please continue to heal the people of Lahaina and Maui. They remain hurting and lost. Some are stronger, some feel your love, but some are so very broken and lost, and this still after a year. Lahaina was just buildings, but the people make it a place worthy of your goodness and love and comfort. May a place named after the searing heat of the sun become better known for the warmth of your love. Amen.

We Are the Special Mission

Scripture: I, Paul, have been sent on a special mission by the Messiah, Jesus, planned by God himself. I write this to God’s congregation in Corinth, and to believers all over Achaia province. May all the gifts and benefits that come from God our Father and the Master, Jesus Christ, be yours! Timothy, someone you know and trust, joins me in this greeting. 2 Corinthians 1:1-2

Observation: Paul addresses this letter to the church at Corinth, but also intends it for a much, much larger audience. He includes in the greeting the entire region of Achaia, which includes the entire Peloponnese peninsula, several small islands, and a piece of the Greek mainland. The interesting part of this introduction is the explanation of his work, stating that all of Paul's mission work is a "special mission" and "planned by God himself."

In this manner, Paul is implying two things. The first is that the Lord has a plan for Paul's ministry, and that plan is not yet complete. This is reenforced when he then later talks about the harrowing trouble he met in Asia Minor from which the Lord saved him. The second implication is that the salvation of those in Corinth and Achaia is truly part of the Lord's plan. As Paul has visited them and mentored them, following God's plan, they then ARE that plan.

Application: As I have thought often about the work of the Church in our modern time and within our current culture, this is a perfect sentiment to remember ... God has a plan, and that plan included the salvation of ME.

I have told my story about praying to the Lord for a new direction in life, attending a nearby church, and having God show up in my life (uber-short version!). I discovered a couple days ago that that church ... no longer exists. It's not surprising given the passing of time and the state of the PC(USA). However, one thing I thought of is that, in its time and place, that church was part of God's plan, and that plan included giving me just enough hope to survive and rediscover Jesus. I may be one of thousands who received hope from that church. I am one of billions who receive hope from the universal Church every day. This is the Lord's plan, at both the individual and global level.

We are all sent on a special mission by the Messiah, Jesus. It is a mission planned by God himself. The amazing thing is that we are now sent on this special mission, because at one time we WERE the special mission!

Prayer: Lord, I will stay in this mindset today. Thank you so very, very much for making me someone's mission over 30 years ago. May I recognize that I am now on special mission for you, and that mission is to bring the hope found in all your gifts and benefits, which come from God the Father and Jesus Christ our savior, to others. Amen.

Learning How to Defend in Faith

Scripture: As soon as they started shouting and praising, God set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir as they were attacking Judah, and they all ended up dead. The Ammonites and Moabites mistakenly attacked those from Mount Seir and massacred them. Then, further confused, they went at each other, and all ended up killed. 2 Chronicles 20:22-23

Observation: With three nations unified and about to attack Judah, Jehoshaphat does not seek outside help to defend his country. In fact, he doesn't even really raise an army. Instead, he turns to the Lord, with praying and fasting, and eventually marches out into "battle" with a force that is lead not by chariots or archers or infantry, but by ... a choir. The Lord responds as he always promises he will; He fights the battle for Judah, turning the enemy's own tactics against them, and completely killing the enemy by their own confusion. Judah reaps reward without fighting at all.

It is in this example that all of Judah's kings should have learned and forever understood the truth about their nation. They have seen the northern kingdom of Israel fall further and further away from the Lord, and the result is continued loss of territory and loss in battles. However, when Jehoshaphat models total faith in the protection of the Lord - not by his own hand as king, but by leading the people in faith - Judah (now just two tribes) defeats three other nations without even fighting. Unfortunately, future kings won't learn from Jehoshaphat's example.

Application: As I have spent time worried about how the church may stand up against the evil earthly concepts of popular culture - to "defend" against misleading lies - perhaps it is better to consider Jehoshaphat's model. In other words, all we really have to do is trust in the Lord, continue in prayer, sing worship, and in public to simply stand firm and give him all praise and honor, and then wait to see how all the various enemies and their evil tactics will ultimately destroy each other.

Perhaps we are seeing some of this when certain ideals like transgenderism begin to run into conflicts with champions of radical feminism. It is difficult to see how some of these cultural issues could 'kill' each other, however it was probably difficult to understand how three allied armies accidentally slaughtered each other, too.

I am tired of watching Christians 'fight' against culture. My own extended family is doing it, and all I can think of is that it is harming - not advancing - the mission of Jesus' Church. I would rather mount a defense that involves singing and praying and trusting the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, I have said many times that I don't know how our society today reverses course when it comes to the evil deceptions that are misleading so many. But I know you can do it, and you don't need us to become militant or aggressive. May we, your believers, continue to just love others, to worship you, and to give our faith and our lives wholly to you. I know you can take care of the rest. Amen.

Embracing the Truth Within the Faith

Scripture: Think straight. Awaken to the holiness of life. No more playing fast and loose with resurrection facts. Ignorance of God is a luxury you can’t afford in times like these. Aren’t you embarrassed that you’ve let this kind of thing go on as long as you have? 1 Corinthians 15:34

Observation: Paul is giving the church at Corinth a true word about resurrection, and that word is simple ... it must be true, for the truth and faith found in Jesus includes resurrection as a core component. It would be impossible and illogical to 'believe' in Jesus, and doubt resurrection, when it is the resurrection of Jesus that both proves is Messiahship, and is declared by the apostles who are teaching all the other truths. It is ignorant to believe it all, believe the teaching of witnesses, then question the key fact.

Application: Today, I am thinking of this fact ... God hates sin, and has taught us through multiple lessons how we should live in order to have the best life possible. Christian faith in Jesus is all about receiving forgiveness and salvation, and thus entering into relationship with God and therefore that best life possible. Therefore, how can any Christian become a champion of sin?

I heard a pastor today say that the parable of the 10 virgins is actual prophesy that, in the end times, 50 percent of the churches will be false churches that are actively rejecting Jesus. At first, I thought that extreme, but as I think on it I realize it is happening. Denominations are becoming active champions of sin, following doctrines that are illogical, taking positions that are impossible, ignorantly declaring belief while rejecting the truth found in such belief.

The entire Church should be embarrassed we have allowed these debates to occur. While we should not fight publicly, we can simply acknowledge what Jesus has told us ... half the churches have (or will) let their lamps go out, and Jesus will not admit them. As for me and my house, we will ensure we keep our lamps lit, and that we are within a community that aligns to the truth and not just the faith.

Prayer: Lord, I struggle sometimes to pray in a manner that would hope your prophetic words do not come to pass, for I know they will. Therefore, today I only ask that you give us wisdom to embrace all the elements of truth that comprise our faith. May we do better to obey all your words and teachings and precepts, for they all point to the hope and salvation found in Jesus. Amen.

It Isn't About Tongues

Scripture: So where does it get you, all this speaking in tongues no one understands? It doesn’t help believers, and it only gives unbelievers something to gawk at. Plain truth-speaking, on the other hand, goes straight to the heart of believers and doesn’t get in the way of unbelievers. 1 Corinthians 14:22

Observation: Paul has been lecturing for some time by now about speaking in tongues. Specifically, he does not like that, in their gatherings, the church in Corinth spends time with everyone just praying out loud in tongues, with no intelligible teaching or pronouncements or singing. Everyone is just showing of a spiritual gift, and no one is sharing any gift with each other that actually supports others.

Application: I do not speak in tongues. I never have, and I struggle with the idea of doing so (I get the principle and purpose, but just not the ability). That said, I know dozens of people who do speak in tongues. I will say this ... I am so very, very tired of those people declaring that all believers should pursue this gift.

Paul has already been explicitly clear, that no one gets every spiritual gift. We each get some, in varying degrees, thus creating a unique skillset with which to serve Christ. So why does everyone who speaks tongues think that everyone else should too? Some go so far as to declare it is a mark of true faith itself. Nicki Gumble declares it is often 'one of the first' gifts people get once receiving the Holy Spirit.

Paul said the Corinthians were showing off when they all spoke in tongues, and it would be better if people used other gifts to do things like prophesying, teaching, hosting, worshipping, and praying. I believe in the gift of tongues; I don't have it, but I do have other gifts of the Spirit. I don't understand why this means that some Christians doubt the degree - or even the existence - of my faith. Faith isn't about speaking in tongues, it is about placing our trust in Jesus Christ, and that faith spurs us on to serve him and others out of the outpouring of his love, using gifts of the Holy Spirit to do so.

Prayer: Lord, I do know gifts change over time. May I be gifted by your Holy Spirit for no other purpose than to serve you, Jesus, and to serve all those in and through your Church. Please fill me more and more with your Holy Spirit so I may do your good work all the more, as you would have me do it. Amen.

Future Issues for the Northwest

Scripture: The priests and Levites from all over Israel came and made themselves available to Rehoboam. The Levites left their pastures and properties and moved to Judah and Jerusalem because Jeroboam and his sons had dismissed them from the priesthood of God and replaced them with his own priests to preside over the worship centers at which he had installed goat and calf demon-idols. Everyone from all the tribes of Israel who determined to seek the God of Israel migrated with the priests and Levites to Jerusalem to worship there, sacrificing to the God of their ancestors. 2 Chronicles 11:13-16

Observation: When Israel divides, Jeroboam immediately changes the nature of worship, creating centers for idol-worship, and a new structure for such worship that removes the responsibility from the Levites. In response the Levites leave Israel (abandoning their ancestral homes) and go to Judah, and in response to that all the faithful believers - those who trust in Yahweh and desire to continue to honor and worship him as defined by the law - also leave Israel for Judah. This means ... Israel is now mostly devoid of anyone who wishes to honor the Lord and obey his instructions for proper worship and living.

The end result is the total collapse of the moral center of Israel. From now on, it will be pointed out over and over again that Israel - later called Samaria - is disobedient to the Lord, they follow the sin of Jeroboam by worshipping idols, they reject the Mosaic covenant practices defined by the Lord, and they are in rebellion against the Davidic covenant. Ahab will take them deep into baal worship, their nation will get attacked over and over, and eventually when the Assyrians take them into exile it will be permanent ... they will NOT be part of the return from Babylonian exile when the country is reinstated.

We know that the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel began when Jeroboam completely cast aside the proper worship practices and set up idols. However, what really removed all hope from their future return to faithfulness was when all the faithful believers - the Levites, and all those who wanted to properly worship the Lord - gave up on Israel and left.

Application: The church I attend has fewer attendees now than it did five years ago, and it isn't because people are leaving our church. It is because people are leavings the Pacific Northwest. We have had hundreds of people just move away to other parts of the country. And make no mistake, yesterday my wife and I had extensive conversations about our future plans to move away, too.

The big question, therefore, is ... where (and when) is the tipping point? What is the 'critical mass' of believers at which, when we get any lower, the region has no hope but to remain mired in sin and idol worship, cursed to devolve until the Lord decides enough is enough? How many believers are needed to give hope that this region could be pulled back from moral collapse, and ... have we already crossed that line?

With God, all things are possible. Elijah thought he was the 'only one' left in Israel who believed, but he wasn't; God let him know there were thousands more. That said, Israel didn't recover.

Every day I see something on the local news that represents another step down the path of normalizing the unthinkable depravity of sinful rebellion. Every day I think 'there is no way back'. Every day I hope I'm wrong. However, learning from Israel, and seeing all the Levites and believers departing for other regions of the country, perhaps my prayer should be that I stop hoping with my human mind, and instead lean into the Lord's will.

Prayer: Lord, I was born and raised here. My family has roots here back 200 years. My mom still lives in the home my parents bought 60 years ago, two years before I was born. Today I heard someone say that praying "thy will be done" is scary because your will may not align with our plans. Well, I pray "thy will be done". If this region is to see revival, so be it, and please send help. If this region is surrendered to the sins so strongly embedded in the hearts of the people here, so be it, and please send us away to your safety. Amen.

Thinking on Biblical Interpretations

Scripture:
Know this: God is God, and God, God.
He made us; we didn’t make him.
We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.
Psalm 100:3

Observation: In this interpretation, this verse makes ... almost no sense. This is because there are actually multiple root words being used here, but in creating a simplified reading of the text, both words have been interpreted as "God". One of the words is Yahweh, the Great I Am, the name of the Lord as given to Moses. The other word is less specific, but is intended to define God the Creator, the being who should be known and understood by all humans as the one who created the universe. Therefore, a better understanding of this verse would be something like "Everyone should know this ... Yahweh is the Creator of everything, including you; You are his and he cares for you daily."

Application: I have been using The Message for my devotions for two weeks short of a year. It hasn't been as terrible as I feared it would be. ;-)  There are some elements of The Message that provide very clear and very interesting insights. There are other times when, most certainly, the attempt to simplify a complicated idea results in not only a narrow understanding, but a clearly flawed - or different - understanding. I may appreciate this version of the Bible more than I did a year ago, but I'm also looking forward to a new version.

Prayer: I declare today that God, you are God, my God, the God who provides for me and my family. I love thinking on your names, like Yahweh, Adonai, Elohim, El Shadai, El Roi, Jehovah Nissi, and so on. That said, I declare this, that you are the great God, creator of heaven, earth, and me. I am yours, and you care for me. Thank you for your great love. Amen.

Not Seeking Truth, but Seeing Proof

Scripture: When all the leaders of Israel were ready, the Levites took up the Chest. They carried the Chest, the Tent of Meeting, and all the sacred things in the Tent used in worship. The priests, all Levites, carried them. 2 Chronicles 5:4-5

Observation: The grand opening of Solomon's Temple begins with bringing the Arc of the Covenant into the holy of holies. With it, they bring the Tent of Meeting, originally constructed to hold the arc and the place where Moses met with the Lord in the center of the Israel camp during the wilderness years. Doing a quick look-up of key dates, it was approximately ... 480 years from the date the Tent was constructed, to the date the Temple was completed.

And in all that time - almost five centuries - a structure made out of animal skins has been in continuous use, and still exists.

This fact is completely and totally inexplicable within any natural or normal context. Organic material simply doesn't last centuries; it doesn't last years. Even the sacred things - forks and plates and lamps - would not last centuries, even though they're made from metals. It is barely believable that a wooden box could last that long, even with it being covered with gold, knowing that it has actually passed through enemy hands as a conquest of war.

Watching these items being paraded through the streets of Jerusalem and into the Temple could leave only one impression on any logical person. Some great and supernatural power has protected these things. Couple that with what happens later - at the completion of Solomon's prayer, fire and lightning strike the alter and light the burnt offering - and this is all evidence of Yahweh without anyone actively asking for a miraculous sign.

Application: I would love to be a witness to some miraculous sign that is seen by thousands and thousands of people, for which there can be no explanation but that the Lord is real. I know he is real ... I don't seek any more proof than I already have ... but I do wish something would happen that even the most cynical couldn't deny.

And of course that is the issue. If the cynical can't deny it, then belief would not be based on faith. I may really like the idea of suddenly everyone believing in God, turning to Jesus, and discovering joy and hope by the Holy Spirit. However, that isn't what would happen because those converts wouldn't have discovered faith. They would have seen 'proof' without seeking 'truth'.

In the end, undeniable proof just doesn't work, and God knows it. Those of us who believe don't need it. Those who don't believe couldn't reconcile it.

Prayer: Lord, as I desire a revival, let it start with this idea. May we foster in the world a desire to seek truth, hope, joy, and love. And may those desires turn hearts toward you. Amen.

Listening to Every Belief

Scripture: Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn’t take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. 1 Corinthians 9:19-22

Observation: Paul is making an important point about his method for evangelism. He does not walk around declaring himself a great evangelist. Instead, he enters into the world and lives of others and meets them where they are, how they are, and engages with them ... often not even as a peer, but as one who would serve them to earn the right to talk to them. And what kinds of people does he engage with, and how does those align to our more modern descriptions?

Religious = Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and others who believe in other gods

Nonreligious = Agnostics, Atheists

Meticulous moralists = Activists on the side of near-radical 'moral correctness'

Loose-living immoralists = Anarchists and even active and remorseless criminals

The defeated = The poor and homeless who have given up on life

The demoralized = Those without hope, pushed into mental illness and clinical depression

And how does Paul engage with them? He doesn't take on their issues or belief systems. However, he "tried to experience things from their point of view". In other words, he actually listens to them, finds out what they believe, hears about their experiences and decisions, learns of their logic and philosophies that drove their conclusions. Then ... still holding onto his anchor point that is Jesus Christ ... then he can speak to them about the gospel message.

Application: This is a foundational reminder today that, when interacting with someone who doesn't believe in Jesus, the best thing to do is to ask them "so what do you believe?" and then REALLY - with full interest and genuine curiosity - LISTEN to the answer! Ask questions. Learn more. Delve into the decision process and logic. Show genuine interest.

When I have done this, I have heard things that I know are absolutely false. They are logically ... insane, even by earthly standards. The things others believe to justify not believing are often beyond reason, and sometimes outright offensive. They can make your blood boil. However, it is important to remember two things.

First, my anchor remains in Jesus. As such, I can listen to anything even to the point of taking in 'knowledge' that is actively opposed to Jesus' teachings, and not be influenced. Second, Jesus loves these people, and died for them, and in fact he may have had them in mind much more than he had me in mind, so they deserve to be respected as people, and to hear to gospel.

And we know that will happen. If I listen long enough, eventually the person will ask what I believe ... and I guarantee my answer will have far more hope, joy, and even logic, than theirs.

Prayer: Lord, may I have the opportunity today, tomorrow, this week, next week, and all the rest of my life, to evangelize as Paul did. Please give me peace and discernment to simply ask them what they believe, and to truly listen with your heart of love to their response. May I then have your wisdom to reveal what I believe. Amen.

Getting Put Out to Pasture

Scripture:
Here’s a piece of bad business I’ve seen on this earth,
An error that can be blamed on whoever is in charge:
Immaturity is given a place of prominence,
While maturity is made to take a backseat.
I’ve seen unproven upstarts riding in style,
While experienced veterans are put out to pasture.
Ecclesiastes 10:5-7

Observation: As the wise writer continues with his observations of the world, he calls out this bad practice ... organizations that rely upon young, immature, inexperienced leaders, while casting aside older veterans who have acquired experience in their lives.

Application: Here's the deal ... I have been put out to pasture, and while sometimes it really bothers me, other times I kinda take it as a blessing. I no longer have the stress of leadership; I do not feel the weight that comes when my own decisions could truly impact the lives of dozens or hundreds of other people. At the same time, I don't necessarily get to decide for myself what to do. I have flexibility in my daily work, but not in my overall direction, goals, and outcomes. And I do find it interesting when peers, superiors, and even those clearly above me in a 'chain of command' come to me for advice.

However, make no mistake, I'm in the back seat. I do not have a place of prominence. After collecting decades of experience, having seen many successes and failures in my area of experience, I have no input into what any organization should do, or how anyone does anything. The people "in charge" - and I know who they are - made this decision.

Today, I take comfort that this is so very, very common that Solomon himself observed this almost 3,000 years ago. None of this is about me! This is just how people are, and they always have been this way. And by the way, lest I forget ... it's all smoke, just a temporary issue, embedded within of a temporary earthly life, to be erased and forgotten with the wave of a hand or even just a random breath of a breeze.

So I can enjoy my life. I can bless others, for I do not even know what tomorrow holds anyway. And I can fear the Lord and obey his instructions, as the best way of living and enjoying this life, until my body is cast back into the dirt and my soul returns to be with the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, I do not enjoy my life when I think sadly about issues that have occurred, and I do not enjoy my life when I am doing things that are disobedient to you. May my mind, body, heart, and soul draw closer to you, especially my mind. May my mind focus on you, meditate more on your word, and apply itself not to solving worldly problems, but to simply understanding you and being with you. Amen.

This Cycle is Meaningless

Scripture: I saw a youth just like this start with nothing and go from rags to riches, and I saw everyone rally to the rule of this young successor to the king. Even so, the excitement died quickly, the throngs of people soon lost interest. Can’t you see it’s only smoke? And spitting into the wind? Ecclesiastes 4:14-16

Observation: Solomon is the accepted author of Ecclesiastes, and here he talks of something he has seen ... a man go from a state of unknown to fame only for it not to last. He saw one of his own brothers go from being declared king by a large crowd, to being alone and begging for his life. To some degree, Solomon went from being declared the wisest man in the world - and standing in the newly built temple before the entire country while the very being of the Lord filled the space - to later simply going through the mundane work of ruling, and likely hearing about every complaint people have against himself. As we have all done, he likely saw people rise to power in business, only to see the business lost.

This is the way of it. Earthly success is achieved and lost in cycles. People rally to the success then slink away as it fades. The individual has their star rise, but it falls with little understanding of what changed, and popular opinion and praises rise and fall with it.

And both are meaningless. The praise and popularity of success - even rising from poverty to kingship - is meaningless. The loss of position and honor - be it as a king or business leader - is meaningless. How great of an indictment is this, then, that many people consider the achievement of professional success, and the labors and challenges they needed to overcome, to define their very lives, setting them up for feeling destroyed and lost when the cycles changes?

Application: This issue happens to so many, especially men (but increasingly women) in 'western' society. We strive for success in our field, achieve it along with acknowledgment and honor and praise from others, then it fades. We feel the ebb and flow of success. Worse, we experience the ebb and flow of popular opinion ... we think we earned honor, so therefore must have earned the later dishonor.

The wisest man of all time, educated by the most-wise Yahweh, says ... this cycle is meaningless.

So here I am, on the downward side of the cycle, and I keep trying to tell myself not to care. The lesson I am taking away today is that it is true I shouldn't care about ANY of it. I especially need to ignore the fact that success ever occurred, for that too was meaningless. And I need to not care about any of the people who responded both favorably and unfavorably as it all happened, for they were just part of the meaningless cycle.

I need to do good work now, embrace the joy the Lord gives me every day, and serve and praise the Lord in it all. In this I will find peace in my heart, and purpose in life.

Prayer: Lord, I am languishing again due to my attachment to the world. I wish to move way beyond the world, and into your purposes and joy. I will strive to do good work, honorable to myself, my family, and most importantly to you. May that be all I care about in the world, and all else may I direct to you, serving you by loving my wife and family, loving others, and declaring your praise. Amen.

God of the Third Party

Scripture: And you, Solomon my son, get to know well your father’s God; serve him with a whole heart and eager mind, for God examines every heart and sees through every motive. If you seek him, he’ll make sure you find him, but if you abandon him, he’ll leave you for good. 1 Chronicles 28:9

Observation: David's final act is to proclaim the building of the temple, commission Solomon for that work, and take up a collection to fund the project. Throughout these two chapters, the Lord is often referred to in a specific way. He is called ... the God of someone else. In this verse, speaking to Solomon, David calls him the God of your father. He previously called him "your [Solomon's] God". In a few verses he declares God as "my God" both when addressing Solomon and then when addressing the public. After taking the collection, he declares the treasures have been given to "our God", and the people are to continue to bless "your God". The narrator emphasizes that the people did in fact bless "the God of their ancestors".

In some cases, this can seem like a personal connection ... God in fact belongs to individuals, just as one would refer to their own parent or friend. In other cases, it feels a little more like it's instructional, that David is telling people they should have that familial connection if they don't already.

Application: I use the word "my" when referring to the Lord and to Jesus. Jesus is my Lord and savior. God is my abba father, my protector, my provider, my rock and foundation. However ... I need to examine my heart, because I don't feel that close to him. And that's a big problem.

I do want a personal relationship with God. However, my guilt and shame over continued sins - anger, swearing, lust, hate, sorrow, distrust - results in me pushing him away. He doesn't leave me, but I withdraw from him, like an angsty teen who doesn't want to be hugged.

I don't want God to be the God of others ... of third parties. I want him to be my God, declared so by me, because I own the relationship and desire to move toward him at all times.

Prayer: Lord, my Lord and my God, I do love you. Please forgive me for my hard and foolish heart, and thank you for your patience with me. You know I am bad at all relationships. May I find my way to improving ours. Amen.

Ordering, Planning, and Executing

Scripture: David didn’t keep a count of men under the age of twenty, because God had promised to give Israel a population as numerous as the stars in the sky. Joab son of Zeruiah started out counting the men, but he never finished. God’s anger broke out on Israel because of the counting. As it turned out, the numbers were never entered into the court records of King David. 1 Chronicles 27:23-24

Observation: This overall section of the chronicles - three chapters - is detailing the order and structure David decreed for all aspects of governance and operations. From worship, to finances, to courts, David defined teams with orderly responsibilities. Interestingly, in the middle of all of it, the event of David's ill-conceived census comes up. This was the event that raised God's great anger, forcing David to choose a punishment.

In other words, there is a seeming lesson about how the Lord approaches earthly work and daily functions. The Lord appreciates order. He approves of people being assigned tasks, with elements of both purpose for doing the tasks, and structure for defining who does what activities. However, the Lord disapproves of human analysis about the ability for the Lord's work to get done. He expects a level of faith. If the work is the right work, trusting the Lord in one's ability to do the work - whether that involves skill, knowledge, resources, or manpower - is part of the expectation.

The logical conclusion is that people are to trust in the Lord in all aspects of daily work and life. We are to obey to the Lord in ordering our activities and defining what work is to be done. We are to listen to the Lord regarding the plans and structure for doing such work. And we are to trust in the Lord for the knowledge, skills, and abilities to actually do the work.

Application: This is an interesting thought about the way in which the Lord guides all of us. I immediately recognize that I tend to jump around on this procedure, probably skipping some of them and varying in my diligence on them all. I may pray to God to help me do something, but never previously prayed about what I should be doing in the first place. I may receive guidance about what work or activities should be done, but then create my own procedure and model for doing it, then declare in faith that the Lord will help me do it my way.

My wife and I are about to enter a new phase in our lives. We both know it, though we haven't quite said it that way. We are both praying about it, though. This lesson today is a good understanding of how we should be praying. We first need the Lord's clarity and wisdom to define the order of our lives ... to tell us what work and activities he wants us to do next, and perhaps the purposes for such activity. Then, we should seek out the plan for such activities ... the structure of where we will do these things, with whom, and when action should be initiated. If we are obedient with these, we can certainly have faith that he will then give us all the help we could need to execute on his good and perfect will.

Prayer: Lord, as you know, we are in fact seeking your will and direction for our lives. We are entering the final acts of our earthly careers, and feel you have a purpose for us in this phase. We also see certain doors closing, but have not yet found the new, opening doors. May your will be done. Please give us your wisdom to order our steps and our path. Amen.

The Honor of Knowing Joy

Scripture:
You made me so happy, God.
I saw your work and I shouted for joy.
How magnificent your work, God!
How profound your thoughts!
Dullards never notice what you do;
fools never do get it.
Psalm 92:4-6

Observation: In this psalm of praise, the writer declares how wonderful it is to find happiness and joy in God's handiwork. He sees the Lord's hand in everything, recognizes his perfect work, and experiences his wise thoughts.

This is not so for "dullards" and "fools." Such people do not notice the Lord in the things of the world, and thus have no understanding of the wonder of creation. They experience the world as only an accident of nature, and even in that context they focus on earthly hardships and problems and challenges of an empty life.

Application: I rejoice, for it is a blessing of God to even just experience joy! Happiness and wonder and joy are most abundant in the context of understanding the Lord's love and wisdom and authority. It is therefore and honor and gift from God to have such a context in life. Trusting the Lord - knowing that the Lord is in control of the world and has wonderful designs and plans for us all - accentuates all the happiness of life.

Prayer: Hallelujah to you, Lord God almighty. You are the provider of all wonder, all joy, all happiness, and all good things. May I praise you forever and ever. Amen, and amen.

Not the Fashionable Wisdom

Scripture: We, of course, have plenty of wisdom to pass on to you once you get your feet on firm spiritual ground, but it’s not popular wisdom, the fashionable wisdom of high-priced experts that will be out-of-date in a year or so. God’s wisdom is something mysterious that goes deep into the interior of his purposes. You don’t find it lying around on the surface. It’s not the latest message, but more like the oldest—what God determined as the way to bring out his best in us, long before we ever arrived on the scene. 1 Corinthians 2:6-7

Observation: As Paul has done a couple times, he discusses the idea that the wisdom of the Lord is a mystery, though that mystery has been revealed by the Lord himself through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. That said, the Lord's wisdom is unknown if one is not in connection with the Lord. For this reason, the wisdom is not common to the world, and it is not at all aligned to popular opinion. It is not "the latest message" and it isn't "lying around on the surface" of popular culture, easy to find. It absolutely is not new-age thinking, but is the oldest of all wisdom, determined effectively as part of creation itself.

Of course, Paul also has an important caveat to anyone who would seek such wisdom. It is available "once you get your feet on firm spiritual ground." Again, to understand the true wisdom that defines the best way to live one's life, you must first ... have a relationship with the Lord, Yahweh, God almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Application: I began to write my reaction to this, and was just now surprised by what that reaction was. I find I am sincerely glad for terms like "post-modern" and "enlightened" and "progressive" and "new-age" and "post-Christian" ... terms that are used throughout the world today to describe some new philosophy, or concepts, or moral code, or way of living. I am downright happy for the existence of such terms, because by their own use and existence they openly declare that these concepts are NOT in any way aligned to the purposes and wisdom of the Lord.

Society has openly declared that its ideals have moved beyond any 'old' way of living. The full trinity - Lord God the father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit - tell those of us of faith that proper, life-giving wisdom is old, unchanging, and the best. We, therefore, don't need to have any confusion about if the emerging 'wisdom' of this age is well-aligned to the Lord's wisdom ... this very age openly and actively declares that it is not.

Prayer: Praise, all praise, to the Lord! You, Lord, are the source of truth and of wisdom and of knowledge. May I seek your wisdom only, and not the popular or fashionable wisdom. Yes, your wisdom is founded in love, secured by your truth, and defined by your word. Every day, may I dive below the surface and into the mystery of your word, and find there your wisdom. Amen.

Context for Rejection

Scripture: The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out. 1 Corinthians 1:18

Observation: Paul begins his letter to the church at Corinth with encouragement about who they are, what they believe, and why it is that other factions in the city - perhaps people with more power and authority - are not joining in the faith. This is where Paul will delineate between how different people-groups come to faith, some by seeing miracles, some through logic, but the important method is preaching the truth about salvation through 'Christ crucified'. In this, he points out a truth that has remained true for millennia ... for those who are "hellbent on destruction" (aka completely reject the idea of God), the idea of Jesus bringing salvation through death and resurrection is the epitome of crazy nonsense.

Application: As I said, this fact has remained true to this very day. When we as Christians talk about salvation through belief in Jesus, those who are so far removed from God that they reject the idea that he exists consider us as if we are crazy. I have heard them use the words crazy, delusional, and mentally unstable. I have also heard much worse and more sinister ... that we are dangerous cultists, and a hate organization out to destroy society.

Here's the point. This is expected and known behavior, and has been for centuries. It is sad to be certain that large components of society are so deceived by the evil one that they have rejected the Lord. However, out of the basis of that rejection, their response to the gospel message is just ... normal. Of course they think we are crazy, just like dozens and dozens of generations in the past thought the same way. It's not personal against us, or unique to our time in history.

Prayer: Lord, I pray today for all those who think we Christians are crazy, and especially for those who so deeply believe it that they would openly declare it and fight against us. I know there will come a time when even they, faced with indisputable facts, bow to you, but in the meantime they are struggling with life and have no way of even knowing why. Yet even though they reject you, you have not rejected them. May many of them discover you before it is too late. Amen.

Quick to Embrace Earthly Ways

Scripture: All these soldiers came to David at Hebron, ready to fight if necessary; they were both united and determined to make David king over all Israel. And everyone else in Israel was of the same mind—"Make David king!" 1 Chronicles 12:38

Observation: With Saul dead and David having been anointed the successor by Samuel, the historian writing Chronicles documents ... all the military power that rallies around David to "make" him king. This is fascinating in the overall context of Israel.

-- Israel was without a king for ~500 years.

-- When God relented to give them a king, whom it would be was decided by the prayers of a holy prophet, who then anointed the Lord's choice and everyone agreed.

-- When God declared that man unfit, the same prophet anointed his future successor.

HOWEVER, Israel is now reacting as if the turnover of kingly authority from Saul to David is actually a military coup, to be accomplished through their own might and their own selection process, rather than an act of God. Yes, this is how kings worked in the ancient world, with the throne passed down a lineage and requiring a rebellion to change that, but that was not how Israel was supposed to be doing it. However, within one - ONE - king's reign, Israel has turned their model for selecting kings into the worldly model.

Effectively, God had said 'fine, I'll give you a king, and here is how I'll select that king', and as quickly as was humanly possible, people abandoned God's decision process for their own. Yes, in this case that process produced the same result as the Lord's model did, but that would not last.

Application: Once again, we see a teaching about how we - humans in general, and certainly myself explicitly - make mistakes because we make decisions for ourselves. In many cases, we follow this same progression. First, we place our faith in God to guide us, and it goes well. Second, we simultaneously ask for the Lord's guidance but also make a decision for ourselves, and behold they align so that goes well too, and we think we 'figured it out.' So third, we just make our own decisions.

Every direction the Lord has ever given me about my life has been perfect, while every decision I've ever made has been hit-and-miss, including some MAJOR misses. So why would I ever trust myself to make decisions about my life? Why would I want to? Of course, the answer is 'original sin' and the desire for humans to self-direct instead of trusting the Lord.

Prayer: Abba, my daddy, may I be reminded today that I am your child, and in fact my life is best when I surrender to you just like a child, take your hand, and simply allow myself in full trust to be led by you. May my mind no longer consider my future, but instead may I pray into your will and direction about my future, and in full faith and trust just follow your instructions. Amen.

That's My King

I'm not letting the rocks cry
Without joining the chorus!

History to Deal With

Scripture: Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently. Romans 14:1

Observation: Paul will use the example of food and dietary practices extensively in this passage as one of the things Christians from various cultures and backgrounds may disagree about. However, from his introductory statement, it is clear that is just one example. There are a variety of topics Christians can - and will - disagree about, and the point is to be very careful about correcting each other. Overall, he will give three reasons:

1) Your opinion may not actually be the right opinion, or at least not the definitively right/best interpretation of the truth in all circumstances.

2) Ultimately, if someone is doing something because they believe it honors God, then the mind to honor God is of primary importance, not the method.

3) Sometimes people are influenced by their past history and are still working through those issues, so compassion and love is more important than rules.

Application: I have absolutely been on both sides of this issue ... receiving judgment from other believers who think I am "doing it wrong," and judging other believers for what they do. Clearly, this isn't new within the Church.

I cannot do anything about others judging me, but I have tried to become better about judging others. I still do so, particularly regarding the actions of 'leaders,' but I have been especially aware of how this applies to those new in the faith. In all matters, they need permission and grace to grow in Jesus, learn of his teaching, and simply receive his love.

Today, I especially like this one sentiment from Paul that reminds me of this ... "they have their own history to deal with." We all do. Even though I am forgiven, my past still influences my thoughts, behaviors, language, and decisions. I can even say that God gave me that past so perhaps I can use elements of it for his glory. But I do have a history to deal with, and others have their own history to deal with.

Prayer: Lord, may I treat others gently, everyone, every day. Amen.

Importance I Cannot Understand

Scripture: The sons of Ephraim were Shuthelah, Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eleadah his son, Tahath his son, Zabad his son, Shuthelah his son, and Ezer and Elead, cattle-rustlers, killed on one of their raids by the natives of Gath. Their father Ephraim grieved a long time and his family gathered to give him comfort. 1 Chronicles 7:20-22

Observation: In this passage explaining the clans of the tribe of Ephraim, it starts by stating Ephraim's son (Shuthelah), then follows his line six generations, then ... a comma, an "and", then randomly names two more people (Ezer and Elead) who died ... and THEN says they were Ephraim's other sons, thus Shuthelah's brothers, from six generations ago. Because they died there are no clans from them. From there it says Ephraim had a daughter and thus she is not a clan. And finally it names another Ephraim son (Rephah) and his lineage down eight generations to Joshua. (It is also worth noting that verse 7:6 names three sons of Benjamin, but Chapter 8 begins by naming five sons of Benjamin, and only one (Bela) is common between both lists.)

For a people group that cared so very much about ancestorial ties to the patriarchs, and who organized their societal structure - from land holdings to career options - around their lineages, they could not have made the documentation of such more confusing if they had tried.

Application: I am quite confident that thousands of scholars over the centuries have reviewed all the scriptures in painstaking detail, and documented the family trees of the Israelite clans, and that if I Googled it I could find it neatly and simply laid out. However, I am always fascinated by the ancestorial documentation in scriptures for three reasons:

1) Ancestry is considered critically important for understanding many aspects of the Bible, including Jesus as Messiah, John as a prophet, David as king, Samuel as a leader worthy of selecting David and Saul, all the chief priests, etc.

2) The fall of Jerusalem to the Romans destroyed the ancestral documentation, which is one of the strongest cases for the fact that, since it was now impossible to trace ancestry to David, therefore Messiah had already come.

3) Despite all this importance, the documentation is - on the surface - a rats-nest mess of redundant names, seeming contradictions, and meaningless dead-ends, requiring extensive research to even try to comprehend.

And maybe ... maybe ... that is the point. This is an element of the Bible that reinforces many of the paradoxes of faith:

-- Significance (very important) vs. incomprehension (can't really understand)

-- Simple (just read it) vs. intellectual (study to find meaning)

-- Mundane (we all have ancestors) vs. complex (untangling God's meaning)

In the Bible, I often see the simplicity of the Lord's instructions, but also see immense wisdom that I cannot possibly fully comprehend. We are often told over and over again, in the midst of events (both in the Bible and in our everyday lives), that while we may have an earthly understanding of the events, we cannot understand the full breadth and depth of the Lord's purposes for everything that happens. In some cases, we need special teachers with years of study just to scratch the surface of understanding.

I don't understand the lineages in the Bible, but I can have faith in the importance of the Bible nonetheless.

Prayer: Lord, your word is perfect and wonderful. May I continue to find your meaning, your truth, and your love in everything I read in the Bible. Amen.

The Reason for the Therefore

Scripture: Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It’s way over our heads. We’ll never figure it out.
Everything comes from him;
Everything happens through him;
Everything ends up in him.
Always glory! Always praise!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Romans 11:33,35 (ish)

Observation: Paul will begin chapter 12 of his letter with what is perhaps the most important "therefore" statement in the Bible ... a declaration that because of all he has said to that point, we therefore should live our lives as a living sacrifice to the Lord, giving him everything of ourselves at all times. However, he precedes that declaration with this summary of what he has been talking about. Effectively, the Lord has given us everything and done everything for us. His wisdom is beyond our comprehension - we could never come close to figuring it all out - but if in our limited understanding we tried to figure out how the world worked the only logical conclusion is that God runs it, and therefore all praise and glory goes to him, at all times.

Application: Romans 12:1-2 is one of my 2-3 favorite verses in the Bible, and probably the one I completely and totally fail to live out in my life the most. I don't make my life a living sacrifice. I don't do only things that are holy and pleasing the God. While I don't conform to the world, I resist being transformed by the spirit. Perhaps I fall short of living into the instructions of Romans 12 because I forget the reasons summarized in Romans 11.

The Lord has given me everything. This fact is so very, very evident. There is no logic to how the world, or how the universe operates, without the reconciling logic of a creator. This fact is intellectually solid. No human could rationally explain all aspects of human behavior without a discussion good vs. evil that only exists in people. This fact is explicitly explained only by scripture.

The Lord has given me everything, THEREFORE ... I must live my life as a sacrifice to the Lord. How dare I do anything less.

Prayer: Lord, my God and redeemer and father and judge and protector, I seek your grace and forgiveness this day. I have failed to be a living sacrifice. Please forgive me. More and more, may my life become an aroma, pleasing to you in heaven, transformed by your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Living Within the "Much More"

Scripture:
"On Judgment Day, watch out!"
These are the words of God, my Master.
"I’ll turn off the sun at noon.
In the middle of the day the earth will go black.
I’ll turn your parties into funerals
and make every song you sing a dirge.
Everyone will walk around in rags,
with sunken eyes and bald heads.
Think of the worst that could happen
—your only son, say, murdered.
That’s a hint of Judgment Day
—that and much more."
Amos 8:9-10

Observation: The Lord is preparing judgment on Israel, and the description of that day is very interesting. It includes ... the sun darkening in the middle of the day ... festivals being turned into a time of great sorrow ... the sadness of an only son being put to death.

There was a day to come, about 750 years after this was written, when - in the midst of the Passover celebration - all of Israel was put into turmoil, tens of thousands had their celebration interrupted, hundreds went into mourning, the sun itself was blacked out at midday, an earthquake damaged the temple, and one man - God's one and only son - was crucified, killed, and buried in a tomb, despite being found innocent of all wrongdoing by the authorities. And it is now, by our understanding of that son and of his resurrection from the dead, that we are judged. We are either judged guilty of our sins because we have no way of proving our goodness before the Lord, or we are judged innocent because we place total faith in the crucified son, who then offers us grace through his death, and eternal life through our belief, all because of the father's (God, my Master) love.

Application: Again today I declare my faith and belief in Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior. I believe in Jesus, God incarnate born of a virgin, judged unjustly, crucified dead and buried, resurrected from death, taken into heaven, and seated on the judgement seat at the right hand of the Lord God almighty, creator of heaven and earth. It is by this revelation, available through the impartment of the Holy Spirit, that I trust in these things entirely and completely.

I can only imagine the pain and sorrow on the day of Jesus' death, but that was only a "hint of Judgment Day."  I live on the other side of the event that occurred three days later ... the time of "much more".

Prayer: Lord, your word is amazing. The prophetic revelation of Messiah gives us logic, but your Holy Spirit also gives us all the heartfelt emotion to understand just a little of your love. May I praise you forever and ever. Amen.

Full Trust that Comes from Faith

Scripture: For Abraham is father of us all. He is not our racial father—that’s reading the story backward. He is our faith father. We call Abraham “father” not because he got God’s attention by living like a saint, but because God made something out of Abraham when he was a nobody. Isn’t that what we’ve always read in Scripture, God saying to Abraham, “I set you up as father of many peoples”? Abraham was first named “father” and then became a father because he dared to trust God to do what only God could do: raise the dead to life, with a word make something out of nothing. When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn’t do but on what God said he would do. And so he was made father of a multitude of peoples. God himself said to him, “You’re going to have a big family, Abraham!” Romans 4:16b-18

Observation: Paul continues his discussion of Abraham's faith, and there seems to be two major points he is making. First, he continues to highlight the definition of faith and righteousness illustrated by Abraham, that these are all about trusting the Lord no matter what. Second, he emphasizes that being a 'child' of Abraham is not really about being Jewish, but rather it is about having the same faith in the Lord that Abraham exhibited and thus taught by example. Abraham is told he will be the father of many nations, and that means ... every people group in every nation can effectively call Abraham 'father' when they have adopted the same kind of faith in Yahweh ... a faith that is now exhibited through belief in Jesus Christ as the Messiah, our Lord and savior, and the full trust that comes from that faith.

Application: More and more, I have been fascinated by Abraham. It has taken me a long time to understand what perhaps others have known and seen their entire lives. The Lord made promises to Abraham; that he would have a huge family as the 'father of many nations', which would posses land as far as the eye could see. Abraham received no land but spent his life as a nomad, and in his VERY old age fathered one son whom he almost killed anyway. Somehow, with absolutely no evidence that the Lord's promises would be fulfilled - and such evidence never existing in all of Abraham's life - Abraham steadfastly believed in the Lord.

THAT is "full trust that comes from faith". And honestly, it's a level of trust that is hard for me to get my head around. At my best, when I trust by faith in the Lord, at some point I expect a result. I expect some evidence of progress toward what I am believing for.

Abraham's faith is truly amazing. Understanding it is a gift from God.

So how will I receive this gift? Will I embrace hope and trust for things that I pray for, and in faith never let go of that trust no matter the reality of the world I see around me? Perhaps part of that is dependent upon whether or not I perceive that the Lord has promised the things I hope for. If he hasn't, I likely need to find the things he DOES promise, and hope for them.

I'll start with this. The Lord promises that he will never leave me nor forsake me. I believe that for sure.

Prayer: Lord, I would desire to see where your real promises lie in the world around me, so I can find more and more ways to believe and fully trust in the future by faith. Amen.

All the Things I Can't Do

Scripture: What we read in Scripture is, “Abraham entered into what God was doing for him, and that was the turning point. He trusted God to set him right instead of trying to be right on his own.” If you’re a hard worker and do a good job, you deserve your pay; we don’t call your wages a gift. But if you see that the job is too big for you, that it’s something only God can do, and you trust him to do it—you could never do it for yourself no matter how hard and long you worked—well, that trusting-him-to-do-it is what gets you set right with God, by God. Sheer gift. Romans 4:3-5

Observation: The more traditional interpretation of this passage is that Abraham "believed in God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." That's it. Abraham was righteous before the Lord because he saw what needed to be done, and instead of figuring out how to do it himself he simply said "I can't, so I'll figure out what God is doing and simply join him, trusting he will do it."

Abraham could have remained a maker of idols like his father. He could have become a shepherd in Ur. I would have done fine and lived a good (but childless) life. What Abraham couldn't do was ... he couldn't become his own nation, and he couldn't have children. However, God could do these things for Abraham, all he had to do was leave his entire life behind and move hundreds of miles away to a strange land with potential enemies all around, and live the life of an untrusted nomad. And Abraham did that.

Application: I can work. I can do the tasks my boss gives me. I can hold my wife when she is down. I can feed my cats.

What I couldn't do when I was 26 ... I couldn't figure out how to live a peaceful life. I couldn't support a family. I couldn't love anyone. God told me he could do these things in my life if I trusted him, and I did.

What I can't do now ... I can't make my back stronger. I can't trust others with my thoughts. I can't find joy in my daily work. I can't release the anger I have toward strangers. However, God can. Am I ready to trust him?

Prayer: Lord, yes, I'm ready to trust you. I desire the sheer gift of having you in my life, and being righteous not by what I do, but by trusting you will do things that I cannot. Amen.

Held Responsible for Sin

Scripture: Listen to this, Israel. God is calling you to account—and I mean all of you, everyone connected with the family that he delivered out of Egypt. Listen!
"Out of all the families on earth,
I picked you.
Therefore, because of your special calling,
I’m holding you responsible for all your sins."
Amos 3:1-2

Observation: After condemning the nations around Israel, Amos turns his attention Israel itself with a specific statement ... that because they are the chosen people of the Lord, called out and delivered from Egypt, set aside as a kingdom of priests, he will hold them responsible in a very specific way for their sins.

Also in today's reading, Paul says something similar as it relates to Jews ... "Our involvement with God’s revelation doesn’t put us right with God. What it does is force us to face our complicity in everyone else’s sin." (Romans 3:20)

In both of these, there is a common lesson. When the Lord has given the people knowledge, understanding, and special treatment, and when that is all reenforced by messages from the Holy Spirit, and THEN the people rebel against the Lord, explicitly reject his teaching - not accidentally or simply through the weakness of humans to avoid sin, but making a conscious effort to adopt a life that is counter to the Lord's will - there will be a special kind of reconning to come.

Application: I pray over and over and over again for our nation, and for all people in this time, who have actively pursued lifestyles that actively reject the Lord. That said, I am very aware that there is a difference between those who do so in ignorance, and those who do so in full knowledge of the precepts and ordinances and pronouncements of the Lord, endorsed by Jesus, while they declare themselves followers of Jesus. There can really be no doubt that there is a special kind of reconning to come.

I don't believe that reconning is heavenly or eternal, as faith in Jesus is sufficient for salvation. However, there are earthly troubles ahead for many Christians. I would do well to ensure I am not one of them, and in that regard ... I must consider if there are elements of the Lord's clear teaching that I have actively and intentionally rejected.

I have been very clear that I am a sinful human who makes mistakes in behavior and judgment and thought alike. However, I believe I have not adopted a "lifestyle" practice that explicitly denies the Lord's instructions. If I have, I would like knowledge of it, and correction to fix it.

Furthermore, I pray for denominations and churches that have in fact declared themselves opposed to the Lord's teaching. They often do so as a way to 'comply' with another of the Lord's precepts, but are clearly misguided in such methods. I would like them to have the truth revealed to them. However, I fear that instead some special kind of reconning will come down, and the non-believers will rejoice at the pain of Christians.

Prayer: Lord, let me begin with this. Please, Lord, if I have adopted as practice in my life something that offends you and rejects you, please tell me and correct me. I ask the same for my brothers and sisters in Christ, that we all receive your word of correction. Amen.

Not Special the Way We Think

Scripture: So what difference does it make who’s a Jew and who isn’t, who has been trained in God’s ways and who hasn’t? As it turns out, it makes a lot of difference—but not the difference so many have assumed. Romans 3:1-2

Observation: Paul spends a fair amount of time discussing the topic of Jewish Christians, and specifically about behaviors and rituals that are now up for new interpretations due to the ides of salvation by faith. It is a newly complex topic, as Jews previously understood their compliance with Mosaic law to define their relationship with Yahweh. However, they now have a relationship with the Messiah, Jesus, knowing they are saved by faith, and that their gentile peers in this faith have explicitly been told that compliance with Jewish practices is not required. It gets confusing at best.

One extreme view is that all Christians can ignore 'sin' as faith brings forgiveness and salvation (even to the point that sinning yet being forgiven somehow demonstrates God's love even greater), however that concept is easily dismissed. Some Jews think they should be just like other Christians and no longer care about compliance of their ancestorial practices. Some believe they are Jewish and thus need to comply with Jewish practices, and that gives them a higher 'status' in the Christian faith.

So Paul is asking ... does being Jewish matter? And his answer is ... yes, but not for the reason y'all believe it does. And this is actually a fact of the Jewish people going back a thousand years ... it very, VERY much matters that they were (and still are) the chosen people of God, but not in the way they understood it. They were not a nation that had exclusive access to - and love from - the Lord. They were rather a nation of priests, set apart as an example of God, and blessed in order to take that blessing to the rest of the world. The Lord is the Lord of everyone, not just Israel, and the Jews were to inform the world - by word, deed, and example - how wonderful it is to trust in the Lord.

Applications: Just like the Jews, Christians today are special, but NOT special the way we think we're special. We aren't special because we're forgiven, or blessed, or loved. We aren't special because we can find joy in hardship, can hear guidance from the Holy Spirit during tough issues, or experience miracles around us. Every single person can receive all that ... in fact it is the will of the Lord that every single person would receive all that, and so much more.

We are special because we are supposed to bless others. We are supposed to help and encourage and love the rest of the world, in Jesus' name. For those who do not know Jesus, we are supposed to be the source of joy and hope, and then upon seeing us as that source - and transitively that Jesus is our source - they discover Jesus.

I am not special because Jesus loves me. I am special because Jesus has decided to allow me to participate in the process by which he loves the entire world.

Prayer: Lord, may I fulfill my purpose today, showing others your joy, hope, and love. Amen.

Thinking on some Hard Q&A

Scripture: I thank God through Jesus for every one of you. That’s first. People everywhere keep telling me about your lives of faith, and every time I hear them, I thank him. Romans 1:8

Observation: After the more formal and structured greeting, this is what Paul first says to the Christians in Rome ... that he thanks God for them all the time, over and over, every time he hears about their lives of faith. Roman Christians are living in the epicenter of the world, under the nose of the most powerful ruler ever seen, who expects total honor and respect and even worship from his plebian subjects. It is likely the most difficult place in the known world to be a Christian. Yet there are the Christians in Rome, believing in Jesus, honoring God, and Paul know it and celebrates them for it.

Application: There are VERY hard places to be a Christian in the world today, with 'hard' being defined as likely deadly if caught (Iran, Myanmar jump to mind). However, in the United States, the "greater Puget Sound" area is brutally difficult. Outsiders are SO ignorant of this fact. A radio station conducted a survey in 2015, and the results of the survey were published under the title "Don't Believe in God? Move to Seattle." This area of approximately 4 million people self-declares to be 52 percent Christian, but really isn't. Less than 4 percent of the population attends Christian church at least twice per month, and 64 percent say they NEVER attend any kind of religious service. In this survey, most who called themselves "Christian" did so because they were raised going to church, and the survey didn't have a 'none' choice. In other (better and more comprehensive) surveys of the area, the actual plurality in the region is agnostic/atheist/'none', and Christians as measured by actual belief come in at closer to 19 percent.

The BEST-case numbers from the above make Seattle the least-churched region in the entire country. The LIKELY accurate numbers make Seattle similar to the nations in the "10/40 window".

Okay ... so now, let's ask the hard questions today!

Why is it that Christians in the "bible-belt", or in any other part of the U.S., don't think about us Christians in the Puget Sound area and thank God for us? Why don't they pray for us? Why aren't they hearing stories about our perseverance and strength and faith and worship and lifting us to the Lord for strength and encouragement? Why aren't they writing letters to us to fortify our courage? Why aren't they sending missionaries to aid our evangelism and augment our preaching?

There are two hard answers.

First, those Christians are so self-absorbed and ignorant that they are casting us aside for their own comfort, their own pet projects. They would rather pat themselves on the back by sending money to missionaries in North Africa, or taking a trip to hand out tooth brushes in remote villages of India, than come to Seattle and have to stand face-to-face with a software millionaire wearing a rainbow tee-shirt, standing before a thousand like-minded people, lecturing about the spectrum of transgender practices, openly declaring that any 'religion' that disagrees is a hate organization, while elected officials actually pass laws making common church activities illegal ... and have to think to themselves 'I would like to demonstrate the love of Jesus toward these people'.

Second, we Christians here aren't being faithful enough. We love our high-paying jobs at the software companies too much to raise a fuss. We aren't so active in showing the love in Jesus during these same anger-filled events that it becomes news that spreads to other Christians. We aren't visible. We have mostly gone into hiding, and worse yet we have begun fleeing the call as PNW Christians have simply given up and are moving away. In addition, we haven't made know the issue and urgency, the fact that this region is simultaneously one of the least-Christian places in the world, AND the epicenter of the technology information boom that is influencing the thinking of the entire world ... and thus made Christian leaders aware of both the opportunity and risk.

We are failing our Lord. We are failing Jesus. And we don't care as much as Paul did.

Prayer: Lord, in both personal and communal humility, I confess to you today that we are failing you in the mission you have given. We are not effectively baptizing and teaching in the name of Jesus, here in the Seattle area. Just measuring our church against another and saying "we're better" isn't good enough. We aren't in an internal competition, but rather this is a spiritual war, and we aren't arming ourselves and showing up well enough. We need both hard answers addressed. We need to bear down and answer the call in this time and in this place where you have put us, and we need help and reinforcements from others. Please. Amen.