Scripture
Mark 5:34 - Jesus said to her, "Daughter, you took a risk of faith and now you're healed and whole. Live well! Live blessed! Be healed of your plague."
God always wants our faith to grow. We like our safe little world...where we think we are in control. Here the woman took a step of faith as she stretched out her hands. She didn't ask for his permission, she just believed...hoped. Her desperation drove her to take a risk. God rewarded.
What does risk look like for us today? We've all trust God for something and been disappointed. So obviously every risk doesn't get answered our way.
Faith that risks is active.
Faith that risks is intentional/purposeful.
Faith that risks is authentic/honest.
Faith that risks is driven by desperation for a touch from God.
Father may I be desperate enough for more of you that I risk my safe little world for the wild unknown of Your Great Adventure.
Friday, October 31, 2008
(Wednesday) The Power of Story
Scripture
Mark 4:33 - With many stories like these, he presented his message to them, fitting the stories to their experience and maturity. He was never without a story when he spoke.
Some things never change. The entertainment industry has learned to harness the power of telling a good story. They know how to move people. The church is slower to get it. Jesus understood. We live vicariously through the stories of other people, and when we enter their story we leave changed...for better or for worse.
Father, help me to harness the power of my story, the story you have given me to live out each day, to always be ready with a life changing word that is fitted to the experience and maturity of my audience. Even more importantly, as I enter your story each day, may I leave changed.
Mark 4:33 - With many stories like these, he presented his message to them, fitting the stories to their experience and maturity. He was never without a story when he spoke.
Some things never change. The entertainment industry has learned to harness the power of telling a good story. They know how to move people. The church is slower to get it. Jesus understood. We live vicariously through the stories of other people, and when we enter their story we leave changed...for better or for worse.
Father, help me to harness the power of my story, the story you have given me to live out each day, to always be ready with a life changing word that is fitted to the experience and maturity of my audience. Even more importantly, as I enter your story each day, may I leave changed.
(Tuesday) Meeting the Greater Need
Scripture
Mark 2:5 - Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, "Son, I forgive your sins."
This guy and his friends fight the crowd - to the point of removing the roof to lower him to Jesus. He had hope and expectations of Jesus in this moment. He cam to have his sins forgiven? No way! He wanted to walk.
Jesus knew why he was there. Everyone did. Jesus could have healed him in the way everyone expected, and no one would have been upset. Instead Jesus forgives his sins - a far greater need met. The presenting issue was serious, but didn't trump the greater issue - his soul sickness.
Jesus knew the religious men would be upset.
But he still took on the greater need first.
Often, the greater need requires ticking off people who don't understand the difference between a symptom and a cause. Healing the greater need requires risk. No one likes to be misunderstood. And, people don't necessarily get it themselves. But it is still the right thing to do.
Father, may I have the courage of Jesus to tack the greatest needs in people's lives when you place them in my path, and may I see the needs for what they are - even if others won't understand.
Mark 2:5 - Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, "Son, I forgive your sins."
This guy and his friends fight the crowd - to the point of removing the roof to lower him to Jesus. He had hope and expectations of Jesus in this moment. He cam to have his sins forgiven? No way! He wanted to walk.
Jesus knew why he was there. Everyone did. Jesus could have healed him in the way everyone expected, and no one would have been upset. Instead Jesus forgives his sins - a far greater need met. The presenting issue was serious, but didn't trump the greater issue - his soul sickness.
Jesus knew the religious men would be upset.
But he still took on the greater need first.
Often, the greater need requires ticking off people who don't understand the difference between a symptom and a cause. Healing the greater need requires risk. No one likes to be misunderstood. And, people don't necessarily get it themselves. But it is still the right thing to do.
Father, may I have the courage of Jesus to tack the greatest needs in people's lives when you place them in my path, and may I see the needs for what they are - even if others won't understand.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
(Friday) I'm No Apostle Paul
Scripture
Acts 19:11-12 - God did powerful things through Paul, things quite out of the ordinary. The word got around and people started taking pieces of clothing - handkerchiefs and scarves and the like that had touched Paul's skin and then touching the sick with them. The touch did it - they were headed and whole.
I was watching a televangelist do this one time. As a special offer to his "faithful" listeners, he would "pray" over a handkerchief and then for a special, financial gift, they would send it to you for God's blessing on your life.
I thought, "You're not the Apostle Paul buddy."
Imagine the lack of humility to put yourself in Paul's shoes.
Though I may never stoop to this guy's level, it certainly would be easy to over-impress myself with myself. When your live is lived on a stage where people appreciate you, it would be easy to think "I'm hot stuff." Really I just need to remember that God's work is in me, more than through me. It is Him who touches lives, and really, I'm no Apostle Paul either! But sometimes I get to be the handkerchief...and that is the privilege of living in the shadow of the Cross.
Acts 19:11-12 - God did powerful things through Paul, things quite out of the ordinary. The word got around and people started taking pieces of clothing - handkerchiefs and scarves and the like that had touched Paul's skin and then touching the sick with them. The touch did it - they were headed and whole.
I was watching a televangelist do this one time. As a special offer to his "faithful" listeners, he would "pray" over a handkerchief and then for a special, financial gift, they would send it to you for God's blessing on your life.
I thought, "You're not the Apostle Paul buddy."
Imagine the lack of humility to put yourself in Paul's shoes.
Though I may never stoop to this guy's level, it certainly would be easy to over-impress myself with myself. When your live is lived on a stage where people appreciate you, it would be easy to think "I'm hot stuff." Really I just need to remember that God's work is in me, more than through me. It is Him who touches lives, and really, I'm no Apostle Paul either! But sometimes I get to be the handkerchief...and that is the privilege of living in the shadow of the Cross.
(Thursday) God Doesn't Play Hide & Seek
Scripture
Acts 17:27-28 - He doesn't play hid and seek with us. He's not remote; he's near. We live and move in Him, can't get away from Him.
In Him we live and move and have our being. In Him. I have personally experienced (not for a long time) and know that it is common for Christians to have a "feeling" of distance with God. Is He really there?
If we move and find our being in Him, then do our "feelings" matter? Whether we feel something or not does not change the truth of a situation. My experience is that the feeling of distance should give us rise to close the distance, by moving in the direction of God...mentally and spiritually....keep trying. Why do most people seem to give up?
He wants to be found...so much so that he's not hiding. He's not playing hide and seek. I think the problem is most of us just don't even look very hard. We have an idea of what God should do for us, how "feeling" close should look, and when God isn't in our box we never think through the realistic-ness of our expectations.
Thank you for the "feeling" of closeness I have. I don't take it for granted. BUT thank you too that the closeness with you is true even when I don't feel it.
Acts 17:27-28 - He doesn't play hid and seek with us. He's not remote; he's near. We live and move in Him, can't get away from Him.
In Him we live and move and have our being. In Him. I have personally experienced (not for a long time) and know that it is common for Christians to have a "feeling" of distance with God. Is He really there?
If we move and find our being in Him, then do our "feelings" matter? Whether we feel something or not does not change the truth of a situation. My experience is that the feeling of distance should give us rise to close the distance, by moving in the direction of God...mentally and spiritually....keep trying. Why do most people seem to give up?
He wants to be found...so much so that he's not hiding. He's not playing hide and seek. I think the problem is most of us just don't even look very hard. We have an idea of what God should do for us, how "feeling" close should look, and when God isn't in our box we never think through the realistic-ness of our expectations.
Thank you for the "feeling" of closeness I have. I don't take it for granted. BUT thank you too that the closeness with you is true even when I don't feel it.
(Wednesday) People Users
Scripture
Acts 16:19 - When her owners saw that their lucrative little business was suddenly bankrupt, they went after Paul and Silas, roughed them up and dragged them into the market square.
So this slave girl is possessed by a demon. For whatever reason (unclear because Paul waited several days), Paul finally releases her from her spiritual bondage. It's not bad enough that she was a slave to man, but she shared her body with a demon too. Her owners could care less about her. They are upset. Their business is bankrupt. She was a means to an end, worthless chattel in their eyes. But she mattered to God.
We run the same risks with people today. Though we may not own them, anytime we view someone as a means to an end we are like those slave owners. When we elevate meeting our own needs/wants/dreams at the expense of someone else we are in sin.
As a pastor it can be tempting to get the job done at any cost - even if it uses others. I've known pastors with this mindset. I don't think I've ever done this, though it would be easy to abuse the "power" and do so. It is a good reminder to stay the course and trust that God has a plan even when I don't see it, and know that I don't have to make a way.
Acts 16:19 - When her owners saw that their lucrative little business was suddenly bankrupt, they went after Paul and Silas, roughed them up and dragged them into the market square.
So this slave girl is possessed by a demon. For whatever reason (unclear because Paul waited several days), Paul finally releases her from her spiritual bondage. It's not bad enough that she was a slave to man, but she shared her body with a demon too. Her owners could care less about her. They are upset. Their business is bankrupt. She was a means to an end, worthless chattel in their eyes. But she mattered to God.
We run the same risks with people today. Though we may not own them, anytime we view someone as a means to an end we are like those slave owners. When we elevate meeting our own needs/wants/dreams at the expense of someone else we are in sin.
As a pastor it can be tempting to get the job done at any cost - even if it uses others. I've known pastors with this mindset. I don't think I've ever done this, though it would be easy to abuse the "power" and do so. It is a good reminder to stay the course and trust that God has a plan even when I don't see it, and know that I don't have to make a way.
(Tuesday) God Listens
Scripture
Job 9:14 - So how could I ever argue with him, construct a defense that would influence God?
Job is so right. And, so wrong. He's right. God the creator of the universe is so beyond our thought process that we can't argue or influence him. It would be like a kindergartner debating a senior in high school. No competition. BUT this Almighty God of the universe wants to hear from us and in relationship is influenced (to a point obviously) by us.
God listened to Moses. God listened to Abraham. God listened to Gideon...to Solomon...the list goes on.
God cares about our desires and dreams and passion, and "allows" us to influence his plan - although he already knows and has created a plan that has room for our input. He's the big.
Thank you for caring enough to listen. May my prayers be filled with the things worth caring about.
Job 9:14 - So how could I ever argue with him, construct a defense that would influence God?
Job is so right. And, so wrong. He's right. God the creator of the universe is so beyond our thought process that we can't argue or influence him. It would be like a kindergartner debating a senior in high school. No competition. BUT this Almighty God of the universe wants to hear from us and in relationship is influenced (to a point obviously) by us.
God listened to Moses. God listened to Abraham. God listened to Gideon...to Solomon...the list goes on.
God cares about our desires and dreams and passion, and "allows" us to influence his plan - although he already knows and has created a plan that has room for our input. He's the big.
Thank you for caring enough to listen. May my prayers be filled with the things worth caring about.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
(Thursday) Bird Poop on the Monument?
Scripture
Psalm 148: 13 - Let them praise the name of God - it's the only name worth praising. His radiance exceeds anything in earth and sky; he's built a monument - his very own people.
This verse comes at the end of a chapter praising God for all of creation - detailed in the 12 verses before it. It closes with - his very own people are a monument.
A monument to what?
You build a monument because you want to remember something. The Vietnam War Memorial was built to remember those who gave their lives in that war. The Holocaust Survivors Museum to remember the tragedy of WWII. The Statue of Liberty is a monument to something positive. You build a monument to honor something or someone.
We are a monument to creation.
Monuments must be cared for. Bird poop on the monument? Not much care. We must take care that we honor the God to which we are monuments for good...not bad.
We are his people...his monument. A tribute to his creation. Are we clean or dirty?
Psalm 148: 13 - Let them praise the name of God - it's the only name worth praising. His radiance exceeds anything in earth and sky; he's built a monument - his very own people.
This verse comes at the end of a chapter praising God for all of creation - detailed in the 12 verses before it. It closes with - his very own people are a monument.
A monument to what?
You build a monument because you want to remember something. The Vietnam War Memorial was built to remember those who gave their lives in that war. The Holocaust Survivors Museum to remember the tragedy of WWII. The Statue of Liberty is a monument to something positive. You build a monument to honor something or someone.
We are a monument to creation.
Monuments must be cared for. Bird poop on the monument? Not much care. We must take care that we honor the God to which we are monuments for good...not bad.
We are his people...his monument. A tribute to his creation. Are we clean or dirty?
(Wednesday) Priestly Pressure
Scripture
Malachi 1:9 - Get on your knees and pray that I will be gracious to you. You priests have gotten everyone in trouble. With this kind of conduct, do you think I'll pay attention to you? God-of-the-Angel-Armies asks you.
There is a lot, in spiritual community, hanging on the life of the priests/pastors. I remember serving under some unhealthy pastors...for web purposes we'll call them A, B and C. When I look at the results of their ministries, I see broken and unhealthy marriages (A), a spiritually dead congregation (B) and a self-absorbed congregation (C). Unhealthy people do not a healthy congregation make. And, when they surround themselves with unhealthy people (because unhealthy people are afraid of healthy ones when they want to stay unhealthy) the sin just gets magnified further. The consequences are serious.
Father, search me and know my heart. Reveal any unclean or unhealthy way in me. I take the responsibility of leadership you have entrusted to me seriously. I want to model all the good things that people should strive for, but also recognize that I can only do so in your strength and power. May no condemnation ever come upon our church because of attitudes or actions that I might have.
Malachi 1:9 - Get on your knees and pray that I will be gracious to you. You priests have gotten everyone in trouble. With this kind of conduct, do you think I'll pay attention to you? God-of-the-Angel-Armies asks you.
There is a lot, in spiritual community, hanging on the life of the priests/pastors. I remember serving under some unhealthy pastors...for web purposes we'll call them A, B and C. When I look at the results of their ministries, I see broken and unhealthy marriages (A), a spiritually dead congregation (B) and a self-absorbed congregation (C). Unhealthy people do not a healthy congregation make. And, when they surround themselves with unhealthy people (because unhealthy people are afraid of healthy ones when they want to stay unhealthy) the sin just gets magnified further. The consequences are serious.
Father, search me and know my heart. Reveal any unclean or unhealthy way in me. I take the responsibility of leadership you have entrusted to me seriously. I want to model all the good things that people should strive for, but also recognize that I can only do so in your strength and power. May no condemnation ever come upon our church because of attitudes or actions that I might have.
(Tuesday) Renew Me.
Scripture
Psalm 1:2-3 - Instead you thrill to God's Word, you chew on scripture day and night. You're a tree replanted in Eden bearing fresh fruit every month, never dropping a leaf, always in blossom.
God's Word is the cornerstone. When we thrill ourselves to God's Word something happens. There is a cause and effect relationship. God's Word = always in bloom, bearing fruit regularly.
Interestingly we do not bear fruit always, but monthly. Even connected to the lifesource there is a cylcle. Though we always blossom, we bear fruit in a cycle.
I take this to mean that we are always renewed by the Word of God, but only in season do we bear fruit. The cycle is blossom, pollinate, become fruit, ripen, get plucked, renew. A cycle is healthy. Every part is critical to the whole. It's OK to rest!
When we get out of balance we interrupt the cycle. But the cycle can also be interrupted by an external blight...if we disconnect from the lifesource.
I want a healthy cycle. Renew me.
Psalm 1:2-3 - Instead you thrill to God's Word, you chew on scripture day and night. You're a tree replanted in Eden bearing fresh fruit every month, never dropping a leaf, always in blossom.
God's Word is the cornerstone. When we thrill ourselves to God's Word something happens. There is a cause and effect relationship. God's Word = always in bloom, bearing fruit regularly.
Interestingly we do not bear fruit always, but monthly. Even connected to the lifesource there is a cylcle. Though we always blossom, we bear fruit in a cycle.
I take this to mean that we are always renewed by the Word of God, but only in season do we bear fruit. The cycle is blossom, pollinate, become fruit, ripen, get plucked, renew. A cycle is healthy. Every part is critical to the whole. It's OK to rest!
When we get out of balance we interrupt the cycle. But the cycle can also be interrupted by an external blight...if we disconnect from the lifesource.
I want a healthy cycle. Renew me.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Song of Nehemiah
Scripture
Nehemiah 9...I was inspired by the "remembering" song that was sung by the Levites. Throughout the history of Israel, whenever they would return from straying from God's Word, they would remember all he had done for them. It would inspire them to move forward in relationship with God, faithful to His Word. Though I haven't "strayed" from God in the same sense as Israel, I wrote my own "remembering song." It's not good poetry. It wouldn't make a good song. But it reflected my heart as I worshiped this afternoon.
You, O God, are worthy of praise.
You are enthroned in the heavens.
You have surrounded yourself
with beings who praise you as you deserve.
You need no one,
yet you concern yourself with the affairs of men.
You created a perfect home for us
that we allowed our sin and greed to destroy;
And then you made a way for our redemption
and drew us back into your arms again.
I was born from my mother's womb
into a life that missed the foundation
And you made a way for me
to add it to my meager life
Allowing me to build my life anew
on the rock that never moves or changes.
In the pain of abuse
you were there.
When I walked my own way
you were there.
You always have been
always are drawing me to you.
You placed the people in my life
to bring about healing.
A road that still continues
to this day.
You never allowed the sins of my past
to keep me from becoming
The man of God
you in tend me to become.
You have granted to me a place of influence
the opportunity to encourage people's lives toward you;
An honor I recognize,
a responsibility I treasure.
May all of the days of my life
be surrendered to the purposes of your plans.
May every moment I live
bring you the highest honor you deserve.
Yours is the Kingdom and the power
forever and ever.
Mine is but vapor,
living for a moment to please you.
Nehemiah 9...I was inspired by the "remembering" song that was sung by the Levites. Throughout the history of Israel, whenever they would return from straying from God's Word, they would remember all he had done for them. It would inspire them to move forward in relationship with God, faithful to His Word. Though I haven't "strayed" from God in the same sense as Israel, I wrote my own "remembering song." It's not good poetry. It wouldn't make a good song. But it reflected my heart as I worshiped this afternoon.
You, O God, are worthy of praise.
You are enthroned in the heavens.
You have surrounded yourself
with beings who praise you as you deserve.
You need no one,
yet you concern yourself with the affairs of men.
You created a perfect home for us
that we allowed our sin and greed to destroy;
And then you made a way for our redemption
and drew us back into your arms again.
I was born from my mother's womb
into a life that missed the foundation
And you made a way for me
to add it to my meager life
Allowing me to build my life anew
on the rock that never moves or changes.
In the pain of abuse
you were there.
When I walked my own way
you were there.
You always have been
always are drawing me to you.
You placed the people in my life
to bring about healing.
A road that still continues
to this day.
You never allowed the sins of my past
to keep me from becoming
The man of God
you in tend me to become.
You have granted to me a place of influence
the opportunity to encourage people's lives toward you;
An honor I recognize,
a responsibility I treasure.
May all of the days of my life
be surrendered to the purposes of your plans.
May every moment I live
bring you the highest honor you deserve.
Yours is the Kingdom and the power
forever and ever.
Mine is but vapor,
living for a moment to please you.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Understanding the Un-Understandable
Scripture
Acts 1:23-26 - They nominated two: Joseph Barsabbas, nicknamed Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, "You, O God, know every one of us inside and out. Make plain which of these two men you choose to take the place in this ministry and leadership that Judas threw away in order to go his own way." They then drew straws. Matthias won and was counted in with the eleven apostles.
Probably none of us would ever think of drawing straws for something as important as picking a new apostle. We'd pray, then wait for the answer. I mean, surely the Holy Spirit would just speak. Frankly, I'd never think of this solution. My imagination could come up with lots of ways God could answer this prayer (and many others), but this isn't one of them. How many times do we miss the answer because we decide ahead of time how he will answer?
We work so hard to constrain God to whatever box we have built for him. We are desperate to understand the un-understandable. Our mind are too small though, and we end up shrinking Him to size and then wonder where the power has gone.
Our God will not be tamed.
Amen.
Father, make my mind bigger, that I might better understand how you work. Forgive me for shrinking you to the size of my imagination. May I never be satisfied with the smallness that my imagination limits you to. I want to witness the power and majesty of you moving in ways I could never understand.
Acts 1:23-26 - They nominated two: Joseph Barsabbas, nicknamed Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, "You, O God, know every one of us inside and out. Make plain which of these two men you choose to take the place in this ministry and leadership that Judas threw away in order to go his own way." They then drew straws. Matthias won and was counted in with the eleven apostles.
Probably none of us would ever think of drawing straws for something as important as picking a new apostle. We'd pray, then wait for the answer. I mean, surely the Holy Spirit would just speak. Frankly, I'd never think of this solution. My imagination could come up with lots of ways God could answer this prayer (and many others), but this isn't one of them. How many times do we miss the answer because we decide ahead of time how he will answer?
We work so hard to constrain God to whatever box we have built for him. We are desperate to understand the un-understandable. Our mind are too small though, and we end up shrinking Him to size and then wonder where the power has gone.
Our God will not be tamed.
Amen.
Father, make my mind bigger, that I might better understand how you work. Forgive me for shrinking you to the size of my imagination. May I never be satisfied with the smallness that my imagination limits you to. I want to witness the power and majesty of you moving in ways I could never understand.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Eternal Hindsight
Scripture
Luke 23:26 - As they led him off, they made Simon, a man from Cyrene who happened to be coming in from the countryside, carry the cross behind Jesus.
Observation & Application
Imagine you are Simon. You are coming into town...see a commotion and the next thing you are following some guy up a hill carrying his cross. Imagine how confused you'd be, scared, frustrated, angry. You might have heard of this guy. We don't know in Simon's case. It would be easy to see that he might resent the journey he was taking.
But...in retrospect...throughout eternity...what a privilege to serve the King of Kings by carrying his cross.
How many times do we feel the same way about some part of our journey that we don't understand? We question, get frustrated, angry, resent that God won't move us to the next level, we seem forgotten, we don't like the people he's placed around us. We want to escape.
I wonder how many of these situations we'll look at through the lens of eternal hindsight and see that we were serving the King of Kings? Probably all of them!
What should that do to our mindset now?
Father, give us an eternal perspective on our everyday lives now. May we serve you, even when it seems like wasted effort, knowing that you are guiding and leading and we are really serving you.
Luke 23:26 - As they led him off, they made Simon, a man from Cyrene who happened to be coming in from the countryside, carry the cross behind Jesus.
Observation & Application
Imagine you are Simon. You are coming into town...see a commotion and the next thing you are following some guy up a hill carrying his cross. Imagine how confused you'd be, scared, frustrated, angry. You might have heard of this guy. We don't know in Simon's case. It would be easy to see that he might resent the journey he was taking.
But...in retrospect...throughout eternity...what a privilege to serve the King of Kings by carrying his cross.
How many times do we feel the same way about some part of our journey that we don't understand? We question, get frustrated, angry, resent that God won't move us to the next level, we seem forgotten, we don't like the people he's placed around us. We want to escape.
I wonder how many of these situations we'll look at through the lens of eternal hindsight and see that we were serving the King of Kings? Probably all of them!
What should that do to our mindset now?
Father, give us an eternal perspective on our everyday lives now. May we serve you, even when it seems like wasted effort, knowing that you are guiding and leading and we are really serving you.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Know. Live. Teach.
Tuesday...just late...it's hard keeping the posting updated...
Scripture
Ezra 7:10 - Ezra had committed himself to studying the revelation of God, to living it, and to teaching Israel to live its truths and ways.
This is the kind of commitment Jesus call us to. Our sphere of influence may not be the entire nation - it might just be a small group or our family. Regardless, we are called to:
Father, thank you for the opportunities you give me to teach your truths - may they flow from a life that models what it means to know and live your ways.
Scripture
Ezra 7:10 - Ezra had committed himself to studying the revelation of God, to living it, and to teaching Israel to live its truths and ways.
This is the kind of commitment Jesus call us to. Our sphere of influence may not be the entire nation - it might just be a small group or our family. Regardless, we are called to:
- KNOW the Word of God
- LIVE out its principles
- TEACH others to do the same
Father, thank you for the opportunities you give me to teach your truths - may they flow from a life that models what it means to know and live your ways.
No Messy Cleanups Please
Scripture
Ezra 10:3 - Let's make a covenant right now with our God, agreeing to get rid of all these wives and their children, just as my master and those who honor God's commandment are saying. It's what The Revelation says, so let's do it.
At first - and second - glance, this passage just seems weird, and contradictory to the values we believe as Christians. Basically...divorce your wives and kids, in order to get right with God. It seems a bit extreme.
But then I realize that the consequences of sin are complex and usually cause pain, and extricating ourselves can seem extreme, and be very difficult to do.
There is quite a cost to follow God in the first place - even more so when we have to fix our sinful messups.
It's just better not to sin in the first place.
Father, may my life be lived in such a way that I don't sin very much so I don't have messy cleanups.
Ezra 10:3 - Let's make a covenant right now with our God, agreeing to get rid of all these wives and their children, just as my master and those who honor God's commandment are saying. It's what The Revelation says, so let's do it.
At first - and second - glance, this passage just seems weird, and contradictory to the values we believe as Christians. Basically...divorce your wives and kids, in order to get right with God. It seems a bit extreme.
But then I realize that the consequences of sin are complex and usually cause pain, and extricating ourselves can seem extreme, and be very difficult to do.
There is quite a cost to follow God in the first place - even more so when we have to fix our sinful messups.
It's just better not to sin in the first place.
Father, may my life be lived in such a way that I don't sin very much so I don't have messy cleanups.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Life's Microwave...Nuke Me God
Actually did this Friday...posted today...
Scripture
Luke 16:9 - I want you to be smart in the same way - but for what is right - using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival, to concentrate your attention on the bare essentials so you'll live, really live, and not complacently just get by on good behavior.
God doesn't care much for lukewarm Christians. He wants us hot and on fire for His glory. According to this verse, one of the purposes of adversity is to keep us from cooling down and losing our passion in a sea of complacency. He wants us to be stimulated to creative survival. Think about it - a stressed and busy schedule - if survival is continuing to connect spiritually with God - how we come around that creatively will either spur us on or sink our ship. Someone not showing you the love? Do you choose to hate or avoid or gossip OR do you creatively figure out how to love your neighbor as yourself? The easy way is never the creative way. The easy way almost always drives us from God.
I drink tea. I heat the water in a microwave, not on the stove. Tap water isn't hot enough. The stove takes too long. Father, nuke my passion for you using the 'microwave of life' in whatever way you see fit to keep me from getting complacent.
Scripture
Luke 16:9 - I want you to be smart in the same way - but for what is right - using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival, to concentrate your attention on the bare essentials so you'll live, really live, and not complacently just get by on good behavior.
God doesn't care much for lukewarm Christians. He wants us hot and on fire for His glory. According to this verse, one of the purposes of adversity is to keep us from cooling down and losing our passion in a sea of complacency. He wants us to be stimulated to creative survival. Think about it - a stressed and busy schedule - if survival is continuing to connect spiritually with God - how we come around that creatively will either spur us on or sink our ship. Someone not showing you the love? Do you choose to hate or avoid or gossip OR do you creatively figure out how to love your neighbor as yourself? The easy way is never the creative way. The easy way almost always drives us from God.
I drink tea. I heat the water in a microwave, not on the stove. Tap water isn't hot enough. The stove takes too long. Father, nuke my passion for you using the 'microwave of life' in whatever way you see fit to keep me from getting complacent.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Refine Me, Please
Scripture
Zechariah 13:8 - I'll deliver the surviving third to the refinery fires. I'll refine them as silver is refined, test them for purity as gold is tested. Then they'll pray to me by name and I'll answer them personally.
The refining process isn't a fun process. For silver or gold the cost is high - the shape and beauty are melted away and lost in order to let the impurities float to the tope to be scraped away by the refiner. What's left is incredibly more valuable.
In our lives the refining process usually involves the loss of a relationship, relational stress, financial or job loss, broken dreams - you name it. Never fun. But when we allow the refiner to do his work, something more valuable grows out of the pain.
Intimacy with God.
THEN we pray to God by name and get a personal answer. After the refining.
The pathway to God requires refining. We avoid wherever possible. BUT, it is the pathway we should embrace - short term pain for long term gain.
Father, refine me, please.
Zechariah 13:8 - I'll deliver the surviving third to the refinery fires. I'll refine them as silver is refined, test them for purity as gold is tested. Then they'll pray to me by name and I'll answer them personally.
The refining process isn't a fun process. For silver or gold the cost is high - the shape and beauty are melted away and lost in order to let the impurities float to the tope to be scraped away by the refiner. What's left is incredibly more valuable.
In our lives the refining process usually involves the loss of a relationship, relational stress, financial or job loss, broken dreams - you name it. Never fun. But when we allow the refiner to do his work, something more valuable grows out of the pain.
Intimacy with God.
THEN we pray to God by name and get a personal answer. After the refining.
The pathway to God requires refining. We avoid wherever possible. BUT, it is the pathway we should embrace - short term pain for long term gain.
Father, refine me, please.
(Wednesday's Post...kinda late) I am a Wretched Misfit
Scripture
Luke 14:21 - The servant went back and told the master what had happened. He was outraged and told the servant, "Quickly, get out into the city streets and alleys. Collect all who look like they need a square meal, all the misfits and homeless and wretched you can lay your hands on, and bring them here."
I am a wretched misfit. And, because the Jews were too busy to dine at the table, I now have a place at the table. This was God's plan all along...knowing from creation how things would go. When we plan a dinner party, almost without exception - we invite our "pretty friends." I'm not talking physically, necessarily, but people who fit into our lives easily. We're slow to reach out to the misfit. We're a pretty shallow culture....I am the misfit.
May I never have a heart of rejecting those who don't "fit" my life, but reach out with arms of love and grace.
In truth
Luke 14:21 - The servant went back and told the master what had happened. He was outraged and told the servant, "Quickly, get out into the city streets and alleys. Collect all who look like they need a square meal, all the misfits and homeless and wretched you can lay your hands on, and bring them here."
I am a wretched misfit. And, because the Jews were too busy to dine at the table, I now have a place at the table. This was God's plan all along...knowing from creation how things would go. When we plan a dinner party, almost without exception - we invite our "pretty friends." I'm not talking physically, necessarily, but people who fit into our lives easily. We're slow to reach out to the misfit. We're a pretty shallow culture....I am the misfit.
May I never have a heart of rejecting those who don't "fit" my life, but reach out with arms of love and grace.
In truth
(Tuesday's post...really late) No Lazy Christianity
OK...Sorry these are late. I did them each day, but didn't have a chance to post...
Scripture
Luke 13:24 - The way to life - to God - is vigorous and requires your total attention. A lot of you are going to assume that you'll set down to God's salvation banquet just because you've been hanging around the neighborhood all your lives.
It always worries me a little when I read passages like this - not for myself, but for some that I know. We all know people - friends and family - who are NOT giving God total attention. Not working vigorously to know Christ. And, though I believe in salvation by grace alone, I can't reconcile theses words easily...what does it mean to be saved?
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection. I want to pour my life out for His glory. I want to vigorously pursue a relationship with Christ. I want to model for others what it means to live this way. I long for all "lazy" Christians to do the same.
Father, you know the "lazy" Christians I have on my heart - awaken their spirits anew to your presence. Grow in them a longing to know you more. And, may you start with me.
Scripture
Luke 13:24 - The way to life - to God - is vigorous and requires your total attention. A lot of you are going to assume that you'll set down to God's salvation banquet just because you've been hanging around the neighborhood all your lives.
It always worries me a little when I read passages like this - not for myself, but for some that I know. We all know people - friends and family - who are NOT giving God total attention. Not working vigorously to know Christ. And, though I believe in salvation by grace alone, I can't reconcile theses words easily...what does it mean to be saved?
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection. I want to pour my life out for His glory. I want to vigorously pursue a relationship with Christ. I want to model for others what it means to live this way. I long for all "lazy" Christians to do the same.
Father, you know the "lazy" Christians I have on my heart - awaken their spirits anew to your presence. Grow in them a longing to know you more. And, may you start with me.
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