A Bible Study Blog

Philippians - Commendations (Lesson 4 - Post 3)

2012-02-10T10:35:00.001-06:00

Read Philippians 2: 19 - 30.

Paul commends two faithful men in these verses. Remember how Paul spoke about "partnership" in the beginning of this letter? Well these two men were partners with Paul in the truest sense of the word. A couple of observations ...

First, about Timothy. I see Timothy's servant mind and heart in verses 19 - 21. He was genuinely concerned about the welfare of the Philippian believers. He exemplified Paul's instruction to "look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (2:4) I wonder if he learned that from his mom and grandmother? We know they had trained him well. Perhaps he had learned the importance of that spirit from Paul himself. He was modeling the spirit of Christ. In verse 22 I see a servant's training. He worked alongside Paul. He didn't launch out on his own at the beginning. He allowed himself to learn ... to be trained ... to grow. There is humility in that.

Second, about Apaphroditus. Paul knew him as brother - that's family. As co-worker - that's shared tasks. As fellow soldier - that's 'band of brothers' stuff, battles faced and fought. Who in your life fits those categories? I pray that you have some. Because actually, that's partnership in the gospel. We learn in verse 30 that Epaphroditus had "risked his life" to help Paul. Paul chose such an interesting word that is translated "risk" in this description. The word is paraboleuesthai (try pronouncing that one!) At it's root is the idea of comparing one thing to another - do you see 'parable' in there? But an outlying definition applies the word to gambling. William Barclay describes it as "to stake everything on a turn of the dice". Paul is saying that Epaphroditus recklessly risked his life for the sake of Christ. As we close our thoughts on this man from Philippi, think through the following remarks from Barclay ...

In the days of the Early Church there was an association of men and women called the parabolani, the gamblers. It was their aim and object to visit the prisoners and the sick, especially those who were ill with dangerous and infectious diseases. In A. D. 252 plague broke out in Carthage; the heathen threw out the bodies of their dead, and fled in terror. Cyprian, the Christian bishop, gathered his congregation together and set them to burying the dead and nursing the sick in that plague-stricken city; and by so doing they saved the city, at the risk of their lives, from destruction and desolation.

There would be in the Christian an almost reckless courage which is ready to gamble with its life to serve Christ and to serve men.

The Church always needs the parabolani, the gamblers of Christ.

Some questions to close our thoughts today ...

Do I have a servant's heart and mind?
Am I willing to be trained or do I need to be 'in charge'?
What would I risk for the sake of Christ?

May we see more parabolani rise up in the Christian church of our day! Perhaps me? Perhaps you?

God give us the courage and the will to serve you with abandon ...

Philippians - Shine (Lesson 4 - Post 2)

2012-02-08T14:44:00.000-06:00

Read again Philippians 2: 12 - 18.

God's people are to shine in the world. It has been true throughout the ages. Paul wants us shining like stars! What a beautiful image. Let your heart hear these words ...

Psalm 34:5 Those who look at Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

Daniel 12:3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

2 Corinthians 3:18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Are you shining? Paul gives us a litmus paper test so that we can know. Here it is ...
Are you living your life ... dealing with your circumstances ... WITH complaining and arguing or WITHOUT complaining and arguing?

The word translated "complaining" in the NIV can also be translated "murmuring". It is a word that describes discontented mutterings against leaders. In the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures) it is the word used to describe the Israelites murmuring against Moses and God in the wilderness experience. Paul tells us - if we want to shine - then live your life without that attitude and behavior. No murmuring. The word does not imply that we must not share our struggles, process them with other Godly people, discuss the difficulty and the challenges. It does mean that there is not to be this undercurrent of complaining against God.

Paul also says that we are to quit arguing. No more ill-natured, useless debating. It saps too much precious energy and dulls your glow!

The result will be that you are ...

blameless - in relationship with the world. There will be no reason for censure or blame from the world over your behavior
pure (innocent) - in relationship with yourself. You will be unadulterated, unmixed. This implies sincerity in thought, motive and action.
without fault (above reproach) - in relationship with God. You will be a fit sacrifice, without blemish. And the living sacrifice of your life will be pleasing and acceptable to God. That can only happen because of Jesus and His perfect sacrificial death on your behalf.

What does Paul want you to do?

SHINE

and

REJOICE at the privilege!

Philippians - Work it! (Lesson 4 - Post 1)

2012-02-08T14:07:00.000-06:00

Read Philippians 2: 12 - 18.

Paul has just finished writing that beautiful descriptor of Jesus in 2: 6 - 11. We saw who Jesus was, where He had come from, how He had behaved and what had been the result. Paul then turns his attention to his readers ... to believers. Considering the person of Jesus ... just what difference does that make in our everyday lives?

So we work it out! Our salvation is not a gift that we take for granted. It is a gift - indeed - we can't work for it or earn it. God does not "owe" us anything because we are so terrific! Jesus Christ is Lord ... to the glory of God the Father ... and our acceptance of that truth, the confession of those words, the life submitted to that reality ... secures us in the family of God. So why does Paul tell us to "work out our salvation"?

I am helped by the explanation in the Renovare' Spiritual Formation Bible:

Our relationship with God, our "salvation," is a cooperative venture. God works salvation in, and we work salvation out. God initiates transformation by stimulating our desire to follow him, inspiring acts expressing that desire, providing strength to persevere, and so on. We, in turn, respond by deciding to follow, acting on God's inspiration, and choosing to persevere.

What God has worked in us ... so make it visible.

Our English translations of the Bible use the word, "work", in both verses 12 and 13. But in the Greek language these are two entirely different words. The "work" in verse 12 (katergazomai) means to "to do that from which something results." Kenneth Wuest defines it: "to carry out to the goal, to carry to its ultimate conclusion." However, the word in verse 13 (energeo) is different. This word means "to energize, to provide the necessary power." Two different words - two different concepts. Paul says to you and I ... let your life show what God has done in you. It won't be easy. It will take work ... hard work ... work out your salvation. He goes on to address the how ... God will give you the power and the energy and the will to do just that.

God empowers us to will and to act according to his good purpose. That will is our 'want tos' - our desires - our choices. The act is our behaviors - our doings. God empowers all of it to fall under his good purpose for our lives.

So ... consider for yourself today ... am I struggling with the desire to work God's life out? Would I rather just sit back and do no work along those lines at all? It's seems so much easier to live according to my flesh and worldly nature. After all, that's what my culture encourages me to do. It's really hard to consider the other person instead of just myself and my interests. It's really hard to forgive offenses.

Or ... are you struggling more with the willingness to submit yourself to the Lordship of Jesus and the control of God? Do you basically not really believe that God will empower you to do those things? He either can't or He won't - He's not all that powerful or I'm just not that important to Him? And, my friend, both those options border on blasphemy!

God can ... and will ... work in you so that you can desire and actually be who He has called you to be. Trust Him. Submit to Him. Talk to Him about it right now ...

Philippians - The Example (Lesson 3 - Post 3)

2012-02-03T11:26:00.000-06:00

Our third lesson is Philippians 1: 27 - 2:11. Today our focus will be Philippians 2: 5 - 11.

Paul is addressing the barriers to unity in a church. We explored the causes and remedies that he describes in verses 1 - 4 in Post 2 of this lesson. Now Paul lays down the quintessential remedy ... the premier antidote to disunity.

Verse 5 - Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

Well ... that can't happen! But wait ... can it? Let me remind you of some things ...

Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

1 Corinthians 2:16 - ... we have the mind of Christ.

Romans 8: 9 - You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit ...

We could go on ... but you get the picture! Paul tells us to adopt the attitude of Christ. Scripture tells us that Christ lives in us through the Holy Spirit. So, perhaps it is not so impossible!

And what was Christ's attitude? It is beautifully described in Philippians 2: 6 - 8. Christ made the choice to humble himself. He chose to be a servant. He modeled it for us. No selfish ambition - no vain conceit. Can we do it? Not perfectly ... but we can do it better than we currently are. We can practice more. And that is our challenge of the day! Today ... practice better. Today ... choose to set yourself aside in some way so that another can be blessed. Today ... ask God to show you where you are being self-absorbed. And when He shows you, don't deny it, don't justify it ... deal with it. Confess it. And lay it on the cross allowing Jesus to carry it. That's what He did. He carried our junk so that we don't have to.

Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that ...

Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Amen ...

Philippians - United (Lesson 3 - Post 2)

2012-02-01T10:54:00.000-06:00

We are in Philippians 1: 27 - 2:11. Today focus your attention on 2: 1 - 4.

Unity is one of the primary themes in Paul's letter to these Christians. Perhaps disunity has risen its ugly head in this beloved church. It happens - often! It seems to be one of Satan's favorite and most effective tools against us. Divide and conquer. In the spirit of the "Screwtape Letters" by C. S. Lewis, I can almost hear a conversation between Satan and one of his demons going like this:

Plant the idea in a few people's minds that they are not important. Whisper to them quietly that no one cares about their thoughts, needs and/or ideas. Suggest to them that no one really cares to have them around. Place a seed of doubt in their minds about the others in the group. Let them know that the "other" can't really be trusted. Then just wait ... those thoughts will do their insidious work and before too long ... we will have created divisions and rifts and chasms that these believers will have a hard time moving beyond. In fact ... and here's the beauty of it ... they won't even want to! And then, my dear minion, the testimony of that church will be silenced.

Paul loves the Philippian church too much to allow any such thoughts to go unaddressed. Therefore, he carefully reminds these believers of what causes disunity ... and what heals it.

The causes are laid down in verses 3 - 4.

Cause 1 - doing anything out of selfish ambition. The Greek word used here means: electioneering; or intriguing for office; a desire to put oneself forward (Strong's Concordance) {As we are in an election year in this country ... we have a very clear picture of just what this Greek word means!} Selfish ambition ... the desire to be in the forefront ... a cause for disunity.

Cause 2 - doing anything out of vain conceit. This Greek word means: personal prestige; to be sought after (Strong's Concordance) Vain conceit ... activity designed to make people want me more than the Lord ... a cause for disunity.

Cause 3 - considering the interests of myself as the only thing that matters. This characteristic views life - personal, family, church, all of it - as a competition. I have to win ... therefore, you must loose. Sorry :(
A cause for disunity.

But Paul does not leave his readers in a funk of depression over how hopeless the situation is ... because it is not! There is an antidote ... there is a remedy ... there is hope. And he reminds them, and us, of the beautiful, miraculous, unifying things that bind us together.

There is the fact that, as believers, we are ALL IN CHRIST! William Barclay said, "If a man has Christ as the companion of his way, he is inevitably the companion of every fellow wayfarer. No man can live in the atmosphere of Christ, and at the same time live in bitterness with his fellow-men."
There is the power of Christian love. That power provides victory over the self-will and moves us into the territory of God's will.
There is the shared Holy Spirit ... binding man to God and believer to believer.
There is the existence of human compassion and tenderness. We first experience it from Christ Himself and then pass it on to each other.

After those four, Paul then offers the quintessential antidote - the most powerful medicine against disunity - adopting the very attitude of Christ. We will explore those verses in Post 3.

Lord, I don't want to contribute to any spirit of disunity in Your Body. I long for our witness to the world around us be strong and pure. Forgive us when we are more full of selfish ambition and vain conceit that we are full of Your Spirit. We crucify 'self' again today ... and pray that this day ... we live Your life through our individual situations. And by Your Spirit and Your power ... it can be done!

Philippians - United (Lesson 3 - Post 1)

2012-01-31T14:51:00.000-06:00

This week our focus will be on Philippians 1: 27 - 2:11.
After reading the section, go back and read verses 1: 27 - 30 again.

Paul has been writing about his circumstances and how he chose to respond to them. Then he talks about the circumstances that the Philippians are having to deal with and how he wants them to respond. In verse 27 he shifts gears ... the content of the letter moves from personal comments to exhortation, to teaching.

"Whatever happens." You see, Paul does not know the outcome of his trial. He does not know what his tomorrow might bring. The Philippian believers did not know the details of their next days either. Neither do we. So - whatever happens - Paul wants those believers (and us believers!) to know some things.

First, he wants us to know that it is of critical importance that we conduct ourselves in a worthy manner. Worthy of what? Worthy of our citizenship. The word he chose that is translated "conduct" is a political word. Philippi was a Roman colony - so it was a little piece of Rome even thought it was far from the capital city. Philippians were proud of their Roman citizenship. Paul plays off that pride with the language he chose. It is as if he says, "You are proud of being Romans. You walk as Roman citizens. But, you, my fellow believers, are actually citizens of the Kingdom of God. So walk as a citizen! Conduct yourselves as citizens of the Kingdom of God. All the way through the "whatevers" of life." The church is to be a little piece of the Kingdom of God on earth. So, my fellow believers, conduct yourselves as citizens of that kingdom ... whether you live in the United States, or Mexico, or England, or Russia, or ... conduct yourselves as befits your real citizenship.

How do we do that? Now Paul changes images in his language. He now moves to an athletic reference. When he says, "stand firm" and "contend as one man for the faith of the gospel", he uses words that are generally used in an athletic context. So the image is one of teamwork ... together ... one goal. Which, from Paul's perspective, is the advancement of the gospel. We have already talked about what gospel means ... the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. We stand united ... we work together ...

All Satan has to do to damage the testimony of Christ's church is to divide us - to convince us to pull in different directions - to fight each other. And his tactics have proven very effective.

Let's be different! Let's stand together and say, "No more!" We will hear the words of Paul ... we will respond to the spirit of Paul ... we will CHOOSE to stand united, contending for the faith of the gospel. I will not fight over things outside of the gospel. I will fight for the gospel, together with my fellow believers ... but I will scrupulously beware Satan's ploy to get me to fight over things that are not "gospel".

Paul reminds these believers that the way will not be easy. The task is hard and the opposition is fierce. But he encourages them to not be afraid.

I believe that if the apostle Paul walked into our churches today, he might say,
"Whatever happens, behave as citizens of the Kingdom of God. Stand united. Let the world fight and fume, quarrel and compete ... you behave differently. The only goal to fight for is the furtherance of the gospel. The advancement of the name and work of our Lord ... now THAT is worth fighting for. Don't be afraid. God is your Father ... the Lord is your brother ... and, whatever happens, you are secure in His Kingdom."
Whatever happens ...

Philippians - Living & Dying (Lesson 2 - Post 3)

2012-01-28T23:34:00.001-06:00

As we finish Philippians 1: 12 - 26 today, focus your attention on verses 19 - 26.

Paul sits in custody. He is using his waiting time well - writing to the churches that he has helped establish as he has journeyed through Asia and not into Europe - talking of Jesus to the guards that are chained to him. But he does not know the outcome of his impending trial. He does not know if he will be released to continue his work ... or if he will be put to death.

His desire was that Christ be "exalted in his body" (verse 20). Other translations use the word "magnified in his body". In other words, his life was to magnify Christ - through living or through dying. A magnifying glass brings things closer - makes them seem bigger, clearer. Paul wanted his life to make Christ more easily seen by the people around him. What about you and me? Is that my desire as well? Do I want people to be able to see Christ more clearly because they have come in contact with me?

Ellicott said: "My body will be the theater in which Christ's glory is displayed." Oh how I want my body to be that theater as well! Ellicott echoes the heart of Paul.

It is in the experiences where we have to face our own mortality where our priorities are clarified. Have you had such experiences? Perhaps an accident that was close to fatal. Or a sickness that could take your physical life. Sometimes when a person we love dies, we are forced to think about how fast life passes. Are you afraid as you think about such things? As Paul thought about them, he wrote about his feelings.

Paul could see benefit on both sides ... the continued living in space/time history and the passage to being with his Lord, face to face. Nothing in his writing communicates panic, or fear, or dread ... just his own conflicted mind as he found himself wanting both things.

It is all about perspective. Our reactions to death and dying are all about our perspective on life here and life eternal. If you know Christ ... you, too, need not fear that passage that we call dying. Our earthly bodies - which we are to use to magnify Christ - will finish their work one day. And we will take on a new body - a perfect one - that can magnify Christ perfectly! Amazing grace!!

How is your perspective?

Loraine Boettner, in his book Immortality, wrote:

Lord, give us your perspective on all of living ... and dying.

I am standing on a sea shore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the ocean blue. She is an object of beauty and strength, and I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come down to meet each other. Then someone at my side says, 'There, she is gone.' Gone where? Gone from my sight, that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side, and just as able to bear her load of living weights to its place of destination. Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment, when someone says, 'There she is gone,' on that distant shore there are other eyes watching for her coming and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, 'Here she comes!' and such is dying.

Philippians - Motives (Lesson 2 - Post 2)

2012-01-26T16:27:00.000-06:00

As we consider Philippians 1: 12 - 26, focus your attention today on verses 15 - 18.

Motives. Do they matter? If good is being done, do our motives make any difference?

There were individuals preaching about Christ while Paul was in prison ... and their motives were not pure. They were preaching out of envy and selfish ambition. Paul's attitude seems to be "so what?" At first, that surprises me. How could it be OK? Several things come to mind ...

First, we identified what exactly constituted "gospel" in Post 1 of this lesson. It is the incarnation, the substitutionary death, the burial, the resurrection and the continued life and presence of Jesus, Son of God. It seems that these preachers were preaching that message. Paul was pleased that the message was spreading.

Second, Paul had no patience with those who preached a perverted gospel ... a message that added things and required things of people that the pure gospel does not add. Go to Galatians 1: 6 - 9. It is clear that Paul was adamant about the gospel being presented in its pure form. These preachers Paul mentions in Philippians 1 were evidently not preaching a false gospel.

Third, it was their motives that were impure ... not their message. It seems that their motives were either to gain more "popularity" than Paul had ... or to discredit him in some way. They wanted people in their "group" or in their "camp". That was personal criticism ... it was against him ... not against the gospel. So Paul seems to be able to say "what does it matter".

Paul was not willing to fuel a competition between himself and others. His passion was that Christ be preached. What an incredible willingness to let go of personal ego for the good of the church.

Listen to William Barclay:
Paul knew nothing of personal jealousy; he knew nothing of personal resentment. ... All too often we resent it because someone else gains a prominence or a credit or a prestige which we do not receive. All to often we regard a man as an enemy because he has expressed some criticism of us or of our methods. All too often we think a man can do no good because he does not do things in our way. ... Paul is the great example. He was cleansed of self; he had lifted the matter beyond all personalities; all that mattered was that Christ was preached.
Isn't that remarkable! He did not want attention turned to himself and his circumstances. His desire was for people's attention to remain fixed on Christ. To have confronted these critics in this letter would have drawn all attention back to himself and would have not done any good. It certainly would not have served any purpose for the Philippian believers. So he says, "what does it matter."

So do motives not matter? I believe they do. The issue is that you and I need to examine our own ... not other people's. We cannot know the motives that drive another person. We can only know what motives drive us. Are there preachers and singers and artists who present the things of God out of self-serving motives? Probably. Are there preachers and singers and artists who present the things of God out of pure motives? Yes. Their motives are clear before God. They are not clear before us. So ... "what does it matter"? I want to heed the words of Jesus in Matthew 7: 1 - 5: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"

Our choice? Let's give our brothers and sisters the benefit of doubt. Let's assume they are functioning out of pure motives and let God be their judge. The kind of fruit on a tree always becomes evident when it is ripe.

Meanwhile, I want to pray ...

God, give me eyes to see my own motives. Let me know clearly when they are all twisted up with self interest and self promotion. And then, through Your Spirit, give me the courage to confess to You and allow You to purify me ... again and again.

Philippians - Chains (Lesson 2 - Post 1)

2012-01-25T17:20:00.000-06:00

This week, our scripture focus will be Philippians 1: 12 - 26. Today, let's examine verses 12 - 14.

After Paul has shared his heart-prayer for these people with whom he feels a close partnership, he moves into a section where he talks about his own circumstances and how they are proving helpful. But wait, he is writing from a Roman prison. He is chained to a Roman guard under some kind of house arrest. He is not free to come and go at will. He is awaiting a trial that will determine whether he will live or die. Helpful? These circumstances helpful?

Yes ... and the reason he could view them through that lens was because of his singular purpose. We find it in verse 12. Advancing the gospel was Paul's passionate driving goal. That's the preeminent task. And he explains how his current circumstances were helping that goal.

What is the gospel? Very often we get its definition all tangled up with religion and religious practice. Paul defines it for us himself. In 1 Corinthians 15: 1 - 8 Paul reminds the Corinthian believers of the gospel that he has preached to them. And he wants to clarify it so that there is no confusion. So he says:

"Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born."

That's the gospel. The life - death - resurrection - and continued life and presence of Jesus, Son of God. Advancing that gospel message was everything to Paul.

He gives us 2 reasons why his chains have been helpful to his goal. First, a whole new group of people are hearing the message of Jesus and his sacrificial death. The guards chained to Paul were a captive audience ... and they thought he was the captive! And secondly, other believers were speaking about Jesus more boldly because of Paul's chains. I think it must have been the "If he can do that ... I can certainly do this" syndrome. Because of what Paul was enduring and still spreading the gospel (no self pity!) than they gained courage to speak up about their faith and their Lord. Result ... the news of Jesus was spreading.

God has used interesting things throughout the ages. He used Moses' staff. He used David's sling. And He used Paul's chains.

So my question for you and me: Do I view difficult circumstances as opportunities for God to work, for God to be seen and revealed? Is my driving passion more about my comfort than about the honor of God?

Warren Wiersbe: "When you have a single mind - you look on circumstances as God-given opportunities for furtherance of the gospel; and you rejoice at what God is going to do instead of complaining about what God did not do."

Lord, help us have eyes to see the difficulties in our lives as opportunities for Your name to be glorified and honored. Guard us from self-pity. This difficulty I am facing right now (name yours!). Show me how I can honor You as I walk in it. Give me boldness and courage as I speak Your name in the midst of it.

Philippians - Partnership (Lesson 1 - Post 3)

2012-01-20T11:39:00.000-06:00

One more time ... read again Philippians 1: 1 - 11.

Today I want us to focus on why Paul was so thankful for these Philippians believers. It's in verse 4 ... he is so thankful to God for them because they have chosen to "partner" with him in the work of the gospel. They were in a partnership.

In our group Bible study of this passage ... we began to toss out characteristics of good, healthy partnerships. The lists were good ... thoughtful. There were things like

common purpose
trust
mutual respect
no "control" mongers!
a two-way street

You may want to add some other characteristics that you have experienced in good partnerships.

In this particular partnership ... the goal was to advance the Gospel. They demonstrated their partnership by praying for each other. There was financial help and support. They endured the same struggles.

One thing that moved me as I read these verses from Paul ...

Paul said he "remembered them" (verse 3) - that means these people were in his mind.
Paul said "I have you in my heart" (verse 7) - that means that he was emotionally connected with them - they were in his heart.
Paul said "I always pray for all of you" (verse 4) - that means they were a part of his regular habit of prayer.

That particular trio is a marvelous way for us to test our own partnerships.

Head .......... Heart .......... Prayer

If you are married, think right now about your marriage and your spouse. Do you have him/her in your head, heart and prayers? We can even apply this to our work partnerships ... if they are true partnerships there is a place for us to keep those people in our heads, hearts, and prayers. And what about your church partnership- the part of the body of Christ where you are currently serving and worshiping. Do you keep her in your head, your heart, your prayers? In all three of these arenas, we can be tempted to just complain about them - especially when there are struggles involved. Why not today ... with Paul as our example ... recommit to being a good partner!

And remember ... this is not just to make your life more pleasant or easier ... Paul tells us it is all "to the glory and praise of God!"

Philippians - Sacrifice (Lesson 1 - Post 2)

2012-01-18T14:22:00.000-06:00

We are currently thinking through Philippians 1: 1 - 11.

Today I want to focus our attention on Philippians 1:6

" ... being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

This is one of my favorite passages of scripture. I find myself going to it so often ... usually when I have experienced a failure ... or I have disappointed myself. It has given me reassurance that God is not finished with me ... that there is hope for my "completion" as a follower of Jesus. I believe there is a place for us to use Paul's words here as a reminder of that very thing. But I have learned that the language has a much deeper meaning. Come with me ...

Paul uses two interesting Greek words when he says, "began" and "completion". I learned the following information from William Barclay through his Daily Study Bible.

The word translated, began, is the Greek word, enarchesthai. It was a technical term used throughout Greek culture referring to the beginning ritual of a sacrifice. And that ritual was consistent. A torch was lit with the fire on the altar; the blazing torch was then dipped into a bowl of water; the sacred flame thus cleansed the water, and with the purified water the victim and the people were sprinkled to make them holy and clean.

The word translated, completion, is the Greek word, epitelein. This was the verb used for completing the whole ritual of sacrifice, and for carrying out the sacrifice perfectly in every smallest detail. "The whole sentence, as Paul wrote it, moves in an atmosphere of sacrifice and thinks in terms and pictures of sacrifice." Paul's readers would be so familiar with that process.

Can you hear Paul better? He writes in Romans 12:1 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship."

God, Himself, began the sacrifice process. He came and gave Himself on the altar (the cross) as the victim for sacrifice. His blood cleanses those who choose to take it onto themselves. And He will complete it ... perfectly ... in every smallest detail. You and I are the now the sacrifice. And we are not to be anxious about our inability to be the perfect sacrifice ... only Jesus could do that. But we are to be a sacrifice ... willingly ... full of confidence that God will complete it so that it is perfectly pleasing to Him.

Today ... right now ... stop and thank God for His willingness to take care of that whole process for you. The beginning ... the end. Jesus tells us in Revelation that He is the alpha and the omega - the beginning and the end.

Lord, I pray for each of us thinking through these things right now. I pray that we will recognize our position as living sacrifices for You. It is all about You. You began that good work ... and You will complete that good work. May we cooperate with You as You purify and cleanse these unworthy sacrifices!

Philippians - Saints (Lesson 1 - Post 1)

2012-01-17T15:21:00.000-06:00

After getting our introduction to Paul in Philippi from Acts 16, we are ready to begin studying this letter. We know Paul to be the author. We know he is in prison, probably in Rome. It is a house-arrest arrangement and he is waiting trail before Caesar. He can't travel ... but he can write. And God uses him powerfully through his pen.

Read Philippians 1: 1 - 11.

We will stay in these eleven verses all week. Since the selection is short, I hope you will read it each time you come online ... that will be three times this week! I find it helpful to read aloud at least once. It makes my mind slow down a bit ... and allows me to focus some attention on the way the words and thoughts flow together.

Today let's consider the addressees ... Paul writes to "all the saints at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons." There seem to be three categories ... 1) all the saints, 2) the overseers, and 3) the deacons.

We don't know why Paul chose to use to list them in this manner. This is his only letter where he does that. Are the overseers and deacons not included in the "all saints"? Perhaps he wanted to insure that the language was all-inclusive. Perhaps he wanted to show the maturation of this church. Perhaps he wanted to place value and affirmation to the overseers and deacons for the whole body. I wonder if there existed some conflict around these particular roles and responsibilities. We just don't know. What we can know ... is that Paul wants this letter to be received from himself ... to the believers in Philippi and their servant leaders ... all of them.

The Greek word translated, saints, is the word hagios. It is a word that is most often translated, holy. Our reaction to and relationship with the word, holy, is mixed. I think we have been so effected by ecclesiastical church history that we hear the word as something almost 'other-worldly'. We hear it and think stained-glass windows, St. Christopher, Mother Teresa, etc. But we need to go further back ... we need to go back and try to understand the way Paul would know that word. Paul and his Hebrew mind ...

The Hebrew equivalent is kadosh. To the Hebrew mind ... the word means that something is set apart for a special purpose, a special task. Notice the following ...

The Jewish nation was "holy" because God set it apart from other nations for a special purpose - the bloodline of Messiah. (Exodus 19: 5 - 6; Leviticus 20:26)
The priests, the descendants of Aaron, were "holy" because they were set apart for special tasks. So they were different from other men. Their work was set apart to God. (Leviticus 21:8)
The tithe - that 10% offering - was set apart to be given to God, so it was "holy" - whether it was grain or oil or fruit or money or child - it was dedicated to God - set apart for a different purpose than the rest of the grain or oil or fruit or money or children. (Leviticus 27:30)
The Tabernacle, that tent of meeting had a Holy Place - the part of the tent that was set apart for a different purpose than the other tents in the camp.

So when God tells us to "be holy" ... He is telling us that we, as believers, are set apart for a different purpose. We are to be Christ's life on earth ... that's different from other people ... the general population does not have that purpose, that goal. We do. Why? Because we are "holy". We are "saints". And that is the meaning of the word. So we don't have to be so afraid of that descriptor. It is not spiritual arrogance. It is God's way to say that He has called us out of the world and set us apart unto Himself. Holy. Hagios.

Paul's greeting to these believers was "grace and peace". As you study his letters, you find this combination of words used in every one of them. The word, grace, was the typical and common greeting in a Greek letter of the time. That's the way the Greeks began letters. We begin ours with "Dear ___" and they began theirs with "grace". Paul used that word because it was so familiar to the Greek mind. Its basic ideas were joy and brightness and beauty (we get our word, charm, from this Greek word) Then he adds the word "peace". That was the common greeting for a Hebrew letter of the time. It is the greeting of "shalom" - all that is good. Paul takes both of these terms and combines them into the most beautiful Christian greeting - "grace and peace".

It is as if Paul's hope for these believers was:

"that they should know the joy of knowing God as Father, and the peace of being reconciled to God, to men, and to themselves - and that grace and peace can only come through Jesus Christ." (Barclay, "The Daily Study Bible")

So as we begin our study ... to each of you ... may you know grace and peace this day!

Philippians - Introduction (Week 1 - Post 3)

2012-01-13T10:13:00.000-06:00

Today we will finish our observations of Paul in Philippi. Read Acts 16: 25 - 40.

Meet the jailer. A solid, middle class, working man ... a Roman citizen ... a soldier in Philippi. His responsibilities included guarding the prisoners that were placed in his prison. It's where Paul and Silas had been placed. This jailer was conscientious. He knew he was responsible for them ... so he seemed to get into the mood of the leaders ... not only placed these "hardened criminals" in an inner cell (that meant no windows ... no fresh air ... imagine it!) ... but also placed their feet in stocks, not shackles. Stocks were rigid - when their legs cramped there would be nothing to do - no ability to get up and move around. I can almost see his swagger as the doors are locked and he walks away.

But God is never stopped by locked doors or by dark places. And God moves for His servants. Just imagine the scene in that prison when the earthquake shook its foundations. I can see the prison doors being flung open ... not unusual in the wake of a violent earthquake ... but the chains all falling off? The stocks unleashing their hold? The jailer is thrown into a state of panic as his mind foresees his own fate at the hands of his bosses ... and decides it is better to just end his life himself.

How did Paul convince all the prisoners to stay in their cells? Was it the singing? Was it their amazement at the presence of God through these 2 men? They stayed and the jailer decided to hear these men out. And another remarkable conversion takes place. He believes. His household believes. The little church in Philippi grows.

Paul and Silas were released the next morning but were unwilling to slink out of the prison. Paul invokes his own Roman citizenship at this point in our story. Why now? Why not before the beatings took place? I don't know. But I do know that foremost in his mind is the protection of the fledging church that is born in Philippi. He wants no shadow of suspicion surrounding them - no rumors of the "criminals" that started it. It is similar to a public pardon - for all the city to see and know. And rather than immediately get out of town, Paul and Silas go back to Lydia's and encouraged the frightened brothers and sisters there. I suspect he introduced them all to this jailor and his household. Can you picture it? I wonder if some of the people were hesitant to welcome them into the little group? That would be a rather human response!

So now ... before we begin reading Paul's letter to this church ... observe its beginning membership.

There is a wealthy business woman, upper class, merchant to the wealthiest because of her product. A Jewess. The church is meeting in her home. Spacious ... probably beautiful. And her household.

Perhaps a little female slave. She doesn't even make the social strata ... she is below it. Has nothing of her own. We don't know her nationality.

A middle class working man. Probably a retired soldier of the empire. A citizen of Rome. And his household.

Notice the mix? Racial ... gender ... economic ... social ... cultural ...

Christ's church has a place for each of these. Each one belongs. Each one matters. Each one was taught by the apostle himself. And in spite of that insurmountable diversity - they meet together, grow together, and learn to love each other.

And that, my friends, is God's greatest miracle!

Paul loves this church. He loves these people. And they love him. However, his work requires that he move on. There are other cities - other people longing to be set free.

Acts 16:40 tells us that "they left". Perhaps Luke stayed in Philippi to help this new body of believers. Some think Timothy stayed as well for a bit of time. The next time we see Timothy is in Berea.

The church in Philippi is born ...

Philippians - Introduction (Week 1 - Post 2)

2012-01-12T19:30:00.000-06:00

Let's continue to observe Paul in Philippi ... read Acts 16: 16 - 25

We are given the opportunity to see another snapshot of Paul and his team's experiences in Philippi. This time it is an encounter with the opposite end of the social spectrum from Lydia ... this time it is with a slave girl. Remember, slaves were not people, they were property - considered to be a "tool". And this piece of property was used by her owners to make money telling fortunes ... there was a spirit indwelling her that was not from God. However, even demons know who God is ... and this demon kept on shouting out about Paul and his team. It became a gigantic annoyance ... she was speaking truth ... but it seems that Paul wanted nothing to do with this kind of spirit ... so he finally had had enough and cast the demon out in the name of Jesus. This girl was freed!

I long to know what happened to her! Did she become part of the fledgling church that was beginning? Did her owners get rid of her because she was no longer profitable? They had control of her life ... did they sell her? We don't know. But in Philippi, there was a slave girl who was set free from the grip of Satan by God.

And the result was that Paul and Silas were drug before the officials and accused as criminals. The girl's owners had been hit in the pocket book! Money makes people do crazy things ... and often say things that are not true, or are exaggerated. Citizens of a Roman colony (and Philippi was a Roman colony - not an occupied territory) were extremely proud of their identification with Rome. The accusations levied against Paul and Silas were dripping with racial prejudice and pride. They were Jews ... they disturbed the peace ... the were not cultural equal to the Romans in Philippi. So our missionaries were beaten and thrown in prison.

Beaten and bloodied ... placed in stocks ... we watch as these two men of God choose to sing ... choose to praise God.

I have been so impacted by a story that Beth Moore records in her study "To Live is Christ" about the life of the apostle Paul. I want to share it with you as we think about Paul and Silas in that prison. And my prayer is that you and I will think about it in relationship to any circumstances in our own lives that are painful ... that are not what we desire ... not what we would choose ... listen to Beth ...

"The most difficult part of my service as a Sunday School teacher has been watching a number of my members bury loved ones. Several years ago one of my members lost her 15 year old son in an automobile accident. I will never forget accompanying our friend to the funeral home and helping her choose a casket. All four of us walked to the car and took our seats without saying a word. Within a couple of blocks, one of us began to cry, and then the rest joined her without saying a word. After several minutes of silence, another leader began to sing with broken notes, 'I love you, Lord ... and I life my voice ... to worship You ... O, my soul rejoice.' I could hardly believe the nerve of my fellow member to sing at such a time as this. Before I could look at her with proper horror, the mother's best friend joined in, 'Take joy, my King, in what You hear ... may it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear.'

The words fell from their lips a second time and to my shock, Bernard's broken-hearted mother began to sing. If she could sing, I knew I could not remain silent. We sang all the way home that day. Not one of us had a solo voice, and yet I wonder if I will ever hear a sound so beautiful again. I knew that day what God meant when He told us to life up the sacrifice of praise. When praise is the last thing that comes naturally to us and we choose to worship Him anyway, we've had the privilege of offering a genuine sacrifice of praise."

Through a decision of their wills, these two beaten men chose to honor God rather than melt into their pain and self-pity. Psalm 42:8 says, "By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me - a prayer to the God of my life." Songs in the night ... His songs ... praising God through the pain. Why? Because God is God. How? By a decision of the will and through the Spirit of God.

Do you need to sing?

I love You Lord ... and I lift my voice

To worship You ... O my soul, rejoice.

Take joy, my King, in what You hear

May it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear.

Philippians - Introduction (Week 1 - Post 1)

2012-01-11T11:59:00.000-06:00

Welcome back! I pray that you had eyes to see the presence of God through your holiday season. I saw Him in laughter and joy. I saw Him in shared meals and family circles. I saw Him in prayers of thanksgiving to God the Father. I saw Him in broken relationships restoring and strengthening. I saw Him in new birth. I saw Him in mother-love being poured out onto new babies. I saw Him in tears over the pain of loved ones. I saw Him in the joy of 'homecomings'. I saw Him in different precious ones saying, 'How can I help you?' I saw Him ... and I want to see Him more! "Praise God from whom all blessings flow ..."

We are launching a study of Philippians - that little New Testament letter written by the apostle Paul to the church that met in Philippi. In this first week of study, I want us to observe Paul as he travels to Philippi and to see a little of the beginnings of this church that so held Paul's heart.

So ... to begin ... pause and read Acts 15:36 - 16:15

This passage reports the beginning of Paul's second mission journey. A new team has formed. It consists of Paul and Silas. Timothy joins the team in Lystra. And Dr. Luke most likely joins the team in Troas. (notice the pronouns become personal ... changing from 'they' to 'we' in 16:10)

Some observations for your consideration ...

First, Timothy joins the team in Lystra. Timothy is a young man. At this point some commentators think he may have been in late teen years and is already thought of very highly in the region. His mother (Eunice) and his grandmother (Lois) were Godly women who had trained him well. His father was a Greek. We don't know if the father is still alive or not ... we have no word about him. I suppose that Eunice, Lois and Timothy had accepted Christ as Messiah and savior when Paul came through Lystra on his first journey. (Acts 14) Think with me ... if the father is dead and Paul wants to take Timothy with him ... does it not make sense that he would approach Eunice and ask her for her permission or blessing on the proposal? Here's the rub ... when Paul was in Lystra the first time ... he was stoned, dragged outside the city and left for dead! Eunice had to have know that. And Paul was asking her to release her son to THAT work! And Timothy goes with Paul. When we think about heroes of the faith ... I never hear Eunice's name mentioned. But, my friends, I think she is a remarkable pillar of faith and hero. She trained her son to be a God-lover ... then a believer ... then she released him to the work of God. And thus she helped shape the beginnings of the Christian faith! Never, never, never underestimate your influence or importance as a "mom".

Secondly, God is in the business of opening doors. Paul knew where he wanted to go. He wanted to stay in the Middle East and go into Bythinia (modern day Turkey). God had other plans for him and Paul was sensitive enough to the Spirit of God to respond. God wanted him going into a new region ... God wanted him moving into Europe. I love the way scripture tells us that Paul and his team went "at once" (16:10) into Macedonia (modern day Greece). They go to Philippi. How do you respond when God closes a door to you? Do you whine? Feel sorry for yourself because your plans are changed? Do you pout? Never, never, never underestimate what God can and will do when we commit to His plans over our own.

Third, don't miss that the first Christian in Philippi, the first "member" of the church of God in Philippi, was a business woman. They were not at a Synagogue because there was most likely not a Synagogue in Philippi. There had to be a minimum of 10 Jewish men to form a Synagogue ... Philippi did not have one. So we can assume that there were not 10 Jewish men in this city. And we find a group of women gathered for prayer on the Sabbath. Were they Jewish women? Is that why they were there on the Sabbath? Or were they Greek women who honored Sabbath because of knowledge of God? Was it a varied group or was it Lydia and her household only? I want more details! What we do know is that Paul had no reservations about sharing Christ with women ... they mattered! What we do know is that God opened the door to Lydia's heart and she believed. What we do know is that God began the church at Philippi with this upper-class, successful business woman who had a heart for Him. Never, never, never underestimate what God can do with female hearts that are turned toward Him.

And ... the church at Philippi is born!

Conclusion

2011-11-23T07:59:00.000-06:00

It's the day before Thanksgiving, 2011. I want to thank God for each of you who have walked with me through this study focusing on some of the Minor Prophets. It has not been easy, no?! But you have faithfully stayed the course.

On my wedding day in 1969, my Dad had slipped into my room early in the morning and left a written prayer on the pillow beside me for me to find when I awoke. That piece of paper is precious to me! Through that venue, my Dad allowed me to see a part of his heart toward me. It revealed to me his dreams for me, his child, as I entered marriage.

I see scripture as just such a "revealing" - though on a much more profound level. ALL of scripture allows us to get a glimpse of the heart of God toward us. And this study of Minor Prophets ... difficult as it has been ... allows us to see the heart of God.

When we closed our day class last week, I asked each person to focus on a primary "take away" lesson from the series and share that with us. Wonderful lessons surfaced ... important truths ... anchors for our souls. Things such as ...

Our God is truly an AWESOME God!

God means what He says.

Amazed at the patience of God.

God wants our hearts ... He did then ... He does today.

Erosion is what happened to Israel. It can happen to me.

Beware lip service and religious ritual ... it can subtlely take the place of God.

What is yours? What has God impressed upon your heart as you have studied these little and powerful books? What will you "take away" that will effect your life? What will make a difference? Those of us involved in this online study would love to hear from you!

Our next study will be the book of Philippians. It will begin the second week in January. May God richly bless your holiday season with things that matter. Watch for His presence and His hand in your days. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus ... the author and perfecter of your faith. And let the joy of the Lord be your strength!

Restoration - Hosea 14 (Week 10 - Post 3)

2011-11-22T10:52:00.000-06:00

Our reading today is Hosea 14. Watch for the hope ... watch for the healing ... watch for the grace.

Has sin marred your life? Are you bearing consequences for ungodly choices that have marked your days and years? Do you ever wonder if it will ever be better? This chapter offers a most beautiful description of the joy of restoration that comes from our God. Remember, Israel would bear the consequences of her rebellion and idolatry. BUT ... to quote Paul Harvey ... here is the rest of the story! The end of the story is in chapter 14. And, if you belong to God, if you are part of His people, it is your story as well.

Notice with me God's artistic descriptions of the joy of restoration ...

verse 5 ... "he will blossom like a lily" ... God will restore beauty to Israel. Sin is ugly and brings ruin and destruction. God promises beauty. God can, and will, restore beauty. And He wants to restore beauty to your life ... in Him.

verse 5 ... "like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots, his young shoots will grow" ... God will restore strength to Israel. Sin weakens us. It prohibits growth and it saps us of all strength. God can, and will, restore strength. And He wants to restore strength to your life ... in Him.

verse 6 ... "his splendor will be like an olive tree" ... God will restore value to Israel. Sin robs us of our worth. It devalues us ... makes us worthless. Olive oil in Hosea's day was a precious commodity. It would be comparable to petroleum in our day! God can, and will, restore value. And He want to restore value to your life ... in Him.

verse 6 ... "his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon" ... Fragrance is all about pleasure. It is about delight. God will restore pleasant fragrance to Israel. Sin produces a stench in our lives. It is more than unpleasant ... it is the stench of death. God can, and will, restore fragrance to life and make it a delight. And He wants to restore fragrance to your life ... in Him.

verse 7 ... "he will flourish like the grain, and blossom like a vine" ... God will restore abundance to Israel. Sin robs us of abundant life. We can have a great deal of money ... but be in poverty of spirit. Jesus told us that He came so that we could experience "abundant life". God can, and will, restore abundant life to Israel. And He wants to restore abundance to your life ... in Him. Abundance means fullness in Him ... plenty ... overflowing ... "my cup overflows" (Psalm 23) kind of life.

So ... Hosea ends his message by asking, "Who is wise?" "Who is discerning?" He answers his own questions ... it is the man, the woman, who knows that the ways of the LORD are right. It is the man, the woman who intentionally chooses to walk in them. Do you? Will you?

God promises restoration to His people who will return to Him with their whole hearts. That's my prayer for myself today ... and you ... it is time to seek the Lord.

Our Father, thank you for revealing the intensity of Your love for Your people through these messages from Hosea. Thank you for revealing the seriousness of idolatry and arrogance. We say together, with one heart and one mind, from every corner where this prayer is read ... You are righteous. You are worthy of all praise and adoration. You are the only living God. You alone we worship.

Humble Beginnings - Hosea 12 - 13 (Week 10, Post 2)

2011-11-19T11:25:00.000-06:00

Today, read Hosea 12 - 13. Hosea recounts, one more time, the case God presents against His people.

Why does history matter? What purpose is served by looking back to the past and remembering your roots and your ancestry? I am writing this the week before Thanksgiving, 2011. There will be family gatherings all around our country next week. Some will be pleasant and bring great joy. Some will radiate pain and loss. Some will reopen wounds that have never healed. But in them all will be a remembering of past - a remembering of people no longer present at the table - a remembering of history for each family.

God does that for Israel in Hosea 12. He walks the people back through their heritage ... back to Jacob. Jacob was a man who came from a family where competition and jealousies had played a significant role. He was a deceiver ... had to run from home to protect his own life ... he cheated and lied. He then became the recipient of cheating and lying from his future father-in-law. But when he matured ... he had a tenacity for God that marked him, a hunger for God that drove him. So God reminds Israel of those humble beginnings ... certainly not rich and noble and gentrified!

He then reminds them that they had even been slaves. They had even been nomads living in tents with no land to call their own. Such humble beginnings for a people. But they had forgotten. They had become arrogant.

Hosea 12:8 "Ephraim boasts, 'I am very rich; I have become wealthy. With all my wealth they will not find in me any iniquity or sin.'"

You see ... they equated material wealth with favored position with God. They had forgotten their weakness and their dependency upon God. That nation of people had evolved to the point of thinking that THEY were something!

Our beginnings in this country were humble as well. We were formed by outcasts from other lands. And we, like Ephraim, have forgotten. Our behaviors often mirror the words of Ephraim in Hosea 12:8. We are very rich ... so no one can find any fault with us ... right?!

I believe that God would call to us ... as He did to His people so many centuries before ...

Hosea 12:6 "But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always." The New American Standard version translates these words with "observe kindness and justice."

Since you and I have no power to invoke those principles on a national level ... I suggest we practice them within our own small circles!

My prayer for me this day and this coming week ... my prayer for you ... is that we practice kindness and love with all we encounter, even those that are difficult to love. May we practice justice and fairness in our interactions this coming week. And when you feel that you just cannot do it ... remember from where you came ... remember your history ...

"I've been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live but Christ lives in me." (Galatians 2:20)

And, my friends, Christ CAN do it! Let Him live through you ...

A Father's Love - Hosea 11 (Week 10, Post 1)

2011-11-16T17:26:00.002-06:00

We are in the final week of this particular study. And today we begin the last section of Hosea.
Read Hosea 11.

God has carefully, forcefully and dramatically explained to Israel what is going to happen to them and why it will happen. No one will be able to say, "But I didn't know. No one told me." Over and over we have read of the prophets telling the people. It seems that God knows the "point of no return" is very close for Israel ... and if He does not bring the severe discipline and judgement now, all will be lost for her. So God tells them through Hosea that the time is now. Justice demands destruction. BUT ...

The tone and mood completely changes in chapter 11. God also shifts metaphors. He began the book using the picture and the real life illustration of a husband loving an unfaithful wife. In chapter 11, God chooses a different picture. He describes Himself as a father with a beloved son. Did you feel the pathos and the deep grief as you read? God is a parent whose heart is broken over the rebellion of his child. You may have been there. You may know that pain.

Two of my daughters have given birth to new sons this fall. As I watch them mother and care for those precious babies, I think about the things God said to Israel through Hosea. These new little boys don't realize right now that they would die without their moms feeding them, caring for them. They would die. They are completely helpless on their own. That's the picture. God says, "they did not realize ..."

And while justice demands destruction, it is as if we can hear God wail, "But how can I give you up?" He has a plan ... a way ... to meet justice (because He is just) and to save His people (because He loves).

We get a clear picture of God's plan from the pen of the apostle Paul. Listen to him from Romans 3: 21 - 26: (New International Translation)

"But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished - he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."

God is God ... and not man. Therefore, He can be both "just and the justifier" at the same time!

Hosea did not see the details of how God would deal with what appeared to be a contradiction. Hosea was reporting the message as it was delivered to him. He did not get to see how God could be pure justice and still not permanently give over His people to destruction. But we DO get to see. We live this side of the cross. We have the privilege of seeing Jesus (God in flesh) take the destruction upon himself.

Our God ... both 'just and justifier' ... through Jesus.

Samuel Shoemaker has said: "Eternal life does not begin with death; it begins with faith." Close today's thoughts with me today in prayer ...

You are our Healer, our Deliverer, and our Provider. Because You do all things so well and so bountifully, it is easy for us to overlook Your goodness or take it for granted. Forgive us when we are careless or cavalier about your care and provision. You woo us to Yourself with kindness. If we reject Your invitation, if we resist Your call, You will not give up on us. In Your great compassion You will drive us to Yourself through adversity. We praise You, O God, that even in Your discipline You do not deal with us out of cruely, but out of love. Today ... we want to hear and respond to You ... to Your love. So today ... just as we are ... we come.

The Vine: Hosea 10 (Week 9 - Post 3)

2011-11-08T15:41:00.000-06:00

Today, read Hosea 10.

The chapter begins with the description of Israel as a 'luxuriant vine'. That imagery is very familiar to the Israelite people. Let's just look at a couple of other references to the metaphor.

Isaiah 5: 1 - 2, 7 I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard. My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a wine press as well. The he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit. ... The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the garden of his delight. And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.

Jeremiah 2: 21 I had planted you like a choice vine of sound and reliable stock. How then did you turn against me into a corrupt, wild vine?

Israel was the vine of God ... and was to be beautiful and fruitful. Fruit in the eyes of God is always related to His character. It always refers to bringing His very presence into the life of a person. Israel, with all her advantages, all her protection and provision, had failed ... she had become a wild, useless vine.

As we have read this third message from Hosea, there are three primary sins that are repeated over and over. There is the unfaithfulness ... which is a lack of love for God. There is the falsehood, the believing and living in lies ... which is a denial of the truth revealed by God. There is the unrighteousness, the sin ... which is rebellion against God.

Is that not the same scenario that played out in the Garden of Eden? Adam and Eve did not love their creator enough to stay faithful to Him ... they were intrigued with what 'other' was offered. God was not enough for them. They wanted more, they thought. Israel did as well. Do you and I?

Adam and Eve believed the lie of Satan. They believed that God was holding out on them, keeping them from something splendid. So they exchanged the truth of God for a lie. Israel has done the same thing - believing that other gods would somehow add to their religious experience, make them wiser, more god-like. Do you and I?

Adam and Eve chose unrighteousness. They decided to do the thing that God had forbidden. Why? Because they believed a lie. Because they loved something more than they loved God. And so sin enters. Rebellion. Disobedience. Israel has followed the same path. Do you and I?

We began today with the vine imagery - imagery which was very familiar to Jewish people. After all, they WERE the vine of God!  When Jesus enters time and space history centuries after Hosea's time, he uses the same imagery. However, as he so often did, he takes the Old Testament imagery and brings it full circle to the revelation of what the image was to portray.

Go to John 15 and here Jesus say to these Jewish followers, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ... I am the vine; you are the branches." (John 15: 1, 5)    He wants us all to know that belonging to Israel does not make you belong to God. It's being in the true vine that connects you to God. It is being 'in Him'.   He goes on in this passage to let us know how to stay away from the sin, the rebellion, the fate of the Israel in Hosea's day ... "REMAIN IN ME", He says.  "REMAIN IN THE VINE", He says.

Remain ... abide ... live in ... make your home in ... nest in ... stay in ... never leave ... Me. Jesus is our hope - our only hope - to live free from fear of failure, free from anxiety over sin. Remember, He paid the penalty for your sin. He carried it so you would not have to. Why in the world would we want to live anywhere else! Which idol that this world offers is more desirable than that security?

Israel WAS a luxuriant vine ...
Jesus IS a luxuriant vine ...

And He invites you to be "in Him" and live a life of fruitfulness to the glory of God.  Have you "chosen"?!  Are you "remaining"?

Reap the Whirlwind: Hosea 8 - 9 (Week 9 - Post 2)

2011-11-06T08:17:00.002-06:00

We are continuing our study of the 3rd section of Hosea. Today, read Hosea 8 - 9.

Two thoughts come to mind as we read these chapters that continue the litany of offenses that Israel has committed against God.

First ... in 8:7 the language uses the metaphor of the whirlwind for Israel's condition. Living on the Gulf coast, we know hurricanes. I have just read an historical novel by Erik Larsen, "Isaac's Storm". It is about the deadly hurricane that hit Galveston in 1900. The destruction is almost unbelievable ... as the entire path for a city was changed.

In 1961, Hurricane Carla was forming and strengthening in open waters. I was in Galveston with my best friend and her parents. We were playing in the surf - myself, my friend, and her mom. Moment by moment news channels and weather stations were not common usage yet. We did not know. So we played. My friends dad was sleeping on the beach. After a period of time we realized how far we had drifted from his location in our oblivious fun. So we decided to head back in his direction. Problem ... we couldn't! The undertow was strong ... and it took us. It carried us deeper until we were in water over our heads - no more feet on the bottom. We tried swimming directly for the beach ... we couldn't. It continued to carry us out. Galveston has these long, granite fishing piers that reach far into the ocean. Mercifully, we were carried toward one and finally slammed against one of those granite piers. That allowed us to crawl out of the water. The barnacles cut our hands, knees and feet. People on shore had seen the struggle so an ambulance was on site and a few spectators had gathered. We were hauled out of the ocean, checked over and pronounced 'fit' as well as 'fortunate'! A few days later, Hurricane Carla came ashore at Port Lavaca, TX - a whirlwind that left destruction in its wake.

As I consider Israel in these messages, I see her like I was in Galveston that day ... just playing and seemingly unaware that destructive winds were just off shore. These prophets are the warning system! And Israel continued her romp at the beach in spite of the blasts from the sirens saying, "Get out ... get home!"

The second thought that pricks my heart is in Hosea 8:14. The phrase in the NIV says, "Israel has forgotten his Maker and built palaces ...". The word translated 'forgotten' actually means 'neglected'. Israel knew God intellectually. But she had pushed Him aside. Other things were more important. Listen to the words of James Boice:
So ... you and I ... let's not neglect our God this week! Each day ... go to Him. Each day ... think on Him. Each day ... talk with Him. Each day ... listen to Him. Each day ... submit to Him. Each day ... offer yourself as a living sacrifice to Him. Your life, my life, are nothing without Him. They are as meaningless as jumping a few waves in the shallows of the ocean ...

Not only had Israel not forgotten God - she still knew that He existed and even thought that she was worshiping Him - it is actually the case that no one ever forgets God in the absolute, intellectual sense. It is our inescapable knowledge of God coupled to our unreasonable and sinful rejection of that knowledge that makes us guilty before Him. (Read again Romans 1: 18 - 20)

Phony Repentance: Hosea 6 - 7 (Week 9 - Post 1)

2011-11-05T09:25:00.000-05:00

The third section of Hosea begins with Hosea 6:4 and closes at the end of chapter 10. In this section, God reveals to Israel the result of her sin which has been so thoroughly described. This section reveals the cost of rebellion - the cost of idolatry and ignoring Jehovah God - the cost of breaking covenant.  The time is ripe, the judgment is here. We will study it in 3 posts.  Today, read Hosea 6:1 - 7:16. As you read chapter 7, look for the metaphors.

What appears at first to be repentance (6:1 - 3) proves to be less than actual repentance. It is phony ... surface ... almost cavalier! The people say, "Let us acknowledge God" but there is no mention of their sin. There is no evidence of hearts broken over their rebellion and idolatry. They have no interest in obeying God, but they would like to have prosperity! They don't even mind going through some ritualistic religious exercise. They would be religious ... and continue to live the way they want.

What about America and her Christianity? In his commentary on Hosea, James Montgomery Boice reports an interview between a reporter and a prominent evangelical pastor. The interviewer asks: "If evangelicals really are as numerous as the polls indicate, why is it that there seems to be so little impact upon the country? Crime continues to increase. Divorce statistics climb. It is the same in all other areas so far as we are able to judge. Is it that there are really not as many evangelicals as you claim, or is it the case that being 'born again' actually makes no difference in how a person lives?" Oh my!! Could we be in the same place with the same attitudes and minds as the inhabitants of Israel at Hosea's time? Yes, we give lip service to acknowledging God and going through religious exercise, but so often our hearts are far from repentant over sin ... far from obeying God ... far from the heart of God. I think that we need to "hear" the message of Hosea as much as those early Israelites needed to "hear"! Are we listening?

Did you find the metaphors that are used in chapter 7? God uses vivid pictures to describe the way He sees people who play at repentance ... who continue to confess the name of God all the while continuing in their self-focused, idolatrous living. The picture is vivid ...

          1. the "oven" whose fire does not need stirring ... even in secular writings this image is one of sexual lust and passion. In this context, no doubt the spiritual adultery rampant in Israel.
          2. a half-baked cake ... a flat cake not turned over ... I can see a pancake that I forgot to turn until it is too late! As long as I keep the burned side 'down' on the plate, it looks fine. But one bite and you know it is not fine - it is ruined.
          3. a dove ... in this context the image is one of a helpless bird that is easily deceived.
          4. a faulty bow ... a weapon that is designed to do one thing but is misshapen and cannot accomplish what is was originally designed to do.

Any antidote for this calamity? YES! Israel was past the point of return ... but whatever remnant that was left in her was not. What about you? What about me? What about our country?

Genuine repentance is the turning point. It can't be phony. It can't be outward form only. It requires a heart ache that sends us falling on our faces before our God. The apostle John addresses the same question ...

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.   1 John 1: 8 - 9
The secret of restoration? Heart level confession of sin, genuine repentance and an appeal to God on the basis of His abundant grace. And the God of mercy and grace WILL heal our wounds.

Antidote - Hosea 4:1 - 6:3 (Week 8 - Post 3)

2011-11-01T16:52:00.002-05:00

We are still reflecting on Hosea 4:1 - 6:3. The first section of Hosea is the first 3 chapters and is the visual and experiential picture of God and His relationship with Israel. He pictured it through the experience of Hosea and his wife, Gomer. In the second section of the book, God is bringing His case against Israel.

We looked into the core of the problem - there was no knowledge of God left in the land. The people had ignored the Word of God so long ... they had gone their own way so long ... they had chosen their own wisdom and desires so long ... that any knowledge of God was gone.   The people had intentionally chosen to claim the idols of the surrounding nations for themselves rather than undivided devotion to the God who had brought them out of slavery, protected them, led them in battle and victory, provided for them.

God gave the gift of free will to man at creation and even He will not violate it.  Man has the freedom to choose his path. William Barclay has written: "Before man there stands an open choice; and it has to be so. Without choice there can be no goodness and without choice there can be no love. A coerced goodness is not real goodness; and a coerced love is not love at all."

We watch as the men and women of Israel consistently choose to go the way of idolatry. And with that continual choice ... they are 'given over' to the "wrath". The "wrath" is the consequence of going the way of sin. It is the way God built the world. For example, if a farmer violates the laws of agriculture, his crop will fail. If a builder violates the laws of architecture, his building will collapse. In like manner, if we violate the codes of morality, we will die.

The see the exact same principle described in New Testament times, the time of the Greco-Roman world and the Roman Empire, read Romans 1: 18 - 32. You will see the same pattern. The same loss of knowledge of God. The same slide into depravity. Can you see any parallels in our own country, our own land?

So where does that leave us?

First ... it leaves me flat on my face saying with Paul in Romans 7: 25 - 8:2 "Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!  ... There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death."

Secondly, this slide into ignorance of God and the subsequent depravity seems to be the way of fallen humanity. I desperately DO NOT want to go down that road! I want to protect myself, my children. I want to guard my heart. Remember ... we are the "But As For Me" girls! So how are we to live?

The antidote to this deadly path is found in the book of Philippians from the pen of the apostle Paul. Philippians 4: 4 - 8 ...

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

There is the antidote. There is joy in the Lord - in knowing Him - in being known by Him - joy that overcomes and overrides any circumstance in my life. I will rejoice in Him. I will treat others with a gentle, meek spirit. My God will fight my battles for me. I will not fret in anxiety over my life ... or my health ... or my finances ... or the condition of my world or country. I will do what I can ... and I will take all my concerns and my fears to God through prayer. I will rest there. I will ask for His wisdom. I will ask for His path. And I will do it with a spirit of thanksgiving. Giving thanks in all circumstances. Because God is worthy of my thanks. And I will focus my mind on the good. I will stop obsessing over the ugly, the obscene, the worldly, the profane. I will focus my mind on things of God. With my free will, I CHOOSE TO LIVE THERE! And the peace of God will guard my heart.

HALLELUJAH and AMEN!!

The Core - Hosea 4:1 - 6:3 (Week 8 - Post 2)

2011-10-28T10:47:00.000-05:00

We are in Hosea's second message ... Hosea 4:1 - 6:3.

In Lesson 1 of our Hosea study, we observed that the people were perishing because there was no knowledge of God in the land. Today, let's consider the responsibility carried by the priests for that condition. I am not sure if the religious leaders go the way of the people ... or if the people go the way of the religious leaders. In the NIV, verse 9 says, "Like people, like priests" which makes me think that the religious leaders just made themselves say and do whatever the people wanted. In the New Testament, Paul describes that condition like this: "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." (2 Timothy 4: 3 - 4) Paul then tells Timothy "But you, keep your head in all situations ..." That sounds a lot like our "But As For Me" group!

It is a powerful temptation to say what we know people want to hear ... to make them feel good ... to be politically and culturally 'correct' ... even when it means softening or even mis-representing the Word of God. The religious leaders in the days of Hosea did not speak the truth ... nor practice it. They carried the responsibility for communicating the Word of God, the practices of God, the sacrifices that pointed to Messiah. They were the ones to keep the people aware of their place in God's economy - their place as light for Jehovah to the world. But ... there were so many things that they loved more than they loved God ... there was the ...

idols and the divination (4:12 - 13)

(idolatry - ANYTHING placed over God)

temple prostitutes (4:14)

(sexual sin)

financial benefit from people's sin offerings (4:8)

(the love of money)

love of strong drink to the point of losing understanding (4:11)

(my PLEASURE)

So God builds His case against Israel. He lays out in this message the depth of Israel's depravity, the distance they have place between themselves and God. He is clear in describing the depth to which Israel has fallen ... impossible to come back? It seems that way in much of what Hosea says. But God never leaves His people without hope. NEVER. In Post 3 we will focus on the hope that God offers - the future He promises.

But for today ... let's think again about this issue of "first place". We speak of it so often. But we violate it so often! Hear again the words of God ... and go to prayer ...

Exodus 20: 2 - 7 I Am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the LORD you God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name.

And from Jesus ... Matthew 22: 37 - 38 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.

It's foundational ... it's the core ... it cannot be disregarded ... it is not conditional ... it is not culturally dependent ... it was core for Israel ... and it is core for you and me.

Lord ... forgive us for the times we have been more interested in the world than in You. Forgive us for the times we have been lulled into thinking that a little church attendance, a little ceremony, a little sacrifice is what You want from us. Today ... we give You ourselves again. Wash us clean ... again. Make us ... again ... a living sacrifice, wholly devoted to You.

No Knowledge - Hosea 4:1 - 6:3 (Week 8 - Post 1)

2011-10-27T09:59:00.002-05:00

The book of Hosea contains 4 messages, or sermons, from the prophet. The first message is in chapters 1 - 3 which we considered in Week 7. It describes the physical circumstances that God led Hosea through in order to picture the wretchedness of Israel's condition.

In Week 8 we will look at Hosea's second message. Commentators disagree on where to place a break between messages 2 and 3. For our purposes, we are going to follow the break point that is used by Kay Arthur in her Precept study on Hosea. Therefore, we will consider Message 2 to be Hosea 4:1 - 6:3. That is the assignment for today ... read Hosea 4:1 - 6:3.

Israel has experienced a long, slow slide into spiritual adultery. It is the principle of erosion. Erosion is almost imperceptible to the eye. Trees don't suddenly die ... there is a weakening process that leaves them susceptible to disease and death. Then one day, we look at the tree and it is brown and our response is "When did that happen?" Relationships don't suddenly die ... there is a slow disintegration of care and good conversation and concern for the other. Then one day we realize that there is nothing left and our response is "How did that happen?" Gardens don't immediately become overrun with weeds ... there is ignoring it, putting off care for another day. Then one day we look and our garden is completely enveloped with weeds, the flowers are gone, and our response is, "How in the world did that happen? It seems that just yesterday it looked great!" Spiritual erosion follows the same pattern. Put off thinking about it for another day ... then another ... then a week is past ... then a month ... has it been a whole year since we have been with the family of God? I know we were there last Christmas. This is October ... Wow, time flies! But you know we are so busy. I need Sunday to get my grocery shopping done and get ready for the coming week. We will get re-connected later. Always later ...
Erosion is a deadly process ... it is slow and steady decline. Israel has eroded ... have you?

This erosive slide of Israel had taken them to a state that Moses and Joshua, that David and Samuel would not have recognized. Did you catch it in verses 1 and 6? There is no knowledge of God in the land! And it is not because the knowledge was unavailable ... it is because the people had rejected it. They didn't want to know what God was like ... they did not want to know what God's values are ... they did not want to know what God expected of them as His people. They did not want to know because they wanted to do what they wanted to do when and how they wanted to do it. Sound familiar?

Remember Micah 6:8? God had said, what I expect of you is to love mercy, act kindly, and walk humbly with me. The people said, "Ummm ... no thanks. Don't want to."

God had said, "Do not kill." The people said, "Ummm ... don't think that works for me."

God had said, "Do not commit adultery." The people said, "Ummm ... but I want to do this. I need it."

God had said, "Have no other gods before me". The people said, "Ummm ... but the peoples around us will think us strange. They have some really cool and exciting gods. The worship of them is incredibly stimulating! Makes me feel really good. Sorry, Jehovah ... can't do this one."

And on and on ...

Until ... there is no knowledge of God in the land. My friends ... I fear that our nation is on that same path.

So today ... you and I ... may we remember the "But As For Me" club and determine that WE will not walk on that road. I long to know Christ. We are committed to growing ever deeper in our knowledge of God through His written word. I appreciate you so much for walking with me.

And hear again the words of Jeremiah the prophet as he speaks for God in Jeremiah 29:13 - 14a

You will seek Me and find Me,

when you search for Me with all your heart.

And I will be found by you, declares the Lord ...

All our hearts ... all.

Spiritual Adultery - Hosea 1:10 - 3:5 (Week 7 - Post 3)

2011-10-26T12:15:00.003-05:00

Read Hosea 1:10 - 3:5.

Hosea 1:10 begins chapter 2 in the Hebrew Bible so begin there as you read today's passage.

Adultery is an horrific sin. Any of you who have walked there know the pain. Any of you who have watched people you love walk there know something of the pain. Relationships are torn apart ... families are ripped wide open ... it is all about loss. That is just on the physical level. Hosea lives out the physical form so that Israel will have a live demonstration of the spiritual form. As a nation ... as God's chosen people ... as His elected nation to show the world His character and love ... they have committed adultery against Him.

Yet ... in the face of such extreme violation and pain ... after the necessity of extreme discipline and pain ... we hear God say, "I will allure her ... I will speak kindly to her ... I will open a door of hope ... she will call me 'husband' not 'master' ... I will betroth her to me forever ... in righteousness, justice, loving kindness, compassion, faithfulness ... I will say 'You are My people!' And they will say, 'You are my God'!"

Such hope. Such promise. Such security. Such love. And that is OUR God! A God who loves with such passion and steadfastness that He WILL NOT LET YOU GO! He will allow sin to take its payment because without that ... we would never return to Him. He will apply discipline because without that ... we would continue on our self-indulgent way to destruction.

Spiritual adultery cause pain to the heart of God more deeply than even physical adultery causes pain to the hearts of men and women. I desperately do not want to commit spiritual adultery! Are you with me?! To avoid something, we must know what it is. So what is spiritual adultery anyway?

We know from our earlier readings of the Prophets that spiritual adultery is idolatry. So how does that play out in our lives - in 21st century America? I believe it plays out through worldliness ... our love of, even fascination with, the things of this world. When the things of this world take precedence in our lives over God ... we are moving into an adulterous relationship with the world ... leaving our "first love". Pray fervently for eyes to see yourself and where you are in this discussion. Listen to these words from scripture ...

1 John 2: 15 - 17 "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."

This passage lets me know that Satan would have me focused on my own pleasure ... on my own wants and desires ... on my own accomplishments and status. When I allow myself to put my focus there ... I am ripe for an adulterous relationship with the world as my lover. Hebrews 12:2 says to "fix your eyes on Jesus." That's the only antidote ..

James 4: 1 - 4 "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."

This passage lets me know that my wants and pleasures lead me into all kinds of anti-God behaviors and attitudes. It is pride that leads me to believe I deserve all I desire. Am I willing to leave my God who loves me with the kind of passion and faithfulness that we read about in Hosea? Am I willing to fight against my God who WILL NOT LET ME GO? Friendship with the world progresses into a love relationship with the world ... and I walk willingly into spiritual adultery.

Oh God ... I confess my own tendency to love the world and the things of the world! Forgive me for violating your heart and my relationship with You. My heart's desire is to have an honest, passionate relationship with You as my true love ... my true partner.

I close with the words of T. O. Chisholm, written in 1905 ...

Only in Thee, O Savior mine,

Dwelleth my soul in peace divine,

Peace that the world, tho all combine,

Never can take from me.

Pleasure of earth, so seemingly sweet,

Fail at the last my longings to meet;

Only in thee my bliss is complete,

Only dear Lord, in Thee!

Only in Thee, dear Savior, slain,

Losing Thy life my own to gain,

Trusting, I'm cleanses from every stain;

Thou art my only plea.

Only in Thee my heart will delight,

Till in that land where cometh no night

Faith will be lost in heavenly sight,

Only, dear Lord, in Thee!

Visual Aid? - Hosea 1 (Week 7 - Post 2)

2011-10-20T17:04:00.001-05:00

Read Hosea 1.

I can't help but wonder what in the world Hosea thought when this message came to him from God. He knew the message was God given. And so he did it! He had to have been a remarkable man of faith. Often God used symbolism through His prophets to hammer home a lesson. And it always required sacrifice on their part. Think about Hosea ... think about his decision ... think about marrying and knowing what was coming. We learn later in our book that Hosea loved Gomer.

I suspect there may be some of you reading this that know what it means to be betrayed by a spouse ... one you loved ... one you assumed faithfulness. The pain is almost indescribable ... but Hosea KNEW! He knew what would be because God gave him warning ... and told him to do it anyway.

What kind of trust is required for that kind of obedience? I have some lessons to learn about trusting God. I want to have absolute security in the knowledge that the God of all the earth will do right. And even when He asks me to difficult things, to go difficult places, to walk into circumstances that I cannot explain or understand ... God can be trusted.

Has God ever asked you to do something so incredibly difficult that you thought you couldn't do it? He even does that through scripture. And He asks us to trust Him enough to DO IT! For example ...

Romans 14:13 - "Therefore, let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.

Romans 15: 1 - 2 - "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up."

Romans 15: 7 - "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."

Ephesians 4: 29 - "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building other up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Colossians 3:9 - "Do not lie to each other ..."

Colossians 3: 12 - 13 - "As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

We could go on and on ... the things God tells us to do. Why? Because we are His. Because He has a message to speak through us. Symbolically, we are Christ in flesh again. The world needs to see the Lord ... and God chooses for the world to see Him through us. Amazing ...

Requires great trust ...

Requires great sacrifice ...

Requires being women and men determined to respond to the call of God ...

Are we listening?

Hosea (Week 7 - Post 1)

2011-10-19T11:22:00.001-05:00

The final book of the Minor Prophets that we will study this session is the book of Hosea. It is a bit longer than the others we have considered with its 14 chapters. Today, let's just consider some introductory things about the book. Then, the assignment for the next couple of days is to read the book of Hosea. Remember in an overview reading you don't need to worry about details ... you are just getting a feel for the book - its flow and progression.

Before you read ... here is some background and historical information that will enhance the understanding of the book.

Hosea lived and ministered in Israel in the days of the Divided Kingdom. He preached during the later years of Jeroboam II, a time of great material prosperity (about 753–723 b.c.).

Hosea’s mission was both special and painful. He was called to experience the anguish caused by an unfaithful wife: a wife whose sexual adultery mirrored the spiritual adultery of the nation Israel, which had been unfaithful to the Lord by worshiping idols and rejecting the holiness in His Law. The names of his children were chosen by God as reminders of Israel’s unfaithfulness.
(Richards, L., & Richards, L. O. (1987). The teacher's commentary. Includes index. (451). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.)

And from Warren Wiersbe and his expository outlines on the Old Testament. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books:

The name Hosea means “salvation.” He preached in the Northern Kingdom (Israel, also called “Ephraim”) during a period of national decline. When Hosea started his ministry, Jeroboam II was king, and it was a time of great prosperity. But the nation was rotting away inwardly and getting involved with foreign alliances instead of trusting God to lead and protect them. Hosea lived to see Israel taken captive by the Assyrians in 721 B.C. Read 2 Kings 15–17 for some of the historical background.

Hosea’s message is to the nation of Israel, exposing their sins and warning them of coming judgment. There is also a message of hope for the future, as we shall see. But the unique thing about his message is that he had to live it himself before he could preach it to the people. The prophet had to experience deep agony in his own marriage because of the sins of his wife, but all of this was a divinely sent object lesson to him and his people.

One other comment before we begin ...

There is a wonderful novel by Francine Rivers titled "Redeeming Love". The story is based on the story we are about to encounter in the book of Hosea. If you like to read ... check out the book. Let me know what you think.

Lord, we ask for wisdom as we open this book.

Teach us what You would have us know.

Give us the wisdom to see applications for our lives,

and the courage to act on what You show us.

Let us learn from Your servant, Hosea.

The Meaning of Trust - Habakkuk 3 (Week 6 - Post 2)

2011-10-14T11:25:00.000-05:00

Read Habakkuk 3 today. If it has been several days since you were in Habakkuk, it would be advantageous to begin at the beginning of the book to refresh your mind on the flow of the dialogue. Then come back ...

In chapter 1 of this book, we observe Habakkuk wondering and questioning. He doesn't doubt God, he just doesn't understand.

In chapter 2, we observe the prophet watching and waiting for God's response and activity. He knows that the righteous live by faith and he is willing to watch and wait - to live by faith.

Then we come to chapter 3 and we see this prophet worshiping. He has moved from the questions and confusion through the decision to watch and wait all the way to adoration and worship. You feel the humility, the awe of God, the reference for Him. Verses 17 - 19 constitute one of the most beautiful statements of total trust in all of scripture. And in that trust lies the secret to joy.

Now ... take whatever circumstance you are having to walk through right now that is difficult. Do you have it in mind? Walk it through these three chapters .... 1) take your questions and confusion to God. Ask Him about it. Tell Him you don't understand why you must see or do this thing. Then, 2) ask yourself if you are willing to watch and wait for God to act. If you decide that you are willing, then you must practice! And 3) spend your time in worship. Tell God what you know of Him ... His splendor and mighty hand, His power and His righteousness. Can you conclude as did Habakkuk, with the statement that even if things do not go your way ... even if circumstances do not work as you would have them work out ... even if things remain hard ... I will rejoice in God my Savior. I will find joy in the Lord, not in the circumstance. After all, the Lord is sovereign. The Lord is all-knowing. The Lord is all-wisdom. The Lord is all-love. The Lord is all-mercy. I will find joy. Not only joy ... but the strength to go on. You will gain the strength to go on to be the best, the highest, you can be as long as you are allowing the strength of God, your trust in Him, to be the force that carries you. The strength that enables you.

Let's memorize these 3 verses ... they need to be in the warp and woof of our psyche.

Though the fig tree does not bud

and there are no grapes on the vines,

though the olive crop fails

and the fields produce no food,

though there are no sheep in the pen

and no cattle in the stalls,

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will be joyful in God my Savior.

The Sovereign Lord is my strength;

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer,

He enables me to go on the heights.

Faithfulness - Habakkuk 2 (Week 6 - Post 1)

2011-10-11T12:41:00.000-05:00

As we continue our reflections on the book Habakkuk ... today read Habakkuk 2.

There are two familiar phrases in this chapter. And in the midst of the "woes" against Babylon, they are like a fresh breeze of clean air blowing through. Let's consider them both today ...

Habakkuk's second complaint to God (1:12 - 2:1) is all about why God would use the Babylonians (Chaldeans) to discipline Judah. They were a blood-thirsty and violent, idolatrous people. Couldn't God find someone else - someone less wicked? God's response is to tell Habakkuk that he is just to wait ... and to remain faithful during the waiting.

That's hard isn't it? The waiting on God. Many times we are called to wait on God. It seems that the answers to our prayers are not forthcoming ... time passes ... circumstances don't get 'fixed' or even better. We continue to pray ... and wait. So the question becomes, "how do you wait?" What is your attitude in the waiting? Are you anxious, full of doubt, fearful? David describes the attitude during waiting in Psalm 27: 13 - 14:

I am still confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord;

be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

God tells Habakkuk "though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay."

And then in verse 4, one of the "fresh air" phrases of this chapter appears ... and is almost as an aside in the flow of the sentence. How refreshing it is! "But the righteous will live by his faith" God tells us that we can indeed live well during the time of waiting ... how, by faith!

What about this word, "faith"? From the Shepherd's Notes Commentary:

The Hebrew word translated "faith" in Habakkuk 2:4 means "faithfulness", "steadfastness," or "trustworthiness." It implies a continued state of being, a deliberate and conscientious effort to walk in God's ways. It also includes the ideas of belief and trust which are more common to the New Testament concept of faith. Quoting this verse three times, the writers of the New Testament recognized that saving faith was faith that believed in God but also resulted in faithful living.

The three places where Habakkuk 2:4 is quoted are:

1. Romans 1:17 "For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'"

2. Galatians 3:11 "Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, 'The righteous will live by faith.'"

3. Hebrews 10: 37 - 38 "For in a very little while, 'He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith.'"

How about you? Is that the way you are living today? In your current circumstances? The righteous do that ... they live each day by faith.

The second "fresh air" phrase appears in verse 20. These "woes" against Babylon have filled the chapter ... there are five of them and they are bleak indeed. And then there is the "BUT" that begins verse 20. In spite of all the gloom and destruction that is coming ... there is something else ... that is not the end of the story. "BUT"!

But what? But ... the Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him.

So, rest well, my friends. The Lord STILL resides in His holy temple ... the Lord STILL commands the silence of reverence and awe in His presence.

We can echo the heartbeat of David as he says ... "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."

Yes, David. Me, too.

Observations - Habakkuk 1 (Week 5, Post 2)

2011-10-08T11:19:00.000-05:00

After over viewing the book in Post 1, go back now and re-read Habakkuk 1.

There are 2 observations I want to make with you from this chapter.

First - from verse 5.

"Look among the nations! Observe!

Be astonished! Wonder!

Because I am doing something in your days -

You would not believe if you were told."

I don't know if Habakkuk could identify the things that God was doing or not. But we know that God responded to Habakkuk's questions about evil and wickedness so rampant with these words. Do you think God would say the same thing to us today? As we question and are so confused by the overt violence and destruction throughout the globe in our day? Perhaps we need to hear the same response that Habakkuk heard. Perhaps we need to quit wringing our hands and sagging our heads and look, observe. If God is a sovereign over the earth (and I believe He is), He is doing things right now among the nations. Nations rise and fall. Power shifts. Economies rise and fall. Two things come to mind to me for application. One is ... I can absolutely TRUST the hand of God over the world and the nations. I may have to remind myself of that on a daily basis as my mind is bombarded with news. But the reality is ... God is sovereign ... God is trustworthy ... God is faithful ... God is mighty ... God is able. So we can take a deep breath. The other is that I need to stop fretting and look around ... look for the hand of God. None of us may feel wise enough to do that on a world stage ... but we can do it in our own lives! Where did you see God's hand in your life yesterday? Are you going to look for it today - or are you too busy? God help us get our eyes off ourselves and on to You.

The second observation I would make from chapter 1 is the phrase that describes the Babylonians at the end of verse 11:

"They whose strength is their god"

Talk about idolatry! Both nations and individuals are prone to trust their own strength rather than God. Where you place your trust shows you your god. We ask ourselves the same questions that we return to so often ... where do I place my trust? Is it in my strength ... or my income and bank account? Could it be in a spouse or children or family? Do I place my trust in ANY particular nation? Or am I prone to place my trust in a religion rather than in God Himself through Christ? Remember, religion is to be a support ... not the end itself. I want to put my WHOLE TRUST in God alone. And that is my prayer today ...

Oh Sovereign Lord, I don't want to be like the Babylonians ... I don't want to trust in anything other than You. Show me where I am violating my own desire. Show me what I am allowing to take Your place in my life. Forgive me when I forget or get careless and lazy. You are indeed from everlasting and You are my Holy One. You are my rock. I rest myself there ...

Habakkuk (Lesson 5 - Post 1)

2011-10-06T08:14:00.001-05:00

We will spend 2 weeks studying the Minor Prophet, Habakkuk. Three chapters only ... but so rich in foundational truth for each and every one of us.

Kay Arthur tells us that it was the truth of this little book that influenced Martin Luther and fueled the reformation. Luther was tormented by the idea that he served a righteous God who could not be satisfied.

And it was the truth of this little book that influenced a single woman, Hannah Hurnard, who was a missionary in Israel. This book is what inspired her to write "Hinds' Feet on High Places" - one of the classics in Christian devotional reading.

I wonder what it will mean to you and me? Are we willing to truly "hear" the message and the truth that Habakkuk puts forth?

To grasp this book it is important for us to begin by reading the whole thing at one time. It will help you get the flow ... the sense of dialogue ... the movement of thought in through the book.

Stop reading here ... and go to your Bible. Then come back for a brief comment from me and that will be all for today.

Read Habakkuk

I love what seems to be the open, honest dialogue between Habakkuk and God. Habakkuk is not afraid to take his most troubling questions to God. The things he just cannot understand. Are you? Habakkuk does not seem to feel that it is inappropriate ... or sinful ... or critical of God ... or anything. He takes his questions ... his frustrations ... even his complaints ... to God. What better place to take them?

We see the same trait in David ... that man of God. Listen to him in Psalm 55: 1 - 8

Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea;

hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught

at the voice of the enemy, at the stares of the wicked;

for they bring down suffering upon me and revile me in their anger.

My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me.

Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me.

I said, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!

I would fly away and be at rest --

I would flee far away and stay int he desert;

I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.

The cry continues throughout scripture ... even into the book of Revelation.

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who
  had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.
  They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you
  judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" (Revelation 6: 9 - 10)

Indeed! How long, Lord?

So ... take your most troubling questions and agonies to God ... remember to never forget in the midst of your cries to recognize that our God is indeed "holy and true". Remember what we learned in Micah and let your attitude be one of "humility before our God". Never arrogance - never demading. Always trusting - always knowing God's ways are not our ways - always faithful. Then ask ...

What do you need to ask Him today?

Justice - Nahum 3 (Week 4 - Post 3)

2011-10-02T19:46:00.000-05:00

Read Nahum 3.

What a sobering chapter this is. I looked for just one verse that we could claim from this chapter for hope and encouragement. I couldn't find one. And as I asked God to show me what I needed to learn from this horrific description ... slowly a thought began to take root. Nineveh had time to repent ... Jonah had been there before with a call from God for repentance. The king and the people had responded ... but only briefly. Evidently the idolatry, the violence, the arrogance had all returned. And their time was finished. God is just. Sin must be paid for. And the rod of justice is coming down on Assyria.

Years ago ... when I was a young mom with three little girls ... my dad's single engine private plane went down in terrible weather in Dallas. It was February. That crash cost him his physical life. He was a Godly man - a servant of God. But he was not a perfect man - not a sinless man. Sitting in the funeral home ... alone ... in front of a closed casket because of the accident ... I began for the first time to get a glimpse of the horror of sin. Death is a part of this world experience because of sin. And death is horrible. Would that we all could be like Enoch and just be "taken away" by God. (Genesis 5: 18 - 24) I had not disregarded sin ... but it was all so abstract ... such religious language. My mind could hear the comedian Flip Wilson and his "the devil made me do it!" comedy, making satan and sin an object of humor. For the first time, I truly grieved the presence of sin in the world ... in my life ... the cause of death. I can hear Paul in Romans 6:23 as he says, "the wages of sin is death." The payment. God is just. Sin must be paid for.

As I read Nahum 3, those same thoughts fill my mind. The horror of sin. The end result of sin. God is just. Sin must be paid for. The picture of destruction painted by Nahum is all-inclusive. Consuming. Complete. Final. There are no sadder words in all scripture than Nahum 3:19a:

Nothing can heal your wound;

your injury is fatal.

God is just. Sin must be paid for.

O my friends, deal with your sin! It is not a source of comedy ... it is not a case of, "well, everybody else does worse than me" ... it is not abstract. It is real and it is serious - 'deadly' serious.

Before we give up in despair and begin to wail, there are some things you MUST remember. Perhaps you need to hear them today with the words of Nahum echoing in your mind ...

2 Corinthians 5:21 "God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Did you hear it? Our Lord BECAME the sin ... the reason for the kind of destruction we have read about this week. Can you hear Jesus from the cross crying out "My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?" Jesus took it ... and He did not deserve it. Nineveh and Assyria deserved it. You and I deserve it. And my Lord BECAME my sin and with that 'becoming' took the justice. I have no words to describe that reality. I can do nothing but fall on my face in awe, reverence, and gratitude.

Close today with these words from Paul in Romans 8 ...

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, (are you?) because through Christ Jesus the law of the the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

Are you free from the law of sin and death? If you are, spend some time right now in silent adoration of a God who would pay that price to set you free. If you are not, post a comment to me about it. All comments come to me first before any posting for open viewing occurs and can be kept confidential.

Praise God ... there is no condemnation for those of us who are "in" Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.

A gift from God ...

The book of Nahum has greatly increased my gratitude and awe over the reality of forgiveness in Christ. Worship Him with me today ...

The True Lion - Nahum 2 (Week 4 - Post 2)

2011-09-28T16:03:00.003-05:00

Read Nahum 2.

This chapter vividly describes the destruction of Nineveh. History tells us that the Medean soldiers wore scarlet uniforms and carried scarlet shields. Notice verse 3. I suspect it was a terrifying sight.

Also notice the emphasis on lions in verses 11 - 13. Archaeology reveals to us that the Assyrian Empire used the lion as her symbol. Strength. Power. Prowess. Stealth. A fearful beast indeed! Nahum tells Judah that the den of lions will be gone.

Peter uses the imagery of a lion in his warning to all believers in 1 Peter 5:8: "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith ..."

When I think about my enemy, the enemy of our souls, being portrayed as a lion, I find comfort in this chapter from Nahum! God is against him.

In Nahum 2:13, God says, "I will burn up ..." and I hear John in his Revelation say,

"And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever." (Revelation 20: 9 - 10)

Nahum 2:13, God also says, "a sword will devour your young lions." And I hear John in his Revelation say,

"I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations ..." (Revelation 29: 11 - 15)

The Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5) ... will accomplish these things. As God delivered His people from the evil of Assyria, so He will deliver His people from the evil of Satan. That day is coming ... trust it. Count on it. And go ahead and celebrate ... because the outcome is set!

God Is ... Nahum 1 (Lesson 4 - Post 1)

2011-09-28T15:28:00.000-05:00

This week we will study the book of Nahum. It is a small, 3 chapter prophetic book written probably sometime between 663 BC and 612 BC. The author is Nahum, the prophet. We don't know much about this man. Even the town mentioned as his home town is not easily identifiable. The book's purpose is to pronounce God's judgment on Assyria and its capital, Nineveh. And that pronouncement would bring comfort to the people of Judah - for Assyria was a potent and violent threat.

Warren Wiersbe tells us: "Assyria was a ruthless enemy that practiced brutality on men, women, and children. Their armies destroyed and looted; they buried their enemies alive and even skinned them alive; they impaled people on sharp poles and left them to burn in the sun. Assyria had been used of God to chasten the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Every nation feared Assyria and tried to win her approval. Finally in 612 BC, Nineveh was destroyed by the Medes and the Babylonians; and so complete was their conquest that the ruins of the city remained undiscovered until 1842." (Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Old Testament.)

Nations trembled with fear because of Assyria. Judah was afraid. So God sends this message to His frightened people through Nahum. Remember, this message is going to Judah - not Assyria! Nineveh had already received warning from God through Jonah the prophet. (If you need to refresh your memory, read Jonah before you move into Nahum.) So this prophecy, written to Judah, is announcing God's judgment ... the time for repentance is over.

As you read ... look for what you learn about God. You may want to begin another list of things that you learn about Jehovah.

Read Nahum 1.

Two things stand out to me from this chapter:

1. We get a view of the character and nature of our God. And it is both splendid and sobering. Are these things on your list?

The Lord is a jealous God (burning zeal, not human jealousy)

He is avenging

His vengeance and wrath are for His enemies

The Lord is slow to anger

The Lord is great in power

He will not leave the guilty unpunished

The Lord is good

The Lord is a stronghold in the time of trouble

He knows those who take refuge in Him

There are things here that cause us to tremble. And there are things that give us comfort. In the face of the vengeance and wrath of God against sin ... never forget that GOD IS GOOD. "Good" is an interesting word. In our humanness ... we see "good" as something that is pleasant and beneficial for me or something that I want. In God's economy, "good" has infinitely broader strokes and purposes. And God knows those who take refuge in Him. Do I? Is God my refuge or do I keep thinking that things in this world, somehow, will give me security? Today ... I recommit to taking refuge in my God alone. God is our fortress - our place of safety - only God.

2. The second thing that jumped at me was the very last phrase in the chapter: "he is cut off completely." Who is this "he"? Look at the beginning of the sentence - "the wicked one". The New Living Translation uses "your wicked enemies". That was indeed good news for Judah. And it is good news for us. Nahum tells the people of Judah to go ahead and celebrate the feasts. Continue with your service. The people of Judah were going to endure about 50 more years of threat from Assyria ... but they were not to live in fear because they knew the outcome! I wonder if they did. I wonder if some of them trusted the word from God through Micah.

Is there application for you and I? Look to John 16. Jesus is preparing His disciples for His imminent departure. He promises the Holy Spirit. He warns them of hard times ahead. And He concludes the discussion with:

"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 4: 9 - 11:

"For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you doing."

You see, the fact that God will avenge His character and will deal with wickedness and evil is not a source of fear for those who belong to Him. Build each other up with that reality.

Lord, our God, there is none like You. Your faithfulness and purity, Your righteousness and goodness, are our security and our hope. We place our trust in You. We take refuge in You.

Confidence (Lesson 3 - Post 3)

2011-09-25T23:37:00.001-05:00

Let's close Micah's third and final message. Read Micah 7:8 - 20.

Remind yourself of the things we have learned from Micah's third message:

God is clear about what He expects from His people ... (6:8)

                 * to behave justly
                 * to love mercy
                 * to live with humility before Him

Regardless of the corruption and darkness in the culture around us ... we still are responsible for our own behaviors, thinking, and attitudes ... "But as for me" ... (7:7)

We come today to the third application point I want to emphasis. And it is all about confidence - and hope - and security. What a splendid way Micah closes this sermon!

Notice Micah 7:8 "Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light."

I keep pausing at the phrase, "though I have fallen, I will rise." God's people continue to fall - our attempts to play with sin, with idolatry lead to the discipline of our holy God today as in the days of Micah. But the confidence in this statement thrills me! The 'falling' is not the end of the story. It was not the end of the story for God's remnant preserved through the captivity by Babylon ... and it is not the end of the story for you or me.

I am reminded of another writing by the German born writer and photographer, Ulrich Schaffer:

You might think

that I am breaking,

that I have fallen

and will not survive the storm,

but you are mistaken.

I am still growing.

I will not give up.

In desperation and hope

I will push down roots

into the hard ground.

You will see: I will live.

I gave up form and style long ago.

Survival in the gaping wound of life

is the goal which nourishes me.

I wrestle from life

the days needed for my fulfillment,

and when I finally do fall,

because in the end everything is a falling,

it will be upward

into the hands

of the waiting one.

Anyone claiming to be without sin is fooling herself. (1 John 1:8). There will be "falling". That we know. That we have already experienced. But the "falling" is not fatal! At least it need not be.

I will rise!

The Lord will be my light!

"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." (1 John 1: 5, 7)

That's a promise. Forgiveness ... cleanness ... purity. All from our God - the God of Micah. Just as Micah described in 7:18

Micah closed his last message wanting the people to see the hope and the coming restoration. I love that! And I want to close our reflection on this little book with a quote from Revelation ... full of the SAME hope and coming restoration. Revelation 22: 3 - 5

May we have the confidence and the assurance of that promise ...

No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

Micah 6:9 - 7:7 (Week 3 - Post 2)

2011-09-24T09:23:00.001-05:00

Today, read Micah 6:9 - 7:7 as we continue to hear, and to think about, Micah's final sermon.

Micah once again paints the bleak picture of corruption and darkness that permeates the land and the people of God. We can so easily make the parallels with our own country and cities ... where corruption and greed and dishonesty and bribes seem to carry the day.

What does one do? If you "hear" this message from Micah and long to respond to the God who is merciful enough to send out the warning ... what do you do?

Yes, we confess our own complicity and trust the forgiveness of our merciful God ... but these few verses give us another glimpse into the appropriate response from each one of us. We find it in 7:7:

But as for me,

I watch in hope for the LORD,

I wait for God my Savior;

my God will hear me.

Did you catch it? "But as for me ..." That's the phrase! That's the person I want to be.

One of the mantras that has carried me through some pretty bleak times is, "I am responsible for the purity of my motives and the integrity of my behavior." Period. I can't be responsible for yours. I can be concerned, moved, challenged, etc. - but I can't be responsible. I can only be responsible for mine. Each of us carries the responsibility for our own lives - regardless of the culture in which we live. Regardless of the families we had or didn't have, currently have or don't have. Regardless of the struggles or the joys of our current situations. Regardless ...

"But as for me". How are you living in our corrupt culture? The excuses are known by us very well.

Well, everyone else does it (whatever "it" may be that violates the righteousness of God).

God would not expect me to stay with this spouse - he/she doesn't make me happy anymore.

No one will see.

I have a right to my revenge.

I can cheat a little ... I'll be careful to not get caught.

Of course I didn't mean it ... I lied to get my way.

Guarantee? You've got to be kidding!

I promised? Oh, well ...

I deserve this thing. No, I can't afford it but I can work the system to get it anyway.

I'll treat him/her anyway I want ... she's not worth anything. He doesn't matter.

And on and on and on ...

"But as for me". Oh my friends ... the only person on the planet you have any control over is you. Look around you. Where do you need to stand and say, "I know this is how the 'world' thinks ... but as for me."

Will you join me in committing to a new group? Let's form the "But As For Me" association!

BUT AS FOR ME

We are the Bas-for-me' organization - the "But As for Me" girls! Want to join? Initiation fee is everything you have - all of it. Annual dues are your total surrender to God. It will take courage. It will take an ever-growing knowledge of our Lord and God. It will take a willingness to go against the "flow" of our culture and world. But the good news? You won't get kicked out for messing up!

I'm in! How about you?

God Builds His Case (Week 3 - Post 1)

2011-09-21T16:28:00.000-05:00

Micah 6 - 7 make up the third and final message of this little book. Micah sets up a court room scene. God, the plaintiff, brings a case against His people. We will consider this message in three parts.

Read Micah 6. If you read it out loud, you will get a sense of the flow of the material and the drama of the scene.

Today we will consider verses 1 - 8.

God pleads his case in verses 1 - 5. He asks His people to explain what He has done to reap such unfaitfulness from them. What has He done to "weary" them so! And He then lists a few of the incredible things He has done for them - the deliverance, the protection, the provision. The cross-references in your Bible will show you where you can read about each of the events and people that are mentioned. Deliverance ... protection ... provision.

Do you ever consider the ways of the Lord too hard for you? Does relationship with God place a "load" on the believer that is too heavy to carry. Are His righteous requirements too strict? Are they unreachable? Do you ever think about just giving up and living like the world around you? Is living for God too wearisome?

It is in the times of discouragement that we MUST reflect back on the deliverance God provided for each of us - "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." (Galatians 5:1) "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8: 1 - 2) We MUST reflect back on the protection He offers - "we find refuge in the shadow of your wings" (Psalm 36:7). We MUST reflect back on the provision that is always available. "I am the bread of life" (John 6:35) "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink." (John 7:37) Reflecting back is exactly what God asks His people to do in the first few verses of Micah 6. Remember ...

Israel makes her first reply in verses 6 - 7. It is as if the people reply with: how in the world can we satisfy this God? What does He want from us? Is it the ordinary sacrifice of a calf? Or perhaps we need to bring thousands and thousands of sacrifices? Would that do? Or perhaps we even should offer our eldest children to Him? Would that satisfy this God?

Micah answers with the beautiful words of verse 8 - perhaps the only verse from Micah that you already knew. Before this study, it was the only verse from Micah that I could quote and knew where to find! Read it aloud for yourself ...

He has showed you, O man, what is good.

And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly

and to love mercy

and to walk humbly with your God.

Act justly ... to live right in relation to one's fellow man in social and political affairs. Get rid of the "better than" thinking that is so much a part of human nature. Act justly - even with those who are not of your "group"!

Love mercy ... exhibit the quality of steadfast loving-kindness which is such a part of the nature of God, Himself. Show mercy to your children ... your spouse ... your friend ... your colleague. The definition in English is: "a refraining from harming or punishing offenders, enemies, persons in one's power; kindness in excess of what may be expected or demanded by fairness." Love it! Quit wanting people to "get theirs!" Quite delighting in revenge. Love mercy.

Walk humbly with your God ... there is no place for arrogance among God's people. Humility before God is the position of your heart. Bowed down. Honoring God more than yourself ... or anyone else. Walk that way. Live that way. Every day. At both work and play. At home as well as church. When recognized and when passed over.

The requirements of our Lord are not unreachable ... they are not "wearisome". The are beautiful. They require surrender. Often they require His life living through us ... but that's OK ... because you who belong to Christ have the very Spirit of God living in you!

Micah 6:8 ... memorize it. Make it part of your being so that when circumstances arise in your day tomorrow that challenge you ... justice, mercy and humility will be spill out all over those around you. And God will be honored ...

The Promised One - Micah 5 (Week 2 - Post 3)

2011-09-16T20:32:00.000-05:00

Read Micah 5. Remember it is part of the 2nd message which is given in chapters 3 - 5.

I think verses 1 - 5a belong with chapter 4. They continue the beautiful description of the hope for the remnant of Judah. We will come back to them.

Verses 5b - 9 describe the overthrow of Assyria. That had to be a comforting message! In verses 10 - 15, the Lord reveals through Micah how He will judge the nations for their rebellion and their disobedience. Once again, Micah is intent on his hearers realizing the seriousness of sin and idolatry. Why is that such a hard lesson to get? Why do we continue, even into our day, to assume the lesson is always for someone else? Again, may I encourage you to deal with your own sin-business ... the behaviors and attitudes that bring shame on the name and person of Christ (if you are a believer, the name you wear!)

Let's take our focus back to the beginning of the chapter - this splendid prophecy of Messiah. Read it again slowly and isolate the descriptive phrases.

from Bethlehem Ephrathah

from God

ruler in Israel

His goings forth are from long ago - from eternity

shepherd of His flock

has the strength of the Lord

will be in the majesty of the name of Lord God

great to the ends of the earth

our peace

Oh Lord - open our eyes so that we may see! Help us to understand the majesty of You through Your sent Messiah. What beautiful language You gave to Micah to enhance our understanding. Thank You.

To close your reading and your study today ... I want you to do a little cross-referencing. I found it to be wonderful - thrilling actually to see how God weaves His purposes throughout scripture. So just sit back with your Bible ... and carefully read through the following:

Micah 5:2 mentions Bethlehem Ephrathah (there is more than one Bethlehem, hence the distinction)

Genesis 48:7

Genesis 49: 8 - 10

Ruth 1: 1 - 2, 22; 4: 13 - 14, 21 - 22

1 Samuel 16:1; 17:12

Matthew 2:1, 3 - 6

John 1: 1, 14

Isaiah 9: 6 - 7

Revelation 19:11 - 16; 20:4

Thank You Lord!

Promises - Micah 4 (Week 2 - Post 2)

2011-09-14T18:13:00.000-05:00

We are in the middle of Micah's second sermon. For continuity ... begin your reading today with Micah 3 and then focus intently as you read Micah 4.

When we began this study, I asked you to be sure that you looked for "grace" ... for "hope" ... for "redemption". While God disciplines and judges sin and rebellion, He never leaves His people without hope and promises of life again aligned with Him. Chapters 4 and 5 beautifully, poetically point hearers to that hope.

Remember that Isaiah was a contemporary of Micah. You can observe the closeness of their messages by reading Isaiah 60: 1 - 3 and 10 - 14.

There are a variety of opinions over the timing of these things - how literal the promises are, how metaphorical they are. Search your commentaries for scholars' opinions on such things. Also, remember that prophecy has more than one fulfillment. If you have driven to Colorado (or toward any mountain range) you are well aware of the way the different ranges appear from a distance to be one right after another. But as you drive closer, you begin to grasp the great distances that exist between what looked close together. Even prophets speaking these words often did not comprehend the various fulfillments of their visions.

Regardless, what an incredibly beautiful picture is painted here. Do you see the peace, the unity, the provision? Outcasts will be established as valuable. Wars will be over. Fear will be gone.

Micah reminds these people that, while very difficult days are coming, don't be in despair. There is absolutely no reason for despair. Because God has not abandoned you. Do you need to hear that message today? Whatever you may be facing right this minute ... don't despair. God has not, and will not, abandon you. You will be rescued! Maybe not tomorrow ... or next week ... but we were designed to trust the hand, the mind, the plans of Jehovah God. It's a choice. Will you trust His hand in your life today?

I love Psalm 119. Over and over again David extols the value of meditating on the word of God. Not occasionally ... daily! One example is in verse 97:

Oh, how I love your law!

I meditate on it all day long.

Are you kidding - all day long? What about the things that must be done in the day? One of the ways I try to keep the word of the Lord in the forefront of my mind all day long is using cards with scripture that I want to "ponder" upon - to think about throughout the day. Then I can carry it with me. It can go in my car ... my bag ... on my desk. I am claiming one of those meditation passages from Micah 4.

Though all the peoples walk

each in the name of his god,

As for us, we will walk

In the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.

Let's together meditate on that. Just what does it mean to "walk in the name of the Lord our God forever"? What does it mean for your day today - tomorrow? Maybe that is why the first people mentioned in verse 6 are the "lame" - those unable to walk. The lame are going to be strong - able to walk in the name of the Lord. So can you. So can I. We just have to decide that it is of primary importance.

Let's choose it ...

Lord, help us want to walk in Your righteous name today. Show us how to do that better than we did today. Give us the strength to stay on that path even when the winds are powerful and attempt to blow us off. We choose to walk in Your Name.

Micah's 2nd Sermon Begins (Week 2 - Post 1)

2011-09-12T17:45:00.000-05:00

Our work this week will cover Micah 3 - 5. These chapters record the second of his siren calls to Israel and Judah. It begins like the first sermon ... "hear" or "listen" ... so let's do just that!

Read Micah 3. As you read, identify the primary "who" that Micah speaks to. Also, notice the places where the word "justice" is used and what Micah says about it. Then come back ...

One reminder ... as we stop with the chapter break at the end of Chapter 3, we are stopping in the middle of a sermon. I don't know of any preacher who would like that! So just remember that we are pausing only ... not finished with the message.

Micah begins by addressing leadership - heads, rulers, prophets, priests. It could be easy for us to assume that the message does not apply to you and I ... just to the powerful and the influence-brokers. However, we must identify the spheres of influence that each of us have. If you are a wife or husband, a mom or dad in a home ... if you teach anywhere ... if you are in any organization where you play a part ... if you are a "boss" to anyone, you need to "listen". The message IS for us.

Two things stand out to me in this chapter.

First, I am touched by how important justice is to our God. The lack of it in Israel and Judah is primary evidence against these countries - a primary reason for the anger of God. The people are being stripped and crushed because of the lack of justice in the land. To understand a little of what God means when He talks about "justice", notice Deuteronomy 16: 18 - 20:

Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you,

and they shall judge the people fairly. Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a

bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. Follow justice

and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God giving you."

Think about your family in this context. Moms and dads, how important it is to not show partiality among your children - whether young or adult. It has to do with justice. Each child is a gift from God ... the ones that are easier, and the ones that are more challenging ... the ones that do what you want and like, and the ones who do not. Ask God to show you if and where you are exhibiting any partiality within your own family - which is your "tribe".

Also, consider the issue of "bribes". Can manipulation be a bribe? It seems to me that when we manipulate spouses or children or friends or colleagues to get our way ... it is similar to working a bribe. It has to do with justice. It has to do with honesty. Ask God to show you if and where you are using manipulation as a tool to get your way instead of honest and fair communication.

It takes Godly wisdom to know when I am acting with justice and when I am not - because justice does not mean accepting wrong - Micah is very clear about that! When God speaks about justice ... it is always in the context of what is right, of righteousness.

The second thing that spoke to me from this chapter is verse 5. How like us! When we are personally full and satisfied we see nothing wrong. All is peace. All is fine. But let us get "hungry", let our personal lives not go according to plan, and we, too, begin to rail for holy war. It seems that the thought to look inside self never occurs to us. Well ... let us be different! Let us be ones who, when times of "hunger" come, ask God to enlighten us about the parts we play. Let us look to Him for clarification of lessons that need to be learned.

Before we push the pause button on Micah's sermon, I want to remind us of some words of Jesus. Jesus has just pronounced scathing "woe" upon the cities where He was performing miracles ... the woe was because of their unbelief. It is dire ... as dire as what we read in Micah 3. But right following the pronouncement of judgment, He says,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,

and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,

for I am gentle and humble in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

(Matthew 11: 28 - 30 NIV)

In "The Message" translation, Peterson uses a phrase in translating these verses that I love - and I think we need to hear it today. He says, "Get away with Me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace."

Oh Lord ... I do want to learn the unforced rhythms of grace. Help me ... help us ... so that we can see you as You really are. This day ... may we handle our affairs, our business, our family with justice ... Your justice.

Warnings, Yes ... Also Hope! Micah 2 (Week 1 - Post 3)

2011-09-09T08:21:00.001-05:00

Read Micah 2.

After beginning with the horrific sin of idolatry, Micah, as the prosecutor, continues to build God's case against the people. I wonder ... could the odious things in this chapter be happening in our own land, our own lives? Notice:

coveting - taking what does not belong to you (verse 2)
fraud (verse 2)
stealing (verse 8)
abuse of women and children (verse 9)
lying (verse 11)
deception (verse 11)

Oh my! Spiritual wounds that deeply effect our souls both personally and nationally. Self examination is the first place to go ... followed by prayer. National examination comes next ... followed by prayer.

Look again at verses 6 - 7. How typical of us! Just don't talk about it! If you don't say it - it won't be true. The people are appalled that God was angry with them. After all, they were His chosen people, right? God is love, right? Their country was prosperous at the time of Micah's message. That means God was blessing them, right? So let's not talk about it. It's not pleasant. Besides, outsiders might think that our God is not sweet. After all, isn't God a heavenly grandfather patting the heads of his grandchildren?

Have you read the classic, "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" by C. S. Lewis? I hope you have! If not, go get it and read it. It is a metaphorical picture of our Lord represented by a lion named Aslan. Four children accidentally discover the magical land of Narnia which is under a curse when they stumble into it. In their explorations the children meet Mr. and Mrs. Beaver who know very well the curse under which Narnia lies and that Aslan is the only hope for release. They explain to the children how Aslan, the true King, is on the move. Listen to the ensuing conversation:

     "Is - is he a man?" asked Lucy.
     "Aslan a man!" said Mr. Beaver sternly. "Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea. Don't you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion - the lion, the great Lion."
     "Ooh!" said Susan, "I'd thought he was a man. Is he - quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion."
     "That you will, dearie, and no mistake," said Mrs. Beaver, "if there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're either braver than most or else just silly."
     "Then he isn't safe?" said Lucy.
     "Safe?" said Mr. Beaver. "Don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King."
("The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" by C. S. Lewis, Book 1 in the Chroniclers of Narnia)

We can't leave chapter 2 without resting in verses 12 - 13. Read them again. It reminds us all of God's infinite grace and mercy. Never forget ... God has a remnant!  God promises deliverance. Micah gives a preview picture of Messiah in verse 13.

And we fall on our faces in gratitude ... our righteous God of justice provides healing and hope.

Not "safe" ... but eternally "good"!

Rest there ... Micah does as he closes his first sermon.

Warnings - Micah 1 (Week 1, Post 2)

2011-09-07T14:21:00.000-05:00

This little book of prophetic message was written by the man, Micah. His name means "who is like Jehovah" and with his very name gives testimony to the exalted position and person of Jehovah God. We don't know anything about the man other than he came from the town of Moresheth and was a contemporary of Isaiah. How those two men must have encouraged each other as both gave sober messages to the countries of Judah and Israel.

Those of us living on the Gulf coast of Texas are very familiar with hurricane warnings. And we are grateful for them. Those of you in West Texas and Oklahoma know well tornado warnings. I also have read about the peoples in London and St Petersburg during World War 2 - the sirens that gave warning of coming bombers and the rush for the shelters. Those warning systems were and are a wonderful thing - something for which to be very grateful. The warnings we will be reading in this book are also a source for gratitude! Through them we better know and understand the God of the universe. I pray that you will approach your reading with that in mind.

Stop now and read Micah 1.

The message begins with the exhortation to "hear". Who should hear? Certainly Samaria (capital of Israel). Certainly Jerusalem (capital of Judah). But don't overlook verse 2 - "Hear, O peoples, all of you". That includes you and me. Will we hear? Will we listen? That remains to be seen!

The poetry indicates a scene similar to a courtroom scene. It seems that God is coming down to bring His case against His people. He is going to explain why judgment must come. And He begins with the sin of idolatry. High places are the places in the ancient world where altars and poles were set up to worship and sacrifice to idols. Micah tells the people that God observes the way they have turned Jerusalem, even Jerusalem, into a "high place". Judgment is coming.

It is so easy to relegate idolatry to the ancient world - to Bible times and Bible people. But it is such a relevant and contemporary issue! I have to deal with it ... so do you. Warren Wiersbe says, "What we serve and sacrifice for is the thing that we worship." Try to honestly answer these questions:

          1. What do I 'serve'?
          2. What am I willing to sacrifice for? Have I ever 'sacrificed' for anything?
          3. What do I place the highest value on in my own life?

Remember ... warnings are designed to save and protect! And the warning siren from Micah is that Jehovah God will not tolerate idolatry forever. There will come a time of judgment. Micah's voice cries out to us through the centuries pleading for our hearts, too, to return to the God of the universe. Jerusalem's "wound" had become incurable (verse 9). Oh, that we will "hear" while our wounds of idolatry can be healed!

John Oxenham (1861 - 1941) penned this prayer ...

Better in bitterest agony to lie,

Before Thy throne,

Than through much increase to be lifed up on high,

And stand alone.

Yet best - the need that broke me at Thy feet,

In voiceless prayer,

And cast my chastened heart, a sacrifice complete,

Upon Thy care.

Go to God right now ... identify and confess the idolatry that grips your heart as I do my own ... and cast your chastened heart into the hands of our gracious God!

Lord ... show me ...

Introduction (Week 1, Post 1)

2011-09-05T16:23:00.000-05:00

The summer has been long ... and unbelievably hot for those of us who live in South Texas. We pray for rain ... for a break in the heat ... for refreshment. And it is with those thoughts in my mind that I begin a new Bible study with you. Because that is what Bible study is ... refreshment. When we pause in our busy-ness to be still and quiet ... to listen for a word from God ... to glean wisdom for the lives we live, the decisions we must make, the circumstances we must navigate ... it is in that quietness that our study does its finest work. It allows us to hear from God.

I am calling our Fall study, "Ancient Messages for the 21st Century." We will work together for 10 weeks. There will be 3 posts each week, Lord willing. We will cover four of the twelve Minor Prophets. We will explore Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk and Hosea. Don't worry if you have to search to find them! They each contain only a few chapters. However, remember that they are called "minor" because of length - not because of importance. In fact, in the Hebrew canon of scripture, the books are put together and are called "The Twelve". In that canon, they are part of the books called the "Latter Prophets". We will begin with Micah.

As we begin ... some reminders.

First, we have a 'mantra' in the Bible classes at my church that we often have to remind each other of. It is ... "anything I do is better than doing nothing at all." Our natural tendency is to quit when things get hard ... or when we get behind ... or when we get tired. I want you to keep the "anything" idea in your head for this study. Just keep going. Begin again.

Second, if you read the current popular fiction book, "The Help", or saw the movie that is out right now, you know of Aibelene's words to the precious little girl she cared for. This little girl was neglected by her own mother - pushed aside and ignored. So Aibelene would take her little face into her hands, look deeply into her eyes and say, "You is smart. You is kind. You is important." The books we are studying this session are hard. And you may need to get in front of your mirror, look yourself deeply in the eyes and say to yourself, "I is smart. I is kind. I is important."

Third, remember the words from 2 Timothy 3:16:

"All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Instead of "all scripture", insert the word, "Micah". Micah is God-breathed. Micah is useful to us. Micah can teach us critically important lessons about life and about God. Will we listen?

The name, Micah, means "who is like Jehovah". The book is written as poetry. It may be helpful to read it out loud. One of my friends who is a retired English teacher gave us this advice: "Read it a sentence at a time. What does the sentence say?" Watch for rhythms. What for metaphors and similes. Other poetic devices, such as rhyme, alliteration, consonance, assonance, will not be readily observable. But remember, this was not written in English - it was written in Hebrew.

Our focus will not be on style or analysis. There are many commentaries that can take you on that road if your interest is there. Our focus will be on hearing from God about OUR times, OUR culture, OUR blind spots. Our focus will be on content and application for our own lives.

So ... let's begin. The first assignment is to read the book of Micah. Read it straight through - perhaps out loud - for overview purposes. Don't analyze right now ... just read ... and listen. What do you hear?

Lord, we pray for wisdom from Your Spirit as we begin this study. Give each of us ears to hear what You would say to us individually. We want to hear. And we want to respond. So flood our spirits with courage and determination.

The Impermanence of Failure

2011-07-27T17:41:00.000-05:00

I love Jesus' apostle, Peter. I love his enthusiasm ... his passion ... his willingness to step up and step out.

Watch the pattern ...

Matthew 4: 18 - 20 "As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow Me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.' At once they left their nets and followed Him."

Matthew 14: 25 - 29 (In the midst of a storm on the Sea of Galilee) "During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.'
                                   'Lord, if it's you,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to you on the water.'
                                   'Come,' he said.
                                   Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus."

Matthew 16: 13 - 16 "When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say the Son of Man is?'
                                    They replied, 'Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.'
                                    'But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?'
                                    Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' ...
                                    Jesus replied ... 'I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.'

And as Jesus was preparing his disciples for his coming death and departure, it was Peter who said, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." (Luke 22:33)

When Matthew reports that conversation, he says, (Matthew 26: 31 - 33)
                                   "Then Jesus told them, 'This very night you will all fall away on account of me.'
                                    Peter replied, 'Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.'"

As a person who is naturally cautious ... as a person who struggles with decision making ... I love Peter!

And then we watch him fail so miserably. All four of the gospel writers tell of Peter's verbal denial of any association with Jesus. They all report Peter's presence in the courtyard when Jesus was being set up by the phony "trial" and his vehement attempt to disassociate himself from Jesus. What?! Peter?! The same man we watched and heard stand by his Lord?

Yes. The same man. The same Peter. And failure struck its blow.

Have you ever been there? Has some failure made its bitter mark on and in your life? I suspect so. We live with our failures. In fact, they mark us and teach us probably more than our successes do. The reason this is not depressing is we can know how Peter dealt with his failure ... and how Jesus responded to Peter's failure ... and what Jesus is doing right now for you and me!

Jesus told Peter in Luke 22:32 "I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Peter's behavior failed but Jesus prayed that his FAITH would not fail! And indeed, Peter's FAITH did not fail. Peter did turn back. And went on to strengthen, not only his brothers in his own lifetime, but the myriad of believers that have followed him in the subsequent generations.

But that was Peter, right? And you are you. Listen to Hebrews 7: 24 - 25:

                     But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.
                     Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God
                     through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Jesus is praying for you as well. Right now. In spite of your failures. He prays that your FAITH will not fail. That means you and I can walk with confidence today. Our confidence is in the knowledge that our failures and sin, when confessed with repentance, are forgiven and that our Lord continually lives to intercede for us. Remarkable, no? Don't stay beaten down by past failure. Get up. Resolve to walk in the presence of our Lord - held up and strengthened by Him.

I love the words in one of the songs we sing ...

Thou O Lord

Art a shield about me

You're my glory

You're the lifter of my head.

Head's up my friends! Because of Jesus ...

Growth

2011-07-07T16:57:00.000-05:00

Watching TV commercials gives insight into the kinds of things we Americans value. And among that list is the passion for looking and acting young. The creams and potions and hair products and vitamins and medications are all targeted at our desire to look younger and to act younger than we are. It represents a multi-million dollar a year industry. It reminds me of Peter Pan's "I won't grow up" mantra. And I find myself right in the middle of it all. I decided some time ago to NOT keep up with the amount of money I spend on hair and face products!

But ... what is it that makes us want to be perpetually "young"? It seems to spill over into behaviors and attitudes as well as looks. Scripture values growing up ... maturing ... not staying perpetually "young". While Jesus commends innocent, child-like faith, He never condones spiritual immaturity and childishness.

Listen to Paul in Ephesians 4: 14 - 15: "We are no longer to be children, ... we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ"

And Peter in 2 Peter 3:18: "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity."

Maturity ... a thing to be desired!

When writing to the Corinthian church, Paul says to those believers: "I could not speak to you as to spiritual me, but as to men of flesh, as to babes in Christ." And this was not a good thing!
The believers in Corinth were not maturing ... they were not growing up spiritually. One evidence of the immaturity was the existence of jealousies and strife among them. Hmmmmmm

Growth matters. Spiritual growth is of utmost importance for the believer. Maturing spiritually is a good thing. Not only is it not to be avoided ... it is to be pursued with passion! Are you growing? Visualize yourself a couple of years ago ... are you more mature in your faith today? What gives evidence of that maturing?

I know some of the excuses that can be given for lack of growth ...

          I can't worry about that until my life smooths out a little. After all, my schedule is wayyy too hectic right now. Spiritual growth is for people who don't have anything to do but sit around and "contemplate" and study. I don't have the time for that. Sure, I want to ... but just look at my calendar!

          It's not my fault. No one ever cultivated the proper soil in my life for spiritual growth. My family of origin was a mess. My dad was interested in nothing but his work. No one taught me how and now it's too late. My spouse doesn't care about it ... how in the world am I supposed to put any focus on spiritual growing? It's not my fault.

          The relationships in my life are much too complicated and messy and volatile right now. I can't be expected to think about anything else until those things smooth out - until my life gets easier.

Reader, you could most likely add a host of additional reasons why we think that spiritual growth cannot happen in our own lives. But when I get lazy about it - when I get discouraged about it - when I decide it cannot happen because my life is too hard .... I remember a tree on Colorado Highway 135 ... and I remember that God has promised to complete the good work (of maturing me in faith) that He began (Philippians 1:6). He will grow me up, mature me spiritually! What I have to do is submit myself to His good hand. And we will grow ... even in hard places!

My life, your life - they are not too hard for us to grow in our faith. Re-commit to it ... today!

Reminder from a Loon

2011-06-30T07:49:00.000-05:00

I watched a loon navigate a stream today.

There is a stream that runs behind this house in Colorado. Because of the late spring snows, all of the rivers in the area are running very high and fast - even the little stream behind the house. It does not often have "white water" in it. But this summer is different. It is swirling. tumbling, rushing headlong down the mountain.
And today there was this loon. At least, I think it was a loon. After checking my "Birds of the Rocky Mountains" book, that is my best determination. The common loon - Gavia immer - "a serene symbol of wilderness".

I marveled at his ability to navigate the fast water. It was rough with great potential to take him under. He was perched on top of the water and the water was carrying him downstream. When he came to a section that was particularly rough, he stretched his neck up, beak to the sky, and rode the rough water until he had safely passed through it.

Our lives have so many rough places - places that have the potential to take us under. Are you in just such a place right now? How are we to navigate through tumultuous times? Even Jesus acknowledged the surety of struggles when He was talking about our tendency to worry over what might happen. He said in Matthew 6:34 that "each day has enough trouble of its own." We can all give testimony to the reality of that statement!   So how do we navigate?

I think we perhaps need to take a lesson from the loon. Keep your head and eyes up ...

Hebrews 12: 1 - 3   Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before hi endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

2 Corinthians 4: 17 - 18        For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

The loon knew by instinct how to navigate through the rough water. Head up - beak to the sky - and ride through it. We, too, can know how to navigate the rough places in our lives - not by instinct but by instruction. Heads up - eyes fixed on our Lord - and ride through the hard place.

I love the chorus that says,

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

So - heads up, my friends - eyes fixed on Jesus - and the rough waters you must navigate will grow strangely dim in the light His glory and grace.

Thirst

2011-06-20T22:42:00.000-05:00

My home town of Houston is suffering from drought this summer. We did not experience the usual spring rains that keep the trees green and the flowers in bloom. Therefore the ground is hard, plants are not growing ... in fact, they are dying unless someone is consistently watering them. Trees are reaching that critical point where the reserves of their own moisture have been exhausted.  Without water they will die. Without water, growth and life and beauty cannot exist.

Listen to Jesus as He speaks with a woman at a water well in Samaria. The words are found in John 4: 13 - 14.   Everyone who drinks this water will be thristy again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

Jesus uses the same picture in John 7: 37 - 39: On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believe in Him were later to receive.

Are you thirsty? Do you ever see yourself as one of the plants that are withering because of a lack of water? How is your spirit? Are you growing? Jesus knows that we all long for fulfillment and satisfaction. And Jesus knows where that satisfaction comes from.  So He uses the image of thirst ... of longing for water. And then He lets us know that the way to quench the thirst is through Him and His Spirit.

Are you applying the water of life, the person of Jesus to fill you and satisfy you? It is a daily process. As many of us take breaks from our usual routines this summer, we must be vigilant to not take a recess from spending time with our Lord ... listening to Him ... being quiet in His presence ... taking in His Word. We do not have to experience a drought in our soul ... apply the water of the person of Christ to your soul today ... and tomorrow ... but begin today.

Near the end of the Bible is a splendid passage that thrills me every time I read it. In fact, it is one of the passages I have written on an index card to keep in the forefront of my mind. Thrill with me to these words and this promise ...

The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:17

A free gift ... the water of life ... a gift from God. Thank you Lord!
(And I pray for rain in south Texas)

Risen ... So, Rise!

2011-04-19T15:41:00.000-05:00

On a Sunday morning, over 2000 years ago, a small group of women went to a tomb outside of Jerusalem. They went to complete the burial rituals of their culture for a man they had followed and loved. You see, he had been crucified by the Roman government on the Friday prior. He had been crucified because the Jewish rulers in Jerusalem considered him a threat to their status with the Roman officials and a threat to their religious heritage and traditions. (It actually took place by the sovereign providence of God). Due to the customs of the Jewish Passover, once sundown on Friday came, no work could be done until Sabbath was over. Therefore, the burial of Jesus had been hurried, incomplete.

When they arrived in the wee morning hours of that Sunday, the stone covering the entrance to the tomb was rolled away, the tomb was empty. In the midst of the bewilderment, 2 angels appeared and spoke to these women: “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” (Luke 24: 5—6) And everything changed—not only for this little band of women—but for you and me!

“He is risen” carries life-altering ramifications for us.
1. It means that Jesus’ payment for my sin-debt was accepted by the God of all. God is just … and sin must be paid for. It was. Jesus put on my sin as one puts on a coat and God judged it … death … debt paid. The reality that God brought Jesus back from that blackness of death allows me to see that, truly, “It was finished”. What return can I make to the Lord for His goodness to me?

2. Because Jesus is now forever alive … I can be forever alive as well! Ephesians 2:4 –5: “But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” It may be true that we are outwardly fading, growing a bit more frail year by year. But that has nothing to do with my real life. Because, inwardly, we who are alive in Christ are being renewed day by day, getting stronger day by day, getting more beautiful day by day. We are alive … now and forevermore.

3. Since we are alive … why not live like it!? Paul tells us in the book of Romans to quit living as if we were still slaves to sin. We are no longer controlled by our sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in us … so rise up … live like it! Paul writes to the Colossian church (and to us) and says, “So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from His perspective.” (Message translation) So … rise up … you are forever alive … so live like it! How do we do that? Go to the book of Colossians and read chapter 3:1—4:6. Paul describes for us what resurrection looks like. He is painfully specific. And a resurrected life being lived out in our own 21st century will carry with it the same characteristics as the ones Paul describes in Colossians. Jesus knows about resurrected living … trust Him.

He is Risen

He is Risen … Indeed!

So … let us Rise Up

Let us live out, in our own lives,

The Reality of our Risen Lord!

Life Source - Week 12 - Day 3 ** Conclusion

2011-04-08T10:19:00.001-05:00

We have come to the end of our journey through the gospel of John. And I can close where I began ... I love this book! For me, it paints the most beautiful picture of Jesus, Messiah ... my Lord and my God.

I love to see again His compassion on people in pain. It genuinely cares about the hurting and the suffering that exist in this old fallen world. And it reminds me that He has that same compassion toward me ... in the places of hurt ... in the inflicted wounds which I suffer. I find comfort there. I find strength there. That is my Lord!

It thrills me to watch His interactions with the ones closest to Him. Those interactions are personal, intimate and non-judgmental. Those interactions are focused on Jesus leading His followers into growth ... maturity ... God-likeness. And it reminds me that He has has the same desire for me. He directs me toward growth. He shows me what it looks like for a human being to behave in God ways. And He tells me to follow in His footsteps. Imitate ... imitate as I become. Copy until those behaviors are as natural as breathing. That is my Lord!

I am sobered again at the cost He paid to have intimacy and restoration of relationship with humanity ... with me. It leads me deeper into the place of gratitude and love. That is my Lord!

As we close this study, it is April, 2011. Easter will be here in 2 weeks. This particular blog spot will rest for the remainder of the month. The next study will be announced later in May. But I have a suggestion for us for these next 3 weeks. I plan to read John through again before this month ends ... join me? There are 21 chapters ... and, beginning today, there are 23 days before the month ends. Easter is late this year ... so we will be in the middle of the Passion of our Lord when our churches are reflecting on the same life-altering event. Immerse yourself in the Lord ... let His words wash over you ... let His strength hold you up ... let His love encourage you ... let His gift of Himself save you.

He came that we might have life ... and have it to the full, abundantly. (John 10:10) Jesus truly is the source of life ... the spring from which living water flows ...

His offer is life ... unending and full ... so, LIVE!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of me. The light shines in the darkness ...
To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
(John 1: 1 - 3, 12 - 14)

Life Source - Week 12 - Day 2 ** John 21: 15 - 25

2011-04-06T13:01:00.000-05:00

Read John 21: 15 - 25

Have you ever failed at something? Have you ever failed at something when you were dead certain that you would never fail at that? Well, Peter knew such failure. You read of it in John 18: 1 - 27 and we looked into that failure in Week 9, Day 2 of our study. So many questions come to my mind as I read John 21. Did Peter go back to fishing because he knew, after his failure, that he had no place as a disciple of the Lord? Was he more subdued? He was willing to go fish alone (John 21:3). Did he think he only deserved to be alone? But the others went with him. Peter did have God-given leadership gifts! People followed. I wonder if that scared him now - post failure?

In our reading today ... other questions surface.

Question #1: Why did Jesus ask the same question 3 times? There are different words used for "love" in this exchange. Jesus uses agapao first ... then agapao again ... then phileo. In Greek agapao is the word for God-like love ... the most supreme form of love ... the selfless kind of love. Phileo means love for brothers ... love for others ... brotherly kindness. Peter uses phileo in all three of his responses to Jesus. Commentators are divided about the significance of such word analysis. In Greek you see these differences ... in Aramaic, the common language of the day ... there were no such differences. So perhaps the questioning 3 times has another significance. Perhaps Jesus asked Peter the same question 3 times to take him back to the the 3 times he had denied his Lord. Perhaps it was Jesus giving Peter 3 opportunities to heal, to confirm his loyalty and faith. Peter responded to the first question with boldness ... typical Peter ... "of course I love You!" Same response second time. At the third question, Peter submits himself, finally, to the wisdom and knowledge of God. His SELF-CONFIDENCE had to be exchanged for GOD-CONFIDENCE. Now he is ready. Now the Lord can commission him to the task of church building.

There are two possible responses to our failures ... we can wallow in self-pity over the failure ... or we can arrogantly deny that it happened or take any responsibility for its happening. God wants neither response from us. He would have you confront the failure, in all its pain, and allow the Lord to heal and bring relief. Do you need to talk to Him about a failure in your past that is coloring your present? If you do not allow His healing touch ... it will spread its ugly colors into your future. Take it to Him today ... now. No more waiting or hiding.

Question #2: The second question that interests me from these verses is the question Peter asks Jesus. After Jesus explains to Peter some things about his future, Peter wants to know about John ... "what about him?" Was it just ordinary curiosity? Perhaps it was a competitive spirit that existed between the two of them? Jesus' answer is so enlightening! In essence, Jesus says, "It's none of your business." The lesson that screams from the page at me is ... Stop wasting time speculating about others! Stop comparing yourself ... or your ministry ... or your circumstances to others! That includes others that you love. Stop comparing!

Jesus' message to Peter ... and to me ... and to you ... is:

Your business, Peter ... your business, Gail ... your business, (your name) ... is to follow Me!
Your business, Peter ... your business, Gail ... your business, (your name) ... is to be faithful to Me!

May you and I pay more attention to "our business" today.

There will be one final posting to conclude our study of John. It will be Week 12 - Day 3.

Life Source - Week 12 - Day 1 ** John 21: 1 - 14

2011-04-05T15:49:00.002-05:00

We have moved into the final chapter of this splendid gospel of John - John 21.

It is interesting to note that some commentators believe that this chapter was not penned by John himself. They believe that John died before his gospel was circulated to the churches. In their view, the prologue (John 1: 1 - 18) and John 21 were added to John's gospel record by John's disciples. And that John closed his writing with the words from 20:30 - 31 "Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." Maybe so ... maybe no. What we do know is that the prologue and Chapter 21 have been attached to the earliest manuscript fragments that we have. And they do bookend this gospel account beautifully!

Chapter 21 has two primary foci: first is the apostolic mission of the church and second is the restoration of Peter.

Today we will consider the first. Read John 21: 1 - 14.

In Palestine, on the Sea of Galilee, the best time for fishing was in the wee morning hours ... before sunrise. Usually the fishermen would use two nets: a trammel net or compound net. This net had cork floaters on top and stone or metal sinkers on the bottom. It would be cast into the sea. Once a school of fish was surrounded, the men would then throw a cast net. This net was about 10 feet across with lead sinkers. It would settle over a school of fish and the fishermen would then tighten the net around the school and begin to haul the catch to the boat. If in shallow enough waters, a fisherman might dive into the water to help manipulate the cast net. (Could be why Peter did not have on his outer cloak.) Very often, in the pre-dawn light, a school of fish would be visible to someone farther away than to the men right on top of the scene. Perhaps that is why we don't find Peter and his companions questioning the stranger on the shore when he suggested that they try the other side of the boat. (verse 6)

Was the catch miraculous? Perhaps God pulled that school of fish together at that place and that time. What we know is that it was abundant! In Judaism, an abundant catch was a sign of God's favor and blessing. I think Jesus was having a good time watching all this happen! I can imagine him laughing out loud as the fishermen strained to manage the huge catch of fish - thoroughly enjoying the enormity of the blessing for these men.

Have you seen abundance in your own life? You most likely are one of two kinds of people: those who view the world through the lens of abundance and those who view the world through the lens of scarcity.

O, Lord, how I want to be able to see the abundance You have provided in my life! Help me, help us, never to focus on what we think is "missing" and focus on the plenty, the blessedness of "enough" that is from Your hand.

If there is symbolic significance in the number 153 (verse 11), its meaning has been lost. There is speculation ... but no one is certain of any significance.

And we watch our risen Lord cooking a breakfast for ones that He loves. Such an ordinary task. Such a daily task. Can we watch Him doing this mundane thing and learn anything? How do you view the food prep that you do for your family? I want to transform my view from "burden" to "privilege". It is a precious privilege ... to help provide sustenance for people you love. Let's learn from the example of Jesus.

I see a primary lesson in this first section of chapter 21. And that lesson is: "Church, cast the net ... let God draw in the fish." Have you ever been guilty of pre-deciding who will be receptive to the message of Jesus and who will not? Sometimes we prejudge people on appearance or lifestyle or demographic or a myriad of other criteria. Let's commit ourselves to just casting the net ... always remembering what we learn from Isaiah 52:7 ...

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

Have beautiful feet this week! And that has nothing to do with pedicures!!

Life Source - Week 11 - Day 3 ** John 20: 19 - 31

2011-03-31T11:00:00.002-05:00

Read John 20: 19 - 31.

When Jesus appeared in the room with the disciples ... His first greeting ... "Peace". We see that repeated 3 times: verses 19 and 21 and then in verse 26 when Jesus came to them a second time when Thomas was also present. Jesus knew "peace" was their greatest need. The had locked themselves away because they were afraid of the authorities. Their world had crumbled ... their hope was gone ... I can only imagine the confusion, the anxiety, the hopelessness they must have felt. And Jesus, risen, enters the room with the word, peace. The Greek word used in all three instances is the word eirene. Listen to the description of this word from "Practical Word Studies in the New Testament":

The word means peace, harmony, agreement; to bind together; to join and weave together. It means order instead of chaos. It means that one is bound, woven, joined together with himself and with God and with others. The Hebrew word is shalom. It means freedom from trouble and much, much more. It means experiencing the highest good, enjoying the very best, possessing all the inner good possible. It means wholeness and soundness. It means prosperity in the widest sense, especially prosperity in the spiritual sense of having a soul that blossoms and flourishes. ... There is the peace of Christ and of God. This is a bosom peace, a peace deep within. It is a tranquility of mind, a composure, a peace that settles and strengthens the believer even through the most terrible circumstances and situations. It is more than feelings, even more than attitude and thought.

What a word! Jesus ... offering these confused, frightened disciples ... peace. How in the world do you have 'peace' in the midst of wretched circumstances? These folks were afraid for their very lives. Did you see the source? Jesus says the words ... then He gave them the Holy Spirit so that the source would be available. He gave His Spirit through His breath. He breathed on them ...

At the creation of the world when God formed man from the dust of the earth ... man was not "alive" until God breathed on him. (Genesis 2:7) Likewise ... man/woman can have no spiritual life, cannot be truly "alive" until the breath of God through the person of the Holy Spirit indwells his/her own spirit.

How can we experience that "breath of God"? Acts 2: 38 - 39 says, "Repent and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call." We can experience the "breath of God". And there is peace ...

Don't leave this chapter without noticing the movement here.

In verses 1 - 18 ... Mary moves from despair to joy. Why? Because of the presence of Jesus. Do you need that same movement in your life? It's the presence of Jesus ...

In verses 19 - 23 ... the disciples move from fear to courage. How? By the presence of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. Do you need that same movement in your life? It's the presence of Jesus ...

In verses 24 - 28 ... Thomas moves from unbelief to confidence. How? By the presence of Jesus. Do you need to move from doubt to faith? Pray ... ask that God, through the Holy Spirit, confirm to you as He did to Thomas, that the presence of Jesus is real ... as real as the hand at the end of your arm.

In verses 29 - 31 ... ALL can move from death to life! How? By the presence of Jesus. Life is in His name. Do you need to move out of the walking dead into the forever alive? Jesus.

And then ... let there be peace!

Life Source - Week 11 - Day 2 ** John 20: 11 - 18

2011-03-30T13:52:00.001-05:00

We are in John 20. Today focus on verses 11 - 18.

This is one of my favorite scenes in all of scripture. I love the tenderness of it ... the incredulity of it ... the overwhelming love that is portrayed. Rather than share any of my own limited observations ... I want to share a reading with you today. In 1986 Mary Lou Carney wrote a little book titled: "Heart Cries - Prayers of Biblical Women". In that book, Ms. Carney takes a few verses that set up a scene involving one of the women of the Bible ... and then creatively imagines a prayer that woman could possibly have prayed to God in the midst of the circumstance or crisis. My favorite is the prayer she created for Mary Magdalene in this very scene. May it speak to your heart today ...

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary of Magdala went to the tomb and saw that the tone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tome, and we don't know where they have put him!" (John 20: 1 - 2)

O God -----
          when will this nightmare end!
          Is there no limit to the cruelty of the Romans ... the treachery of the Sanhedrin?
          Now they have taken his body!

The spices I have brought to anoint him lie at my feet in mocking silence.
          Isn't it enough they scourged him ... humiliated him ... crucified him?
          Did they then have to steal his mangled body from Joseph's tomb, denying him even the rites of burial?
          But what do they hope to gain?
                    This makes not sense ... no sense at all ...
          But then nothing in Jerusalem has made sense these last few days.

Only a week ago Jesus rode into the city while the people waved palm branches and pledged
          their allegiance, shouting
                    'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!'

Such allegiance!

Those are the same people who only a few days later clamored for the release of that scum Barabbas -
          and demanded that Jesus be crucified.

I cannot bear to think my Master will not have the simple rituals of death!

God ... I HATE THEM ALL --
          those pious, scheming priests ... that self-centered Sanhedrin.
          They are all hypocrites ... whose mouths mumbled scripture while their hearts planned murder!

O, to be a man ... a man with the courage and strength of Samson!
          Then I would rip out the hearts of those cowardly dogs who cluster in the Temple
                    licking their chops ... savoring their victory.
          And my laughter would drown the sounds of their death groans.
          How my mouth waters for the taste of vengeance!

But even as my anger burns, O God,
          I hear the voice of my gentle Jesus saying, 'Love your enemies,'

Love?! How is that possible?

Standing here in the garden, I feel the flush of rage on my face ...
          the rush of blood that leaves my hands tingling for revenge.

I can't do it.

I can't love those enemies ... the very ones who nailed my Rabboni to the cross!

O God, you whom Jesus called Father, free me from this consuming hatred
          as once your son freed me from Satan's evil spirits.
God of all power, allow me -- somehow -- to complete this last act of devotion.
Teach me anew to trust you ...
          or my hopes and dreams will remain as dead as the crucified Christ.

Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" "They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. "Woman," he said, "Why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" Mary of Magdala went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" (John 20: 11 - 16, 18a)

Jesus' first post-resurrection appearance was to a woman ... a woman with a past. May you see the Lord today ... in a person or an event or the world around you ... He is there, the risen Lord is there ... waiting for us to see Him, to acknowledge His presence. And He calls you by name ...

Life Source - Week 11 - Day 1 ** John 20: 1 - 10

2011-03-28T18:12:00.001-05:00

As we continue to relish "the story" ... today read John 20: 1 - 10.

I want us to consider the three primary players in these verses today - Mary, Peter and John.

But to set the scene consider these historical and cultural insights:
First ...

"It was the custom in Palestine to visit the tomb of a loved one for three days after the body had been laid to rest. It was believed that for three days the spirit of the dead person hovered round the tomb; but then it departed because the body had become unrecognizable through decay. Jesus' friends could not come to the tomb on the Sabbath, because to make the journey then would have been to break the law. So it was on Sunday morning that Mary came to the tomb." (William Barclay: Daily Study Bible, The Gospel of John)

Second ...
Tombs in ancient times did not ordinarily have doors. There was a groove cut into the ground and in that groove a large stone was wheeled into position for closure. Matthew even tells us that the authorities had "sealed" the stone so that no one would move it. (Matthew 27:66)

Mary Magdalene:

Mary was one of the little band of women who followed Jesus all the way to the cross. We learn from the other gospel accounts that they had determined to go to the tomb on Sunday to properly anoint the body. After all, Joseph and Nicodemus had been forced to work hastily on Friday because Sabbath arrived at sundown and they certainly could not work on Sabbath. We observe Mary getting to the tomb early. In fact, the Greek word indicates the last of the 4 watches of the night which would make her early visit between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. - early indeed! However, it is no surprise. Mary loved much. She had been forgiven much ... she had been accepted by the Lord completely ... and that translated into a deep, abiding love for Jesus. Nothing would have kept her from the sacred duty of caring for His body. When she found the tomb open ... she could not face it alone. Scripture does not tell us what was in her mind at the time, but we can know that she needed help and support ... so she runs to get it. She runs to Peter and John.

Any lessons for us? Have you been forgiven 'much'? Do you love 'much'? How do you demonstrate that love? Remember ... "We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19)

Peter:

Are you surprised that Peter is still an acknowledged leader of the disciples? He has failed miserably. He has run away and wept in remorse and disgrace. And yet he is the one to whom Mary runs. There is much talk and writing about Peter's failures ... his impetuousness ... his tendency to speak before thinking. But do not miss his God-given gifts of leadership. In the wake of the failure at the arrest and trial of Jesus ... it is Peter who still is perceived as the leader of the band.

Any lessons for us? God gives gifts ... spiritual gifts ... to His followers. Our failures, when confessed and repented of, do not negate the gifts. Are you refusing to use any God-given gifts because you have failed in the past? I love the movie "Apollo 13" ... and I particularly love the line from that movie when the engineers and PhDs are frantically trying to figure out a way to get the space craft back home, "Failure is not an option!" Well, my friends, failure is not an excuse either. Learn from Peter ...

John:

John outruns Peter ... a little testosterone perhaps causes John to write that into his account of the happenings! But John is the reflective one ... he pauses ... he contemplates ... he analyzes ... and he sees. The immediate assumption was most likely grave robbers ... but John does not let immediate assumptions color his mind. The grave clothes would not have been left ... the body had not been unwrapped ... it was just gone. And then John's love leads him to "believe" ... The veil is lifted and John "believes".

Lessons for us? Don't always jump to conclusions without thinking things through. Assumptions are dangerous things ... whether we are making them about people or about circumstances. Take some time ... think ... pray. Learn from John ...

My prayer for myself and for you today ...

Our Lord ... I want to love like Mary. Help me, through Your Spirit, know and exhibit that kind of love. I want to use my God-given gifts to bless others. I don't want to close myself off because of past failures. Give me, through Your Spirit, the eyes to see those gifts and the courage to use them. I want to be wise like John. Forgive me when my impulsiveness has led me to wrong conclusions and hasty actions. Give me, through Your Spirit, the wisdom to slow down and ask to see things through Your eyes. We love You LORD.

Life Source - Week 10 - Day 3 ** John 19: 28 - 42

2011-03-28T14:16:00.001-05:00

Read John 19: 28 - 42

And Jesus gives up His spirit. It is not taken from Him. He is not a victim. He is a willing sacrifice.

Jesus says, "It is finished", and I used to think that it was a resigned sigh and statement that His physical life was over and He knew it. It happens often when people are near death. My family experienced that phenomenon with my own grandmother. She had spent her entire life as a seamstress ... supporting eight children on her own ... a lifetime of sewing and pleating, of gathering and stitching. In her last days she would unconsciously pick up the edge of the sheet covering her and her fingers would begin to pleat that fabric. When a section was "pleated" and her hands could hold no more, she would straighten it out and begin again ... constantly pleating, straightening, pleating. Finally came the day when she straightened out her pleated work, laid the sheet edge down, and said, "I'm finished". Not many hours later she breathed her last on this earth.

Because of that experience, I think I have viewed Jesus' words through that lens. And I think I have been totally wrong! This was no resigned finality. This was a shout of victory ... with the last breath that His abused and tormented body carried. It was finished! The plan for the redemption of man was completed - done. The debt for sin that you and I, indeed all of mankind, owed was paid. Books closed. Justice satisfied.

We learn in Matthew 26:39 that Jesus had prayed to His Father that there be some other way for this particular task to be accomplished. He knew the importance of the task. He knew that there was no hope for man/woman unless this astronomical debt be settled. But, surely there was some other way to do it. And the answer was ... no ... this is the only path. So Jesus set His head and heart and body to the task.

Have you ever dreaded doing something that had to be done? And our "dreaded things" pale to nothingness in the light of this thing facing Jesus. Do you remember how it felt when you faithfully completed the task? If you can relate to those kind of feelings at all ... I think you may have a glimpse into these words from Jesus on the cross.

"IT IS FINISHED" ... a cry of victory ... a dreaded task fulfilled ... done ...

You do know that the task He completed that day was for you, don't you? It was love for you that gave Him the desire and the strength to face the dreaded road in front of Him. If - or should I say when - you feel unloved and unwanted - when you feel undesirable and alone - hear again that shout of victory. Look again at the cross and the cost. See His eyes ... they are looking at you.

Life Source - Week 10 - Day 2 ** John 19: 17 - 27

2011-03-23T15:13:00.002-05:00

As we continue with Jesus' story ... today, read John 19: 17 - 27. Since we are not covering very many verses, read slowly, carefully, meditatively. After reading ... come back.

The soldiers took Jesus' clothes. I have read such horror stories from concentration camp experiences during WWII about people being stripped, humiliated, violated. We don't even want to be screened at airports because it feels like our privacy is being violated. I can't imagine ... and yet the prophet Isaiah tells us in Isaiah 50:7 when speaking of the coming Messiah, "Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced."

The symbolism is powerful. Jesus, Son of God, took off His righteousness and put on my sin. You and I have nothing ... Isaiah 64:6 tells us that "our righteous acts are like filthy rags." We learn in 2 Corinthians 5:21 that "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."

Jesus was disrobed ... He willingly laid aside His own righteousness and spotlessness. Why? What in the world would motivate anyone to do such a thing? For love ... He so desires that we have the freedom to take off our filthiness and put on His righteousness ... so He was willing. Have you accepted the fact that Jesus wants to clothe you? He wants you to put on Himself so that you can wear His righteousness ... so that God will look on you through the lens of Jesus. Don't stay in your old clothes, your old self. Jesus is waiting for you with a new self ... a new creation ... Listen to the apostle Paul in Colossians 1:21 - 22:

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.

Amazing!

As we close our thoughts today ... consider this little band of women in verse 25. Scripture tells us that they were "near the cross". I am moved by their faithfulness. I am touched by their willingness to walk all the way to the end with their Lord. I want to be like them. I want to stay "near the cross". I don't want to ever forget the price paid for my redemption so that I can be with God ... so that I can be in that family.

In 1840, a woman by the name of Sarah Adams wrote these words:

Nearer my God to Thee

Nearer to Thee!

Even though it be a cross that raiseth me;

Still all my song shall be

Nearer my God to Thee

Nearer to Thee.

Lord, that is our song today - nearer to Thee. Hold us there. Even when it means walking through difficult and dark places ... even when it means carrying our own crosses ... even when it means being in places that may be scary ... if it takes us nearer to Thee ... then so be it! Ever nearer to You ...

Life Source - Week 10 - Day 1 ** John 18: 28 - 19:16

2011-03-21T20:11:00.002-05:00

We are in the midst of Jesus' trial before Pilate. To get the flow of this encounter with Pilate ... go back into chapter 18 and read John 18: 28 - 19:16. Our focus today will be on the verses in chapter 19.

I am intrigued by Pilate. William Barclay, in his commentary on John, explains the role held by Pilate. He says,

"Smaller provinces in the Roman Empire, provinces of the second class, were governed by a procurator. The procurator was in full control of the military and judicial administration of the province. He visited every part of the province at least once a year, and heard cases and complaints. He superintended the ingathering of taxes but had no authority to increase them. He was paid a salary from the treasury and was strictly forbidden to accept either presents or bribes; and, if he exceeded his duties, the people of his province had power to report him to the Emperor."

Pilate's track record with the Jews and with Jerusalem was not good. He had been reported to the Emperor, Tiberius, on a previous occasion and the emperor supported the people, not Pilate. He was not a popular procurator. The Jewish leaders who carried some authority within Jerusalem knew the system well ... and they were about to work the system.

Pilate knew that Jesus had committed no crime. He wants to release Him ... he had the power to release Him ... but rather than exercising the courage to act on what he knew to be ... he tries to manipulate the situation and the Jewish people clamoring at his gate.

1. First ... he tries to pass the buck ... place the responsibility on someone else. (18:31) Ever been there? Ever tried to get someone else to make a decision for you because you just didn't want to make it? You didn't want the responsibility?

2. Second ... he tried to escape the decision by using the custom of releasing a prisoner at Passover time. (18:39) This is pure avoidance. It is hiding from one issue by focusing on another. It is cowardice. Ever been there?

3. Third ... he tried compromise. Scourge the man ... make mockery of Him ... surely that twisted form of humor will diffuse the hatred and volatility of the scene. (19:1 - 5) Appeal to the emotions of the Jews ... surely when they see the beaten, pathetic figure before them ... they will be moved by some latent pity.

All the attempts of Pilate to free himself of this decision failed. So Pilate admits defeat and turns Jesus over. I think he is afraid that the Jews will report the whole scene to the emperor. He is afraid that they will report to Tiberius that Pilate is no friend of Caesar or of Rome. Can't have that ... so what's the life of one poor, Jewish rabbi.

Does the "fear of your fellow man" or the "fear of those in authority" ever lead you to abdicate decisions that you know to be right? I want to learn from Pilate. I want to observe him so that I NEVER follow his example.

The prophet Isaiah, centuries before Pilate, addressed this very issue. Listen ...

Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have my law in your hearts: Do not fear the reproach of men or be terrified by their insults. For the moth will eat them up like a garment; the worm will devour them like wool. But my righteousness will last forever, my salvation through all generations. Isaiah 51: 7 - 8

I pray for the strength of character to stand for what is right - to make decisions based firmly on the Word of God and not on what my culture says is smart or expedient. Let's close our reflective time together with words from Jesus ...

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do't be afriad; you are worth more than many sparrows. Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. Matthew 10: 28 - 32

Life Source - Week 9 - Day 3 ** John 18: 18 - 40

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Jesus' time before Pilate, the Roman Governor begins in John 18:28 and continues through John 19:22. As you read these verses over the next few days ... let your mind consider the man, Pilate. Place yourself in his shoes. Notice how many times he makes attempts to free Jesus. They may seem to be feeble attempts ... but attempts they were. Watch him ... listen to him.

Today, read John 18: 18 - 40.

Verse 28 stuns me. Did you catch it? "To avoid ceremonial uncleanness, the Jews did not enter the palace..." These Jewish leaders were intent on killing Jesus - they rigged a phony trial with paid off witnesses - they so desperately wanted him dead that they were willing to bring in Roman authority - but they did not want to be ceremonially unclean. Staggering. It amazes me how powerful religious ritualism can be. Rituals that began with the most beautiful symbolism and the highest goals turn into something that have life on their own and become totally disconnected with the event they were created to commemorate and immortalize. They become irrelevant to life.

I am reminded of Jesus' scathing words in Matthew 23:25 - 28

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

In their mission to have Jesus killed, these religious leaders did not want to violate any of their rituals. It did not matter that they were violating the sixth of the Ten Commandments, the bedrock, the core of Jewish law ... "You shall not murder" (Exodus 22:13) In fact, I am quite sure they saw no connection between the sixth commandment and what they were about that night. That is what frightens me. I really do not think they saw any connection. They believed they were doing the will of God ... keeping Judaism protected from this troublesome 'rabbi'.

That is what can happen to us! We can become so fixated on the rituals and ceremonies and traditions of our faith that we loose the intent and the heart. We can become blinded to God's hand in our own lives and our own world. I think of the rituals of faith that have such powerful symbolism ... water baptism, the Lord's Supper, hymn singing, prayer together. Remember, water baptism is to signify your death with Christ ... it means that when you rise from the water you are a new person ... Christ lives His life through you! You will live differently - not just belong to a church!

The Lord's Supper is the reminder that you are taking Christ's very life into yourself ... so that you can live out His life in your little world. You will live differently - not just take communion however often you choose to take it!

Singing hymns and spiritual songs together with fellow believers is testimony of your belief in the person and the work of Jesus. It is not about the technicalities of music or harmonies. You will live differently - not just come away from a service either uplifted or critical of the music!

Praying together is joining hearts with a brother or a sister and going before the throne of God. It is not about impressive words or the right formula to get what you want. You do it to "commune" with God and hear Him. You will live differently - not just watch to see if your prayer is "working" (translation - you are getting what you want)!

My prayer for myself today ... and for you ... is that we be ever alert to our love of ritualism more than our love of God. That we be aware of our own tendencies to whitewash the outside and ignore what is going on inside.

Blessed are the pure in heart ... for they shall see God

(Matthew 5:8)

Life Source - Week 9 - Day 2 ** John 18: 1 - 27

2011-03-16T15:00:00.002-05:00

Jesus has finished his final discourse and conversation with his disciples ... He has prayed for them, allowing them to hear His prayer so that they could know His desires for them. Therefore, it is now time ... I can almost imagine Jesus taking a deep breath ... and walking out to let it begin.

Read John 18: 1 - 27

Some observations ...

1. From the arrest: A Roman cohort is a company of 300 - 600 Roman soldiers. Now add a number of Pharisees and representatives of the high priest ... we have quite a crowd coming against Jesus and His small band of followers. Don't let the absurdity of the scene slip past you. This scene erases any doubt that Jesus' arrest and coming death was voluntary on His part. His majesty dropped this crowd of soldiers to their faces. Another thing that impresses me here is the courage of Peter. Visualize the crowd ... visualize the hopelessness of the physical odds ... and watch Peter draw a sword and attack. So the arrest takes place ... Jesus is bound ... and led away.

2. From the 'trials': At this time, there was a small inner circle of high priests, headed by Annas and Caiphas, who ruled Jerusalem and were allowed that power by Rome. As long as there were no uprisings or rebellions, they got to keep their power.

3. From Peter's 'denials': My heart aches for Peter. Can you imagine the turmoil, the anxiety, the confusion that must have tormented him? Why had Jesus let them take Him? Peter had watched Him do amazing, powerful, earth-shattering things in the past 3 years. And He just walked away with them? When Jesus was riding high in popularity, it was great to be one of His closest followers ... but now? After being willing to die with Jesus in the Garden at the arrest, what happened to Peter? I think it had to do with confusion ... I think it had to do with fear ... I think it had to do with our natural tendency toward self-preservation. And Peter failed His Lord. And a rooster began to crow ...

What do you and I take from these verses? For me ... I want to learn from Peter. Jesus had warned him about this denial ... and I don't think Peter thought it was at all possible. We must stay ever alert to our own weaknesses. I don't think we obsess over them ... that is not healthy ... but we must stay aware of their ability to hurt us. What would cause you to deny your Lord? Would fear for personal safety do it? Would lack of understanding about the ways of God do it? Would the crises that occur in our world do it? What about earthquakes and tsunamis? What about hurricanes and tornadoes? What about wars and man's inhumanity to man? What about the death of godly people ... those prayed over ... intensely?

In the face of the confusing, the unfair, the wretched things in our world ... I rest in one thing ...

I am God, and there is no other;

I am God, and there is none like me.

I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.

I say: My purpose will stand.

Isaiah 46: 9 - 10

If you find yourself in a time of confusion ... when perplexity seems to take precedence in your mind ... stand in front of your mirror and repeat these words from Isaiah. And choose to trust ... again.

Life Source - Week 9 - Day 1 ** John 17: 20 - 26

2011-03-14T13:48:00.002-05:00

Today, we will finish our thinking about Jesus' prayer in John 17.
Read John 17: 20 - 26. As you read, identify the key theme. It is hard to miss!

In verse 20 we hear Jesus shift from praying for His individual disciples to praying for the believers that will follow in years and centuries to come. Those believers constitute Christ's church. So when you read the pronoun "them" in these verses ... it refers to Jesus' church. She cannot be ignored as unimportant, as unnecessary. She is Christ's body on this earth ... and He spent time in prayer for her before He went to the cross. I have heard some folks say, "I will take Jesus but I want nothing to do with the church." Can't be done. She is His bride, His treasure. Instead of walking away from her because of the mess that we humans make, why not become a part of one and make a difference there. Keep calling your own part of the church back to the fact that we are to be His body on earth ... that means we are to be doing what Jesus' body did when He walked and taught here.

Jesus was not subtle in His prayer for His church. He did not hide His desires for her behind mysterious language that is hard to understand. It is like being hit by a two-by-four! You can't miss it. Jesus' desire for His church is that she be unified ... that her members experience the same kind of unity that Jesus and His Father enjoy. Notice ... He does not pray that she experience uniformity ... in thinking, in looks, in actions, in worship ... not sameness ... unity.

And there is an incredibly important reason why this matters. It has nothing to do with comfort or feeling good. The reason this matters is that unity in the midst of diversity is the testimony before the world that Jesus is who He said He was! It is the path to belief!

Oh, my friends, when I read these words from Jesus I want to fall on my face in confession before God for the mess we have made! Even looking inside one congregation of believers in one denomination of believers ... we find factions and fighting, hatred and ugliness, division and exclusions. Then when we expand our observations to Christianity at large, the picture becomes sobering indeed. Jesus said it was unity that would fuel belief. Is the corollary then true? That our lack of unity fuels unbelief?

Before you close your reflection time today ... spend some time with the Lord. There may be room for confession on your part. Also, ask Him to show you where you have been part of the problem rather than the solution. Ask Him to reveal, through the Holy Spirit, how you can better exhibit unity with other believers ... not just those that look and think like you. It was Jesus' primary desire for His future followers. It is Jesus' primary desire for us.

Life Source - Week 8 - Day 3 ** John 17: 6 - 19

2011-03-11T11:26:00.001-06:00

We continue Jesus' "high priestly prayer" today ... read John 17: 6 - 19.

Jesus' attention now turns to His disciples. He is getting ready to pass the mantle of His work onto the shoulders of these few disciples who have faithfully believed, followed and obeyed Him. The task will be arduous. The hatred from the "world" will be palpable. As we read this portion of Jesus' prayer ... notice the things for which he prays ... the things that are of utmost importance to Him as He intercedes for His followers ... notice!

And as we look at these 1st priority things from Jesus ... who would be your "disciples"? Whom do you intercede in prayer for? Is it your children? What about your spouse? Other family members? Close friends? Have those dear ones in your mind as you listen to Jesus pray ...

He prays for their protection from the evil one. This world system is in the hands of the evil one. That is the source of hatred and violence, of destruction and pain. It also is the source of temptation and destructive pleasures. Jesus knew that His followers did not belong here ... His followers today do not belong here either. We must live here and work here ... but we do not belong here. We will suffer direct attacks from the evil one as we focus on living to bring glory to God - living to do His work in this world. While under attack ... Jesus prays for your protection!

Jesus prays that they will know the full measure of His joy! In the midst of the battle ... they can know the joy that is life in Christ. This joy is deep within the soul of a person. It does not depend on circumstances. It is not pain-free or problem-free. But it is settled. It cannot be taken from the one that anchors her soul in the life of Christ. Jesus' joy is what enabled Him to do what He had to do. Jesus' joy gave Him the strength to walk where He had to walk. And He wants His followers to know that joy ... to experience it and to feel it. So He prays ... Jesus prays for you to know the fullness of His joy!

And Jesus prays for their holiness ... and for our holiness. The process of sanctification is intimately wrapped up in life in the Spirit. The process of sanctification is intimately wrapped up in the Truth ... found in His Word. I am so thankful to God for you and your desire to know Truth ... that is what keeps you in Bible study. It is the desire to know Truth that keeps you starting over even when you fail to be consistent yet again! Believe me ... I know the 'start over' syndrome! But remember ... holiness, sanctification is a process that will last your entire life time. When you accept Christ as your Lord, when you bow your knee to Him in obedience ... you are declared "holy" by the blood of Jesus. Now ... your life is a process to become what God has declared you to be. It is a miracle ... of astronomical proportions! Jesus wants that for you ... He prays for you to become truly sanctified.

Amazing ... now, it's our turn. Those individuals I asked you to bring to mind when we began this day's study ... pray for them ... intercede for them today ... but use Jesus' priorities ...

protect them from the evil one
fill them with joy deep in their spirits
sanctify them in Your truth ... give them a desire to know You and Your Word

Life Source - Week 8 - Day 2 ** John 17: 1 - 5

2011-03-11T11:01:00.001-06:00

As Jesus finishes the final conversation with His disciples ... He turns His eyes to heaven and to the Father in prayer. This prayer - which seems so intimate and personal that we feel we are eavesdropping - was meant to be heard. It was meant to be heard by Jesus' disciples at the time and by us this many generations removed from the moment. I want to spend quiet, reflective time in this "high priestly prayer". Let's move slowly ... carefully ... thoughtfully ... as we read these verses. And, let's turn Jesus' words and heart into our own. There are three areas of focus in the prayer. The first is Jesus' prayer for Himself. In the second, He moves to prayer for the disciples that were with Him at the time. And in the third section ... we are privileged to hear Jesus pray for His church ... the coming believers.

Today, consider the first focus ... read John 17: 1 - 5.

So many of the current translations of our Bible have these subheadings that divide the chapters. They are designed to help organize the thoughts in the chapter ... almost like outlining a paper. And they are helpful ... sometimes! It intrigues me that the subtitle used by the NIV translators for these five verses is "Jesus prays for himself". Indeed, Jesus is praying for Himself ... but did you catch the focus of this "self" prayer? It is all about the glory of God! Jesus does not pray for ease or comfort or freedom from pain. He was not naive about what He was facing ... but His eyes were on the glory of God. His longing was that God receive glory as Jesus finished His work. This is by far the most "selfless" praying for self that I've ever read!

What was that work? In these few verses we get to see how Jesus viewed His work ... it was to bring eternal life to those who would receive it. We have already heard Jesus talk about bringing "abundant life" in John 10:10. I am thankful that Jesus goes on to define eternal life ... it is to know God and His Son. The word translated "know" means so much more than factual knowledge. It has to do with intimacy ... with closeness ... will full knowing. It is similar to the "knowing" that exists between a husband and his wife. Jesus wants that for you! For me.

Are there any lessons that you and I can claim for ourselves from the beginning of this prayer? I wish I could hear what they say to your heart! A couple that come to my mind ... I want to be more aware of my own prayers for myself. I want to be on the alert that they not become (or stay!) self-centered. Listen to your own. Do our personal prayers for ourselves only reflect our desire that our lives look like we want them to? Do I spend any time thinking about how I can bring glory to God? About my work glorifying Him?

Also ... how I want to KNOW Him! Really know ... not factual, but personal ... not on the surface, but deep, intimate. Eternal life is knowing the Father and the Son.

Close your reflection today in prayer ...

Lord, may I bring glory to Your Name. The work that I must do today ... may it glorify You. The words that I will speak today ... may they glorify You. The interactions that I will have with people today ... may they glorify You. You are my life ... my 'all in all' ... glorify Your Name. And Lord, I long to know You better ... deeper ... more fully. Open my eyes that I may see You in the circumstances, the people, the events that surround me. Open my ears that I may hear Your voice in the world and in Your Word. Eternal life is all about You. I bow before You again ... today ...

Life Source - Week 8 - Day 1 ** John 16: 16 - 33

2011-03-07T16:10:00.001-06:00

Jesus is still in His final conversations with His disciples - wanting to prepare them for the coming trauma as well as to encourage them.

Today, read John 16: 16 - 33.

The disciples still struggle with confusion over the things that Jesus is saying. I can relate to that! Until you experience something, often the descriptions just don't make sense. People try to prepare you for child birth. But ... you know ... until you have done that ... the descriptions just don't communicate! When you face a major surgery ... people try to prepare you for what it will be like ... but until you have walked there ... the descriptions just don't communicate! That seems to be where the disciples are ... and Jesus gently continues to describe and define.

Are you in a place of confusion right now? Perhaps with a marriage ... or a child ... or some circumstance over which you have little to no control. Let's hear some of Jesus' words in this chapter with those things in mind.

First ... Jesus says that while mourning and grieving occur, grief can turn to joy. (verse 20) It reminds me of Psalm 57:1 which says, "Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed." I have used that particular image and thought when walking through disastrous times in my own life. Disasters always pass. Jesus wanted His disciples to know that ... and that joy will come. I need to remember that as well! Psalm 30:5 - "weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning." (NRSV)

Second ... even in the midst of trauma and crisis ... we have the incredible privilege of prayer. (verses 23 - 24) Prayer is the communication from your heart to God. And when you have no words of your own to pray ... when your heart is too heavy for words ... remember what Paul tells us in Romans 8: 26 - 27:
" ... the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will."
So pray ... with words or without ... pray.

Third ... know that the end brings victory ... even when you cannot see the end with your human sight and eye. The Lord gives us the spirit of His peace with that knowledge. (verse 33) There is victory. He has already overcome the world - this system of hate and violence, of pain, separation and death. He has already overcome ... and He invites you to walk behind Him ... in assured victory.

Peace and Joy ... the gifts from the Father to His own ... even in the midst of trauma and confusion.

Peace and Joy ... available to you in Christ.

Lord ... help us know how to walk in those beautiful words. Help us know how to walk in peace and joy even when our worlds may be spinning crazily around us. Your Spirit ... alive in us ... can do it!

Life Source - Week 7 - Day 3 ** John 16: 5 - 15

2011-03-04T14:50:00.001-06:00

We are still in the middle of Jesus' final conversation with His disciples. So, keep our reading in context, and remember that Jesus is sharing some of the "most important" things He wants His followers to know.

Today, read John 16: 5 - 15

The disciples are struggling with confusion and grief. They don't understand all that Jesus is telling them but they are well aware of the finality of Jesus' mood, tone and words. In these verses, Jesus again assures them that they will not be left alone. He again promises the coming Holy Spirit. And He succintly summarizes the Holy Spirit's work. Have you even been confused about what it is the Holy Spirit does in our lives? Jesus seems to describe four different things ...

First, the Holy Spirit convicts of sin. Think about the mobs that were so hungry for the crucifixion and death of Jesus. They did not think they were committing sin. They thought they were doing what was right ... get rid of this trouble maker, this blasphemer. Then we read in Acts 2:37, many of these same people were convicted that they had crucified the Son of God. How did that change happen? It was the conviction of the Holy Spirit. What about you? Whenever you have that conviction in yourself of some behavior or attitude that you begin to recognize as sin ... the Holy Spirit is at work in you. Thank God for that! Only when there is conviction of sin does a person begin to deal with it ... only then can confession come ... and only then can forgiveness flow! Is the Holy Spirit at work convicting you of something today? Will you cooperate with Him and deal with it?

The second thing Jesus mentions is more along the lines of convincing. The Spirit convinces us of righteousness. We begin the see the righteousness of God and our Lord in juxtaposition to our own lack thereof. Thank God for that! As I am convinced of the righteousness of God, I become convinced of my desperate need for a righteousness that is not from myself. That sends me to the Father ... in faith.
Galatians 3:6 "Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness."

The third work of the Holy Spirit as defined by Jesus is the work of convincing us of judgment. How do you know for certain that there will be judgment ... and that men will stand before the throne of God? It is the work of the Holy Spirit. Thank God for that! We can know that history is going someplace ... that there will be an end to space-time history as we know it. Therefore, I stay prepared. (Read the parable of the 10 virgins in Matthew 25: 1 - 13)

Finally, in these verses, Jesus tells His followers that the Holy Spirit will "guide you into all the truth". This is the work of revelation. It is a progressive process. As we submit to our Lord, the Spirit continues to reveal to us deeper truths. Thank God for that! Are you allowing the Spirit of God to reveal truth to you? It requires a listening ear ... and a willing heart.

I want to close our thoughts today with words from William Barclay in his commentary of John. Place yourself in the words ...

Revelation is the taking of the things of Jesus and revealing their significance to us. Part of the greatness of Jesus is his inexhaustibleness. No man has ever grasped all that he came to say. No man has fully worked out all the significance of his teaching for life and for belief, for the individual and for the world for society and for the nation Revelation is a continual opening out of the meaning of Jesus.
There we have the crux of the matter. Revelation comes to us, not from any book or creed, but from a living person. The nearer we live to Jesus, the better we will know him. The more we become like him, the more he will be able to tell us. To enjoy his revelation we must accept his mastery.

Lord ... today ... I accept again Your mastery over my life.

Life Source - Week 7 - Day 2 ** John 15:18 - 16:4

2011-03-02T14:33:00.001-06:00

Read John 15:18 - 16:4

This teaching from Jesus is on the heels of His message to His disciples about remaining in Him ... abiding always attached to Him. He tells them that their lives will bear fruit if they abide in Him. It is the beautiful up-side of living in Christ! Now, He turns His attention to another result of remaining in Him. Jesus was always honest with His followers. He always told them to "count the cost" of discipleship. These verses remind the disciples about counting the cost. And He would remind us as well. The true follower of Jesus will not be popular in the world.

By "world" ... Jesus was, of course, not referring to the crated world. Jesus is referring to the "human society organizing itself without God". That system will never be at peace with the people of God. That system will never applaud the people of God. Why not? Because we are to be the ones shining light into the darkness that is in this world. Remember the words of Jesus to Nicodemus in John 3: 19 - 20:

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

Jesus reminds His followers again of that reality. When they remain in Him, walk as He walked, strive to do as He did ... the world will hate it and hate them as well. After all ... the "world" is about to kill Jesus! That is hatred run to its extreme end.

Jesus is warning them so that it will not come as a surprise. It should come as no surprise to us either. It's not that we deliberately antagonize the "world" ... but we do not court its favor. We march to a different drummer ... and that drummer is our Lord.

The warning that I see for us is this: Let's be sure that any antagonism and hatred we reap from the world is because of our Christ-likeness ... and not because we are being self-righteous, or judgmental, or exclusive. We are to be Christ's body ... living out His life in our own places and circles. When that reaps hatred from the world ... so be it! When antagonism from the world comes because of our pride and/or arrogance, Lord forgive us!

Lord, I pray that we will have the eyes to see when our behaviors and attitudes are a reflection of You and when they are an extension of our own self pride. Our desire is that our lives be a true testimony to who You are ... and through Your Spirit ... may it be.

Life Source - Week 7 - Day 1 ** John 15: 1 - 17

2011-03-01T15:31:00.001-06:00

Let's slow down. There are such treasures to be gleaned from the remaining chapters in this book and I don't want to feel like we are flying through them. I want us to have time to savor the flavors, to reflect on the truths and how they impact our lives, and to be still so that God can speak to our spirits. So ... we are not going to read John in 8 weeks (which was the stated plan in the introduction of our study). We are going to take more time than that. Keep your journal or notebook close by ... and stay ready to "hear a word from the Lord" ...

Today read John 15: 1 - 17

Remember the context of our passage. Jesus has moved into the last week of His life on earth ... and He knows it. Therefore He is sharing His final words with His followers. What would yours be? If you knew this was to be your last week on earth ... who would you want to talk to? What would you want to tell them? Wisdom would tell us to get on with it! Are there important things you want your children to know? Let them know ... now (age appropriate of course!) Your spouse ... your parent ... your friend? Jesus is taking the opportunity to speak of the "most important things" to those that He loves before He leaves. So remember that as we read ... these are the "most important things" ...

First, Jesus wants His disciples to know that they MUST remain in Him. It is not optional. It is the only place for life and growth. It is the only way to have a fruitful life. The Greek word translated "remain" in the NIV and "abide" in the NASB has everything to do with "staying put, clinging to." One interesting slant on the word is that it also means "to nest". I love that image! We women love to make our nests. When we move, the first thing we want to do is get the nest set up. Then we can go on to other things. Jesus is telling us in this passage that we must make our nest, our home, in Him ... first. When we do that ... we can always be "at home" ... regardless where life takes us.

I love turtles ... they are funny-looking, interesting creatures. One of the things that I love the most is the fact that their home goes with them wherever they go. That is the image that comes to mind when I read these verses in John 15. When I remain in the Lord ... my nest goes with me wherever I go. I am NEVER away from home. Is the Lord your "home"? Father, help us know how to 'stay home' with you every day, through every circumstance.

The second thing Jesus tells His disciples they MUST do is ... love each other. How can that be so simple to say, so simple to write ... and so difficult to do! And it cannot be like the world loves - loving those individuals who love me back or who are lovable in my eyes - it must be like He loves. I just can't do it! Wait ... if I am remaining in Christ ... that means my nest is in Him ... so I can just curl up in Him and He can do the loving. After all, He's really good at it! Can we allow Jesus to love others through us? I think it will require getting big "self" out of the way ... Father, help us get our own egos out of the way so that You can love people through us. And as we submit to that, Lord, begin to put the desire to love in our spirits.

And then, my friends ... fruit comes! I don't have to work so hard to develop the fruit of the Spirit of God (Galatians 5:22 - 23) because fruit is the natural overflow of the vine. I don't have to stress out about 'evangelism' because my life becomes a testimony to the love of God. And fruit comes ...

May you see fruit in your life this day ... fruit that lasts ... fruit that comes from the Source ...

Life Source - Week 6 - Day 3 ** John 14

2011-02-25T11:45:00.003-06:00

Have you ever felt totally confused by a conversation that you are a part of? I mean, you hear the words ... but you cannot grasp the meaning. It is so frustrating! That is exactly the scene in John 13 that we have read this week. There is so much confusion in the room. Jesus washes their feet and then says - now you do it, too. When? Right now? Jesus keeps talking about leaving and they can't go. Why not? They have been everywhere with Him for 3 years. One of them is going to betray Him? Surely not! Who in the world? Judas gets up and leaves and no one knows why. And then Jesus even tells Peter that he will deny knowing Him or having any kind of relationship with Him. Peter? No way! Their world seems to be spinning out of control.

VERY TROUBLING, INDEED!

Read John 14.

I suspect your world has troubling things in it as well. Do you feel at times as if your world, as well, is spinning out of control? We all have times like that - times we would rather crawl in a hole than face the day. Times when we wonder ... "what's the point?"

Jesus steps into the swirling confusion with gentle encouragement. And it is encouragement that you and I can claim as well. Warren Wiersbe notices 6 assurances in this chapter to claim when you are tempted to loose yourself in troubling, anxious thoughts.

1. You are going to heaven. There is a place for you there. History is not random. It is going someplace ... and you are a part of that destiny. And, believe it or not, you even know the way there. It is Jesus Himself. He is the Way! He is the path. Don't forget ...

2. You can know the Father right now. Mankind has a longing to know God. And Jesus tells you that you can know God. You can see Him. All you have to do is look at Jesus. God is the perfect Father. Some of you reading may have had tremendous dads ... and others may have had horrific ones. Some of you may have had no dad at all. But all of that falls away in the face of the knowledge of the perfect Father that wants me as His child. When you are secure in the arms of that Father ... He will handle the troubling things!

3. You have the privilege of prayer. And a precious privilege it is. It must be in faith - believing. It must be in obedience. And it must be in the character and the will of the Lord Himself. That's what it means to be "in Jesus' name". The Lord is allowing you the privilege of "using His name" as you approach the throne of grace. Carry that privilege carefully!

4. You have the Holy Spirit. Translations of verse 16 are interesting. The King James uses the word "comforter". New American Standard uses "helper". NIV uses "counselor". The Greek word is parakletos and is hard to translate. It literally means "one called in to help". The Holy Spirit provides the strength when you are weak. He provides wisdom when you feel at a loss. He provides the courage when you are afraid. You have Him ... He has been "called in" to help you!

5. You have the Father's love. This goes deeper than the knowing of the Father. He actually loves you. Even when you see yourself as a bit of a mess! He loves you ... and will not stop.

6. You have His gift of peace. This peace is deep within the heart. It is like the Hebrew word, shalom. It has everything to do with wholeness - with well being - will a settled spirit. It has everything to do with the best for you. The world strives after peace ... and usually fails. The child of God receives this incredible quality as a gift. You can be at peace.

In particularly troubling times ... you may need to remind yourself of these assurances quite often. You may even need to repeat them to yourself every morning before you face the day. But when you do ... when these anchors of the soul are secure in your own mind and heart ... then ..

Let not your heart be troubled ...

Life Source - Week 6 - Day 2 ** John 13: 18 - 38

2011-02-24T09:13:00.002-06:00

Let's finish John 13 today. Read John 13: 18 - 38.

I am amazed by the way Jesus treated Judas. And we see Him trying to break through Judas' cold heart in this passage. Jesus loved Judas. There is no greater test of agape love than the way you treat your enemies.

Picture this scene ... the disciples gathered around a meal together. William Barclay describes the custom of the day.

The Jews did not sit at table; they reclined. The table was a low solid block, with couches round it. It was shaped like a U and the place of the host was in the center. They reclined on their left side, resting on the left elbow, thus leaving the right hand free to deal with the food. Sitting in such a way, a man's head was literally in the breast of the person reclining on his left. Jesus would be sitting in the place of the host, at the center of the single side of the low table. The disciple whom Jesus loved must have been sitting his right, for as he lent on his elbow at the table, his head was in Jesus' breast. It is quite clear that Jesus could speak to Judas privately without the others overhearing. If that be so, there is only one place Judas could have been occupying. He must have been on Jesus' left, so that, just as John's head was in Jesus' breast, Jesus's head was in Judas'. The revealing think is that the place on the left of the host was the place of highest honor, kept for the most intimate friend.

Jesus evidently placed Judas close so that He could talk with him without the others hearing. What a gracious protection for Judas. I wonder what Peter would have done had he realized Judas' plan. Then there is the piece of bread mentioned in verse 26. For the host to offer a tid-bit personally to one of the guests was a sign of special friendship. Time after time Jesus appeals to Judas ... and time after time Judas ignores the appeal. Why? I think it was because Jesus was not the kind of Messiah that Judas wanted. He was disappointed in Jesus. He wanted political power. He wanted Rome gone. Jesus could have accomplished that ... but Jesus did not accomplish that ... and Judas was horrifically disappointed.

Have you ever been there - knowing that God could do something - but did not do it? What do you do with those disappointments? It is in those times of bitter disappointment that our faith is tested the hardest. It is in those times of bitter disappointment that we are faced with a core question: Can God be trusted, or not? Judas chose not. I pray that you and I will choose trust. God is God ... and there is no other. God is love ... and there is no deeper. God is wise ... and there is none wiser. So when I am disappointed in the outcome of something, a healing not happening, a circumstance not resolving like I wanted it to ... I stand in the same place as Judas ... Judas chose darkness.

I choose trust. And you?

It is only after Judas departs that Jesus begins His final discourse with His disciples. There are no more precious words in all of scripture than the next 4 chapters. I am praying for you ... that God will minister to your heart as we read them.

Life Source - Week 6 - Day 1 ** John 13: 1 - 17

2011-02-21T15:17:00.002-06:00

Today we are considering one of the precious pictures in Christianity ... a well known event to those who have experience with church and Bible study. If you are new to scripture ... prepare to be amazed! It is remarkable in its simplicity ... and remarkable in its profundity!

Read John 13: 1 - 17.

Some observations ...

First, look again at verse 1. "Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love." Love behaves. Love does something. Yes, it is a choice ... and, yes, there can be deep emotion. But love also shows itself ... it is not invisible. And we observe Jesus, Son of God, demonstrating His love by what He does. It is an action word. If someone were to ask you, "Whom do you love?" Which individuals come immediately to mind? Now ... for those dear ones ... how do you show it? What do you do to "demonstrate the full extent of your love?" That is an important question for those of us who are Christ-disciples. Are you more concerned about how others demonstrate love toward you than you are about your own demonstrations? Perhaps there is room for growth in this area for us! Perhaps, this week, we could each focus more on the giving than on the receiving. It's a challenge! Will you take it?

Secondly, this encounter is all about humility vs. pride. We see startling examples from both Jesus and Peter. Consider Jesus. He is the central character. Since this meal could not have been in His home (because He did not have a house of His own on this earth), He was obviously a guest. It was the responsibility of the host to provide water for foot-washing to remove the dust and dirt of the road from the guests' feet. It was a servant's job. Don't miss that ... it was a servant's job. And we watch the Lord ... Messiah ... Son of God ... Lion of Judah ... just do the task because it needed doing ... and it allowed Him to "demonstrate His love". Where does such humility come from? Where does the willingness to serve other people come from?

I suggest to you that it comes directly from knowing who you are. It comes from being completely secure in your own identity and self. It comes from being free from the tyranny of self-consciousness. Jesus KNEW ... 1) His position, 2) where He had come from, and 3) where He was going. (verse 3) If we are knowledgeable of the same things ... we, too, can be free from self-tyranny. We, too, can be secure enough to demonstrate our love for others. We, too, can serve other people. If you are still struggling with doubts about those things, you may want to pursue these passages ...

my position ... read Ephesians 1: 3 - 14
where I came from ... read Psalm 139: 13 - 16
where I am going ... read John 14: 1 - 3 (we will get there later this week)

You may need to pray that God will imprint your mind and spirit with these truths. You may need to say them out loud to yourself every morning. On the heels of these truths comes genuine humility. As you more fully realize these truths you become more able and willing to serve others - motivated by love, not by guilt or by needing the praise of people.

The passage is clear about our Lord's desire that we follow this example. We are to be willing, even pleased, to have opportunities to serve other people. It is a mind-set ... and heart condition. And ... it is counter-cultural.

Several years ago when I was teaching school, we had a particularly difficult 8th grade boy. He was incredibly smart, intellectually. But he was difficult - no motivation, no interactions, no involvement - except for trouble-making. I made a statement at one faculty meeting that I just could not figure out how best to serve him. One of my friends and colleagues nearly came out of her chair with these words, "I'm not here to SERVE him!" The whole idea was repulsive and offensive to her. It was then that I began to realize just how counter-cultural Jesus' words and examples toward others really are. But it is clear ... there is no "wiggle room" with interpretations. Jesus said, "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." And so, my friends, we are servants. And it takes genuine humility.

In this scene we also observe dear Peter ... outgoing, passionate, open Peter. He is too proud to allow his Lord to perform this humble task for him. No way! His pride is so dominant in him right now that he even tells Jesus what He can do and what He will not do! (verse 6 - 8) Ever been there? In your own prayers ... have you ever told God exactly what He needs to do and what He must not do? That's pride. I don't doubt Peter's intention ... it is his wisdom that fails here. And there is a lesson for me. I hear the words of James in James 4:10 - "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and HE will lift you up."

However, when Jesus reprimands him, Peter jumps in 100%! We will observe Peter's continuing battle with pride as we read further in John. It is such a pertinent, relevant, continuing struggle. And one that you and I must battle on a daily basis. Stay in the fight! It is a battle worth fighting.

Lord, how we long to be Your servant first ... and then be willing to be used by You to serve others in our own circles and world. Give us eyes to see opportunities. Give us hearts that desire to follow Your example. Give us the courage to 'just do it'!

Life Source - Week 5 - Day 3 ** John 12: 12 - 50

2011-02-18T09:55:00.004-06:00

The "hour" has come and Jesus is heading into Jerusalem. Before you do the reading for today, there is some historical information that has been helpful to me as I read.

First, consider the way Rome governed its outlying provinces. At this time, Rome is the world power that has conquered the major part of the known world. Politically, Rome was THE power. For the outlying provinces, there was a governor over a region who answered to the Caesar. Within the individual countries (such as Judah) the local authorities were allowed to carry on the government AS LONG AS THERE WAS NO UNREST! As soon as some sort of civil disorder or uprising appeared, Rome would sweep in with her power and might and do away with the local, failed government. That helps me understand the dramatic opposition the Jewish leaders had to Jesus and the masses of people wanting to see and hear Him. And remember, it's Passover, so the population of Jerusalem has swelled considerably ... an environment ripe for uprisings!

Secondly, the date palm was plentiful in Judea. And during the Maccabaen period when the Jewish resistance movement was victorious, the palm became a symbol of Jewish nationalism. It was even stamped into the coinage used by the resistance. So this "waving of palm branches" carries all sorts of symbolism.

Third, the word "hosanna" literally means, "save now". It is the exact equivalent to crying out "God save the King".

With that bit of information ... read John 12: 12 - 50.

How desperately these people wanted Jesus to rise up as their king ... their ruler ... reestablish Judea as a national presence to be dealt with ... drive the Romans out. I am reminded of a scene in "Fiddler on the Roof" when the Russians are exercising their power over their Jewish neighbors. Another pogrom is about to happen ... the Jews are being driven from their homes. One of the characters in the movie says, "Rabbi, we have been waiting for Messiah all our lives. Wouldn't now be a good time?" I suspect so many Jews in Jerusalem that day felt the same way. "Wouldn't now be a good time for Messiah?" They just did not understand all the prophesies about the suffering that must take place for redemption to happen. They wanted it all about earthly things ... earthly kingdoms ... earthly prosperity and rule. Have you ever been guilty of that kind of thinking? Have you ever been guilty of wanting Jesus to behave just exactly like you want Him to? I mean, you know what you want ... you know what would seem 'good' to you ... so Jesus, perform! How do you respond when He does not behave as you would have Him behave? Would you be one of the crowd ... crying 'Hosanna' one day and 'Crucify' the next?

Lord ... keep us steady and faithful. Grow in us the absolute certainty that Your ways are not only good, but are the best. Yes, we cry 'Hosanna' ... and we submit again to Your rule in our lives ... You are our King!

Jesus entered Jerusalem on a young donkey. In the Roman world, the conqueror would ride into a city on a horse ... a symbol of war. In the Hebrew world, riding into a city on a donkey was a symbol of peace. As Jesus fulfills the prophecy that He would indeed ride on a donkey, He is also making a statement as to the kind of king He was to be at this point. King Jesus ... Prince of Peace. In our Tuesday class, one of our class members said, "But when He comes back, it will be on a horse!" She is exactly right!

Revelation 19: 11 - 16

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written on Him that no one knows but He Himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him ... On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Chapter 12 closes the public ministry of Jesus. He is going to focus His final teachings on His own disciples. He has given the signs of His deity to the crowds ... He has taught the crowds ... He has used the Old Testament scriptures to confirm His identity ... He has brought light ... some choose belief ... others do not. One of His final cries to the crowd is found in verse 46: I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." And in verse 50: I know that His command leads to eternal life.

Remember with me the way John began this gospel. In that magnificent prologue John said in 1:5 "The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." Indeed, we are watching the darkness gathering ... and the misunderstanding taking center stage. But, thanks be to God ... we do not have to be in the dark. Believe ...

Lord, we do believe. Help our unbelief. We choose faith. We choose to walk in light ... to walk in You. May we, also, bring glory to Your Name by the way we live our lives.

Life Source - Week 5 - Day 2 ** John 12: 1 - 11

2011-02-16T12:52:00.002-06:00

Our reading today is John 12: 1 - 11. This may be a familiar story ... but as you read this time, do it slowly ... savoring the emotion, the sensations, the aromas of the scene. After you read, come back and we will consider each of these 3 friends of Jesus and what we can learn from them.

It is nearing Passover and Jesus is heading back to Jerusalem. The "hour" has come. Before entering the city, Jesus stops in Bethany where His dear friends gather with him for supper. See His humanity. What a wonderful, peaceful moment for Jesus before the trauma of the next week hits. Jesus is in a comfortable place. He is with His friends.

There are three siblings in this scene - Mary, Martha and Lazarus (back from the dead, remember!) We read first of Martha in verse 2. She was serving ... she was using her particular set of gifts to serve her Lord. We read of Martha also in Luke 10: 38 - 42. She was serving a meal at that time as well. A key element in the Luke story is in verse 40: "But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, 'Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone?'"
Martha has grown in her relationship with the Lord. I think the revelations she received from Jesus in chapter 11 have grown her up. He is truly the "Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world." And now watch what is happening in chapter 12 ... Martha is still serving a meal ... she is still using her considerable gifts ... but the complaining is gone! I think, perhaps, she now counts it a privilege to serve the Lord ... not a duty or a burden. How I want to be like that!!

Using her God-given gifts and abilities ... her work ... as a service to the Lord. What a privilege.

We also see Lazarus in verse 2. All we know is that he was there, at the table. People were coming to see him. DUH!! They want to hear the story first hand. I would to! They want to see him and hear him. We don't know of Lazarus' words at that dinner table ... but my imagination can piece together the buzz and conversation going on. Lazarus telling ... over and over ... the walking out of that tomb ... seeing light ... seeing his sisters ... seeing his Lord! Telling the story is "bearing witness to the work of God in his life." That's what it means to "witness" - tell your story. Tell how Jesus has come to you ... what He has done for you ... why you love Him.

Telling your story with God ... for the glory of God ... being a witness. What a privilege.

The third sibling is Mary. I think she may have been about the only one who took Jesus' predictions about His necessary death to heart. She believed Him about that ... and knew it was soon. I see Mary so overcome with the desire to worship and adore her Lord ... that she anointed Him with the perfume. It most likely was his entire body, not just His feet. (see Matthew 26: 6 - 13 and Mark 14: 3 - 9 for parallel accounts of the event) Can you imagine the aroma? Can you feel the silence that must have descended in the room? Would you have been embarrassed watching it? After all, Mary untied her hair ... custom required women to only let their hair down in the privacy of their own bedrooms. This is a pure act of adoration, devotion and worship. There are some things to notice about this action of Mary:

It was public
It was spontaneous
It was sacrificial
It was lavish
It was personal
It was un-embarrassed
Others misunderstood and criticized

And Jesus called it "beautiful!" (Matthew 26 account)

Have you ever criticized someone else's worship? Called it "undignified" or "showing off"? This story screams to me that such criticism is unacceptable! You do not know the heart of anyone ... we even struggle with knowing our own hearts. How dare we presume that we can pass judgement on someones worship ... someones devotion and adoration of their God?

My challenge for us ... stop it! When the temptation looms in your heart ... divert your eyes ... refocus on your own, personal heart worship ... ask God to forgive your spirit of criticism ... think of Mary.

Worshiping the Lord your God ... with ALL ... expressing your complete devotion to Him. What a privilege.

The three elements that we see illustrated by the friends of Jesus in this passage can represent for us the elements that we would do well to emulate. There is our work, illustrated by Martha. Is your work done for the glory of God? There is our witness, illustrated by Lazarus. Do you give glory to God by telling your story to anyone? And there is our worship, illustrated by Mary. Do you pour out your heart and devotion to God through worship or are you going through the motions?

Warren Wiersbe says, "Actually, the Christian life ought to be a beautiful balance of worship, work, and witness."

Lord, we seek that balance this week. Give each of us an opportunity to speak to someone this week about Your part in our lives. May we work without complaining this week ... knowing that, actually, we work for You. And may we worship with the kind of lavish abandon that Mary demonstrated for us so beautifully. May you smell that sweet aroma from our hearts as well.

Life Source - Week 5 - Day 1 ** John 11

2011-02-14T12:18:00.002-06:00

Read John 11 today.

There are so many dramatic highlights in this chapter. The most obvious is Jesus' next "I AM" statement. He says it to Martha: I AM the resurrection and the life. (verse 25).

Did you know that there is a plant whose colloquial name is resurrection plant?

According to biologist Dr. T. Ombello:

"When the soil is moist after infrequent rains, a Resurrection Plant absorbs water and grows rapidly, producing a flat rosette of scaly stems up to one foot across. As the soil dries, it cannot store water like its succulent neighbors, so it folds up its stems into a tight ball as it desiccates and goes into a state of dormancy. The folded plant has a limited surface area, and what little internal moisture is present is conserved. All metabolic functions are reduced to a bare minimum and it appears to be dead. The plant can remain in this dormant condition for years. When the rains return, the plant's cells rehydrate. The stems unfold, metabolism increases, and growth resumes. Even dead Resurrection plants will unfold if given water, since rehydrated cells expand even if there is no living protoplasm in them."

Have you ever felt like you were in a dormant stage spiritually? Have you ever felt "dead"? Lazarus was ... and to have life again ... he required the Lord, Jesus. So do you. There is no other way ... no other place to go ... no other source.

Jesus was so deeply moved by the pain and the loss and the suffering at this scene. He could not hold back the tears - even knowing what He was about to do. You see, it is the pain that death causes those left behind that is worthy of tears. One who has trusted their life to the Savior does not see death. But those standing around his/her bed ... they see it ... and the agony of separation and loss washes in like a tidal wave. I can well remember standing by the casket of my dad - with an ache so deep that I have no words to describe it. He did not see death ... but I felt its blow. It was at that moment that I began to get a sense of the seriousness, the horror, of sin. Death was not part of God's original plan for His precious creation. It came in on the heels of rebellion and sin. Paul tells us in the book of Romans that the "all sin and fall short of the glory of God" and that the "wages of sin is death". But he does not stop there. He goes on to shout in Romans 8:1-2 ... "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." Yes ... Jesus brings life. He is the source. Jesus IS the resurrection and the life. Do you know Him? Are you free from the law of sin and death?

One other thing I want you to notice in this chapter. Watch Martha. Can you identify both elements of doubt and elements of faith in this friend of our Lord?

verse 21 ... "if You had been here" ... ever felt that way? Lord, if you had been with me this would not have happened ... little faith, doubting the wisdom of the Lord!
verse 24 ... Martha states her theology ... she verbalizes her religious belief ... but it falls short in the face of the death of her brother ... I feel a little "so what" in her statement ... little faith!
verse 22 ... I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask ... great faith!
verse 27 ... I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God" ... pinnacle of faith!

I refreshes me no end to see this fluctuation in Martha! Why? Because I see it so often in me. How about you? There are times when my faith stands so firm ... and times when it seems so weak and fragile that I wonder how it is alive. It is at those times that we must remember ... the resurrection plant!

Remember in previous chapters how the Lord has cried out ... "If anyone is thirsty, come to me". He is the water. When His very presence is applied to our lives ... we, too, begin to unfold and grow and gain strength.

Jesus called for Mary ... and she was able to get up from her debilitating grief.
Jesus touched Martha ... and she was able to make the greatest statement of faith of all times
Jesus called for Lazarus ... and he walked free from death.

He calls you as well. He would touch you. He would give you life ...
Are you listening?

Life Source - Week 4 - Day 3 ** John 10

2011-02-11T13:23:00.004-06:00

We finish this week's lesson in John 10. Before you read, allow me to make some comments about shepherding in the Middle East. It is so different from what we know in the West - with our ranches and huge herds.

flocks were not large ... usually about 25 sheep
the eastern shepherd "leads" the sheep ... he does not "drive" them
the shepherd carries 4 pieces of equipment ... his scrip (a pouch to carry his food), a sling as an offensive weapon, a staff (a club like piece of wood that hangs on his belt - a weapon) and his rod (the crook that you see in pictures ... to pull wayward sheep back ... to place across the entrance to the fold. The shepherd holds the rod low at the entrance forcing the sheep to slowly crouch underneath it to get into the fold. This allows the shepherd to examine each sheep for any injury that has come its way during the day.) [look at Ezekiel 20:37]
the "fold" is the pen which encloses the sheep for the night ... in towns, it is a common area used by many shepherds and the flocks are mixed together ... in the wilderness, it is a blocked area usually surrounded by rock walls and brush collected by the shepherd.
shepherds use their voice or a small flute-like instrument to call their sheep ... it is unique to each shepherd ... and their sheep now the sound ... and respond. Other sheep do not respond.
the shepherd will risk his own life to protect his sheep when mortal danger is near. Remember how David talked about killing a lion and a bear to protect his sheep (1 Samuel 17: 34 - 36)

Now ... read John 10 with those images in your mind. See what impresses you in these precious words from our Lord.

Jesus makes three remarkable claims about His own identity in this chapter. The first is in verse 7. His claim is that He, Himself, is the gate for the sheep. It is His person that allows the sheep to go in and out in safety, in security. And the realization hits home ... how in the world do we live our lives in and out of the struggles, the battles, the dangers, the fears that this world throws at us? How can we keep functioning with any sense of peace and calmness in our own souls? Oh, yes ... it is because of our gate-keeper. It is because Jesus, Himself, gives us that security. His sheep know that He provides the fullness so that we can move about our lives with security. And, with that picture in mind, hear Him say, "I have come that they may have life and have it to the full." That's what abundant life means ... it means we are secure with Him!

His second claim is in verse 11. He is also the good shepherd. The word "good" means "intrinsically good, intrinsically beautiful". The Lord Himself is that for you. That means that He is on the watch for you. He is carefully watching for the dangers, the threats that come your way. And He was willing to give His life for you. That's what a good shepherd does. He does not bolt and run when the going gets rough! He will not leave you. He will be beside you in the most difficult circumstances that you must face. He is right there ... with His rod and His staff. You are safe. Do you believe that?

Don't miss verse 16. There is indeed one flock ... His flock of His followers ... but there are many sheep-pens, many folds. In this context, Jesus is most likely referring to the fold of Judaism ... He has other sheep, the Gentile believers who will be brought into the flock. He did not require them to be a part of the Jewish fold. In fact, Paul addresses that very question in the book of Galatians. Converts did not have to become Jewish before they could accept Christ. How does the verse apply to us, today? There is one flock ... Christ's church, His body on this earth. And it is scattered all over the globe. They do not exist in one sheep-pen. That is why there are different ways to worship, to exist together, in different places. Don't make the Jewish mistake of exclusivity - of thinking that all must look and act just like you to be a part of Christ's flock!

There is about a two and a half month time span between verses 20 and 21. The first of this chapter is somewhere around the Feast of Tabernacles. That is in the fall, the harvest. Verse 21 begins with the Feast of Dedication. That feast is in the winter. It is Hanukkah. It is the 8 day celebration of the Maccabaean revolt that finally regained freedom for Jerusalem from Antiochus Epiphanes in 164 BC. The Temple had been horribly desecrated and defiled during Antiocus' reign. It had gone so far as offering pigs on the great altar before the Temple. The rooms of the Temple had been turned into brothels. It was a capital offense to circumcise your baby boys. In fact, if you did circumcise your baby on the 8th day ... as Jewish custom required ... as were caught ... you were crucified with your baby around your neck. The horrors are beyond anything I can even imagine. Judas Maccabaeus led the revolt that finally freed Jerusalem. Then the process of cleansing the Temple and rededicating it began. It is that hard won freedom ... that return of light and freedom to Jerusalem ... that Hanukkah celebrates. So ... it is now December.

His third claim comes during this festival of celebration. It is in verse 30. Jesus makes a public statement regarding His identity and equality with God the Father. It is a claim to deity. And the Pharisees did not miss it! To those religiously blind eyes, He was committing blasphemy. And that offense deserved the death penalty. Feel the rage and violence that fills the air.

Jesus retreats. Not because He is afraid ... not because He could not safe Himself ... but because the time was not yet right. His "hour" was not yet here. His arrest and sacrificial death must happen during Passover, not the Feast of Dedication. I am intrigued by the location to which He retreats. He goes back across the Jordan River to where John had been baptizing. That would be where Jesus had been baptized by John. That would be where He had received the confirmation from the Father that He was, indeed, beloved and pleasing to the Father. Maybe He needed that reminder. He knows what lies ahead for Him.

And the people continue to come ... and they believe. Nothing, nothing, nothing is powerful enough to stop the plan of God for the redemption of people. Not then ... and not now. No government, no tyranny, no charismatic opposition has the power to thwart the plan of God. He is still sovereign over the affairs of men. Even in the madness in our world at present. I find peace knowing that.

Close today by hearing again these beautiful, strenghtening words from our Lord ...

My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one.

Listen ..... believe ...... and live!