January 26, 2016

¹⁰ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.  James 1:10 ESV

Not all technology has moved us toward a more Utopian society.  A bracelet that can tell us our heart rate.  Who really needs to know how many beats per minute the old ticker is racing during the meeting with the h.r. director?  You can turn off your house lights with  your phone.  What happened to just double checking before you leave the house?  However, the e-reader, in my opinion, has been a wonderful addition to our technological world.  

There are nights when I wake long before the alarm.  I find that spending some time reading can help me get back to sleep.  No longer to I have to get up and move to the couch or tape a flashlight to my head in order to keep from waking Kristi.  I can fire up my Kindle, set it on a low light setting and start to read.  This morning's prealarm verse from James was fodder for prayer and reflection.

Humble
1.  not proud or haughty
2.  reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission
3.  ranking low in a hierarchy or scale


Exalt

1.  to raise in rank, power, or character

2.  to elevate by praise or in estimation :  glorify

3.  to raise high :  elevate

4.  to enhance the activity of : intensify

So, let me get this straight.  If I am humble, then God will do the exact opposite of that for me.  I bow, God lifts.  I kneel, God raises.

Maybe the exalting is not the problem, but who does the exalting.  When we lift ourselves up we are usurping God's place in our lives.    

January 16, 2016

Puny Humans January 23, 2016

The Marvel comic book character, Hulk, is often quoted as saying, "Puny humans."  This is usually after he has smashed a few cars, destroyed a couple tanks, and withstood a barrage of bullets and missiles.  I was reminded of this fictional character as I studied for our small group lessons the past couple of weeks.

Our study has focused on the twists and turns taken by the fledgling nation of Israel during their exodus from Egypt.  Last week saw the shaping of the golden calf in the desert during Moses' first trip to Mt. Sinai.  When Moses spent some extra time there with God. the Israelites decided to take matters into their own hands and melted their gold down in order to make an image of a golden calf.  (Exodus 32 ESV)

Why would they so quickly forget all of the recent miracles God had performed specifically for their benefit- plagues, pillars of fire, manna, part of the Red Sea?  I think one key lies in the first verse of Exodus 32.  "When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, “Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.”

"The man who."  Their focus had become on the Moses.  They had hitched their wagon to a person.  A puny human.  Moses was just an instrument of God.  Moses was a tool used by the Master Carpenter, but the people credited Moses when it was Jehovah-jireh who had rescued them.

It is harmful, to take credit for our successes.  It is just as harmful to credit others with our success or the success of an organization or endeavor.  Hosea Bilyeu was not responsible for Ridgecrest's growth.  David Martin was not responsible for a successful career in education.  Billy Graham was not the reason untold tens of thousands accepted Christ as Lord and Savior.

In verse 11, Moses reminds us that it is God who works in our lives: "whom you (God) have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand."  Exodus 31:11 ESV

God is responsible for our success.  All the degrees, all the bank accounts, all the accolades, all the rescues are a direct result of God's intervention and involvement in our lives.  From the simple act of drawing a breath of air, to crafting a successful business, it is God to makes it all possible.  How arrogant, how disrespectful to think we are capable of anything on our own.  

Each day should be filled with thanks.  Gratitude should be our mantra.  Man destroys.  God builds.  Man sins.  God redeems.  

We become like the stiff-necked Israelites when we attribute to man what God has done.  In effect we construct our own golden calf.










 

The Importance of Context January 22, 2016

⁷ “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened."  Matthew 7:7-8 ESV

Ah, yes, one of the "name it and claim" it verses.  A "blab it and grab it" promise.  Taken out of context it would appear all you have to do is ask and get, seek and receive, knock and collect.  But with like so many verses, context is everything.  What many prosperity preachers fail to quote are verses 9-11. 

^"9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? ¹¹ If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"  Matthew 7:9-11 ESV

Yes, God promises to answer your prayers, but only if those request are what is best for you.  After much prayer a job offer doesn't come through when you think you have nailed the interview.  God knew that job was a stone, not bread.  That "perfect" man ends a long-term relationship, even though you prayed for a marriage proposal.  Perhaps he was the serpent when God wants you to hold out for a fish.

What we can't see is our future.  I wonder how many people didn't get hired for a job with a company that had offices in the World Trade Center.  Was there anyone who didn't get a bonus that would have allowed a vacation flight on Asiana Flight 214?

Ours is not the gift of foresight.  We cannot confidently predict what will happen on our ride to work, let alone tomorrow, next week, or next year.  God knows perfectly the future.  What appears to be bread to us, might be the stone God is protecting us from.  Today's "fish" might be next week's "serpent" and only our Heavenly Father has that knowledge.

Yes, He answers your prayers, but only when your prayers are for those things which are a "good gift."  When a prayer is not answered, or answered in a way you did not ask, thank Yahweh for not giving you a serpent.

No Snow Days January 21, 2016

Whether you are a principal, teacher, or student, there are two words that bring a smile to your face, "Snow Day."  Sure eventually it dawns on you that when May arrives with its 80 degree days, sunshine, and spring flowers you will be at school when you could be enjoying your summer, but those winter snow days are still like the sprinkles on cupcake-  a little extra sweet, that while not necessary, is still appreciated.

Stay inside, leave the pj's on, watch Netflix, and take the day off.

Unfortunately there are no snow days for Christians.  Peter tells us to ^"always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you."  (1 Peter 3:15 ESV)  "Always"  Not just when you are feeling like it.  Not just when things are going good, but every minute of every day.  

Later in the same book, Peter warns believers that "the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour."  We are to "Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times."  (1 Peter 5:8 AMP)


Christ promised us salvation, not easy street.  There are no snow days for the saved.

Too Spiritual January 19, 2016

¹³ “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. ¹⁴ For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.  Matthew 7:13 ESV

Can we spiritualize scripture too much?  Do we hold the Holy Writ too lofty at times?  While scripture is the inspired word of God, and much be treated with the utmost respect and reverence, it is also a manual for daily living.  An instruction book for the mundane.  A road map for the everyday.  Today's verse is a case in point.

At first blush, Matthew 7:13 is referencing salvation and entering the kingdom of heaven.  But I am also struck by its commonplace application for work, relationships, parenting, etc.

Today's verse will help me become a better administrator.  For the past several weeks at school, I have found myself busy but accomplishing little.  Days fly by with little to show for my time.  I had not narrowed my gate.  I have allowed my days to become an unrelated mishmash of conversations, short classroom visits, lunchroom duty, and email barrages, but have lacked focus.  Days of a wide gate, that while easy, has accomplished little.

Christ talks of a narrow gate being difficult, but leading to life.  I need to approach work that same way with the focus of a narrow gate.  What needs to be accomplished today, this week, this month?  What are the priorities that need attention? Floating through the days at work may be an easier, wider gate, but it does not lead to progress, success, accomplishment.  

God wants to be not just our Sunday God, but the Lord of Monday through Saturday. He wants to be the Lord of our tenets, tithes, and talk.  His Word will guide our worship, will, and work.  He was a carpenter so He understands deadlines, customer service, and time clocks.  He is the God of the ordinary as well as the extraordinary.  Take Him with you to work today.

Still There January 18, 2016

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.  1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

 I have read this verse many times and claimed it many more over the years, but today one small word jumped out at me. . ."endure".   Some times when I cross-reference a particular verse with other translations, will put a slightly, or even dramatically, different take or emphasis on a particular phrase or word.  Not in this case.  In all the translations I checked, either "endure" or "bear" was used.  Each translation left the reader that temptation was a heavy load.

In the past when I have read today's verse, I have supposed that when tempted, we just had to claim one of God's promises and almost like magic said temptation would vanish.

Claim Philippians 4:8 and all lustful thoughts would magically disappear.
Grab on to Matthew 6:25-26.  No more worries about the economy.
Proverbs 22:6 will cure those sleepless nights because of a wayward child.

However, "endure" speaks to a continuing battle with temptation.  To "bear" paints a picture of a continuing load or burden.  Temptation is not a one-and-done affair.  Satan is not easily dissuaded.  His patience is one borne of thousands of years.  His craft honed over the millenia.  

God promises we can escape temptation, not that the temptation will never return.  We will have the strength to endure temptation, not the luxury to avoid it.  Be careful of the hubris that can creep in after a success temptation victory.  Never think we are above once again committing those sins that have haunted our past.  

Bulk up on Bible reading.  Strengthen your resolve.  Be always vigilant.  This side of heaven, temptation will be a daily, perhaps even hourly, part of our lives. 

worked on cr

Today's Tassels January 12, 2016

²⁷ For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  Galatians 3:27-28 ESV

I find it interesting that certain churches will claim the inerrancy of scripture, but then apparently ignore what seem to be some straightforward scripture.  Take today's entry for example.

Paul makes it clear, that God doesn't discriminate on any basis except faith or lack of faith.  Not on nationality, social standing, or gender.  After we have come into an saving relationship with Jesus Christ, He views us all as equal.  But many churches feel they have the right to layer restrictions where God has placed none.

In God's eyes there is neither male or female, but many churches won't ordain woman.
Neither slave or free, but a divorced man cannot be a deacon.
Neither Jew or Greek, but forget about the membership of an open homosexual.

I have heard several sermons over the years about how the Pharisees placed many onerous restrictions the Jewish people.  Tithing requirements, phylacteries and tassels, and fasting requirements were just some of the additional layers the placed on the people of the Jewish faith.  We see those requirements as foolish.  While tassels on the end of our garments are no longer necessary, have we placed other requirements on today's church membership?

Just a Nickle January 11, 2016

³⁸ "give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”  Luke 6:38 ESV

Saturday I had a meeting downtown so I stopped by the Mudhouse for a pre-meeting cup of coffee and quick review of the material.  On the floor by the counter I found two dimes.  Rather than putting the 20 cents in my pocket, I placed the change in the tip jar by the counter.  After ordering my coffee, I realized I had left my reading material in the car so I went outside to get it.  As I was unlocking the car, I noticed a shiny quarter lying on pavement.  I picked it up and did put in my pocket.  

Financial windfall?  Hardly.  Illustration of a spiritual truth.  Definitely.

Of course the question remains, "would the quarter still have been by my car if I had not placed the two dimes in the tip jar?"  We'll never know, but what I do know is that I gave up 20 and received 25, a 25% return on my money.  There is not a financial adviser around would not shout from the mountaintops about a 25% return on an investment.

This is a small illustration of what God promises about our giving--if we give with a cheerful heart, it will be returned to us.  Most often the return will not be as immediate or perhaps not in kind, but God promises "good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over" returns.

That return for faithful tithing might be the Honda Accord that runs for an additional 35,000 miles with no major repairs.  Maybe a furnace lasts well beyond its life expectancy.  Perhaps a project at work just falls into place which frees up extra time.

I think it will be the exception when $100 in the Sunday plate results in a $125 check from an insurance rebate arriving in the Monday mail.  But God will give back to us in ways we need the most, but perhaps see the least.  If our spiritual antennae are sensitive, we will begin to notice the multitude of ways God gives us a return on our financial, time, and emotional investments.  We can't out give God.

Passive Goodness January 8, 2016

Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, as you have said. Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.
Amos 5:14-15 ESV

As I spent more time on this morning's verse, the first two words took on more and more meaning with me.  "Seek good."

Merriam-Webster defines seek as "to go in search of" or "to make an effort to do".  Living the Christian life is about more than just avoiding sin or even doing the right thing.  We are called to seek for and search out good.  Waiting for God to drop a ministry opportunity in our lives is passive Christianity.  Wishing God would provide us an opportunity to witness if it works out is weak discipleship.
 
Seek.  Search.  Strive.  These are verbs, not nouns.  Too many Christians live safe, not sanctified lives.  Security trumps sacrifice.  Let's beg God to show us ministry opportunities.  In Luke 18, we find the story of the persistent widow.  In this parable, a widow demands justice time and again.  Eventually the judge granted her justice "so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming."  

Often this parable is used to illustrate the power of persistent prayer for unmet needs or spiritual guidance.  What if we used the parable to help remind us to "seek good".   Do we beg God to convict us of the good we should be doing?  Is our heart genuinely desirous of opportunities, however inconvenient, to further the Kingdom of God?

Seek good, don't just let it happen.

Seek, Love, Hate January 8, 2016

Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, as you have said. Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.
Amos 5:14-15 ESV

I remember back Dr. John Marshall was interviewing/auditioning for the pastorship at Second Baptist Church.  He made a statement to the effect that he preached verse by verse through the Bible.  His reasoning for this was to make sure he did not end up repeating reworked sermons from years past and did not return too often to pet themes and personal peeves.  I have found now that this blog is entering its seventh year, I occasionally get a de'ja'vu feeing about a particular entry.  Today is one of those days.  While the verses from Amos might not have made an appearance, I know I have touched on teh topic previously.  But since I don't have the encyclopedic knowledge or self-discipline of Dr. Marshall, I will forge ahead.

Seek, love, and hate--three intentional choices we can make.  Seek and love good.  Hate evil.  The Christian life is one of choices we make.  We have options.  We have alternatives.  We have discretion.

Each time a child in my office tells me that they pushed a classmate because, "he made me do it."  Or "I couldn't help it" is offered as an excuse for an unkind word spoken to a friend.  A punch to the arm was "just an accident".  Countless times I have had the conversation about choices, consequences, and selecting a different course of action in the future.

While there are some unknowns or gray areas in our Christian walk, let's face it, many of us are not doing all that we know God would have us do.  That television show we would be shocked to see shown on the large screen at church flickers on our 50" screen in the basement each week.  The joke we tell in the breakroom we would never dream of sharing in our small group on Sunday morning.

Let's start truly loving good, hating evil, and seeking good intentionally and consistently.

Thoughts are Foundational January 6, 2016

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13 ESV

What do Moses and Stephen Covey have in common?  Both delivered a list of "rules" that, if followed, promise a more successful life.  Of course, Moses' list was delivered straight from God's mouth and are therefore much higher on the totem of life's must-do list, but Covey's "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" are also principles that can help ensure a life better lived.  (No, I am not giving God's laws and Covey's self-help book the same weight.)

It is interesting to note that the first half of both the 10 Commandments and the 7 Habits focus on internal change.  While there is not enough time or space to individually list each item, I have included a link to each.
10 Commandments
7 Habits

The reason I even mention both in the same article is in light of today's verse.  Peter tells his readers that our Christian walk begins in our attitudes, thoughts, ideas.  "Preparing your minds."  Not going to church.  Not tithing 10%.  But getting things right between our ears.

How can we be light in a dark world if we have a superior attitude toward homosexuals?  What affect will we have in the workplace if we are fearful of all Muslims?  Will people ever be drawn to Christ if we judge those who support abortion?  Our thoughts determine our attitudes and actions.  Before we can hope to treat others as Christ would have treated them, we must think about others as Christ would have thought about them.  Our walk won't please God until our thoughts please God. 

Pray that God will begin to transform your mind. The rest will follow.

Just Stop It January 5, 2015

Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good;  Isaiah 1:16 ESV

Cease and learn.  Wouldn't it be nice if the Christian life were as simple as it seems in this passage from Isaiah.  Cease to do evil.  Just stop.  Quit.  But for us of those who were smokers in past lives, while quitting may be a simple concept, it is not easy.  There will be times of resolve followed by a reoccurrence.  Strengthened resolve, another misstep.  The challenage is to not allow these regressions to defeat us.

I can remember during my long journey to quit smoking being fraught with self-recrimination.  I would bum a smoke off a friend, get upset with myself, and find myself at Git-n-Go purchasing a whole pack.  All the while justifying it with the rationalization that since I had already smoked one or two from a friend, I might as well put off quitting a while longer.   Or I would find another reason to purchase a pack.  Perhaps it was a weekend at the lake with friends, or perhaps a camping trip with the lazy hours around a campfire.  Whatever the reason, I knew deep down I was disobeying God's leading.

However at the end of the day, we must cease from sin.  There are no gray areas when it comes to sin and God.  If He has spoken a word into our lives and we to fail to obey it is sin.  What is God telling you to cease?  What actions or thoughts are a point of conviction for you?  Ceasing may not be a one and done for you.  For most of us it will be a series of victories and failures.  Successes and disappointments.  It is important to not let those failures to define your struggle.  God will supply us the strength, patience, and perseverance if we are a willing, sincere participant in His transformation of our lives.

If only stopping were as easy as Bob Newhart would lead us to believe.

spent time on CR lesson, no entry today

Pillars and Clouds January 3, 2015

¹² Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”  Exodus 14:12 ESV

Our Sunday School group is currently engaged in a study of the nation of Isreal from its early beginnings with Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses.  What I find interesting is how human nature has not changed since the dawn of man.  We may like to consider ourselves enlightened, progressive, and refined, but when it is all said and done, we have not come a long way, baby.

Today's verse is a shining example of how consistent human nature has been over the ages.

The Israelites have been in the wilderness for some time, but not long enough for them to have forgotten the awesome demonstration of power from Yahweh during their last weeks in Egypt.  Plagues, desolation, death, all in the name of freeing His people.  In fact, things has gotten so bad in Egypt, the Egyptians had actually paid the Israelites to vamoose.  (Exodus 12:35)  Once out of Egypt, God's presence was ever visible  "And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. ²² The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.  (Exodus 13:12,22 ESV)

But just a few short weeks later, the situation began to look a little dire and immediately the very people who has witnessed firsthand the power of the Almighty God began to whine and complain. 
"They said to Moses, 'Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? ¹² Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.'"  (Exodus 14:11,12 ESV)

Where was the faith?  Where was the confidence?  Where are there memories?  God had proven Himself faithful.  He had demonstrated His power.  I love what Moses told the people in verse 14, chapter 14.  "The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent."  Translation. . ."Just shut up, you big babies.  God's got this covered."

When the Egyptian arms is cresting the ridge, think back to times when God has proven Himself faithful.  Recall that $50 bill you found in a coat pocket when you were short on groceries.  Remember that phone call from a friend just when you were slipping into a blue funk.  Recollect on that perfect word from the pulpit at the exact time you needed guidance.  Maybe God has not blighted your enemy or led you with a pillar of fire, but He is just as present in our lives now as He was for the Israelites.  

He will not lead us into a wilderness and abandon us.  He will not guide us into a new job just so we can fail.  He will not convict us to give that little extra to missions only to see us miss a rent payment.  If He leads, He will provide.  Back to the Red Sea?  Just shut up and believe that God will make a way.

New Year's Day- Yippy Skippy January 1, 2016

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.  2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Perhaps on this first day of 2016 I should feel optimistic.  A new year!  New beginnings!  Resolved resolutions.  Promising promises.  But we have been having New Year's Days for centuries and there is still evil, hatred, suffering, and loss.  I wonder the percentage of New Year's resolutions focus on personal betterment- less t.v./more reading, fewer sweets/more vegetables, as opposed to resolutions of treating a coworker better, giving a greater % of income to a charitable organization, helping the less fortunate even when it means a personal sacrifice.

At the end of the day, Paul reminds us that the only truly newness is when we give our lives to Christ.  Then, and only then, can transformational, foundational change take place.  For some it might be over night, for most of us it will be a long process with peaks and valleys, progress and regress.  However, with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we can grow, we can change.  Our hope for change lies in Him.  

Any joy, any anticipation, any excitement we feel about the new year must be grounded in Him and His love.  Because as Solomon wrote many years ago, without Jesus as our Lord, Savior, and Guide, "all is vanity and a striving after wind."  (Ecclesiastes 1:14 ESV)