Grow Through Dirt February 24, 2017

⁴ “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: ⁵ Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. ⁶ Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. ⁷ But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."
Jeremiah 29:4-7 ESV 

Seventy years.  Seven decades.  3640 weeks.  25550 days.  That is the length of time the Israelites were told by God they would be in exile and captivity.  No early release.  No parole.  Sentence to be served in full.  But take a look at the advice God gave his chosen people.  Live, plant, marry, multiply.  Build up the community in which they were living.

Sometimes we feel we are in exile and captivity.  A bad marriage.  A lousy job.  A dysfunctional church.  You may be exactly where God needs you to be.  If that is the case, then heed his advice to the Jews.  Don't withdraw, pout, or sulk.  Live, plant, grow in whatever situation you find yourself.  

Work to improve your marriage.  Find ways to help that company meet its sales goals.  Start a small group of like-minded believers that will pray for God's intervention.  God had his people right where he needed them to be, and we too are in the exact place of God's choosing.

The worse the situation, the greater God's glory when he prospers his children.  Let's not endure, but prosper.

Grow where you are planted.

Make a Plan February 23, 2017

Do they not go astray who devise evil? Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness.
Proverbs 14:22 ESV

How often do we "devise" good?  Sure we might hold the door open for an elderly man at church or help a friend move a couch on a Saturday morning.  While these acts of kindness are pleasing to God, they are spur of the moment decisions or based on a specific request.  But planning to do good is another level.

Think of that person at the office who is an outcast.  What plans do I make for lunch with him? 

Consider that single parent neighbor.  When is the last time you offered to watch the four-year old so mom could take a nap?

Devising to do good is more that saying "yes" to a friend's request or responding to a spur of the moment need.  (Although these things are also admirable.)  Devising involves intentionality, forethought, and prayer.  Who would God call us to go out of our way for today?  What planned act of good is He laying on your heart?

We plan vacations, meals, and our t.v. viewing.  Let's put specific acts of "doing good" on our list of to-dos.

It is Really That Funny? February 20, 2017

⁹ Whoever covers an offense seeks love,
    but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
Proverbs 17:9 ESV 

How many times has a husband "jokingly" told of his wife's car wreck?  "Remember that time you got us lost camping," starts a wife's story at the neighborhood barbecue.  Sure these stories can elicit a laugh or two, but at what cost?  It appears the "offending" party is taking it all in stride because what else can they do?

While today's verse may be referring to sin, I think it also applies to those family/friend stories we tell around the table or campfire.  What if we only told those stories of how our spouse went the extra mile or when they surprised us with a gift for no reason?  Let her tell of her failed coffee table project or allow him to share about the time he burned Cornish hens.

Stories of failure, incompetence, and mistakes, while told with a good-natured smile, still cut.  Perhaps it is only a paper cut, but we all know how much those sting.

Mic Drop February 18, 2017

³⁸ For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39 ESV 

Nor divorce, nor addiction, nor unemployment, nor cancer, nor bankruptcy, nor (fill in the blank).

There are passages in the Bible that are open to a variety of interpretations, but not today's verse.  Paul leaves no room for any doubt about the constancy of God's love.  Take minute to reread the passage.  Linger on each "nor".  Let the assurance of God's message wash over you.  Allow the finality of these two short verses sink in. Take heart in the lack of any ambiguity.  Let the tears of release and reassurance flow down your cheeks. 

We will NEVER be separated from God's love.  No person, not even ourselves.  No situation, not even those we personally create.  Many people take assurance from these verses when confronted with situations that are not self-inflicted and beyond their control; however, when it comes to personal sin, perhaps we are not as confident.  We think that God's love for us will survive the worst the world can throw at us, but somehow our personal sin will cause God to withdraw his love.  

Not only does that fly in the face of God's promise, but it highlights just how proud and arrogant we can be.  "Sure God will love me through the worst the world and Satan has to offer, but MY sin is so evil, repugnant, and awful that God could not possible still love me."  

  

But scripture states, "ANYTHING else in all creation" will separate us from God's love.

"Yeah, anything but my sin.  My sin is just too much for the Creator, the Provider, the Alpha and Omega.  He has never seen anything like me before!  My sin deserves a Oscar in the category "Worst Sin Ever".

If Satan can get us to believe that lie, we are not only calling God a liar, but distancing ourselves further from the peace, rest, and comfort Jesus promises his children.

NOTHING can separate us from Abba's love.  End of story.  Don't analyze.  Don't argue.  Just celebrate and praise Him for the promise. 

February 16, 2017

11th Commandment February 14, 2017

³⁴ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. ³⁵ By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:34-35 ESV 

Two things jumped out at me in these verses.

The first is the word "commandment".  God does not suggest we love others  He does not recommend it.  Love for others is not just a good idea.  It is a commandment.

A commandment is a mandate.  A rule or law from the highest of authority. No gray area.  No negotiation.  It is interesting that so many Christians get caught up in the minutiae of religion, but fail so miserably in a clear command from Christ- to love one another.

Ordination of women and divorced deacons have split churches.  Six days or six epochs of creation have divided denominations.  Christ articulated no commands on the trivial.  But love for each other is a nonnegotiable.  Do we treat it as such?  If we say we do, how do we demonstrate that love?

Second, is how people will know we are Christ's disciples.  It is by following the previous commandment- to love one another.  Bumper stickers won't do it.  Church attendance is not the sign.  Mission trips to Ecuador are not even what determine discipleship.  In Jesus' own words, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (emphasis mine)

Do we following his command, and do others know we are his disciples by our love?  


 

Teach and Lead February 10, 2017

¹⁰ Teach me to do your will,

    for you are my God!
Let your good Spirit lead me
    on level ground!

Psalm 143:10 ESV 

Today's verse would be a wonderful part of a morning prayer each day.

Teach me what I should do.  Then lead me is throughout the day. 

Old But Relevant

²⁷ And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
Matthew 6:27 ESV 

Teachers are taught that an important part of any lesson is making the learning relevant.  How does what is being read/studied apply to the life of the student?  When the Bible is the text, it is imperative we not forget the importance of relevance.

Today at work a situation came up which was based on a misunderstanding but caused some hurt feelings.  Because of how I came to know about the situation, I am unable to address the parties involved.  I must do what is difficult for me. . . wait.  

So that leads me another weakness. . .worry.  I replay every aspect of what took place.  I imagine the worst possible outcome.  Then I came across today's verse and almost glossed over it in my reading.  But the Spirit slowed me down.  When I personalized the verse, it turned out it was exactly what I needed.

And which of  you (meaning me) by worrying can solve the problem at work?  You know, Matthew is right.  My anxiety won't change a thing.  It won't change what happened. It won't change how the people feel.  It won't change the outcome.  What it will do is cause me to be grumpy, tired, and irritable.  Now those things can change things in a negative way.

What else could we insert in today's verse?

And which of you by being anxious can make his adult child return to the church?

And which of you by being anxious can add cause a distant spouse to be more affectionate?

And which of you by being anxious change the value of a stock portfolio? 

And which of you by being anxious can (fill in the blank)?

Today's verse is such an important verse to remember in today's uncertain world.  Angry politicians- worry won't change them.  Terrorism abounds- worry won't make the world safer.  Worry only changes the worrier and not for the best.

Have no doubt, a 2000-year old text is still relevant in 2017.    

Locks and Walls February 7, 2017

¹⁹ On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
John 20:19 ESV 

It's hard to imagine today how frightened the disciples must have been following Jesus' crucifixion and death on the cross.  The man they had followed for three years, had seen perform miracles, and face down the most powerful nation in the world had been unjustly accused, mercilessly beaten, and brutally killed.  He had performed miracles, spoke of an eternal kingdom, and been the hope of a nation.  If his life could be snuffed out so easily, what hope did they have?

So they hid.  They withdrew and locked the doors.  Fear drove them into seclusion.  The locked doors did not keep out the fear.  Thick clay walls could not remove the uncertainty.  But those same doors and walls could also not keep out Jesus Christ.  "Jesus came and stood among them!"  There he was in the middle of tears, anxiety, and uncertainty.  

In the centuries that have passed since John penned his Gospel, man has not changed.  When we are afraid, we withdraw from friends.  Anxiety causes us to lock out family, neglect prayer, and turn inward.  Uncertainty creates walls.  But Jesus also has not changed.  He is still able to enter any walls we create.  His love for us can penetrate the thickest of emotional bricks.  Heart locks are no challenge for his peace.

Allow the Peace that passes all understanding to enter your emotional walls.  He wants to enter your locked room of fear, doubt, and worry.  You have but to ask, and he will appear.

34-28 February 6, 2017

²¹ Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness
    will find life, righteousness, and honor.
Proverbs 21:21 ESV 

Last night's Super Bowl was one for the ages.  The Atlanta Falcons appeared to have the game well in hand.  At the end of the third quarter, they held a commanding 19 point lead, 28-9, over the three-point favorite New England Patriots.  But over the next 15 minutes of regulation time, through a series of Falcon missteps and Patriot wonder plays, New England outscored Atlanta 19-0, resulting in the first ever Super Bowl overtime game.

New England won the overtime coin toss and elected to receive.  Five plays and 71 yards later, the Patriots had capped their remarkable comeback with a game winning touchdown.  Cue the confetti, screaming, and phalanx of reporters descending on the field.

All the great plays of the Atlanta Falcons mattered naught.  The Tom Brady sacks and New England missed extra point kick in the third quarter were irrelevant.  All that mattered now was the final score.  The only two important numbers were 34 and 28. 

I am thankful that my life as a Christian is not viewed as a win-lose proposition.  Each day would find me feeling as dejected as the Atlanta Falcons must have felt last night.  Regardless of the number of Bible pages read, minutes spent in prayers, and small groups attended, I will continue to sin as long as I have breath.  Some days will be better than others.  Frequency and severity will decrease, but there will still be spiritual missteps.  Words spoken in anger.  Actions that displeased my Heavenly Father.  

In the seventh chapter of Romans, Paul wrote, "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing." Romans 7:18,19 ESV

The writer of Proverbs tells us that if we pursue "righteousness and kindness" we "will find life, righteousness, and honor."  Sinless and perfect are not requirements.  God examines our heart, our desire.  Do we desire to sin less each day?  If our goal one of Christ-likeness?


In the Super Bowl, effort is not rewarded unless your team scores more points than your opponent. The final score is all that matters.  But Christians are saved, not perfected.  God does reward effort. He is pleased with growth.  Even though all believers will eventually be clothed in perfection, that is not an earthly possibility.  

Set a goal for each day to be better than yesterday.  Anything less is inexcusable (I don't like "inexcusable".  What else might work?)  Anything more is unattainable.

Little Sauls February 4, 2017

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the Lord, who addressed the words of this song to the Lord on the day when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said:

18 I love you, O Lord, my strength.
² The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
    my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 18:1-2 ESV

Most of us can remember times when God rescued us from disaster.  Maybe it was a time we were not the victim of corporate downsizing.  Perhaps it was the survival of a car accident or a recovery from a life-threatening disease.  I imagine that during these times of rescue, we remember to thank our Lord and Savior, even recount to friends how it was a miracle or that God intervened.  

But what about those times when God delivers us from the temptation to make that hateful comment about a coworker?  How often are we delivered from those "small" daily sin opportunities?  God is just as present during those times as when Saul is breathing down our necks.

Do we remember to thank God throughout the day for the wisdom he provided for that correct, spur-of-the moment decision?  Does He get the glory for providing the right words when making an awkward phone call?  His presence and deliverance are just as necessary in the office in 2017 A.D. as it was in the caves of Judea in 1000 B.C.

Take time during the day to thank Jehovah for his protection and deliverance throughout the day. Perhaps that deliverance is from a lustful thought, or a spiteful comment, or a misguided email, but rest assured He is continually watching, protecting, and delivering.

Let's not reserve our deliverance thank-you for just those Saul moments.

Head Scratcher February 1, 2017

¹⁰ so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 4:10 ESV 

I read somewhere that Ephesians was the Mt. Everest of New Testament theology.  That its content and mysteries contained within were worthy of a lifetime of study.  I am beginning to believe it.

First, Paul's sentence structure is very complex.  Just to digest the simplest of ideas often requires two or three rereads of a passage.  Then a passage like today's verse enters the picture.  

I have searched several commentaries and still have the following questions.

1.  Who are the "rulers and authorities in heavenly places" to which Paul refers?

2.  If they are already seated in heavenly placed, how is it the church can reveal anything to them (whoever they are)?

Please jump in with answers.