Good Deeds March 29, 2017

²¹ For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 2:21 ESV 

Although I don't recommend the show, many years ago the sitcom "Friends" had an episode about whether there was ever a truly selfless good deed.  Throughout the show when the character Pheobe would do a good deed, another character would point out how that deed was not 100% selfless.  

The idea of a truly selfless good deed is interesting.  Volunteering at a homeless shelter may not have a financial return, but it is helping those individuals which in turn helps the community at large which by extension benefits the volunteer.   Raking the elderly neighbor's leaves creates a more aesthetically pleasing neighborhood which benefits all the homeowners on the street. 

Perhaps the only truly selfless good deed was when Christ left heaven, spend 33 years on earth, and was murdered just to provide a path for the restoration of our relationship with the Father.

Before Jesus' birth and resurrection God was complete and perfect.  After His son's life, death, and resurrection God was unchanged- still complete and perfect.  

Christ's abandonment of heaven, hard earthly life, and brutal death did not benefit God at all.  His being was not added to nor diminished a fraction.  His wealth not affected.  His status as the Alpha and Omega not changed.

Christ came to earth for one reason. . .So that we might be reconciled to God the Father for today, tomorrow, and eternity.  While we should continue to perform acts of kindness, volunteer at pet shelters, and contribute financially to missions, the ultimate good deed was performed by Jesus Christ.



Friends Video

God Will Get His March 26, 2017

My tendency to worry is a well-documented fact among family and friends.  A couple of weeks ago, I began waking up EARLY (2 or 3 a.m.) and found myself  unable to get back to sleep because of worry about this, that, and the other.  I would toss and turn for a while then eventually get up, move to the couch and read until I fell into a fitful sleep usually just 30-45 minutes before the alarm would sound off to alert me to another day.

After several day/nights of this behavior, I realized I had become very lax in my Bible study, so when I would awake at these odd hours, rather than spending time reading the latest novel downloaded on my iPad, I dusted off a commentary over 1,2,3 John and spend time in Bible study.  I found not only was I able to return to sleep quicker after time in the Word, but soon I began to sleep through the night.

As I pondered this positive change on my nocturnal habits, I realized one of two things happened, or maybe a combination of both.

1.  Time in the Word drew me closer to God which in turn helped to restore the peace he promised his children.

2.  God allowed my worries to create the near insomnia until I recommitted to Bible study.   He wants his children to study scripture and perhaps the elusive ZZZZs were allowed in order to redirect me into obedience in this area of spiritual growth.

Most likely it is not an either/or but some of each.  Regardless, now that I am spending more consistent time in the word, I am sleep longer and waking more refreshed than before.

A 4,600 Pound Lesson March 22, 2017

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Ephesians 6:10-11 ESV 

We recently had an 8'x20' metal shipping container delivered to use as storage.  These shipping containers are becoming a popular low-cost, semi-permanent storage option.  They are water-proof, almost indestructible, solid steel monoliths.  As a result they are very heavy.  The size we procured weighed over 4,600 lbs.  

After the delivery of the unit, we discovered it is about 7' from where we need it to be.  7' lousy feet.  84 inches.  For many things, a move of that distance would not be a big deal.  But moving a 2+ ton box is not something our Subaru Forester will handle. Several phone calls later, I was able to locate a gentleman who will bring out a piece of heavy equipment that can lift one end of the container and slide it the final 7'. 

I did not have at my disposal the power necessary to handle the job at hand.  And just like my storage container dilemma, we do not have the required strength to "stand against the schemes of the devil."  Our strength is woefully lacking.  Without God's armor and his strength we will fail every time.

Paul tells his readers to "be strong" but he adds that our strength is in the Lord and his might.  It is be donning the "whole armor of God" that we are able to live a life pleasing to him.  Each day we will be faced with situations and decisions which require strength and wisdom that exceed our resources.  Allow God to be the strength needed for today and tomorrow. 





 

T.I.I March 18, 2017

¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13 ESV 

I recently read an article about "Trump-induced insomnia".  The article went on to recount the situation of several people who have been unable to get a good night's sleep since Trump was elected.  One woman, Ariane Zurcher, reported, "I’m 56 years old. I have never had insomnia or issues with sleeping until this.”

While I admit that the election of Donald Trump has given many around the globe cause for concern, to blame him for insomnia seems a bit drastic.  In fact to blame any outside factor for insomnia would seem to fly in the face of today's verse.

God is a god of hope.  He is our hope for today and the future.  We should not allow external situations rob us of joy, peace, and hope.  As Christians Paul reminds us that through the "power of the Holy Spirit" we may "abound in hope".

I wonder if the people mentioned in the article have a personal, life-changing, hope-giving relationship with Jesus Christ.  If not, that would be the first and foremost insomnia cure.

Link to article

Restores March 17, 2017

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
³     He restores my soul.

Psalm 23:1-2 ESV 


Currently there are numerous television shows which focus on restoration- "Counting Cars", "Flip or Flop", and "Flea Market Wars" just to name a few.  Taking the old and making it look new again seems to be a craze.

Too often life can wear us down.  Bills, deadlines, health, relationships can all take their toll.  We find ourselves feeling like that old cane back chair in the back of the shed.  But we are children of the Great Restorer.

"He restores my soul."  Restore- to make new again, refresh, rejuvenate.  Tired becomes refreshed.  Worn down becomes renewed.  

We cannot restore our soul.  A shot of whiskey on the rocks cannot do the job.  An extra slice of cake is ineffective.  Even an hour on the tredmill is a poor substitute.  God restores.  His Spirit abiding in us can undo the damage of today.  His Word can lift up.

Holy and Beloved March 16, 2017

¹² Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
Colossians 3:12 ESV 

As I read today's verse, I was struck with an overshelming sense of gentleness, love, and thankfulness.

First, we are God's chosen ones.  Selected by him for a restored relationship that will last for eternity.  A never-ending connection.  

Second, we are holy and beloved.  Holy because of the life-changing blood of Christ and beloved because that same Christ allows us to become adopted sons of the one true God.

Finally, look at the list of traits we are called to put into action.  Compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.  How much different would our world be if every person who claims that status as chosen, holy and beloved would each day strive to live as we are instructed to in today's verse.

Take some time to think about who we are in God's eyes.  Then  allow that knowledge to color how we approach those around us.

Hard Sell March 15, 2017

¹¹  This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. ¹² And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:11,12 ESV 

One of the biggest hits on Christianity in today's world it that we are closed-minded.  Unyielding.  And, I guess, in our core beliefs, we are. 

We do believe that a belief in and an acceptance of Jesus Christ as a personal Lord and Savior is a perquisite to forgiveness and restoration.  We are unyielding in our belief that Jesus was at once man and God. 

Luke reminds his readers that there is but one "name under heaven . . .by which we must be saved."  Only one.  Just Christ.  There is no second or third option.  No back-up savior.  Apart from Jesus Christ, people are condemned to a life separated from God and that separation will continue after death for an eternity.  Wow, that does sound closed-minded, unyielding.  

So the critics are right.  But their argument is with God, not us.  He established the path to salvation.  He laid out the plan of restoration.  Our duty is to present the Gospel message, not to argue its critics into submission.

We present.  The Holy Spirit convicts.  God saves.  His plan, not ours.

Earthquake vs Whisper March 10, 2017

And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. ¹² And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.
1 Kings 19:11-12 ESV

This year marks my 31st  year in public education.  I am at the point of deciding whether to go 32 or call it a day.  As of this evening, one more year seems to be front runner.  However, these past three weeks have made that choice not quite so exciting.  Parent concerns, student challenges, procedural changes, etc. have all come together to form an energy-draining vortex. 

I had begun to attribute these challenging episodes as God's way of telling me to wrap it up this year.  But as I prayed more about my decision, he brought today's verse to mind.  And I realized I was reading too much into this past set of professional challenges.

As a father, if Seth came to me needing advice and direction on a life-changing decision, I would not engineer crises, create confusion, and cause pain in order to help him make up his mind.  We would sit down and talk, discuss pros and cons, weigh options, and drink pots of coffee.  If the decision was not readily apparent after one conversation, we would schedule others until the choice was clear.

Does God use fire and earthquakes to help direct his people?  I believe at times he does, but I also believe that is most often a last resort.  Jonah became fish food because he ignored the express direction of God.  The big fish was not God's first choice of communication.  It is most often in God's "low whisper" where we will find our peace, comfort, and guidance.  Let's not let the earthquakes and fires distract us from His still, small voice.
 

Doing vs Being March 7, 2017

⁴⁶ After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. ⁴⁸ And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” ⁴⁹ And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?”
Luke 2:46-49 ESV

If today's verse seem familiar, it should.  It is the exact same passage from yesterday's entry, only I have selected a different translation.  Yesterday's passage was from the King James Version and today the English Standard Version gets the nod.

The difference that struck me was that in the KJV, the young Jesus was quoted as saying, ". . .I must be about my Father's business." while the ESV rendered it as "I must be in my Father's house.”  (Italics mine.)  Personally I prefer the KJV.

Just being in God's house does not necessarily get anyone anywhere.  It does not mean the Kingdom of God is being furthered.  Many people think that just be being in God's house three hours a week fulfills their duty to God.

I realize that Luke was not describing an inactive, self-serving adolescent in his story of the 12-year old Christ who was in the temple, but we must not ever mistake church attendance for Christian living.  Yes, being a part of a local church and regular attendance is a New Testament mandate, but it does little good if we are also not going about our Father's business.

If personal spiritual growth becomes an end unto itself, pride is most likely close behind.  The purpose of spiritual growth is so we can better serve a Living Savior, not impress the deacons and elders with how much we know and the length of a passage of scripture we can quote.

Grow so you can go.  

What's His Business? March 6, 2017

⁴⁶ And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
⁴⁷ And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
⁴⁸ And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
⁴⁹ And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
Luke 2:46-49 King James Version 

Until this evening, I have always framed this passage around a young Jesus being immersed in prayer, scripture reading, and theological discussion.  And most likely he was.  But our Father's business is far more than this.

Our Father is in the healing business.  Do we visit those in the hospital?

Our Father is in the business of comforting others.  When is the last time you called a friend just to see how he was doing?

Our Father's business is encouragement.  Why not send a card to your pastor?

Our Father also provides for those in need.  What if one week's of Starbucks drive-through dollars were used to purchase some groceries for that elderly neighbor?

Jesus was about his Father's work in the temple, and we should continue to follow his example.  But our Father's work extends far beyond the walls and halls into the offices and streets.  

We should all be about our Father's business all the time.

Connect March 5, 2017

⁶ And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
Deuteronomy 6:6 ESV 

For a most of history, people thought that the heart was the center of emotion.  Of course science has proven otherwise, but many expressions still reflect that ancient belief.  

"My heart aches for you." 
"You've been in my heart lately."
 "Follow your heart."
"Heart's desire."

When I read today's verse it spoke to me of an emotional attachment to scripture.  A love for the Holy Word that goes beyond an intellectual understanding or verse memorization.

Does David's grief over his son Absalom cause us to whine in pain?  When Paul writes of his imprisonment do we feel indignant?  When reading the praise Psalms, does our heart take flight?

The Bible is a book about real people going through the same ups and downs as we do today.  The joy they felt, the pain then suffered, the trials and victories are not that much different than what many in today's world encounter.

I realize we cannot be expected to shed a tear every time we read about Stephen's execution or Christ's cruxifiction, but do we still allow the Holy Spirit to move  us deeper than just the surface?  Are our hearts burdened or lifted when we spend time in His Word?  

"These words . . .shall be on our hearts", not just in our heads.   

Hmmm. . . March 2, 2017

As I was studying the small group lesson for Sunday, a sentence caught my mind. 

"As Christians, grafted into the family of God, Jesus' genealogy is also ours, for we trace our heritage back to Abraham, our forefather in the faith."

I had never thought that my faith heritage was traced back to Abraham.  Jesus is where I had always assumed my faith heritage began.

Thoughts?