When We Don't Get What We Want the Way We Want It

Scripture: Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.” John 10:32-33

Observation: The Jews could not argue with Jesus’ miracles. The proof was in the pudding. The lame could walk, the blind could see. Things were happening, and yet they were not happening the way some people wanted them. The Messiah did not look, act, or speak like they wanted. Worse, this man who was clearly not the man they wanted, claimed to be God. They rejected the one sent from God because he did not come in the right package.
When God shows up in a different package, we can get angry. Why? We want what we want the way we want it. Now, we can dress that up in a whole lot of spiritual language, but at the end of the day, it is more about us getting God the way we want him, rather than accepting that he might want to come in a different and new way.

Application: This week, a person came up to one of our pastors asking about our Christmas Eve services. They were disappointed in last year’s service, as we did not do something they wanted us to do. As I reviewed last year’s services, I saw that we celebrated the birth of a God who came to be with us. We did welcome the arrival of Christ. And yet, because we did not welcome Christ in the way this person wanted, they felt like he had not come at all.
My downfall as a pastor is that I often let the gripes of a few outweigh God’s voice in my life. I believe the lies of the enemy speaks through a few. I need to remember that sometimes, when it comes to the things of God, we want what we want the way we want it.
This person’s problem was not with me. It was with God. God chose to reveal himself in a different way. With God, who does not always give us what we want the way we want it, but instead gives us what we need in ways we may not want.

Prayer: God, I have been allowing Satan to speak to me through the griping and gritching of a few people. While it is crucial for me to listen and learn, sometimes, these complainers are really angry with You, and the new ways You have chosen to reveal yourself. I need to step out of the line of fire and let them fire at you. I am a convenient target, but really, their beef is with you. Please help me listen to the truth of your word, and the good works you are doing in my life and the life of our church.

A Knight's Code

Scripture: Respect everyone. Love the brotherhood of believers. Fear God. Honor the king. 1 Peter 2:17

Observation: Peter is stressing that the way we treat others in life reveals our true freedom, and silences our critics. If we claim Christ, then the way we relate to authorities and others in our lives ought to reflect that. If we have truly been set free, we will show it by submission.

Application: These words stick out to me as a code of conduct, a creed. Something that would be emblazoned on the shield of a knight. They are brief and yet cover so much about our relationships in life. My boys and I have a code of conduct for men in our house, our knight’s code. But I like this as well. These are 4 truths I need to teach my kids. Respect everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor authorities in your life. I think this might be our next family time devotional.

Prayer: God, help me model these attitudes towards these 4 groups in my life. Please instill these in my kids. Help me lead them towards true freedom through submission.

Hold Fast. This is good. God is in this.

Scripture: Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

Observation: James tells us we each have a decision to make when we encounter challenges in life. We can choose to grumble or we can chose to believe, “This is good. God is in this.” This choice is ours and ours alone. No one can make it for us. No well-meaning friend can use these words on us. We have to choose that this is good and God is in this. And the reason it is good and God is in this is because God is using this trial and my response to it to build in me steadfastness. He is completing me by teaching me how to hold fast in this world.

Application: I was thinking this morning about how I have a lot on my plate at this time of year. I can get stressed out by a number of things. And unfortunately, I don’t always choose joy. I choose outlets like negativity, discouragement. I turn to food for escape. These are all alternatives to choosing to believe, “This is good. God is in this.” I think God is reminding me today that the choice is mine, and for me to choose joy.

Prayer: This is good, God. You are in this. You are forging in me the ability to hold fast. Help me choose to believe. Help me choose joy. Steer me from easy, yet unsatisfying responses to my trials. I choose today to hold fast to you and your plan for my life.

God Does Not Force Hard Hearts

Scripture: And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:58

Observation: Jesus returns to his hometown, yet finds that people cannot relate to him as messiah. They only see the son of Mary and Joseph (the one born under sketchy circumstances). Jesus did very few miracles here, because of the unbelief of the people. As one note in my bible says, “The Holy Spirit does not force his miracles on a hostile, skeptical audience.”

Application: Hard-heartedness prevents the ministry of God. Oh, God can overcome that, to be sure. But it seems that when God finds hearts hardened to him, he leaves them be. I wonder if God wants to do something great, but passes by because of lack of faith. Do I really believe? Can that believe help me overcome doubt, grumbling, rejection? It seems that all great works are accompanied by opposition. But to those children who persevere in hope, they see God at work.

Prayer: God, help me believe you want to do something greater. Stretch my faith. I do believe; help my unbelief. I want to trust you and lead our people to expect great things from you.

Hearts Wide Open

Scripture: We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also. 2 Corinthians 6:11-13

Observation: Paul is baring his soul to the Corinthians, asking them to respond to him the way he has responded to them. He is trying to lead them, yet they have been resistant. Paul’s heart is wide open to them, and he requests, not demands, their love in return.

Application: I have been surprised over the years how some people respond to pastoral leadership with mistrust and hostility. They meet each new initiative and direction with resistance and suspicion. While there are many reasons for that that have nothing to do with the leader, I can see why some people might feel that way. They have had leaders whose hearts were not wide open. Leaders who saw their position as a stepping stone to another role. Leaders who were temporary. Leaders who started things they would not be around to finish. These actions leave people wary of leaders. If the leader’s heart is closed off, why should they open theirs? Paul does not demand their love, but as a father requests the love of his kids, Paul requests the love (and trust) of the Corinthians.

I need to lead with heart wide open. With honestly, with genuineness, with no hiddenness or secret agendas. Some people are so jaded that they will not be able to handle this, but nevertheless, I must lead this way. And in the end, I cannot convince or cajole someone into loving me and my direction---I can only request their respect.

Prayer: God, let me lead with my heart wide open. Let me lead with integrity and honesty. Protect me from discouragement when I am not trusted or attacked. Grant me favor with our people. Help them to trust my heart and leadership.

Willing to remain silent

Scripture: Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe." Those who were crucified with him also reviled him. Mark 15:32

Observation: Jesus was humiliated on the cross. Mocked, abused, insulted. Everyone from the rich to the poor, from the nobles to the outcasts, looked down on him as they looked upon him. Mark tells us that even those who were being crucified with Jesus reviled him. These are the last people on earth who should be mocking Jesus. Besides the torture of their own pain, they were being hung before people as the ultimate failures. They were being put to death for their utter collapse of life. Yet even in their dying moments, they find breath to shower hate on the Christ. If someone being crucified can look down on you, you have sunk as low as you possibly could.

I am amazed that Christ was willing to sink this low for me. Enduring the shame for me. Willing to allow lies and slander to fly all around him while he remained mute for me.

Application: It really bothers me when my motives or actions are maligned. When someone who does not have all the facts calls me out. I want to rise up, to defend myself. I want to show them the facts. But as I meditate on Jesus here, I see that he can give me the power to stay silent. To let accusations and questions roll off of me. To be content with having people misunderstand my motives or actions. I don't have to fix everyone's views. People of integrity act, expecting to be believed. When they are not, they trust that time will prove them right.

Prayer: God, free me today from my need to correct. If the greatest slander in history could go unresponded to by you, then I can certainly trust you to take care of minor misunderstandings in my life. Show me when to speak in love, and when to let things go. Your back is strong enough to bear it; I take shelter there today.

Increasing Faith

Scripture: And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer." Mark 9:29

Observation: The disciples have failed to cast out a demon. Jesus has to step in and do it for teem. Later, when alone with Jesus, they ask him why they could not do it. Jesus replies that some things only can be done by prayer. I have always taken is to be a spiritual principle of dependence. That we do not have the power and we need to ask God for help. So in the moment of spiritual need, we ought to stop and pray.
However, the context of the story shows Jesus frustrated with the faithlessness of this generation, including the disciples. It seems the issue might not just be that the disciples are trying to do spiritual work with physical effort, but that they lack the faith to do it. That maybe Jesus is calling them not only to pray in the moment to insure dependence, but he is calling them to a lifetime of prayer to increase faith. Some manuscripts add the words, "and fasting" to the end of the sentence, which is not something you could stop and go do in the moment, but has to be a habit and lifestyle.

Application: I think I am practicing the pausing to pray for spiritual power. But I am not practicing the ongoing prayer to increase faith. These times of devotion give me part of that. My faith is increased each time I meet with God in his word. But I want to grow in my faith. I have battles and tests ahead of me, and the only way I will overcome is through faith, faith that has grown through prayer.

Prayer: God, help my faith grow. Give me eyes to see what is coming and how faith will play a role in the victory. Show me how to pray for the faith to overcome.

I Know that my Redeemer Lives

Scripture: For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me! Job19:25-26

Observation: Job wishes he could write a book about his experience. Why? So he could tell everyone of his belief that his redeemer lives. In spite of all the pain and suffering he still believes he will see God. What is remarkable about this is that in Job's day, the theology of the afterlife was still developing. These people believed that the grave was the end. So Job is declaring his belief in God as his redeemer, even if that redemption or vindication comes "too late". Job is confident that God will vindicate him, even if it is after Job is long dead and gone. His hope is greater than rescue; it is redemption. It is a trust in God that goes beyond God fixing his life.

Application: I hold strongly to Christ as my redeemer. I know that he will one day recuse me from out of this earth. But do I trust him to do what is right even if it is after possible benefit to me? Do I trust him beyond the fixing of the situation?

Prayer: God, help me know that my redeemer lives today, and at the last he will stand upon the Earth.

Filled with Joy

Scripture:    And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:52

Observation:   In the midst of persecution and being kicked out of the city, the disciples are able to shake the dust off their feet and leave.  But they leave full of joy and the Holy Spirit.  There is a powerful connection between the filling of the Spirit and attitude.   

Attitude is not something I produce, but the Spirit produces in me.  It is not about bucking up, putting on a good face, but connecting with the Spirit and letting him drive my joy.  Then, even in the midst of tough times, I can have an inner joy and peace and maintain control of my attitude and responses.

Application:  God has been speaking to me recently about attitude.  Specifically, the attitudes he wants me to have and not have.   Today, I hear him reminding me that the source of my attitude is not my own willpower, but hinges on my connection with his Spirit.

Prayer:  Today, I have a day planned to pray and think about my life.  I pray that it would be a day of reconnecting with the Spirit, letting you fill and control my life.  I pray I will leave this day refreshed and filled with the joy of the Spirit.

My Birthday Blog

Scripture: "Behold, God will not reject a blameless man, nor take the hand of evildoers. He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting. Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the tent of the wicked will be no more." Job 8:20-22

Observation: Bildad offers Job an explanation for his suffering, namely that Job must have done wrong and his suffering is a punishment from God. He asserts that truly righteous people will not suffer and truly unrighteous people will be punished. Yet Job will argue and ultimately reject this counsel as unbiblical. He will arrive at this conclusion: God and God alone dictates the course of people's lives.

Bildad's counsel is sound in every way except one: it is unbiblical. Logically, religiously, ethically, we expect karma. Good gets blessed and evil gets punished. So if we see blessing or punishment, then we should be able to assume good or evil. But that is not always the case. Sometimes suffering befalls good believers. Sometimes grace and patience comes to evil doers. The bottom line is that God's ways are higher than our ways.

Application: I like to live in a world where blessing and punishment are clearly connected to my behavior. That if I work hard enough and live good enough, I can control my own destiny. That I can avoid pain if I try hard enough. But that was not true for Job and it is not true for me. Yes, generally blessing comes to the righteous and difficulty to the unrighteous, but I must trust God in what he deems He needs to bring my way. This is true in my own life and in the life of my church. I need to be careful about assigning reasons behind why some gins have or have not happened. Without blaming God, I must ultimately trust God and seek him and submit to him.

Prayer: Make me like Job and not Bildad. Help me submit to your sovereignty in my life and model that to others, rather than go down Bildad's blaming road. Help me shift my trust from my own ability to secure your blessing to your ability to decide what is best for me.

Praying for My Kids

Scripture: And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually. Job 1:5

Observation: Job was a blameless man, blessed with wealth, health, and a happy family. He had ten kids, who celebrated life and God with a daily feast. Each one of his 7 sons took a day of the week to host the feast. And in all of this, Job rose daily to pray for his kids, in case they got a little out of hand in their celebrations and committed a sin. Bottom line: Job prayed for his kids daily, he interceded on his kids behalf.

Application: Jessica and I talked last night about how it was important for us to be praying for our kids, for protection and God’s work in their lives. I do not know what this so easily slips our mind, but it often does. Job reminds me here of the crucial task of praying for my kids. Tomorrow, Jessica and I are going to sit down and talk more about how we can implement this in our lives and be more intentional about rising to pray for our family.

Prayer: God, forgive me for my prayerlessness when it comes to my kids. Teach me how to “offer sacrifices” for each of my kids before you regularly, so that you may fully work in their lives.

"The Hand of the Lord was Upon Me"

Scripture:  I took courage, for the hand of the LORD my God was on me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me. Ezra 7:28

Observation:  Ezra sees the hand of God at work in his life.  The king has granted permission and given resources for the temple to be restored.  Ezra sees this as the moving of God and the fulfillment of prophecy.  And in this, he sees that God's hand is upon him.  This gives him courage to act and gather leaders who will act with him.

Application:  often we are hesitant to be bold in life, feeling that we do not have the right to do this or that.  We fear being perceived as arrogant, or filled with hubris.  It seems that some christians equate courage with cockiness, and that humility=passivity.  But there are times when we can trust the hand of the Lord is upon us, and act with courage.  I feel I am in a season of this in my life right now. While this does not mean I am always right, it does mean I sense the moving of God in this time of history.  Like Ezra, I want to bless God, act with courage, and gather leaders around me to go up and follow God's hand.

Prayer:  God, I bless you, the God of my fathers.  Thank you for continuing to move.  Help me discern your hand, to humbly seek your moving, that I might act with courage to do what needs to be done.        

What Do You Want Me To Do For You?

Scripture: “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” Luke 18:41

Observation: Jesus comes upon a blind beggar, who cries out for Jesus to have mercy on him. Then Jesus asks him this question, “What do you want me to do for you?” At first, this seems like a question with an obvious answer. But the beggar could have been asking for a few coins. He could have asked for comfort, maybe a night off of the street. Jesus asks to get this man to specifically state what he wanted. And what he wanted was huge—healing of his sight. Only the Lord could do this. This beggar had the desperate faith to ask for the impossible.

Application: When I am praying, I need to really ponder Jesus’ question, “What do you want me to do for you?” What am I really asking for? Am I asking for a simple solution, the removal of a problem? What faith stretching request am I really bringing to him? And am I prepared to ask for more than a few coins, but for the impossible?

Prayer: God, as I pray, help me pray much larger and bolder. Show me where my prayers are small.

We Heard that God is With You

Scripture: Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’ Zechariah 8:23

Observation: Zechariah is prophesying about a future day of blessing that God will visit upon his people. Here, I think he is talking about the day of Pentecost, where God’s people were so filled with His spirit that as they go out into the streets, people from every nation wanted to go with them because it was so obvious God was with them.

Application: “Let us go with you, for we heard God is with you.” I have lived in my neighborhood for 2 years now. What have my neighbors heard about me? That I am a nice guy? That my kids go to school down the street? That I am the man with no grass in his yard? Have they heard God is with me? What will be the result of God putting a family of believers in a neighborhood for two years? Impact, or irrelevance?

Prayer: God, I fear I have not been intentional enough about my neighborhood. I get so caught up in my house being a refuge for me, that I fail to see it as an opportunity. Would you help me be more mindful of my neighbors, and how I can extend the heart and hands of Christ to them?

Facing our Accusers

Scripture: Thus says the LORD of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here. Zechariah 3:7

Observation: After years of unrest, stability is starting to come back to God’s people. Under the new preaching ministry of Haggai, people are starting to come back to the old truths, starting to rebuild the temple. Zechariah has a vision of Joshua, the high priest, standing in heaven. Joshua is on trial, with Satan as his accuser. But in a dramatic courtroom turn, God turns to Satan before he can even open his mouth and rebukes him. God orders that Joshua’s filthy clothes be removed and replaced with brand new robes. Then he promises that if Joshua will obey him and keep God’s calling, he will find leadership, acceptance, and he will have a voice in the heavenlies.

Application: Over the last month, I feel I have been under Satan’s accusations. Except they are coming from people. It has been a struggle to listen, to care, to try to mend fences. I have not always done well. But today I think God is reminding me that these accusations do not come from people, but from the accuser of the brethren. My job is not to defend myself, but walk in God’s ways and keep his charge. I can let God rebuke whom he needs to rebuke. I can trust that God will provide the leadership, acceptance, and access to Him that I need to carry out his work.

Prayer: God, help me walk in your ways and keep your charge. Give me courage to stand amidst the accusations. Give me grace to respond, but let me trust you for my defense. And help me turn to the access I have in you for the grace and courage I need.

With or Without You

Scripture: And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. Revelation 21:3

Observation: After the final destruction of Satan, sin, and death, God creates a new heaven and earth. The hallmark of this new forever is unhindered fellowship with God. God with us, is now a reality like never before. God with us has always been the goal, from the garden to eternity. But sin has kept us from this. Jesus came to be God with us, but still our fellowship was challenged by the world, the flesh, and the devil. Now that all three are gone, the ultimate goal of all of God’s promises—God with us, can begin.
Ephesians tells us that our sin has separated us from God, leaving us without hope and without God in the world (2:12). In the end, all of life comes down to the question: Am I with or without God in this world? To be without God in this world means we are without hope, because we face an eternity apart. To be with God in this world holds great hope that we will experience God with us forever.

Application: I want to start seeing people the way Jesus saw them—helpless and harassed, without a shepherd (without God) in this world.

Prayer: I pray you help me see people the way you do—either with or without You in this world. And give me opportunity to share the shepherd with them.

Prophet or Performer?

Scripture: And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it. Ezekiel 33:32

Observation: The prophet Ezekiel was calling people to change. And the people were listening. But they were listening to Ezekiel as they might listen to an entertainer at a concert. They liked his style and tone, but were not moved to act. One day, God promised, they would look back and realize they were listening to a prophet, not an performer.

Application: I feel a pressure often to perform on stage. That people have a certain expectation of my sermons, and they sit as critics, rating what I do. Some want more stories, some want less challenge, others want more “meat.” I think there is a place for me to really listen, and try to meet the needs of the people. But there is also a place for me to get with God, and godly counsel, and speak what he has put in my mouth. These are some important times for our church, and I have been charged by God to say some challenging and hard-to-swallow things. I need to trust that one day, the actions and words I use will be regarded as right.

Prayer: I pray today that I would be moved by the compassion of Jesus, to have the courage of Jesus, to lovingly say what I need to say. Help me listen to those who are hurting or confused. But keep me on course with Your truth. Help me make sure I am listening to your words and responding to them myself.

Determined to Discipline

Scripture: The LORD determined to lay in ruins the wall of the daughter of Zion; he stretched out the measuring line; he did not restrain his hand from destroying… Lamentations 2:8

Observation:
1. God determines to discipline his people.
2. God measures out his discipline to an exact amount needed, no more, no less.
3. God is willing to mete out harsh discipline to his loved ones.
My discipline of my own children is often haphazard, depending on my mood, frustration level. Often I feel my discipline is too light or too tough, but rarely just right. But God is always right on target. He knows what is needed to bring about the change he desires.

Application: Jessica is leaving town for the weekend tomorrow, leaving me alone with the kids. It is during these long periods that my tolerance drops, and I tend to discipline out of my flesh, and not God’s spirit. I want to embrace the coming weekend as a time for me to parent in the spirit.

Prayer: God, I yield myself to you for this coming weekend. I pray I will experience your patience. Help me have self control. I want this to be a fun time for me to have with my kids. I trust you to give me wisdom to discipline like you, determined and right on target.

The Divine Epitaph of a Leader

Scripture: Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD his God. 2 Chronicles 36:5

Observation: Often repeated in scripture is this sentence summarizing the reign of a king of Israel or Judah. The sentence follows this same formula, only the names and dates are changed. ____________ was ____________ years old when he began to reign, and he reigned ____________ years in Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD his God. An entire king’s reign is held up to one standard. Structures could have been erected, treaties signed, wars fought and won…all of these achievements are not important enough to make it into their divine epitaph. All of the things that would have been great or small in the eyes of men are immaterial. Only one criteria exists: Did they do right or evil in the sight of God?

Application: If this is the evaluation standard of my leadership, then I must be about doing what is right in the sight of the LORD my God. This means making the tough decisions, holding fast to the course. It means being willing to endure criticism from others, willing to act with integrity, expecting to be believed, and when I am not, trusting that the divine epithet to set things right. It means seeing my leadership as a temporary trust, one that I will one day hand off to another. What will my divine epitaph read?

Prayer: God, I pray for the eternal perspective of history and your final commendation. It is not history, but You that will determine my actions and decisions. May I be counted as one who kept the commandments of God and held to the testimony of Jesus.

It's Not Fair!

Scripture: Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ O house of Israel, are my ways not just? Is it not your ways that are not just? Ezekiel 18:29

Observation: Ezekiel is talking about how those who repent will be forgiven, even if they have lived a wicked life. Apparently, this did not sit well with God’s people, who believed more in karma than grace. In their minds, God was valuing a moment of repentance over (in their minds) a lifetime of obedience. This is the prodigal son’s brother, angry over how unfair the father is for forgiving repentance and not valuing obedience.

But God points out the irony of this attack: People who are not just are accusing God of not being fair.

Application: God is just. I am not. Just yesterday, I was going off about another person’s actions, indignant that they could act in such a way. Yet even while I was talking, I heard a small voice pointing out the same hypocrisy in my life. Is my life living with justice? Am I quick to accuse others, or even God? Maybe I need to scale down my indignation and look at my own life before I go on the warpath.

Prayer: God, help me to be humble today, not quick to judge motives and actions. Give me compassion today. May I yield and submit to your authority. You are just in all you do. Help me live like I believe that.

Weep No More

Scripture: …and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” Rev. 5:4-5

Observation: No one is worthy. What a terrifying truth. No one, no matter how good they are, are worthy. But weep no more and behold the Lion. Jesus has conquered death and sin and evil, so he is worthy.

Application: Thinking today about the Lord’s Supper, and especially the admonition not to take the Lord’s supper in an unworthy manner. I think some people think this means that they examine themselves to see if they have been worthy enough in the last few weeks to enable them to take communion. But who is worthy to take communion? No one. Communion reminds us we are unworthy, but that the Lion has conquered and he is worthy for us. I am unworthy; my worth is found in Christ.
How would that change the articles I need to write, the email I need to send, the sermons I have to prepare, if I trusted the worth of God? How would that change the conversations, the family time, the choices I make today if I behold the Lion?

Prayer: God, help me in the many things I need to do today, to live not like I am worthy enough, but like a man who beholds the Lion who is worthy for me.

Can God's Heart Be Broken?

Scripture: …how I have been broken over their whoring heart that has departed from me and over their eyes that go whoring after their idols. Ezekiel 6:9 ESV

Observation: God foretells an upcoming judgment against his own people. He is going to make his own people an example to the world of what happens when God is against you. As horrible as this is, something powerful is happening in the heart of God. He is broken. It is always tricky to assign emotions to God, since his ways are not like our ways. But here, God himself gives us language to describe how he is feeling. God says that his heart is broken over the unfaithfulness of his people. The heart of God is broken.

Application: I struggle still to think of God as angry with me, disappointed when I do not follow him. These are not biblical thoughts. I know there is now no condemnation. But I often fail to consider that the God of the universe might be broken over my sin. That his heart might yearn for my faithfulness. That he loves me and wants what is best for me—and my unfaithfulness is not what is best for me. God cares deeply for me and his heart breaks when I go after idols.

Prayer: God, forgive me for wandering. I pray my heart would be broken over my sin like your heart is broken over my sin. Help me to align with you and rely upon you to be faithful.

Dealing with Dissension

Scripture: I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church. 3 John 1:9-10

Observation: Paul is writing to Gaius, a pastor who is facing a troublemaker in his church. Specifically, this troublemaker, Diotrephes, is talking against leadership, refusing to yield to God-appointed authority, and actively refusing to support the missional ministry direction of Gaius’ church.
We do not know Diotrephes’ heart, except that he likes to put himself first. He may be an unbeliever, or a church leader. He may even be a well-meaning believer who is at odds with the leadership. If you sat and talked with him, he might point out all the ways Gaius is doing things wrong. He might even have a slew of verses to support his position.
But regardless of his position, his actions are wrong. Paul’s counsel is twofold: Walk in the truth and confront opposition.

Application: When I get whiffs of dissension, like all leaders do, I can tend to let that slide, to hope it will resolve itself. But part of a leader’s responsibility is to deal with dissension. The key is to make sure you are walking in the truth—both that your life is right with the Lord, and that your position is based on God’s word.

Prayer: God, I know that dissension drains me. I would often rather not deal with it. But good shepherding of people means helping them get on board with God’s direction. That requires truth and conversation. Will you show me when and how to deal with dissension?

When the Discipline is Over, Hope Remains

Scripture: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, declares the LORD, for I am with you.
I will make a full end of all the nations to which I have driven you, but of you I will not make a full end. I will discipline you in just measure, and I will by no means leave you unpunished." Jeremiah 46:28

Observation: Jeremiah is predicting God’s judgment on the nation of Egypt. At the end of this chapter, he speaks a word from God to God’s people: “I will not make an end of you. I will punish you, I will discipline you, but I will not end you.” Though God’s discipline is hard, it is necessary. And when the discipline is over, hope remains. For his kids, God always offers hope at the end of discipline.

Application: This is an element I need to bring into my discipline of my own kids…the promise of hope. The assurance that even though the punishment may be tough, when it is over, there is the hope of restoration. That we still love them even though we punish them. And when the punishment is over, there are not lingering consequences—they are fully back in the family. Actually, they never left.

Prayer: God, help me to have the attitude of God when I discipline my kids. Help me show them my love for them even though they have sinned. Let them know my love and commitment for them has not wavered.

Jesus Wants Us to Know He Loves the Father

Scripture: I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. John 14:31 ESV

Observation: Jesus is teaching his disciples during his last night before the cross. He is sharing some important last minute instructions. In a section about the imminent departure of Christ, and the future arrival of the Spirit, Jesus makes this statement: I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Why is it important to Jesus that I know he loves the Father? Is this to give me comfort, like a kid going to sleep at night secure in the love his parents have for each other? Is it a model of life for me, that I am to obey God out of my love for him? Is it a hint at something mysterious and deep, a unique relationship Christ shares with his father? Is it a subtle reminder that I am not the center of things, that before I or humanity in general showed up, God was already in a perfect relationship with Jesus (and the Spirit)?

Application: I don’t know what this means. Jesus wants me to know that he obeys God, and he wants the world to know that he obeys God so we will know he loves him. I have to think more on this.

Prayer: Jesus, you thought this was important for me to know. Why? Will you help me hear from you? Will you show me why your love for the father is good for me to see and know?

God Will Save Us (By Beau, age 9)

Scripture: God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3?:17 (NLT)

Observation: God will come down to the world and save us when he is done making Heaven.

Application: I need to stop worrying because God will save me.

Prayer: Dear God, please help me not worry.

God Made Us (by Henry)

(Today's devotional was written by Henry, age 6)
Scripture: Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay. You are the potter. Your hands made all of us. Isaiah 64:8

Observation: God made us.
Application: God wants me to be nice to Gus and not scream at him because God made him.
Prayer: God, help me to control my anger and not scream.

God's Father Heart Towards Me

Scripture: As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. (Psalm 103:13 ESV)

Observation: God is a father who shows compassion to his children (His children being those who fear him).

Application: I am wrestling some with my own concept of God the Father. I am realizing that I tend to think of God more as a Captain or CEO, who meets with me to give me marching orders and responsibilities to carry out, rather than a father who delights to show compassion to his children. As I think about this, I think about my own fathering of my kids. Am I a father who shows compassion to his children? I think I am often a little hard on my kids—expecting them to carry out responsibility just like I feel God does to me. But if God’s father heart towards me is compassion, then how can I have that heart to my kids?

This upcoming week will test me in that I will be spending a lot more time with my kids. I want to show them the compassion of a father and simply delight in them.

Prayer: God, I know that this sort of compassion comes only from you. Help me readjust my concept of you to truly see your compassion towards me. And then help me this next week to pass that same compassion on to my kids. Help my kids to see the compassion of their heavenly father through the love of their earthly father.

Sometimes We Forget

Scripture: For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. (2 Peter 1:9 ESV)

Observation: Peter tells us we have all we need for life because of the divine power that called us, promised us, made us partakers of his divine nature. People that recognize this make every effort to pursue the qualities of God in their lives. However, some people we see are true believers, but do not have these qualities. What gives? The answer is they have forgotten their salvation. They forgot they have been cleansed. They have become so nearsighted that they are blind, totally missing out on the big picture—that they are born again.

Application: I must remind us what happened to us. I must show us the big picture. We can get so nearsighted, focused on our day to day, that we miss the grand scheme of God. This series starting in the fall is my shot at reminding us.

Prayer: God, please help this series accomplish more than I ask or imagine. Help us to truly revel in the riches of your grace. Please guide me this morning as I prepare.

Love Covers a Ton of Problems

Scripture: Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8 ESV)

Observation: When there is a foundation of earnest love, then the winds of offence are unable to shake the building.

Application: I am in the middle of a season of dealing with complaints over very minor issues. I have been getting a little weary of them, and my natural response is to say, “Billions are dying and going to hell and you are concerned about X?” But I know how unproductive that would be. I have also been gearing up to say, “Let me show you volumes of theological commentary to show you why this is this way.” But again, I am not sure that this is the right response.

Peter is jacking with my attitude with this simple plea: Love covers over a ton of problems. Maybe what I really need to ratchet up is not a fight, but love. Maybe I need to shower love and care. Oh, I still don’t want to compromise on what God is calling. But I can definitely love people. And maybe true genuine, earnest love will give a little wiggle room and cover over some offences.

Prayer: God, help love and shepherding be foremost on my mind when I am disagreed with. Give me humility and patience. I pray that PRC becomes a place of grace, where we so love each other that we can overlook a multitude of minor offences.

Sparring with Expectations

Scripture: But if you say to me, “We trust in the LORD our God,” is it not he whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed, saying to Judah and to Jerusalem, “You shall worship before this altar”? (Isaiah 36:7 ESV)

Observation: The King of Assyria sends an officer to taunt King Hezekiah. He asks Hezekiah where he places his trust. Then he asks, “But if you trust God, then why did you tear down all the high places and altars?” The Assyrian officer thought that all forms of worship were the same. He could not understand how Hezekiah could claim to trust God, yet destroy religious symbols. He could not see that Hezekiah tore down those idolatrous high places and altars because of God, not in spite of him.

Application: It is easy to misjudge the actions people take for God. People often have unbiblical or cultural expectations of Christianity, and when you do not live up to them, they question your faith. I face this all the time. Someone expects that if we really loved God, we would sing a patriotic song in a worship service, or support this political cause. Yet it may be precisely because of our faith in Christ that we do not. The important thing I am hearing today is that my response to these people is crucial. With graceful patience, I need to be able to calmly and without battle, explain the reason for what we do. Then, if they still don’t get it, we can agree to disagree. My problem is that I tend to take their words personally, when I should let them go. Yes, there should be the foundation of humility, and willingness to grow, to change, to reverse a decision or policy. But sometimes we need to hold the course, even if that does not satisfy the expectations of others.

Prayer: God, give me patience today. Help me not get riled up when others question my decisions. Help me be humble and really listen, and have the wisdom to seek out compromise when needed. And give me courage to stand my ground even if it disappoints. But protect my heart from ratcheting up into anger.

My Job is to Disappoint

Scripture: What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? (James 4:1 ESV)

Observation: James is explaining the source of conflict within the church. Why believers who follow Christ can still get into it with their brothers and sisters. The reason is self-centeredness. The passionate focus on self. Even after we come to Christ, we have to battle the world, the flesh, and the devil. The flesh is full of our focus on ourselves. We don’t have what we want, and instead of going to God for it, we fight with each other.

Application: Sometimes as a pastor I feel like my job is to be the arbitrator of everyone’s happiness. The problem is, there is not one solution to make everyone happy. People’s desires, even good and godly ones, are in competition. I have recently realized that part of my role is to continually disappoint everyone! This means I am here to keep us on track with what the Lord has called us to do as a church, even if that means that various interest groups and agendas have to be disappointed. My job is to keep people focused on the main thing—Jesus. This verse reminds me that as long as we have passions, we will have quarrels and fights. Instead of trying to solve all of these, I need to continue to turn people back to God. James says the way to get what you want is not to fight about it, but to go to God and ask Him. I need to model this in my life and also encourage others to pray and talk with God about these as well.

Prayer: God, let me start with me. I have many things I need to take to you, that instead, I have been trying to figure out on my own. Help me trust you for these things. You are at work. You love me. You love this church. You have the right path marked out. Please help us see where you are moving and join you.

When God Pummels the Earth

Scripture: Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:28-29 ESV)

Observation: In Isaiah 24, God describes the future judgment in which he will pummel the earth. He says, “The earth is utterly broken, the earth is split apart, the earth is violently shaken. The earth staggers like a drunken man; it sways like a hut; its transgression lies heavy upon it, and it falls, and will not rise again.” (Isaiah 24:19-20) The earth will be like a punch-drunk boxer, or a battle weary bull, staggering and shaken. But in Hebrews 12, talking about this same shaking, God goes on to encourage us to be grateful that we believers have a kingdom that will not be shaken. This world will shake until it cannot rise again, but the kingdom of God will never be shaken, never be beaten. It will stand unbloodied, unbowed.

Application: I ought to be grateful for the kingdom I have received. Knowing I will escape the shake is reason for great joy and hope. And I should worship God, with reverence and awe, for the God that can shake the earth is a consuming fire.

Prayer: God, I am grateful today for your kingdom. Thank you for reminding me that the stakes are high, that the victory is sure. Sometimes I can get so lost in the world that the future becomes hazy. The promise of your coming judgment waves away the haze and reminds me to be sober and focused.

We Are Being Made Holy

Scripture: For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14 ESV)

Observation: At the cross, Jesus fully earned our perfection. This does not mean we are perfect people now. The second part of this verse helps us see that. We are people who are being sanctified. That is, people who are progressively being made more holy. We are day by day seeing us conform more to the image of Christ. It would be great if this were all at once, but for some reason, God decided to let our spiritual lives growth be a maturing process. As we grow, we face the world, the flesh, and the devil, all conspiring to thwart our growth. But good news! Jesus has already secured our perfection. As we look to him in faith, we can see forgiveness, growth, healing, victory in this life. We are holy people who are also being made holy.

Application: Had a good conversation this week with someone who felt frustrated over the slow growth of many peoples’ spiritual lives. She felt the issue was faith—if we had more, we would be able to see victory. In a sense, she is right on: faith is the key. Not more faith, necessarily, but faith in the one who made the single offering. In another sense, all the faith in the world still faces opposition and God’s intentional growth process. But though our being made holy seems slow, it is certain. True believers will continue to grow and mature as we partner with God in faith.

Prayer: God, help me believe your word and have faith. You are at work in me. Help me trust you and follow you and see your promise come true in my life.

Sanctuary or Snare?

Scripture: But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. (Isaiah 8:13 ESV)

Observation: God is teaching us that not only is he the sanctuary for those who fear him, but he is a stone of offense and a snare for those who do not. The same God of rescue can become a God of rebuke. The key is a healthy fear of the Lord. So the question is: Do I want God to be my sanctuary, or my snare?

Application: Earlier this morning, I was thinking through a decision. In this decision, I was considering all the pros and cons. Lumped in the list was a desire to please God. Yet this should not be lumped in with all the rest. Pleasing God, honoring him as holy, letting him be my fear and dread—these should propel to the top of the list. These should be the first consideration, not an afterthought. In my decision, I need to consider how I am honoring God as holy. That is a step towards fearing the Lord.

Prayer: God, forgive me for letting you be a part of my decision process, instead of the priority. You are the one I fear. Let my life in this area reflect that. Let me be able to say, “I do this because I want to honor God.” Thanks for your love for me and your grace. Help me find you to be my sanctuary.

We Need it Every Day

Scripture: But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
(Hebrews 3:13 ESV)

Observation: We are living in “Today,” a tough time to live for God. All around us is the deceitfulness of sin, the temptation to give up, give out, or give in. And we know that God has given us the power in Him to endure. But when our resolve flags, we need each other to keep going. We need the encouragement every day to make it to the end.

Application: I have not been very encouraging towards my wife. She does so much, and so sometimes I take her for granted. I think she has got it all handled. But Hebrews says that everyone needs encouragement every day. I need to make it a point to encourage her each day.

Prayer: God, thanks for your reminder. Thanks for my wife. Help me encourager her every day, as long as it is called “today.” And please speak to her and lift her heart today.

When Our High Places are Higher than Christ

Scripture: Nevertheless, the high places were not removed. The people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places. He built the upper gate of the house of the LORD.
(2 Kings 15:35 ESV)

Observation: 2 Kings is a tragic tale of failed leadership. Basically, one king after another failed in their leadership, because they allowed (and sometimes encouraged) worship on the high places. The high places were literally higher places where altars to various false Gods stood. Instead of tearing these down and centralizing people’s worship around the one true God, these kings often failed.

Application: One test of my leadership will be: What did I do with the high places at Pulpit Rock? Oh, we have them, just like every church does. High places are where our preferences start to take the place of our priority. Our high places reveal themselves in our judgment of those who worship with different worship than we prefer. Our high places can involve the expectation that the church celebrate our Hallmark holidays, or pursue our political or social agenda. Our high places can even look spiritual, such as our expectations of preaching or philosophy of ministry. Good hearted believers, who genuinely love the Lord, can sometimes allow preferences to replace their priority, allowing high places to tower over Christ.

The book of Hebrews makes the case that Jesus is better than everything else, every ‘high place’ that we could hold. He is to be the center around which we revolve as a church. While I cannot root out every high place, nor can I be responsible for convincing and converting people, I can put Jesus first in front of our people. I can help us focus on Jesus. Maybe with a focus like this, some of the high places around us will fade. Maybe we will see that the Jesus that holds us together is more important than the differences that hold us apart.

Prayer: God, start with me. I have high places. I have ways I think things ought to be done. Help me root out the high places in my life and make sure that Jesus is the highest place in my life. Help me to lovingly but firmly stay on track, and not be swayed by the tempting high places all around us. Give me strength to keep the wheel firmly pointed towards Christ.

I Must Insist

Scripture: He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. (Titus 3:5-8 ESV)

Observation: We are saved by God’s work, not ours. Paul commands Timothy to insist on this. The result of insisting on this is that people will be careful to devote themselves to good works. This seems counterintuitive. If we want to motivate people to do good, how does insisting that their good has nothing to do with God’s approval of them spur them on?

There must be something powerful about the gospel. More than human rhetoric, more than motivational speeches. Something about the simple truth that He saved us, not because of works done by us, serves as a starter pistol for a life of good works. When guilt and self-effort are off the table, the glory of the gospel can be seen.

Application: I believe He saved us, not because of works done by us. But do I insist on this? Do I insist on this in my own relationship with God? Do I insist on this with my wife and kids? Do I insist on this in my preaching? Do I insist on this with my friends and neighbors? Or do I subtly communicate that He saved us, but only due to works done by us?

I need to think more about what it means for me to insist that He saved us, not because of works done by us.

Prayer: God, it is clear that when it comes to salvation, either you get all the credit, or I try to steal some. Forgive me for foolishly thinking I contributed. It is all, beginning, middle, and end, your work in me. Help me insist on this in my dealings today.

Scratching Itchy Ears

Scripture: For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2 Timothy 4:3-4 ESV)

Observation: Paul warns Timothy to preach the word completely—correcting when needed, encouraging when needed. This is crucial because there is coming a day when people will turn from sound teaching to wander off into myths. That day has come. I used to think that myths referred to ‘liberal teaching.’ But the truth is, no matter the slant, any teaching that is in error is a myth. And no matter the bent, whether the teaching is licentiousness or legalistic, there will be devotees of it. This is often why people will complain or change churches. The teaching does not scratch their particular itch. They want it more grace filled, or more law filled. They want it more end-times focused or more practical focused. They often do not want to hear the word; they want to hear the word in a way they like, that scratches their itching ears.

Application: I can be like this too. I have particular teachings and teachers that scratch my itch, that I listen to. This is not necessarily wrong, but I need to be careful not to love the teacher, but to love the truth. I need to be a bigger fan of Jesus and his word, than Lewis Sperry Chafer, Craig Groeschel, or John Piper. These guys are great, but they do not have all the answers.

Prayer: God, help me love your word. Help me listen to what it says, even if it does not scratch my itch at the time. And help me be free from trying to scratch the itch of every person that comes to Pulpit Rock. Lead me to do what is right in your eyes and let the chips fall where they may.

To What Do I Sell Myself?

Scripture: There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited. (1 Kings 21:25 ESV)

Observation: God told Ahab to kill the defeated king of the Syrians. In Ahab’s mind, sparing the king and making a treaty with him seemed more profitable than obeying God. So he spared his life. Later, Ahab decided he wanted a certain vineyard. He had this man murdered so he could profit from his land. Ahab spared who needed killing and killed who needed sparing. He sold himself to do what was evil. His choices were up for bidding. Whatever would bring him profit, he did.

Application: What is my price? For what would I sell myself? Maybe money is not my price, but what about comfort, or escape? Do my ends justify my means? How do I rationalize decisions in spite of God’s word? Ahab was able to come up with all kinds of reasons why his way was better than God's, but in the end, he simply sold out.

Prayer: Lord, let me not be like Ahab. Help me to obey you even when my way seems better or more ‘profitable’ to me. Help me put to death what is earthly in me that I might sell myself to do what is right in your eyes.

God's Mystery

Scripture: ...that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3

Observation: Paul was talking about some false teachers, who claimed to have special knowledge of the mysteries of God. Paul counters by saying the only mystery is Christ, and in him is everything we need to know.

Application: Sometimes I have nagging doubts about taking a year to explore the divine riches of Grace. I fear it is too much of a departure from our norm, that it is too theological and not as practical. That it is a focus on us and not the world we are called to reach. But then I read passages like this and it encourages me that we need to focus on Christ and what he has done for us. We need to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding of this. This will knit us together. It will propel us outward. I need to have faith and trust that the truth of God is a treasure and is more than enough for us.

Prayer: God, continue to help me focus on Christ and please prepare our hearts and minds to receive the encouragement, the unity, and the riches of searching out your divine mystery of Christ.

Keep Moving Forward

Scripture: Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. (Philippians 3:12 ESV)

Observation: Paul wants to keep moving forward in his life with Christ. To move forward in knowing Christ, the power of his resurrection. To move forward in sharing in Christ’s suffering, and becoming like him. This right relationship with God did not come from Paul’s own efforts to keep God’s rules, but from simple faith in Christ. Even so, Paul does not want to relax and sit back—he wants to keep moving forward.

Application: My relationship with Christ is not a result of my own effort. I was never going to be “good enough.” I am righteous simply because of Christ. My faith in what he did was so much better than anything I could have tried to do. Even so, I do not want to sit back and ride this thing out. I want to engage, to move forward, to press on. Yes, I do not have to do one thing to get God to like me better. But I *want* to, not to earn God’s love, but to explore and follow more of this life called faith.

Prayer: God, help me balance faith and works in my life. Help me desire more of you and not to rest or quit or feel like I have arrived. Keep me growing and teachable and hungry for more of you.

The Strength of His Might

Scripture: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Ephesians 6:10

Observation: Paul writes to people well versed in spiritual battles and supernatural opponents. He concludes his letter with a call to be string in the Lord. The strength they will need to withstand attack is not human. The strongest Christian lacks the strength to defeat the schemes of the devil. But the weakest believer has access to the strength of God’s might.

Application: There continues to be battles I face in the strength of my might. I prepare by rehearsing, or steeling myself to be strong. But I don’t rely on his strength. A simple pause and plea—“God, I need your strength to face this conversation”—would be better than being strong. I see two areas where God is calling me to stand in his strength.

Prayer: God, forgive me for foolishly thinking I have the strength. Thanks for the strength of your might. Help me pause and rely on you throughout this day.

The End of a Thing is Better than its Beginning

Scripture: Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Ecclesiastes 7:8

Observation: Solomon observes that even in a world of vanity, wisdom can help us know how to live right. Here, he points out that a goal accomplished is better than setting the goal. When we embark on a goal, a task or project, we are full of hope, full of expectation, full of promises. And sometimes, we can be a little full of pride as well. The arrogance of goals is that we declare what will happen. This is not entirely bad, but can be a necessary side effect of setting objectives. However, when we reach our goal and we look back, we see all the obstacles, all the challenges. We see all the missteps and failures along the way. We see how God time and again had to come through. Looking back, we see God’s hand in it, and how big his part truly was. Being patient in spirit, not giving up, clinging to God, gets us to the end of a matter, where pride melts in the face of God’s involvement.
So in the setting of the goal, there can be some pride in our spirit. But how much better is the end of the matter, where our patience has helped us see God as the true accomplisher of our purpose.

Application: Right now, I am facing something in my life. A challenge unlike any I have faced. I have some directions and some tools and some goals. But I also have some doubts and concerns. I am clinging to the hope that the end of a thing is better than the beginning of it. That God will step in and change direction and the second half of this thing will be so much better than the first. I hope and pray today that is true. As for me, I want to be patient. I want to keep working for the end of the thing.

Prayer: God, I give this thing to you. You alone can accomplish it. Having tools and techniques make me feel better, make me feel I can effect it, but I lay down that pride and trust your heart in the matter. Help me to be faithful in this, and patient, which is a fruit of your Spirit. I trust your end in this.

The Gospel Makes Us...

Scripture: This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Ephesians 3:6

Observation: Paul is explaining to his gentile audience about his calling to them. He says he is a gift to them, to help them see who they are in Christ. He goes into detail to explain that even though they are not Jews, they are able to be rightly related to God. These gentiles might have struggled to believe that they were truly the great men and women of God the gospel said they were. They could have felt second rate, or inferior. Paul affirms that they are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise—all because of the gospel.

Application: The gospel makes us great men and women of God. We have not yet plumbed the depths of that truth. Even Ephesians 3:6 gives us some overwhelming truths about our status before God. This is further confirmation to me that we need to spend a year at Pulpit Rock talking about what God has done to and in us through the gospel. In a small way, I feel like Paul, whose job was to present truth to a group of believers about who they truly were in Christ. I am going to be spending time today studying and preparing for this year-long series.

Prayer: God, speak to me today as I study and prepare. I want to be fully impacted by these truths before I begin to share them. Help me hear from you and put together this series.

The Glory of Kings

Scripture: It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. Proverbs 25:2

Observation: Part of what separates us from God is that God’s thoughts are so much more vast than ours. His knowledge and wisdom is limitless. Job learned this when he dared question God. So the fact that God knows more than he has revealed to us is part of his glory. We, on the other hand, are creatures of learning. Unlike God, we have room to grow and learn. Our glory as “kings” is to apply ourselves to live our lives by wisdom.

Application: I have been praying about our church going through a year of searching out what truly happens to us at the moment we believe on Christ. I think we have barely scratched the surface of this transformation. The Bible lists 33 realities that occur to us at the moment of salvation. This endeavor is daunting, as it will challenge much of my comfort zone. But what is outweighing the risk is the wonder of what could happen if we searched things out, if we spent a year unpacking the divine riches of God’s grace. I think that God is saying to me today that it is to our glory to do this. God’s glory is to effect all of this salvation; our glory is to search it out and live by what we learn.

Prayer: God, I continue to yield this to you. Guide me in what you want us to search out. If you want me to do this, I will. I trust you and the sufficiency of your word. As I search out this idea, would you reveal to me your plans?

What I Hope I Don't Hate

Scripture: You say, “How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof! I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors. Proverbs 5:12-13

Observation: Solomon is warning his son about the dangers of forbidden relationships. His instruction to his son about a forbidden woman is simple: Keep your way far from her and do not go near the door of her house. What Solomon is trying to prevent is a lifetime of regret, where his son would look back and groan over the wasting of his life because of his immorality. He wants his son not to grieve over how he hated discipline and the reproof of others.

Application: A good friend of mine has made some immoral decisions. He has crossed a line. He knows it, and is open to counsel. Those of us who love him are going to meet with him this week, to outline a plan of restoration, to help him recover his life. This is a plan of love, but also has some hard truths to it. There will be discipline and reproof. I feel God is giving me Proverbs 5:12-13 to share in this meeting, to encourage my friend to not hate the discipline and reproof that is coming his way, but to embrace it. To listen to the voice of the other men in his life, playing the role of teacher in his life.

Prayer: God, I pray that I would always submit to your teaching and to your teachers in my life. I pray for great wisdom for us as we meet with our friend tomorrow, that we would be humble and strong instructors, and that his heart would love discipline and reproof.

What I Look for Most in a New Employee

Scripture: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7

Observation: The point of the entire book of Proverbs—that fearing God is the beginning of knowledge—is contrasted by a second statement, that those who despise wisdom are fools. Perhaps the core thing I have learned in the last few decades is how often people despise knowledge. They despise knowledge when they refuse to learn, when they stop growing, when they keep doing things their own way, when they ignore counsel, when they think they know it all. In other words, when they have lost teachability. In fact, teachability just might be my most prized trait when I am hiring someone. With it, there is not necessarily the guarantee of success, but without it, there is 100% chance of failure. I want people who never stop coming to God and others to learn and grow.

Application: I need to be teachable today on our staff retreat. One thing I am asking God for is the proper balance of confidence. I do not want to be so determined that I come off as dictatorial, but I also do not want to be so consensus-minded that I give no direction. I need God’s wisdom to know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em today. Fearing God is the beginning of this balance.

Prayer: God, I yield control today to you. Would you guide me and grant me wisdom to lead this retreat? I need your spirit whispering in my ear to speak or be silent. To know the right questions. To listen and learn, and to know when to decide. I pray for all of our pastors today as well, that our number one desire would be to fear God and from that would spring a thirst for wisdom.

The Slavery of Solomon

Scripture: …the LORD had said to the people of Israel, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. 1 Kings 11:2

Observation: Solomon, as wise as he was, allowed his love of the forbidden to override his love of God. Romans 6:16 reminds me that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness.. Solomon became a slave to his desires. He thought the 700 wives and 300 concubines belonged to him, but in the end, he ended up belonging to them as their slave, for they wrested the love of God right out of Solomon’s heart.

Application: What is out there that can wrest my heart from God? What am I owning that might end up owning me? I am amazed at how easy it seems to be for us to take small steps into sin, only to find out we are miles deep faster than we could have imagined. The past two weeks of preaching on the tactics of Satan have opened my eyes to his efforts to gain footholds in my life through my sin. He certainly had 1,000 footholds in Solomon’s life. I must be on the alert. I am listening to God about hooks and snares that could trip me up.

Prayer: God, I love you more. Please help me submit to you anything that will turn away my heart from you.

My Hope in Spiritual Warfare

Scripture:
O you who love the LORD, hate evil!
He preserves the lives of his saints;
he delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Psalm 97:10

Observation: The Lord reigns. Those who worship him can rejoice, knowing that God is in control. This control extends to the lives of his saints, especially when they face the wicked. God’s concern and care is not only global, but local. God cares for and can deliver his people from evil.

Application: I am in the middle of preparing this week to talk about spiritual warfare. While it is easy in this topic to get lost in debate, or to value experience over scripture, the simple truth is that God reigns. God reigns over Satan and all the demonic host. The Most High over all the earth is most high over all the enemies in the earth as well. There is victory and protection found in God and God alone. Not in formulas or objects, not in spiritual relics or human power. Our victory does not lie in our own ability to fight well. The Lord reigns. He alone is the Most High over the earth. He alone delivers us from the hand of Satan.
I need to remember this in my own spiritual battles. My victory is found in Christ alone. When it comes to the enemy, I must remember the words of Martin Luther: “One little word shall fell him.” That little word is Jesus.

Prayer: God, thank you for your complete power over all creation, both seen and unseen. Help me to truly have faith in you, and not in myself. Not in my words, my posture, my attitude, but to stand firm in my faith. I believe you when you said that everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Help me believe and preach You this week.

The Wisest Thing Solomon Ever Did

Scripture: Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” 1 Kings 3:9

Observation: As Solomon begins his reign as king, God appears to him and offers him an incredible gift. He can ask God for whatever he wants. Solomon recognizes his complete inadequacy to rule the kingdom, and asks God for wisdom. This is an act of dependence. Solomon here acknowledges his inability to lead in his own effort and wisdom. He must have the wisdom only God can supply. The wisest thing Solomon ever did was recognize his lack of wisdom and need for God.

Application: We face a threefold impossibility in this life. We are called to live like Heaven while here on earth. We are called to fight an enemy much stronger than us. We are called to live with desires that pull us towards evil. These three we are unable to pull off in our own strength. But God has promised to supply all we need to life this life he calls us to. However, it starts with the wisdom Solomon showed here. The understanding of complete helplessness, total dependency. That God and God alone is sufficient. This intentional dependence is tough to maintain in a world that calls us to self sufficiency. But the wisest thing we will ever do is recognize our complete lack of ability to live the live God calls us to on our own, apart from him.

Prayer: God, today I acknowledge I do not have what it takes on my own to lead our church. I do not have the ability to do this. In Christ, I do. I again proclaim my dependence on you and your Spirit. Will you give me your understanding mind today, that I might lead and love your people in your power?

The High Cost of My Sin in Others

Scripture: Then David spoke to the LORD when he saw the angel who was striking the people, and said, “Behold, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand be against me and against my father's house.” 2 Samuel 24:17

Observation: David conducts a census, counting his troops. One verse says God motivated him to do it; another says Satan did. Somehow, God allowed Satan to move David to conduct this census. And for some reason it was sin—maybe it was pride, or maybe reliance upon his forces and not God. But whatever the sin, David knew it and asked God for forgiveness. God tells him there will be a consequence to his sin where many people will die. David pleads with God that since it was his sin, not the sins of the innocent sheep, he should die. But God visits the consequence upon 70,000 men.

Application: What must it be like to know your sin caused the death of 70,000 men? And to know that despite your best efforts, you cannot fix things. You cannot pay for them. Sometimes, even with forgiveness, there are costs that cannot be prevented. That is sobering and a spur for me to live upright before God, lest my sins affect others I love. But it is also a reminder than I cannot control everything. David hoped that by offering his own life, he could control the consequences. He could not. One day, the situation would be reversed. A man would come from David’s own house, who had not sinned and had not done wickedly. For the sake of guilty sheep, he would find God’s hand against him.
I think God is reminding me that despite my best efforts, I sin. And my sin has consequences in people’s lives that I cannot fix. Ultimately, Jesus is the only healer and fixer of the terrible cost of my sin in other’s lives. While I need to live upright, and I need to offer to help—I must pray and trust Christ to redeem people from the effects of my life.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for your redeeming power. Forgive me my sin. Thank you for opening the door for me to see the high cost of it in others. Thank you that you are able to step in and heal what I cannot. Let me trust you more.

Far-Reaching Ripples

Scripture: And the king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went, he said, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!” 2 Samuel 18:33

Observation: Absalom, the rebellious son of David, has died. When a messenger brings the news to David, he is wracked with grief. Grief over his son’s death, and the now lost hope of reconciliation. I wonder also if part of the grief is his knowledge that he is partly responsible. The consequences of the sin with Bathsheba had farther reaching effects than he could have dreamed.

Application: One thing no one talks about is how far the ripples of our sin can reach. Sin that is forgiven can still have consequences in our life. Physical, emotional, financial consequences. Even as repentant and broken as David was when confronted by Nathan, this news of Absalom reopened the wound. Yes, God can forgive, but sometimes we have to live with what we have done. I wish I understood this better when I was younger, to see how decisions and sins and habits would reach out into today. This spurs me to look at my life now and see if there are any areas that will come back to me in the future.

Prayer: God, thank you for forgiving me and delivering me from the ultimate consequences of my sin. Thank you also for rescuing me often from the more immediate natural consequences. Help me to listen to your Holy Spirit to address issues in my life now, that they will not come back to haunt me.

Cinco de Mayo and the Robes of Righteousness

Scripture: But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. Matthew 22:11

Observation: Today is Cinco de Mayo, and it has me thinking about parties. In Matthew 22, Jesus tells the story of a wedding feast, where the initial invitees decline, and so the doors are thrown open to anyone. This symbolizes the offer and rejection of the kingdom to the Jews and the subsequent throwing open of the kingdom to the gentiles. But as the king walks around the party, he sees someone without a wedding garment. This man is kicked out of the party. So, invitation or not, there seems to be some garment required to participate in the party. If the part is heaven, then we need to be wearing something to get in. I think Jesus is referring to the robe of his righteousness. That we get into the party not because of how fancy the clothes of our effort are, but whether or not we wear his robes.

Application: Heaven is a gift, not a get. Our greatest effort are ratty, worn out clothes, unacceptable for a fancy feast. The only thing we can wear is His righteousness. I just needed to remember that today. That my entry into eternity is based on nothing I do, but what he has done. I don’t have to be good enough or prove myself enough.

Prayer: Jesus, thanks for the party clothes. May I today feel their weight as I go about my day.