How Can I Stand on That Day?

Scripture: He will render to each one according to his works…For God shows no partiality. Romans 2:6,11

Observation: Paul is making the point that God judges us by our works. That it does not matter what your religious, racial, societal, or economic status is—in the end, we all stand on equal ground before the judgment. God is completely impartial, not having favorites, or letting some people off the hook because he likes them better. He judges solely by his own standards. Sadly, according to his standards, we are all guilty. If we try to stand before God on our own merit, we will be found guilty. And we cannot influence his decision by claiming special privilege.

Application: If this is true, then the only shot we have is mercy. That is the point of Christmas. That all of earth stands equally condemned, with no hope. But the good news is that through Christ, we have a way to stand before God. We can stand on Christ’s merit, and not our own. Our only hope at surviving judgment is Christ.

Prayer: God, I simply want to thank you for Jesus in my life. I can see how if I stood before you in judgment, I would fail miserably on my own. Yet, because of Christ, I will stand on that day, and survive. Thanks for my rescue and help me to extend that hope to others.

I Think I Just Stumped God...oh, wait.

Scripture: But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. Matthew 22:29

Observation: The Sadducees hope to show how silly the idea of the resurrection is by asking Jesus an absurd question about a woman whose 7 husbands died. Jesus tells them they have two problems. 1) They don’t know what the bible says about a resurrection, and 2) they don’t know how powerful God is. God is so powerful and heaven so unimaginable, that our questions and arguments seem silly. We think we are so smart that we can trap God into admitting a mistake. These guys thought they could stump Jesus, and all they did was reveal how finite their minds are.

Application: God is powerful enough to work out any situation. When I cannot see how, when his ways seem illogical, when it seems I have trapped Him with a great question, all it does is reveal how little I know of God’s word and His power. There are a few knotty questions I have about the future—How will God do it? The answer is found in God’s word and his power.

Prayer: May I know your word and believe it. May I know your power and pray for it. God I am trusting you in huge ways to show me your power. Help me believe and lead others to believe in your power to create and solve and move mountains.

When Believing Isn’t Enough.

Scripture: And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” ….
He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:17,20

Observation: A woman comes to Jesus looking for healing for her son, after the disciples failed to heal him. Jesus strongly rebukes…his disciples. They are the faithless and twisted generation. Later, he explains why they could not heal the boy—their faith was little. The problem is not that they did not believe who Jesus was. The problem was that they were not depending on who Jesus was. They did not lack faith; they lacked dependence on Jesus. They believed they could do it, but Jesus needed them to depend on Him to do it. The disciples were not given a magical gift of healing that they could do as they wished. They were not empowered simply for following Jesus. Their ability to heal was conditional on their reliance upon Christ. With this little bit of reliance, mountains could be moved.
There is a difference in believing who Jesus is and depending on him to move mountains. We don’t get to move mountains because we are Christians. We get to move mountains as we depend on Him in faith. It is arrogant to order around mountains simply because we bear the name Christian. But in humble dependence, we *can* move mountains.

Application: I have strong belief in who Jesus is. But I do not always have strong dependence on him to move the mountains in my life. I can see some pretty big mountains. And maybe I have been trying to move them out of my authority as a believer, out of belief. But not out of dependent faith. Christ, am I depending on You or on me to move this mountain?

Prayer: Jesus, forgive my self-reliance. Help me today to depend on you. Show me the mountains you want to move. Let me see what you can do with dependant faith—even as little as a seed—to move mountains.

Act like you have a Heavenly Father

Scripture:   "Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?'
  "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
  "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6

Observation:. God know everything we need. As people who have a Heavenly Father, we ought to act like it. We ought to approach needs--even desperate needs--with faith and peace.

Application: Just this week God reminded me that he knows my needs and can bring unexpected answers in an instance. I need to not worry but trust him to care and act in his timing. The key is to prioritize him, and let him take care of the rest.

Prayer:. God, thank you for your timely provision. Help me seek you and trust you will add what I need when I need it.

Before The Leading

Scripture: From you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel…Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him…Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 2:6, 3:13, 4:1

Observation: King Herod’s wise men quote to him from the Old Testament, to explain the rumors of a king who was just born. They say that this baby will be a ruler who will shepherd Israel. But the first two things we see this Ruling Shepherd doing are being baptized and being tested. Before a disciple is called, before a lesson is taught, before a sickness is healed, there is obedience and testing. The obedience was necessary for Christ to identify with sinful people in need of cleansing. The testing was needed to demonstrate that Jesus identified with God as a sinless man.

Application: God has called me to leadership. But before the leading, there is being led. Jesus was led to the Jordan to obey through baptism. Jesus was led into the wilderness to endure testing. What must I also be led in before I lead others? It seems the twin lessons here are obedience and Spirit-powered endurance. Are there areas where I am not obeying? Are there areas where I am not enduring through Spirit’s power? One area for me is the area of prayer. A friend joked with me this week about how I always say I don’t pray enough. He thought that was funny, but I thought, “When does that stop being something I say?” Prayer—specifically praying for God to bring people to Christ through me and through our church—is something I need to do in obedience, and will require Spirit-powered endurance. Today I will build into my weekly schedule specific time devoted towards prayer for the mission of God to succeed in me and our church. I think right now, the Spirit is telling me 40 minutes a week to correspond to the 40 days of prayer Jesus prayed.

Prayer: God, help me pray. Let me be led by the Spirit in prayer before I lead others. Let me do this in obedience and Spirit-powered endurance.

Sifting Through the Voices

Scripture: But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ…And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:3,14

Observation: Paul is warning the Corinthians to be on the alert to people who claim to speak truth, who claim to be apostles, who are really being used by Satan to lead them astray from simple devotion to Christ.

Application: Satan is alive and well, and he does not always appear in horror-movie guise. Sometimes he comes as an angel of light. Sometimes he comes in good garb and through well-intentioned people. The challenge of leadership is not to distinguish good from bad, but good from best, since Satan will get us to do good, so that we never get to what is God’s best.

So, God is saying two things to me. First, I need to keep a sincere and pure devotion to Christ foremost in my life. Do the things I practice and teach focus me and others on Christ? Or can I ever so subtly, shift the focus to church, or religion, or other things? Second, I need to be aware that people are going to come to me with visions for our church that may not be from God. These people may be well-meaning, sincere believers, but Satan would use them to deter us as a church from where God is calling us to be. I need to be careful. I need to make sure I have a sincere and pure devotion to Christ myself, so that when these people approach, I can sift through their words to see if it is from the Lord or not.

Prayer: God, give me your wisdom. Be my filter through which I can pass all sorts of ideas and strategies. I can lead with confidence and conviction if I am leading out of your word and direction. Help me devotion to Christ to be sincere and pure so I can discern your voice from the noise of the evil one.

Into the Wild

Scripture: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

Observation: Who would ever choose to go from rich to poor? Wouldn’t everyone who is poor rather choose to be rich? Yet Jesus chose to go from rich to poor. He gave up his resources so that others would become rich towards God.
I recently saw a movie, Into the Wild, about a young man who gave up all earthly possessions, abandoned his car, burned his money, so he could go on an adventure and find himself. He became poor for his *own* sake. Yet Jesus became poor for the sake of others. Jesus went into the wild of our planet, forsaking all his wealth.
Am I willing to become poor for the sake of others? Am I willing to give up my resources so that others might become rich towards God? What am I willing to do with the resources I have? Especially when those resources are tight. How can I become poor when I really need riches for me and my family? For the dentist, for new tires, for Christmas presents. The answer is, I can if I value others becoming rich towards God.

Application: Tonight, when I give my kids their allowance, and we set aside part to go to God, I want to show them this verse and help them see that the money they give to God helps make other people rich towards God. I want them (and me) to see the direct connect between giving up our resources and helping others come to Christ.

Prayer: God, please let me reexamine my wealth in light of what it could do to further the gospel. Show me how I can become poor(er) so that others can become richer towards You. Give me practical ways to show your love to someone this week. Help me go into the wild.

Finding Fault with God

Scripture: Shall a fault finder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it. Job 40:2

Observation: Job has spoken to God. Job’s friends have spoken about God. But now, God finally speaks. He does not answer Job’s questions, but challenges his perspective. He reminds Job that God is God and Job is Job. Here, he asks Job what right he has to find fault with the way God has chosen to do things. He even calls Job a name: “fault finder.”

Application: Am I a fault finder? Do I find fault with the way God has chosen to do things in my life? Maybe some things have not worked out the way I wanted, but is it my place to contend and correct God? If I do this, I might also have a lot to answer for.

Prayer: God, let me trust you. Shall I accept good from your hand and not bad? You know what you are doing. Give me faith to wait, to see, to be patient, and to not find fault.

While I'm Waiting for the Rain

Scripture: Whether for correction or for his land or for love, he causes it to happen. Job 37:13

Observation: Job’s friend is talking about the absolute power God has over creation—ordering snow to fall, breathing out ice, scattering lightening. He explains that God exercises his control sometimes to correct people, or show them his love, but sometimes just because the land needs it.

Application: Sometimes I tend to think it is all about me. That I am the only actor in the drama of life. That I am the only field needing rain. That when God is making his decisions or exercising his power, I am the top consideration. But God has a lot he is trying to accomplish through his exercise of sovereignty. Sometimes he acts in my life to correct something or refine me. Sometimes he acts to show me his love. But sometimes, he acts in my life to accomplish other things unrelated to me. That God can balance all of these things throughout our entire world of billions is a reminder of his absolute power and Godhood. So when I sometimes get impatient with His timing, when I want the rain to fall right now, I need to remember that he has other fields and purposes He is working out. He might be delaying the rain not to teach me, but because he is working on another situation or person.

Prayer: God, I trust you. It is not all about me and my timing and needs. I trust that you know my needs, I am on your radar. You are working out my life while balancing out all the other work you are doing. Please let me see your bigger picture and develop patience in your timing.

God Was Not Pleased with Most of Them

Scripture:
For I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 1 Cor. 10:1-5

Observation: What a stunning, out-of-left-field comment! Paul says that our fathers all experienced the same things, did the same things, looked the same. Yet God was not pleased with MOST OF THEM. Why? Because of their lack of faith, as evidenced by disobedience and grumbling.

Application: Could it be true that two people could do the same things, go to the same church, eat the same food, live the same life, and yet because of an attitude or lack of faith, risk God’s displeasure? Does God value faith and attitude more? Could I do the same things others do, and yet incur God’s displeasure because of disobedience or grumbling or lack of faith? God, you are telling me that action is not enough. I need to not merely imitate others who are successful. I need to have faith. For example: A witnessing program is not what our church needs to get on board with the mission of God. What we need is faith in God and obedience to his calling.

Prayer: God, as you are stirring me to see how we have neglected your call to share the gospel, please keep me centered in prayer, in asking the Lord of the harvest to raise up people who will go into the fields and seek and save the lost. Help me to think prayer and faith first, action second.

The Theology of Halloween Candy

Scripture: This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 1 Corinthians 8:1

Application: Paul is writing the Corinthians about the problem of people eating food that had been offered to idols. Many of the Corinthians felt this was no problem, since they “knew” these idols were pretend and so offering food to them meant nothing (8:4). While this is theologically correct, Paul’s point is that knowing the truth can lead to arrogance, while loving others builds up the body. Instead of bragging on their theology which permitted food offered to idols, they should consider the higher call of love for their newer brothers and sisters who might struggle with seeing people eat this food.

Observation: Knowing the truth can arrogantly lead me to be insensitive to others. I so passionately defend my freedom that I can hurt my brothers. My theology might be right, but my heart might not. I could win the battle and lose the war. Recently I was handing out leftover Halloween candy on Sunday morning for fun. One guy refused the candy, saying he did not eat Halloween candy on a sacred day. Now, I *knew* that theologically, there was no problem with the candy. It was just sugar. I found myself getting a little arrogant in my heart, wanting to get into the theology of evil candy. But in light of these verses, which better served God that morning: the knowledge that the candy was okay to eat, or the love of being gracious to another person’s beliefs?

Prayer: God, let me take care that my rights do not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. Let me look with love on those who take offense at my freedoms, instead of wanting to so quickly correct them.

Where Shall Wisdom Be Found?

Scripture:
But where shall wisdom be found?
And where is the place of understanding?
God understands the way to it,
and he knows its place. Job 28:12, 23

Observation: Job writes a poem centering on a profoundly simple question: Where can we find wisdom? The answer is equally simple: God. If I want to know how to make decisions, set priorities, choose opportunities, discern danger, or live wisely, I need wisdom. And only God knows the way to wisdom.

Application: This Sunday, I am preaching on why the apostles devoted themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word. They knew that for the word of God to increase, for the number of disciples to multiply greatly, and for people to come to obedience to the faith, they needed to know the mind of God. The way to do that was prioritize the ministry of prayer and the word. This is behind this past year’s attempt for me to daily spend time in my devotions. I am desperate to find the wisdom I need.

Prayer: God, Forgive me for failing to honor you as the Source of all wisdom. You know what is wise for me, and as I soak my mind in your word, you show me the way. Please give me victory today as I move our church towards being people who hear from you in your word.

The Central Question Of Life.

Scripture:
How then can man be in the right before God?
How can he who is born of woman be pure? Job 25:4

Observation: Job’s friend asks a question—more out of despair than confidence. Yet his question is at the core of our humanity. If there is a God, how can people born on earth be right with him? Religion seems to be an attempt to answer this question different ways. But if there is a God, then this becomes much more than an interesting theological debate—it becomes the core question we must answer.

Application: Recently I was asked by someone why it was important to share our faith with others—especially people who already have a religion or faith system. I answered that it all came back to Jesus. If this question of being right with God has many paths and answers, then it really is not important to tell others about Christ. But if Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to God but through him (John 14:6), then there is only one answer, and as narrow as it might seem, we ought to lovingly and respectfully share this with others.
I must answer this myself. How can someone be in the right before God? Is it through doing good? Is it through faith in something, anything? Are there many roads? Or is the answer one word, Jesus? If so, how will I share this truth with others that they also might be right with God?

Prayer: God, you said Christ was the only way. I believe this in my mind, but don’t always act like it. Please help me and our church believe this. Help us share the heart of Christ in love and respect. Give me opportunities to do this even today.

Why Am I Really Mad At God?

Scripture: They wrong the barren, childless woman, and do no good to the widow. Yet God prolongs the life of the mighty by his power; they rise up when they despair of life. Job 24:21-22

Observation: Job is frustrated with the struggle between God’s sovereignty and the obvious injustice in the world. If God does whatever he desires and no one can turn him back (23:13), then why do those who take advantage of the poor prosper? Why do those who perpetuate injustice seem to flourish under God’s control? This is why Job is so bitter: God says he cares about injustice, yet seems to do nothing when it occurs.
But is Job really that concerned about injustice in his world, or is he using this to protest his own feelings about how God has dealt with him? Job feels he has done everything right before God, and he has been treated unjustly. This bitterness turns into a general complaint about how God deals with injustice.
So often, we get riled up over how God deals with this world when the real issue is between God and us. We hide behind theological and philosophical arguments and talk about situations half-way around the world when the real issue is: We are mad at God about *our* situation.

Application: I often find myself angry about things I see in this world, or actions of others. And I can easily characterize these things as indictments of God. But could it be that the reason for my anger is that I feel I have gotten a raw deal? Am I failing to go to God and directly deal with the issue, instead hiding behind theological and philosophical arguments about good and evil?

Prayer: God, help me look below the waterline, to see what really motivates my feelings and actions. To see if my anger is motivated by holy discontent, or a sense of personal loss. Show me what is going on in the waters of my heart.