Priorities: God or Man?

2 Chronicles 16:7 You have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the Lord your God...

2 Chronicles 16:12 Yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians.


  John 12:42-43:  Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Galatians 1:10  For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

A bondservant is one who gives himself up to another’s will, those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men.



Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.

Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

2 Corinthians 13:5  Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?

I have nothing to add.  Let the Word speak.  Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, soul, mind and strength.  Have NO other gods before Him.  He is a rewarder of them that DILIGENTLY seek Him.  Do I?  Do you? 

The Doubter's Dilemma

Thomas' thoughts battled for position. I want to believe what the guys are telling me. I really want to believe that he is here. In the past I have always seen him with my own eyes -- seen his unusual ways and his amazing miracles. But the last thing I saw was his lifeless body. Always before I have heard him with my own ears -- heard his unconventional teaching and powerful words. But the last thing I heard him say was "It is finished." Before his unexpected death, if I wanted to believe he was here, I could just reach out and touch him with my own hands -- touch a body pulsating with so much life it gave life to others. But the last time I could touch him, he had no pulse and certainly no life-giving capability. No, I can't believe. I won't believe. Unless I can see the scars in his hands and touch them...unless I can actually put my hand into his side where the spear entered, I won't believe that this man claiming to be Jesus is actually Him. It is impossible!


What day is it anyway? They're dragging one to the other with imperceptible difference. It has been..hmmm...eight days since the guys told me he showed up. I knew it wasn't true. If it were true, he would have been here by now. After all, he showed himself to Mary right away. He appeared to the others quickly as well. If it really was him, he wouldn't have made me wait this long. This impersonator knows I'm onto him so he is keeping his distance.  Why am I even bothering to stay in this closed up room with these guys? I should just get on with my life. What? Who's calling  my name. Where did this man come from? The doors were locked. How did he get in here? He's asking me to look at his hands and to put my hand into his side. Oh, God, he is telling me to quit being faithless but to believe... Jesus?! It really is him! How? Oh, I can't look at him. I should have known! Of course he is alive. Of course the others saw him.  I knew that always before his ways were unusual but amazing.  I knew in the past he was unconventional but powerful.  I knew he was...is?...a lifegiver.  Oh, why didn't I believe? Why? Why?

I John tells us that the disciples had seen and touched the Word of Life. After the resurrection, most of the disciples were allowed to see Jesus and touch the scars from his crucifixion before they were asked to believe. Sometimes God gives us those tangible, faith-building moments. But faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Those faith-building moments will be tested! Jesus said, "Blessed are they which have not seen and yet have believed." What has God promised you? Be blessed today -- believe!

And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. (Gen 15:6)

Shattered Expectations

I wonder what it was like to be Mary Magdalene? She had been delivered of seven devils. She had witnessed many miracles. All of these displays of supernatural power were suddenly in question as she watched this same, heretofore powerful man, die --seemingly powerlessly -- at the hands of his enemies. What confusion must have filled her mind! She thought he was the Messiah, the promised King of the Jews. Now he was dead. She went to his tomb to anoint his body, only to find, the body was missing. What next? She hastened to tell Peter and John this news. They, too, went to the tomb, confirmed the body was missing and went home. But Mary didn’t move. Mary stood outside the tomb, crying. In this moment, perhaps the pinnacle of her confusion, she stood in the place she thought Jesus would be and cried. She cried for Jesus. She cried for what seemed to be her loss. She cried for her inability to complete the task that would bring closure to this loss. She cried in confusion. She stayed where she expected to find Jesus and cried. Then, Jesus came to her. She was the first to see him after his resurrection. Later, Mary would come to understand that Jesus was indeed the powerful Messiah she had always believed him to be. Later, the clouds of confusion would give way to more complete understanding that would light a new path for her life.

Can you relate? Have you in the past witnessed the power of God in your life, only to have your expectations shattered by an unexpected, perhaps even devastating circumstance? A quick survey of the Bible will show that God rarely works in the way we anticipate He will…but His work is always purposed and powerful. What do we do when we, like Mary, are at the pinnacle of a confusing situation in which everything we have believed about God seems to be contradicted by the circumstances in which we find ourselves? Do we leave the place we know Jesus to be or do we stay and weep for Him until he comes?

And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. (Ps 39:7)

The Night that Changed Them

J and D are very much alike. They are both passionate and strong-willed. They will both argue with anyone and everyone and mostly each other. J and D are very much different. J has a father. D’s father is in jail. J’s siblings all have the same mother and father, all living in the same house. D’s siblings all have different fathers, none of which are in the house. J’s passion is like a river of happiness in which anger occasionally surfaces. D’s passion is like a river of anger in which happiness occasionally surfaces.

J’s family and D’s family are very much alike. They both desperately need Jesus. J’s family and D’s family are very much different. J’s family has already met Jesus. D’s family has yet to meet Him.

J and D and T were playing basketball that night. J and D, as usual, were arguing. T was trying to be a peacemaker. She reluctantly stepped in to referee. After about 30 minutes of intervention, she felt some good progress had been made but she was exhausted. It was time for T to go home and seemed a good time to walk D back to his house. T left and D asked if dinner was almost ready. D was always asking for food. She has tended to assume he was just a kid trying to get something for nothing. On this occasion, though, something in her thought that maybe D really was hungry. Maybe he really hadn’t eaten since having a bowl of cereal for breakfast. Maybe she should give him something to eat of more substance than a cookie.

Everything in her wanted to walk D home and have a peaceful family meal. Everything in her wanted to feed D some dinner. She finally figured out a way she could do both. She decided to get some food and send it home with D. She left D on the porch and went in to get him some food to take home. But what if the food she sent home with him caused problems at home? So, she decided instead she would actually sit outside with him and let him eat there while she chatted with him -- to let him know she cared. But that seemed kind of…well, like she didn’t care that much. Finally, they all decided they would invite D in to eat with the family. They might have a peaceful dinner because J promised he would not argue with D.

She went out and asked D to come in. She stopped D and J in the living room, had them hold up their right hands and went through a ceremony in which they so solemnly promised not to argue during dinner, to eat the food they were given and not to complain. She, D and J sealed the promise with a high five and proceeded to hand washing and dinner.

Dinner was wonderful. They ate and enjoyed the food. They talked and enjoyed the conversation. Even D had a funny story to tell. After dinner, she said she would walk D home. That’s when it happened – the thing that caused her heart to both overflow with joy and break with sorrow. Her joy overflowed when D awkwardly threw his arms around her legs as if he didn’t really want to do it but was unable to contain himself. Her heart broke when D quietly called back to her husband, “Bye, dad” as she and D walked out the door.

How could she not return that hug? How could she possibly hold back the tears? What if she had not fed D dinner, thinking he was just trying to get something for nothing? What if she had sent dinner home with D, thinking their family time would be much more peaceful that way? What if she had just fed him on the porch, thinking she could show D love and concern from a safe distance? What if God had not pushed her through all her natural responses and into His supernatural response?

It doesn’t seem like much. Some refereeing, instruction, rules, and laughs. Some promises, dinner, stories and more laughs. But to D, it was special. It impacted his life that night.

It doesn’t seem like much. A spontaneous, awkward hug around the legs. A quiet, “Bye, dad.” But to them it was special. It impacted their lives that night.

It doesn’t seem like much. A strong-willed, often angry boy from a somewhat disadvantaged family meeting a strong-willed, often happy boy from a somewhat hesitant family. But to God it was special. It impacted eternity that night.

Checking Division

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13-18)

Did you ever have one of those days when it seemed you just couldn’t get along with the people you normally spend time with? I was prompted to look at this passage in James recently after one of those days when my family was on “staycation” and the atmosphere for a good part of the day was somewhat negatively charged. If these days are the exception rather than the norm, we tend to brush them aside. But those days aren’t pleasant and, in honesty, there are longer, “striving seasons” in any group that exists for an extended period of time. Because I recently started a study comparing the Old Testament Jewish temple with the New Testament body temple, I began to think about seasons of strife in a broader, family of God sense. Although strife can ultimately be a catalyst to strengthen some previously weak and vulnerable areas, history tells us that it frequently causes more harm than healing when it comes to a family operating at full capacity. Too often, it ends in division rather than multiplication.

In reference to my previous blog, let’s keep in mind the four purposes for the temple as named by Solomon: dedication to God’s purposes, dedication to God’s presence, dedication to prayer, and dedication to sacrifice. A body in which the individuals are encouraged to operate in these underlying purposes will be healthy. But a healthy body is a target of attack from Satan and one of his favorite methods of attack is to divide and conquer. When division is left unchecked, a previously vivacious church can be rendered ineffective in the kingdom of God.

James uses some strong language when he talks about the source of bitter envy and strife (self-seeking) in the body. That source is the wrong kind of wisdom—wisdom that is earthy, sensual demonic (AKA “the wisdom of man”). It produces confusion and brings with it every evil thing. That’s weighty!

Thankfully, in this same passage James also gives us some excellent evaluation tools to use when we began to see division in the body. We can check the wisdom of all sides of division by comparing its characteristics with the features of the “wisdom from above.” Ask a few simple questions:

*Is it pure? (Or is it mingled with self-promotion and pride?)

*Is it peaceable? (Or is it presented in a contentious manner?)

* Is it gentle? (Or is it harsh?)

*Is it willing to yield to others and to God? (Or is it stubborn?)

*Is it full of mercy? (Or is it full of judgment?)

*Is it full of good fruit? (Or is it full of the works of the flesh? See Galatians 5.)

*Is it without partiality? (Or are predispositions and prejudices playing a role?)

*Is it without hypocrisy? (Or is there dissonance in walk versus talk?)

In all likelihood, because there are humans involved, in all sides of the division there will be elements of both types of wisdom. The question lies in whether all the parties involved are willing to honestly evaluate and adjust their perspective. If we are as individuals in the body truly seeking to be dedicated to God’s purposes, His presence, prayer and sacrifice, then the body as a whole should naturally revert to checking our division by multiplying godly wisdom and subtracting our earthly wisdom. With God, all things are possible.

Temple Talk

Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. (I Corinthians 6:19-20)


If our bodies are considered a temple, it seems we could benefit from learning about the purposes and plans of the original Jewish temple. In 2 Chronicles 2, Solomon determined it was time to construct the temple and states four overlying purposes for its construction:

* To dedicate it to the Lord.

* To burn before Him sweet incense.

* For the continual shewbread.

* For the burnt offerings.

These purposes provide good points of evaluation for Christians:

1. Am I dedicated to the Lord? Have I set myself apart for the purposes of God in my life or are there still parts I am reserving for other purposes?

2. Am I dedicated to prayer? The priests were commanded to burn incense every morning and evening at the same time the burnt offerings were made and the incense was to burn all day and all night. Incense is a picture of the prayers of the saints going up before God (Psalms 141:2, Revelation 8:3-4). It pleases God for us to pray. I Thessalonians 5:17 says we should “pray without ceasing.” Do I?

3. Am I dedicated to communion? The showbread “stood on the right side of the Holy Place across from the lampstand and held 12 loaves of bread, representing the 12 tribes of Israel. The priests baked the bread with fine flour and it remained on the table before the Lord for a week; every Sabbath day the priests would remove it and eat it in the Holy Place, then put fresh bread on the table.” (www.the-tabernacle-place.com) Shewbread literally means “face” and “bread.” Jesus said he is “the bread of Life.” In addition, bread is commonly associated with sharing a meal or communion. When we put all these aspects together, the imagery of the showbread was continual communion in the presence of God. Am I aware of God’s presence continually?

4. Am I dedicated to presenting my body a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1)? The burnt offering was a sacrifice to be completely consumed for God. Romans instructs us that this is our reasonable service. Jesus was completely consumed for us! Do I stay on the altar of sacrifice in my life?

Jewish history tells us that the temple was not always used in a way that fulfilled its original purpose and design. Often small compromises would be made which would inevitably lead to huge deviations from the law and ultimately some pretty severe consequences. Though we are not under the law any longer, God does ask for our complete dedication -- abandonment to Him to fulfill the purposes for which we were created. Human nature is to compromise, but we have the means with which we can avoid falling back on our human nature. We have the Spirit of God dwelling in us, teaching us His truth and empowering us to walk in it – if we will allow Him to do that. When we live out the purposes for which we were designed, it is not only pleasing to God, it is pleasant for us, and in doing so, we are completely fulfilled and satisfied. How’s your temple?

Praying for Perpetrators

And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10)


But I say unto you, Love your enemies… and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. (Matthew 5)

I have a dear friend who I not only love but I greatly admire. I knew fairly early in our friendship that she had suffered abuse in her childhood. However, I had been friends with her for some time before I became aware of the extent of the horrendous abuses she endured early in life. I’m sure I am still only aware of “the tip of the iceberg” of her experiences. The little bit of understanding I do have of this time in her life would be hard to take gracefully had I learned of a complete stranger being subjected to such atrocities. But, when I hear of my close, dear friend going through such fire in her life, every fiber of my being wants to strike out at someone, something in pure anger. The questions in my mind fly like bullets – why?, who could…?, how can…?

The other morning I woke up with the song, “Forgiveness” (Matthew West) in my mind. I began that morning as most others, with a walk/jog and prayer time. As I was walking and praying, this song continued to play through my mind until I finally asked God if there was someone I need to forgive. My friend came to mind and I thought about the seemingly impossible task it must be for her to be able to forgive her abusers. As I thought about it, I realized that I need to forgive her abusers. Yet, it seemed impossible for me, even as distanced as I am from the actual events, to forgive them. I voiced that to God and then, after some struggle, affirmed to Him that I do forgive them, asking Him to do what only He can do to cause my heart to follow in obedience as well.  Then I prayed for those I considered my enemies.

Since that prayer time, I have been contemplating the subject of forgiveness again. I have known for a long time that it is a command. I have also known there is power in forgiveness. I have visited this subject over and over again, always from a slightly different angle.  On this occasion, as I reflected on my friend’s situation and all the resultant struggles and issues that have come out of that, God brought to my remembrance the above passage I quoted from Job. I had already known that Job was set free when he prayed for his friends (who had not been very good friends at all in his time of trouble). That truth in and of itself is powerful. However, what I had not really noticed until I looked back at this passage today is this:

The LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against you, and against your two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has. Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job…

This is a lot to ponder. God’s acceptance of Job’s friends’ repentance and God’s show of mercy to them was contingent upon Job’s prayer. Wow! Now, theologically, I know God hears and accepts the sincere prayer of any sinner who repents. Nonetheless, this passage packs a powerful punch and another angle on the key role that our willingness to forgive plays in freedom – our freedom and the freedom of those who committed the offense.

Think of it this way; we are to be Jesus to those around us.  There are three are intricately intertwined components of the mechanism of my forgiveness – Jesus’ forgiveness of me, my realization of my need for forgiveness, God’s application of forgiveness.  It only makes sense that our willingness to forgive and pray for others (i.e., being an example of Jesus to them) can be key in opening the door for them to accept God's forgivenes and mercy.

I am sure I will continue to have questions about the horrible crimes committed against my friend, but one thing I think I understand more clearly now is my need to forgive her perpetrators. I know she has addressed this issue, but I now understand that I also must forgive them and pray for them. Doing so not only frees me, but also opens a greater opportunity for them to be freed from the bondage they are in due to their sin.

Humility --> forgiveness --> freedom.

With man this is impossible but with God ALL things are possible.
Follow Jesus, plus nothing.

I will close with the lyrics of the song I referenced above: 

“Forgiveness” by Matthew West

It's the hardest thing to give away
and the last thing on your mind today
It always goes to those that don't deserve
It's the opposite of how you feel
When the pain they caused is just too real
It takes everything you have just to say the word...

Forgiveness
Forgiveness

It flies in the face of all your pride
It moves away the mad inside
It's always anger's own worst enemy
Even when the jury and the judge
Say you gotta right to hold a grudge
It's the whisper in your ear saying 'Set It Free'

Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness, Forgiveness


Show me how to love the unlovable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible

Forgiveness, Forgiveness


Help me now to do the impossible

Forgiveness

It'll clear the bitterness away
It can even set a prisoner free
There is no end to what it's power can do
So, let it go and be amazed
By what you see through eyes of grace
The prisoner that it really frees is you

Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness, Forgiveness


Show me how to love the unlovable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible

Forgiveness


I want to finally set it free
So show me how to see what Your mercy sees
Help me now to give what You gave to me
Forgiveness, Forgiveness

Us and Them -- or Him?

Jesus said unto her, “I that speak unto you am he.” (John 4:26)

John 4 details a story of Jesus revealing his identify to a Samaritan woman. If we are followers of Jesus, it is our job to reveal him to others so there are several observations we can make in this passage. From my perspective, “modern Christianity” viewed in light of the exchange between Jesus and this woman highlights a few of those observations:

• Jesus looked at the overlooked. He took an interest in an individual who was, at best, overlooked by virtually everyone. Her lifestyle was such that she was shunned even by the shunned! She was regarded as the lowest of low. Jesus loved her. I wonder if I would? I wonder if I do?

• Jesus’ did not intentionally divide. After Jesus made some accurate statements about the chaotic state of her life, she realized he was a prophet. Her response was to immediately bring up divisive religious issues. Jesus was unwavering in his mission. He steered the conversation back to the real issue, her deep need. Though the issue of Jesus is definitely divisive in some cases, his intent was not division but completion. When I “bite” at the divisive issue bait, I am left hanging on empty line while others starve without the food that truly satisfies their soul’s deepest need. Am I more comfortable arguing issues than humbly bringing people to Jesus?

• Jesus neither avoided nor focused on her sin issues. The issue was not that she had had several husbands and the man she was living with was not her husband. That was merely the result of her desperate search for soul satisfaction. The issue was that Jesus had something that would permanently meet those deepest needs that had been left unsatisfied in spite of her best efforts. Am I rendered useless to reveal Jesus to others due to my inability to move past the sin (either by ignoring it or by getting stuck on it) and address the real issue?

In this day of seemingly increasing polarizations of “us” and “them”, shouldn’t the majority of our efforts toward unbelievers be centered on “Him” – revealing Jesus to others?   Why do we seem to be failing miserably at this mission?

• Do we look?

• Do we get caught by divisive issues bait?

• Do we get stuck on sin instead of addressing the true need?

• Or do we reveal Jesus?

Follow Jesus, plus nothing. 

Fatal Friendly Fire

These things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. (John 16:3)

What image comes to your mind when you imagine Christians being persecuted for their beliefs? How do you envision the persecutors? I usually picture them as radical sects of non-Christian religions or as the hardened criminal types who hate Christians. While these images are accurate, they are incomplete. According to John 16, if I do not understand another aspect of persecution, I will be offended. stumble and fall as I strive to pursue Jesus.

In John 16, Jesus is talking to the disciples and warning them of tough times ahead. They will be put out of the synagogues. They will be killed, and their murderers will think they are doing God a service.

For as long as I can remember, I have known that those who hated Jesus the most and who persecuted His early followers were the Jewish religious leaders and their followers at that time. But I have never really contemplated what an anguishing situation it must have been for those who had previously followed God, faithfully practicing Judaism to be hated by very leaders they had previously held in high esteem. Painful rejection.

The most painful spiritual/emotional wounds Christians in our country sustain are inflicted by other Christians or “Christians.” Sometimes the offending issues are addressed and worked out biblically. Often times they are not. Believers who follow Jesus down an unconventional path are most at risk for sustaining wounds via “friendly fire.” That was true of the early Christians, and that is true today. Why?

Jesus said the religious would reject and kill because they have not known the Father nor have they known Jesus. The Jewish leaders were well educated. They knew scripture better than anyone and they knew more about the law and about God than the average Jew. But Jesus said they did not know Him or His Father.

We would do well to pay close attention to this teaching and evaluate our lives in light of this truth:

*Have I delivered "friendly fire?" (Do I really know Jesus and the Father?)
*Have I received 'friendly fire?" (Have I been offended, stumbled, fallen as a result?)
Follow Jesus…plus nothing.

Plus Nothing

Follow Jesus…plus nothing.

Recently I have used this phrase often. I use it very sincerely. I desperately want to follow Jesus with nothing added. But the reality is my life does not completely look like Jesus said it will if I follow him plus nothing.

*Jesus said, if I follow him, I will be a fisher of men. (Mat 4:19)
*Jesus said if I follow him, I will be where he is. (Jo 12:26)
*Jesus said if I follow him, I will deny myself. (Mat 8:34, Lu 9:23)

Admittedly, I do not know much about fishing for fish.  I do not particularly enjoy fishing. If I did, I’m sure I would have made the effort to know more about it. But, as a follower of Jesus, I will want to fish for men. I will not only want to fish for men, but I will learn about it from Jesus and do it. Do I?

Closely correlated to the fishing, is the fact that a follower of Jesus will be where He is. Am I willing to follow Him anywhere? Do I listen to Him or do I listen to tradition? Am I willing to go outside of my comfort zone – with or without the approval of others? Am I willing to meet any person He puts into my path? Am I willing to love any person He puts into my path? Am I willing to be Jesus to absolutely anyone? Am I?

Finally, the key to the fishing and following anywhere, is denying myself. That word “denying” is defined, “to affirm that one has no acquaintance or connection with someone; to forget one’s self, lose sight of one’s self and one’s own interests.” I believe this is a progression. When I deny what I know to deny and follow Jesus, the journey itself will reveal various self-interests that I still cling to. As they are revealed, am I willing to continuing denying? Will I?

That is following Jesus as defined by Jesus. What about the plus nothing?

It’s simple. What ingredients do I try to add?
*Do I believe one must look a certain way to follow Jesus?
*Do I believe one must attend a certain church at certain times to follow Jesus?
*Do I believe one must read certain books or Bible versions to follow Jesus?
*Do I believe one must participate in certain activities to follow Jesus?
*Do I believe one must worship or not worship in a certain way to follow Jesus?
*Do I believe…

…well, the list would grow quite lengthy if I were to enumerate the many different convictions, preferences and tastes identified among individuals and cultures.  But they are just that -- convictions, preferences and tastes. 

Do I follow Jesus? Plus nothing? Jesus, help me.

Hated

If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. – Jesus (John 15:18)

Hate is a strong word. It means just what you think it does: to hate, pursue with hatred, detest. Strong language! There is not much talk in Christian circles about hatred. It is not a pleasant topic. But, if it was important enough for Jesus to address, we probably should too.

Jesus explained that it is necessary to talk about the fact that the world will hate His followers so that his followers will not be offended – literally meaning to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way, upon which one may trip and fall. (John 16:1) In other words, when the going gets tough, stand.

I think there are some questions we should ponder in regard to this topic of being hated:

*Why do they hate me?
-Is my Christ-likeness offending them?
-Or am I just offensive?

*Why don’t they hate me?
-Do I seek to please men more than God?
-Is there a difference between me and the world?

I have met some Christians who appear to make it their goal to be hated. They are rather hateful and they are hated by many. Though they can proudly proclaim they are hated for the cause of Christ, they are ineffective in God’s kingdom.

I have met other Christians who appear to make it their goal not to be hated. Though they proudly proclaim they are loved by almost everyone, they are also ineffective in God’s kingdom.

I know which is my tendency.  Do you?

The reality is, our goal is neither to be hated or to be loved but to follow Jesus.  We need to be Jesus to those around us. When we are, some will hate us; others will come to love Jesus. If they hate us, we shouldn’t be surprised or offended. If they come to love Jesus, we should celebrate!

Paul puts it this way in 2 Corinthians 2:14-17:  Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life.


We can keep this issue of being hated very simple.  There is nothing we must do to get it right other than follow Jesus and be like him.

Follow Jesus...plus nothing. 

Efficiency Evaluation

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch…that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit. – Jesus (John 15)

If you are a follower of Jesus, you are a branch (John 15:5). In the context of John 15, a true follower of Jesus bears fruit and a true follower is purged in order to bear more fruit. The Greek word translated as “purged” is kathairo, meaning “to cleanse, of filth impurity” and also “to prune trees and vines from useless shoots.”

That reminds me of Hebrews 12:1 where Paul admonishes us to lay aside every weight (useless shoots) and sin (filth, impurity) that besets us and to run with patience the race that is set before us.

These two metaphors of the Christian life describe efficiency - achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense (dictionary.com).  Efficiency is this age is highly esteemed. Apparently, it has always been highly esteemed by God. But are our efforts aimed at efficiency properly focused? Are we efficient fruit bearers? Are we efficient racers?

We say our church is efficient...
-Our debt reduction plan is progressive.
-Our budget is streamlined (we are good stewards).
-Our technology is up to date.
-Our services pack the most power into the least amount of time.
-Our ministries reach a lot of people.
-Our…

But if we evaluate our efficiency by God's standards...
-Do we know what fruit He desires?
-Do we bear that fruit?
-Do we continue to bear more of that fruit?
-Do we know what race He set before us?
-Do we run that race?
-Do we patiently run that race?

God, inspect our fruit and evaluate our race. Cleanse us of impurities and rid us of excess so that we may be our best for You. 

Follow Jesus...plus nothing. 

Devastating Division

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Affection:
1) to have understanding, be wise
2) to feel, to think
3) to direct one’s mind to a thing, to seek, to strive for

Also translated as:
-think
-regard
-mind, be minded, be of the same mind, be like minded
-savour

When we divide our affection between God and any other person/thing, the results are devastating.  Oh, how easily deceived we are in regard to affection!  There is much on my mind about this topic, but I don't think I can say it better than the following paragraphs from Watchman Nee's book, The Spiritual Man.
 
Yielding one's affection to the Lord may be viewed by the Christian to be a most difficult task, yet the Lord is concerned with one's affection more than with any other matter.  He demands him to present his affection wholly to Him and let Him lord over it.

How much the work of God has suffered because of our failure to let the Lord be the Lord of our affections. Many parents cling to their children for themselves and permit the kingdom of God to incur loss. Countless husbands or wives are unwilling to make sacrifice and thus the harvest is left ungathered. Numerous Christians are so attached to their friends that they sit back and let their brethren fight at the front alone. It is deplorable how many think they can love their dear ones and the Lord simultaneously, not comprehending that by loving these, they cannot love the Lord.

We cannot but stress the significance of our loving the Lord with our whole heart. Nothing satisfies His heart as does our love. The Lord looks not for our laboring for Him but for our loving him...God's children have never fully understood how their loved ones could hinder their spiritual growth. As we begin to have other loves besides a love for God, however, we do discover that He gradually loses significance for us.
Actually, only God can satisfy a Christians' heart; man cannot. The failure of many is to seek from man what can be found only in God. All human affection is empty...Does this indicate we need not love man? The Bible repeatedly charges us to love the brethren and even to love our enemies. Accordingly, we know it is not God's will we should not love man, but He does desire to manage our affection towards all men. God does not want us to love others for our sake but to love for His sake and in Him...This is the pathway of the cross. Only as we allow it to cut deeply so that we have our soul life delivered to death can we be rid of self in our affections. If we genuinely have undergone death we will not be attached to anyone but will be guided solely by the command of God...How contrary such a course seems to Christians, and yet how blessed it is to those who so experience it!

Be honest.  Do I love the Lord my God with all my heart?

Wth God all things are possible. 

Follow Jesus...plus nothing. 

Work the Walk

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. (Jesus, John 14)
 
This little section on works is squeezed in between Jesus' discourse to his disciples on knowing him and loving him.  In the context of loving him, Jesus emphasizes obedience.  He also promises the Holy Spirit for comfort and empowerment to do those things. 
 
Ponders:
*Do I know Jesus?  Really?  
     Or do I know what other people know about Jesus?
*Do I love Jesus?  Really? 
     Or do I love the idea of loving Jesus?
 
Proofs:
*Do I do the works that Jesus did and greater?
     (Do I even ask?  Why not?)
*Do I obey him and only him?
    (Do I obey religion? Why?) 
 
It is true that my relationship with Jesus begins and ends with Jesus alone.  It is not dependent on anything that I do.  Ever. 
 
But faith without works is dead.  Always.
 
Work the walk. 
 
 
 
 

United Way

Teach me your way, O LORD; and I will walk in your truth:  unite my heart to fear your name.

Where I go, you know, and the way you know...I am the way, the truth and the life:  no man comes unto the Father but by me. (Jesus)

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord...

*Is my heart united with God's to know his way? 

*How well do I know The Way? 

*Does my quest to know Jesus surpass all things? 

*Do I really follow Jesus or do I follow man's ideas of following Jesus?

Ask Him.

God, unite my heart with yours to know your way, to know The Way, to follow Jesus...plus nothing.

Perspective

Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.

Have you seen this on a Facebook post or another place? 

How others see us. (picture)

How we see ourselves. (picture)

How we really are. (picture)

That is what I think of when I read this verse in John.

How others saw Peter's faith:  Real.

How Peter saw his faith:  Radical.

How Jesus saw his faith:  Rising.

It is not surprising that Jesus' perspective proved to be accurate.  His perspective of our faith is accurate, too.  Just ask the rich young ruler (Mark 10).  He wanted to be a follower of Jesus.  Jesus wanted him to follow.  Jesus loved him.  The man had done everything he knew he was supposed to do to be good follower.  Jesus congratulated him on that and then challenged him...give up your treasure for treasure in heaven.

As the young man walked away with bowed head and sagging shoulders, his unspoken words were probably, "But I thought...."

Perhaps you have heard or even said something like:  "God did not ask me to check my brain at the door."  It is true that God did not ask us to quit thinking, but God did ask us to quit thinking like the world and all that is in the world and to trust Him with every single area of our lives. 

Following Jesus is more than doing right things.  Following Jesus is more than not doing wrong things.  Following Jesus is exclusive trust.  What are you trusting...too?

*Family?
*Friends?

*Wealth?

*Poverty?
*Education?

*Career?

*Talents/abilities?
*Health/life insurance?

*Stocks/bonds/investments?

*Savings account/college fund?
*Preventative or maintenance medicine?

These things our not necessarily wrong but do you find yourself thinking:
"There is nothing wrong with _______."

"God would not ask me to give that up."

"I would not be a good steward if I ______."
"That is not logical!"

Perhaps those thoughts are accurate.  Perhaps they are not.  Have you asked Him, "What must I do"?

How do you see your faith?  How does God see your faith?

Fame, Fan or Friend

Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek your name, O LORD. (Psalms 83:16)

David is praying about God's enemies in this chapter of Psalms.  When I initially read this verse, I thought it was good that David wanted these enemies to know God, even if it came via shame.  Then I realized that seeking God's name is not the same as seeking God.  The Hebrew word translated "name" in this verse means "reputation, fame, glory."  Seeking God's name is impersonal -- more knowing what He does than than knowing who He is.

I look at it this way.  When it comes to famous people, there are different levels of knowing them. I live near the hometown of David Cook, season 7 winner of American Idol.  This was a very big deal in our metro area.  Some local people may not know who he is but I would say the vast majority of people here are at least familiar with his name.  I would break it down like this:

Fame Level:  I know who he is.  I know the name.  I know he won.  I appreciate his accomplishment.

Fan Level:  Many Idol fans know details about his life.  They followed his journey to, through and beyond American Idol.  They appreciate his story.

Friend Level:  I know at least two people who are related to David.  They know him.  He knows them.  They have a relationship with him.  They have traveled with him.  They appreciate him. 

How well do you know God -- fame, fan or friend?

If you desire friend level, it will help if you:
--Seek Him.
--Seek His face.
--Seek His strength.
--Seek His kingdom.
--Seek His voice.

Daniel "set his face unto the Lord God and sought him by prayer and supplication with fasting and sackcloth and ashes."  That is some serious seeking. 

But serious seeking has serious benefits...You will seek me, and find me, when you search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)

That is seeker friendly.  Go for it!

On Happiness

If you know these things, happy are you if you do them. -- Jesus

Jesus spoke these words in the context of teaching humility.  Not only did he teach it with his words, he demonstrated it with his actions when he washed his disciples' feet.  He also demonstrated it when he took the form of a servant, humbled himself, and became obedient unto death on a cross (Philippians 2).  Ponder those actions of God toward man.  They are mind-boggling. 

If you know these things:
-Exhortation of Jesus.
-Love.
-Fellowship.
-Affection.
-Mercy.
-Unselfishness.
-Needs of others,
-Mind of Christ.
(From Philippians 2)

Do you do them?
-With your spouse -- even if they are unlovable?
-With your children -- even when one of you makes a mistake?
-With your family -- even if they betrayed you?
-With your friends -- even if they hurt you?
-With your coworkers -- even if their ethics are different?
-With your neighbors -- even if they annoy you?
-With your spiritual family -- even if their walk is different?
-With strangers -- even if they frighten you?    

Or do you see yourself as superior?

It is simple.  It is difficult.  With God all things are possible.

Be genuinely humble.  Be genuinely happy.

Bitter Waters

When God delivered the Israelites from their slavery in Egypt, He did so in a mighty way.  His power was demonstrated to them repeatedly while he granted the freedom they longed for.  One of the first tests the people faced after they had complete separation from the pursuing Egyptian army involved three days in the wilderness with no water.  When they finally came to water, they could not drink it because it was bitter.  They murmured.  I probably would have, too.  Why did God bring us here for this?  What now?

There are some parallels between this story and my current season of life.  I have prayed for years for a certain heart desire to be granted.  My previous circumstances were not unbearable.  I was content, but I continued to bring this desire before God from time to time.  He recently granted that longing to me, but it came in a rather unpleasant way. While I am enjoying my new-found freedom, there are aspects of it that are uncomfortable, potentially bitter.  My temptation is to question, why did you bring me here?  What now?

The solution for the bitter waters of Marah was a certain tree that God showed Moses.  God recently showed me a tree as well.  I found it in Psalms 69, a passage that foretells Jesus' sacrifice on a tree.   I have read this before but on this reading God cast the cross deep into the waters of my heart.  He revealed to me His love on a deeper level than I had previously seen it as I read phrases like, "my foolishness...my sins are not hid from thee" and words like "reproach, shame and dishonor."  It gripped my heart as I better understood the truth of "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us."   The verse that sweetened the waters of my heart the most was, "They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head: they that would destroy me, being my enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away."  He didn't have to do that.

Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet perhaps for a good man some would even dare to die.  But God demonstrates his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

A God who will endure such for me loves me in a way I just can't quite wrap my mind around.  He loves you, too.  His ways are perfect, even when we don't see the big picture. I know that because of his love.  I will fix my eyes on the power he has demonstrated in my past and I will set my heart on his unfathomable love.

A closing thought "This is my commandment, That you love one another, as I have loved you."  But that's another blog...

The Secret Place of Thunder

Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it (my name), and will glorify it again. The people that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.

God's voice is frequently described as thunder, and I came away from a cursory look at this word in the Bible in a state I struggle to define.  I am elated at the various references to thunder.  They are both powerful and personal.  They convey messages of fear and freedom.  As I looked at each reference I felt like I was waiting to ride an unfamiliar roller coaster.  I love roller coasters and my heart literally pounded in anticipation of the ride ahead.  I know there will be many surprise turns and dips as I continue this ride.  My brief study today left me in a whirlwind of thought.  I admit, I took the "chicken exit" to catch my breath on this first attempt to ride.

Before I exited, however, I found an interesting thunder reference in Psalms 81:7,  "You called in trouble, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder."  At first glance, "secret place" and "thunder" seem incompatible in nature.  Thunder is hard to keep secret.  Hang on...
 
2 Samuel 22:14 says, "The Lord thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice."  Two verses before that we learn that God made darkness pavilions around him.  That word "pavilions" means "thicket, covert, booth."  Sounds a lot like a secret place. 
 

Interestingly, the verse between the darkness verse and and thunder verse talks about brightness.  "Through the brightness that was before him were coals of fire kindled."  So I picture something like this:

 

The brightness that emanates from God kindles coals of fire.  A few uses for coals in scripture:

*sacrifice

*refining

*judgment
*cooking

 

When I attempt to put all these thoughts together, I think one small piece we can place in God's thunder puzzle is that it can be a secret place where God speaks into our lives.  That particular secret place is shrouded in darkness.  You know, those dark times in our lives marked by groping in search of Divine help.  If we continue stepping through that darkness, squelching our fears and other "voices of reason," God does bring illumination to our darkness.  Generally, that light highlights a need we have to address to dispel the darkness. Perhaps it involves an area of sacrifice; perhaps refining our mission or motives; perhaps our judgment of others or a situation is incorrect; or we may need to righteously judge an aspect of our lives.  Always, God desires to nourish our spirit.   My personal experience has been that the needs I perceive in the darkness often do not resemble the revealed needs at all.  Other times, the revealed need is a three-dimensional version of my original concept.  In either case, this Divine disclosure, if acted upon, brings Divine deliverance.

 

Maybe there is darkness in your life.  Maybe the darkness is only noticeable from certain angles.  Or maybe the darkness is all-encompassing.  Rather than freezing in fear, I urge you to walk through that wall of darkness as you cry out to God.  He will answer you.  Follow the sound of His thunder and allow Him to illuminate your needs. Then walk in the light.