What comes into your mind when you think about God?

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Let us live life “without murmuring and arguing, so that we may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, that we may shine like stars in the world.” Philippians 1:15

Can you make a difference “in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation?” A recent poll revealed that 72% of Americans feel the country is headed in the wrong direction. If we answer the question based on the poll, then the answer might be no. We can easily become discouraged and feel hopeless trying to make a difference in moving the moral compass.

William Wilberforce probably felt the same way as he battled the beastly horrors of the slave trade industry. Mother Teresa probably felt the same way as she walked the filthy streets of Calcutta caring for the outcasts of society. Missionary Lottie Moon probably felt the same way as she sought to show the love of Jesus in her adopted country of China. Billy Graham probably felt the same way as he stood inviting those to come who wanted to know the freedom that Jesus offered.

A.W. Tozer asked a previous generation a penetrating question that I find still relevant today. Tozer wrote, “were we able to extract from any man a complete answer to the question, “What comes into your mind when you think about God?” We might predict with certainty the spiritual future of that man. Were we able to know exactly what our most influential religious leaders think of God today, we might be able with some precision to foretell where the church will stand tomorrow.”

“What comes into your mind when you think about God?” This question helps define the reality of how to make a difference in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. Jesus said in Matthew, “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. For out of the heart comes evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander.” (15:18-19)

Unfortunately, we see the results of Jesus’ words in our culture today. Followers of Jesus seek to impact the world’s culture. How you answer the question helps determine the impact you have on others. Jesus’ words are powerful and true.  In our daily lives, life actions could be life-giving instead of life-taking if time had been taken to answer this simple yet profound question “What comes into your mind when you think about God?”

God your deeds are extraordinary! Who is a protector besides our God? God the deliverer. The great, mighty, and awesome God. He is not the God of the dead but of the living. Sanctified by God’s word and by prayer. For nothing will be impossible with God. I thirst for God. God is our defender forever. For the LORD is a great God. God reigns over the nations. Confidence in God. Be imitators of God. (various scripture verses)

How we answer the question defines much of the course of our spiritual life as well as our natural life. It is heartbreaking when many answers that God is irrelevant or non-existent. How could a good God let this happen? If God is real, why doesn’t He answer my prayers?

Satan has been planting seeds of doubt since the beginning of time. In the book of Job, we read how Job was slandered by the accusation that Job’s thoughts about God were for what he could get for himself.  Satan even challenges God when he says, “Have you not put a fence around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.” (Job 1: 10) Satan goes to confront God and that if He would only, “stretch out your hand now, and touch all that he has,” then the reaction of Job about God will be “he will curse you to your face.” (1:11)

However, Job didn’t curse God since he had spent time through the years thinking about God. He didn’t particularly like what was happening to him in life but “in all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrongdoing.” –Job1:22

What comes to mind when we think about God? The answer will come from what we have allowed being planted in our hearts and souls. “Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.” –Psalm 1:1-3

Farmers and gardeners work in the blazing sun planting seeds. At the end of the day when they look out over the cultivated field it might feel like the day was wasted with nothing to show for the hard work. Yet the seeds planted will eventually sprout into a bountiful harvest. The same will be for you as you spend time thinking through your answer to the question.

Peter planted seeds knowing that God is Savior with the declaration, “The Messiah of God.” (Luke 9:18).

Paul planted seeds that revealed the weakness of any culture “for the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”—I Corinthians 1:18

John planted seeds knowing, “God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God and God abides in them. I John 4:16

James planted seeds resulting in, “every act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights”—James 1:17

I planted these life-defining seed verses:  God is merciful and gracious…abounding in steadfast love, –Psalm 86:15 Do not let those who hope in you be put to shame because of me—Psalm 69:6 Let those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great.” –Psalm 70:4 Love the LORD God with all of heart, soul, mind—Matt 22:36-40 The LORD is in your midst…singing over you Zeph 3:17

“From the beginning, God’s desire was that we would exist in an everlasting relationship with him. Sin gets in the way of that relationship, especially laziness that sidelines praise and prayer. May we never be too busy for both.” –Brennan Manning

How will you answer, “What comes into your mind when you think about God?” What seeds are you planting to help you think about God?

Father, I confess my often-lazy attitude of being with you, letting sin harbor thoughts that prevent fellowship with you. Restore the joy of prayer and praise that will permeate every fiber of my heart, mind and soul for you that I may shine like stars in the world.

God is great,

 

 

Mountain-moving Praying

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Jesus said to them, Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, if someone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. For this reason I tell you, whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. —Mark 11:22-24 NET

What mountain do you need to move? Mountain-moving praying is critical these days since we are surrounded by mountains. Over the last few days, stories have dominated the news with the plight of over 3.2 million refugees in Ukraine fleeing the vicious onslaught of Russian troops, tens of thousands of Afghans hiding from the Taliban and record-breaking inflation and gas prices. You can turn off the news but your mountain is still looming in front of you. It might be a mountain of personal tragedy, physical sickness, financial or a multitude of other challenges. Whatever mountain you are facing, it is a mountain that God cares about because He cares for you.

Michael Klassen and Thomas Freiling gave a great illustration about mountain-moving praying in their book, Battle Prayers. The story is about a small congregation in the Appalachians who faced an insurmountable mountain. The congregation had built a new building on land donated by a deceased church member. They had pooled all their resources to build a new building but ten days before the first service, they found out the parking lot was too small. The building inspector said he couldn’t approve the permit unless more parking was added.

The pastor responded, “we have no more room to expand. Every square inch of land is utilized except for this hill that stands directly behind the church. Our people just don’t have the money to level this hill and then have it paved. “The inspector replied sorry but there wasn’t anything he could do.

The pastor explained the situation to the church on Sunday. “Tonight, there’s going to be a special prayer service. We’re going to ask God to remove this mountain behind our church and somehow provide enough money to have it paved and painted in time for the dedication service next week. But I only want people with mountain-moving faith to come.”

Twenty-four of the church’s 300 members came to pray that night. At 10:00 the pastor said “Amen”. “We’ll open next Sunday as scheduled. God has never let us down before, and I believe he will be faithful this time as well.”

“Monday morning as he was working in his study, the pastor heard a loud knock at his door…The door opened and in walked a rough-looking construction foreman who removed his hard hat as he entered.

Excuse me, Reverend. I’m from a construction company over in the next county. We’re building a new shopping mall and we need some fill dirt. Would you be willing to sell us a chunk of that mountain behind your church? We’ll pay you for the dirt we remove and pave all the exposed area free of charge, if we can have it right away. We’re at a standstill until we get the dirt in and allow it to settle properly.

The next Sunday the church was dedicated as originally planned. There were far more members with mountain-moving faith on opening Sunday than there had been the previous week!”

Klassen and Freiling didn’t reference the name of the church or location, so it may simply be a great urban folklore. If the story is true you may be thinking the church should have done a better job of knowing the building codes before building.

Folklore or poor planning, either way, the story reminds us of how often we get into situations that force us to turn to God. We know some of our mountains are due to our own making but many have been created outside of our control.  Regardless of how the situation happens, we still face an insurmountable mountain.

God is not a short-order cook waiting to prepare whatever we ask. Mountain-moving praying comes out of a deep, intimate and consistent relationship with God. Richard Foster says, “for those explorers in the frontiers of faith, prayer was no little habit tacked on to the periphery of their lives; it was their lives. It was the most serious work of their most productive years. Prayer—nothing draws us closer to the heart of God.”

Through the course of my spiritual journey, I was never excited about the reason for needing mountain-moving prayers but I am thankful God walked with me. God has taken my mountains or what I thought was a mountain and made a parking lot out of it, though seldom how I thought the parking lot would look!

E.M. Bounds understood the importance of mountain-moving prayer as he wrote, “The more praying there is in the world the better the world will be, the mightier the forces against evil everywhere…. God shapes the world by prayer.”

I don’t know if you are at the bottom of a mountain looking up not knowing how you will climb it, or at the top looking down rejoicing in how God has answered your prayer, or if you are still climbing. One thing I am confident of, God is with you as you face the mountain.

I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Psalm 121:1-3

God is great

 

Ask for the Ancient Paths

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Thus says the LORD: Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies, and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, “We will not walk in it.” Jeremiah 6:16

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about taking a few dirt roads in life. One finds that when driving on dirt roads there are a lot of crossroads. Now, if you are familiar with the upcoming crossroad, you will know which way to turn. However, since very few of the crossroads on dirt roads have sign markers, unfamiliar roads can create some anxiety. You question what direction to go, knowing if you take the wrong turn, you could end up lost.

Imagine you are approaching a spiritual crossroad; not a crossroad about a decision on which job to take, where to live, or any other life question. You find yourself burned out, weary and overwhelmed, needing to care for yourself. Does this crossroad turn toward God or the other direction that will take you far from Him?

If you “ask for the ancient paths” as Jeremiah wrote, you will find yourself on God’s way. This path will go through green pastures as well as dark valleys. On the ancient paths, you will always be assured of God’s companionship for the journey. The other turn is what the world offers. Yes, it can look very attractive and inviting at first but it ends with emptiness and hopelessness. It is a road that may take you where you never intended to go.

Soul care may be a concept new to many but it is as old as the ancient paths. Jesus recognized everyone will eventually get to some crossroads where life is difficult and you find yourself attempting to try this method or that technique simply to find hope, encouragement and rest. What is Soul Care? The best definition I have found is “an adventure of learning to care for your soul for the sake of others.”

Foundationally your soul is all of you; your identity, passions and oneness with God.  David Hansen has a great illustration of the soul. He writes, “the soul is more like a river than a street, more like a forest than a city, more like a wild trout than a laboratory rat.” Hansen’s definition is the imagery of freedom and joy.

So then, what is a person worth? Normally you think in terms of your bank accounts, the size of your home, the type of car you drive, or career accomplishments. However, if you define value in physical terms, 99% of a human being is composed of oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus – valued at about $100, depending upon inflation. All of this is worthless unless you remember that the body is simply an address for the soul to reside.

Jesus redefined dignity to those he encountered. The dignity of the soul is found because you are created in the image of God (Gen 1:27), valued to the point of every hair being counted (Matthew 10:30) and so loved that he gave up His only Son (John 3:16).

“When human beings are devalued, everything in society turns sour. Women are humiliated and children despised. The sick are regarded as a nuisance and the elderly as a burden. Ethnic minorities are discriminated against. The poor are oppressed and denied social justice…labor is exploited in the mines and factories. There is no freedom, no dignity, no carefree joy. Human life seems not worth living because it is scarcely human any longer…people matter…because every man, woman, and child has worth and significance as a human being made in God’s image and likeness.” –John Stott

To care for your soul for the sake of others requires time-space–community. Jesus knew the need for time-space-community and lived it. He took time to be with the Father daily, found time to be silent, and got away from the crowd in solitude.

Jesus understood the foundations needed for life when facing a spiritual crossroad. Jesus gave us the priority in which to live. “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” — Matthew 22:37-39

Soul care doesn’t happen overnight. It will require time with God where you can be alone and listening. Soul care will require setting aside a place that becomes your sacred place of worship and reflection. We need the same passion for God that Brother Lawrence wrote about in The Practice of the Presence of God, “It helps little to pray if I do not know the God to whom I pray.”

As you care for your soul, it allows you to care for others, nurture others, become a trusted listener and pray deeply. Soul care is a rhythm where “as we comfort and teach and encourage, we will be comforted, taught and encouraged in turn.” (unknown author)

As you care for yourself and others, you will begin to impact a messy and out-of-control world. “Learn this great lesson: as the sun on a cold day shines on us and imparts its warmth, believe that the living God will work in you with His love and almighty power. God will reveal Himself as life and light and joy and strength to the soul who waits upon Him.”—Andrew Murray

Jesus offers an invitation to you to walk the ancient paths. Care for your soul, for the sake of others. “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” –Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

God is great,

Jesus wept

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Jesus wept. – John 11:35

A little kiss, a little coffee
A little moment to pray
Our Sunday mornings always started that way
Make up in the mirror
Humming a gospel song
When I came down the stairs I knew that something was wrong

He was lying on the floor
He was in a better place
And I could tell for sure by that sweet look on his face

He saw Jesus. He saw Jesus
And He took his breath away

source: https://www.lyricsondemand.com/k/kathieleegiffordlyrics/hesawjesuslyrics.html

Kathie Lee Gifford in her song, He Saw Jesus captures a beautiful image of her husband’s death. “He saw Jesus. He saw Jesus and He took his breath away.” This is a powerful reminder that there may only be a moment between our earthly body and our heavenly home. We are no longer confined to the limitations of one’s body but free to experience life with Jesus.

As I write this week’s devotional blog it is in the context of my father-in-law’s death and all the preparations for his funeral. James Westmoreland could sing that song as well – if he could sing! When he saw Jesus, he got so excited that Jesus took his breath away.

For me, one of the most moving verses in the Bible is found in John 11:35. Granted, it is not a lengthy discourse on some theological issue nor a verse confronting division between his disciples nor a verse teaching the masses some great spiritual lesson. Actually, maybe it does teach a powerful lesson about life! The King James Version translation of verse 35 uses two words, “Jesus wept”. This little two-word verse paints a beautiful portrait of Jesus.

“Jesus wept.” It is in this two-word verse we encounter the tender and raw emotions of Jesus as he stands at the foot of his friend Lazarus’ gravesite.  Jesus doesn’t rebuke those around him for weeping but can weep with a hope they didn’t have.

Jesus will never minimize our feelings or emotions. He knows about our grief and he stays with us in the midst of it. Matthew Kelly in his book, Life is Messy writes, “Feelings are visitors of the heart. Welcome them. Each feeling comes to teach you something very specific. Be hospitable to these guests. They are only passing through. Unless you ignore them. This detains them unnecessarily. You cannot get them to leave by ignoring them, avoiding them, or pretending they don’t exist. They will stay until you attend to them. And when it comes time for them to leave, thank them for visiting.”

I can only speculate when Robert Estienne in the 1500s developed the verse numbering system for the Bible that he decided this verse simply couldn’t be combined with the other surrounding verses.  Even as “Jesus wept” he didn’t weep like those around him because they were weeping out of hopelessness, tradition and despair.  “Jesus wept” because of his great love for those around him. “Jesus wept” since death was never part of God’s original creation plan.

Jesus uses this heart-wrenching moment to share the great truth that brings hope for eternity. It is a truth for those dying and those standing at the edge of the grave. Jesus challenged the darkness of death with the light of hope in John 11:25-26 when he said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” After he makes the statement, he goes on to ask Martha a question that is still relevant for each of us living today. “Do you believe this?”  It is a question that if we answer yes, allows us to live our life knowing Jesus loves us, cares for us, died for us and gives us hope for eternity.

My father-in-law lived his 91 years of life fully committed and believing the truth of verse 25. It was in this hope of resurrection that he preached through the years the simple but life-changing news of Jesus Christ, our Savior.

In the sweet innocent and trusting of children, his 8-year-old great-granddaughter was talking with her Mother about death. One of her questions was about who would be the first to meet Granddad in heaven after Jesus. Her mother asked her, who do you think? Hattie said,” I think it will be his mama.”

Hattie is learning that heaven is real, a place of great joy and love. We weep at the death of our loved ones, but because Jesus told us he is “the resurrection and life” we are never like those without hope. “And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.” I Thessalonians 4:13 NLT

Is your perception of the future determined by the certainty of your death or by your faith in Jesus? Is your life determined by the ability to make life happen or by the power of Jesus’ presence within you to give you life? I hope you listen to Kathie Lee Gifford’s song and find the words a gentle reminder that seeing Jesus will be so exciting that He will take your breath away. What will you do with Jesus’ hope-filled but definitive statement that he is the resurrection and the life?

God is great

Walking Dirt Roads

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Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen strange things today.” Luke 5:26

Have you booked your flight yet?  Virgin Galactic (www.virgingalactic.com) is taking reservations for future spaceflights. The flight will take off from Spaceport America in New Mexico and will last about 90 minutes. This amazing out-of-the-world experience will only cost you $450,000.

Unless they take frequent flyer miles, I may not get to experience this out-of-the-world adventure. Though I may not get to see the earth from outer space, I have experienced some amazing adventures on dirt roads.

My childhood home in rural Oklahoma was next to a dusty dirt road. Growing up in poverty, I only dreamed of adventures beyond the dirt road. Grateful for an amazing church and city library that allowed me to read about places and people around the world, placing myself in their stories and experiences. Unbelievably, that dirt road would someday lead to a dirt road in Africa.

Maybe God has a great sense of humor since Connie and I found ourselves in Bophuthatswana with a house facing a dirt road. Similar to the Oklahoma dirt road, you knew someone was coming long before they got to the house by simply seeing the cloud of dust.

Dirt roads have been a path of adventure for us. Dirt roads that have brought us to places and people that we would never have encountered otherwise. Places and people filled us with awe as we walked these roads.

We drove on dirt roads that led to small church buildings in the middle of nowhere, yet where you experienced the very presence of God.  We walked on dirt roads that led to medical clinics where the physical needs of people were met and their souls found encouragement in God’s love. Dirt roads that ended up at majestic mountain ranges, breathtaking canyons, thundering waterfalls and beautiful thatched hut villages.

Dirt road driving in America is now mostly confined to weekend warriors with their dirt bikes or 4-wheel drive pickups. We simply take for granted that our driving will be on paved highways. However, through most of history, dirt roads were the normal surface for transportation. These dirty, dangerous roads would connect one community with another.  Jesus’ main method of traveling was by foot on dirt roads. Roads that brought him within reach of people that needed hope, healing and a Savior. Dirt road walking leaves you ready for the unexpected.

Jesus used the dust from the roads in Luke 7 to confront Simon, a Pharisee and leader in the community, about his lack of forgiveness and humility. A nameless woman, broken and scared from her sins, finds her way to the house where Jesus will be eating. Uninvited by the host, she makes her way to Jesus, washes his feet with her tears and then anoints his feet with the bottle of perfume in her hand. Instead of grace, Simon offers condemnation to the woman. Instead of condemnation, Jesus gives forgiveness to the woman, “your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Jesus used the dust from the road writing forgiveness and grace for a woman caught in adultery in John 8. A woman, mocked and humiliated by the religious leaders, after being caught in the act of adultery was thrown into the dirt at Jesus’ feet. A woman, condemned as an outcast by society, finds forgiveness and redemption in the dust at Jesus’ feet.  No longer would she have to listen to the voices of shame, now she would only hear Jesus’ voice of love and acceptance.

I bought a plaque in a North Georgia gift shop that says it well. “Of all the roads you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” I never dreamed where that dirt road in Oklahoma would lead. I have learned dirt road walking does lead to some amazing adventures. I hope you find yourself on some amazing dirt roads in the years to come.  As you journey the roads ahead of you, may this portion of prayer by Benedict of Norcia encourage you:

LORD, be with us to guide us,

within us to strengthen us,

without us to protect us,

above us to raise us,

beneath us to uphold us,

before us to lead us,

behind us to guard us,

ever about us,

this day and evermore;

this day and evermore.

Amen.

 

God is great,

Tell the Next Generation

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After the plague the LORD said to Moses and to Eleazar son of Aaron the priest, “Take a census of the whole congregation of the Israelites, from twenty years old and upward, by their ancestral house, everyone in Israel able to go to war.  Numbers 26:1-2

Florida State University legendary coach Bobby Bowden died last year. Bowden’s football record and accomplishments were truly impressive.  One of these was being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Yet his football accomplishments paled in comparison to his spiritual legacy. Bowden’s son, Tommy said of his father that he “coached until age 80 because the high-profile profession offered so many opportunities to share Jesus with others. He wanted to coach as long as he could to advance the kingdom of God and that his dad wanted to take as many people as he can to heaven with him.”

His football fame will become interesting statistics but his spiritual impact will last for eternity. Bowden once said, “Faith allowed me to stay focused on things within my power while leaving the rest of it in God’s hands.” The most important parts of Bowden’s past continue to impact the future.

 

“Close to you I waken in the dead of night, and start with fear-

are you lost to me once more? Is it always vainly that I seek you,

you, my past?

I stretch my hands out, And I pray- and a new thing now I hear:

The past will come to you once more, and be your life’s enduring part,

through thanks and repentance. Feel in the past God’s forgiveness and goodness,

Pray him to keep you today and tomorrow.”

 

These are the words from the last stanza of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s poem, The Past. Our past is really forever since our tomorrow will soon be our past. Our past is both the ordinary and spectacular events that makeup life and yet, the richest part of our past is the people who intersected with us in life. They are the individuals who shaped us, taught us, loved us, and occasionally hurt us. We remember events most often because of the people who shared that moment of time with us.

Bonhoeffer’s understanding of the past as reflected in his poem most likely formed his understanding of the importance of connecting the spiritual generations together. Writing from his Tegel prison cell to his nephew at his baptism, Bonhoeffer said:

“You are the first of a new generation in our family, and therefore the oldest representative of your generation. You will have the priceless advantage of spending a good part of your life with the third and fourth generations that went before you. Your great-grandfather will be able to tell you, from his own personal memories, of people who were born in the eighteenth century; and one day, long after the year 2000, you will be the living bridge over which your descendants will get an oral tradition of more than 250 years.”

Moses had walked faithfully with God through the wilderness leading the nation of Israel. God commanded Moses to count the people by their family heritage. The census became a family tree for those getting ready to enter the promised land, a record of faith that has been passed down from one generation to the next. It was a past that was not always glorious, but a past that linked each generation to the next.

Biological family trees are critical in reflecting our connection to life. However, maybe just as important is the richness of one’s faith family tree. Our spiritual family creates a unique bond that establishes generations together in ways our biological family is unable to do.  Our faith family trees often include many of our biological family members and many others such as school teachers, neighbors and Sunday school teachers.  These relationships add much depth and richness to life. “To be deeply rooted in the soil of the past makes life harder, but it also makes it richer and more vigorous.” (Bonhoeffer)

Who makes up your faith family? What relationships, writers, artists or places have shaped your ways of believing and worshipping? Try the following exercise during a personal spiritual retreat. Create a faith family tree of spiritual influencers in your life by drawing yourself at its base. Then on the branches and trunk nearest you, write the names of those most directly engaged in your spiritual journey. As you move away from the base, place names or descriptions of other influences on your spiritual life.

Allow this exercise to become holy ground for you as you pray and reflect upon those who God has used to water and shape your tree of faith.  Pray over each name, place, or event that shaped you as a gift of gratitude. In this personal retreat experience, let it become a precious and moving time of worship.

“Take care and watch yourselves closely, so as neither to forget the things that your eyes have seen nor to let them slip from your mind all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children’s children.” Deuteronomy 4:9

God is great,

Walking Billboards for Jesus

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The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. Leviticus 19:1-2

Leviticus – the third book in the Bible, that many try to speed read on their way through their “Read the Bible in a year” plan. However, if and when we slow down in our reading we realize that “Be holy, for I am Holy” is at the heart of Leviticus. We come face to face with the holiness of God.  If your church still has hymnals, pick up one and let the words of this great hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy” speak to your heart in a new and fresh way.

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!

Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee:

Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Leviticus is not normally read as good news and most certainly not in the context of how the world now determines what is a modern, culturally acceptable worldview. However, J. A. Motyer looks at Leviticus differently. He writes, “Leviticus is good news. It is good news for sinners who seek pardon, for priests who need empowering, for women who are vulnerable, for the unclean who covet cleansing, for the poor who yearn for freedom, for the marginalized who seek dignity, for animals that demand protection, for families that require strengthening, for communities that want fortifying and for creation that stands in need of care. All these issues, and more, are addressed in a positive way in Leviticus.”

Spend some time meditating upon chapters 18 and 19 in Leviticus. Try reading these verses as one who seeks God, treating life as holy, and allowing God to have control of your life. At the heart of each requirement is the holiness of God in the life of his people, a people set apart from the world. Culture no longer determines the standards, only God does.

As you read these two chapters, mentally or literally, create two columns. At the top of the columns, title one “God’s values” and the other “Human Values.”  It doesn’t take long to realize God’s values and human values are worlds apart.

Augustine wrote that “The LORD himself not only shows us the evil we are to avoid and the good we are to do (which is all that the letter of the law can do) but also helps us to avoid evil and to do good things that are impossible without the spirit of grace. If grace is lacking, the law is there simply to make culprits and to slay; for this reason, the Apostle said; “The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:6)”

Unfortunately, chapters 18 and 19 are not a Golden Corral buffet of principles. We don’t get to go through the line choosing what we like and leaving out the others. It can be so easy to pick a verse and sling it at someone, yet at the same time avoid verses we would prefer to overlook. The problem is that God didn’t give us a choice. Each requirement interlocks with each other forming a strong family, church, community, and culture.

Leviticus’ requirements set a people apart from the other nations. Jesus would take the law and empower it with grace. “Christ came provided with the Holy Spirit after a peculiar manner…that he might separate us from the world, and unite us in the hope of an eternal inheritance.”—John Calvin

Living a life set apart from the world requires God’s grace. Our focus shifts from the world to God. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote that “Your life as a Christian should make non-believers question their disbelief in God.”

New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis won the NFL 2021 Bart Starr Award for outstanding character, integrity, and leadership on and off the field. His wife, Tamela told the Christian Post, “Our primary mission has always been to be a walking billboard for Christ, so that others may be able to see and encounter Him through us and our experiences.”

Undoubtedly, Leviticus is a challenging book with some difficult passages, yet what a difference when our heartbeat is that of being holy. Take some time in prayer and reflect on where you are in light of God’s values. What will it take to restore and empower you to live a life set apart for God? Thomas Kelly wrote, “It is said of St. Francis not merely that he prayed, but that he became a prayer.”

Maybe in a world that is growing indifferent to God’s message, the best way we can reflect a different image is to become “walking billboards for Christ,” or as Jesus said, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” –Matthew 16:24

God is great!

Almost!

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Then Agrippa said to Paul “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”  Acts 26:28-29 NKJV

Lots of words could fall into the sad category, but I tend to think the word, almost ranks right at the top in this category. Almost is a word filled with missed opportunities. It is a word filled with regrets, bitterness, and struggles.  You are so close yet so far away. I almost won the race, but I came short. I almost took that new job, but I didn’t apply. I almost won the election, but I failed to enter the race.  Almost!

Merriam-Webster defines almost: “very nearly but not exactly or entirely, very near but not quite.” This little adverb finds itself in the company with words such as about, all but, more or less, nearly, somewhere. Words reflecting myriads of “could have been” and “should have been”.

Almost could be the defining component of lottery expert Brett Jacobson’s research. According to Jacobson, a total of $2.89 billion was never claimed by winners in 2017. Recently, a $14.6 million prize expired in Arizona because no one came forward to claim the money. Hung Nguyen lost out on $1,08,624 because he lost the ticket. Almost winners, but no one claimed the prize.

Stefan Thomas fits nicely into the almost category. He almost had $220 million except he lost the password. Thomas made headlines last year when he revealed forgetting the password to access his bitcoin account. The Business Insider story said, “the secure hard drive, on which 7,002 bitcoins were stored, was an IronKey device. It gives owners 10 chances to guess their password before encrypting the contents.” As of January, this year, he has two attempts left to unlock his riches or the contents will be permanently encrypted. Thomas said of himself that the mistake left him feeling like a “complete idiot.” “But much worse than the loss of the money was my self-reproach: I simply couldn’t believe I had lost something so important.”

This little word almost keeps many of us from discovering the beautiful vista of life just over the mountaintop. We get tired and give up before we scale the peak.  Almost finds energy at the bottom of our valley experiences. They are the moments in our lives fueled by fear, lost opportunities, lack of self-confidence, empty bank accounts, and a host of other things. Things that make saying almost, too easy.

Reading scripture, you find stories filled with almost moments:

The Israelites almost made it to the promised land but disobedience kept them out.

The rich young ruler listened well to Jesus and almost followed except for his money.

King Agrippa almost became a Christian but he couldn’t give up the pomp and power of position. Paul, the prisoner, carefully and meticulously lays out the case for Christ in Acts 26. Almost but never became King Agrippa’s ultimate decision of his life.  “If only Paul had been a little more eloquent. If only Agrippa had been a little more receptive, a little braver, a little crazier. If only God weren’t such a stickler for letting people make up their own minds without forcing their hands. But things are what they are, and almost is the closest Agrippa ever got to what might have changed his life. “ — Frederick Buechner

“It is sad enough to miss God’s invitation. But to just miss it is sadder still, especially when an apostle is trying to help you discover it! May almost never mark our spiritual journey.” –Faith that Matters

The world is filled with almost millionaires. The world is filled with politicians who almost won their election. The world is filled with lots of almost moments.  Unfortunately, hell is filled with almost persuaded people who will miss the opportunity of a lifetime. “If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God, it will make in the end no difference what you have chosen instead.” –C.S. Lewis

In our spiritual life, almost can rob us of the life that God desires to give. For King Agrippa, almost persuaded is as close as some will get to experience the greatest joy of life, Jesus. Is there an almost that is keeping you from enjoying the life that Jesus offered? Life is too short to let almost be the defining word of your life.  So maybe the category for almost isn’t sad but tragic.

Jesus is the best answer to an almost lifestyle. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” –John 14:6

God is great!

Burning Bush Moments

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There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush, he looked, and the bush was blazing yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight.” Exodus 3:2-3

How many times have you desired to have a burning bush experience? If only I could have a burning bush answer I would know what to do next. Making hard decisions is never easy. There is a lot of inner turmoil just trying to figure out what to do, or how to do it, or is it right for me? You look at multiple options and finally narrow it down to what you think is best. Then you may live with the “only if” questioning for days, months, or maybe years. Burning bush clarity sounds good, but there is a cost to burning bush experiences. Just ask Moses!

Burning bushes will necessitate worship

You can’t play religion if you want to get close to the burning bush. You can be curious and “turn aside and look.” You can ponder why the bush is not burned up but burning bushes require you to “remove the sandals from your feet.” Religious people tend to find the closest fire extinguisher to put out the fire. You worship at the burning bush because you know “the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

Burning bushes create questions

“Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” God welcomes questions, the more the better. Samuel asked “How can I go? Saul will kill me. (1 Samuel 16:2)   Mary asked, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34) Peter knew enough to question, “By no means, LORD; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.” (Acts 10:14) Questions will come at your burning bush but the Samuels of this world go, the Marys of this world obey, and the reluctant Peters follow.

Burning bushes destroy the edges of one’s comfort zone

“I have never been eloquent…I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” Comfort zone living is a lot easier. We can be content in the world we know and don’t have to push the edges. Yet somehow God doesn’t see our self-limitations. So, you don’t think you can speak? God has the answer, “Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak.”

Burning bushes will burn away the undergrowth of yesterday’s failures

“When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses.” You may have lived the high life, studied at the best schools, had an unlimited bank account but you blew it – a nasty divorce, a horrendous scandal, a horrible financial mistake. Guess what? God calls your name and gives you another job. God reminds you: I think I can handle your past!

Burning bushes do have a cost

“Moses took his wife and his sons, put them on a donkey, and went back to the land of Egypt.” Jethro felt the loneliness as his son-in-law, daughter, and grandsons left home. Hannah cried as she left little Samuel at the temple. Jesus’ body, torn to shreds and nailed to the cross, cried out in agony, “It is finished.” Yes, there is a cost when you respond to God’s call in your life, yet God never leaves you nor forsakes you.

Burning bushes do make a difference

“God wants to lead us. Not all the ways of humans are God’s leading. For a long time, we can walk our own paths. On those we are pawns of coincidence, whether they bring good luck or misfortune. Our own ways always lead in a circle back to ourselves. But when God leads our ways, they guide us to him. God’s ways guide us to God. God leads us through happiness and unhappiness always and only towards God. In this we recognize God’s ways.” –Dietrich Bonhoeffer

We are encouraged with scripture’s burning bush examples of Moses leading a nation out of slavery, Esther saving her people from mass annihilation, David standing in front of a giant to unite a nation, and Jesus standing at the front of an empty tomb declaring victory over death!

God-inspired burning bushes fill the pages of history. Shoe cobbler William Carey’s passion for the unreached nations fueled the modern missionary movement. William Wilberforce’s faith awakened him from a life of leisure to champion justice for the enslaved. Preacher Martin Luther King, Jr burned with a dream for equality. Mother Teresa grieved for the burden of the poorest of the poor. Businessman Jeremiah Lanphier’s simple prayer, “Lord, what would you have me do?” led to the prayer revival of 1857, resulting in the Third Great Spiritual Awakening.

You may be facing a burning bush moment in your life – a time when God is trying to get your attention. Maybe your burning bush will not be as dramatic but you will have your own burning bush. Like Moses, you are drawn to the burning bush. You have to decide to run away or “Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” (2 Cor 13:14)

God is great!

Calming the storm

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Now Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” Genesis 27:41

Hatred is a pattern that repeats itself for generations; often a pattern that is never broken. One of the more infamous examples of generational hatred in our nation was the Hatfield-McCoy feud that covered several decades in the 1800s. These two rural families from the West Virginia-Kentucky area lived for decades under the siege of hatred, distrust, and violence. It was because of one act of violence by one family that led to a retaliatory response by the other family, and a feud that implanted seeds of bitterness that bore fruit in the coming generations.

Scripture is filled with examples of the power of hate. We read in this Genesis passage that “Esau hated Jacob.” Their hatred set in motion a bitterness that would drive a wedge between two brothers and would ultimately live on for generations. Esau did not care about his role as firstborn and Jacob took advantage of the situation. A feud sparked out of jealousy, scheming, and hatred until a family was split apart.

Some of the other scripture stories reflecting this same pattern of hatred that drove Esau and Jacob apart include:

Cain in envy hatred killed Abel.

David in lustful hatred had Uriah killed.

Joseph’s brothers in jealous hatred sold him into slavery.

Absalom in revenge hatred killed his brother Amnon.

Judas in power hatred betrayed the Son of God.

Martin Luther King, Jr. understood too well the oppressive burden of hatred.  It was a burden that he didn’t want to carry nor pass on to the next generation. “Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.”

Dr. Linda Mintle writes “There is no positive benefit or place for hate other than directing that emotion to evil. Psalm 97:10 says, “Let those who love the Lord hate evil.” The way to get out of that darkness is to walk in the light and allow God to transform your heart. Forgive those who have hurt you, let go of bitterness and the need for revenge, stop thinking and ruminating about your injustices. Rather, think about how you can be part of the solution and begin opening your heart to love.”

This Native American anecdote sums up well the power of hatred. “A grandfather talking to his young grandson tells the boy he has two wolves inside of him, struggling with each other. The first is the wolf of peace, love, and kindness. The other is the wolf of fear, greed, and hatred. “Which wolf will win, grandfather?” asks the young boy. “Whichever one you feed” is the reply.”

Which wolf are you feeding? In our current culture, it is easy to find yourself feeding the wrong wolf within your soul. Jesus said “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.” Mark 7:20-23 (NLT)

Love is not the opposite of hate but love is the transformer of hate into love. It must be a love that is not some cheap perfume that only covers the stench of evil, but a love born on a splinter-laden cross. This is the only way to overcome the power of hatred. “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you…Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:27-31

Lord, to love our enemies will not always be easy. Awaken in our hearts love that overcomes hatred. Stir within us mercy, just as you are merciful. Whatever we do, whomever we interact with, wherever we go, let us reflect your love. Amen

God is great