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Day 362: Genesis 1–Revelation 21 — The Long Journey Home

Tuesday, December 28th, 2010

I do not remember a lot of the things preachers have said throughout my childhood, but I do remember one from brother Ken Hoover who ministered at the Southwest church of Christ in Phoenix when I was in Jr. High. He preached a series of sermons taking one book of the Bible at a time and he would start out with the theme of the book which was always “The glory of God and the salvation of mankind through his Son Jesus Christ.” The message is the same throughout. It’s a message of repentance, forgiveness, love, mercy, and grace. There’s some wrath and punishment thrown in there when necessary, but that is not the goal.

My family (12 of us on my wife’s side) have just returned from a 2 day trip to visit my sister-in-law and her 1 year old son at the rehab facility where they currently reside. She has had many struggles and taken many wrong paths, but we can finally see her starting to take responsibility for them and seeking God and family to help her change her heart and her actions. We have prayed and solicited prayers for her over the years and we finally begin to see the fruit of God’s working in her. She has a long way to go, but God is good and willing to forgive. May we all be as merciful as He is. Our visit was such a joy to all of us and we hope she will be encouraged to continue on her path.

When I read today’s passage in Zechariah 1, it really struck a chord:

“The LORD was very angry with your ancestors. Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD Almighty. Do not be like your ancestors, to whom the earlier prophets proclaimed: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Turn from your evil ways and your evil practices.’ But they would not listen or pay attention to me, declares the LORD. Where are your ancestors now? And the prophets, do they live forever? But did not my words and my decrees, which I commanded my servants the prophets, overtake your ancestors?
“Then they repented and said, ‘The LORD Almighty has done to us what our ways and practices deserve, just as he determined to do.’”

This passage could come from any of the prophets or really anywhere in the Bible as this is the message throughout, which is why I titled the blog post Genesis 1 – Revelation 21. As fellow blogger Powell would say “Read the whole thing. It’s good for you.”

The message of forgiveness is to each one of us, as “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”. As we close out this year and start a new, may we remember the message: that God loved me so much that he sent His Son to live and die for me so that I might be with him in this life and the one to come.

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Posted in Forgiveness, Grace, Love, Mercy, Repentance, Salvation | 1 Comment »

Day 337: Ezekiel 33:1-20 – Who Watches the Watchman?

Friday, December 3rd, 2010

I want to focus on the first part of Ezekiel 33 today. Here God uses the concept of a city watchman charged with alerting the rest of the people of coming danger. The watchman’s job is to sound the alarm. If he does his job then he is not responsible for those that do not listen. If the watchman fails to do his job, then the deaths of the people will be on his head.
A convicting lesson, yet with a measure of relief. If I am not doing my job of spreading the gospel to the lost, then I need to get to work. Too often what holds me back is fear of rejection or failure. This passage encourages me to proceed anyway, full speed ahead, and not be so concerned with the results. Sure, the goal of the message is to save the lost, but the results are not mine to create nor take credit for. If I take the opportunity, my responsibility is fulfilled. Now we are not to be like Jonah and hope they don’t repent and sulk when they do.

Our motivation should be the salvation of their souls, not the removal of obligation from ourselves. But when things don’t go the way we want, move on, shake off the dust and go find another city to play watchman for.

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Day 334: Ezekiel 24:15-26:21; James 3, 5 — When Words Collide

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

There is so much to talk about today. I’d like to reference Matt Wilson’s post from Sunday for a few reasons. If you have not read it, please stop now and go read it. It’s a beautiful remembrance of a beloved family member. Now imagine if he and his family were commanded not to show any sign of sorrow at her passing. It seems that is just what God asked of Ezekiel at the passing of his wife (Ezekiel 24:15-18). It’s a strange object lesson, but no stranger than some of the others God passed along through his prophets over the years.

In addition, since Matt did not cover James 3 that day I’d like to do so now. It is a powerful passage and one of my favorite. Simple, and yet extremely difficult. James is one of my favorite letters because of its simple practicality for everyday Christian living. Paul sometimes puts my mind in a twist, but James gets right to the everyday issues that I face as a Christian. James starts out by admonishing those of us in leadership (specifically teachers) to be extra careful especially in what we say (or write on a blog I suppose). The ability to keep my tongue in check is a skill I have not yet mastered and James sheds some light on just why that is. If I can control my tongue, I stand a good chance of keeping my whole body in check. Already this week in a single day I have had the opportunity to speak out harshly on two different occasions. Thankfully, in both cases I refrained from speaking immediately. In one case, others were able to say with grace and tact what I would have said with anger and spite. In another instance, I was able to think through my words with prayer and deliver a measured response. Now that I’ve used up my quota of patience and control for the week I would advise everyone to steer clear or you may receive a tongue lashing.

Finally, I’d like to consider James 5. James starts out by slamming the rich that will be put in their place because of their uncompassionate treatment of others. The words are a striking parallel to the condemnation of Tyre in Ezekiel 26. Go read it. If you are a fan of fantasy fiction like I am, it will remind you of many of the battle sequences throughout the genre (such as the Battle of Palennor Fields in Tolkien’s The Return of the King). God is very detailed in what he’s about to do to them. Our treatment of those who are suffering and downtrodden is extremely important to God apparently. Who would have thunk it?!? James continues by encouraging the Christians to patience in their sufferings.

Then we come to a passage that has long stumped me in trying to discern its meaning. I like to take the words of the Bible at face value, and yet there seems to be something missing in my understanding here. What does James mean when he writes:

Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

I have heard different interpretations across the entire spectrum, but nothing seems to fully explain what will actually happen when I faithfully pray over someone (being the righteous person that I am). The tie in between physical and spiritual health is reminiscent of Jesus’ own words when the lame man was lowered through the roof and Jesus forgave him then healed him. Whatever the case, there is the aspect of faith when praying, confession of sins to each other, and praying for each other. Maybe I don’t need to worry about the results and just practice the process more and leave the hard part up to God.

“Who is wise and understanding among you?” Not I.

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Posted in Anger, Ezekiel, faith, James, Redemption, Repentance, Salvation, Sin | 2 Comments »

Day 327: Hebrews 12:2 — Joyfully

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010

Hebrews 12:2 has long been right at the top of my list for favorite Bible verse. The idea that Jesus went to the cross as a sacrifice for my sins is very powerful. But add to that the thought that he went there joyfully and it blows my mind. I try not get the picture in my head of him skipping down the roads of Jerusalem carrying the cross on his shoulders, whistling all the way. And yet on the inside, that joy gave him the strength to carry on and complete his task.

Would his sacrifice have been as meaningful if it had been out of duty or a fear of retribution for disobedience? After all that Jesus had gone through in his life, if he had become disheartened at the end and merely wished it to be over, would our sins be forgiven? Big questions that I am glad I do not have to answer, and I am glad they don’t even need an answer because he did it all for “the joy set before him.” It was not because of duty or fear or despair. It was because he loved me enough to want to go through all that and attain my salvation.

How many times do I fulfill my Christian duties out of obligation, fear of retribution, or even habit? When I give money to the church is it because I know I have to? When I give my time in service, is it so I will feel like I am a good Christian. When I keep the 10 commandments and all the other laws and regulations found in the Bible, am I doing it so I will not suffer an eternity in hell?

God does not just want me to give. He wants me to want to give. He does not want me merely to serve. In order to be like him I must want to serve. God does not just want me to be good and righteous. He wants me to want to be good and righteous. Like his son, on the cross giving and serving joyfully, not out of compulsion or duty or fear, but out of love.

A tough message for me. It is much easier to just do the things I do out of habit and think I am good enough to get by. But God calls me to something higher though the death of his Son and his joyful example on the cross.

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Posted in Hebrews, Obedience, Salvation | 1 Comment »

Day 321: Hebrews 7 — A Good Night’s Sleep

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

In the Lord’s church we don’t think very much about “Priest”. Other religious groups have ones who carry that title but it is not one we use, or a least not very often. The book of Hebrews forces us out of that habit. Not that we are about to start ordaining priests for our fellowship.

Hebrews 7 is like much of the rest of the book in that it requires a knowledge of Jewish history in order to understand the writer. It forces us to gain an understanding of some historical figures and then to apply that understanding to Christianity.

Melchizedek is kind of an unknown figure, being mentioned in the Bible only in Genesis 14 and here in Hebrews. Precious little is given of his background, in fact virtually nothing. He is a King and Priest based not on law but in an endless life he becomes the type for Jesus.

Jesus was not of the family of Aaron or even the tribe of Levi. He does have an unending life which allows Him to transcend the Law. Hebrews is all about better and this High Priest is not only better, He is the best. Hebrews 7:25-28 are some of the most thrilling words in the entire Bible. I really like 25, He is able to save forever, completely, those who draw near to God though Him. Why? Because He always lives to mediate my case with the Father.

Completely, nothing left out to have to worry about; He has taken care of it already. That helps me sleep at night; how about you?

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Day 268: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 — Being renewed day by day

Saturday, September 25th, 2010

16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

What is possibly my favorite verse in 2 Corinthians closed out yesterday’s reading — But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Cor 4:7. Paul continues those thoughts in the remainder of chapter 4, with encouragement such as “life is at work in you”, “we know that the one who raised Jesus…will also raise us”, “this is for your benefit, so that…thanksgiving [will] overflow to the glory of God”.

In the closing verses of chapter 4, quoted above, he reminds us that although we are getting older, and our bodies are deteriorating more each day, there is something beyond that — something of eternal importance.

When I read we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, my first reaction is that this is a good theory, but humans can’t do that. We can only see what we can see. That’s where our vision is, and that’s where our thoughts are.

Yet that’s not really true, is it?

Have you ever looked forward to something you haven’t experienced yet? Perhaps an upcoming marriage. First house. First child. The joy of leading someone else to Christ. Surely you daydream; we all do, don’t we? What Paul is talking about here is much more than daydreaming, because this dream results from a promise.

What is unseen is eternal.

And realizing this is what renews us day by day.

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Posted in 2 Corinthians, Redemption, Salvation, Treasure | Comments Off

Day 233: Romans 6 — Saved by grace

Saturday, August 21st, 2010

5:20Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 6:1What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 5:20-6:4

Now how to go about a full treatise on grace in 500 words or less? Actually I’m not even going to try, but here are a few disjointed thoughts that reflect what’s on my mind; hopefully it’ll make some sense…

I can sum up verse 20 in 5 words: You can’t outsin God’s grace. Yet we hang our heads low, going through life feeling as if we aren’t “good enough”. Whatever that means. Paul would agree, and sums up his response to that thought in 6:23 — “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Free gift. Did you realize the word Paul used for “free gift” comes from the same Greek word as “grace”? There’s a powerful message in that simple realization — grace is free. Actually that’s redundant. That’s like saying oxygen is a gas.

People talk about “cheap grace”, but I don’t think there is any such thing. Grace isn’t free; it cost Jesus his life (v. 21), and it will cost you yours in service to Him (Galatians 2:20). What people really mean when they talk about cheap grace is, “Oh, let’s not talk about grace, because that will give people the idea they can just sin all they want, and it won’t matter since they’re covered by grace.” That’s exactly what Paul is speaking against in 6:1-2. So yes, let’s talk about grace. Let’s thank God that through His grace we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-9), and let’s praise Him that because of His grace, we are free to do the very good works we were created to do (Ephesians 2:10).

A final thought — where did this idea come from that if we’re saved by grace, that means there’s nothing we have to do to accept God’s grace? Books have been written on the subject, so let’s leave that thought without explanation. You think about it. If I hand you a gift of $100, at what point is it yours? At the point where you reach out and accept the gift, but the fact that you had to do something to reap the benefits of my gift neither means you earned the gift nor does it diminish the value of what I have given you. Such is the case with God’s grace.

Holy Father, thank you for something we do not fully understand — our eternal salvation through Your abundant grace. May we live closer each day to You and more like the One through Whom this gift was effected.

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Day 112: Judges 15:1-20 — Samson

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

Samson states, “As they did to me, so have I done to them” (Judges 15:11). He makes this statement because he goes home to be with his wife and finds that his father-in-law has given her away to another man (Judges 15:1-2).  Samson’s anger defeats the Philistines.  A similar statement was used by the Canaanite king Adoni-bezek who was known for cutting the thumbs and big toes off of his enemies to keep them from ever fighting again (Judges 1:7).  We see within Samson a polarity between love for women who in the end betray him and yet he goes to their aide in an attempt to avenge them or save them.  What is even more interesting is that maybe Samson is experiencing what God has had to go through.  All throughout Judges, we have seen the cycle of sin by Israel.  Israel does evil, and God sends an enemy in punishment. Israel cries out in distress, and God sends a deliverer to save them. As Israel’s sin and disloyalty have increased over the course of the judges era, however, God’s love and generosity have been strained to a near breaking point. On one hand, God proclaims to Israel, “I will never break my covenant with you” (Judges 2:1). On the other hand, God threatens to end the relationship and let Israel receive its just punishment: “Yet you have forsaken me and served other gods; therefore I will save you no more” (Judges 10:13). Is this not the story of the Bible that man has sinned against God and God still wants a relationship with us.  In order to regain our relationship with God, we need a savior.  God saves us again by the blood of Christ that atones and restores our relationship with God. I am thankful that God has not ended our relationship with Him and that in Christ we have not received our just punishment.

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Posted in Anger, God, Judges, Salvation | 1 Comment »

Day 106: Luke 9:28-36 — Junk Mail

Friday, April 16th, 2010

SPAMEveryday, I receive some kind of junk mail, phone call, or hear some television ad. I get invited to some seminar that promises a great hilltop experience with Christ. If I will only pay some small amount then I can experience the full glory of Jesus and a whole bunch of other hogwash. I wonder what it was like when Peter, James, and John experienced the transfiguration of Jesus in Luke 9:28-36? I wonder if they received some phone call from a giggly girl that swoons after a Jesus experience like a groupie follows a rock star. Of course there’s the tent toting he-man that likes the rugged experience in the mountains and promises an environmental green pow wow with our Lord and even a tote or two on some environmental green leaf that might heighten your experience. Just don’t forget the munchies because it is a long way down off the mountain and you might get hungry. My favorite is the is the psychic philosopher that comes in contact with the divine and charges to reveal the cosmic experience and has a set of two DVDs for only $29.99 and if you order now, you can receive a second set for free. But you do have to pay the shipping charges for both sets.

mountaintop experienceWell, I read the text today and Peter, James, and John did have a great experience in seeing the glory of Christ. Moses and Elijah appear and talk to Jesus about his coming departure from Jerusalem (Death on the cross?). The three disciples wake up and Peter wants to build three kiosks. Nope, Peter just did not get it. It is not about the experience, it is not about any other man, it is not about the disciples. A voice from heaven is heard and God says that Jesus is His Son and that Jesus is the One chosen. So, listen to Jesus and not anyone else. The point is that Jesus is the One. You want to see Jesus’ glory? You want a mountaintop experience? Go to the cross and see His death by crucifixion, His burial, and His resurrection. You want to see His glory, then recognize and listen to the One who sits at the right hand of God. Forget the junk mail, phone calls, or television ads, pick up the Bible and listen to Jesus. Jesus leaves the mountain and does He ask for a vacation day from the long trip? No! Jesus continues His ministry and trip to Jerusalem to save you and me.

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Posted in Cross, God, Jesus, Luke, Salvation | 3 Comments »

Day 103: Luke 8:26-39 — Tell About How Much God Has Done For You!

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

How many times was I at my wits end because my mom’s mental illness caused us to move? Whenever I think of my mom, I have great memories but I also remember the tough times. I remember a young teen trying to find a place in the world and was selected on the first string of our high school football team. I practiced in the hot summer sun and we were about to begin our season and play my first game when I arrived home to find out mom was sick and we were going to move again.

In the ancient world, demon possession was often related to mental illness. Jesus’ story had a great impact upon the lives of those who had a mental illness or a demonic spirit. Jesus shows care and compassion for a man of the Decapolis (Luke 8:26-39). More importantly, we see God continues to have reign over legions of demons, spirits, nymphs, centaurs, and angels. Throughout the centuries since Jesus’ ministry, our world has continued to be inundated by our battles with depression, anxiety, psychotic disorders, fear, compulsive disorders, etc. Our identities are replaced with diagnostic titles and a fear to even tell others of our plights for fear of misunderstanding. These people throughout history are driven “into the desert” (Luke 8:29), chained, locked up in padded cells, put in straitjackets, given electric shock, and a host of psychotropic and other medications.

It is obvious that we do not have the cure but Jesus provides the ultimate answer. Jesus cares! Jesus healed a few but he provided the opportunity for all to be saved. As my mom lay on her death bed a couple of years ago, she looked up at me and spoke of Jesus. It was one of those moments in my relationship with her that hallucinations and delusions were replaced by clarity and she knew where salvation came from. Her death left sadness and grief in my heart but also an inexpressible joy as I realized she was now at the foot of Jesus, dressed and in her right mind (Luke 8:35). I say dressed because right before she died, she asked for her clothes, and got dressed to go and meet her Lord. So, I take up the call and I want all of you to know the great things God has done (Luke 8:39). As a matter of fact, my mom’s mental illness was one of the reasons that I came to know my Lord. God has done great things for me with my experiences with my mom.

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Posted in God, Jesus, Luke, Salvation | 2 Comments »

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