HopeSet

Religion vs Relationship

2012-02-13T09:14:00.000-08:00

“Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching, ‘Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.’” Acts 15:1

In 1853, Hudson Taylor was making waves—and he wasn’t anywhere near the ocean. The young, fresh missionary to China churned the waters of missionary methods when instead of encouraging the Chinese to become like the British, he became like the Chinese. Why? Because Taylor realized that salvation isn’t linked to a culture but to Christ. Knowing Jesus isn’t about what we wear or the length of our hair, it’s about our heart. But such a fact can be hard to swallow.

Many Christians in the early church were choking on that very truth. “Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching, ‘Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved’”(Acts 15:1). After sharply saying that this was not so, Paul and Barnabas headed to Jerusalem to set things straight. At the meeting about the matter, some believers who were Pharisees demanded that non-Jewish Christians be required to follow the rules and regulations of the Law, but Peter reminded them that “it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved”(Acts 15:11)—both Jews and Gentiles. So the church leaders wrote a letter to their fellow Christians confirming that salvation is through grace alone, not by works, and that the best way for them to live out their new life in Christ within the mixed culture of the church was to abstain from idolatry and immorality. They also told them to avoid the meat of strangled animals and blood, most likely out of respect for the kosher Jewish Christians with whom they often shared pot-luck suppers! When the Christians at Antioch received the letter, they “were glad for its encouraging message”(Acts 15:30) and continued living in the freedom of Christ.

Somewhere along your road of life you may not have felt so free, and you may have heard these statements: “You can’t be a good Christian unless you do this,” or, “If you’re really religious, you won’t do that.” The empty blanks of the “this” and “that” are eagerly and easily filled with the expectations and restrictions of certain groups, congregations, or individuals. Depending on context and conviction, various practices regarding entertainment, attire, imbibing, and attending seem to top the list. Though the original intent of these guidelines was most likely to be helpful, unless we are careful, they can quickly become a litmus test of dedication and commitment which produces faulty results. The Jewish Christians demanding that the Gentiles keep the Law were sincere, but sincerely wrong.

Instead of insisting that other Christians conform their behavior to what we think, perhaps should we reform our thinking to what God says. One day, the crowd following Jesus asked Him this question: “‘What must we do to do the works that God requires? Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: To believe in the one he has sent’”(Jn 6:28-29). The crowd wanted a list of rules to follow so they could check them off and feel good about themselves, but Jesus said that salvation has only one essential—to believe in Him. This death-to-life transformation produces many changes. We do abstain from idolatry for we now know and love the one true God. We should avoid immorality because our bodies are His temple and we want to model His purity. And since we put others before ourselves—even our own freedom in Christ, we are sensitive to the culture and practices of other Christians and show respect in our actions and attitudes. But the bottom line is grace—God’s grace to us in Christ and His grace through us to others.

Religion sounds a lot like regulations, but relationship feels like real life. If knowing Jesus is your consuming passion, you’ll live like you ought to. And let other Christians do the same.

Mission Impossible

2012-02-10T11:41:00.000-08:00

“For this is what the Lord has commanded us, ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” Acts 13:47

Mission Impossible 4 was recently playing at a theatre near you. The movie title is a near misnomer, for had the protagonist been unsuccessful in his first three endeavors, people would surely not pay to see him fail in a fourth. But against all odds—believable and unbelievable—with extensive collateral damage rampant around him, the main character, once again, manages to escape unscathed and accomplish his mission. And the audience leaves happy. Why? Because we all like a good action-packed, suspenseful success story.

Perhaps Hollywood should consider the apostle Paul for its next big project. From the Damascus road until his death, Paul’s life sequenced with adventure and action, confrontation and calamity, troubles, triumphs, danger, pain, excitement, friends, sorcerers, and stoning. And that’s just the first mission trip!

After being set apart by God’s Spirit, Paul and Barnabas set sail to Cyprus to spread the good news of Jesus. Things began with a bang when Paul called blindness upon a Jewish sorcerer who “opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul [his boss] from the faith”(Acts 13:8). At the next town, they were welcomed to share “a message of encouragement for the people”(Acts 13:15), but when “on the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord”(Acts 13:44), jealous Jews “incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution again Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from the region”(Acts 13:51).

Thrown out but not taken down, “the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit”(Acts 13:52) and moved on to share the news that split the next town in two. The people at Iconium were divided; some sided with the close-minded Jews, others with the apostles. Paul and Barnabas hung there for a while, “speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders”(Acts 14:3), but when they discovered “there was a plot afoot…to mistreat them and stone them”(Acts 14:5), they fled for their lives.

In the city of Lystra, Paul healed a man crippled from birth, and immediately the crowd began to hail them as heroes. “The gods have come to us in human form!” they shouted. “Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker”(Acts 14:11-12). The priest from the pagan temple hurried to the city gate with bulls and wreaths for their honor and sacrifice. Though Paul and Barnabas tore their clothes in anguish and tried to shout God’s truth, “they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them”(Acts 14:19)—until some Jews from the last town they visited showed up and turned the once-adoring crowd against them. “They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead”(Acts 14:20). But he wasn’t, and he left for Derbe the next day.

In that city, “they preached the good news and won a large number of disciples”(Acts 14:21). Then they retraced their steps, bravely heading back to the places where they had been persecuted, “strengthening the disciples who were there and encouraging them to remain true to the faith”(Acts 14:22). After that, they headed home to Antioch. They reported to the church “all that God had done and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles”(Acts 14:27), and they rested.

Had their mission been successful? If your definition of success is masses gladly receiving the message of Jesus, then no. If your definition is warm welcomes, open arms, and happy trails, then no. If your definition is honor, exaltation, and good reputations, then no. But if your definition of success is doing what God has said to do, then yes. Their mission was successful. Against all odds—believable and unbelievable, against all enemies—of this world and not of this world, with extensive collateral damage rampant around him and upon him, the main character, once again, manages to escape somewhat unscathed and accomplish his mission. And the audience leaves happy (actually, we leave joyful.) Why? Because Mission Impossible becomes Mission Accomplished when we obey.

Obedience makes our endeavors a complete success—regardless of the external outcome. We can trust the results to God when we do the task as we are told, and we can wait in expectation for our next assignment.

Mission Impossible 5, anyone??

Answer The Call

2012-02-08T04:39:00.000-08:00

“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’” Acts 13:2

What will you do when God calls? Answer and obey? Or let Him keep ringing?

God didn’t save us to shelve us. Though we are trophies of His grace, we are also instruments of His gospel. “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”(Eph 2:10). Through us, He “spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ”(2 Cor 2:14). How this happens in each life differs, and that’s where the call comes in.

“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them’”(Acts 13:2). Among the Christians at Antioch, some were gifted to preach, some were gifted to teach, and all were gifted to pray and to praise—to worship and to fast(Acts 13:1). As the believers spent time in God’s presence, they heard a specific message to set apart Barnabas and Saul “for the work to which I have called them.”

Often we discern God’s call on our own. Sometimes we need the help of others—like the older Eli who prompted the younger Samuel(1 Sam. 3). Spending time with God always helps us hear what He is saying. The call of the prophet Isaiah came in a vision of God’s temple and in the reality of His presence. “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” God inquired, and Isaiah replied, “Here am I. Send me”(Isa 6:8). The message God’s Spirit spoke to the Christians at Antioch seemed to be a confirmation of the call He had already revealed to Saul and Barnabas. It was also an encouragement to the church who would support and pray for them along the way.

Sometimes God calls people around the world. Sometimes He calls us across the street. Some live out their call as career missionaries, some as vocational ministers. Others sell stocks, teach school, drive trucks, bag groceries, or rock babies. The general call is to “testify to the good news of God’s grace”(Acts 20:24). Your particular call will vary. Be very obedient. My mother repeated few phrases as mottos for life, but my favorite is, “If God calls you to dig ditches, don’t stoop to be the President of the United States.” Nothing is more noble than knowing and doing the will of God.

If you know the exact call of God on your life, live it out. Take time today to recommit your efforts, resources, and abilities to answer in every way you can. If you’re not sure of the specifics, listen up and look around. God’s plans for you quite possibly lie in the lives of those He has placed in your path—or under your feet. Seek Him in prayer. Spend time in praise. Focus on who He is through fasting and fellowship. Ask Christian friends for advice and input. God isn’t trying to hide His will from you. He will let you know.

Too much is at stake to not pick up.
Answer the call.

Choose Your Groove

2012-02-06T06:31:00.000-08:00

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25

Yesterday was Sunday, and at 11 AM, I assumed my normal place for morning worship—at the keyboard in the praise band. The quality of what come through my speakers each week is determined by two things—playing the right notes and staying on beat. I readily admit that the first is easier for me than the second.

To aid my rhythm deficiency, the pounding of the drums pulses into my head through two small earbuds, but I have discovered that no matter how high the volume, I only stay on beat when I stay focused on the beat. I must choose to let rhythm of the drums take precedent over the notes I am playing, the chords the lead guitar is strumming, and bottom line booming from the bass. If I am not intentional and attentive, I find myself rushing a bit ahead or lagging slightly behind.

I wish I could say this happens only on Sundays at the keyboard, but I get off beat on the weekdays as well. Though by God’s grace I live by His Spirit, I don’t always keep in step with His Spirit. Sometimes I rush ahead, not patient enough or not trusting enough to let God take His time. Often I lag behind, too slow in gratitude or hesitant in obedience. If I want to live in harmony with God’s heart and stay on pace with His purpose for my life, I must choose to let the rhythm of God’s Word take precedent over what I am feeling, what friends are saying, and what the world is booming. No matter the volume of the other voices, I must focus first and most on what God says. I need to be intentional and attentive, concentrating on the His Word and then listening as His Spirit reminds and reassures throughout each day.

“You gotta move to the music,” my longsuffering drummer would say when I was learning to play with a band. “You can’t sit still and stay on beat.” God agrees. “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit”(Gal. 5:25). The heart of the Father pulses in the cadence of His Spirit. Listen up and live life to His tempo.

Move to God’s groove, and you’ll never be off beat.
His rhythm is always right.

The Gross and The Good

2012-02-03T08:31:00.000-08:00

“Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord stuck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.” Acts 12:23

I do believe God placed certain details in the Bible to hold the interest of eighth grade boys.

Jael lulled Sisera to sleep with milk and a blanket, then nailed his head to the ground with a tent peg through the temple(Jdg 4:21). Samson ripped a lion with his bare hands, killed one thousand men with a fresh donkey jawbone, caught three hundred foxes, tied them in pairs tail to tail, fastened a torch to each pair, lit the torches, and let them loose in his enemies’ grain fields(Jdg 15:4-5). David conquered Goliath with a sling and stone and later chose which of his enemies lived or died by measuring them off with a rope. The exploits of his mighty warriors make today’s gun-toting superheroes seem wimpy. “Jashobeam raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter”(1 Chr 11:11). “Benaiah…was a valiant fighter. He struck down two of Moab’s best men. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. And he struck down an Egyptian who was seven and a half feet tall. Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver’s rod in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear”(1 Chr 11:22-23). Haman’s body dangled from seventy-five feet high from gallows he had built for someone else. A big fish vomited Jonah onto dry land. King Herod was eaten by worms. And we haven’t even mentioned Song of Solomon!!

But the reality is that these events were included for both adolescents and adults—and not only for our interest but also our instruction. Take the story of the wormy Herod. (This Herod was grandson of the tyrant, Herod the Great, who had tried to kill baby Jesus.) Herod was not a Jew by birth but became very zealous for the Jewish religion. When his beheading of the apostle James brought a spike in public approval ratings, he arrested Peter with plans to do to the same. After Peter’s divine rescue, Herod didn’t hesitate to execute the guards who had been on patrol; then he headed out of town for Caesarea. The citizens of that region had been on the outs with Herod, but needing to ensure an adequate food supply, they humbly asked for peace. The day their treaty was ratified, Herod, “wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people”(Acts 12:22). In excitement and relief, they hailed him as a hero and exclaimed, “This is the voice of a god, not a man”(Acts 12:22), and Herod in his arrogance didn’t disagree. Instead of deferring the honor to the only One who is worthy, he delighted in the blasphemous acclaim. Herod’s position had done more than go to his head; it had grown from his heart, and God had had enough. “Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord stuck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died”(Acts 12:23). Gross.

The motto of this true tale is obvious: Don’t try to be someone you’re not—especially when that Someone is God. But why the method? Why worms? Why not a heart attack, a stroke, or even a celestial zap? Why something so repulsive and rank? Perhaps to remind us that anything full of worms is rotten and useless. Including us.

When writing his famous hymn, At The Cross, Isaac Watts didn’t shy away from the fact that makes many squirm (so much that the lyrics were changed in most songbooks.) Instead, Watts penned these words:

Alas! and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?

Herod didn’t recognize his need for God’s grace until the grave, but, by His mercy on the cross, God has redeemed the slimy, sinful mess of our lives here and now. We’ve not been salvaged. We’ve been saved—from our gross, by His good.

And that should interest all of us.
Not just eighth grade boys.

RealTime, BigTime Rescue

2012-02-01T10:03:00.000-08:00

“Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches.” Acts 12:11

Sometimes God does something so eye-popping, heart-pounding, mouth-gaping big that all we can do is stand in awe with lifted hands and lowered jaws. “I can’t explain it, but the tumor is gone,” the oncologist announces as he stares at the scan. “There’s no way you should have survived,” the policeman declares at the sight of your mangled car. “Houses just don’t sell this fast in today’s market,” the realtor marvels as you sign the contract. “It’s the exact amount we needed,” you stammer while holding an unexpected refund. These are the times God grabs our attention with His can’t-be-ignored reality. These are the times God shakes us to wake us so we will see Him bigger and know Him better than ever before. And often it takes a miracle…

When celestial brightness didn’t budge Peter from his slumber, the angel struck his side and spoke, “Quick, get up!”(Acts 12:7). As shackles fell from his wrists, Peter stood and followed directions. “Put on your clothes and your sandals. Wrap your cloak around you and follow me”(Acts 12:8). Certain he was seeing a vision, Peter walked with the angel past two sets of guards, out of the prison, and through the iron city gate—which opened by itself. After a one-street escort, the angel disappeared, and Peter’s dream dissolved into reality.

Astounded at the awesome power of God, he headed to a house where his friends would be praying, but their welcome had to make him wonder. Although the maid believed the man at the door was really Peter, she left it locked in her excitement and ran back to report. The ones inside, who were now given the very answer for which they were asking, found her hard to believe. “You’re crazy,” they said. “It can’t really be Peter. Herod must have killed him, and you heard his angel”(Acts 12:15). But the knocking didn’t end until they let him in, and when they finally opened up, a bona fide, still-alive Peter stood before them. And all they could do was stand in awe with lifted hands and lowered jaws.

God is “always at work to this very day”(Jn 5:17), saving, helping, holding, keeping. Usually He works quietly. But every so often, He works out loud. Very loud. Don’t assign the sound of a miracle to something or someone else. Falling chains, swinging gates, and banging knocks only occur at God’s command. Let Him shake you to wake you. See Him bigger and know Him better than ever before. And don’t doubt that God has done what you desired.

He is the God of real-time, big time rescue.
Then and now.

To Sleep or Not To Sleep

2012-01-30T09:31:00.000-08:00

“The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping.” Acts 12:6

The scene was filled with drama and suspense—and all eyes were on the local jail.

An evil king chuckled in anticipation of another apostle going down and his approval rating going up. The Jewish people wrapped up Passover and waited eagerly for the public trial. Stoic guards, four squads of four soldiers each, secured the cell around the clock to preclude any possibility of the captive’s escape. And the prisoner—with only one night left between life and death and only a few hours away from certain doom—was…sleeping like a baby. What? No clawing the walls? No pacing the floor? No fretting his final hours?? No, nothing but sound, solid sleep.

How? How could one sleep so good in times so bad? Simple—the prisoner believed God. Peter had the direct word of Jesus that he wouldn’t die young. Not long before, by a lake after breakfast, Jesus had restored the thrice-denying Peter and revealed a bit about his future. “I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go”(John 21:18). At the time, Jesus’ statement seemed liked an unconnected comment—perhaps something to store for later but not live by today; however, on that deep, dark night, as Peter’s chains clanked in his cell and the executioner sharpened his sword, Peter had to choose what he would do with those words. Would he look at the in-your-face facts of his circumstances and decide that all was lost or would he believe what God had said?

A rattling snore was his answer. Because Peter knew who Jesus was, Peter believed what God said—and he slept away. At that moment, Peter didn’t know how God would deliver or what God would do, but he knew he wouldn’t die the next day. He wasn’t old enough.

As Hudson Taylor, the famous and faithful missionary to China, once said:

There is a living God.
He has spoken in the Bible.
He means what He says and will do all that He has promised.

Even when your situation screams otherwise, you can snore in the storm when you believe what God has said.
Take Him at His Word. And sleep well.

Look Alikes

2012-01-25T11:15:00.000-08:00

“The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” Acts 11:26

Not long ago, my daughter’s high school swim team was pitted in a meet against my husband’s alma mater. Just before the competition began, he pointed to a nearby spectator and exclaimed, “I know her! That has to be Julie McDonough because she looks just like her mom!” Sure enough, a short walk and a few words later, old friends were reacquainted—not because Julie still resembled her former appearance but because she now looked like another.

Though, thankfully, my husband didn’t reveal all these details to Julie, when it comes to Jesus, the same thing should happen to us. We shouldn’t look like our old selves from days gone by before we met Him, but now that we know Him, we should look just like Him.

“The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch”(Acts 11:26). God’s love and grace had so radically transformed the believers in the Syrian town of Antioch that their lives bore a striking resemblance to their Savior. As those around them began to see less and less of what they had been like and more and more of Who they were now like, they began to call them “Christians”—“Little Christs.” When people looked at them, all they saw was Jesus. Their faces radiated His joy—even in their trials. Their spirits exuded His peace—even when they had problems. They treated both friends and enemies with patience and kindness. Their words resounded with His truth. Their attitudes reflected His heart. And their love, the love He had said would be their trademark(Jn 13:35), infused all they said and all they did.

Since the people of Antioch saw so much of Jesus in His own, they decided to call them by His name—“Little Christs.” The original term was quite possibly a derision, but could there ever be a bigger compliment? “You look just like Jesus.” As Dwight L. Moody aptly stated, “Out of 100 men, one will read the Bible. The other 99 will read you.” May your life leave no doubt Who you look like.

Live like a “Little Christ” and others will see how big He really is.

The Rest of the Story

2012-01-23T05:08:00.000-08:00

“When Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him.” Acts 11:3

Don’t be so quick to criticize.

Just possibly, you might not know all the story, and the part you’re missing is most likely important. The Jewish believers in Jerusalem would have humbly shared this advice after accusing Peter of doing wrong and finding out that God was doing right. Word had gotten around that someone was sharing the good news of Jesus with those less-than-best Gentiles, and all fingers pointed to Peter. “When Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him and said, ‘You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them’”(Acts 11:3).

What they said was true—Peter had been hanging with Cornelius, a Roman centurion, for several days—but why Peter had gone there and what God had done there were the missing details which warranted the whole event, so Peter started talking. “Peter began and explained everything to them precisely as it had happened”(Acts 11:4). He told them of his pre-lunch vision and of God’s command to eat unclean animals. He told them of his invitation to visit Cornelius, and that “the Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going”(Acts 11:12). He told them how an angel had instructed Cornelius to send for Peter because he would “bring a message through which you and all your household will be saved”(Acts 11:14). He told them how the Holy Spirit had filled the Gentiles in that home and how he had remembered the words of Jesus—“John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit”(Acts 11:16). And then he said, “So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us…who was I to think that I could oppose God?”(Acts 11:17). His words were a no-comeback clincher which shut his accusers’ mouths and opened their hearts. “When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God”(Acts 11:18).

So next time you see or hear something that doesn’t meet your approval, don’t be too quick to criticize. Consider approaching the supposed offender with an open-minded “Help me understand what happened,” rather than an indicting “What in the world were you doing?”

It’s good to remember that just because you don’t think it’s right, doesn’t mean it’s wrong. God laid out many guidelines for life in black and white, but He left a lot in gray. Don’t get too focused on the fuzzy; leave the in-between between others and God.

He’s often at work in the rest of the story.

Pillow Talk

2012-01-19T06:57:00.000-08:00

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from the will of your Father.” Matthew 10:29

It’s time for a little pillow talk—literally.

After several years of constant use and occasional abuse, the two decorative pillows adorning my couch direly need to be replaced. Since such items aren’t necessities, I’ve been on the lookout for a “just right at the right price” find, and yesterday I thought my search was over. There, sitting on the middle shelf at a local discount store, were my new pillows, simply begging to be bought. I picked them up, looked them over, showed them to my daughter, then set them down to answer an important phone call. Not wanting to be impolite to a nearby shopper, I stepped away for less than a minute, but in those few seconds, my pillows disappeared.

“Where are they?” I asked incredulously, staring at the empty space before me. “Did that lady really come over here and take them?” Alas, the answer was, “Yes,” for as I gazed around the store, I saw my two perfect pillows piled on top of an already overflowing shopping cart in the checkout line and the pillow perpetrator standing nonchalantly beside them.

I must admit that for a moment I felt like being foul. I needed those pillows (the rips in my old ones would cause you to agree.) I wanted those pillows. I had searched for those pillows. I had found those pillows. And now they were gone. But right then, I heard my daughter’s voice saying, “Mom, I can’t believe that lady took them!” and I knew I had to choose. Would I let something so insignificant as pillows steal my joy and suppress the happy time I was having with my child—or would I not? So I laughed and said, “I can’t either, but obviously God has other pillows in mind for our couch or else He would have kept those safe.” As she looked at me quizically, I continued, “I’m serious. The more you trust God with the little things in life that don’t turn out like you’ve planned, the less frustrated and upset you’ll be.”

Do I really believe that? Do I really think that the God of the universe cares about my couch? Yes— not because of my décor but because I am His daughter, and if a half-penny sparrow “will not fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father”(Matt 10:29), then lovely brown pillows won’t depart the second shelf without His approval either.

Somewhere around town, that lady has been relishing her great deal, and across the way, this lady has been reminded of a great deal. In things big and small, our faithful God and can and should be trusted. He will provide what we need, when we need it, and how we need it. “So do not be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows”(Matt 10:31).

And many pillows.

It's All Good

2012-01-11T08:52:00.000-08:00

“In Joppa, there was a disciple named Dorcas…who was always doing good.” Acts 9:36

Believe it or not, God never says to be good.

You can look if you like, but He really doesn’t. He doesn’t because He knows we can’t. There is no way in heaven or on earth we can be good by ourselves “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”(Rom 3:23), and, “No one is good—except God alone”(Mk 10:18). Yes, feel helpless. Yes, feel hopeless, for into such desperation and distress, God’s goodness became ours when “Jesus Christ gave himself for us to redeem us…and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good”(Tit 2:14). In other words, you can’t BE good by yourself anytime, but with Christ as your life, you can DO good all the time. And you should.

One day, back in the book of Acts, a corpse, washed and dressed in death, was laid on a bed in the town of Joppa. The deceased’s name was Dorcas, and she was known for “always doing good”(Acts 9:36). As two on-the-run, out-of-breath disciples hurried Peter up the stairs to her side, those who had been the recipients of her “doing good” held out proof for him to see. “All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing Dorcas had made for them while she was still with them”(Acts 9:39). When Peter prayed, God raised Dorcas back to life on earth for His glory—“This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord”(Acts 9:42), and so she could keep doing good—“Peter called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive”(Acts 9:41).

So stop trying to be good and start doing good. Trust God for His goodness in Christ, and turn the focus of your life from yourself to Him. “For you are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has already prepared for you to do”(Eph 2:10). Get busy—life on earth doesn’t last long, and God has lots for us to do. In innumerable ways, big and small, through kind words, cut lawns, earnest prayers, cheerful smiles, honest time-sheets, hearty casseroles, tender touches, caring conversations, sincere thanks, and an unending list of other actions and attitudes, we are to imitate Jesus, who “went about doing good”(Acts 10:38). Don’t get tired(Gal 6:9), be devoted(Titus 3:14), and be ready(Titus 3:1). God always has good for us to do.

When you let God be what you can’t be—good, you can then do what you should do—good. And in the end, others will have something to hold in their hands because of Who is in your heart.

I guess you could say, “It’s all good!”

The Game

2012-01-09T09:19:00.001-08:00

It’s just a game, but sometimes God uses the temporary to remind me of the eternal.

Yes, I’m talking football, and, yes, I’m talking Tebow. This morning around water coolers and restaurant tables all across America, millions are discussing the Denver Broncos playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Steeler fans, I’m sorry. We’re excited about what God is doing in Big Ben’s life too. Please don’t stop reading.) People will call it thrilling, exciting, surprising, vindicating, and a multitude of other descriptive adjectives, but I keep thinking about what I was thinking last evening as time expired in the fourth quarter and the game was tied—“What if...?”

What if Tim could have thrown a few passes just a bit better? What if the receivers would have hung on to passes they should/could have caught? What if Denver had scored a touchdown instead of opting for a field goal? What if the refs had called just one of the several obvious (at least to us Broncos fans) facemask infractions? Things would have been so different. The clock wouldn’t have been sitting at zero, and the crowd still not sure. The victory would have been within the expected boundaries and the anxiety replaced with celebration. In the span of a two television commercials, I mentally replayed a variety of scenarios that would have made the game end the way I wanted and would have left no room for the now-looming possibility of a loss. And though I try to limit my football prayers, my conversation with God went something like this: “If, for Your glory and his good, you wanted Tebow to win, You just passed up several very obvious opportunities to bring it about, so I’m not sure what You’re doing…” And then overtime began.

A kick-off and one 80 yard play later, it was all over. In a matter of seconds, worry was replaced with a win. My “Oh no” became “Oh yeah” as the fumbles and failures of the past faded into present jubilation. And in the midst of my loud cheers, I heard a still, small voice.

Through touchdowns and turn-arounds, God reminded me that in all of life He is up to something bigger and better than my small mind could ever scheme(Isa 55:9). The clocks by which I measure success or security are rarely the same instruments through which He orchestrates His sovereign will(1 Sam 16:7). The mistakes of others or the messes I make myself are never so big or so bad that He cannot weave them by grace for good(Rom 8:28). And even as time expires, I can be sure that what lies beyond the zero is far greater glory than anything I’ve seen during the game(2 Cor 4:17).

While we live in regulation (and as we begin this new year), don’t waste time on the “what if’s.” Fret and regret can’t change the past—only cloud the future. Let yesterday’s lost chances and lousy choices go, and let them rest with Jesus. Live today. God has made it; rejoice in it and in Him(Ps 118:24). Love deeply, share freely, feel honestly, and cheer loudly. Don’t just count the days; make the days count. And look forward to tomorrow. If you spend it on earth, God will be with you here, and if He takes you home, heaven is overtime, all the time.

Play each day with purpose and passion. You never need to worry or wonder. God’s victory is sure—earth’s scoreboard just can’t show the whole story.

O Holy Night

2011-12-24T10:02:00.000-08:00

Last night, Christmas was lovely. Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, in-laws, and friends all crowded around the table catching up on the present and remembering the past. Then it was onto a trailer full of hay for the annual carol ride through town. Everything was smiles, hugs, photos, songs, and great anticipation of the quickly approaching celebration. But this morning, Christmas is different. One of my girls is sick, and another almost is. Faces are pale, tummies are churning, and eyes are sleepy. We’re not sure what will become of our best-laid plans for holiday travel, and the long list of want-to-do’s for today has devolved into a short list of have-to-do’s for tomorrow.

In the midst of the mayhem, one phrase from yesterday’s carols keeps rolling around my half-awake mind. “A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.” These words mean more now than they did last night. It’s a small thing, but it’s made me think. Our bit of tiredness resulting from a few hours of sickness can never compare to the weariness of a world dealing with centuries of sin. “Long lay the world in sin and error pining.” Unable to save ourselves, we were born into doom and despair. Even the faithful who continually offered the stated sacrifices lived and died knowing that judgment had only been delayed, not dealt with, and that our sins had only been set aside, not settled. The promised Savior seemed long in coming, and the weight of transgression and wrong shrouded our hearts as a never-lifting fog.

But then a mother groaned, a baby cried, and hope was born. The weary world lifted her eyes in delight at the coming of a new day. Thirty three years would pass before a blood-stained cross and an empty tomb shattered sin’s darkness forever, but Easter began at Christmas. As earth’s long night of sorrow gave way to a sinless dawn, the brightness of its first rays thrilled our hearts and calmed our fears.

Joy to the world! Christ the Savior is born! Rejoice greatly and let His love lift you up and give you life this Christmas. It really was a Holy Night.

“Because of the tender mercy of our God, the Sunrise from on High will come to us from heaven, to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” Luke 1:78-79

Merry Christmas!

Stargazing

2011-12-22T05:23:00.000-08:00

Ever wish you were a star? Somewhere along our lives, the thought has crossed most of our minds. We hope to throw (or catch) the touchdown pass, make the basket, hit the homer, win the championship, wear the medal, own the stage, sing the song, write the script, or somehow achieve something so big and so bright that for a moment or more, we capture the attention of others and cause them to look our way. But why? In this season where glowing stars top trees and towers all over town, I’ve been thinking about what it means to shine.

The Christmas star is a good place to start. The Magi arrived in Jerusalem because a special star had appeared in the sky. “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him”(Matt 2:2). To the Wise Men, this star was a brilliant sign. Its light signified new life—a life so precious and important that they changed their schedules and altered their lives for a trip to a foreign land. Armed with seeking hearts and worthy treasures, they headed to the palace to see the King.

But no baby was to be found, and they were sent on their way by a suspicious tyrant and scripture-spouting teachers. “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me”(Matt 2:8). As they turned their camels south, the star showed back up. “After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was”(Matt2:9). The star, whose light had gotten them going, now became their guide, and the journey brought great delight. “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed”(Matt 2:10), and when it led them to Jesus, they gladly offered themselves and then their stuff to the One who is worthy.

The star of Christmas did what stars do best—give light, guide, and bring glory to the One who made them. No wonder you’ve wished to be a star—that’s what you were designed to be—“Children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life”(Phil 2:15-16). You were created in Christ to give light to a dark world, to guide the people who cross your path to Jesus, and to bring glory to the One who made you. You words, actions, and attitudes should be so full of God that for a moment or more, they capture the attention of others. “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever”(Dan 12:3).

This Christmas, and beyond, be a star, but instead of seeking the spotlight, shine His light. Not so others will look at you, but so they will look for Him.

What's In The Box

2011-12-19T07:05:00.000-08:00

I really need to wrap.

The gifts for three family gatherings are piled under a blanket in my bedroom, and not one is adorned with paper or bow. I sometimes think, “Why? Why spend so much time and tape when all will be ripped away in mere seconds? This year, why not pass out unwrapped presents?” But I wouldn’t. It wouldn’t be right. I can’t imagine coming to the tree and having gifts just sitting there for all to see. Knowing what you got the moment you got up would take away something very special from Christmas—the wonder of what’s in the box.

At the three celebrations my family will attend on Christmas Day (in two different states, by the way— good, busy times!), the scene will be much the same. Those present will gather ‘round the tree for a time of sharing. We’ll share praise to our God for the best gift ever—Jesus. We’ll share lots of love as we talk and laugh, and we’ll share the excitement and joy of giving and receiving. At each gathering, someone will be “Santa” and will pass out the gifts under the tree, and then we’ll go around the room and open the gifts one by one, with everyone else watching and waiting and wondering—What’s in the box?

That’s what makes it so fun—the excitement of the one giving and the expectation of the one receiving. The giver can hardly wait to for the “getter” to see what’s inside, and the recipient is anxious to get in there and see! Funny thing, but the more excited the one giving is about the gift, the more excited the one receiving the gift becomes. The paper, bows, and boxes, which at first might seem like barriers, actually build anticipation and add beauty to the gracious exchanges. As our time together comes to an end, the room is filled with expressions of delight and gratitude and the sweet satisfaction of sharing our best with those we love.

I’d better get busy. Only a few days are left before Christmas, and even God wrapped His gift. “You will find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

Never lose the wonder of what’s in the box.

Good Grief, It's Christmas.

2011-12-17T08:47:00.000-08:00

Deck the halls with boughs of holly. ‘Tis the season to be jolly. But what if you’re not? What if life’s circumstances have left you more mournful than merry? Then what do you do?

This question hit me hard yesterday at 65 miles per hour. Late to meet a friend for lunch, I was zipping north on the four-lane when I saw an older gentleman walking slowly toward his truck, wiping his eyes with a white handkerchief. I knew where he had been—the memorial by the side of the road. At that spot, only a few years ago, a courageous law enforcement officer was brutally murdered. With one unfounded, fatal shot, a wife lost her husband, kids lost their dad, parents lost a son, friends lost a pal, and our town lost a hero. Homes, hearts, holidays, and everydays would never be the same.

So how do you have Christmas when your heart is breaking? How do you trim the tree, string the lights, and smile at parties when all you want to do is sob? When divorce, death, abuse, family issues, health problems, or host of other troubles and tragedies have you down, how do you “get up” for the big event? And should you?

I’m not giving the selfish or the sour an excuse for being a Scrooge, but if you’re truly hurting, don’t fake it; faith it. That’s not meant to be a cute, trite saying. It’s serious truth. Our cultural traditions and decorations which can be so delightful at times but very difficult at others, are not Biblical requirements. The first Christmas brought only two divine necessities for celebration. One was explicit—“Don’t be afraid. This is good news of great joy,” and the other was implied, “Come and see. Here’s how to tell you’re in the right place—the baby will be in a barn.”

This season, if you’re struggling with a heavy heart, if you’re dealing with loss, if the empty place at the table or the missing face in the picture still brings pain, stay simple and go with God’s advice. “Don’t be afraid.” His perfect love calms your fears(1 Jn 4:18), His presence will never leave you alone(Heb 13:5), and by His purpose, He works for your good even in the bad(Rom 8:28). So, “Come and see.” Don’t try to be something you’re not. God knows what you’re really feeling, and He’s just glad you came. And keep your eyes open in unlikely locations—God often shows up where you least expect Him. The Christ of Christmas was “a man of sorrows and well-acquainted with grief”(Isa. 53:3). He does more than see your tears; He shares them.

At its very heart, Christmas isn’t about being jolly; it’s about joy—the “can’t quite be described, deep in your soul” peace that only comes because Jesus came. When the tears start to fall and the days seem dark, don’t try to dry your eyes; let God hold your tight and be your light.

“Because of the tender mercy of our God, the Sunrise from on High will come to us from heaven, to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” Luke 1:78-79

Fear Not

2011-12-14T11:49:00.000-08:00

Every year about this time, the same scene appears on the screen as Linus steps to center-stage and reminds Charlie Brown (along with the rest of us) what Christmas is really all about. No matter how many times you’ve seen the movie or heard the scripture, the simple beauty of such great truth is always astounding. But yesterday, as I watched Linus tell the story one more time, I noticed something I’d never seen before. Linus drops his blanket.

He really does. He’s holding it as he steps on stage. He’s holding it as he begins speaking—“And there were in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flocks by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shown round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto then, ‘Fear not.’” And then he drops it. As soon as Linus says, “Fear not,” he let go of what had been his security—of what he had held onto when he had been afraid.

Linus isn’t the only fearful soul in the world. He’s not the only one carrying around insecurities and uncertainties. His just happen to take the visible form of a tattered blue blanket; ours show up in other ways. But just as God’s “good news of great joy” was so exciting and so compelling that Linus needed both hands to express his delight, so we too, because a Savior has been born, can release our fears and our failings and find rest in His peace.

“The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight” the carol proclaims, and the lyrics are true. Deep down, past all the externals, three things scare us most, and each was conquered by Christ. Our fear of insignificance (that we don’t matter or that we won’t matter) faded away when our Creator became our Savior. Our fear of not being loved (because of who we are or what we’ve done) dissolved the day He carried our cross, and our fear of the darkness of death (that all will end or that’s what after won’t be good) dissipated in the light of His glorious resurrection.

“Fear not, for behold I bring you good news of great joy which shall be for all people. For unto you is born this in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

Let go of your blanket and grab hold of your God.
He's worth both hands.

And It Came To Pass

2011-12-12T08:45:00.000-08:00

“And it came to pass in those days…” Had the Bible been written in Southern, this verse would read, “It just so happened that right about then…” But why and how? Did it just so happen by chance or did it happen just so by choice? And what was so “right” about “then”?

“When the time was right, God sent his son” into a world He had prepared politically, economically, socially, and spiritually to receive and spread His good news of salvation through Jesus(Gal 4:4). The Greeks contributed a common language. The Romans supplied an elaborate road system, reliable mail delivery, and two centuries of peace on three connected continents—Europe, Asia, and Africa. Jewish families migrating to these areas took with them their hope of a Messiah and their Hebrew scripture. And into centrally-located Palestine, who had the Roman leniency of self-rule and religious freedom, God shattered 400 years of silence with an angelic announcement to an unsuspecting priest(Luke 1). Had Jesus come earlier, things wouldn’t have been ready. Had He come later, they wouldn’t have been right--so He came right about then.

God had managed conflicts and conquerors to create the right set for the Savior, but He knew it would take an empirical order to move a very pregnant Mary the seventy miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem, so “it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed”(Luke 2:1). Returning to an ancestor’s birthplace to be counted (and to pay the census tax) was an imposition and an inconvenience, but God caused Caesar to give the order and millions to get a move on—all so one baby could be born in the little town of Bethlehem.

Nothing just so happens unless God allows it or arranges it, and since we know that He is in it, we can trust it happened just so we could know more of who He is and more of who we are in Him. Chance does not exist, only God’s choice.

This December, as you deal each day with the varied circumstances and situations of life, may the perfectly-prepared scenario of the first Christmas remind you that God “holds in his hand your life and all your ways”(Dan 5:23).

Things come to pass on purpose.

The Gift

2011-12-09T09:22:00.001-08:00

“Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat”—and so is the pile of presents stored under a blanket in my bedroom. “Please put a penny in the old man’s hat”—or in my VISA account, if you have any extras!

While this Christmas carol may be fun to sing in rounds, the whirlwind of Christmas shopping, gift-exchanging, and bill paying isn’t always so enjoyable. The craving of our consumerist society to accumulate more stuff seems to escalate at Christmas, and we find ourselves trying to balance what we want to do, what we feel others expect us to do, and what we think we ought to do. For Christmas to be full of joy and peace, we need to do more than give the right gifts; we need to get it right about the gifts.

Let’s start simple. Giving and getting are not wrong. In fact, they’re very right. But being generous didn’t start with us; it started with God, for on that first Christmas day, the world was given a gift more magnificent than we had ever imagined, more beautiful than we had ever dreamed, and more needed than we had ever desired. This Gift was no last-minute decision or day-before find, for from eternity past, God the Father had been ready and waiting for that moment, and “when the time was right, God sent his Son, and a woman gave birth to him”(Gal. 4:4).

Can you imagine how excited the Father must have been? Surely He could hardly wait for Bethlehem. If you’re a parent, you can start to understand. At my house, I don’t know who’s looking forward to Christmas morning more—my girls or their mom and dad! We can’t wait to see their faces and sense their delight, to hear their gasps and feel their grateful hugs. Yes, parents should be wise in their purchases and everybody knows we shouldn’t blow the budget, but if there was ever a time for extravagance, surely Christmas is it! God was no Scrooge when He sent His Son. He cared enough to send the very best.

This gift was more costly than we can fathom and more unselfish than we will ever understand. We will never deserve a gift so precious, and we can never express our gratitude too much. The best thing we can do with God’s gift is the best thing we can do with any special gift—be excited, be thankful, and receive it with joy.

The reality of Christmas isn’t the presents and the gifts; it’s the gift of God’s presence. So as we buy and wrap and shop and share, may our generosity reflect the God who “so loved the world that He gave.”

Jesus-Filled St. Nicholas

2011-12-07T05:46:00.001-08:00

Flanked on both sides by a brightly lit reindeer, the sign centered in my front yard proudly proclaims that Jesus Is The Reason For The Season. While some passing by might think we’re sending mixed signals—the declaration of the Savior and decorations associated with Santa—I think it’s possible to focus all the fun and festivities of Christmas as a statement and celebration of faith. The jolly, jiggly man we see dressed in red and white today might seem more at home in the mall than beside the manger, but the story of Santa is rooted in the faith-filled life of a man who gave what he had and who he was for Jesus Christ.

The real Saint Nick was born in southern Turkey during the third century after Christ and was orphaned when he was young. His parents left their son much gold and a love for God, and Nicholas became known for his rich generosity and kindness. While many stories of his charity endure, one repeated in three ancient accounts and differing only in details tells of how Nicholas aided an impoverished family in a desperate situation. With no money for his daughters’ dowries (and therefore no prospects of decent marriages), the father thought he would be forced to sell his girls into slavery—or worse. But Nicholas, upon hearing of the maidens’ plight, came secretly at night and tossed a bag of gold through an open window. Some versions say the coins landed in a stocking left by the fire to dry; others say they landed in a shoe. Either way, his gift resulted in a grateful father, happy daughters, and the delightful tradition of having “stockings hung by the chimney with care,” or, if you live in Europe, shoes left by the door.

Nicholas’ gift transformed the lives of its recipients. It meant that the daughters could now live in love instead of fear and in intimacy instead of isolation. Instead of being property, they would be protected, and in the place of desperation, they would find delight—all because the gift made a way for them to have a right relationship. Sounds a lot like another gift. This Gift has transformed the life of His recipients. Because of Him, we now live in love instead of fear and in intimacy instead of isolation. In Him, we are valued, protected, and treasured, and through our right relationship with Him, we find our deepest delight. Perhaps St. Nick was onto something after all.

Christmas isn’t about Santa; it’s about Jesus, but when you see pictures, decorations, and imitations of jolly old St. Nicholas, smile and let them remind you that Nicholas didn’t just give; he gave because of God.

By the way, when I started this devotion, I didn’t know that the day I chose to write about St. Nick, December 6th, is the anniversary of his death. Under the persecution of the Roman emperor Diocletian, Nicholas suffered exile and imprisonment because of his faith in Christ. He continued to serve God’s people after his release, and died several years later. Pretty neat!

So don’t forget to hang your up stocking. You never know what might end up inside!

Back Room Living

2011-12-05T07:42:00.000-08:00

I dusted Jesus off today and set Him in His proper place

Influenced by a post-Christmas sermon last January, I didn’t return the holy infant to the attic along with the rest of the nativity, but kept Him out as a visual reminder that Jesus should be the center of my life each day—not just during special occasions. Nice thought, but here’s the problem—Jesus spent the year in the front room.

When you enter our home, you step into the front room, and though the floor plan is quite open, one well-placed partial wall blocks your view to the rest of the house. As a result, our family strives to maintain some semblance of order in the front room in hopes that a guest’s first impression will be the one that lasts, for when you step beyond the wall, you step into real life. The dishes in the kitchen aren’t always done, the dining table is quite possibly graced with a bag of groceries or yesterday’s mail, and the floor of the family room is most likely littered with an algebra book, a stray article of clothing, or someone’s flip flops—all because life mostly happens in the back rooms.

In those rooms, the pressing problems of the world—and the sixth grade—are puzzled and pondered, family Wii tournaments are hotly contested, and the compound interest my daughters learn about in math class becomes reality on the mortgage check. In those rooms, we double over with laughter, lament in sadness, and deal with bad moods. In those rooms, we enjoy lengthy family dinners, leftover lunches, and grab-as-you-go breakfasts. In those rooms, we interact and react, hug, pray, dance, fuss, and cry, and do what families do best—be together. And all the while, Jesus lives in the front room.

It didn’t seem right last January to place Him in the back rooms. He looked too fragile and too vulnerable to spend His days in the midst of the family fray. He might have been knocked around, knocked off, or nicked up. I considered it, but I really couldn’t find Him a good spot. He would have been in the way on the kitchen counter, in grave danger on the coffee table, and too high up on the entertainment center. He would have been lost between the peas and the potatoes on the dining table and completely covered in papers on the desk. But in the front room, Jesus was safe from the daily melee. His serene expression matched the calm order of those few square feet, and on the middle bookcase shelf He would certainly be noticed by any visitor. Besides which, He really blended with the front room color scheme much better than the back. So that’s where He was set.

It worked well. He couldn’t see the times I was irritated when I should have been patient or the times I was unengaged when I should have been involved. Hopefully He was far enough away that He didn’t hear my unhelpful words or my unholy tones. And since out of sight means out of mind, His face often held little place in my priorities and plans. I guess you could say Jesus was present but not a part.

That’s why I moved Him today. It’s Christmas, and as I arrange my nativity and ponder again the stunning truth that God stepped into my world, I am drawn by the grace of His Spirit to bow at the manger, to gape at the cross, and to rush toward the empty tomb.

Jesus didn’t come to be present but not a part; He came to give us life and to be our life, in all of life—even the back rooms.

Decoration Day

2011-12-02T06:32:00.000-08:00

“They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.” Psalm 145:7

It’s Decoration Day! Time to venture into my attic, retrieve the piled-up boxes, and transform the house into a bastion of holiday cheer! The coffee table will host the holy nativity. The piano top will sprout candles, bells, and garland. And, of course, stockings will be hung on the back of the cabinets with care. (Gotta love Florida!) As we deck the halls, our senses will be heightened by the sound of Christmas carols, the scent of fresh fir (ok, fresh pine), the sparkling of the bright lights, and, if I’m really good, the aroma of fresh-baked snicker doodles.

Why the fuss? Why all the effort to unpack and adorn when in only a few weeks all must be dismantled and put away? Because it’s Christmas!! The celebration of the birthday of our King! This very special party started one evening in Bethlehem when an infant Jesus took His first breath and with His newborn cry announced, “It’s begun!” And the celebration continues today because one afternoon on Calvary, He drew His last breath and cried, “It’s done!” In come-back-to-life glory, He invites us today to share in the amazement of the shepherds and the awe of the magi as we celebrate the great truth that God came to be with us and make a way for us.

Ring the bells! Trim the tree! And pile up the presents! You can’t rejoice too much! Let your decorations be a declaration that Christmas is all about Jesus and that you are excited about the “good news of great joy”(Lk 2:10). May the twinkling lights remind you that Jesus is the Light of the World who has brightened the darkness in your heart. Let the beauty of the hanging ornaments cause you to consider the Beautiful One who hung on a tree for you. May the warmth, love, and closeness of friends and family prompt you to pause and reflect on the perfection and intimacy Jesus left in heaven when He journeyed to earth for those “nine months in a mother’s womb, three days in a borrowed tomb, and the time in between that brings us to our knees”(Francesca Battistelli). And as you cover your presents with lovely paper and festive bows, remember that the Father wrapped the best gift ever in baby-soft skin.

As God’s children, we should seize this opportunity to celebrate and to share. The holidays are holy-days because of what God has done. It truly ‘tis the season to be jolly and joyful, so make the most of Jesus and you’ll have a Merry Christmas--and a delightful Decoration Day!

Holding The Ropes

2011-11-30T07:47:00.001-08:00

“His followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the city wall.” Acts 9:25

With a gentle bump the basket landed on solid ground, and its cargo climbed out. Furious because their best persecutor of Christians had turned into a bold proponent of Christ, the Jews in Damascus wanted Saul dead and “kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him”(Acts 9:24). But friends who loved Jesus and loved Saul “took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the city wall”(Acts 9:25).

The men who secured Saul’s escape didn’t know they were letting down the greatest missionary the world would ever know. They didn’t know that God would use this man to help spread the good news to Europe and beyond (i.e., across the Atlantic to you and me.) They didn’t know that Saul would stand before kings and queens testifying about the King of Kings. All they knew was that they loved their friend, that Jesus had changed him, and that he needed them to hold the ropes for him—all the way to the ground.

The ones we love need us to do the same. We don’t know the plans God has for them. We don’t often understand His purposes or His ways. But what we’re sure of is that when they need our help, we’ll be there to hold the ropes—in prayer, encouragement, and support. They need to know that when others are against them, we are there for them. They need to know that like Saul’s friends, we are willing to risk our own security for their safety. (A little rope burn is a small price to pay for being part of God’s great plan.) And those we love need for us to keep holding the ropes until we feel God’s gentle bump letting us know that all is well and we can let go.

When life leaves your friends a basket case, don’t drop them or leave them dangling. Hold the ropes and help them down. You never know what God will do when they reach solid ground.

The Desert Road

2011-11-18T07:03:00.000-08:00

“Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road—the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’” Acts 8:26

As Saul headed down the Damascus road, Philip was directed to a desert road. “Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road—the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza’”(Acts 8:26). Not much about that route sounds delightful—more like hot, dry, and desolate. But whatever the desert road was or was not, it was soon occupied, for at God’s word, Philip went. He was given no explanation—only an instruction. He didn’t know if he was traveling south for his own good or if God had someone else in mind; Philip just knew to go, so he did.

“On his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace queen of the Ethiopians”(Acts 8:27). Somehow this bigwig in the Ethiopian government had heard of God and traveled to the temple in Jerusalem to worship. On his way home, he was reading aloud from the book of Isaiah when Philip ran up to his chariot and asked if he understood the text. “Not by myself,” the man replied, so on invitation, Philip hopped up and helped him out.

Just so happened the man was reading the prophecy of the suffering servant in Isaiah 53 and was wondering if Isaiah was “talking about himself or someone else”(Acts 8:34). Starting with that very scripture, Philip “told him the good news about Jesus”(Acts 8:35). The man believed, and at the first place they found water, was baptized. Incredible. As an Ethiopian, the man was a foreigner. As a eunuch, he was physically disfigured. At the temple, he would be been banned because of both from getting too close to God’s presence, but on the desert road, God sat right beside him as Philip shared the good news. The man had gone to Jerusalem looking for truth, but he found the Jesus on the return trip.

In case you didn’t know (and you’ll want to), after the baptism, God beamed Philip up (literally), and he reappeared several miles away in the town of Azotus, and the eunuch went on down to Ethiopia, filled with joy because he was full of Jesus.

Be willing to walk the desert road—you never know who God wants you to meet along the way.
Be ready to share the good news of Jesus—all Scripture, no matter where you start, points His way.

And remember that if you don’t find what you’re looking for at your destination, God often shows up on the return trip.

But to Brother

2011-11-16T07:25:00.000-08:00

“Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord…has sent me.’” Acts 9:17

Ananias knew trouble was on its way, but he hadn’t planned on looking for it—until God said so. The conversation went something like this:

“Ananias.”
“Yes, Lord.”
“Go to Judas’ house on Straight Street and ask for a guy named Saul.”
“Saul?!? But, Lord, are you sure? I’ve heard about this guy—he’s been assaulting your people in Jerusalem, and he’s come to Damascus to arrest us too!!”
“Yes, Ananias, I’m sure. I know all about him. I know all he’s done to Me, and I know all he’s going to do for Me. You just go!!”

So “Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord…has sent me’”(Acts 9:17). The distance between “But, Lord” and “Brother Saul” may have only been a few blocks, but in that short space, Ananias traveled a long way. He left prejudice and arrived at acceptance. He journeyed from crippling fear to overcoming faith. And his heart made room for an enemy to become family. “Brother Saul.”

Ananias’ visit brought comfort and connection to a man whose world had been turned upside down by Jesus. For three days, Saul had eaten nothing, drank nothing, and seen nothing—for God’s light had left him blind. All he had done was pray and wait. “Go into the city, and you will be told what to do”(Acts 9:6). But suddenly, a knock at the door, the touch of two hands, and Spirit-filled words brought hope and life to Saul’s wondering heart. “Placing his hands on Saul, [Ananias] said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit’”(Acts 9:17). At that very moment, “something like scales” fell from Saul’s eyes restoring his sight. “He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength”(Acts 9:18).

God could have transformed Saul without any help from Ananias, but how exciting that He uses His own to encourage and receive those who believe. And, along the way, God changes both of us in the process. Don’t let someone’s past cause you to be unsure of their salvation. You may have heard much about them, but all they’ve done without Christ can’t compare to what they will do with Christ. “You just go!!”

Make the journey from “But” to “Brother” and be amazed at what Jesus does.

The Right Road

2011-11-14T08:16:00.000-08:00

“As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.” Acts 9:3

As “godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him”(Acts 8:2), a young man named Saul smirked with satisfaction and determination. One down. Many to go. In self-righteous rage, he “began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison”(Acts 8:3). Though “all except the apostles were scattered” throughout the region(Acts 8:1), Saul “was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples(Acts 9:1) and decided to chase down believers who had fled for their lives. Armed with permission letters from the high priest, he headed to Damascus “so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem(Acts 9:2).

God let him almost get there. Saul had traveled nearly 135 miles before his journey was interrupted right outside the city limits. Though the noontime sun was shining brightly, a flash of heavenly light knocked him to the ground, and Saul heard the one voice he thought would never speak again.

“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

“Who are you, Lord?”

“I am Jesus.”

Jesus. Saul had been sure the resurrection wasn’t true, but dead men don’t talk. Jesus. Saul had been “convinced that he ought to do all that was possible to oppose this name”(Acts 26:9), but now Jesus was calling his. Jesus. The One Stephen had seen “standing at the right hand of God”(Acts 7:56) was standing right before him. And Saul knew he would never be the same.

Our journey in life might be different, but somewhere along the broken road, if you are truly His, God stopped you in your tracks to get you on the right track. It might not have taken a blinding light to open your eyes, but it took costly grace to open your heart.

Remember your Damascus road today and be thankful.

The Good In The Bad

2011-11-09T12:32:00.000-08:00

“They all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him.” Acts 7:58

Why do bad things happen to good people? The question seems solid at first but soon leads to the debate about what constitutes “good.” Perhaps a question we think more but ask less is, “Why do bad things happen to God’s people?” Can’t a Deity with all knowledge and all power protect His own? And, since He can, why wouldn’t He? I don’t dare claim to have the complete answer, but perhaps a story will help us start to understand.

“Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people”(Acts 6:8). However, some Jews weren’t happy that Jesus was being acclaimed, and they “began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke”(Acts 6:10). Unable to win the war of words, they resorted to a ruse and framed Stephen with blasphemy.

Standing before the court with a face “like that of an angel”(Acts 6:15), Stephen delivered a brilliant sermon as his defense. Beginning with Abraham, he traced God’s presence and purpose through Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, and Solomon, reminding his audience of God’s desire for relationship and of their ancestors’ repeated rebellion. His history lesson was followed by a harsh indictment, “You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers…They killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him”(Acts 7:51-53). As the men gnashed their teeth in fury, Stephen looked to heaven and saw God’s glory. “Look,” he exclaimed. “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God”(Acts 7:56). With ears covered and mouths yelling to drown out Stephen’s words, they grabbed him, dragged him, and stoned him. As the rocks rained down, Stephen cries echoed the grace of his Lord—“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Do not hold this sin against them”(Acts 8:59-60). And then he died.

Why? Why such a brutal end to one who had been so bold? Why such violence against a man described as “full of faith and of the Holy Spirit”? And the story seems to only get worse. “On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria”(Acts 8:1).

Yes, those places sound familiar. Jesus Himself had spoken of them first. “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”(Acts 1:8). His followers had “filled Jerusalem with their teaching”(Acts 5:28), but why leave when life was good? God wanted them to go and tell, but since they wouldn’t make the move unless they were made to, He allowed life to get so bad that they packed their bags. And He started the spread with Stephen.

“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went”(Acts 8:4). As a result of Stephen’s death, the gospel was taken to places that would never have heard. Philip shared in Samaria(Acts 8:5). Others “who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch…telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed”(Acts 11:19-21).

God’s purpose for Stephen started in life and continued in death. Stones didn’t stop what God was doing but instead became a way of spreading His grace and good news. Tough times, troubles, and trials might take us down or take us out, but they can never take us away from Him. At the end of the day, Stephen was with his Lord in heaven, and God was with His people on earth—working out His plan and His purpose even through their pain.

On this side of forever, we rarely know the reasons for the rocks, but we can trust that God is up to something big and good—even in the bad. As our “whys” are absorbed into who God is and what He is doing, Jesus becomes the only answer we need.

Filled Up

2011-11-07T08:34:00.000-08:00

“They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 6:5

What five things are you most full of? The list of possibilities is lengthy, but since what’s inside is what splashes out, we need to make sure we’ve got a good mix. The life of Stephen provides a compelling and convincing litmus test.

As the number of Christ-followers increased, the apostles realized they couldn’t oversee both the spiritual and physical needs of the congregation, so they recommended that seven men be chosen to care for the widows. Stephen, “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit”(Acts 6:5) was first on the list. To be eligible, one had to be “full of the Spirit and of wisdom”(Acts 6:3), so within two verses, we’ve discovered three ingredients—God’s Spirit, wisdom, and faith. But there’s always room for more good. Acts 6:8 tells us that “Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people,” and our “Fab 5” is complete—God’s Spirit, wisdom, faith, grace, and power. These five things filled Stephen’s life and spilled out onto those around him through his words, actions, and attitudes.

Lest you think this list is currently unattainable, listen up. When you believed the good news of Jesus, God gave you His Spirit (Eph. 1:13) to guide you, teach you, and help you. Wisdom is yours in Christ(1 Cor. 1:30) and is there for the asking(James 1:5). God’s gift of faith which enabled you to receive His life(Eph. 2:8) grows through knowing His Word(Rom. 10:17) and by going through trials(1 Pet. 1:7). God grants you grace and “more grace”(James 4:6), and you find grace for your needs when you pray(Heb. 4:16). And God’s “incomparably great power”(Eph. 1:19) works in you(Eph. 3:20) and through you(2 Pet. 1:3) to shield you, strengthen you, and save you. God’s Spirit, wisdom, faith, grace, and power. All yours. All available. All the time.

Our lives are full of many things, but we are only fulfilled when we are filled with God things.
What are you full of?

Unstoppable

2011-11-04T06:41:00.000-07:00

“If it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourself fighting against God.” Acts 5:39

Why do some people want to stop a good thing? Reasons abound, but the short list is anger, fear, and envy. When things go well for one, resentment emerges in another, leading to rash actions and real trouble. The early church learned this early on. Jealous of the apostles’ popularity, the high priest and his cronies threw them into jail, but a nocturnal angel opened their cell and commanded them to open their mouths. “Go, stand in the temple courts, and tell the people the full message of this new life”(Acts 5:20). At sunrise, they showed up and spoke up.

Meanwhile, back at the court, the Sanhedrin was called into session and “sent to jail for the apostles”(Acts 5:21). Confounded officers found vigilant guards and locked doors but no disciples. Their whereabouts left the elders puzzled until a report arrived that the apostles were back at it—teaching in the temple. Guards were sent to get them, and the judge announced the charge: disobedience for declaring the name of Jesus. “You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching”(Acts 5:28) was his incredible accusation. “Not sorry and won’t stop,” was the apostles’ reply. “We must obey God rather than men”(Acts 5:29).

Furious, the Sanhedrin wanted those words to be their final answer—forever—but a wise teacher named Gamaliel stood up and spoke truth. “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you do to these men. This Jesus isn’t the first Jew to garner a following and get crowds excited. Two guys named Theudas and Judas the Galilean are not-so-distant examples, but when they died, so did their movements. So, here’s my advice: Drop it and do nothing. If this is something man made up, it won’t make it, “but if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourself fighting against God”(Acts 5:39).

Unwilling to let apostles’ leave unpunished, the leaders had them flogged, but their penalty backfired, for the apostles turned the pain into praise and “left the Sanhedrin rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the name of Jesus. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ”(Acts 5:41-42).

Anger and envy might put the brakes on a good thing—but not on a God thing. The “full message of this new life” cannot be contained, restrained, or defeated. Neither locked doors nor lashed backs can stop what God has started. He is up to something bigger and better than we could ever imagine, so rejoice that He counts you worthy to share His news and suffer for His name, and fill where you are with words of who He is—the all-powerful, unstoppable God of salvation.

Shadowlands

2011-11-02T06:25:00.000-07:00

“People brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.” Acts 5:15

Cool. Way cool. What else is there to say? Did you read that verse? Read it again. “People brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.” Whoever heard of such a thing? A shadow bringing healing to the sick. People so full of power that everywhere any part of them went—even their silhouette—lives were dramatically altered. Sounds bizarre, but such had been foretold. “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father”(John 14:12-13). Before He left for heaven, Jesus left word on earth that bigger and better miracles than the ones He had performed would be taking place—not so His followers would have a following, but so His Father would get the glory.

Peter hadn’t been born with a super-shadow, and people knew that. They also knew he “had been with Jesus”(Acts 4:13) and that the good he did was done in the name of Jesus. When someone cheered for Peter, he turned the applause to God. And there was lots of clapping. “Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed”(Acts 5:16).

God heals in many ways—sometimes through words, sometimes through touch. Here His power flowed through Peter’s shadow. A few chapters ahead we find that “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them”( Acts 19:12). God can do whatever He wants, whenever He wants, however He wants. Our part is to be so filled with Him that His power overflows from us into the lives of others—altering their souls, spirits, and, if God so desires, even their bodies.

God works through words that can be heard. Touches that can be felt. Hankies that can be handled. And shadows that can be seen.

Cool. Way cool.

A Scary Story

2011-10-31T08:11:00.000-07:00

“How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” Acts 5:9

Yikes! That’s what I always think when I read this story. Personally, I would just as soon skip it, but since Luke was led to record it, the plot must hold some points worth pondering. The event is set in the midst of the church’s genuine generosity. “No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had…From time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need”(Acts 4:32-35). In the subsequent verses, two contrasting examples remind us that when it comes to giving, our motive means more than the method.

Bighearted Barnabas comes first. In humility and honesty, he sold a field and offered the entire profit to those in need. Ananias and Sapphira follow next. They also sold some land but decided that if they worked the system, they could get full accolade for only a partial contribution. “With his wife’s full knowledge Ananias kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet”(Acts 5:3) pretending it was the full selling price, but God let Peter in on the dirty, little secret, and he called Ananias’ bluff. “How?” Peter asked. “How is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit?”(Acts 5:3). And “What?” “What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.”(Acts 5:4) And just then, just like that, Ananias fell down dead.

Three hours later, his wife, Sapphira, unaware of the preceding events, showed up to visit the apostles. “Tell me,” Peter asked her, “Is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”(Acts 5:8). Her deceitful confirmation was her death sentence. “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord?” Peter demanded. “Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also. At that moment she fell down at his feet and died”( Acts 5:9).

“Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events”(Acts 5:11). You think?? I’m scared just reading about it! Kind of makes you nervous about next Sunday’s offering! But it doesn’t have to, and here’s why: God isn’t saying we should sell all we have and give all we’ve got or else we’re goners. He simply wants our motive to match our method. The problem was not what they did but why they did it. Peter told Ananias, “Look, the land, and then the loot, was both at your disposal. You could have done with it whatever you wanted, but you just can’t lie to God about it.” If Ananias had walked in and honestly stated that his offering was one-third or one-half of the profit of the sale, all would have been well—and all would have stayed alive. The gift wasn’t compulsory, but the truth was required.

This story shouldn’t scare us, but it should sober us and cause us to consider why we do what we do. Don’t ever try to live a lie.
Share generously. Give honestly. And do both for God’s glory.

Nicknames

2011-10-28T09:47:00.000-07:00

“Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.” Acts 4:36-37

Remember those friends who were so well known by their nicknames that when the dutiful substitute teacher called them by their real names on the roll, all in the class, including your friend, said, “Who?” Barnabas would have been one of those. His given name was Joseph, but only a sub or someone who didn’t know him would have called him that. Everyone one else in the Bible—and since—calls him Barnabas.

How nicknames come to be can be quite amusing, but the way Joseph came to be known as Barnabas is quite amazing. His name was conferred on him by the apostles as they saw his actions and attitude. Barnabas is first mentioned in Acts when he “sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet”(Acts 4:37). Obviously, someone in the church had a need, so “Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field”(Acts 4:36). Sold a field. Just like that. If what he had could help others out, Barnabas wasn’t about to hang onto it for himself. He gave the profit to the apostles to distribute as needed, and never looked back.

We’re not certain if this is the first time Barnabas stepped in to lift others up, but we know for sure it wasn’t the last. When the Christians in Jerusalem were scared and skeptical about Saul-to-Paul’s conversion, Barnabas “took him and brought him to the apostles”(Acts 9:27). The “Son of Encouragement” risked his own reputation to stand with Paul and affirm his salvation and witness. A bit later, as the good news of Jesus began to spread to outlying areas, Barnabas was sent by the church at Jerusalem to the brand-new, non-Jewish Christians in Antioch, Syria. “When he arrived and saw the evidence of God’s grace, he was glad and encouraged them to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts”(Acts 11:23). Remembering his friend Paul and wanting to support him in his ministry, “Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch”(Acts 11:25). From Antioch, the two of them set out on an extended mission trip, which included preaching their way through Barnabas’ native island homeland of Cyprus. On their way back to Syria, they revisited several towns, “strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith”(Acts 14:22).

Encourage. Encourage. Encourage. When you come across Barnabas in the Bible, encouragement is almost always close by. It was so much of what he did that it became who he was: Barnabas—Son of Encouragement.

What would your nickname be?

Helpless

2011-10-25T18:07:00.000-07:00

“We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20

“I just can’t help it!”

Most often this phrase is used as flimsy justification for unseemly behavior, but when stated by Peter and John, the words weren’t an excuse but were the very reason they couldn’t keep quiet about Jesus. “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard”(Acts 4:20).

In a quandary about what to do with the men who had “done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it”(Acts 4:16), the Jewish Sanhedrin had issued a gag order on the disciples in hopes of suppressing the message of Christ. “To stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in the name of Jesus”(Acts 4:17), so they called in Peter and John and “commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus”(Acts 4:18). But the men were non-compliant—responding with a cutting challenge and an emphatic assertion. “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard”(Acts 4:19-20)

Even if they tried, they couldn’t keep quiet. What they had seen was too amazing not to talk about. They had seen Jesus walk on water, cast out demons, and calm stormy seas. They had seen Him serve the Passover, pray in the garden, and die on a cross. They had seen the empty tomb, the vacant grave clothes, and the Risen Lord. And a few weeks later, as Jesus lifted His nail-scarred hands in blessing, they had seen Him ascend to heaven and send a promise of return back to earth. And what they had heard was too astounding not to tell. They had heard His call—“Come, follow me.” His claim—“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” And His command—“Go into all the world and make disciples.”

Silence was no longer an option. Jesus was more than just a story; He was life. He was their joy, their hope, their purpose, their peace, and His name would never leave their lips. No matter what anyone else said, they knew what they would say. They just couldn’t help it.

May we be as helpless.

The Company You Keep

2011-10-24T07:35:00.000-07:00

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13

How could this be? How could the two men standing before the Supreme Court of Jewish culture and religion speak with such calmness and confidence? Instead of shaking in fear and stumbling for words, their defense had been a bold proclamation and a biting accusation—“It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed”(Acts 4:10).

How could this be? “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished”(Acts 4:13). The elders, teachers, and priests composing the prosecution and jury each boasted several decades of learning and training under their belts and in their brains. They had spent years reading and memorizing the Old Testament scriptures, along with countless hours studying centuries’ worth of commentary and opinions written about the texts. However, the two common fishermen on trial had no such education and experience. Given their current occupation, Peter and John had likely failed to advance beyond synagogue grammar school, and yet their words were eloquent and effective, exuding divine authority and citing God’s Word.

How could this be? There was only one explanation—“They were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Been with Jesus. That’s why He had called them close at the start—to be with Him. “He appointed twelve…that they might be with him, and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons”(Mk 3:14-15). The chief desire of God is intimacy. Our activity—the preaching and healing and all the other things we, or the apostles, might do—does not come first, but instead flows from our friendship with Him.

“Been with Jesus.” We are transformed when we spend time with Him. Our perspective and priorities change. The ways we view ourselves and others change. By His Spirit and through His Word, we become a lot more like Him and a lot less like us. His influence affects our actions and attitudes, and our relationship with Jesus becomes the reason for our confidence and competence.

The company we keep makes all the difference.
Don’t just be for Jesus. Be with Jesus. And people will take note.

Only Jesus

2011-10-21T06:42:00.000-07:00

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

“Religion is like tennis shoes,” my friend explained as we chatted on her couch. “You can find several pairs in your size that are all good shoes, but the one that fits the best is right for you. It’s the same way with the way to God.” My friend is not alone in what she thinks. The vast majority of people in America agree with her assessment. But most doesn’t mean right, and according to God’s eternal Word of authority, my friend (and many millions of others) are wrong. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved”(Acts 4:12).

Peter didn’t state this fact to a bunch of hell-raisin’ heathen who didn’t know better; he declared it to the top spiritual gurus of his day. After offering a helping hand and divine healing to a lame beggar by the temple gate, Peter and John had been arrested and detained because the Sadducees (a groups of religious guys who had it wrong about God) “were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead”(Acts 4:2). The next day, everybody who was anybody in the world of Jewish religion met in Jerusalem to sort out the ruckus and stop any trouble. As soon as Peter, John, and the ex-lame guy were brought before them, they began. “By what power or what name did you do this?”(Acts 4:7).

Bold because of God’s Spirit, Peter stared them down and set them straight. “If we’re here because we were kind to a cripple and you’re wondering how his healing happened, ‘then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved’”(Acts 4:10,12).

No other name. Only Jesus. You can’t get to God any other way. Adherence to Buddhism’s Eight-Fold Path won’t get you to Him. Devotion to Hinduism’s 330 million gods won’t get you to Him. Obedience to Mohammed’s Koran and Hadith won’t get you to Him. Being as good as most and better than many won’t get you to Him. Belief in anything or anyone else, no matter how fervent and sincere, won’t get you to Him. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”(John 14:6). Only by believing and by believing only that Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins and rose again to give us eternal life are we saved from a forever without God and saved for a forever with Him. Trust in Jesus is the absolute essential for a relationship with God. No matter how much we would like to hope or think differently, there is no other way.

To claim this fact in our day and age is to be considered intolerant and narrow-minded. Let them label as they will. You keep loving and keep living the truth of Jesus. Don’t be ugly or arrogant (God’s grace is the only thing saving you); instead be gracious and patient as you look them in the eye and share truth from God’s heart.

For over two millennia, many have tried to sabotage faith in Christ through threats, terror, trials, and troubles, but the truth remains and will never change—there is no other name.

Only Jesus.

Even Better

2011-10-19T08:22:00.000-07:00

“Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Acts 3:6

Unable to walk and unable to work, the man sat by the gate and begged, hoping that those headed to pray at the temple would take pity and pass along some change. Ashamed of his status and ashamed of himself (for in those days sickness was equated with sin), the man rarely met the glance of those whom he asked a gift.

“Look at us!” a voice kindly commanded, and, “expecting to get something from them”(Acts 3:5), the lame man lifted his eyes to two men standing before him. But his spirit sagged as Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have”(Acts 3:6). How cruel to pause and provide nothing—to raise the man’s head, then dash his hopes. But such was not the intent, for though Peter was empty-handed, he wasn’t empty hearted. “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. Taking him by the right hand, Peter helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk”(Acts 3:6-8).

For the first time in forever, the man could stand on his own two feet and could walk wherever he wanted to go, so he did—straight to God. “Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking, and leaping, and praising God”(Acts 3:8). His infirmity had kept him out, but God’s healing allowed him in, and instead of strolling into the temple court acting casual and cool, he leaped and was loud, jumping for joy and praising God.

If today, like Peter and John, you cross paths with someone in need, help how you can. The Bible makes it very clear that if our cupboard isn’t bare, we’re not to pass out blessings without also sharing bread(James 3:15). But if the need is more than what you have, stop anyway and share Who you have. You can’t solve all the problems, heal all the hurts, and right all the wrongs, but the treasures of God’s grace, love, and power shared through your listening ear, compassionate heart, gentle touch, and sincere prayers can be even better.

If the story is switched, and you’re the one who has been crippled by the circumstances of life, don’t be ashamed to hold out your cup and lift up your eyes. You might not get what you want, but God will provide what you need. And when He does, don’t continually casually on your way, but instead jump for joy and give Him praise.

When we beg for something good, God gives what is even better.
No change doesn’t mean no change.

Devotion

2011-10-17T08:53:00.000-07:00

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42

In just one day, attendance at First Church Jerusalem jumped from 120 to over 3000. The New Members’ Class must have been highly effective because immediately the brand new Christ-followers “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer”(Acts 2:42). Faith in Jesus changed their focus. Instead of life being about them, life became about Him, and they dedicated their time, energy, and resources to learning about Him, caring about those who were His, spending time with those who were His, and praying to Him.

Some would say these new believers were very involved, but that word is too weak. Involvement alludes to activities, and the prospect of a busier schedule was not what ignited such intense passion. These Christians weren’t just involved; they were devoted—devoted to Jesus and everything about Him. Since Jesus is about relationships, they lived in community. “All the believers were together”(Acts 2:44). If one had a need and others had the means, they shared willingly. “Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need”(Acts 2:45). When God’s people assembled, they showed up. “Every day they continued to meet in the temple courts”(Acts 2:46). While there, they listened and learned about their Savior from those who had heard His teachings and seen His life. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching”(Acts 2:42). When they weren’t meeting in public, they were spending time together in private. “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts”(Acts 2:46). In all this, they were fervent in prayer, calling on the One who had called them and praising Him for His goodness and grace(Acts 2:47). “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved”(Acts 2:47).

In a day where volumes endorsing and explaining the latest ideas and initiatives on church growth abound, the answer is still found in one Book. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer”(Acts 2:42). Open hearts. Open hands. Open homes. Open mouths. People in place of a program. Relationships instead of rituals. Devotion rather than involvement.

And the Lord will add to our number daily those who are being saved.

Under The Knife

2011-10-14T11:06:00.000-07:00

“‘God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.’ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart.” Acts 2:36-37

Going under the knife is never fun, but being cut to the heart is how we heal. God’s initial surgery is salvation, where He removes our heart of stone—solid with sin—and transplants into us a heart of life—beating with His presence and power.

Operations are always done individually, but many patients felt the incision at Pentecost when Peter stood before the crowd and preached the message of Christ. They didn’t doubt that Jesus had really lived or that He had really died. They had seen the “miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among them through him”(Acts 2:22), and they were aware of the crucifixion, which, as Peter informed them, was not a martyr’s death but according to “God’s set purpose and foreknowledge(Acts 2:23). But the addendum of Christ’s resurrection and exaltation was a life-altering fact that slashed deep into their souls. “God has raised this Jesus to life…God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ”(Acts 2:32&36).

“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?”(Acts 2:37). “Repent and receive,” Peter replied. “Receive His baptism, His forgiveness, and His Spirit”(Acts 2:38). “The promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call”(Acts 2:39). At that moment, as faith defeated doubt and fear, “about three thousand” of the crowd were made alive and made a part of the family of God(Acts 2:41).

It would be nice (or at least a whole lot less painful) if, at the point of salvation, God set down the knife and never again reached for His scalpel, but He doesn’t. He never even steps out of the operating room. After making us His, God continues to work in us and on us to make us more like Him. Though we are fully forgiven, we often fail and find ourselves with an attitude or action that is sinful. At these times, God presses the blade and by the conviction of His Spirit, the correction of His Word, or the confrontation of a friend who cares, slices and dices into our hearts. Because of His persevering grace, another transplant is not needed—just some opening up and cleaning out of our pride and selfishness. The discomfort and distress of being sorrowful for our sins preps the places we have damaged for the balm of grace and forgiveness to renew and restore.

If you haven’t yet accepted Christ, may the truth of His life, death, and resurrection cut to your heart and lead you to repent, believe, and receive, for “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”(Acts 2:21). If you’re already His, don’t run from the knife but be willing to stay on the table. “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it”(Phil. 1:6). He is shaping your heart to be like His.

Being cut to the heart hurts, but consider the cross and remember that wounds are God’s way of healing.

P.S. The previous paragraphs were not written from personal authority but from personal experience, for I have had much practice in messin’ up and fessin’ up. I am constantly thankful for God’s astounding grace and for the kindness of friends and family who have forgiven me again and again. May God continue to make us all more like Jesus—even when it hurts.

Under The Influence

2011-10-12T11:35:00.000-07:00

“We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Acts 2:11.

According to the Law, three times year, God’s people were to come to His sanctuary. One of those times, the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost (the Greek word for fifty days), occurred seven weeks after Passover and was observed by giving thanks at the start of wheat harvest. Each year, Jews from far and near who worshiped God and obeyed His word packed out Jerusalem to sacrifice and celebrate, but at the Feast of Pentecost following the first Easter, all were in for a special surprise.

In obedience to Christ’s command before His ascension, His followers stayed in Jerusalem waiting for the promise of His power, and when the Spirit showed up, He arrived loud and lit up. On feast day, “the believers were all together in one place”(Acts 1:2). As the sound of a mighty wind rushed through the room, tongues of flame floated above their heads. “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit”(Acts 2:4), and when they opened their mouths to exclaim, they found their speech replaced by different languages from around the world “as the Spirit enabled them”(Acts 2:4). The ruckus attracted the attention of a crowd who became even more amazed when they heard the disciples’ words in their native tongues. “Aren’t these men Galileans? How is it that each of us…Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and parts of Libya near Cyrene, visitors from Rome, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”(Acts 2:7-11). While some dropped their jaws and said, “What does this mean?” others began to jaw, “They have had too much wine”(Acts 2:12-13).

So Peter stood up and shot straight. “We’re not under the influence of spirits but of God’s Spirit. He promised this through the prophet Joel, telling us that such a time would come and that salvation comes through His name”(Acts 2:16-21).

More on that sermon next time, but here’s the truth for today: When we believe, we receive, and the change should be obvious to all around us. If we’re saved, we’re filled with God’s Spirit, and His presence and power should make such a difference in our lives that we attract attention to God. Our speech shouldn’t sound the same as those who don’t know Christ. Our attitudes shouldn’t feel the same as those who don’t know Christ. Our priorities shouldn’t show the same as those who don’t know Christ. Our love shouldn’t prove the same as those who don’t know Christ. Our actions shouldn’t look the same as those who don’t know Christ.

Each day, by what we say and what we do, we are “declaring the wonders of God”(Acts 2:11). His Spirit takes our words and our works and translates them into a language that those who need Jesus can understand. Some will marvel. Some will make fun. Keep being faithful. When others ask, “What does this mean?” explain as Peter did—by pointing them to God’s promise and His provision.

God’s Spirit enables us to do what we once thought impossible.
As a result, we should always be caught LUI—living under His influence.

Casting Lots or Not

2011-10-10T07:02:00.000-07:00

“They proposed two men…Then they prayed…Then they cast lots.” Acts 1:23-26

Sometimes you simply must decide. Will you or won’t you? Do you or don’t you? This is or that one or which one? When you find yourself facing a choice, how do you know what’s right, what’s best, and what is God’s will? “If you’re seeking, God will show you,” we’re told, and it’s true. But haven’t you ever had a time when God wasn’t exactly specific? A time when through God’s Word, your circumstances, and others’ wisdom, the choices had been narrowed to a few, but the final answer wasn’t obvious? Ever had to choose? Ever wondered and worried about your choice? If so, read on and relax.

Jesus had ascended and His followers had assembled, but one was noticeably absent—Judas. His “get rich quick” scheme of betrayal had backfired, and distress led to his death by suicide. Since eleven seemed an odd number in more ways than one, Peter stood up and suggested they find someone to fill the empty slot. “May another take his place of leadership”(Acts 1:20). To narrow the number of candidates, Peter outlined the qualifications. An apostle is one who is sent as a messenger, so the chosen man must have heard the message first hand, from the start. “It is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time…beginning from John’s baptism to the time Jesus was taken up from us”(Acts 1:21-22). The reason for these strict requirements was clear—“This man must become a witness with us of his resurrection”(Acts 1:22). One who would fill such big shoes needed to have walked with Jesus the whole way.

Out of the 120 present, two guys fit the bill—Barsabbas and Matthias. Both were willing, ready, and able. How would they decide between the two? They prayed and pulled out the dice. What?? This wasn’t a craps table in Vegas! It was the upper room in Jerusalem, and this was a matter of choice, not chance! Right? It was a matter of choice, but they trusted that God was in control of the roll. “Then they prayed, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen.’ Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias”(Acts 1:24-26).

If you’ve ever prayed and reprayed, searched and researched, weighed and reweighed, and God’s answer still seems to be two, take some advice from Peter’s dice. Pray and pick one. Then go with it. A friend shared a story that made this make sense. He had to choose a graduate school, and after searching and researching, weighing and reweighing, praying and repraying, two universities sat at the top of his list, and God didn’t seem to be leaning one way or the other. With the deadline looming, he prayed and picked. Half a career later, he told me, “I think both were the right choice. I believe it was one of those times when God said, ‘You love me and I love you, so just go, and live for my praise at either place.’” My friend said, “As I look back, I see how my choice was right, but if I had gone to the other school, I don’t believe it would have been wrong.”

Someone reading these words is in this spot. You need to choose, but the choice isn’t clear. The deadline looms, and the list sits at two. Instead of thinking that God is waiting to mark one wrong, consider that He’s already checked both right. Just pray and pick. Then go with it. And God will go with you. His will isn’t by chance, and He’ll be with you in your choice.

He’s still in control of the roll.

To The Ones Who Love

2011-10-07T04:52:00.000-07:00

“Then they returned to Jerusalem…They went to the upper room…They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” Acts 1:12-1

To me, dedications were the best part of the Top 40 Countdown. “This one goes out to the one I love,” people often said as they shared stories and songs about someone special. Many dedications were ultra-sappy. On occasion they didn’t make sense, but my favorites were those which gave words to my feelings and music to my thoughts. Today’s devotion is a dedication—a song and a story that goes out to the ones who love and who long for those they love to know Jesus.

Here’s the song.
“Then they returned to Jerusalem…They went to the upper room…They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers”(Acts 1:12-14).

Here’s the story behind the song.
Jesus had a family. We’re not quite sure how many siblings (half-siblings, actually), but at least six(Mk 6:3). For the first thirty years of His life, all was well. Yes, Jesus seemed perfect—or at least Mom thought He was, but He grew up like the rest of them, followed Joseph in the family trade, and became a carpenter in His hometown. But everything changed the day He hung an “Out Of Business—For Good” sign on His shop door and began traveling from place to place preaching and teaching that God’s kingdom had come and He was it! A little, or even a lot, of religion was fine, but this was over the top. When their brother-turned-rabbi starting healing, performing miracles, and sending out twelve chosen men to spread the news, His family “went to take charge”(Mk 3:21). Their justification? Insanity. “He is out of his mind” they said (Mk 3:21). “It’s our job to bring him back to his senses and back to his shop.”

But when Jesus didn’t stop, they changed their tactics, turning to sarcasm and making fun of His ministry “for even his own brothers did not believe him”(Jn 7:5). One year at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles, they chided Him by saying, “You should head on over to Judea because anyone who thinks he’s big should be willing to step out big time”(Jn 7:1-4). Though Mary, His mother, is mentioned at the cross, we’re hear no more about the rest of the family until we find them in Acts—after the resurrection, in the upper room, believing. “Then they returned to Jerusalem…They went to the upper room…They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers”(Acts 1:12-14). His brothers weren’t there sightseeing—or scoffing. Jesus’ brother, James, became the leader of the church in Jerusalem and wrote a book in the Bible called by his name, and His brother, Judas (Jude for short), wrote one too.

If you’re someone who’s waiting and wishing and praying and pleading for family you love to come to Christ, take heart. It took three decades of perfection, a crucifixion, and a resurrection for those kin to Jesus to have faith. It might take some time, but those same, powerful truths still turn hard-hearted (and soft-hearted) skeptics into humble, happy believers. Let them keep jeering, chiding, mocking, and smirking in doubt. You keep loving, listening, and living in faith.

There’s always room for one more in the upper room.

Headed Home

2011-10-05T08:47:00.001-07:00

“After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” Acts 1:9

Going away is great, but getting back home is always good. Jesus surely thought so as He stood on a hill outside of town. The time had come for His return, and He was ready. Thirty-three years is a long time to be gone—gone from unending glory, brilliant perfection, and side-by-side unity with the Father. He must have really missed home.

But, oh, the places He’d been. He’d been crowded in a virgin’s womb, cradled in a borrowed manger, and rushed cross-country to escape an evil king. He’d been tempted in the lonely wilderness, baptized in the chilly Jordan, and questioned at the crowded temple. He’d been cheered by cheaters, anointed by sinners, and toasted by tax collectors. He’d been discounted by the jealous, deserted by the fickle, and followed by the faithful. And at the end of the day, He’d been arrested in a garden and nailed to a cross.

Nothing could have kept Him from coming, but now it was time to go. After bestowing power and a purpose on those He loved, Jesus left. Just like that. “After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight”(Acts 1:9). Defying all natural laws that keep our feet firmly on the ground, Jesus simply floated up and away.

As the disciples stood gawking and gazing, two men in white appeared and asked, “Why are you standing here looking into the sky? The same One who went up will come back down the same way”(Acts 1:10-12). “In my Father’s house are many rooms…I am going there to prepare a place for you…I will come back and take you to be with me”(Jn 14:1-3).

Jesus’ first homecoming was heavenly, and next time around, we get to go too.
There really is no place like home.

The Witness

2011-09-30T08:40:00.000-07:00

“You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Jesus was alive, and the disciples were eager. For forty days He had been showing up to show them that the resurrection was really real. Fully convinced, they felt that now would be a good time for Him to set up His throne and take charge of the earth. They posed their suggestion as a question: “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”(Acts 1:6). Let’s not be too quick to criticize their desire. Jesus had earlier sent them to preach that the kingdom of heaven was near(Matt 10:7), He had promised that they would sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel(Matt 19:28), and hadn’t He even taught them to pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”(Matt 6:10)? Who wouldn’t have been excited and anxious?

But Jesus dashed their hopes of right-now royalty with a reply which pointed in a different direction. “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority”(Acts 1:7). Jesus reminds them and us that when He’s coming back is not to be our business, but He does have work for us while we’re waiting. “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”(Acts 1:8b).

Grab the megaphone and the mega-Bible! It’s time to hit the streets! Perhaps not so fast. A time and place for street-corner shouting possibly exists, but that’s not all Jesus had in mind. He said that we would “be His witnesses”—not that we would simply witness. “Be” is something that you are, not just something that you do. To “be” is not an occasional or sporadic action but a constant existence. And what are we to continually be? His witness. A witness is one who tells what he has seen, what he has experienced, what he knows to be true—not in feeling but in fact. The duty of a witness in court is not to decide the case, but to declare his part. Our privilege and responsibility as a Christ-follower is to continuously through our words, actions, and attitudes be living evidence and be giving evidence of the love and grace of Jesus. He is the One we have seen. He is the One we have experienced. He is the One of whom we are certain.

Where are we to be His witnesses? Everywhere we go. “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”(Acts 1:8b). Start where you are and share who Jesus is. That’s your Jerusalem. The people you prefer and those you used to put down are your Judea and Samaria. The ends of the earth covers everything else. Across town or across time zones, be His witness.

How are we to do this, for being a witness is a big job, and on our own, we’re not up to the task? Since Jesus knows this is so, when He went up, He sent help down. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you”(Acts 1:8a). The Divine Comforter, Convicter, Counselor, Encourager, and Guide(Jn 16:5-15) stays by our side giving us strength, speaking the truth, and showing us the way—and what to say. By God’s power, we can share the wonder of Jesus everywhere with go, with everyone we meet.

If you are His, you are His witness. The question isn’t, “Are you a witness?” but, “What kind of witness are you?”

The Sequel

2011-09-28T11:19:00.000-07:00

“In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven.” Acts 1:1-2

Ever finished a movie or book and wondered what happened next? Some stories simply beg for sequels. Surely Theophilus thought so when he set down the scroll from his friend Luke.

The biggest events in the history of the world had just happened, and Luke had sent him the story: Jesus of Nazareth, the virgin-born/itinerant teacher and preacher who claimed to be God and only did good, had been condemned and crucified—His body then sealed in a tomb of stone. But three days later, as heaven shouted and hell shuddered, Jesus had risen from the grave triumphantly and defiantly—“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”(1 Cor. 15:55). His disciples were shocked and excited. They had thought all hope was lost, but on the first Easter evening, Jesus strode past locked doors and spoke peace into their lives(Lk 24:36). A bit later, “He led them out to Bethany…blessed them…left them and was taken up into heaven”(Lk 24:50-51). The disciples went back to Jerusalem and joyfully hung around the temple praising God(Lk 24:52-53, the last verses in Luke).

What happened next?

We don’t know how long Theophilus had to wait for the sequel, but he wasn’t left hanging. Luke followed up his gospel with the book of Acts—a thrilling account of what God did on earth after Jesus was gone from earth. “In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven(Acts 1:1-2), and so the saga continued. The following twenty-eight chapters are packed with adventure, drama, danger, and delight. I must admit that during sermons or seminars too boring to bear (none in recent years, I gladly add), I have been known to read the book of Acts—with occasional glances and smiles up to the speaker, of course, for one wouldn’t want to be discouraging. The accounts of the first disciples, the first church, the first martyrs, and the first missionaries captivate and inspire, and though Acts is full of “firsts,” in its pages we can find ourselves, for we also live in between Christ’s resurrection and His return.

As through the next few weeks we closely consider the people, places, and plots of Acts, keep in mind that though Luke’s book has an ending, God’s story is ongoing. The good news of grace has been passed down to you, and it’s your turn to pick up the pen.

What happened next?

Good Both Ways

2011-09-23T09:55:00.000-07:00

“May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip us with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21

How do you eat your Snickers? Do you bite into the bar as whole, relishing the dense mixture of smooth, crunchy, and yummy, or do you enjoy the candy layer by layer, savoring each flavor as distinct and delightful? This question has no wrong answer, for either way you eat your treat, it brings enjoyment and nourishment.

That’s how it is with this verse. The ingredients are so good that part of me wants to pull it apart phrase by phrase and spend days digesting its meaning, but read and realized as one flowing thought, the combination of words bring encouragement and delight as we take it in.

“May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip us with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen”(Heb. 13:20-21).

Taken as a whole this verse is a blessing—a prayer for the bestowing of God’s grace and goodness on His people. It is a divinely-directed desire that the God who gave us peace equip us for His purpose and pleasure. The words remind us that we have a powerful and personal God who is excited about being involved in our lives, and, since on our own, we have neither the aptitude nor the attitude to do what God desires, we echo a hearty, “Amen!” at the end. This one sentence of scripture buoys up burdened hearts, adds meaning to mundane tasks, and heightens gratitude for a God who thinks so much of us that He thinks so much of us.

But considered layer by layer this verse is just as delicious—perhaps even more so, for the author of Hebrews can hardly write three words without pausing to pen an explanation or definition which adds depth and understanding. “May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus…” Even before time began, God planned to give us peace through Christ’s death and resurrection. Such power stuns us and brings us to bow before Him as “our Lord Jesus,” and, yet, this risen ruler relates to us not as a cool and distant sovereign, but as an intimate (and the ultimate) guide and caregiver—“our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep.” May this God, “equip you with everything good for doing his will.” One who has gone to such extremes to redeem you and relate to you will surely supply you with the talent, treasure, time, and truth you need to do His desire. “And may He work in us what is pleasing to him.” Lest we start to focus too much on “what we do”, let’s remember that “who we are” matters first, and let us be willing and wanting God to “work in us” to make our hearts like His. “Through Jesus Christ”—without Whom we would be nothing and without Whom the Father could not and would not want us. “To whom be glory for ever and ever”—Does this phrase mean glory be to Jesus Christ or to the Father? How about both, for in perfect unity they live as one—and will for all eternity. “Amen.” So be it. So be it!! I agree. You agree. We agree.

What a super sentence!! I think these verses are best unwrapped and savored both ways—bit by bit and as one big blessing.
And, yes, you have permission to eat two Snickers too!

Prayer Partners

2011-09-21T09:27:00.000-07:00

“Pray for us.” Hebrews 13:18

“Mom, who is this from?” my daughter asked last night as she held out a several-years-old birthday card she had found in a box of treasured stuff. Smiling as I recognized the signature, I said, “That my dear, is from the lady who prayed for you.” When my daughter was an infant, the pediatrician noticed a problem with her hips, and the concern was printed on the church prayer list. Many weeks later, after a specialist declared that all was well, our dear friend, well into her ninth decade of life, told my husband, “I prayed for that baby ever day, asking God to heal her hips and help her walk.” Each time my little girl ran up and hugged this special saint, the lady would say, “This is the one I prayed for.”

“Pray for us”(Heb. 13:18). The guy who wrote Hebrews, and those with him, needed help—help that comes from God, help that comes through prayer. Sincerity and urgency resonate from his simple request. “Pray for us.” No arrogance kept him from asking others to seek and beseech God on his behalf. No time was wasted on what might be thought if he shared a struggle or a need. Generally and specifically, he laid it out there for all to see and hopefully some to do. “Pray for us. I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon”(Heb. 13:18-19).

When you ask for prayer, you’re in good company. Esther asked Mordecai and the Jews of Susa to join her in fasting—giving up food to focus on God—before she faced King Xerxes(Est. 4:15-17). The remnant of captive Judah asked Jeremiah to pray that God would give them guidance(Jer. 42:1-4). Job’s friends sought his prayers for God to withhold judgment(Job 42:7-10). When Peter was chained in Herod’s prison, “the church was earnestly praying to God for him”(Acts 12:5). And the apostle Paul requested prayer that he would be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea(Rom. 15:31).

If example isn’t enough, how about this instruction—“Give us this day our daily bread”? In His primer on prayer, Jesus used plural pronouns to remind us that we are to bring the needs of others, along with our own, to the Father. And we are to do so often—daily.

But do our prayers make a difference? Do we sway the Almighty when we pray? Our weak words lack such strength on their own, but somehow in His sovereignty, God incorporates our petitions into His purpose. The dynamic of our prayers and God’s providence can’t be fully understood on earth, but with divinely promised certainty we can be sure that prayer is effective, for time spent in God’s presence tunes our hearts to His and makes us and those for whom we are praying more willing to receive His reply—of whatever sort it may be.

Pray for those who ask, and ask when you need prayer. By God’s grace and goodness, through the prayers of faithful friends, hearts have been made whole, addictions have been overcome, children have been saved, sickness has been healed, sorrow has been comforted, guidance has been given, joy has been restored, purpose has been renewed, and strength for the day has been granted. All because God’s people prayed.

When someone says, “Pray for me,” remember the words of the prophet Samuel, “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you” (1 Sam.12:23).

And may you be found on your knees.

Perpetual Praise

2011-09-16T07:26:00.000-07:00

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.” Hebrews 13:15

I had hoped to start this devotion with a strong spiritual statement, but all I hear in my head is the silly tune, “This is the song that never ends. It just goes on and on, my friend. Somebody started singing it not knowing what it was, and they’ll continue singing it forever just because…This is the song that never ends. It just goes on and on, my friend...etc…etc..etc…” I’m not sure how that song first began, but it truly never ends, for again and again, with ease and and without hesitation, the stanzas repeat and repeat and repeat. (Hey, that reminds me, “Pete and Re-Pete were sitting on a fence. Pete fell off. Who was left??”)

Please don’t stop reading. My lunacy has a point. Though silly songs and lame jokes become irritating when incessantly reiterated, some things should never cease—starting with our praise. “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name”(Heb. 13:15).

In the old (as in Old Testament) days, sacrifice in the temple was a recurring practice. Each day brought new death—two lambs who would give their lives for God’s children. Since the cross, such sacrifices are no longer needed, but the pattern of perpetually looking to God and lifting Him up has not ended. Praise from our lips and in our hearts is an appropriate offering which we should give not intermittently or sporadically but continually. “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise.”

Our praise should never even pause. With ease and without hesitation, our stanzas of gratitude and delight for God’s presence, His blessings, and His grace should repeat and repeat and repeat. No matter who or what falls off the fence of our lives, our praise should remain. A shell-shocked and sorrowful Job worshiped with the words, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” On the run for his life, seeking refuge in a cave, David’s cry for help segued into a chorus of praise and exaltation. “For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies”(Ps. 57:10). And at about midnight, bloody backs and confining chains couldn’t keep Paul and Silas from praying and singing hymns to God(Acts 16:25).

“Is anyone happy?” Then “let him sing songs of praise”(James 5:13). Is anyone hurting, then let him worship as he weeps, for these “light and momentary trouble are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all”(2 Cor. 4:17). Our salvation is sure. Our future is secured. Jesus has “suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood”(Heb. 13:12). And “our sin, not in part but the whole, has been nailed to the cross and we bear it now more. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul!”

If we confess His name, we should continually praise His name. We know what we’re singing, and nothing should stop our song, for He alone is worthy.

Without end, my friend.

The Choice For The Cross

2011-09-14T09:05:00.000-07:00

“Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.” Hebrews 13:13-14

Once to every man and nation,
comes the moment to decide,
in the strife of truth with falsehood,
for the good or evil side.

James Russell Lowell’s poem is eloquent and effective for a patriot, but it’s not entirely accurate for a Christian, for the choice to stand with God or against Him is not a one-time deal but a many-times-a-day decision—a decision which displays our commitment and our motivation.

In Old Testament times, the body of the animal used for the sin sacrifice on the Day of Atonement was burned outside the camp. To be outside the camp or outside a city was considered unacceptable and dishonorable. But, “Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood”(Heb. 13:12). The image of the cross on a hill outside of town—a shameful and ignoble way to die—shows us that identification with Christ will not bring great glory or admiration from the world. But we should still run to Jesus. “Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come”(Hebrews 13:13-14).

As we live the difference Jesus makes, we shouldn’t be surprised when those around us don’t approve or applaud, for the “message of the cross is foolishness” to those who don’t believe(1 Cor. 1:18). But the cheers of men can’t compare to the delight of God. The extravagance of Christ’s sacrifice and our absolute unworthiness of such grace compel us to stake our claim, again and again, outside the camp at the cross.

Ridicule, criticism, laughter, and labeling might follow, but “here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.” Our understanding that troubles and trials are temporary encourages us to willingly wave the flag of Christ. It helps us focus on tomorrow while we fulfill our purpose today. We are to be completely His—even if it hurts—not just on Sunday or when surrounded by a safe Christian crowd, but the rest of the week too when we’re the only one, or one of only a few, whose participation and priorities are noticeably different because of our devotion to Christ.

When your decisions bring disgrace or disdain, remember the early Christians, who, after being flogged for their outspoken faith in Jesus, “left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name”(Acts 5:41). Be glad God thinks enough of you to let hurt for Him, and know that nothing you give up is worth hanging onto. Though we live in the now, we don’t live for the now. The best is yet to come.

When you must choose between loyalty to Christ and allegiance to the crowd, take the lonely road. Jesus already walked it for us, and we should gratefully follow.

Stronger or Stranger

2011-09-12T07:33:00.000-07:00

“Do not be carried away be all kinds of strange teachings.” Hebrews 13:9

Lots of people want to tell you lots of things about how to live your life—not just products you should buy or portfolios you should build, but principles you should believe. Beware, be on your guard, and “do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings”(Heb. 13:9).

It’s out there—various claims and commands about what you need to do to be devout. Wear this and don’t wear that. Eat this and don’t eat that. Drink this but don’t drink that. Play this but don’t play that. Go here but don’t go there. Etc…. Such specifics are nothing new. When Hebrews was written, some were saying that even if you had faith in Jesus for salvation, you should still follow the Old Testament Law to really be a good Christian. Though clearly refuted in Scripture, this idea has hung around until today and shows up in all kinds of “strange teachings.”

Be leery of groups and gurus who advocate long lists of rules for uprightness. Often, as Paul stated, “Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence”(Col. 2:22-23). Instead of focusing our hearts and minds on Jesus, rules and regulations can cause us to focus on ourselves and on “how we are doing.” We become fixated on our own rightness instead of being consumed by God’s righteousness. “It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods, which are of no value to those who eat them”(Heb. 13:9). Or don’t eat them.

Several years ago a lady told me she had given up pork as a way to get closer to God. Knowing she watched the sexually-charged show Ally McBeal religiously, I suggested a better route might be to turn off the TV and fry up a pound of bacon, for Jesus said, “What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander”(Matt. 15:17-19). (I’m not saying you should never watch TV; just suggesting you watch what you watch.)

The high cost of the cross bought our freedom, and the preceding verses of Hebrews 13 give us guidelines about how to live in this delightful liberty. Love each other. Share hospitality. Hurt with the hurting. Stay morally pure. Don’t make money a priority. And remember that Jesus stays the same. He’s the one who reduced the many Old Testament laws into two commands: “Love the Lord your God with all you are and love others unselfishly”(Matt. 22:37-40). When people tell you how to live these out, remember that if what you hear doesn’t line up with what God has said, don’t listen. The litmus test for your activities, actions, and attitudes should be 1 Corinthians 10:31—“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Adhering to strange teaching doesn’t make you stronger—just stranger. Ask the question, “Does this bring God glory?” and live according to the answer.

No Change Needed

2011-09-09T07:47:00.000-07:00

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

Much can be said for consistency.

No one desires a car that cranks occasionally, deodorant that works sporadically, lights which flicker intermittently, or a God who changes—ever.

We know we don’t stay the same. We’re good one moment and bad the next. Kind one minute and cantankerous the next. Generous, then selfish. Patient, then pushy. Sweet, then sour. Praising, then pouting. Faithful, then faithless. But our God is not like us. He is not fickle, and He does not flip-flop. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever”(Heb. 13:8).

Don’t let familiarity with that phrase lessen its impact. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” The eternally-existent God has never had—and will never have—a moment when He is different. “I AM WHO I AM,” God announced to Moses at the burning bush and then further expounded a few months later up a mountain by a rock. “I AM, I AM, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin”(Ex. 34:6-7).

The statement that God will stay the same follows the author’s instruction for us to reflect on the lives of our leaders (Heb. 13:7). Who has God been to them? How has God provided for their needs? Forgiven their failures? Stayed by their side? “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” God will do the same for you. He will provide, forgive, and stick close, for He will never change.

Such constancy brings us comfort. Moods swing. Skin sags. Circumstances shift. The market fluctuates. Incomes adjust. Kids grow up. Loved ones leave. Families fracture. Friends move far away. And we find ourselves continually adapting, modifying, revising, and then changing it all again. But not once, in the many variations of life, will God diverge from His permanent perfection. His love is unfailing, His grace is unending, and great is His faithfulness.

God was. God is. And God always will be.
The same.

Follow The Leader

2011-09-07T06:54:00.000-07:00

“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” Hebrews 13:7

Who first told you about Jesus? From whom have you learned a lot about Him along the way? “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith”(Heb. 13:7). Think about the people who have helped you grow in knowing God. Reflect on how they have lived and how they have handled the happenings of their lives—the trials, the triumphs, and the failures. You’re not looking for perfection but reality—the reality of God’s grace and God’s love. Ministers mess up, pastors make mistakes, and teachers stumble and struggle, but a heart set on seeking God always heads back home.

“Consider the outcome of their way of life.” What have been the results of their trust in God? Have others been encouraged? Instructed? Inspired? Have they themselves had peace in the storms? Joy in the junk? Perseverance through the problems? And excitement about the ordinary? Think about how they have dealt with success, with routine, and with sickness, and reflect on their actions and attitudes.

Then “imitate their faith.” Since they believed God was good even when things were bad, do the same. Since they cried out in confession and repentance when they sinned, do the same. Since they stood for the truth, shared with the needy, and knelt for the hurting, do the same. Live their example, and follow them as they have followed Christ(1 Cor. 11:1).

Thanks, Mom and Dad, Clete and Nelda, Larry and Nancy, Tracy, Bro. Al, Ray S., Ray C., Drew, and many others. I am blessed to have been led by you to love Jesus more, know Him better, and see Him bigger.

Remember those who have helped you love Jesus.
Consider how they have lived.
Copy what they have done.

And if you still can, say thanks.

Money Matters

2011-09-02T06:30:00.000-07:00

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.” Hebrews 13:5

Like a skilled fighter, the writer of Hebrews follows his left jab on morality with a right hook about money. Ouch. But, since our felt-worth is far too often wrapped up in our net-worth, such punches are justified. “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have”(Hebrews 13:5). The issue is not the amount in your account, but your attitude—how you feel about what you have. Both the righteous rich and the pious poor struggle with the subject of cash and income.

Knowing the hold money can have on our hearts, Jesus spoke early and often on the topic. “Both God and gold can’t be your top priority”(Matt. 6:24). “Guard against all kinds of greed. Your life is more than what you make”(Luke 12:15). “Set your focus—and your funds—in heaven. Your heart is in the place you place your treasure”(Luke 12:33-34).

“Keep your lives free from the love of money.” Before you dismiss (or deny) that such could possibly be a problem in your own life, ponder these questions. Do you think more about money or about Jesus? Do you spend more time figuring out what you can get(toys, trips, outfits, etc.) or what you can give? Does money more easily pass through your hands or find a place in your heart? Will you do anything for gain or everything for God’s glory? Is the bottom line your profit or God’s presence? “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’”(Heb. 13:5).

The best antidote for materialism is contentment. Contentment is not having what you want; it’s wanting what you have. And what you have is a God who never goes away and who always helps you out(Heb. 13:5-6). We should never fret about not having enough, or feel like we need to have more, for we are filled and overflowing with the riches of God’s kindness(Rom. 2:4), the riches of His glory(Rom. 9:23), the riches of His wisdom and knowledge(Rom. 11:3), the riches of His grace(Eph. 1:7), the riches of His glorious inheritance(Eph. 1:18), and the riches of His mercy(Eph. 2:4). Today’s temporary currency can’t begin to compare to the wealth of eternity, so whatever bank balance God brings your way, share generously, enjoy graciously, and hold on loosely.

Money matters.
Let it be something you live with—not something you live for.

The Sex Talk

2011-08-31T06:54:00.000-07:00

“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and the sexually immoral." Hebrews 13:4

Since the guy who wrote Hebrews didn’t shy away from the sex talk, neither will we, so here goes. “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and the sexually immoral”(Heb. 13:4).

All of us should value and respect marriage. Why? First, because society starts to unravel when marriages fall apart. The covenant connection of one man and one woman sticking together and staying together “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, keeping their hands and hearts off any others, as long as they both shall live” is the basic building block of a strong and stable culture. This is not meant as a statement of judgment on those who are divorced, for, sadly, sometimes such action is necessary, but those who have felt the pain of a split know that the end of a dream brings tears and not cheers.

Second, and more importantly, marriage is meant to model God’s perfect, pure, and pleasurable connection with His church—His people made His own by the covenant of Christ’s sacrifice. We shouldn’t blur the picture by being impure. “The marriage bed [should be] kept pure,” is a direct but difficult demand, and we have millenniums of messes to prove that hormones and hearts are hard to control. Kingdoms (political, commercial, and religious) have crumbled, and rulers (presidents, principals, and preachers) have tumbled because of adultery.

God’s not trying to spoil our fun; in fact He’s trying to facilitate it. Sex is His grand—and very good—idea. Since He created the game, He gets to set the rules, and when we step out of bounds, we pay the penalty. “God will judge the adulterer and the sexually immoral”(Heb. 13:4). Yes, because Christ’s blood covers our sin, God forgives our failures, but the current consequences of our choices are not removed. Trust is shattered. Hearts are broken. Relationships often crash on the rocks, and we hurt not only others but also ourselves. “All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body”(1 Cor. 6:18). We’re not given details of what this means because it’s hard to explain except by experience. If you don’t get it, good. And if you’ve been there, don’t go there again. “Other than your spouse” sex leaves you with pain, problems, and a past you would like to get past. God’s grace renews us and help us rebuild, but the process is tough and takes time.

Before some get prideful, remember that purity is more than what you do; it’s also what you desire. Jesus clearly stated that an affair can be in attitude as well as actions, and when a look turns to lust, you’ve crossed the line. Dangerous desires, physically or emotionally, with a lover or online, are devastating, destructive, and disobedient.

No matter the state of your relationship (single, dating, engaged, married, or divorced) treat marriage—and the God of marriage—as something precious by being pure.

If you’re not married to somebody, don’t sleep with anybody.
And if vows have been said, stay in bed with the one you wed.

Prison Pals

2011-08-29T05:02:00.000-07:00

“Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” Hebrews 3:13

We know little about suffering for Jesus. Yes, friends, family, co-workers, and teachers— antagonistic to the faith—often hurl hurtful remarks and insults. Sadly, we do hear more and more in America about Christians being denied promotions, outspoken believers being hushed, and Godly faculty being reprimanded for attending school prayer vigils. While such incidents make us mad and make us sad, they should also cause us to remember the much more severe persecution faced by our family in Christ around the world. In fact, we shouldn’t require a news flash of an incident close by to rouse our concern for those far away. We should keep them on our minds and in our hearts every day. “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering”(Heb. 13:3).

Not sure who’s hurting? Here are a few facts taken from two Christian news sites:

 One-third of North Korea’s 100,000 believers are in concentration camps.

 At the beginning of August, three houses used as churches were burned in Sumatra. A gang threw stones and threatened church members with knives before pouring gasoline around the houses and setting them on fire.

 In Malaysia, authorities from the Islamic Religious Department, accompanied by police, recently raided a celebration dinner at the Damansara United Methodist Church and recorded the names of those present.

 In Eritrea, 90 Christians, mostly college students, have been arrested since May and are in the notorious Mitire military prison.

 In the past week, dozens of priests and believers have been arrested in China, and twenty-four were killed in attacks on Christian villages in Nigeria.

 In Pakistan, a fourteen year old Christian girl was taken from her home at gunpoint by a Muslim who intends to “purify her,” convert her to Islam, and make her his mistress. Such violent acts occur often against young Christian girls, but police authorities will not respond or investigate.

 In Mexico and other Latin countries, Christians have increasingly become targeted as victims of attacks, kidnappings, and murders by gangs and organized crime.

And three weeks ago, a sixteen-year-old girl in Sudan escaped from a gang of Muslims of who kidnapped her one year ago. She was initially locked in a room and beaten until unconscious. The leader of the group raped her, and she is still suffering pain in her right eye from a blow he recently dealt her in a beating. “Apart from abusing me sexually, he tried to force me to change my faith,” she said. “I cannot forget this bad incident, and whenever I try to pray, I find it difficult to forget. I ask believers to pray for me for inner healing.”

“Remember those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” Millions of our brothers and sisters are hurting, and over 100,000 will die for their faith this year. The key to prison might be held by the enemy, but the key to prayer is in your hands.

Fold them and don’t forget.

Love Like Brothers

2011-08-26T06:26:00.000-07:00

“Keep on loving each other as brothers.” Hebrews 13:1

My brother loves me. I’m not trying to brag or make those at odds with their siblings feel bad, but the truth is that I am blessed to have a brother who loves me. How do I know this is so? Because he shows me. He talks to me. He listens to me. He prays for me. He cares for me. If he has a concern, he shares it honestly. When I have a goal, he encourages it heartily. He is generous, funny, straightforward, and loyal. He has shown his love by standing up for me, protecting me, and being willing to die for me—literally.

Throughout our early years, we spent countless hours working together and playing together, and though now we live many miles apart, we make the effort to see each other often. In fact, if my brother won a trip for two (and his wife couldn’t go), he would take me or my sister. Actually, my brother would take us both and just pay for the extra one!

My brother is not perfect and I’m well aware of his faults, but I suggest that you don’t point them out, for while personal offenses are easily overlooked and forgiven, I will defend him ferociously. Blood is thicker than water, and when others in my life have walked away, my brother has been there to stay. I love my brother and don’t plan to stop.

“Keep on loving each other as brothers”(Heb. 13:1). God’s household in Hebrews had made loving as brothers a habit, and we should too. Though we all don’t have the same last name, the same saving blood runs through our veins and gives us God’s life. 134 times in the epistles Christians are referred to as “brothers,” so since we are family, and we need to love like one.

By loyal. Be generous. Be gracious. Don’t make perfection a prerequisite for affection, but be hard to offend, quick to forgive, and fast to defend. Hurt when others hurt. Help when they need help. Be the one they can call when no one else cares, and be there to stay when others walk away. “Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers”(1 John 3:16).

Start—and don’t stop—loving each other as brothers.

All Shook Up

2011-08-24T06:52:00.000-07:00

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”(Heb. 12:28-29).

We’re not as solid as we seem.

Over the past several years, storms and tsunamis of many kinds have shown that our structures of security are easily shaken. Roofs have been ripped away. Homes and households have fallen apart. The stock market has turned and tumbled. The Twin Towers toppled. And our own souls have quaked and quivered in disappointment and pain.

Unlike Elvis, it’s not love that has us all shook up; it’s life—but it is a life controlled by a sovereign God with a sacred purpose. As He started forming the nation of Israel, God’s voice “shook the earth”(Heb. 12:26a), and He has promised that at the end of time, “Once more will I shake not only the earth but also the heavens”(Heb. 12:26b). God didn’t create earth to last—only eternity, and in this in between He uses tumults and tremors to refine His own and reach those not yet His.

As our domiciles or our dreams lie in ruin, perhaps part of His point is to remind us that troubles are temporary, but He is timeless. As kings and kingdoms falter and fall around us, we can be sure that the One who holds our faith—and our fate—will never fail. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe”(Heb. 12:28-29).

Mouth-gaping gratitude for such a gift should give way to abandoned worship as we honor God for who He is and what He has done. Be astounded that One so mighty cares for one so minute—and such a mess! Be amazed that as you weeble and wobble, His strength supports you, His grace sustains you, and His love never leaves you alone. You are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken!! Don’t just mumble some token line about the good Lord being a big help, but fall to your knees in absolute awe that “the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and His truth endures forever”(Ps. 100:5).

It doesn’t take much to make us quake, but nothing gets God all shook up.
Stand on the Solid Rock.

The Mountain Masterpiece

2011-08-22T08:25:00.000-07:00

“You have not come to a mountain…that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm. But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God.” Hebrews 12:18,2

I love art. I’m lousy at it (that’s not humility—that’s honesty), but I love it. Displayed in my home are various paintings and prints I’ve collected throughout the years. The works on my walls were not chosen because they are masterpieces or because they match the scheme of the room but because of their meaning. Each picture is special—some because of the artist, some because of the subject. When I see the images, I smile as I think about some one, some place, or some time. Each frame captures a moment I want to remember and never forget.

The writer of Hebrews must have been an art lover too, for in the midst of exhortations and instructions about how we should live a Godly life, he pauses to paint a picture of why we should live a Godly life. For effect, he employs contrast—contrast both stark and soothing. Two mountains. One in the past. One in the present. Two moods. One judgment. One joy. Two motions. Backing away in fear. Running forward in faith. And the one constant on both canvasses—a just God who laid down His law and then laid down His life.

Darkness, smoke, and storm shrouded the scene at Mt. Sinai. From a hovering cloud, God’s holy voice boomed a divine warning: “Don’t cross the line or you won’t live!” “We can’t bear the sound,” the people begged Moses, who himself trembled in fear at the terrifying sight(Heb. 12:21). A litany of commandments then followed—requirements of a righteous God who could not allow His sinful children to come close. Though His demands for sacrifice dripped with grace, that mountain was off-limits and inaccessible.

“But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel”(Heb. 12:22-24).

One hill held the threat of death. The other holds the promise of life. And a cross on top of Calvary built a bridge between the two.

Be captivated by the picture, and come on up the mountain.

See To It

2011-08-18T08:21:00.000-07:00

“See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Hebrews 12:15

“See to it!” Instructions from my grandmother were often followed by these three short but certain words. No dawdling permitted. No delay allowed. Hasten to the task and don’t halt until it is done. Back in the day, I didn’t realize she was repeating a command from Scripture, but here in Hebrews we find the same directive. “See to it.” See to what? Which issues beg such a strong imperative from God? Bitterness and grace. “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many”(Heb. 12:15).

Many seeds want to sprout in our hearts. The circumstances and situations of life toss all kinds of attitudes and emotions into the soil of our souls. The ones we allow to take root are the ones which will run (and often ruin) our lives. If we allow bitterness to burrow in, we end up in a big mess because bitterness “grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”

To keep this from happening, we must first see to our soil. Envy, insecurity, and anger create a fertile environment for rapid growth. When don’t get what we want or what we think we’re due, when others we feel are less deserving end up with something we should have—or something they shouldn’t have, or when we’ve been hurt, disappointed, and betrayed, we must make sure the seed doesn’t start to sprout. In the off-limits list of Ephesians we’re told to “get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice”(Eph. 4:31). Kindness, compassion, and forgiveness “just as in Christ God forgave you” are offered in the follow-up verse as exterminators to such evils. Bitterness cannot grow in the soil of grace.

But if in our frustration we miss God’s grace and mire ourselves in self-pity or self-righteousness, the bitterness that began below the surface will quickly spring up for all to see—for a bitter root produces bitter fruit. Our words will taste of negativity and criticism. Our attitudes will be sour with irritation and disdain. We will keep a long record of wrongs, be quick to point out the faults of others, and will hesitate to celebrate the successes of those around us. Our bitterness will “cause trouble and defile many” as its roots twist and tangle our hearts in a chokehold of resentment and cynicism.

Don’t let the root of bitterness get grounded and grow. Squash the seed before it sprouts, and pluck the plant while it is small. God’s grace is too great to miss, and being bitter only makes a mess.

Do what my grandmother said—“See to it!”

SightSeeing

2011-08-15T10:36:00.000-07:00

“Make every effort…to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14

Some sights should not be missed.

If you’re close to the Grand Canyon, drop by and drop your jaw. As you travel in Switzerland, gaze up at the Alps. When in Niagara, gape down at the falls. Should you find yourself in Rome, don’t skip the Sistine Chapel. (Hint: try not to show up during the Feast of St. Peter or the doors will be locked!) And as you go through the normal everydays of life, look for the Lord.

Haven’t seen much of Him lately? Perhaps you’re not looking hard enough, or perhaps you’re not living holy enough. Sounds tough, but it’s solid theology. “Make every effort to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord”(Heb. 12:14).

The unsullied character of God is so different from our sinful nature that we would die if in His presence on our own, but since God wanted us near, Christ has become “our righteousness, holiness, and redemption”(1 Cor. 1:30). “He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation”(Col. 1:22). In love and grace, God has made us holy so we can see His face—forever. “Without holiness no one will see the Lord.” In love and grace, our Father also wants us to live holy so we can see Him—now. “Without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Unless we let God’s holiness show up in our actions and attitudes, our purposes and priorities, we will struggle to sense and understand how God is working and what He is doing. We will journey through our day and miss Jesus.

God is alive and active in your commitments, the caller on your cell phone, and the conversation around your supper table. Opportunities and responsibilities are inner-doors into God’s workings, and crossing paths with acquaintances are divine appointments. Seeing God in every venture and at every venue transforms your day from dull to delightful. You start to sense your small part in His big story, and you are thrilled by His grace.

Such sight is brought about by holiness—by keeping the lens of your life clean and clear. To do so requires exertion, concentration, and constant confession. “Make every effort to be holy.” Start by staring at Jesus. Begin with the Gospels and go on from there to devour all of God’s Word. Pray like crazy—talking with God throughout your day about all of your day. And when choosing the what’s and how’s of your words and works, consider how you can best imitate and communicate Christ. When you focus on Jesus as your priority and authority, you’ll find that you find Him everywhere.

You see more of God by looking like Him than by looking for Him.
He’s a sight that should never be missed.

The Path of Peace

2011-08-05T06:37:00.000-07:00

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men.” Hebrews 12:14

No matter how hard you try, it’s hard to get along with everybody, but don’t let difficulty deter your endeavor. Instead, “Make every effort to live in peace with all men”(Heb. 12:14).

This command is an oft-repeated admonition in the New Testament with at least eight passages reminding us of our responsibility. Why the fuss? Because peace is the agenda of Jesus. He came to be our peace(Eph. 2:14) and to bring us peace(Jn. 14:27). How can the world see the peace of God if we aren’t at peace with others? Our desire to show God’s glory should press us to live in peace with all people.

Obviously, this isn’t easy. The word “effort” implies exertion and struggle. The word “every” suggests that success might not come on our first (or second) try. “Make every effort to live in peace with all men.” Sadly, some people will never be willing to restore a relationship and will always be contentious and caustic, but, “if it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone”(Rom. 12:18). You can’t control the actions and reactions of others, but you choose your own attitude and your own responses. Don’t let the ones slinging dirt bring you down. Take the high road and offer a hand to help them up.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—the result of God’s Spirit getting His way—go a long way in helping us get along. Pray for the ones who cause you problems and the ones who cause you pain. Ask God for wisdom and look to His Word for guidance. Certain situations require Christ-like confrontation, but most concerns which ruffle our feathers should be quickly smoothed by the grace of forgiveness.

Consider that perhaps the one who rubs you wrong isn’t always wrong, but, instead, maybe God is using him (or her) to sand off sharp edges in your own personality and character.

And remember that nothing disturbs the peace quite like good gossip, so think carefully about what you say and why you say it. Offenses should be dealt with at the source, not discussed with someone else. “Making every effort to live in peace” often means saying little when you want to say a lot. “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise”(Pro. 10:19).

Living in peace is the best and blessed way to live. Love generously. Forgive quickly. Speak wisely. Getting along with others isn’t effortless, but it’s worth the effort.

Workouts That Work

2011-08-03T06:57:00.000-07:00

“Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.” Hebrews 12:12

I wince as I write—yesterday’s yard work a painful reminder that seldom-used muscles quickly get sore. (A shovel, hedger, and set of shears equip one nicely for a total-body workout!) Regular exercise involving such specific motions would have been wise preparation for the extra exertion.

Constant use trains not only ligaments and limbs, but also souls and spirits, for current and upcoming challenges. If they haven’t already arrived, hard times are on the way. The pain can produce purity and peace (Heb. 12:11), but we must endure the rough to enjoy the results. We need stamina and strength to see us through. God will help us and hold us in the storm, but He also tells us to work-out in the sunshine. “Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.” We need to be able to do more than breathe. We need to build up and buff up in preparation for the tasks, triumphs, and troubles of each day.

Unlike wiry marathoners of modern times who completely ignore their upper bodies, our arms must be strong so we can pick up the fallen(Gal. 6:1), support the struggling(Rom. 15:1), and carry the burdens of the overwhelmed(Gal. 6:2). Our knees must be sturdy to support the weight of responsibility and opportunity we have as followers of Christ. Our path will not always be flat and smooth, so we must be steady and strong as we charge up hills and avoid obstacles.

Our power comes from a God who has been in the fitness business for quite a while. Way back, God spoke through Job to “strengthen feeble hands, support those who stumbled, and strengthen faltering knees”(Job 4:3-4). Centuries later, Isaiah commanded God’s people to “strengthen the feeble hands, and steady the knees that give way”(Is. 35:3). And here in Hebrews, we’re reminded to “strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.” Arms and knees seem to be perpetual problem areas that should be exercised often.

Drop to the floor and lift up your hands.
Strength is built best by prayer and praise.

Counting Days

2011-08-01T07:30:00.000-07:00

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

For the past several weeks, I stepped back. As summer’s schedule brought different responsibilities and opportunities, I shifted time away from something I love—writing—and turned it toward someone (or rather, “someones”) I love—my girls.

The days have been good. In and around youth camp, Vacation Bible School, and family trips near and far, we’ve talked, laughed, played, and watched The Lord of the Rings trilogy more times than I dare confess. I’ve been reminded of how quickly babies grow into ladies, and I’ve realized again that the treasures I hold in my heart mean much more than those I hold in my hands.

As I now resume writing and we ready for the start of school, I earnestly lift up the prayer of Moses. “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom”(Ps. 90:12). “Numbering our days aright” moves far beyond slashes on my calendar to the activities on my agenda. When the day is done, have I done it well? Have I invested my time, energy, thoughts, and talents in ways which show-off Jesus and share His joy? Have I kept the urgent from getting in the way of the important? And have I remembered that God’s greatest desires are for me to love Him and to love others—not to look out for myself?

Assessing each day with eternity in mind aids greatly in “gaining a heart of wisdom.” Honest consideration of what we do, why we do, and how we do helps us learn from yesterday how to live today. These weeks of summer have refreshed my spirit and renewed my commitment to God’s call in my life. It’s time to make sure those closest get my best. It’s time to let abundance replace busyness. It’s time to live out what I write down.

Don’t just count the days.
Make the days count.

The Purpose of Pain

2011-06-17T07:43:00.000-07:00

“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons.” Hebrews 12:7

Discipline. The very word causes us to squirm. Memories of extra chores, extra-long weekends (due to grounding and restriction), and the board of education being firmly applied to the seat of learning fill our minds. When we were younger, these methods seemed mean—barbaric practices contrived by parents who didn’t understand, but now that most of us have kids of our own, Mom and Dad make a lot more sense, and we find ourselves repeating the same tried and true routines.

Discipline. Though the definition does encompass the punishment which initially comes to mind, the meaning in this verse is much broader and better. Since the root word is disciple or learner, it follows that discipline labels the category of all situations and experiences in which we learn more about ourselves and our God. And rarely are these times easy. “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful”(Heb. 12:11).

The pain usually arrives in three ways. First, through the consequences of our own failures. The seeds of sin produce briars not blooms, and though God grace shields us from many well-deserved cuts and scratches, He often lets us feel the ache to teach us and to keep us from repeating our wrong. Occasionally our suffering comes from the choices of others. Their decisions cause distress as we are rejected, exploited, and disappointed. And sometimes God’s sovereignty allows sorrow and struggle which do not result from what someone has done but whose reason is what God is doing—in us and through us.

So how do we handle hurt and hard times?

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline”(Heb. 12:5). Don’t blow it off and treat it as nothing, for it really is something. Be serious about the situation and seek to learn all you can while living through it. On the other hand, “Do not lose heart when [God] rebukes you”(Heb. 12:5). Don’t let your grief get you down and make you think that you are no good and worth nothing, for the very fact that that you are suffering means that you are worth so much to Someone. “God is treating you as sons…because the Lord disciplines those he loves(Heb. 12:7,6). God loves you enough to let you feel the pain and sense the struggle—not because He is cruel or uncaring—but because the pain has a purpose. “God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it”(Heb. 12:10-11). God is fixing us for the future. The hardship you are enduring is making your heart more holy, your life more pure, and your spirit more peaceful. Through the pain, you learn of God’s unfailing love and unending grace, and when the next difficulty comes, you will have more faith to face it and more peace as you persevere.

Time-outs and tough times aren’t easy, but they’re effective. Let the pain remind you that you are loved by a God who is working for your good.

Fixed Gaze

2011-06-13T07:01:00.000-07:00

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” Hebrews 12:2

I admit without shame that I welcome distractions while running—anything to get my mind off the fact that the only thing pounding harder than my feet is my heart. Paying attention to fresh blooms in a nearby flower bed, concerned yelps from a neighbor’s dog, and friendly waves from passers-by are fine on days when I’m trotting around for fitness, but on the rare occasion I want to run fast, I must dismiss distractions and focus on the finish line.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” The trail of today is filled with much to see and do. Relationships and responsibilities call for our attention. Activities and amusements clamor for our affection. How can we prioritize properly and make sure we don’t miss our purpose? By fixing our eyes on Jesus. The faith in which we run has been fully laid out and lived out by Him. Jesus started our faith, and He saw it all the way through. He is “the author and the perfecter [completer] of our faith.” We’re not blazing a trail; we’re following the steps of a Savior who gave His all to get us on His team— “who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God(Heb. 12:2).”

Only as we focus on Jesus can we clearly see the world around us. All will fall into appropriate place when we dismiss distractions and look to Him. His grace, love, goodness, and compassion captivate us, compel us, and remind us that our eyes are not fixed merely on a prize but on a Person. He is the perfect winner who waits at the finish line to welcome us with open arms and who also, by His Spirit, finds us on the course, comes along beside us, and encourages us in our daily trek.

Your feet may grow weary from pounding and your heart may grow tired from pumping, but don’t look around for something to distract you. Look ahead for Someone to delight you.

Have eyes only for Jesus.

Free To Fly

2011-06-02T09:14:00.000-07:00

“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1

The early air December air was cool—no, it was cold, but many layers kept me warm as I waited for the race to begin. At the sound of the gun I was off, and as the minutes and miles passed by, so were my extra clothes. The road behind me would have resembled a garage sale gone bad if my kind husband hadn’t slowed his pace to run beside me for support—and storage. I suppose I could have covered the distance carrying my excess equipment, but it would have weighed me down and slowed me down.

“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us”(Hebrews 12:1). Whatever weighs you down, holds you back, and trips you up in the race of life needs to go. “Let us throw off everything that hinders,” our Hebrews track coach demands. “Everything” leaves no room for hanging onto anything which impedes your progress. Shame and regret from the past or anxiety and fear of the future all must go. Obsession with the temporary or desire for your own happiness over God’s holiness must also be discarded. Laziness, lack of discipline, and misplaced focus should be shed quickly and decisively.

Some things do more than slow us down; they trip us up. “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” Once again our trainer chooses a word which encompasses an entire spectrum—this time of sin. Sin takes many forms and shows up in many ways, but at its root, sin is selfishness—choosing ourselves or someone else over God. Pride, lust, greed, rage, gossip, bitterness, envy, impatience, rudeness, unkind words, and an uncaring heart are just a few of the creeping vines we allow to wind around our ankles (and our attitudes). We might able to stumble forward as we drag them along, but we can never run until we clip, cut, yank, and pull—whatever it takes to entangle ourselves from our sin. By God’s Spirit and by His grace, we have the power to run free and fit.

God has a race marked out for each of His children, and He wants us to pass the mile markers of life at a good, strong pace. It’s time to strip down to the essentials of the Gospel—God’s amazing grace and His unfailing love—and be free to fly.

The Crowd In The Stands

2011-05-23T06:45:00.000-07:00

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1

The finish of the Olympic marathon is a fantastic spectacle. After running most of the 26.2 miles through the streets of the chosen city, the athletes enter the stadium for a final lap. As the leader bursts through the tunnel onto the track, the crowd in the stands goes wild with excitement, encouragement, and admiration. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

The faithful from Hebrews 11 are not exhibited in a quiet, orderly museum but are plastered on rowdy bleacher walls. As we travel round the track, we’re reminded of their triumphs, troubles, successes, and struggles. Our faces reflect their faith. Their stories inspire our feet.

When you feel like giving up, remember those who’ve given all. “In your struggle against sin, you have not resisted to the point of shedding blood”(Heb. 12:4). When you feel like you can’t keep up, remember that it’s not about pace but about perseverance. “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength…They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint”(Isaiah 40:31). You are not blazing a brand new trail. Many have gone before you, and others are coming behind you. A great cloud of witnesses applauds your every step—their lives strong proof of God’s power and loud evidence of His grace.

Just as the writer of Hebrews didn’t have time to cite details about Gideon, Samson, David, and Samuel(Heb. 11:32), this page doesn’t hold space to describe Martin Luther, William Tyndale, Amy Carmichael, Hudson Taylor, Oswald Chambers, Corrie ten Boom, Nate Saint, Billy Graham, your grandmother, and the guy at work who loves well and lives right. In print or in person they are rooting for you and urging you on. Look closely at the ones already across the line. Listen carefully to those in the next lane. Let God’s faithfulness motivate you to keep moving, and let the fans’ excitement increase your endurance.

Run. And keep running. The crowd is cheering like crazy, and the One clapping loudest has scars in His hands.

The Swing of Faith

2011-05-16T11:00:00.000-07:00

“Whose weakness was turned to strength.” Hebrews 11:34

Every summer, at Cooperstown, New York, a chosen few of baseball’s elite are inducted into the Hall of Fame. During the ceremony, attendees are regaled with outstanding facts and feats of the selected athletes. Homers, hits, runs batted in, slugging percentage, and batting average are stats shared about those picked for their prowess at the plate. For the ones hoping and trying to follow in their footsteps, just listening to the numbers can be overwhelming and intimidating. A bit like reading Hebrews 11.

Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, and the list goes on and on. This Hall of Faith is filled with feats and facts of Godly men and women who lived so well we feel we could never attain such greatness. Through faith, these heroes “conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword”(Heb. 11:33-34). By this time in the passage, we’re surely despairing of our failures and feeling inadequate in our faith, but let us not lose heart, for just as many of those enshrined at Cooperstown started out as second-string Little Leaguers, each of our Hebrews Heroes started out small and struck-out often along the way.

Noah was found drunk and naked in his tent. Abraham, scared for his own life, passed his wife off as his sister and let Pharaoh marry her. (It was only a half-lie because she really was his half sister, but the whole deception made a big mess.) Joseph bragged about his dreams, Moses got mad and disobeyed, David committed adultery and murdered to cover it up, and this list goes on and on as well. So how did those with so many failures end up with such great faith? One short phrase in the chapter holds the key to their success and ours also. “Whose weakness was turned to strength”(Heb. 11:34). None of us are strong on our own. We are frail, fragile, and faithless. We may try and try again, but we end up falling and failing. But when God, in His grace, reveals to us His truth, He takes our flaws and our faults, forgives our sins, and fills us with faith. “By grace you are saved through faith--and this not from yourselves—it is a gift of God”(Eph. 2:8). By His power, God turns our weakness into strength, and our reliance on Him becomes a force of great might.

The people listed in Hebrews were far from perfect—they failed many times not only before but also after they put their trust in God. But though not faultless, they were faithful— confessing their sin and coming back to the God whom they believed. Our weakness will be turned to strength as we take Him at His word and follow His ways—again and again.

Don’t be dejected as you walk back to the dugout.
You can’t strike-out when you swing in faith.

Faith Plans A Funeral

2011-05-11T12:56:00.000-07:00

“By faith, Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.” Hebrews 11:22

By his life, Joseph said much about faith, but at his death, he shouted the definition.

“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see,” and Joseph was both sure and certain that Egypt wouldn’t be the permanent residence of his relatives. Way back, God had told Abraham that his descendants would be enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years in a foreign country before God punished their oppressors and rescued His people. Joseph was so secure in God’s promise and so excited about God’s plans that he didn’t want to be left behind. If he couldn’t make it in person, at last part of him could take the trip, so he “spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.”

When Joseph spoke his wishes, life was good for the Israelites. Joseph had been Egypt’s rescue hero, so many assumed Pharaoh’s favor would never end. But Joseph believed God’s words to his great-grandfather and knew that such would not be so. His instructions were proof of a faith that looked past his few years into God’s glorious future. In the coming days of sorrow and slavery, of bricks and beatings, Joseph’s words were a lifeline of hope the people could hold onto even if things weren’t looking up in their lifetime.

His directions were passed down through generations, and when deliverance day finally arrived, in the midst of the joyous but hasty exodus, someone made sure to grab what was left of Joseph. The box held more than a bunch of bones. The clunks and clatter were evidence of a heart that took God at His word and believed His word. For forty years someone carried the Joseph’s casket through the wilderness—a constant reminder that real faith never goes unrewarded. If the windows of Paradise were open to earth, surely Joseph smiled as his bones were finally buried in the Promised Land(Joshua 24:32), and hopefully those who heaped dirt in the hole paused to ponder the faith of a great man in his much greater God.

God’s speaks often in Scripture of the glorious future ahead for those who are His, and we can hang onto His words with hope. Don’t let anything rattle your bones—or your heart. A better place is just over the horizon, so have faith in life—and in death.

No one will need to carry your casket.
God will bring you to His Promised Land—in person.

For Sure

2011-05-09T06:23:00.000-07:00

“By faith Abraham…” Hebrews 11:8,11,17

Abraham didn’t know where he was moving when God commanded relocation, but he knew for sure God had called him to leave, so he put the house on the market and headed “to the land I will show you”(Gen. 12:1). He was content to live in tents the rest of his life because he believed God was building a permanent home much bigger and better than anything he could find here. Faith needed no forwarding address before it packed the U-Haul.

Abraham didn’t know how God would give him and his wife a child of their own, for she was infertile and he was “as good as dead”(Heb. 11:12), but he knew for sure God had spoken about their son, so ten years before the baby was born, he obeyed and changed Sarai’s name to Sarah, implying that this “princess” would become the mother of many kings. Faith needed no positive pregnancy test before it painted the nursery.

Abraham didn’t know why God commanded him to sacrifice his only son, but he knew for sure God would provide for what He had promised, so “Abraham bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar on top of the wood”(Gen. 22:9). Though nothing about this scenario made any sense this side of heaven, “Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead”(Heb. 11:19), so he raised the knife. Faith needed no explanation before it offered the ultimate.

Our God is the God of unknown destinations, unexplainable delivery rooms, and seemingly unfulfilled dreams. He doesn’t expect us to always understand, but He expects us to always believe.

Faith isn’t being for sure of the what.
Faith is being for sure of the Who.

The Boat of Belief

2011-05-06T07:24:00.000-07:00

“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark.” Hebrews 11:7

If the people on earth had seen rain before the flood, they hadn’t seen much—not enough to make them think that the guy down the street building the giant boat in his backyard hadn’t lost his mind. But God had spoken, and Noah was sure He meant what He said. Noah didn’t need to see the flood to have faith it was coming. “When warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear, [he] built an ark”(Heb. 11:7).

While Noah believed, the rest of the world blew God off. They discounted the truth that this “preacher of righteousness”(2 Pet. 2:5) declared with both his sermons and his saw. Day by day, week by week, month by month, year by year, the boat got bigger. For decades the neighbors were awakened by the pounding of hammers (and we think a contractor is slow if he takes six months!). Tree after tree after tree was downed and dragged to the construction site, and the hardware store couldn’t keep enough sealant in stock. This triple-decker floating zoo, 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high, would be a refuge for the eight in Noah’s family during the forty day flood which would “destroy all life under the heavens”(Gen. 6:17).

Surely there were many taunts, sneers, and ridicules from a corrupt and violent world with no regard for God. No one on earth understood, but no on earth could distract him or deter him. Noah built the ark, and when all others gasped their final breaths, Noah and his family floated in safety.

That’s what faith will do. Faith will get you ready for the rising water, and faith will keep you floating in the flood. The world will never again be destroyed by rain(Gen. 9:15), but the daily deluge of troubles and sorrows often feels deep enough to drown in. Keep more than your chin up. “The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials”(2 Pet. 2:9). His ark of salvation will never sink. In His grace, we will sail in safety till we come to rest on His holy mountain(Gen. 8:4, Heb. 12:22).

Believe and climb aboard.

The Vanishing

2011-05-04T09:37:00.000-07:00

“By faith Enoch was taken from this life.” Hebrews 11:5

Enoch was a neat guy. The seventh man down the line from Adam didn’t hang around for very long (at least not by the standard of the day), but his few years left a big mark. Here’s what we know. While many men in those days waited until after the century mark to start a family, Enoch got going early. His first kid, Methuselah, was born when he was only sixty-five. Becoming a dad often changes a man, and Enoch may have been no exception, for we’re told that “after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters”(Gen. 5:22). One day when he was 365, Enoch left his house and didn’t come home. The King James Version says it best. “Enoch walked with God, and he was not”(Gen. 5:24). Not what?? Not on earth, “for God took him”(Gen 5:24).

WHAT?!?!? Surely his friends and family wondered the same. Certain he had lost his keys, lost his way, or lost his mind in a mid-life crisis, they sent out a search party, but Enoch “could not be found because God had taken him away, so that he did not experience death”(Heb. 11:5).

Why? Because “before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God”(Heb. 11:5). How did a mortal man please the Almighty God? By believing “that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”(Heb. 11:6). “Without faith it is impossible to please God,” and, “by faith, Enoch was taken from this life”(Heb. 11:5-6). Why God chose to reward such faith with such a finale will not be known until eternity, but Enoch’s no-death departure is an undeniable reminder that inexplicable events often occur when we believe in an astonishing God. And when we walk closely with Him.

Friends are rarely silent as they stroll. They talk, listen, laugh, share, sympathize, and support. By grace through faith, we are friends with God, and we can talk, listen, laugh, learn, and love as we walk through life with Him. God doesn’t promise us that faith means no funeral (for only two of many have never passed through death’s door), but for those who are His, faith means that we need not fear to turn the knob.

I think the old preacher got the story right:
One day God and Enoch were out for a walk. As the sun began to set, God said, “Enoch, we’re a lot closer to My house than yours. Why don’t you just come on home with Me?”

Unlike Enoch, we don’t have centuries to please God on earth, so delight Him today by walking in faith. You never know what might happen.

Life By Example

2011-04-27T11:46:00.000-07:00

“By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did.” Hebrews 11:4

Examples are usually useful—or at least they were in math class. Verbal explanations, no matter how eloquent or intricate, were never as informative as the examples. The “worked for you” problems not only gave concrete illustration to abstract concepts but also helped with homework, for by looking back at the examples on the board or in my book (many times, I must add) and by tracing the clear (and correct) steps in the process, I could sometimes figure it out!

Hebrews 11 is a list of such examples. The first verse eloquently tells us what faith is. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” The rest of the chapter gives us examples—real life illustrations of ordinary people putting their faith in an extraordinary God. Delightfully, the stories are all different—a striking reminder that lived-out faith rarely looks alike.

After laying a faith foundation for creation, we step into the gory story of Cain and Abel—brothers bound by blood but not belief. Abel was a shepherd, and Cain was a farmer. “In the course of time,” Cain brought some produce to present to God. Abel slaughtered firstborn lambs and offered their fat. God approved of Abel’s offering, but He refused Cain’s. Why? Why did “Abel offer a better sacrifice than Cain”(Heb. 11:4)? The simple fact of faith. Abel’s offering came from his firstborn. He gave his initial profit up to God and trusted Him to provide for the future. Abel’s sacrifice showed that he understand correctly who God was and what He desired, and “by faith he was commended as a righteous man when God spoke well of his offerings”(Heb. 11:4). Genesis history doesn’t say that Cain brought the first fruits from his crops but merely “some of the fruits.” When you have plenty, you can always spare a few. Seems that Cain did just that.

The story only gets uglier. Cain was angry that his offering hadn’t been accepted and vented his rage on his brother. An open-field attack left Abel dead and Cain cursed, but, in spite of the violence, Abel’s example of obedient faith shows us that from the beginning God desired His children to trust. “And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead”(Heb. 11:4).

Faith in action point from Abel: We show faith by giving God our first and best and trusting Him to provide the rest.

Examples help with more than math. They help with life. These figures of faith help us figure out faith. Look, listen, and learn.

The Sure Start

2011-04-25T08:15:00.000-07:00

“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” Hebrews 11:3

As I browsed through several articles in a recent National Geographic, the common thread weaving through the words was striking. Info and facts about the domestication of animals, the revival of kung fu in China, and the impact of humans on geology were all fastened to a larger matrix of puzzling questions—Who are we? Where did we come from? Why are we here? The magazine isn’t asking the wrong questions, but it’s not looking for the right answers. “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”

All stuff had a start. Though the assumption that something always was has been quietly accepted and quickly approved by many in the scientific community (and glaring glances thrown at those who dare to propose otherwise), the late-nite question haunting the minds of atheistic evolutionists remains—“How did stuff get its start?”

The answer is simple, straightforward, and astounding. God commanded, and the universe came to be. Something out of nothing. God didn’t need materials to make the world; only His word was required. When He spoke up, all we see showed up. Planets tumbled into rotation, galaxies spun through space, stars blazed with light and heat, and the first human opened his eyes to see the face of the Father.

Divine declaration determined creation. It’s here because of Him(2 Peter 3:5), and it holds together because of Him(Col. 1:16). We didn’t have to be there to be sure. The evidence is obvious, and by faith we understand what others refuse to believe. Of course we’re curious about details and dates, but the when and the how are eclipsed by the what. Minors don’t matter when you believe the major—“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Something always wasn’t, but Someone always was.
And you were part of His heart at the start.

Faith In The Facts

2011-04-22T06:27:00.000-07:00

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there?

No, but I know it really happened. “When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him. At noon the sky turned dark and stayed that way until three o’clock for the sun stopped shining. At three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ He said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and died.”

Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb? Were you there?

No, but I know it really happened. “Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. He was accompanied by Nicodemus. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices in the linen. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb. They laid Jesus there. Joseph rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.”

Were you there when He rose up from the grave? Were you there?

No, but I know it really happened. “At dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled back the stone and sat on it. The angel said to the women, ‘He is not here. He has risen! Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples.’ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy. Suddenly Jesus met them. ‘Greetings,’ he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.”

Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.

Not from fear that it didn’t happen, but from the overwhelming fact that it did. “Jesus said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’”

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

This Easter weekend, may the facts of Christ’s death and resurrection fill you with great faith, great joy, and great praise.
He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Truth In The Trash

2011-04-20T08:01:00.000-07:00

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.” Hebrews 10:3

The groan you heard last week was my garbage guy—not my sweet husband who wheeled the cans to the curb but the man who heaved the stuff into the truck. After several days of spring cleaning, late Monday evening I tossed one more thing on top—a small teddy bear once plush and purple but now weathered and weary. The bear belonged to Calvin, our cat. Two years ago when he arrived as a skittish and scared kitten, my girls gave it to him for comfort and security. Calvin played, pawed, tossed, chased, and chewed the soft toy, but for the past few months, the bear, with stuffing spilling from its side, had been lying by my back door. Each time I stepped out, I almost stepped on and tripped over the bear. Since it never moved from this spot, I assumed it was abandoned and should be thrown away, so I tossed it. Early the next morning, as I stepped out the door, I almost stepped on the bear. A driveway glance showed a knocked-down can and scattered contents. My sleeping family couldn’t be suspects, so that left only the feline. As if on cue, ‘round the corner came Calvin with a glare that screamed, “Some treasures should never be trashed.”

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.” Faith adds a nice touch to the already posh and pampered life of middle-class America, but to the first readers of Hebrews, faith wasn’t an addition but their foundation. And as persecution poured in, faith became their only possession. Their confidence in Christ gave purpose to their pain. They had “stood their ground…in the face of suffering.” Publicly shamed, imprisoned, insulted, and stripped of property, these Christians had stood “side by side” and stood strong in the certainty that God said what He meant and meant what He said. But as the persecution and pressure kept increasing and the passion of their first-found faith began to falter, these words encouraged them to continue with confidence and to not toss the truth.

Though we in this part of the world aren’t imprisoned and don’t lose property because of our confidence in Christ, our culture doesn’t see much value in the One we cherish. They think He was bright in His time but has been used up, worn out, and should be thrown away. Day after day, as Jesus stays in the same spot of first priority in your life, the world will stumble over Him when they see you, and being tripped up is troubling. Your confidence and consistency will bother them and often bring out their worst, but don’t let their rejection of Jesus phase you. Knock down the garbage and put Him back where He needs to be.

This morning as I stepped out my door, I saw Calvin’s bear—a not so bright but very big reminder that face value isn’t forever value. Because of our faith our circumstances may stink, our reputation may be ruined, and our assets may be lost, but our trust can never be taken away. Let the rough and tough of life crowd you to Christ. Cling to the bloodstained cross and empty tomb, and count on God to reward your confidence.

Some treasures should never be trashed.

A Part not Apart

2011-04-18T07:29:00.000-07:00

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

For several years back in the early 100s, solitary sainthood was in vogue. Men were put on a pedestal, literally, and lived on top for decades. (One guy made it 67 years!) These men believed that staying apart from the group made them more of a saint and more sure of salvation. We know better than to believe or live out such errant folly, yet we sometimes find ourselves spending much of life away from the very ones we should be hanging around. “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Seems as though some early Christians had decided that church was optional, and God wanted them to know otherwise. Getting together with other believers is an essential part of your spiritual diet, and missing more than a few meals leaves you weak and undernourished. Sunday worship and weekly small group should be considered “meetings” that we don’t easily “give up.” Yes, everyone understands extenuating circumstances, but a busy schedule, a burdened heart, or a beautiful lake shouldn’t habitually keep you from church. Your attendance in tired or tough circumstances (or on the perfect day for fishing or skiing) encourages those in the pew and the pulpit. Your presence reminds them that God is your strength, your comfort, and your priority.

We need to realize that coming to church isn’t doing God a favor and that we don’t get brownie points for showing up. But we do get a blessing and we get to be a blessing. God doesn’t need us there, but we need to be there. We are a body and together we make up a whole. When half an ear, part of the tongue, a bit of the heart, and the left foot don’t show up on a regular basis, the body of Christ can’t be what we’re supposed to be or do what we’re supposed to do. Individually, we can’t live out our purpose alone. Our worship, our witness, our service, and our growth are best fulfilled in fellowship with other Christians, and much of this fellowship takes place on Sundays and in small groups.

Yes, weekends only have two days, but the first Christians to read Hebrews had only one day for rest and recreation, so we don’t have grounds for grumbling. We need to get up and get there and “encourage each other” to do the same. Being part of the group is a good thing and a God-thing. Since we will live as one in eternity, time spent together now is a bit of heaven on earth.

Each sunrise steps toward the Christ’s Second Coming. His fast approaching appearance creates urgency and expectation which draws us closer to Him and to each other. We need to be together. We should want to be together. We should invite others to come together. Our habit should be to show up, not skip out. As the sign outside a local congregation read: What’s missing in CH_ _CH? UR!

Pedestals are no place for God’s people! Jump down and jump in.

Points To Ponder

2011-04-15T11:42:00.000-07:00

“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24

The cowboy in my Wednesday night small group was a living illustration of the evening’s study. It wasn’t his well-worn hat or gleaming buckle which caught my eye. No, it was the sharp spurs on his boots that made me smile—and squirm. Earlier that day his horse had felt their force—a not-so-subtle suggestion to get a move on in the right direction. I rubbed my side as I read the verse: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”

The “let us” list in the previous verses (“Let us draw near” and “Let us hold to hope”) continues with “Let us consider how to help each other move toward what is bigger and better.” We’re here for a purpose, and we should be making progress in the process, but sometimes we all need a prompt. Often just a word will work, but occasionally we require a jab—not one to injure but one to inspire.

Repeated spurring in the same spot with the same pressure causes irritation and pain, so to know how to poke and prod in a proper and productive way, we ought to consider—to consider each person, each situation, and each state of mind and heart. That’s why the instruction says “Let us consider how we may spur” instead of “Let us spur.” Take time to observe, to contemplate, and to assess as you determine your mode of incentive. More than phone lines get messed up when you don’t think before you dig.

We want to make sure we spur in the right direction—“toward love and good deeds.” Love is our largest responsibility(Matt. 22:37) and our biggest witness(Jn. 13:35). Our good deeds give God glory(Col. 3:17) and cause others to give Him praise(Matt. 6:16). In the same way as the spur on my friend’s boot compelled his horse who, in turn, steered the cows, our sharp nudges should point to God’s grace and compel us to line up our lives with His great love. Often a shift in our own action or attitude will steer those around us in the right direction as well.

When the method and motivation are right, a Godly spur is a good thing—not a mean thing. We all need to get them, and we all need to give them. “Let us consider” the how and the why and be sure before we spur.

Hold To Hope

2011-04-13T07:02:00.000-07:00

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23

Good drivers know when to swerve and when to hold straight. Saving a squirrel is not worth smashing a tree. The lines on the road are there for a reason, and a steady wheel brings you and your passengers safely to your destination. What we consider a small adjustment often leaves us careening out of control into disaster, and in that moment of crisis, we wish we had never veered.

Since the same principles apply to the road of life, “let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess.” No matter what difficulties dart into your path, no matter what obstacles the enemy rolls into the road, no matter what mountains God allows in your way, “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess.”

What is this hope to which we are to hold without wavering? The hope that our sins are forgiven and forgotten(Heb. 8:12). The hope that we are no longer condemned by God but are children of God(Rom. 8:1,1 John 3:1). The hope that God works all things—happy and hard—for our good(Rom. 8:28). The hope that nothing and no one in the entire universe can separate us from His love(Rom. 8:39). The hope that God is working in us and through us to fulfill His purpose(2 Thess. 1:11). And the hope that death is not a termination but a transition into eternity with Him(2 Cor. 5:6-8).

How do we know these things we hope for are a done deal and not merely wishful thinking? Why should we “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess”? “For he who promised is faithful.” The One who spoke it has done it. His love never fails(Ex. 15:13). He cannot lie(Heb. 6:18). He will not lie(Jn. 14:2). He does not change(Heb. 15:8). And His grave is still empty. The life and the love of Jesus bring assurance and confidence to our hearts in our trials, our grief, and our sin. His compassion never fails, His mercy is new every morning, and His faithfulness is very great(Lamentations 3:23).

Occasionally on the highway a swerve is timely, but in our journey with Jesus, we need to stay straight.

The road of life will curve, but don’t swerve.
Hold to hope, and find Him faithful.

How To Go There

2011-04-11T09:04:00.000-07:00

“Since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.” Hebrews 10:2

A priest in the Temple would have been terrified.

Three hours earlier the sun had stopped shining as a thick, deep darkness settled on the town. Flickers from a few oil lamps couldn’t dispel the fact that something was amiss. Suddenly, the ground trembled, and the floor shifted beneath his feet. At that moment, the priest heard a rip—the unmistakable sound of fabric being forcibly torn in two. Thinking he was alone, he whirled around to find that he was—except for the invisible, infinite Hands clutching the temple curtain. Almost instantly, the thick veil hung limp and wide open. The light of God’s glory spilled into the darkened room, and the altar of atonement appeared before the priest’s eyes. Only one man a lifetime had been allowed to see the sight at which he now stared. Terrified and mesmerized at the same time, the priest wanted to turn and run but felt drawn to come.

“Since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.”

Unlike a priest in the temple on Good Friday, we don’t have to debate or doubt. We can come close to God because the cross gives us confidence and assurance. But though we can come at any time, we shouldn’t come in any way. We should only come sincerely. “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart.” Sincere means honest and genuine, not counterfeit or pretend. Sincerity is serious—not somber and sullen but also not flippant or careless. Our affluent culture is content with a God whose casual acquaintance can enhance our already comfortable circumstances. Help during hardship and hope for the hereafter are expected and demanded on our terms. Often we speak of Him and speak to Him as though He were a buddy on the other end of the line or a portly grandpa passing out candy or cash anytime we ask. (I’m not trying to sound preachy, and I tried really hard to pass over this verse and pick another, but I knew I shouldn’t and couldn’t.)

God ripped the curtain to call us close, but the One on the other side hasn’t changed. He is still the holy, eternal, majestic, and powerful Lord God Almighty. Because of Christ’s blood, we are free to come to Him, but such privilege should find us coming earnestly and never indifferently. “The good Lord” and “the Man upstairs” is much, much more than someone who is nice from a distance. Yes, the One who reigns supreme over all is good, and, yes, One who became like us is standing in the gap for us in heaven, but such phrases sound as though we don’t take seriously enough who He is and what He has done.

The reality of our redemption should sober us up and make us sincere. Please realize that we can sincerely be many things – curious, joyful, desperate, angry, excited, sinful, sorry, exasperated, discouraged, and expectant. But we must be sincere. The cost of Christ’s sacrifice precludes a nonchalant approach to God.

The door to God’s throne room is wide open.
Go there many times.
Go there sincerely every time.

A Work In Progress

2011-04-08T04:54:00.000-07:00

“By one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Hebrews 10:14

You’re perfect.

Don’t laugh but do smile. The moment you received Christ, God marked out your sin—past, present, and future, and by your name, in bright red, He wrote, “Perfect in Christ.” Your perfection was complete in an instant—no trial period, no wait-and-see-if-this-guy-works-out. Your perfection was full, finished, and forever. From that day on, every single time the Father looks at you, He sees Jesus and He always will.

You’re perfect. But you’re “being made holy.”

Holiness can be confusing. Sometimes scripture says we are holy. Sometimes it says we should be holy or that we are being made holy. What’s up with that? One is positional and the other practical. Because of Christ’s sacrifice and grace, God sees you as holy—pure, sinless, upright—so since you are holy, be holy. Marriage is an everyday example. You walk up the aisle single. You walk down the aisle a spouse. Now that you are one, live like one. Your priorities, actions, and attitudes should all change because you’ve been chosen and because of your choice. Same thing with salvation. Since Jesus has put His life in you, live it out. If you’re as angry as you used to be, as impatient as you used to be, as critical as you used to be, or as unkind as you used to be, the difference Jesus makes is hard to see. We should be making progress in the process.

“By one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” We call the process of becoming more like Jesus “sanctification.” This word reminds me of being cleaned up and scrubbed down in a sink, which in my southern home state was often referred to as a “sank.” More than once when I was young, and especially on Saturdays, my mother would pick me up and plop me in. Soap and a good scrub do amazing things to dirty offspring—and to dirty sinners. God met us where we were in our mess and made us His. Now that we belong to Him, He wants to make us like Him. He has all the supplies—His Word, His Spirit, His power, and His grace. He picks us up, plops us into the sink of our circumstances, and starts scrubbing. Washing the dirt off our backs isn’t so bad, but when God starts digging between our toes, rubbing behind our ears, and soaping up our mouths, the bath isn’t much fun. Yet, Titus tells us that God is “purifying for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good(Tit. 2:14). You can’t be an instrument for noble purposes if you run from the washcloth (2 Tim. 2:21). Let God hold you close and clean you up. You’ll look better, live better, sleep better, and your life will smell a whole lot better to those around you.

Jesus has “made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Your salvation isn’t dependent on your sainthood, but the freedom that allows you to fail is also your force for success. Let God make you wholly His. The process of sanctification is long—as long as you live, so stop acting like you’ve arrived. You can’t fool God, and you’re not fooling others. Just be who are you—a dirty, rotten scoundrel declared perfect by God’s grace and being made holy by His power.

He’s still working on me, to make me what I ought to be.
It took Him just a week to make the moon and the stars,
The Sun, and the Earth, and Jupiter, and Mars.
How loving and patient He must be
‘Cause He’s still working on me!

I used to sing that in the “sank,” and I’m still singing it.
Scrub away.

I'll Be Back

2011-04-06T10:48:00.000-07:00

“Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:28

“I’ll be back!” Arnold Schwarzenegger threatened when denied entry to a police station in The Terminator. “I’ll be back!” Douglas MacArthur promised after losing the Philippines to Japan during World War 2. “I’ll be back!” Jesus assured His troubled disciples at Thursday’s Last Supper. Arnold kept his word and crashed a car through the front door only minutes later. MacArthur kept his word and landed on Leyte two and half years after he left. And Jesus will surely keep His. He is coming back. “He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”

Jesus didn’t come the first time to make a name for Himself (though His name is already above every name-Phil. 2:9), He came to buy a people for Himself. With His blood, He “purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation”(Rev. 5:9). Jesus was born to die so we could live. He came the first time to bear our sin. He will come the second to bring our salvation—to restore, to reward, to renew—“and so we will be with the Lord forever”(1 Thess. 5:17).

The cross symbolizes His first coming. The clouds represent His second. At His ascension, angels promised sky-gazing, mouth-gaping apostles that “this same Jesus…will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven”(Acts 1:11). We’re not sure when He will return for “no one knows about that day or hour”(Matt. 24:36), but we’re certain that He will return. “I will come back and take you to be with me”(Jn. 14:3).

You could say that right now we’re on “LayAway,” but our price has already been paid in full. One day the sky will split, and our Savior will return to claim His prize. He arrived initially in humility and poverty, but the next time around, Jesus will come in honor and power. A few smelly shepherds greeted Him on His birthday, but on His breakthrough day, “every eye will see him”(Rev. 1:7). The silent Lamb will return as a Lion, and the whole earth will hear His roar.

So what do we do while we wait? Share His story. Since Christ’s return spells doom for those not His, we should welcome others to “God’s Waiting List.” Only joy or judgment lies ahead, and because God has turned our horror into hope, we should witness in a way both intense and inviting.

Christ’s Second Coming inspires strength and ignites passion. He will return, but we’re still here for a reason. The old adage holds. “Don’t be so heavenly-minded that you aren’t of any earthly good, and don’t be so earthly minded that you aren’t of any heavenly good.”

Don’t spend all your time staring into the sky, but do keep glancing up.
He’s coming back.

Forgive and Forget

2011-04-04T07:07:00.000-07:00

“For I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more.” Hebrews 8:12

Actress Marilu Henner never forgets anything. Give her the date, and she’ll give you the details—where she was, who she saw, what she did. Such amazing ability would be both handy and hard. Remembering our successes would be fine, but recalling every failure would be no fun. As time goes by, we hope our sins and shortcomings will slip from the memories of those around us, but often we find ourselves wondering if they still remember the things we wish they would forget.

The only one who we can be sure will not remember is the very One who has the right to never forget. And yet our God of grace promises us, “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” God will never bring your bad back up. He will not throw your transgressions in your face or hold them over your head because He’s already taken them on Himself. “He sacrificed for our sins once for all when he offered himself”(Heb. 7:27).

“Forgive and Forget” is God’s mantra alone, for only He can choose what He will and won’t remember. Thankfully, in forgiveness, He wipes our sins from His memory and removes the fear from our souls. “If you kept a record of sins, no one could last long. But you forgive us, and so we will worship you”(Ps. 130:3-4 CEV).

Such grace deserves both our adoring love and an abundant life because forgiveness frees us up to live without our past waywardness weighing us down. When we recall our failures, and when the enemy uses them against us, we need to remember ourselves and remind Satan that our sins have been forgiven and forgotten.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

We may not always remember that God forgets, but He will never forget to not remember.

For Sure

2011-03-25T07:53:00.000-07:00

“Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” Hebrews 7:24-25

Around our house, we’re always running out of something—ketchup, gas, and, more often than I’d like to admit, patience. A never-ending supply of necessities would be nice since sparse shelves and sounding fuel gauges remind us that we quickly use up what we need most—except when it comes to salvation. “Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.” Heaven’s throne room has no back door, and Jesus isn’t looking to leave. “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” “Save completely” shouts for a second look. The words mean to rescue thoroughly, entirely, and to the uttermost (as our King James’ counterparts would say). To be “saved completely” means we are redeemed in all directions—forever. No sin is so heinous that Jesus will cast you away. No heart grows so cold that He cannot warm you up. Jesus saves. For sure.

Our salvation is not a “once and done and done with you” deal, but it is “once and doing,” with the action finished on the cross but the effect continuing forever. “Because he always lives to intercede for them.” Each moment of every day the Son implores the Father on your behalf. “There is one mediator between God and men—the man Christ Jesus”( 1 Tim. 2:5) who spends His time talking to the Father about you—your needs, your wants, your trials, your triumphs, and about how He has covered your transgressions.

You never need worry that your salvation will be in short supply. Jesus has saved you all the way in all directions. He won’t run out of time for eternity knows no count-down clock. He won’t get low on patience for His position as our priest is permanent. He will never take a break, grow tired, or turn you away. He saved you then, and He’s keeping you saved now.

As you restock shelves and refill the tank reconsider your complete salvation. Jesus loves His own. He will never let them go. And He will always lift them up.

‘Tis grace hath brought us safe this far.
'Tis grace will lead us home.
‘Tis grace will keep us saved—for sure.

The Perfect Solution

2011-03-23T08:51:00.000-07:00

“The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.” Hebrews 7:18-19

Some people have a knack for pointing out problems but not presenting solutions. They can see what’s wrong but can’t set things right. The divine Law given to Moses and passed on to God’s people was a lot like that. Page after page of “Thou shalts” and “Thou shalt nots” left them with a strong sense of shortcoming and sin, but the sacrifices required for failure couldn’t fix their faults. They only delayed the penalty.

For four thousand years (from Cain and Abel to Annas and Caiaphas) altars blazed with offerings of reverence and remorse, but the barrier between us and God never budged. The revelation of God’s perfect holiness and precise requirements exposed our need but couldn’t meet it. The Law was wonderful for showing our wrong but “weak and useless” in setting us right. So, since rules didn’t get the job done and God wanted us to draw near, “the former regulation is set aside…and a better hope is introduced.”

We have been set free from the Law. The cross has released us from the heavy hand of judgment and placed us in the gentle grip of grace. While there are many things we do or don’t do because we know they aren’t best, our choice to engage or refrain results from being right with God and is not a desperate attempt to get right with God. The righteousness of Jesus gives us total freedom, and in that freedom, we find obedience to be a joy and a blessing.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do…God did by sending His own Son”(Rom. 8:1-3).

The Law gave us much to cry about and little to cheer about, but God’s love should have celebrating all the time.

The problem is our sin. The answer is our Savior.
Nothing could ever be better.

No Anchors Aweigh

2011-03-21T15:23:00.000-07:00

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19

Anchors are awesome. If you don’t agree, try driving across an un-anchored bridge, zipping up an un-anchored skyscraper, or boarding an un-anchored boat, and you will quickly discover that anchors go down to hold us up. Winds wail against the stories of a skyscraper, but, because of its anchors, the building stays steady. Currents crash into the pilings of a bridge, but, because of its anchors, the road remains still. Waves bob a boat up and down, but it won’t sail off until the anchor is lifted. Anchors keep us from floating away and falling over. They provide stability and security so we can drive, zip, and board safely and soundly.

Just as ships and spans require anchors, our souls need one even more if we are to safely and soundly travel through life. When the anchor of our hope hooks into the solid rock of Christ’s righteousness, we have found the firm foundation that our faith desperately desires. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure”(Heb. 6:19.

Our hope in Christ is called “hope” only because it hasn’t yet happened, not because it might not happen. Nothing is more certain than God’s promise of redemption through a relationship with Jesus. The rope of grace which tethers us to His side is “firm and secure.” “We who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged”(Heb. 6:18b). Our Captain will never call out, “Anchors aweigh!” and send us sailing on our own. Our God, who cannot lie, has sworn by things which cannot change(Heb. 6:18a) that we are His and always will be.

This hope in Jesus takes us where we could not go on our own—into God’s presence(Heb. 6:20), and we are able to ride out the storms of life safe in His sanctuary. Winds howl and waves roll. Tsunamis of grief and loss break over us. Financial and physical crises crash into us. Our bodies will ache and our hearts will hurt, but our souls can stay strong because of His hope.

Live steadfast.
Live secure.
Your life is anchored deep in God’s love, and He will never let go.

Heavenly Headlines

2011-03-18T06:45:00.000-07:00

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you help his people and continue to help them.” Hebrews 6:10

Headlines are rarely happy. Usually the shocking or sensational is placed center-page to capture our eye and grab our attention. Disasters, accidents, or alien sightings are much more interesting than “Man Mows Neighbor’s Yard” or “Woman Cooks Supper for Sick Friend.” But though most of what we do is never recognized, God remembers. He notices your labors of love and sees your work even if no one else is watching. He knows the hours you’ve spent cleaning up, straightening out, listening, driving, cooking, or painting. He’s kept track of the time you’ve spent coaching, studying, and planning. “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you help his people and continue to help them.”

God knows and we know you haven’t done all these things for praise but out of passion for Him. You love Him by loving others, and you help others as a way to honor God. When you “work with all your heart, as working for the Lord and not for men”(Col. 3:23), God is delighted and others are encouraged. The time, effort, and energy you put out are written down in God’s memory, and He will bring it all back up after He takes you up!

Even when you’re tired, don’t get tired of doing good(Gal. 6:9). “Your labor in the Lord is not in vain”(1 Cor. 15:58), so keep on loving, don’t stop working, “continue to help,” and go on giving.

You don’t do what you do so that others will remember, but know that God will never forget.
You might not make the paper on earth, but there will be much to read in eternity!

Growing Up

2011-03-16T06:24:00.000-07:00

“Let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity.”
Hebrews 6:1

Displayed down hallway walls in many homes are pictures of the kids. Frame after frame captures precious moments sequenced from cradle to college, and the exhibit often ends with a wedding. A glance at the wall brings a rush of nostalgia and a reassurance of normalcy, for babies are born to grow. A toddler becomes a tween, then a teen, and somehow, amazingly, an adolescent morphs into an adult. Along the way, milk becomes meat, and smushed peas give way to sandwiches—then steak.

Our spiritual snapshots should look the same. We began as babies—born of God’s Spirit and adopted as His own. As His children, we’ve been created for change, but sometimes our spiritual diet and spiritual disciplines resemble a Christian much less mature than we ought to be. “Though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!”(Heb. 5:12)

These are hard verses, but let them be the “annual physical” that helps assess your spiritual health. If you’re God’s, you should be growing. You should know Jesus more and know more about Jesus today than you did yesterday, last month, last year. Though we never stop being fed by others (pastors, teachers, friends), it’s time to pick up the fork more ourselves. We grow by listening closely to what God says, and we should be reading more, studying more, and reflecting more on the Bible than ever before. Our prayers should have more passion and more purpose than in the past. Our praise should flow more freely and more often. Our personal devotions should be becoming a time of being with God and not just a time of getting something from God. And the living out of all we’ve taken in should show up in our actions and attitudes.

Growth isn’t a source of pride; it’s a sign of life, so let’s stop guzzling milk and start chewing on meat. “Let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity”(Heb. 6:1). You’ve known the basics about repentance, faith, baptism, the resurrection, and the eternal judgment for a while (Heb. 6:2). These essential nutrients got you going, but you should keep growing. There’s so much more to our good God than we’ve tasted yet. “Taste and see that the Lord is good”(Ps. 34:8).

Growing kids stay hungry.
Pile up your plate and come back for more.

"Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”(1 Peter 3:18).

The End of the Road

2011-03-16T06:21:00.000-07:00

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

Esther trembled in the doorway. Would the king raise his scepter or keep it by his side? Compelled by need, she had come to the throne, but would she be greeted with grace or be shown no mercy?

Mercy and grace. Esther desired them, and so do we. The two not only save us; they sustain us. Mercy is not getting what we do deserve. Grace is getting what we don’t deserve. Never a day goes by that we don’t need God’s mercy. Not a moment passes that we don’t need His grace. And both are always available. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need”(Heb. 4:16).

In our struggles, our sorrows, and our sin, we approach the throne hoping for a handout, and at the end of the royal road (which according to Moses is not yellow brick but blue sapphire- Ex. 24:10), we are warmly welcomed by a God who is rich in mercy(Eph 2:4) and who abundantly pours out grace(1 Tim. 1:14).

The justice of the cross allows such generosity. The One sitting on the throne paved the way, and His throne is a place of grace—not of guilt. It is there we find new mercies every morning(Lam. 3:23). It is there we are given strength and courage for the day(Heb. 13:9, 2 Thess. 2:16).

Thankfully for Esther, her story had a happy ending. King Xerxes raised his scepter and granted her request. When we ask for mercy and grace, our King will grant our requests, too.

His door is never locked.
His scepter is always lifted.
His throne is always grace.

The BASIC of Life

2011-03-02T06:45:00.000-08:00

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence….” Hebrews 4:16

Back before computers were beyond consumer understanding, there was BASIC, a programming language which allowed the one who bought the machine, not just the one who built it, to tell the computer what to do. The commands were few and, well, basic. IF…THEN, REPEAT…UNTIL, and GOTO (as in “go to”) were the fundamental functions entered by the user.

Though we are not creatures who can be programmed, understanding the basics of our relationship with God will help us run at our full potential. Hebrew states it this way: “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God…Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence…”(Heb. 4:14&16). Because of the cross, God uses “SINCE…THEN” not “IF…THEN” for the fact of Christ’s sacrifice is a constant not a variable. “SINCE we have Jesus, let us THEN go to God.”

Since we have Jesus, and only since we have Jesus, we can come into God’s presence courageously. We can “approach the throne of grace with confidence.” We come with boldness because all of our badness has been covered by Christ’s goodness(1 Cor. 1:30). We come near without fear for we are no longer liable for breaking God’s law(Rom. 8:2). We are free to come close anytime for anything (REPEAT…UNTIL). We’re not required to anxiously await an invitation. And because of Jesus, we do not dread disapproval or rejection but are assured of acceptance.

Though none of this is new, sometimes the simplest and most obvious is the easiest to overlook and under appreciate (e.g., gravity). Today as you pray, thank the One who went before you and made the way for you to come. Let the “SINCE” of the cross lead you to the “THEN” of the throne, and may it be a place you GOTO constantly and confidently.

God’s program is BASIC. And best.

The Living Word

2011-02-27T19:04:00.000-08:00

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

The book by my bed looks rather tame—leather bound, lots of pages, and print which gets smaller each year. The golden gilded spine declares it a Holy Bible—words so sacred and serene they almost conceal the fact that, in fact, this book is a surgeon’s scalpel and a warrior’s sword. Surgery and sword fights are both bloody, but blood is the theme of the book. From garments of skin in the garden to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, blood was shed so we could be saved. This story of redemption is not dead print but is alive with divine power. The words leap off the pages into our lives and create change, for “the word of God is living and active.”

When you open Scripture, you’re not just reading words; God is speaking His words to you. Verses, chapters, and books become an honest conversation with the Shepherd who seeks, the Father who loves, the Physician who knows. His words, “sharper than a double-edged sword,” slice through all pretense and expose the truth—about us and God. We shrink from the scalpel, but the cuts come because He cares. The wounds are because He wills us to be sanctified, set apart, cleansed from the malignancies of sin that make us sick. The sharp point of God's Word plunges into the deepest and darkest parts of who we are “dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and judging the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” The process might be painful, but the result will be peace.

This blade is not only used on us but also by us. “Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”(Eph. 6:17). In our hand, with God’s help, the Word becomes a mighty weapon. By the sharpness of the sword, we defeat temptation, overcome discouragement, fight the good fight, and keep the faith(2 Tim. 4:7). God’s enemies cannot stand and will not win against His Word.

The Word is alive. It slices, dices, and delves, but it also transforms, assures, and redeems. No other book brings such comfort and conviction. No other book offers true hope and lasting help. Other books talk about life, but no other book is life.

The Holy Bible.
Learn it.
Live it.
Love it.

And let it make you wholly His.

Be A God Example

2011-02-27T18:59:00.000-08:00

“Let us, therefore, make every effort…so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.” Hebrews 4:11

The oft-repeated story is worth repeating.

A man walks into the kitchen as his wife is hacking off the end of a just-bought rump roast and asks, “Why do you always cut off the end of a roast before you cook it?” Without hesitation she replies, “Because my mother always did.” Curious, the man calls his mother-in-law, asks the same question, and gets the same answer—“Because my mother always did.” Needing to know and not resting until he does, the man heads to the local nursing home, finds grandma, and asks, “Did you always cut off the end of a rump roast before you cooked it?” “Sure did,” she replies. “But why?” the man inquires. Grandma chuckles and responds, “Because my pan was too small to hold the whole thing!”

Roasts are one thing. Real life is another, but whether in the kitchen, at the office, or on the field, the people who look up to us are looking at us and living like us. “Let us, therefore, make every effort…so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.” Since much of life is learned by example, we need to be living well. The ones behind us and beside us are learning the same way we did from those before us and around us—by observation and imitation. We need to diligently endeavor (“make every effort”) for our actions and attitudes to be stepping stones not stumbling blocks. We’re not the only ones who get hurt when we fall; the ones tracking our steps often trip in the same spot. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble”(I Cor. 10:31-32).

“Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ”(I Cor. 11:1).
Live so you can repeat the Apostle Paul’s phrase.
And mean it.

Don't and Do

2011-02-23T08:06:00.000-08:00

“Encourage one another daily…so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Hebrews 3:13

We rarely read warning labels. Most listed dangers seem so obvious that printing them in black and white borders on overkill. “Don’t blow-dry your hair in the bathtub,” and “Don’t ingest insecticide,” should go without saying, but, then again, so should, “Don’t harden your hearts if you hear God’s voice.” Yet we find this warning written not once but twice in Scripture—both in the Old Testament and the New. Psalm 95 calls us to come, sing, shout, and worship our great God and King, but then follows the summons to celebration with an instructional caution—a warning. “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah”(Ps. 95:8). Hebrews repeats the admonition with similar words, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion”(Heb. 3:8).

Just as most warnings are thus labeled because someone somewhere for some reason chose to do what shouldn’t have been done and incurred the ensuing consequences, so these verses have a corresponding story—and not of someone acting in ignorance but in insolence. The Israelites had barely shaken the dust of Egypt’s slavery off their sandals when their stomachs started rumbling and their hearts started grumbling. Sending ten plagues on their captors, splitting the Red Sea to save them and swallow their enemies, and showering manna from heaven for daily food in the desert weren’t enough to convince God’s chosen people that He was with them and for them. The moment they got thirsty, what was in their hearts came out of their mouths. They rebelled against God’s grace, and instead of trusting, they tested. Their refusal to believe God would meet their needs and later lead them to victory resulted in a forty year “‘Round the desert til the adults die off” camping trip. Tough stuff. But that’s what happens when our hearts get hard.

“See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” In spite of the piles of God’s goodness and grace we have experienced throughout our lives, sin quickly cons us into selfishness and causes us to miss God’s best. Our personal choices and the pressure of an unbelieving culture combine to make our hearts callous and hard to the tender voice of our Father. So how do we stay soft to God’s Spirit? Daily encouragement. “Encourage one another daily…so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

Don’t go at it alone, and don’t leave others to themselves either. Every single day, by pen, phone, computer and in person encourage those around you in their faith. Share God’s Word. Share God’s ways. Talk about what He is doing in your life and find out what He is doing in theirs. Pray for them. Pray with them. And continually point them to Jesus.

Warning labels are written for a reason.
Read. Remember. And reach out to each other.

Tool Time

2011-02-23T08:04:00.000-08:00

“Every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.” Hebrews 3:4

God built us to build. We started with blocks as babies and soon grew into Lincoln Logs and Tinker Toys. Sand piles were packed into sandcastles. Popsicle sticks were stacked into houses. Pillows became a fort, and a few chairs, a bed sheet, and a broom handle turned into a tent. A cabin in the woods was the next project for me and my siblings, but after felling several trees with a handsaw and constructing a bridge over the gulley, our enthusiasm waned and we settled for pine straw palaces. These days when I’m back at the homestead, my kids and their cousins stay busy building—clubhouses, hideouts, and an entire teepee town (complete with a bank for those needing to borrow funds) have been constructed.

When we build, we’re simply imitating our Maker, for “God is the builder of everything”(Hebrews 3:4). Galaxies, planets, and our own backyards were built by Him. All we can see was built by Him or out of stuff He has made. Both skyscrapers and sunsets remind us of His power and His provision, for “God is the builder of everything.”

Long after we put away our Lincoln Logs, we’re still busy building—careers, families, businesses, legacies, and reputations. Each day we awake at the construction site and reach for hard hats and hammers. Our words, actions, and attitudes are the raw materials God has given us to use for His glory, and He has unrolled the perfect plan. By grace, God has made us part of His ultimate building project—His church, His people, His family(Matt. 16:18), and He desires for all the structures of our lives to be built by obedient faith on the firm foundation of His word(Matt. 7:24-27).

Energy and effort spent building any other way is useless. “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain”(Ps. 127:1). Nothing goes up unless He allows it, and nothing stays up unless He is in it. Our own attempts at success and significance lie in rubble until God raises us up and builds something beautiful.

Right now Jesus is busy building our forever home in heaven (“In my Father’s house are many rooms…I am going there to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2), and through His Spirit and His children He is busy building His people here on earth. Be careful how you build and what you build. Don’t settle for pine straw palaces that will blow away in the wind. God wants to build what will last, and He’s the expert on hammers and nails.

What Do You Think?

2011-02-23T08:02:00.000-08:00

“Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.” Hebrews 3:1

What do you think? What do you think about? If you’re like most, you answered, “Lots of things.” Our minds are often so crammed with plans, concerns, responsibilities, and ideas that they struggle to slow down enough at night for us to relax and sleep. If we’re awake, we’re thinking. It’s a sign of being alive. The philosopher Descartes stated, “I think, therefore I am,” but just because I’m thinking doesn’t therefore mean I’m thinking about the right things in the right way.

“Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.” We’re going to think, and we ought to think about God. If we say we’re His with our mouths, (whom we confess), we should think about Him with our minds (fix your thoughts on Jesus). He’s made us holy, He’s made us family, and He should be the recurring theme of our thoughts.

This doesn’t mean that every thought you think has to only be about Jesus. For now, our “heavenly calling” is lived out on earth, and much in many realms must be considered and contemplated to do life well, but each thought can only be understood and evaluated properly when our ultimate focus is Jesus. He is the topic sentence in the paragraph of life, and all else we write with our actions and attitudes simply supports the subject. “How will this business transaction bring Him glory?” “How can my involvement in this organization show His grace?” “The grandkids are coming! Thank you, Jesus, for family!” “We’re out of milk! And cookies! How blessed I am, Jesus, to be able to stock up at the grocery. Please help the ones who are hungry.” And on and on. Since Jesus is life, none of our thoughts about life should be isolated to ourselves. All should converge at His reality.

“Fix your thoughts on Jesus.” Start by starting your day with a prayer of thanks and expectation. At each meal take a moment to consider His constant provision. As you move between responsibilities and opportunities, reflect on His guidance and grace in every area. And when your head hits the pillow, ponder that “the peace of God, which goes beyond all understanding, will guard you heart and your mind in Christ Jesus”(Phil. 4:7).

Many things cross our minds each day.
The cross should never leave it.

Above all else, before all else, in spite of all else, think about Jesus.

God Understands

2011-02-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:18

“Stop breathing so fast! You’re panicking!” the doctor ordered and informed me during the delivery of my third child. In a brief moment of reprieve, I replied (nicely, I’m sure), “I’m not panicking! I’m in pain! You’ve helped deliver lots of babies, but you’ve never had one!”

Some things must be experienced to be understood. Childbirth is one. Temptation is another.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are”(Heb. 4:15). What a relief! What a comfort! What a profound disclosure! God knows and God understands. He really, really does. He knows what it’s like to be tempted. He understands the struggle of sin. Jesus felt the lure of lust and the appeal of pride. He experienced the desire to be selfish and the enticement of power. His body yearned; His heart ached; His mind wondered and wanted to wander. If you’ve felt it, so has He. If you’ve been baited, so has He. He’s been through it all—the gentle tug, the burning attraction, and the constant coaxing. He’s heard it all—“You know this would feel good.” “Everyone deserves a little fun.” “Come on! Prove you’re really the man!”

And it wasn’t easy. “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Temptation is hard, and it was hard on Jesus. He endured temptation bigger and badder than we ever will, and it hurt. “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted…” Staying strong and saying no was painful, but Jesus can relate to our anguish because His agony was real. Because He hurt, He can help us. And He will. He knows we are weak, and though He did not sin, He understands. He gives strength(Ps. 20:2), provides a way out(1 Cor. 10:13), and offers grace when we fall(Heb. 4:16).

And lest you think the scope of God’s empathy extends only to being tempted, not to the guilt of giving in, remember the cross. “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities”(Is. 53:5). Jesus has experienced the pain of consequences and the sorrow of sin in an extreme and unfathomable way which, praise God, we will never have to face. Jesus knows. Jesus understands. And Jesus will help.

He’s been there and done that.
And He did it for you.

Pay Attention

2011-02-23T07:59:00.000-08:00

“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so we do not drift away.” Hebrews 2:1

“Pay attention!” How many times have we heard that line? Seems to be a favorite of elementary teachers, parents of teenage drivers, and God—not necessarily in that order. Each has something important to say, but the price of disobedience grows increasingly costly—flunk your test on dividing fractions, get a ticket for speeding, or miss out on God’s plan for your life.

“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so we do not drift away.” This admonition comes not to those who don’t know the Lord but to those who have grabbed hold of God’s grace. Our faith came by hearing the word of God(Rom10:17), and our effectiveness comes by continuing to listen. Paying close attention is more than not snoozing during Sunday’s sermon. It is perking up both our ears and our hearts each day of the week to what God has said.

“I’d love to listen more carefully and consistently, but my schedule’s already stuffed,” you sincerely offer as an excuse. Consider this: there will never be enough time to do everything everyone (including you) wants you to do, but there will always be enough time to do what God wants you to do. And He wants you to “pay more careful attention” to His Word.

If you don’t, you’ll drop your paddle and drift—drift away from the flow of God’s will into the undertow of the world where you will end up off-course, marooned, and shipwrecked. Yes, those are serious penalties, but if we don’t pay attention, we will pay the consequences. “For if the message spoken by angels[God’s Old Testament Law] was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?”(Heb. 2:2-3). God Himself has spoken a message of grace and redemption in Jesus, and as His own, we should not disregard His words, even for a day. His “word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart”(Rom. 10:8), so consider it closely and carefully.

Drift is much more unintentional than deliberate. It comes not from doing something but from doing nothing. “Such a great salvation” and such a great Savior deserve our efforts to engage and absorb what God has said. The phrase, “Pay more careful attention,” implies that doing so is not free, but the price of an adjusted agenda or shifted priorities is more than worth the cost. Drifting is effortless and easy compared to rowing in God’s flow, but the living the journey in God’s current is incomparable.

Don’t drop your paddle.
Pay attention.