Sunday, February 28, 2010

He's Not Talking About Me, Is He?

Matthew 23-25

Jesus heaps righteous criticism upon the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees.
  • They don’t practice what they teach. They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden.
  • You shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either.
  • You cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell you yourselves are!
  • You are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith.
Whenever we read of Jesus condemning religious leaders, we do well to earnestly seek as to whether he is talking to us too. Plato advised that "The unexamined life is not worth living." That examination of our life must include both our overt actions and our inaction. If our passion is proclaiming the wages of others' sin, without helping them out of that life of sin, we deftly earn that wage. If we place a stumbling block in front of others by our teaching, we shall stumble too. If we evangelize the nations, then disciple them to be hypocrites too, we have only succeeded in finding roommates for ourselves in hell. If we check every little box, but miss the message, we are nothing.

He's not talking about me, is he? Father God, guide me in your path of righteousness, keep me off the highway to hell. Help me to be your image bearer.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Our Gift to the King of Glory

Psalms 24-26

From the beginnings of the universe to the creation of man to the salvation of man to our birth and indeed right up to the present, the King of Glory has continually showered blessings and grace down upon us. What kind of gift do you give to one such as this? The psalmist knows... "O Lord, I give my life to you. I trust in you, my God!" The King of Glory asks only that we trust and obey and he will provide all our needs.

Friday, February 26, 2010

True Purpose

Isaiah 45-50

Wanna know your purpose? "The Lord [...] formed me in my mother’s womb to be his servant." If, as Ravi Zacharias said last night, evil is a departure from purpose, then as I do things other than be the Lord's servant, I engage in evil. To carry that further, determining the rightness of an action can be judged by evaluating the degree to which the action serves God.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

The Genesis of Evil

Job 15-16

Went to Atlanta tonight to listen to Ravi Zacharias and Os Guinness speak on Good and Evil. Ravi defined evil in the context of being opposed to created purpose, that is when we do not do that which we were meant to do... that is evil. Or when we do that which we were not meant to do... that is evil. Of course, the purpose must also be understood in the context of the Creator.

One of the audience members in the Q&A time asked the question, If God is good and all powerful, why does evil exist (also implying that God made evil)? Both Ravi and Os agreed that God did not create evil, he created good and gave people free will from which they chose evil.  Taking it to the next level, it is as though you could say God is Good, and Evil is not Good, therefore Evil is not God...or anti-God.

In today's reading, Eliphaz the Temanite has some nuggets of truth amongst his drivel. He says "For the godless are barren... They conceive trouble and give birth to evil." Catch that? The godless give birth to evil... something God never intended, but graciously allowed through his love. A love that was so great that he did, however, provide the solution to evil... his son. Thank you, Lord.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

The Secret is Out

Romans 15-16

Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for the Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. Why do we keep secrets? Why would God keep a secret like this? Perhaps we've shown ourselves as not being able to be trusted with a secret... that as soon as we know the ending, we decide we don't have to work as hard. In any case, as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. There is no excuse now. We can't say we didn't know... can't say we were born into the wrong family tree... just need to believe and obey.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Blinded by Love (Lust?)

Judges 12-16

I remember learning of the story Samson as a child and his fantastic strength and especially about the time when he killed a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey (It was even cooler because you could call the donkey an ass and get away with saying a cuss word). But rereading it now, it just comes across as such a sad story... a waste.

Samson's mother had prayed for a child and God answered her prayer. God asked her to dedicate her child to him, and she did. Things were going well in young Samson's life until... he met a girl, but not just any girl... a Philistine. Almost immediately, he broke three of his four Nazirite vows on the way to see his betrothed. Then the girl deceives him and he gets angry and kills 30 men. After another little incident with 300 foxes burning the Philistine wheat fields and killing a bunch more of the Philistines, Samson finally settles down and rules over Israel for 20 years until... a new woman comes into his life.

But Samson learned his lesson from last time and stays away from Delilah... NOT! Delilah asks him the secret to his strength and he lies to her, but she ties him up only to find out that he lied. Then the oddest thing happens, instead of getting mad at Delilah for being a traitor, he tells a new lie about the source of his strength, and she is disloyal again, and then again. By this time you think Samson will say "Three strikes, you're out", but instead he tells her the truth to his strength and when she is disloyal a fourth time and shaves his head (thus breaking the fourth and final Nazerite vow) God has left him and he is captured.

How many times must God forgive us our trespasses before the spirit of the Lord leaves us? How many times will we run away from God? How many chances will we give Satan to deceive us? It's just sad.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Alas, Poor Esau

Genesis 28-31

It's not like Esau was a murderer or anything, but he just didn't get it. His father favored him since he was the rugged outside type; but his mother and God favored his brother Jacob. He hungrily sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of soup, then had his blessing taken away by the deception of his mother and brother. Esau seems to get a glimpse of the other side when he learned how his father had blessed Jacob and sent him to Paddan-aram to find a wife, and had warned him not to marry a Canaanite woman. While Esau correctly surmised that Isaac did not like the Canaanites women (descendants of Noah's disgraced son Ham), he continued to make bad decisions... marrying one of his uncle Ishmael's daughters (who were destined to be at odds with God's chosen people). Alas, poor Esau... God looked with favor upon Jacob, but rejected his brother, Esau, and the the Lord of Heaven’s Armies in speaking of Esau's descendants says, "They may try to rebuild, but I will demolish them again. Their country will be known as ‘The Land of Wickedness,’ and their people will be called ‘The People with Whom the Lord Is Forever Angry.’"

He may not have been a murderer, but each step of the way, Esau made decisions that took him further and further from the grace of God. May it never be so with us.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Biblical Calculus

Matthew 20-22

I enjoyed math in college, but it was difficult for me. I never saw the inherent beauty in mathematics. Although some of the operations research side of math struck a chord with me, calculus and differential equations just never clicked. Now I work in a technical field (computer science), where technology life spans are measured in months -- not decades. In this environment, it is easy to pretend that you're smarter than Jesus, since he never had a computer and never talked about Calculus in the Bible. Easy to pretend, but just as wrong as the Pharisees and Sadducees were when they attempted to trap Jesus with their clever words. After Jesus has told them several parables that reflected poorly on the elite of the day, they asked him a series of three questions about taxes, the resurrection from the dead, and the most important commandment. Finally they realized that they couldn't trap him, and he just made them look bad each time they tried. We face a similar fate when we pretend that the creator of the heavens and earth and everything in it, and the laws that bind it (including math and science), doesn't know something because it happened after he died. How can we forget that he rose again?

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Progressively Leading

Psalms 21-23

I love the progression of trust and abandonment seen in Psalms 22 and 23. From the heartfelt cry that opens Psalm 22... "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" we feel the despair of the psalmist. Then gradually, as he reminds himself of the faithfulness of the Lord in his ancestors past, and as he realizes where the Lord's hand has touched him in the past, he comes to the point of saying "Do not stay so far from me, for trouble is near, and no one else can help me." Even though things are not going well, he knows the Lord is with him and longs for him to stay. Things will get worse... "They have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me and gloat. They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing." He is now fully within God's embrace regardless of what is happening around him and can declare that "Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord." This leads quite naturally into the quiet peace of the 23rd Psalm where the psalmist may rest knowing that whatever happens the Lord will provide.

Friday, February 19, 2010

A True Treasure

Isaiah 40-44

There is so much treasure in today's reading... nuggets more valuable than gold.
  • Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sins are pardoned.
  • The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.
  • Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? [...] Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing.
  • The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth.
  • He never grows weak or weary.
  • No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
  • He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.
  • Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
  • For I have chosen you and will not throw you away.
  • Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
  • For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.
  • I am the Lord, your Redeemer. I am the Holy One of Israel.
  • “Present the case for your idols,” says the Lord. “Let them show what they can do, Let them try to tell us what happened long ago so that we may consider the evidence. Or let them tell us what the future holds, so we can know what’s going to happen. Yes, tell us what will occur in the days ahead. Then we will know you are gods. In fact, do anything—good or bad! Do something that will amaze and frighten us. But no! You are less than nothing and can do nothing at all. Those who choose you pollute themselves.”
  • Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him.
  • God, the Lord, created the heavens and stretched them out. He created the earth and everything in it.
  • He gives breath to everyone, life to everyone who walks the earth.
  • I will take you by the hand and guard you
  • I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to anyone else, nor share my praise with carved idols.
  • Sing a new song to the Lord! Sing his praises from the ends of the earth!
  • Let the whole world glorify the Lord; let it sing his praise.
  • Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.
  • When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.
  • Others were given in exchange for you. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you.
  • Do not be afraid, for I am with you.
  • Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.
  • You have been chosen to know me, believe in me, and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God— there never has been, and there never will be.
  • From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done.
  • I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.
  • I will pour out water to quench your thirst ... And I will pour out my my blessing on your children.
  • I am the First and the Last; there is no other God.
  • Do not tremble; do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim my purposes for you long ago? You are my witnesses—is there any other God? No! There is no other Rock—not one!”
  • Who but a fool would make his own god— an idol that cannot help him one bit? He cuts down cedars; Then he uses part of the wood to make a fire. With it he warms himself and bakes his bread. Then—yes, it’s true—he takes the rest of it and makes himself a god to worship! He falls down in front of it, worshiping and praying to it. “Rescue me!” he says. “You are my god!” Such stupidity and ignorance!
  • I, the Lord, made you, and I will not forget you. I have swept away your sins like a cloud.
  • Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.

Has there ever been anything more awesome than our God. I love you Lord. Thank you for being.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Defending God's Honor

Job 13-14

Suffice it to say that Job is not impressed with Zophar's response. He accuses him of lying to defend God's honor. Listen to his  "Are you defending God with lies? Do you make your dishonest arguments for his sake? Will you slant your testimony in his favor? Will you argue God’s case for him? What will happen when he finds out what you are doing? Can you fool him as easily as you fool people? No, you will be in trouble with him if you secretly slant your testimony in his favor." If he hadn't already said it earlier he probably finish it up with "If only you could be silent! That’s the wisest thing you could do."

I wonder how often we do the same thing... throw out platitudes about God to make other people think that we're tight with God, when really we couldn't be farther from him. I think back to some of the things I've said in the past, "My God would never...." Who was I kidding? My god was myself. The God, the one and only God who created the heavens and the earth didn't need Zophar to defend him, and he doesn't need me to defend either. What he wants is my obedience, my love, my will, my life... Me! What an awesome God.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Moral Relativism in the Bible

Romans 13-14

Don't stone me just yet, but it is my opinion that not all of the Bible proclaims a position that is 100% against moral relativism. For example, consider Romans 14:14-23:
I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good. For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.
Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right. But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.
If moral relativism is defined as the view that ethical standards, morality, and positions of right or wrong are culturally based and therefore subject to a person's individual choice, then it at least in part, Paul is telling us that in some areas, it is scripturally correct to say that moral relativism is not 100% inconsistent with God's teachings. HOWEVER, be very careful when working out your own salvation... do so with significant fear and trembling and a heart that is oriented towards God and with heart, mind, body, soul, and strength completely abandoned to God's will.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

The Other Stories

Judges 7-11

Gideon was groomed by God to lead the Israelites in battle against the Midianites, but God wanted to make sure that Gideon and the Israelites knew who the real victor was, so he stacked the deck as against the Israelites while simultaneously building up their confidence. God gave Gideon victory over the Midianites and their allies. It is an awesome story in its full telling in the Book of Judges, but not the main subject of this post. There are several side stories that reveal other aspects of God and his people that are worth exploring.

In yesterday's reading there is an innocuous passage that reads: Abraham married another wife, whose name was Keturah. She gave birth to Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. I knew that Abraham had a child (Ishmael) by his wife's hand maid, but either didn't know or forgot about these other six children.  And right there in the bottom half of the middle is a child named Midian who did not receive any of Abraham's inheritance. But now, these many years later, his heirs are looking to take some of it back. They were mistaken.

And so all lived happily ever after right? Not quite. After his defeat of the Midianites, the Israelites wanted to  make Gideon and his heirs their rulers. He declined the leadership role, however, he did ask for and accept a token offering from the other warriors... one earing each from their plunder. It added up to 43 pounds of gold which he fashioned into a breastplate... and his heirs worshiped it. How does a family fall so far so fast? The rest of Israel, after Gideon died they forgot the Lord and forgot Gideon... they worshiped Baal and killed 70 of Gideon's children. How fickle they were! Are we?

Monday, February 15, 2010

Underlying Character

Genesis 24-27

We often talk about a person being a "good guy." By that we don't mean that he is perfect or that he hasn't sinned, but rather that underneath it all, there is a man of character who the right thing. Take Isaac, under most circumstances he was righteous, except for that time when he pretended that his wife was his sister so that Abimilech wouldn't kill him for his wife... he must have learned that one from his father. I think his character was revealed more in how he dealt with the other shepherds after he was kicked out of Philistia into the Gerar Valley. When his servants dug a well, the local shepherds claimed it. Instead of fighting over it, he had them dig another well. When it was also claimed, he dug yet another well until finally there was enough space for everyone. It was to this person that the Lord said... “I am with you and will bless you. I will multiply your descendants, and they will become a great nation. I will do this because of my promise to Abraham, my servant.”

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Then...

Matthew 17-19

When the rich young ruler came to Jesus he asked “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” Behind his question were several assumptions... that the reward of goodness was eternal life... that there was some thing he could do that led to eternal life,,, and that Jesus would know the answer. I guess that one out of three isn't so bad.

Jesus eventually tells him that he must keep the commandments. His next question reveals a little more about his assumptions. At first we thought he came seeking knowledge... "What must I do", but now we see he is really negotiating because his response to Jesus is "Which ones?"

The Son of God loves this young ruler and knows his heart, so Jesus gives him a little break. Jesus names off the commandments that the rich young ruler could say "Yes" to. Inside his head the young man was mentally ticking them off... You must not murder... check. You must not commit adultery... check. You must not steal... check. You must not testify falsely... check. Honor your father and mother... check. Love your neighbor as yourself... check.  BOO-YAH, I nailed it, he's thinking. But just in case let's just check to see if there's anything else.

That is when Jesus let the other show drop. Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” The rich young ruler was sad, because this was far more than he was willing to pay. If he listened closely he may also have discerned that Jesus knew his heart, for Jesus never argued with his previous checks, but now he said Do this... and THEN come follow me. After you do what you need to do, then you can follow me to eternal life, not before.

The same is true today. Even though Jesus has already paid the price for our admission, but we must believe on him first, then follow him... if we are willing to pay the price.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

The Heavens Proclaim His Glory

Psalms 18-20

It is perhaps easiest for me to see the face of God in the heavens, for I cannot mistake the work of man with the work of God. No superhuman effort can affect the rising or setting of the sun. The moon will appear on time no matter how late we are. The stars will shine forth their light whether we see them or not. Each time the scientists of the world marvel at new mysteries of the universe unveiled, they only declare how much they do not know. The one who created it all, displays his craftsmanship, his attention to detail, his power and majesty in the creation... and yet he cares for me. I am blessed.

Friday, February 12, 2010

What Are You Trusting In

Isaiah 34-39

With this taunt Sennacherib approached Hezekiah's inner circle... seemingly laying out all the options then knocking them down... one by one. The arrogance of Sennacherib would be his undoing. He mistook the command of the Lord, for the approval of the Lord, then arrogantly compares the Lord God to idols made of stone and wood. Never a smart move.

Yet modern man continues to arrogantly dismiss the living God... Nietzsche proclaimed that God is dead... On his death bed, Stalin shaked his fist at God... but Richard Dawkins must take the cakes with his book the God Delusion. “The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.”

At least these men didn't hide from their thoughts, how sad that many in the church act the same way while saying God is Good with their lips. If we truly believe in the God of the old and new testament, then we are obliged to follow him in humility. Hezekiah did, and he won. Hmmm.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Knowledge is Power?

Job 11-12

To read Zophar's first response to Job you might think that knowledge is power, but closer scrutiny reveals the flaws in that logic. Zophar talks a good game, but his ignorance becomes more glaring as he proclaims that if only Job would become more righteous, then God's favor would shine upon him. The funny thing about knowledge is that you can only know what you know... you can't have knowledge of what you don't know. It is exactly that blind spot that allows us to think more of ourselves than we ought.

I am reminded of the book Flatland in which a humble square who lives in flatland has a dream about a visit to a one-dimensional world (Lineland) which is inhabited by "lustrous points." He attempts to convince the realm's ignorant monarch of a second dimension but finds that it is essentially impossible to make him see outside of his eternally straight line. The Square exhibits similar thoughts when visited by a sphere, whom he cannot comprehend. Likewise the sphere is troubled by the thoughts of other higher dimensions. In each case, the inhabitants of a world find they cannot fathom that which is foreign to them.

Likewise, we have similar blind spots... areas of thought that we cannot imagine. In many cases, we have become so conditioned by our environment that we cannot think outside of it. Think about personal finances for example, many in the church today would proclaim retirement savings or emergency savings to be a prudent habit consistent with scripture... being responsible stewards of the resources God has given us. But consider this... when young children are forced into sexual slavery... when thousands die of hunger each day... when millions have never heard the gospel... what exactly does it take to constitute an emergency? Is it only an emergency when it happens to me?

Knowledge is power in an omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God, but it is only a source of pride for Zophar... and for us.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Back to the Basics

Romans 11-12

"Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either." Let's be clear, God did not reject his chosen people, but many of them choose to take paths that did not lead to him. Although their initial motives may have been righteous, the path they got on did not lead to God. As Andy Stanley would say "Direction, Not Intention, Determines Destination."

Fast forward 2000 years and the silent question bears repeating. Are we on the path that leads to God, or are we one of the wild branches about to be pruned off to make room for fruitful new growths? Will we be surprised to find that we are walking on a path that parallels those branches that were pruned? Seems to me that the church of today has written in some of their own rules... rules that God never intended... as a substitute for God's standard. It's time to get back to the basics

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Stay the Course

Judges 1-6

At the start of this year, our pastor Craig Carter preached a sermon on consistency. His message was a call to the congregation to be more consistent this year. More consistent in attendance... more consistent in praying... more consistent in study... more consistent in our relationship with God. I wish I could say that my life revealed a consistency that he used as the good example. It doesn't. Today's reading in Judges shows the inconsistency inherent in the lives of the Israeli people.

The Israelites served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and the leaders who outlived him, but when that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel so the Lord lifted their enemies up. When they had suffered much they cried out to the Lord, and he called Othniel as a judge, so there was peace in the land for forty years. Then Othniel son of Kenaz died.

The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight, so they were given into the hands of the Moabites and they suffered much, and they cried out to God and God called Ehud, and there was peace in the land for 80 years until Ehud died. The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight, so they were given into the hands of the Canaanites and they suffered much, and they cried out to God and God called Deborah, and there was peace in the land for 40 years. The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight, so they were given into the hands of the Midianites and they suffered much, and they cried out to God and God called Gideon... hmmm, appears to be a pattern developing.

With the hindsight of history, it is easy to see how the ancient Israelites reacted, but my guess is that the Lord's response to my noticing the pattern would be similar to Jesus' response  to Peter's question about John. Jesus replied "what is that to you? You must follow me." Use their example to ensure that you do not turn to the right or to the left, but follw him.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Jehovah Jireh

Genesis 20-23

The Lord will provide. A fascinating, yet inconceivable promise to many.

What must have gone through Abraham's mind as he trudged up the mountains of Moriah? The son he had longed for... had waited for was now walking beside him. He must have been so proud of the way that Isaac was maturing... he was strong enough to carry the lion's share of the load. Today, however, the load that he carried was the wood for his own sacrificial fire. Looking around, Isaac asks the question that Abraham must have feared the most... “We have the fire and the wood, but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?” Abraham was ready for Isaac's question, he'd been talking it through in his mind the whole trip...  “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son.”

God had provided before. He had saved Sarah's honor before Abimilech, even when Abraham had not trusted... he had provided a son by Sarah's handmaid, when Sarah could not wait... and he had filled Sarah's womb, in the midst of Abraham and Sarah's laughter and unbelief. Would he come through again? Could he really be trusted to provide the lamb? More than Abraham could imagine! When Abraham fully trusted, when his faith was fully formed, Jehovah Jireh provided the sacrificial lamb... first on the mountains of Moriah, then later on the hill of Golgotha. Thank you, Jehovah Jireh!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Turn From Your Selfish Ways

Matthew 14-16


Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it." What would it look like to turn from our selfish ways. Economist Robert Heilbroner describes the luxuries a typical American family would have to surrender if they lived among the one billion hungry people in the Third World:
We begin by invading the house of our imaginary American family to strip it of its furniture. Everything goes: beds, chairs, tables, television sets, lamps. We will leave the family with a few old blankets, a kitchen table, a wooden chair. Along with the bureaus go the clothes. Each member of the family may keep in his 'wardrobe' his oldest suit or dress, a shirt or blouse. We will permit a pair of shoes for the head of the family, but none for the wife or children. 
We move to the kitchen. The appliances have already been taken out, so we turn to the cupboards...the box of matches may stay, a small bag of flour, some sugar and salt. A few moldy potatoes, already in the garbage can, must be rescued, for they will provide much of tonight's meal. We will leave a handful of onions and a dish of dried beans. All the rest we take away: the meat, the fresh vegetables, the canned goods, the crackers, the candy. 
Now we have stripped the house: the bathroom has been dismantled, the running water shut off, the electric wires taken out. Next we take away the house. The family can move to the tool shed...Communications must go next. No more newspapers, magazines, books--not that they are missed, since we must take away our family's literacy as well. Instead, in our shantytown we will allow one radio... 
Now government services must go next. No more postmen, no more firemen. There is a school, but it is three miles away and consists of two classrooms...There are, of course, no hospitals or doctors nearby. The nearest clinic is ten miles away and is tended by a midwife. It can be reached by bicycle, provided the family has a bicycle, which is unlikely. 
Finally, money. We will allow our family a cash hoard of five dollars. This will prevent our breadwinner from experiencing the tragedy of an Iranian peasant who went blind because he could not raise the $3.94 which he mistakenly thought he needed to receive admission to a hospital where he could have been cured.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Eligibility Requirements

Psalms 15-17

Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?

Really? Are there really people who are not invited to worship... not welcome? That doesn't sound right at all... doesn't sound like the God of love that they told us about in Sunday School. So what's the deal? According to the Psalmist, the ones who may worship in his sanctuary are...
Those who lead blameless lives... those who do what is right... those who speak the truth from sincere hearts... those who refuse to gossip... those who do not harm their neighbors... those who do not speak evil of their friends... those who despise flagrant sinners... those who honor the faithful followers of the Lord... those who keep their promises even when it hurts... those who who lend money without charging interest... those who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.
Doesn't sound like it will be very crowded in the sanctuary, does it? Jesus has redeemed us, justified us, cleansed us from our sins. His worthiness was transferred to us through the cross and we were reckoned worthy. And yet, I think there is something more here. Not more than Jesus, but more at work.

If we are not the kind of person that does right, that speaks truth, etc., why would we really want to worship in his sanctuary? For the praise of men? Not worth it! To worship a god we don't believe in? He who believes will obey! Choose this day whom you will worship.

Friday, February 5, 2010

To Be Truly His

Isaiah 29-33

The Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.

He knows our every thought before we think it... before our lips part to speak, he knows the words they will form... and we may fool others, but the one for whom worship was created knows our heart. How foolish to pretend! What is the measure of our love?  In 1 John 2:3 we have our answer... we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Guilty and in Need

Job 9-10

Job is not speechless, he has many words... yet he doesn't have the "right" words. In trying to state his case against the Almighty he realizes that although he is innocent, his own mouth would pronounce him guilty. Where do you begin in trying to defend yourself before a righteous God? Finally, Job comes to the conclusion that what he really needs is arbitration. In his distress, he cries out...
If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together. The mediator could make God stop beating me, and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment. Then I could speak to him without fear, but I cannot do that in my own strength.
Eventually, that is the place we all come to... if we come to our senses anyway. And then we realize that God in his infinite wisdom had already thought this all through before we were born... and agreed. He would provide the mediator too. A mediator who would not only come between us and the Almighty, but also give everything he had... put it all on the line... "who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!"

He fulfills all my needs! He is exactly what I need. Thank you Jesus.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Chosen Ones

Romans 9-10

In 1000 B.C. it was pretty easy to tell who was one of the chosen ones... check yes if you are a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Fast forward 1000 years and things aren't quite so clear. In the intervening years, the chosen ones failed to keep the covenant... failed to show justice and mercy... and failed to love God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength. So when Paul, a recovered Pharisee, saw the light (literally) he could speak from experience, telling his Roman brethren that the people of Israel tried to get right with God by keeping the law, but they never succeeded because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of by trusting in him. Although God saved a remnant, his mantle was removed from Israel and placed on the gentiles. Why? Paul tells us... "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved." I confess and believe. Do you?

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Will the Rocks Cry Out

Joshua 21-24

I've always like the ending of Joshua where he implores of the Israelites to "choose today whom you will serve... But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord." Today, however, I noticed something else though. Once he secured the Israelites commitment to likewise follow the Lord...
Joshua recorded these things in the Book of God’s Instructions. As a reminder of their agreement, he took a huge stone and rolled it beneath the terebinth tree beside the Tabernacle of the Lord. Joshua said to all the people, “This stone has heard everything the Lord said to us. It will be a witness to testify against you if you go back on your word to God.”
Joshua is reminding the people that even if he dies and passes on, that a witness to their covenant still stands in the memorial rock. But can the rock really testify against them? Jesus tells the Pharisees in Luke 19:40 that even if his disciples keep quiet, the stones will cry out. Covenants made with the creator of the world are not easily reneged on without significant consequences as the Israelites would soon learn.

Monday, February 1, 2010

No One Is Righteous

Genesis 16-19

In Romans 3, Paul quotes from the old testament when he says "No one is righteous— not even one." I've probably read that a thousand times, and agreed with it without really believing that it applied to me, because I'm pretty good after all, but of course, I lie.

Today's selection from Genesis showcases one of the classic examples of the depths of depravity and unrighteousness that man is capable of... Sodom and Gomorrah. God warned Abraham that he was going to destroy the city and Abraham asked if he would really destroy everything even if there were only 50 righteous men. God agreed to withhold the destruction if 50 could be found. Eventually, Abraham worked him down to just 10 righteous men. Since ten righteous men could not be found, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were completely destroyed... and only 4 people escaped... except one of the four looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt, so then there were three. And those three hid out in a cave for so long that the two daughters conspired to get their father drunk and have sex with him so that they would have children... and they became the ancestors of the Moabites and the Ammonites... bitter enemies of God's chosen people because of their unrighteousness.

The one remaining person, Lot, he was righteous right? Well, not exactly. When the angels of the Lord came to his house and the men of the city wanted to have their way with the angels, Lot offered to give up his virgin daughters to the men of the city to do with as they wanted if they would leave the men alone. Hardly the bastion of righteousness. Looking back through the pages of scripture, there really are no righteous men. Thankfully, if we fast forward to Romans 3 again we see the solution... "Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins."