Saturday, December 24, 2011

Matthew 1:18-21 A Christmas Story

Matthew 1:18-21  “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.  And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.  But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.  She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’" (NASB)

It is Christmas Eve and the family is all at home, the football game is on and Sharon is in the kitchen preparing the soup we will share with family later this evening.  It has become a tradition that following the evening candlelight service at church that we return here to a simple meal consisting of some kind of soup and various treats we and other family members provide.  We’ll all remark how wonderful the soup is – and truthfully so because Sharon truly is a remarkable cook.  Then we’ll settle in and watch “A Christmas Story” and hear those famous words, “You’ll shoot your eye out with that thing”.  Great tradition; great memories.  In the morning we’ll drag the kids out of bed (didn’t use to be that way) to see what “Santa” brought and eventually end up over at Sharon’s Mom’s to meet up with family again and have lunch.  This is our Christmas routine, our tradition and it is both comfortable and satisfying after all these years.

But if that were the beginning and end of Christmas as I’m afraid it is for many it would be hollow indeed.  In addition to the traditions of Christmas which look very similar to many in this country we put a focus on the essence and quite literally the essentials of the day.  While there are many passages from Scripture that predict, depict and explain the event of Jesus’ birth, I have chosen to share this passage from Matthew’s gospel.  In it we actually have an event that takes place prior to the arrival of Jesus so it is a prophecy of arrival albeit an immediate one.

Matthew records that, “Mary had been betrothed to Joseph”.  In that day the betrothal was a sort of point of no return much more than an engagement today.  To back out of the relationship before the actual marriage would have required a “Divorce”.  That is significant when weighed against the news that was revealed to Joseph.  Scriptures says that, “Before they came together she was found to be with child …”  Now Joseph when presented with the news of his betrothed coming up pregnant would have certainly been within his rights to, “Divorce” her for the act of infidelity.  But Joseph loved Mary and although deeply hurt by this news of her situation did not want to bring her shame by publicly divorcing her.  “Being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, (he) planned to send her away secretly.”

What a standup guy Joseph was.  He didn’t know what had happened.  He just knew Mary had a baby in her womb and it wasn’t his.

As he was mulling all of this over the Lord sent a messenger to give him a clue.  “Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife”.  I’ll be honest, “Afraid” is not the emotion I might be feeling.  Well, I suppose some fear might be involved because if he were to take Mary as his wife and claim the child as his own he would essentially be saying,  "We didn’t wait; we jumped the gun during our engagement and did not wait until we were properly wed to consummate our marriage".  So, fear could well have been an emotion on Joseph’s mind.  But the angel went on, “For the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit”.  WHAT?

Okay – so this reassurance from this messenger angel in Joseph’s dream tells him to chill out and not be afraid then gives the reason that the child has been conceived by the Holy Spirit.  Wow!  Would that calm you down?  I’m not thinking I would be more calm after receiving this news.  I’d be – freaking out!

So it is with that preamble that we come to the conclusion of the passage.  With Joseph in a slumber being addressed by a messenger from heaven and presented with this incredible news about his betrothed the final and most significant information is shared.  Stay with me here.  Joseph is asleep, Scripture says he was approached in a dream by the angel and it is in this state that the communication of this news takes place.  Asleep or not his heart had to be racing by the time this news of the Holy Spirit conceiving the child in Mary’s womb.  Then and only then does the angel share, “She will bear a Son”.  Okay Joseph might have stayed with him for this but then, “And you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”  Well, we know Joseph remembered the name part because he got that right.  But did he catch, “He will save His people from their sins”?  Did he?

That is the significance of Christmas.  I’m afraid with all the shock of the moment Joseph may have missed that essential part of the message delivered by the angel that night in his dream.  In his shoes I’m convinced I would have.  I’m equally convinced that many miss the significance of Christmas today.  All blended in with the traditions with friends and family which are all wonderful things there is one and only one essential meaning of Christmas.  “And you shall call his name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins”.  AMEN!

Sunday, December 4, 2011

John 15:7-11 Joy Complete


John 15:7-11  "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.   "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.  "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.  "These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full”. (NASB)

There are those in Christian circles that claim what has been referred to as a “Prosperity” gospel.  Simply put it is a “Name it and Claim it” attitude that says God wants us to have everything we ask for.  All we have to do is go to Him earnestly in prayer and He will grant us whatever it is.

Poppycock!  That is just not the way it is.  Creator God is not a genie in a bottle waiting to grant our wishes.

This passage in John’s gospel however does point to some things that might be misunderstood as a prosperity gospel message when if fact that is not the case.  Let’s take a closer look at these words of Christ.

Let’s stipulate up front that the passage does say, “Ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you”.  If that was a standalone thought it might be argued that you have your genie in a bottle proof text.  That is not in fact the case.  The condition of, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you” preceed the “Ask whatever you wish … “statement.  So what does He mean when He says “Abide in me” and regarding His words that they “Abide in you”?  Abide means to “Continue in a place” according to Webster.  I like to refer to it as taking up residence.  So you might paraphrase the passage to read, “If you live in Me and My words live in you …”.  So the condition on the name it and claim it appears to be an inseparable relationship with Christ.  Living in Christ and His word living in you results in the capacity to “Ask whatever you wish and …”. 

Now that sounds a little different than just dream something up and ask for it.  Why?  Because when you are that close with Jesus you won’t be thinking selfishly.  You will be in fact thinking correctly about things such that when you pray it will be according to His will.  Jesus prayed in the garden, “…, Your will be done” (Matthew 26:42 NASB).

So the bottom line here is that we can ask for and expect to come to pass exactly what we ask when we are praying perfectly in God’s will.  Sounds simple right?  Yep!  Do you know why?  Because of grace.  Grace provides a couple of helpers in the process.  First, a little humble pie though.  Scripture tells us quite clearly, “We do not know how to pray as we should”. (Romans 8:26 NASB)  So it’s hopeless then right?  Wrong!  The full passage reads this way, “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words”.

But you said there were two helpers.  That’s right.  Jesus Himself helps in the process of prayer.  The book of Hebrews speaks in long passages of Jesus’ ministry as our “Great high priest” ministering on our behalf.  See Hebrews 6-8

Now there is a point to all of this praying and that is that when His will is accomplished when we pray that way then it can ultimately be counted or even measured.  There is something that has transpired that can be pointed to and taken not of.  In the same way a farmer harvests his crop bringing it to yield the Lord refers to the work that is accomplished through this ministry of prayer.  John records,  "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples”.  This is a direct outcome of the abiding and the praying which of course is something that Christians that are submitting to the Lord do.  So the bearing of fruit or yielding good things for Christ is the way we can count the accomplishments that are done by God through his servants.

I want to get to what I see as a critical point in the passage and one reason I clipped this long passage in the first place.  John wraps up this section by showing us another result beyond fruit being produced when we submit to Him in our abiding and our prayer.  That result is a direct benefit to us, the believer.

JOY!

John records that when all of this abiding and yielding fruit takes place we are filled with joy.  Jesus said it this way, "These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full”.  So he is letting us in on this information for this specific purpose – so that His, “Joy may be in you”.  Isn’t it exciting to think that Jesus thought enough of us to share this thought with us letting us in on the understanding that if we will abide in Him, allow His word to abide in us and pray according to His will yielding fruit as His servants then His joy will be in us?  And that isn’t the whole thing.  He says, “That your joy may be made full”.  Other translations say “Made complete”.

Now that is a great closing thought indeed.  Jesus wants us to abide in Him and His word in us ultimately so that through the accomplishment of His will through us His servants we will receive abundant joy.  AMEN!

Monday, November 28, 2011

2 Corinthians 11:8-15 Pure Motives

2 Corinthians 11:8-15 “I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you; and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so.  As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia.  Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!  But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting.  For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.  No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.  Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds”. (NASB)

As a leader, credibility is of paramount importance.  If one loses credibility, who will follow?  This is the underlying issue for Paul as he writes to the Corinthians in this his second letter we have in Scripture.  Paul knows that the message that he has for these people cannot be compromised by their questions about him personally.  At this stage in his relationship with the church at Corinth it is especially important and he goes to the trouble of telling us why.

He starts in a rather peculiar way saying, “I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you”.  So is Paul saying he was the early incarnation of Robin Hood?  No, he is using the dramatic “Robbed” to make the point that he was being supported by “Other churches” in order that he might “Support You”, the church at Corinth.  Paul in this sense was a missionary sent by these supporting churches to minister to the new church at Corinth.  Paul goes on to remind them that while he was there with them, “I was not a burden to anyone”.  In fact, when other believers from the Macedonia area came they, “Fully supplied my need” according to Paul.  The result was that, “Everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so”.

Why was this important?

Paul wanted to make it clear to those in Corinth when he was there ministering to them that he was not there for any reason other than that.  He had no personal gain or even the meeting of his immediate needs in mind while he was there.  The importance of this position for Paul was twofold.  First, by not taking any support much less profit from the church in Corinth Paul did establish his own credibility as one there to serve them.  No strings attached.  Second, Paul knew that others with less pure motives were in circulation and may well cross his path.  Paul wanted to be able to make the clear distinction between his motivation and theirs.

Paul is able to ask the rhetorical question about his motives, “Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!”  And Paul goes on to say that his activity will continue driving to that second purpose of drawing the distinction between his motives and others.  He says, “What I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting”.  Then he cuts to the chase, “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ”.

Wow!

And he’s not done.  Paul goes on to identify their motivation or motivator, “No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light”.  Satan is behind the actions of these false prophets who present a counterfeit gospel.  So Paul says as Satan goes so go his followers, “Therefore it is not surprising if his (Satan’s) servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness”.  Before moving on we do need to see the victory statement Paul makes in completing this section.  He reminds us that their, “End will be according to their deeds”.

But what is the point of all of this for us?  Well, as leaders in the church we need to emulate Paul as best we can especially when developing new disciples.  Our motives must be pure and they must be transparently so to those with whom we seek to have credibility.  In Paul’s case his discussion centers on financial support or the meeting of his physical needs.  He took the measure of taking that out of the equation to gain credibility with the Corinthians.  For us, there may be other steps of integrity we need to take to transparently reveal our true motivation.

The second message here is for those attempting to discern the motivations of their would be leaders.  Whether this is at the time a church is being sought or when a decision to support a ministry is being made.  What is the motivation of those who are ministering or intending to lead?  One of the requirements of eldership is to be, “Not fond of sordid gain” (Titus 1:7).  If a leader is in it to line his own pockets – WATCH OUT!

So Paul helps us to understand how to be leaders with integrity and as disciples of Christ one way to discern true motives.  Whichever position you are in leader or disciple remember both his model and his warning.  AMEN!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

John 14:3-7 Jesus - The Only Way

John 14:3-"If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.  "And you know the way where I am going."  Thomas *said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?"  Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.  "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him." (NASB)

It’s been bugging me for awhile now and the thoughts have been rumbling in my head.  The verse too has been there and today I’m going to try to put it down on paper.  This will be offensive to some but I suppose that is OK.  The Gospel is offensive to the lies of Satan.

I hear it in the sit coms on television and on the various talk shows on television when I’m stuck in a hotel room somewhere, that “All roads lead to heaven” attitude oozing from the pseudo spiritual.  Wouldn’t that be a happy thought, it doesn’t matter which horse your ride, we all end up at the same finish line and we’re all happy and have punch and cookies.  Baloooneeey!

That is NOT the way it works folks!  

But don’t take my word for it.  For all of you that want it from Jesus himself, He did us the favor of spelling it out clearly in John’s gospel.  In context, the risen Christ had returned to appear to many of his disciples.  Thomas however was not there.  You remember, “Doubting Thomas”.  He essentially said unless I put my fingers in the holes in his hands and the wound in his side I’m not going to buy it.  Well, in his case Jesus was there and allowed “Doubting Thomas” to become “Believing Thomas” by sight not by faith.  We believe by faith through the Word given to us but that’s another topic.

All that leads up to this section of scripture when Jesus tells them He is going away again but this time to prepare a place for them in heaven.  “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”  So He is leaving but not just to go away, He is leaving to do something.  He is leaving to prepare a place for them in heaven.  He also says He will come again and receive them to Himself so that they may be with Him.  This is referred to as the second coming of Christ.

Well, good old Thomas isn’t done with his silly remarks and still doesn’t get it so he says, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?" In direct response to Thomas’ question Jesus answers with the key verse"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”   Jesus says it right here folks.  Jesus is THE way to heaven.  Jesus is THE truth.  Jesus is THE life.

Jesus is the one way to heaven.  By accepting His perfect life sacrificed on the cross as payment for my sins, I receive forgiveness of my sins and restoration of a right relationship with a Holy God.  Without Jesus, I would have no hope of purity and without it I could not come into the presence of Holiness.

Jesus is the truth.  John’s gospel begins this way, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.” (John 1:1-2 NASB)  This means that Jesus is eternally God.  He is equal to God and part of our triune God.  He is referred to as the Word and the Word is our truth which is shared with us as our bible.  How powerful is the Word?  “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 )

Jesus is the life.  Jesus brings us eternal life but He also brings us a way to live out this live today differently.  Paul writes, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1 ) What he is saying here is that you don’t have to live in bondage to your old way of sinful behavior any more.  You are free from that. 

So – Jesus is THE way, THE truth and THE life.  Great news I would say.  It is great news for those who claim Christ as their Savior.  Well, what’s so darned offensive about that?  I hear all of the talk show folks say what a wonderful guy Jesus was.  Lots of false religions say Jesus was a prophet of god.  Really?

Well then … let’s let Jesus Himself do the offending, No one comes to the Father but through Me” is how he ends verse 6.  So what about those sit coms and talk shows and their all roads lead to heaven philosophy?  The one who was from the beginning with God and was God says they are wrong.  Don’t bring your argument to me, take it to the man who speaks in RED letters. 

There is, according to Jesus, just one way to heaven.  Jesus is THE way.  AMEN! 

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Romans 8:1 No Condemnation

Romans 8:1  “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (NASB)

Referred to as “The greatest verse in the Bible” by some, the truth revealed here is certainly central to the Gospel and essential to the Christian faith.  What a verse! 

Of course it isn’t fair to just jump right in to Romans 8 without pointing to the “Therefore”.  That single word at the beginning of the verse points to all that has gone before.  It has been a road pointing to the desperate need for a savior of all men.  Not just the gentiles but also the Jews, God’s chosen people.  Romans has pointed to man's ability to know God exists through His creation yet points to man’s rejection of the Creator.  Romans shows the way of knowing Christ as Savior and the redemption offered through Grace rather than works.  Leading up to Romans 8 we are presented with the struggle even Paul faces living out his salvation under Grace but in this sin stained body wrestling daily with the battle of spirit and flesh.

Only then comes the great news and assurance of Romans 8.  “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”.  So the verse is for those of us walking this earth and for those that have passed on “In Christ” only.  To be clear this is not a universal get out of jail card for the human race.  This assurance is limited. 

For those, “In Christ” the assurance is, “Now”.  Isn’t it significant to know that the assurance of Romans 8 is not something to wait for or hope for but is, “Now”?  I think so.  And what is “Now”“No condemnation” is what is “Now”.  So currently, in this present time, as we walk through this life troubled by the battle of spirit and flesh just referenced in Romans 7 we have this assurance of Romans 8.  There is no condemnation now.  I don’t have to wait for someone to remove my sin at some ceremony later.  Because of Christ Jesus my sin results in no condemnation right now.  That is a wonderful message to me.

Now there are plenty of warnings in earlier chapters of Romans about intentionally liberating Grace by sinning all to more.  Paul tells us this is absolutely wrong and misses the point.  The point is we will continue to sin because we are damaged goods.  We have a sin nature handed down from our father Adam.  Try and we might, we will continue to sin from time to time.  When we do, those sins are covered immediately by Grace through the work of Christ Jesus and we find ourselves in this state of “No condemnation”.  

Applied to our lives there should be great comfort in knowing we walk in Grace free from the burden of our sins.  We do not have to carry the guilt of our sins before the Lord.  When the Father looks at us he sees the Son; guiltless.  So we don't need to be kicking ourselves, that is what Satan wants.  He wins when we do that.  Hold your head up high and go do something for Jesus.


In closing, if this isn’t the greatest verse in the Bible, it certainly gives rise to explanation of the greatest gift, Jesus Christ our Lord.  AMEN!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Proverbs 24:27 Priorities: Work then Build

Proverbs 24:27  “Prepare your work outside And make it ready for yourself in the field; Afterwards, then, build your house.” (NASB)

It’s been a busy week.  I’ve been off to a week of conferences and meetings.  I actually lugged two computers through airports to have the ability to do work unique to each machine and found the time commitment of the meetings themselves made the gesture mute.  So, the devotion took the back burner I’m afraid.  This morning though I’m up early and thinking about the busy-ness of business and thought I’d search Scripture on the issue of work.  Where else I reasoned than Proverbs to look?  So there I came to rest on something I had not expected but something rich none-the-less.

A proverb about work.

Solomon, the writer of Proverbs writes this little one liner putting work in perspective.  I believe and I confirmed it with two commentaries (Brown and Henry) that it is referring to the order of things or the priorities in life.  If you take a look around – priorities are way out of whack so perhaps getting things right might be in order. 

So what priorities are in need of keeping straight?  Simply put the priority of need vs. want.  In Solomon’s words he says, “Prepare your work outside And make it ready for yourself in the field”.  That is the first priority.  He is saying do your work of providing for your basic needs.  In that time they lived most often in tents, “In the field”.  So, the focus Solomon suggests is doing your work and provide for yourself as you live in the field in your tents. 

What comes next?  Priority two or the lower priority comes next.  That is to, “Afterwards, then, build your house”.  So, he’s saying that it is all well and good to aspire to the nice house but it is not a necessity.  You are fine living in the tent in the field until you are able to build the house.  In other words, the building of the house was the lower priority; not the necessity.
So what!  How does this apply to us?

I’d say this has incredible application to us and the society we live in.  We in fact tend to live the opposite of this Proverb.  We go out and get then wonder how if ever we will pay for things including houses.  Just look at the mess we’re in right now with both buyers and lenders doing deals on houses they could not afford.  The honorable of them are hopelessly upside down in their mortgages while the less honorable have walked away sometimes at the bank’s suggestion.  Frankly, it is because they did not follow this simple Proverb.  Work for it first, and then buy.

So am I saying not to take out a mortgage to purchase a home?  No, that’s not at all what I’m saying.  Certainly though to make a purchase with a balloon payment you have no means to pay simply hoping that the market will continue to increase so the home value will outpace the looming debt so you can sell or re-fi is just plain FOOLISH.  Yes, I know I’ve offended someone but it is the truth.  It is foolish and the Proverb tells us so.

But is this principle limited to work and housing?  No!  The application should go much deeper into our thinking and our behavior.  We should work first and buy second.  Many Americans have more than ten credit cards in their wallets and many are at their limits because they simply will not wait. 

Notice the Proverb does not condemn the building of the house; it simply puts it in order.  There is a time to build the house.  That is the message for us and frankly for the crowd that wants others to provide for their “Needs” which are really wants rather than working themselves.  Having the nicer things of life should come after they are earned.  There is nothing wrong with building the house but do the work first. AMEN!

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Psalm 10:1-4 Occupy Wall Street?

Psalm 10:1-4  “Why do You stand afar off, O LORD? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?  In pride the wicked hotly pursue the afflicted; Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised.  For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire, And the greedy man curses and spurns the LORD.   The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek Him. All his thoughts are, ‘There is no God.’" (NASB)

Sharon and I have taken on teaching the discipleship class for the Jr. High and High School age kids on Sunday morning.  I’ve not taught from prepared curriculum before so I’m really just getting settled down into the routine of preparing for the lessons and ways of teaching the material as it has been prepared.  I have to admit it is good material and having a logical flow of thought and much of the homework done for me makes my life easier.  And I also get the benefit of insight of those who have done their homework in both preparing and then proofing the material.

So in preparing for tomorrow’s lesson and with thoughts of all the Facebook and news accounts of the Wall Street protests this one passage just shouted out to me.  It is an indictment indeed but I’m not sure that it is vindication for anyone involved.  Let’s take a look.

The writer opens with a question.  “Why do You stand afar off, O LORD?”.  Clearly the circumstances of the day are apparent to the writer that God is absent from current affairs.  A follow up question, “Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?”  So not only is God absent but the observation is that God is intentionally absent.  He is allowing the circumstances that have come to be continue on for the moment without His intervention; He is “Hiding” Himself.

Now something about the circumstances, “In pride the wicked hotly pursue the afflicted”.  So, those who are already afflicted are being pursued by wicked men.  Insult to injury might be another way to depict what these brutes are attempting to inflict on the downtrodden.  Hmm!  Then the psalmist prays an outcome on these wicked men, “Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised.”  Why?  “For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire, And the greedy man curses and spurns the LORD.”  Now wait a minute.  So these wicked men are all in it for themselves rather than the LORD?  Yep, that sounds about right.  Pad the executive's salary then when they get caught and get driven out give them a big severance package.  Sad ... Let’s continue.

“The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek Him.  All his thoughts are, ‘There is no God’”.  Now that is interesting.  The wicked man in his high and mighty selfish pride has the attitude that he doesn’t need God.  He “Does not seek Him”.  In fact, “All his thoughts are, ‘There is no God’”.

Now back up the truck!  While you can certainly read much of this Psalm as a clear indictment of the money hungry industrial elite,  the Wall Street crowd, if you will, who have demonstrated their blatant disregard for “The afflicted”, they are not alone in their guilt.  While money and power have become their idol in many cases the buck (pardon the pun) does not stop with them. 

While money and power stand as the idol of many of these wicked men who oppress the afflicted you have to take a hard look at the self-professed saviors of the afflicted.  This bunch who says we’re the government and we’re here to help seeks to replace God with a grand social experiment all controlled by them.  Ask them about their faith and you may get lip service but the proof is in the pudding.  When they establish man’s laws in direct conflict to God’s laws the evidence is clear.  “All his thoughts are, ‘There is no God’”. 

Then you have to ask about the motivation of this crowd that has gathered.  Are they really the oppressed?  Are they the afflicted?  Are they the God fearing among us?  I'm not seeing the evidence of that though I'm not about to cast judgement on the whole lot.  What I will say is that so long as God is hiding, nothing will be solved by occupying anything.  A friend posted a picture of Jesus turning over the tables of the money changers in the temple except the setting wasn't the temple.  It was Wall Street.  Well, Wall Street is not the temple of God but it may well be the temple of some.

The God of the Bible is real and we as individuals and as a people had better get on our knees and confess that very truth.  When we honor Him appropriately, the Lord will come from His hiding place and begin blessing us anew.  AMEN!

Friday, October 14, 2011

Philippians 4:6-8 Anxiety Cure

Philippians 4:6-8  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” (NASB)

So, it’s 3:30 in the morning and I’m sitting in my hotel room after a week of meetings here at the “Happiest Place on Earth” and I’m writing my BLOG.  OK …  Most folks would be sleeping you’d say?  Well, it’s not like I just got in from a late night of carousing with the gang.  We did have a nice banquet to close out the meeting but then I turned in.  After some decent sleep I found myself thinking and actually wrestling with the events of the week and the meetings and decisions that need to come next.  Yep, right here at Disneyland, I was tossing and turning anxious about business decisions ahead.  After an hour or so of being fully aware that was going on, I gave up and got up.  I’ll BLOG then decide it is time to sleep or just pack up and drive back to Wasco.

As I came to clear thinking this Scripture came to mind.  “Be anxious for nothing” was the phrase that the Holy Spirit recalled to my memory.  It comes from Paul’s letter to the Philippians and comes in chapter 4 of 4 near the close of the letter.  I don’t know that you would call it a benediction but it is a portion of the closing remarks, the thoughts Paul wants left on the minds of the readers.  Thankfully, Paul doesn’t just give the admonition to not be anxious and drop it there; he gives some direction.

Paul adds, “But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God”.  So, being anxious for nothing is not simply one of those self help techniques; a mind over matter deal.  No, “Be anxious for nothing” is the state of mind as we come to prayer and petition of the Lord.  And how are we to pray?  We are to offer our prayers and requests (supplications) with “Thanksgiving”.  With an attitude of thanksgiving we lift up our prayers and our requests to God and when we do, the promised result … “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”.  WOW!  So, if I’ll just stop a minute and with an attitude of thanksgiving give a little prayer to God about how things are and what’s on my mind, he’ll return to me more than I can possibly understand in the form of peace.

I feel better!

And now that I do, Paul gives me a little more … “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things”.

Shazamm!  Not only has Paul shown me the remedy for my anxiety but he’s shown me with what to fill the void.  Fill up my mind with good stuff and there simply won’t be room for all that crud anymore.  God’s Word is good! AMEN!

Friday, October 7, 2011

John 10:1-4 Sheep Know the Shepherd

John 10:1-4  "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber.  "But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep.  "To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  "When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.” (NASB)
 
Jesus often taught using parables to make His point.  As it is recorded, often His point was missed at first as the parables went right over the heads of those who were listening.  Perhaps because Scripture tells us that it is the Holy Spirit who teaches us (John 14:26), they still will in some cases.  The passage I turned to today is one of the parables of Jesus where He references His own ministry.  Let’s take a deeper look.

The parable references sheep and the sheep fold which is a common theme among His teaching.  Sheep are most often and I believe also in this case those who would believe in Jesus and upon doing so become Christians.  That coming to faith in Christ then is what this parable is about.  So how does it work?

First, there seem to be two kinds of people after the sheep.  The first described as, “He who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way”.  Who is that you ask?  Well, who else wants your soul my friend?  This, “Thief and … robber” is Satan or those doing his work, perhaps the Jewish leaders in this context.  He is the one coming after the unsuspecting sheep to steal them away.

In contrast though, “But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep.  To him the doorkeeper opens”.  Jesus is the rightful one to come to His own flock. What comes next is the remarkable part I think, "And the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out”.  This friend is very important for us to understand.  It is Jesus who calls His own sheep from among the many.  He doesn’t steal what isn’t His.  He doesn’t come sneaking in where he doesn’t belong.  He comes in and He calls His own.  Don’t miss who initiates the action here it is a crucial point.  Jesus initiates the calling of His sheep.  He calls us to Him.

“When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice”.  Jesus calls His own sheep to follow and we do because we recognize Him as our Shepherd.  We hear His voice and we follow Him.

The bottom line then is that Satan wants to steal your soul like a wolf wants to poach from the flock.   But Jesus wants His own sheep and will call you who are His.  Those who belong to Him will recognize Him calling.  When you hear the Shepherd’s voice – follow.  AMEN!

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Philippians 3:7-8 Our Best Work; Rubbish!

Philippians 3:7-8  “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,” (NASB)

Written by Paul the letter to the church in Philippi would have Mrs. Parker my high school English teacher having fits.  Talk about run on sentences.  There are no periods just a bunch of commas as Paul strings along this thought of how all of his best efforts are worthless in comparison to Christ.

Let’s take a closer look.  We have to roll it back a few verses to get a bit of a context and even understand Paul a bit.  Paul was a highly educated Jew in his day.  He was a Pharisee.  He writes, “Circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee” (Philippians 3:5) So, he’s giving us some of his credentials here.  He’s letting us know that among people and even among God’s chosen people the Jews, Paul is special having been educated in the Law and now ranked among the Pharisees.

Why is he telling us this?  Because he is giving us perspective.  He’s letting us know that among men and even among Jews if there were anyone to claim closeness to God it would be Paul.  He’s giving us this hypothetical in reference to his pre-conversion state as an unbelieving but God loving Jew.  He says in this state, “I myself might have confidence even in the flesh.  If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:” (Philippians 3:5) So that is the setup for his credentials.  He is saying that those credentials give rise to his being able to claim confidence to a higher degree than most anyone else.  That is, should he believe it were appropriate.

And … clearly Paul does not believe that is appropriate.  His comparison here is to show that if he doesn’t believe it then no one else should either.  Paul says, “For we (followers of Christ) are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,”  (Philippians 3:4)  So there, he comes out with it, all works apart from Christ as good as they may be when compared are worthless. 

And that is the point of the main passage today.  “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,” (Philippians 3:7-8)

All those accomplishments of Paul, those things he could in his flesh count as gain when put in proper perspective have no value at all.  In comparison to the gift of Christ our Savior and Redeemer who offers us eternal life with him when hell was our due, those efforts are but, “Rubbish”.  Amen!