He Is The Lord

Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might.

Psalm 21:13

On Israel’s final night in Egypt (Exodus 12-13) God struck down every firstborn male, bringing judgment on all the gods of Egypt (Exodus 12:12).  The reasoning and justification for this act is found in His Words: “I am the Lord.”

He would require from His people the ‘firstborn of every womb’ – both of people and animals.  They belonged to Him.  He owned them.  They were His.  How could He require so much?  He is the Lord.

Whatever requirements are made of me, this is reason enough – God Almighty is the Lord.  He needs no other justification to demand of me anything He wants.  Because of God’s immense love and grace for us, it’s easy to slide into a ‘teddy-bear’ understanding of God, as if He exists to serve us.  We flutter around the righteous requirements of the Gospel, soft-peddling them… but we’re really thorough with the promises of Scripture and all God does for us!  We know these!  We cling to these, as we should.  We should not shrug off the righteousness and holiness that we’re called to live out as followers of Christ.  God does have expectations of us! We cannot accomplish them apart from His grace, but that’s why He has graced us.  How can He expect these things from us?  He is the LORD.

Be exalted, Lord, in Your strength.  I will sing and praise Your might.

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Jesus' Voice Trumps

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down​​ the nets for a catch.”  Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.

Luke 5:4-6

The expert fisherman yielded to the Son of God and the results were astonishing!  I love those 7 words: “But because you say so, I will…”

Much of my life as a disciple is found in yielding to Jesus.  Often I think I know… I mean, I’m pretty confident in what I think would be best.  And Jesus leads me to do what is not intuitive.  Will I follow?  Will I yield?  “Because You say so, I will.”

There’s no other reason needed to say ‘yes’ to Jesus and His instructions than because it’s Him who is speaking.  Because of who He is, the right answer is: “I will.”

While it is wise to have many counselors and to learn from as many people as possible, Jesus’ voice trumps all others.

Lord, what You say is not always easy.  But because You are saying so, I will follow.  I trust You with my life.  Thank You for leading me and for providing for every need – even the needs I don’t know I have yet!  Thank You!  I follow You this day.

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Don't Paint The Walls

Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.

1 Peter 1:17

God doesn’t show favorites.  For Peter this is motivation to live right.  God is a righteous Judge and will be so to each person.  We live in the fear of God.  This isn’t being afraid, but living with the utmost respect for this great God!  He is awesome and unspeakable.  In view of Him, Peter says to live our lives as strangers here.  We have another home.  We’re just passing through!  God is our Father and He’s taking us somewhere.

Whenever we go on vacation we often can stay in a condo, which is nice for a family our size!  When we’re on vacation I never mow the grass or fix electrical outlets or paint the walls – like I do at home (sometimes).  Why is that?  Because I’m just visiting!  Now I usually love being on vacation and dream about staying there longer, but I know not to put down roots.  I’ll be going home very soon.  This is what Peter is saying to us.  While it’s very important how we live here, the reality is that we’re here for only a little while.  “Live your lives as strangers.”  Don’t invest your heart into this place as if it were your home.  It’s not.  In 1 Peter 2:11 he wrote, “I urge you as aliens and strangers in the world…”

Since this world is the only ‘home’ we’ve ever known, it is easy to invest your heart, time and resources here.  Ultimately it’s like rearranging the chairs on the Titanic.  Our home in God’s Presence is one that we see now by faith.  We live for that place and one day will experience it – just as surely as we experience life in this world.  Everyone who places their trust in Christ will go there.  And not for 80 or 100 years, but forever.

Lord Jesus, teach me what it looks like to live as a stranger here.  Rearrange my priorities to reflect your Kingdom values.  Live through me and help me to bring as many people as possible to You.

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Fanning Those Dimming Coals

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:6-7

For what reason?  Why did Paul tell Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God that was in him?  In the previous verse Paul wrote that he had been reminded of Timothy's 'sincere faith.'  That kind of faith is special!  Most human beings do not have faith in God, let alone a 'sincere faith.'  But Paul saw that in Timothy... and because of that Paul tells Timothy to 'fan into flame' that gift.  Ministry and serving Christ begins with faith.

It's been cold here in Eugene this week.  Bitterly cold!  It's what's making the news these days.  It's 11 degrees this morning which is up from 8 degrees yesterday!  Our woodstove has had a workout this week.  Again this morning I rose up (too) early to stoke the fire and add more wood.  There was no fire, just some dimming coals.  I almost waited too long!  I added some small pieces and began to BLOW - and after a couple dozen exhales, the wood burst into flame.  If I hadn't added the wood and supplied significant amounts of air, the dimming coals would have gone dark and the much needed heat would be no longer.

What type of wood do I need to add to my fire?  From where will the air flow from?  Fire naturally diminishes.  Don't blame the woodstove.

Timothy had sincere faith, but the 'heat' of his ministry was dimming.  He was a special young man, but his service for Christ was becoming invisible.  'Fan into flame the gift of God that is in you...'

We understand from verse 7 that Timothy struggled with fear.  Maybe he had self confidence issues.  Paul tells him to be strong!  Be a good soldier for Christ (2 Tim. 2:1-4) because God has given us a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (2 Tim. 1:7).  In life and ministry there are all kinds of reasons to be fearful.  There are all kinds of causes to be timid, but this is not from the Lord. Power.  Love.  Self-discipline.

Lord Jesus, I ask that You give me 'insight into all this' (2 Tim. 2:7).  I begin with faith.  May my faith be as sincere as Timothy's!  From that place instill within me power, love and self-discipline.  My confidence is in You!  There's nothing to fear, really.  I fix my eyes on You and trust You to do Your work in me and through me - all for Your glory and my enjoyment.  Thank you!  I live for You this day...

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Serious Child's Play

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:1-4

I am grateful for all of the little kiddos I have in my life.  I love them, of course, but spiritually God teaches me through them.  Today's passage is a MAJOR lesson and it's a great reminder!  If I don't become like a child, I will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  Yikes!

Adults are so serious... and cynical... we're self-sufficient and generally do a poor job receiving help from anyone - even God!  Adults are often proud and have to work at experiencing joy.  I observe most every day that children do not have these problems.  It is easy for kids to have fun!  They would laugh and scream with glee all day long if I would let them.  I tell them to 'settle down' and 'not be so loud.'  I'm teaching them how to be a good adult.  Oh, oh.

When they become adults, as their dad and pastor, I'll try to teach them how to be child-like so that they can enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  What's wrong with this picture?

The truth is, I'd like to have the kind of spontaneous joy that comes so easily to these children.  My problem is that I'm an adult, and life is serious and hard and busy... with so many responsibilities.  Jesus said that I need to humble myself and become like a child in order to enter His Kingdom.  Wow!  So this is not child's play!  Or is it?  

Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.  Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Matthew 19:13-14

Lord, I humble myself before You.  Make me like these children!  They are full of faith and trust.  Their lives are filled with laughter and joy...  All of this sounds just like Your Kingdom.  Help me take my pursuit of You seriously, but myself not so seriously.  Give me the perspective of eternity and how You, actually, have everything under control just fine.  I can trust You... and I do.  Thank You for Your Word which powerfully speaks into my life!  You are amazing and I live for You this day.

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How God Encourages People

For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within.  But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

2 Corinthians 7:5-7

The job that Paul had been given took it out of him!  He physically was spent.  Mentally and emotionally… even spiritually he was down and out.  “Harassed at every turn – conflicts on the outside – fears within.”  He was admittedly downcast.

We’ve all been there, haven’t we?  Because of circumstances… even because of the work of the Kingdom of Heaven, we can be discouraged, downcast and depleted.  The infamous spiritual giant Paul experienced this.  I guess it’s okay if I do too!  I shouldn’t feel out of the range of normal when the emotional and physical tide rolls out.

What do I do in these moments?  Where does my help come from?  Paul wrote that God is the One who comforts the downcast.  What’s significant for me this morning is not that He does, but how He does.  For Paul, God sent Titus.  And Titus had words of encouragement from the church for Paul.  Their love and concern for Paul encouraged him and brought him much joy.

God uses people to encourage people.  It is through relationships that God comforts the downcast and nurtures people’s souls.  Life is hard, but God is good!  He has provided what we need to continue on, living for Him.

It is vitally important that I engage in relationships because God does so much of His work through them.  It is unhealthy to seclude ourselves from people.  Isolation is not the same as solitude.  We need solitude, but isolation is damaging to our souls.  We’re tempted to isolate from people because, while God does encourage us through one another, people can cause us great pain.  In spite of the difficulties, we must run toward authentic relationships.  We will be encouraged.

It’s also vital that I engage in relationships because God wants to encourage the downcast through me.  To be a tool for God’s love in the life of another person is pretty cool!  This is also called ministry.  We serve and encourage people through our relationships with them.  We demonstrate love through our kindness and availability.  As we serve in the Name of Jesus, God encourages people.

As I think of people that have encouraged me along the way, it was their availability that was used by God in my life.

Father, thank You for being relational!  You have demonstrated Your great love through Jesus.  You want this relationship with me and I am amazed!  Thank You for the loved ones who have been used by You along the way to encourage me.  Please use me for your glory and divine purposes to encourage others today.

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Walking With God

What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

“Therefore come out from them

and be separate,

says the Lord.

Touch no unclean thing,

and I will receive you.”

“I will be a Father to you,

and you will be my sons and daughters,

says the Lord Almighty.”

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1

What is distinctive about the people of God is that God lives in us and among us powerfully.  It may be such a basic thing that it is easily missed.  It’s a basic characteristic of God’s people, but how amazingly shocking is it?!  God lives among His people.  As Paul wrote, we are a temple of the living God!

This relationship is the hope and blessing of my faith.  I am no longer separated from God through the blood of Jesus.  I am blessed to be considered a son of the Most High!  I walk with Him everyday. 

Because of this blessing of relationship, I ‘purify myself from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.’  It’s out of my deep awe and appreciation for God that I pursue holiness.  It’s because of His promises to me that I refuse the things in life that corrupt my body & spirit – and there are many!  I do not do this in my own strength, but in the strength that God provides through my relationship with Him.

Father, as I walk with You today, thank You for the strength You give me.  I passionately pursue being more like Jesus because of my relationship with You.  I want to honor You in the way I live this day.  Thank You for this privilege… it’s by Your grace!

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