A Pilgrim's Passage

Comforted by God

2010-09-08T14:00:00.000-07:00

Today's reading: Proverbs 3-5; 2 Corinthians 1

2 Corinthians 1:4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

There are times in life when we need comfort and knowing that God is there for us is such a blessing that we can't even begin to describe it, but this verse also tells us that the comfort we receive from God is something we can share with others. There's something about this comfort that has staying power. It lingers with us and allows us to bless others. It also means that when others come to our side in times of trouble they are doing the work of God. They are His hands, feet, and heart to us.

The reminder here is that we're all in this together. You, me and God all share in the experiences of this life and together we experience the comfort that God supplies so that this journey doesn't seem quite so long and difficult.

Do you need to be comforted?

All That You Do

2010-09-07T12:45:00.000-07:00

Today's reading: Proverbs 1-2; 1 Corinthians 16

1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done with love.

O.K. I'll admit it. When I read this passage it seemed to jump off the page. I know that I have read this verse several times, I guess more accurately I'd have to confess that I have read over this verse several times, but this time it grabbed me. It's a simple verse that really needs no explanation. When we read it we know immediately whether or not it's true of our life. In fact the instant I read these words my mind immediately began a search of all the things I do and tested whether or not I do all that I do with love. The results? Well let's just say that I'm still a work in progress.

I have to admit that many of my actions are driven or guided by anger, fear, expectations from others, avoidance, habit and the list goes on. Yes there are many things I do because I love people and care about them, but I find all too often I'm driven to respond based on my love for myself and what makes me happy or comfortable. What that means for me, and I'm going to guess for some of you reading this, is that I'm firmly planted in that place in between what I was and what I will be and the problem is that I can't fix this. I can't will my self to love others more than myself. In my self there's really no strength or ability to insure that my actions will be based on love. It's at these moments when I become overwhelmed by my weakness that I'm also overwhelmed by gratitude for the grace of God that sees the pitiful mess that I am and loves me anyway and continues to work in me so that I can continue to become more like Him. I guess it's not so bad to be a work in progress after all because they're the ones who have the artist's hands on them. Just a thought..

Do you feel like a work in progress?

He Will Beautify the Humble

2010-09-06T07:52:00.000-07:00

Today's reading: Psalms 148-150, 1 Corinthians 15:29-58

Psalm 149:4 For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.

Many have an image of God as a judgmental old man who's always angry at people, others see Him as a passive heavenly spectator who watches us from afar not really able, or interested, in dealing with the details of life on this planet. There are many ideas of who God is but this verse reveals that God is a loving God who takes pleasure in His people like a father who takes pleasure in His children just because they are his own. Yes there are times when a father gets angry or has to discipline his children, but even those times reveal a father who cares and desires what is best for his children.

These times of discipline reveal a father who is involved in the lives of his children and this verse also shows us that God is intimately involved with our life. He takes pleasure in us individually and He also beautifies us with salvation. He lifts us up and takes us in when we are unable to do anything for ourselves and He works in our life changing us from the inside out to reflect the beauty of His imprint on our life. He's not 'out there' looking on from a distance, He's with us and because He's with us we're with Him and He's pleased that we're there.

How do you envision God?

He Heals the Broken

2010-09-05T16:40:00.000-07:00

Today’s reading: Psalms 146-147; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28

Psalm 147:3 He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds.

One of the messages that comes to us loud and clear through the psalms is the God cares about people. The psalmists were keenly aware of this and many of their psalms center on this theme. They speak of God’s faithfulness and unfailing love and through their words you meet a God that has a special affinity in His heart for the wounded and broken hearted. He isn’t impressed with the strong and self sufficient, but He’s moved with compassion for those who are bruised, beaten and stepped on in this world. He hears their cries and He heals them and restores them with His personal care.

It’s interesting though how much effort we put into covering up our weakness and hurts trying to prove that we’re strong and self sufficient. As long as we’re trying to prove something to God we’re in some ways preventing His healing touch from reaching us. It’s not because God doesn’t know what we’re really experiencing or that’s He not actively working to bring about our healing, but our foolish pride takes priority and God will work on that before moving on to the deep healing we really need. But those who humbly cry out to Him will find a loving Father who will provide comfort and healing for their wounds and broken spirits.

Are you willing to admit your weakness?

Cause Me to Hear

2010-09-04T08:38:00.000-07:00

Today's reading: Psalms143-145; 1 Corinthians 14:21-40

Psalm 143:8 Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.

In John's gospel Jesus promised that in this world we would have trouble, but that He would give us His peace. Those words were an echo of these words written by David when he was in distress from the troubles of this life. In this psalm David writes about how these troubles were overwhelming to him and how he longed for God's presence and help, God's peace, to surround him. He cries out to God for an answer, a sign that would assure him that things would be alright, and in this verse he asks for two things: to hear God's lovingkindness in the morning and to know the way he should walk. David just wants to know that God is with him and that God will guide him.

When we think about it what is it that we really want from God? Like David I think its to know God is with us and that he's guiding us as we walk through our trials. We can't avoid all the trouble that may come our way, but knowing God is there when we do face these times of testing can make all the difference. To hear God speak His words of love and assurance into our soul as we face a new day is a priceless treasure and knowing that we have God's direction when the world around us doesn't make sense brings confidence to keep going when we feel like giving up. David longed for these precious assurances and deep down we long for them too and we have a loving God who desires to give them to us.

What do you need to know from the Lord?

I Pour Out My Complaint

2010-09-03T11:16:00.001-07:00

Today's reading: Psalms 140-142; 1 Corinthians 14:1-20

Psalm 142:2 I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble.

I am an optimist and believe that things will always work out in the end, but that being the case I still have seasons of worry and difficulty that sap my strength and cause me to be fearful and, yes irritable. The truth is that one of the common components of difficulty is irritation and complaining, and while it's not always verbalized it's there just the same. One of the reasons we don't just come out and say what we're really feeling is social decorum. Frankly people in general don't want to hear other people complaining because everybody has troubles of their own. We all understand that one, so it's important to have friends who will listen when we need to vent. Another reason, which is based on some unsupported theological ideal, is that complaining and admitting you have troubles is somehow a lack of faith and a sure way to expose yourself to further trouble. Unfortunately way too many people buy into this idea and fail to experience to peace and presence of God in their times of trouble because they hold onto their concerns instead of taking them to God.

The psalmist tells us that taking our complaints to God is a good thing for us to do. Contrary to popular thinking God doesn't expect us to 'put on a happy face' when we're hurting inside and since He already knows what's going on He's not taken by surprise or threatened in any way when we pour it all out to Him. In fact as a wise and insightful counselor He'll use the very words we speak to open the doors for His healing presence to flow in. God is a great listener and rather than being put off by our honesty He's drawn to it in a way that always brings Him near when we pray. So go ahead, pour it out to God and let the healing begin.

Do you find yourself trying to say the 'right things' to God instead of the 'true' things?

Being Yet Unformed

2010-09-02T08:51:00.000-07:00

Today's reading: Psalms 137-139; 1 Corinthians 13

Psalm 139:16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.

God knows our substance and our days even before they existed. He has a plan and purpose for each person that was established before we were even born. In this verse those plans and purposes are described as substance and days. We most commonly associate substance with material things, something that has physical properties, but in this passage I think the psalmist has more than just our flesh and blood in mind. I believe that the substance of our life includes all of the things that make up our life. The physical proportions of our body, the relationships we have, our character and our ways of doing things. The reality is that we are more than the measure of our height and weight, we are a complex and ever changing. It was this substance, the things that make us who we are that the psalmist was writing about and God saw who we are before we even existed.

Likewise, God has fashioned our days and tailored them individually for us. In His divine knowledge and wisdom He knows the things that will influence us and the experiences that will affect us the most and He has established each day for our ultimate good and His glory. Our days are the place where God's purpose and plan for our life are worked out daily. If you think about it God has a vested interest in your personal development. As your creator He is very mindful of what happens in your life and why. He isn't 'up there somewhere' distant and removed from your life. He didn't just set the thing in motion, put it on autopilot sitting idly by as things unfold. Buried within the words of this psalm we see that God is intimately involved in the intricate workings of everyone and everything on this planet. Nothing happens without His knowing it and nothing happens that wasn't already known by Him.

Admittedly this idea can be overwhelming and cause us to wonder about the purpose of the good and evil things in our world and how that all plays out in the sovereignty of God, but at it's very base level it tells us that we have a God who cares deeply about each one of us.

Do you ever feel like your life has meaning beyond yourself?

For the Profit of All

2010-09-01T10:08:00.000-07:00

Today's reading: Psalms 135-136; 1 Corinthians 12

1 Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all

It is our human nature to want things for ourselves. Don't take my word for it just take a peek into people's garages and you'll see all the evidence you need. We are given to the desire to hoard and collect the things that we think will make our life better and bring a bit of happiness the funny thing is that most of that stuff ends up in a landfill. Our hopes for happiness in a landfill is kind of a sad commentary on how our desire for things to benefit ourselves leads to emptiness. It's all temporary and will leave us wanting more stuff that we don't need because ultimately when left to our natural tendencies we consume far more than we give.

When it comes to spiritual things we can find ourselves on the same treadmill of consumerism because the same thing that drives our selfish desires for material stuff drives our desire for spiritual stuff. When it's all about 'me' we tend to run from place to place looking for the latest spiritual buzz, it almost reminds me of a weekly search to find the best spiritual garage sale. I guess it just feels good to get something we like for very little investment. But God has a better plan. He doesn't want us running from place to place trying to find a spiritual bargain, instead His desire is that we'll become people who will manifest the Spirit in our life for the benefit of all. When we invest ourselves in service together in the power of the Spirit everyone benefits.

What's behind your desire for spiritual things?

Broken for You

2010-08-31T09:03:00.000-07:00

Today's reading: Psalms 132-134; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

1 Corinthians 11:24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me."

We typically hold the first churches in high regard and in the back of our minds we consider them to be the standard that we should emulate. The problem with that theory is that the most of the New Testament was written because the churches were messed up and needed correction. Just like today's churches they were filled with people who, even though they had become followers of Jesus, still carried tons of personal junk in their trunks that often spilled out when they gathered together. That was the case in the church at Corinth. There were some rich believers who acted like they were above those who were poor and of the servant class and those of the poorer classes took offence. They gave the ideal of 'brotherhood' in the church lip service but their practices exposed their real hearts. Especially when it came to communion, or the Lord's Supper, the center piece of their gathering together as the body of Christ.

Jesus has given this meal to His followers as an ongoing symbol of His death. The bread represents His body which was broken to make broken people whole and the cup represents His blood that was shed as the perfect sacrifice for imperfect people. In partaking of these elements we are drawn together as one body of believers who set aside our own wants and preferences for the sake of unity and brotherhood. The point being that as Jesus made the conscious and willful decision to lay aside His body for the sake of the Church, we in partaking of the elements of communion are invited to make the conscious and willful decision to lay aside our personal desires for the sake of the church body we have been called to. Unity isn't a natural or automatic thing that spontaneously occurs it requires something of us for something in us to change. As we set aside our personal agendas and grievances we become part of something greater than ourselves, the Church, the body of Christ and when we are united we are at that moment the most like Jesus.

Do you belong to a church because of what it does for you?

Those Who Watch for the Morning

2010-08-30T08:58:00.000-07:00

Today's reading: Psalms 129-131; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

Psalm 130:6 My soul waits for the Lord More than those who watch for the morning––Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.

Waiting on the Lord is a hopeful thing but also a difficult thing. This psalm creates a visual image in my mind that reminds of those long nights when I couldn't sleep because of excitement, anticipation, pain, sickness, anxiety, or worry and there came the point when I transitioned from wanting to sleep to waiting for the dawn of a new day. I don't know how to describe it but there's some measure of relief that comes with a new day and the possibilities it holds. The darkness of night keeps us from finding resolution because we can't see clearly and no one else is there to help us. But with the dawn comes hope.

Waiting on God can seem like that too. We all go through seasons when it seems like God isn't listening or doesn't seem to be in any hurry to answer us so we wait. We wait because we have to, but also because we know that God will respond as sure as the morning will dawn. It's hard to wait but we wait in anticipation and hope for the new day possibilities that God will provide.

Are you waiting in hope for the dawning of a new day with God?

Sow in Tears

2010-08-29T18:46:00.000-07:00

Today's reading: Psalms 126-128, 1 Corinthians 10:19-33

Psalm 126:5 Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy.

There's an idea floating around that suggests that real followers of Jesus shouldn't experience pain, suffering, or trials in this life because they are somehow shielded from them. The inverse thought attached to it is that those who experience them have somehow done something that has removed them from the Lord's favor. But the Scriptures tell a very different story, in fact it seemed that God used pain, suffering, or trials as part of His plan to strengthen and refine the character of His people. In fact all of the 'heroes' of Scripture became household names through a baptism of tears.

While tears are a reality for the sojourning people of God there's another promise that is just as sure, those who experience the pain and tears of this life will reap in joy in the end. While the trials of this life may seem deep and unending the same God who brings us through those trials has made a promise that joy is waiting on the other side of the pain. In God's economy our tears are never wasted they are collected and used as the rain that brings the harvest of joy. It may seem that the wait is too long and the trial too hard but the end that God has will be bring a reward that will make the pain worth it all.

Do you feel that your tears are worth it?

The Way of Escape

2010-08-28T08:48:00.000-07:00

Today's reading: Psalms 123-125; 1 Corinthians 10:1-18

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

The Apostle Paul had just finished writing about the failures of the Israelites as they wandered in the deserts of Sinai following their deliverance from Egypt. God had made a way for them to escape but because of their stubbornness and sinful hearts they kept finding ways to fall back into bondage. It seemed like they just couldn't resist any temptation that came along. Even though God had provided a way of escape in each of those times they still gave in and fell into sin. Paul told this brief history as an example for us.

This verse is the summary of the lesson we all need to remember. Temptation to sin is a fact of life and no matter how 'holy' we are we won't be spared this struggle within, even Jesus was tempted. The important thing to remember is that God knows we face temptation and because He is faithful we have a way of escape. I think it's important to note that it says God will make the way of escape. He doesn't want us to stand and fight temptation, that's an unfair fight because we're over matched, we're supposed to escape. The idea here is that He won't ever allow us to face a temptation that doesn't come with an emergency exit near by and He's faithful to make sure it's close enough that we have the strength and stamina to reach it.

When Joseph was tempted by his mater's wife he didn't stand there and debate the merits of faithfulness with her, He recognized the spiritual danger of the situation and took the escape route that was provided by running away. The fact that God makes a way of escape should tell us something about how dangerous temptation is. There's an old saying that applies here "Play with fire and you'll get burned." We know from experience it doesn't always happen right away, but it will happen. Temptation is like fire, everyone who tries to fight it gets burned in the end. Don't fight the fire, take the escape that's been provided even if you have to crawl on the floor under the smoke looking feeling your way it's there because God always makes a way of escape.

What's the temptation you need to escape?

A Servant To All

2010-08-27T08:32:00.000-07:00

Today's reading: Psalms 120-122; 1 Corinthians 9

1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more

I have to admit that the words in this verse have a high and lofty feel to them. That is, as long as they stay words on a page. But if we take them on at face value the high and lofty ideal comes crashing to earth in a real mess. Ministry is messy. Let's face it people, including me and you, are a messy bunch which means that if I become a servant to all I will have to take on those messes as my own. That, my friends is not a high and lofty thought! Think about the words of Paul in this verse when he writes that he is 'free from all men' it means that he's entering into this servant relationship willingly and without compulsion so that he might (notice he didn't write 'will', no guarantees here) win the more to Jesus. When we 'sign on' to serve we give up our right to be picky about our assignments and the messes we're expected to enter. I had a boss once who told employees who complained about their work load "You came here looking for work and we have not failed to provide it for you."

Think of it this way, if I see a 'porta-potty' all gross and messed up turned on it's side oozing goo (can you feel the anointing in that line, wow!) it's a mess but it's someone else's mess. But if I'm a 'porta-potty' cleaning technician and my boss sends me out there then that mess is now my mess. Someone else did it, in fact lots of people probably created this opportunity, but it's all mine now. That's what it means to be a servant to all. We are a servant of God and He calls us to lay aside our own agenda and become a servant to all. The housekeeper in a hotel has to clean up after every guest and every door they open reveals a new opportunity. Some people leave their room almost as nice as when they arrived, but others leave messes that are almost beyond description. But the mess behind every door is their mess when they enter the room.

In life God equips us to serve with certain gifts and talents and then send us out into the world and the people we encounter along the way are all opportunities to serve that look like messes. Take a moment and think about just a few of the people you know and you'll soon realize that they all have some aspect of their life that's messed up, some are fairly minor but some are down right awful and defy description. But for those we are sent to serve those messes become our messes in certain sense. That's the way it is when we serve others for the sake of Jesus. We're called as servants of God but every door He opens reveals an opportunity that looks like work. Jesus told us to count the cost didn't He? Sometimes that work is messier than others, but when we see the fruit of those labors at harvest time our hearts will be filled with joy.

Are you really ready to serve?

The Entrance of Your Words

2010-08-26T08:53:00.000-07:00

Today's reading: Psalm 119:89-176; 1 Corinthians 8

Psalm 119:130 The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.

When I read this verse it stuck in my mind. For some reason the words "the entrance of Your words" intrigued me. They are simple words but when I took the time to think about them a couple of images formed in my mind. The first was of a doorway that when opened floods a darkened room with light. The Scriptures often speak of people who are trapped in the death grip of sin as sitting in darkness, unable to comprehend the light of truth. Like the light that seeps in around the edges of a doorway there is a hint of what is on the other side but no way to really understand what it could be. So they sit waiting for the day when the door will be opened and the light enters and floods the room with understanding that leads them to freedom.

The second thought is the entrance as a light that is brought into a the darkness, a lamp that is lit and carried to places where darkness rules the night. In these dark places people wander around stumbling trying to find their way but because if the darkness they continue to trip and fall making the way difficult. They try to find what has been lost but because there is no light they have to feel around on the ground in a futile attempt to find the lost item. Darkness prevents us from doing even the simplest things, but when light enters so does the freedom to move around and find what we've been searching for.

God's Word is light and when it enters the prison the grip of the dark is broken.

Have you seen the light?

A Wineskin in Smoke

2010-08-25T09:11:00.000-07:00

Today's reading: Psalms 119:1-88; 1 Corinthians 7:20-40

Psalm 119:83 For I have become like a wineskin in smoke, Yet I do not forget Your statutes.

When something is exposed to smoke for a long period of time it dries out and becomes cracked and shriveled up. In the case of a wineskin that can be disastrous because in order for a wineskin to do it's job it has to be supple, flexible and water tight. If it's not it will be rejected and tossed in the garbage or if someone does fill it with wine it will burst and spill on the ground. Immersed in the wrong environment the wineskin loses it's ability to be useful.

The psalmist discovered that his life was like that wineskin immersed in a world of trouble and discomfort that constantly swirled around him sucking the life and vitality from his soul. Every wisp of smoke stole a little more life from him and he feared that he would dry up spiritually and fall away, tossed aside as a shriveled up, leaky mess. But he found life a restoration in the statutes if God. We sometimes think of Scripture as passive words in a book that provide comfort when we need a lift, but in fact they are life and they bring revival to our dry and thirsty souls. It's no wonder that everything in the world tries to keep us from engaging the Word of God.

There's something else about living in a smoke filled environment that we should consider. Smoke has a distinctive smell to it that clings to anything it touches. Long after we leave the smell of the smoke clings to us and we smell bad. The only thing that removes the smell is to wash our clothes and our body with fresh water.
As we wander through life the smell of the world tends to stick to us and we need refreshing daily from the streams of salvation contained in the words of God. It's like a refreshing shower that washes us clean and restores our soul.

Are you getting a little smoky?

I Shall Not Die

2010-08-24T09:10:00.000-07:00

Today's reading: Psalms 116-118; 1 Corinthians 7:1-19

Psalm 118:17 I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the LORD.

The psalmist who wrote these words had been through a season of testing and discipline. To him it felt as if everything and everyone was against him including God. But what he wrote was the result of one of those marvelous moments of inspiration in which he saw things for what they were and resulted in a bold, transforming declaration of faith. It's almost as if this man, beaten and battered, finally had enough and the final blow served as motivation to stand up and fight.

Years ago I saw a film called 'The Elephant Man' that tells the story of a man who was afflicted with a disease that disfigured his body. He was hidden away in isolation until he was discovered and made into a circus sideshow freak that drew crowds who paid to look at this hideously distorted creature call the 'Elephant Man.' But there came a moment when he realized that he was being exploited and that he didn't have to take it anymore. In the pivotal scene of the movie he faces his handlers and declares "I am not an animal! I am a human being! I...am...a man! In that moment this man's life took a new direction. That simple, yet profound declaration became the catalyst for transformation. Those who had used him for profit knew that everything had changed and so did he.

There are times in our life when we have to take a stand. It's not a stand based on our own strength or pride but a stand that declares our faith in an almighty God who is our shield and the lifter of our head. We have an enemy who wants nothing more than for us to believe his lies and succumb to his manipulative schemes. He tell us we're worthless and that we don't matter. I've heard so many stories of people who have gone through a season of suffering when no one seemed to care, people didn't call, no one visited them and they became disillusioned and disappointed. They felt like giving up and the enemy was right there to provoke and manipulate them into hopeless despair. But then, almost out of nowhere, something happens and they realize the true source of their pain and the rise up and declare 'I shill not die, but live!' and in faith they walk on in the victory and power that God supplies. God has given each of us a measure of faith to stand up when we feel like giving up. No matter what you're facing and how bad it feels you have a God who cares and you can and must take a stand in faith based on His truth.

What's your bold declaration?

He Does Whatever He Pleases

2010-08-23T09:08:00.000-07:00

Today's reading: Psalms 113-115; 1 Corinthians 6

Psalm 115:3 But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.

There's just something deep down that causes us to struggle with the fact that God is sovereign over all things and can do what He pleases. As you read the Scriptures you see a God who does things and allows things that don't fit nicely into our predefined theological packages. I guess what we struggle with is that God doesn't always do what we want or what we think He should. Even though I struggle with this fact I also know deep down that what He pleases is always best and that if He did things as I pleased things would be a mess. Can you imagine what this world would be like if God were to make His decisions based on the latest polling data?

I don't like the fact that that through the course of history God has allowed tyrants and cruel dictators to unleash the awful scourge of genocide on the weak and different. I don't like the fact that little children are abandoned and left to die because there's not enough food to eat. I don't like that family members and friends have been afflicted with cancer and died slow and painful deaths. I don't like what sin has done to this world. But in the end it really doesn't matter whether I like it or not. God is God whether I believe in Him or not, He is unchanged. God is God and His ways don't have to make sense to me and He doesn't owe me an explanation when I question Him. But God being God allows me to ask, seek, and knock and even provides comfort and assurance to me when His ways don't square with what I believe because in the end, God is love and even His sovereignty is subject to love.

Do you struggle with God's sovereignty?

The Womb of the Morning

2010-08-22T08:03:00.000-07:00

Today's reading: Psalms 110-112; 1 Corinthians 5

Psalm 110:3 Your people shall be volunteers In the day of Your power; In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth.

Psalm 110 is a 'Messianic psalm' which means that it is a prophetic foretelling of the Messiah's reign. Parts of this Psalm are quoted by the New Testament writers as validation of Jesus as the Messiah. But tucked away in this psalm is what I believe to be this hint of the resurrection. I realize that some translators and scholars see this differently, but since there are several takes on this particular verse I might as well add mine.

It was on the dawning of the third day after His crucifixion and death that Jesus arose from the grave, the womb of the morning. His weak and battered body was replaced with divine immortality as His strength returned like the dew of His youth. His holiness was unmistakable to all of the people who saw Him. They had suffered the disappointment and grief of seeing Him hanged on the cross and believed that He had failed, but now were drawn to Him after His resurrection. They willingly gave themselves to His cause of taking gospel to the ends of the earth and what looked to all the world like an epic fail turned out to be the promised salvation of this lonely planet called earth.

The death and resurrection of Jesus was never an afterthought with God it was always His plan for the redemption of man. We are a people most blessed.

Have you encountered the risen Jesus?

The Filth of the World

2010-08-21T09:40:00.000-07:00

Today's reading: Psalms 107-109; 1 Corinthians 4

1 Corinthians 4:13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.

Those who believe typically revere the apostles. They were the writers of the New Testament and the ones who originally preached the gospel and planted the first churches, ultimately they all gave their lives in their service to Jesus. But in their lifetime they were often reviled and because of they lived to proclaim the gospel they were in direct conflict with the cultures they encountered. The message they preached wasn't intended to be relevant it was revolutionary. They didn't blend in or gradually gain acceptance they boldly told the truth and lived it in such a way that they became polarizing figures. Come to think of it that sounds a lot like Jesus. Like Jesus the apostles were either loved or hated with no real middle ground and based on Paul's words in this verse they were much more likely to be reviled and looked at with suspicion and rejected out of hand.

It seems the church (and the followers of Jesus) spend a lot of time and energy trying to be accepted by the culture we live in. Why is it that we get so excited when a 'Christian' artist crosses over to the 'mainstream' radio play lists, or when a celebrity proclaims their faith in Jesus? I know there may be valid reason for this excitement but more often than not I think we get excited because it validates us as acceptable to the culture. It scratches a deep want that we have to be accepted. Frankly no one wants to be an outcast, yet at some level that's exactly what Jesus calls us to be. Not freaks who intentionally draw attention to themselves like a carnival sideshow, but people who live what they really believe and are unwilling to be conformed to the world and molded by the culture. If we get right down to it the followers of Jesus will stand out they will often be ridiculed and even rejected, but in the wisdom of God this will ultimately serve to save those who the culture has left behind as unwanted and unloved.

Do you stand out?

God’s Field

2010-08-20T07:36:00.000-07:00

Today's reading: Psalm 105-106; 1 Corinthians 3

1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.

What Paul is saying is that we are God's prized project. Like all projects it starts with an idea, some might call it a vision or mental picture of what will be. After that a plan is developed, contractors are hired and work begins. God's mental picture of us is described in two ways, as His field and His building. As a field we start out as a hard, stony, weed infested piece of ground that is unwanted and seen by everyone else as more trouble than it's worth corrupted and bound under the curse of Adam. But God sees things differently, He sees what we will be and He has a plan to make the barren field fruitful again. As a building were originally built for a specific purpose but through the course of time we become outdated, obsolete and unfit for use. Most people see these old, dilapidated buildings as urban blight, condemned to be demolished. But God sees a useful architectural marvel that stands out from the rest. Strangely out of place, yet wonderfully unique and desirable and worth the effort to save and restore.

That's how Paul saw the church in Corinth, and it's also how everyone who serves Jesus sees people. As our hearts are changed our eyes begin to see people the way God sees them. Those seen as worthless, unwanted, cursed, infested, obsolete, broken down, condemned, and dilapidated God sees as prized possessions and He gives us the opportunity to work with Him to see them redeemed, restored, and re-created as the people God.

Are you ready to plow?

The Wisdom of Men

2010-08-19T08:32:00.000-07:00

Today's reading: Psalms 103-104; 1 Corinthians 2

1 Corinthians 2:5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

We just can't seem to stop putting our faith in the wrong place. Every few years we see a brand new crop of ads supporting one particular candidate or another and they all make promises that sound almost too good to be true. Of course in the end they never live up to the hype and we inevitably feel discouraged because we've been let down again. But this same thing happens in almost every area of our life. The new boss isn't that great, our parents, spouses and kids mess up, pastors and church leaders prove to be all too human. Those who we look up too for their wisdom and guidance prove over and over again that human wisdom is not all it's cracked up to be. Of course what should we expect when the wisdom of men is springs mostly from the mistakes we've made, flawed people can't produce anything more than flawed wisdom. Knowing all of this we still find ourselves hoping that the next time it will be different, but it never is because putting our faith in human wisdom is the road to epic fail.

Of course even though it's flawed there is still some value in human wisdom that is passed down from generation to generation, but there is something that is even better. Paul tells us that our faith should be placed in the power of God because it is stable and unfailing. God's power is free from the flaws of human failure and all of His promises are sure. The One who created all things has the power to fulfill what others fail to deliver. There are times when we may feel discouraged and unsure about what God is up to, but if we have faith to believe then all things are possible through the power of God.

Where's your faith placed?

Weak Things

2010-08-18T09:16:00.000-07:00

Today's reading: Psalms 100-102; 1 Corinthians 1

1 Corinthians 1:27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty

In the days of the Apostle Paul people had a hard time grasping the death and resurrection of Jesus as the core means of salvation and forgiveness of sins. There were the rumors of His birth to an unwed mother from Galilee of all places. To most people Jesus was no more than itinerant preacher who roamed around the countryside with some fishermen and other malcontents on the fringes of society. Who in their right mind would even try to start a movement that way? Finally He was rejected by His own people and the Romans humiliated Him with death by crucifixion. Now suddenly people are popping up all over preaching in His name and there are churches being established all over the place. Something just didn't add up.

To human minds none of this made any sense and let's be honest here it still doesn't make sense. If it wasn't for the fact that it's true the gospel would be ridiculous and that's what makes it so hard for people to latch on to. I know this may start a fight but trying to make the gospel logical to people is like trying to describe a platypus. If you hadn't seen a platypus you'd find it to be a ridiculous fabrication. The gospel comes across the same way. Those who have experienced the truth of the gospel by faith get it and know it's real, but to everyone else its foolish and weak. Yet this foolish and weak gospel has changed the world and put to shame the things that are might. In fact the last time I checked the Roman empire is long gone, but the cross of Christ still stands as the symbol of the everlasting gospel.

Are you foolish enough to believe?

God of Peace

2010-08-17T08:34:00.000-07:00

Today's reading: Psalms 97-99; Romans 16

Romans 16:20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

The believers in Rome were in a hostile environment that constantly assaulted their faith in Jesus. Sin and wickedness were on open display for all to see and an under current of fear and resentment toward them was beginning to rise to the surface. Before long things would appear to get worse before they got better. Paul is assuring the believers in Rome that one day God will establish His kingdom and that Satan's defeat will happen right under their feet but in the time between what is and what will be he tells them that they have the grace of Jesus to sustain them.

Something that struck me about this verse was that Satan is defeated by the God of peace. I would have expected to see the 'God of victory' or the 'God of strength' but not 'God of peace.' How is it that a peaceful God would crush something anyway? Part of the reason this strikes me as odd is because I have come to define peace as the absence of conflict and that is most commonly achieved in our world by compromise. But in God's kingdom peace isn't the absence of conflict it's the presence of God in full view. With God's reign comes the crushing defeat of Satan, there's no bargaining or compromise because Satan can't withstand the presence of God.

While the complete fulfillment of the this verse is still yet to be realized it can be realized personally in our life today. Until the day when God's kingdom is revealed and established on the earth it is being established in the hearts of people. When we answer Jesus invitation to follow we enter the kingdom of God and in this kingdom the God of peace will crush Satan under our feet. In a culture that is hostile toward our faith in Jesus that is always seeking to have us settle for a compromise we can experience God's peace and grace daily through the presence of God.

What are you tempted compromise?

Lord, How Long?

2010-08-16T15:32:00.000-07:00

Today's reading: Psalms 94-96; Romans 15:14-33

Psalm 94:3 LORD, how long will the wicked, How long will the wicked triumph?

I think one of the most frequently asked questions in the Psalms, and most likely in life, is 'Lord, how long?' It's especially true today in our age of instant everything. We have found the idea of waiting really distasteful and it's especially hard when our theology is often geared to the instant answer from God. We get really excited when God heals or delivers someone instantly but we get really bummed out when God seems to turn a deaf ear or take His own sweet time to do something. I wonder if it ever occurs to us that the fourth element of the fruit of the Spirit is patience (that would be longsuffering for the purists out there) and that the Bible says that the testing of our faith produces patience (James 1:3, notice it doesn't say miracles, even though that's possible). This patience thing is really important to God and He's really keen on making sure we have it.

Of course the rub is that God doesn't do the divine download of patience into our hearts, through the Spirit we have a new capacity for patience but there's really only one sure way to for patience to be developed. That would be waiting, more specifically waiting on God. Here's what I think happens based on some non-scientific and admittedly limited observations, it seems that when new believers pray God just answers right away. They ask and they receive, but as time goes on there seems to be an increasing dwell time between when the request is made and the answer comes. As time goes on and we grow more mature in our faith it seems the longer we get to wait. The measure of our faith and maturity isn't the frequency of answers to our prayers but how long we'll wait for the Lord to answer before giving up or giving in to the 'immediate quick fix-it myself' trap. The thing to remember is that while we're waiting God is working in us, on us and for us.

What are you waiting for?

Abound in Hope

2010-08-15T09:21:00.000-07:00

Today's reading: Psalms 91-93; Romans 15:1-13

Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I often use the words hope and wish interchangeably, but they are not the same. A wish is based on a desire for something we want but somehow deep down know that we won;t get. Hope is much different because it is based on God rather than our desires. This verse brings to light that God is the source and strength of hope in our life but it also reveals the part hope plays in our sense of wellbeing.

The hope that God provides is based on His promises and His ability to fulfill those promises. We know He is faithful because we have read it in the Scriptures and experienced it first hand in our own life, therefore we know that God will keep His word and that produces hope for the future regardless of what the present may look like. With hope comes joy and peace because when we don't have to worry about the future we can live in the present without fear.

We also know that this divine hope can grow and become a powerful influence in how we live each day. The power of the indwelling Holy Spirit makes hope abound in us. The idea conveyed here is one of fruitfulness, the evidence that God is at work in our life. The hope we have, in the face of all the physical evidence to the contrary, is a sign of His transforming work in our life.

Do wish things were better of do you have hope?