Jan 31 - Genesis 13:8

Abram said to Lot,

"Let there be no strife

between you and me, and
between your herders

and my herders;

for we are kindred."

Genesis 13:8

"We are family!" cheers Abram to his nephew Lot. So why does he also have to say, "So ... let's not have any strife between us"?

Why? Because some of the deepest hurts in life come from family. (How sad.)

Families live very close together, giving lots of opportunities for friction. Family knows us best, giving lots of opportunties to learn which buttons to push. Furthermore, we love them most, meaning wounds from them cut deeper than wounds from mere acquaintences. It's probably too simplistic to imagine, then, that we can just say, "Let's have no stife between us," and have that magically happen.

That leads to what I believe is perhaps the most important function of family: It teaches us to forgive. We can't live that close to people for that long a period of time without learning to forgive!

Actually, we can refuse to forgive! It just makes us a fraction of the person we're designed to be.

Who do you need to forgive? Discover the freedom and the peace!

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's made others

learn to practice a lot of forgiveness

(in other words, I've caused

more than my fair share of friction,

and I appreciate their grace)

Jan 30 - 1 Pet 1:13

Set all your hope

on the grace that

Jesus Christ will bring you

when he is revealed.

1 Peter 1:13

The meaning of this verse is focused past, present, future, and back to the present.

Past tense: Peter says, "3 By his great mercy [God] has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

What has God already given to us: New birth! Living hope! How? Through a powerful past tense action -- "the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

Present tense. Peter says, "8 Although you have not seen [Christ], you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy."

Even though we have not ever seen God visibly, we nevertheless love him (presently), we believe in him (present tense), and we rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy (don't you want more and more of this in every moment's present tense?!!!).

Future tense: Why can we "13 hope"? Because Christ will be "13 revealed"!

In 1 Corinthians 13:12, Paul says, "now we see through the glass, dimly, but [through the second coming (or through our own death and trip to heaven before the second coming)] then we will see face to face." 

Back to the Present: Why, then, can we hope -- right now, present tense? We can have hope if and when we "8 believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy."

Why? Because in hoping and believing, "9 you are receiving [the present, active] outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

As Jesus said to doubting Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe. Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe" (John 20:27,29).

In Christ's Love,

a guy who wants to go

Back to the Present

(A movie like that might not sell

as many tickets as Back to the Future,

but I want present, active Hope and Faith)

9 for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours made careful search and inquiry, 11 inquiring about the person or time that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the subsequent glory. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things that have now been announced to you through those who brought you good news by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look! 13 Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. 14 Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. 15 Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; 16 for it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." 17 If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. 18 You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. 20 He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. 21 Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God. 22 Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. 23 You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord endures forever." That word is the good news that was announced to you.

Jan 29 - Hebrews 10:24-25

Let us consider how to

provoke one another

to love and good deeds,

not neglecting to meet together,

as is the habit of some.

Hebrews 10:24-25

"Provoke" is a provocative word.

It's also, usually, a bad word.

When someone provokes us, it's usually to anger. They push and push and push until a line is crossed. And then we blame our bad behavior on them.

I love that Hebrews encourages us to provoke others -- to provoke them, indeed, to love and good deeds. We are called to push and push and push one another until there is an explosion of love and service and blessing.

Pay attention to the whole verse, though. There's a context for this wonderfully provocative behavior. It's within the community of "meet[ing] together."

Hebrews isn't inviting us to provoke strangers. Rather scripture invites us to 1) meet together, 2) make family, and 3) nurture family. And whenever a family member seems to be rolling away like the tide, we're called to be provocative. We're called to call them back. And we're called to prompt them toward  God's glorious standard.

In Christ's Love,

a provocateur

(Go love! Go faith!

Go good deeds!)

Jan 28 - 2 Kings 5:17

Naaman said,

"Your servant will no longer offer sacrifice

to any god except the Lord."

2 Kings 5:17

Naaman was a foreign general. He was also a leper. Wanting his general back, Naaman's king sent him to Israel to find a true man of God and a true healing.

Through Elisha, God healed Naaman. But pride almost kept the general from it.

Elisha gave Naaman a simple task of obedience, a humble task of submission. Generals don't like to submit. They like to give orders rather than obey. So do we.

God could have healed Naaman immediately without any water from the Jordan. But it was the permanent condition of Naaman's heart -- rather than the temporary condition of leperous and rotting body -- that God was most concerned about.

In humbling himself, Naaman found physical healing. He also found spiritual healing. When he cried, essentially, "There is no other God except the Lord," he was externally healed and eternally free.

In Christ's Love,

a four star general

(I too often want to go my way 

than submit to God's)

Jan 27 - Acts 12:8

The angel said to Peter,

"Fasten your belt and

put on your sandals."

He did so.

Acts 12:8

Whenever it's time to go somewhere, parents are constantly telling their children to "fasten their [seat] belt" and "put on their [shoes]."

If you had kids, what percentage argued? My kids weren't arguers; they were dawddlers. It often took a half hour to get out the door, in the car, and on the road.

Why is it important for children to obey their parents? Because it's practice for obeying God. 

The role of a good parent is to teach discipline. And good parents don't have to be harsh disciplinarians to do this, but they do have to insist on obedience. Why? Because hearts supple to their earthly father's authority (whom they can see), are more likely to be open to the heavenly Father's authority (whom they can't see).

When Peter was in prison, God said, "Jump!" Heaven said, "Peter, fasten your [seat] belt and put on your [shoes]." If the Apostle's heart hadn't been ready and obedient, he would have remained in prison.

God has somewhere for you to go. It's time! Freely obey and discover God's blessings ... instead of remaining in your self-imposed prison of willfulness.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who has his shoes on

and is ready for an adventure

(Strap me in and send me out)

Jan 26 - 1 Timothy 1:15

Christ Jesus came into

the world to save sinners

-- of whom I am the foremost.

1 Timothy 1:15

Today's lesson introduces us to two sources of power ...

The first is the power of the truth.

• Sin is dark enough to die for. (That's what Christ's sacrifice on the cross is all about).
  
• At the same time, you are valuable enough to die for. (That's what the cross is all about too! For God so loved ... you!)

When we walk the balance beam between the horror of sin and the wonder of grace, we experience, power, freedom, and grace. 

• Respecting the horror of sin keeps us away from too much sin and too much drama ... and thereby reduces our exposure to some of the sting caused by our own sin.
  
• Simultaneously, the wonder of grace releases us from too much guilt and shame. (Now ... a little guilt and shame is healthy. It's a check on our dastardliness. But too much guilt is a prison. Christ has set you free!)

The second source of power in this passage is the gift of humility. Why was Paul such an effective evangelist? Because he was honest about his own weaknesses and sin. (And he was a Saint!!!) If we're honest with ourselves, we're not perfect "saints." Confessing our sins keeps us humble. Confessing our sins also keeps us from judging others. 

If you want to create a barrier between yourself and God, start judging others. As soon as you start judging, your life becomes either proud or futile, either "I'm better" or "I'm helpless."

Discover the power along the balance beam between the horror of sin and wonder of grace. So that you don't judge others, start confessing that you're the "foremost" sinner. And then rejoice magnificently that you are loved, forgiven, and saved.

In Christ's Love,

a gymnast

(I want to walk the balance beam,

but I don't want to try

to bend over backwards anymore.

How young do you think I am?!)

 

Jan 25 - Exodus 33:7-19

Moses used to take the tent (of meeting)

and pitch it outside the camp ...

And everyone who sought the Lord

would go out to the tent of meeting ...

Whenever Moses went out to the tent ...

the pillar of cloud would descend

and stand at the entrance of the tent,

and the Lord would speak with Moses

... face to face ... and Moses said

"Show me your glory, I pray." 

And [God] said, "I will ..."

Exodus 33:7-19

I love two words and phrases from this passage:

• "[God,] show me," and
  
• "[They] sought the Lord."

Do you hear the hunger?! Moses and the people of Israel wanted God to "descend." They sought his presence. They wanted to see his glory.

The question is: Do you?!

Today's devotion is simple. If you want more power, glory, blessing and light: Pray for it ... Chase after it ... Get hungry and hungrier.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who might as well be from

Missouri -- "the Show Me State."

I want to be a "God, Show Me" kind of guy

  

Jan 24 - Psalm 42:1-2a

As the deer longs

for the waterbrooks,

so longs my soul for you, O God.

My soul is athirst for God.

Athirst for the living God.

Psalm 42:1-2a

I can to the scriptures thirsty this morning. My soul was a little parched. I felt like faith was my work. Psalm 42 reminds me of God's "preventient" work in blessing my faith.

I know. I know. "Prevenient" is a weird, old-fashioned word. It means essentially that God is graciously intervening in my faith and life pre- (before) I ever do.

To put that another way, God acts before I act, in matters of my faith. Indeed, God is more thirsty for a relationship with me than I am for a relationship with him.

• He created the deer.
  
• He created the need and the deer's thirst.
  
• He also created the stream -- the answer to the deer's desperate prayer.

God is acting preveniently in our lives too ...

• He created you (and me) as his precious children.
  
• He created our spiritual need and thirst.
  
• He also created the answer to our most desperate prayers -- meaning, hope, joy, pardon, and purpose.

God provides for you and me a river of life which bubbles up into a fountain of joy. Are you as thirsty for that as I am?!

In Christ's Love,

a thirsty deer with

how many points on his antlers

(I'll say it before you do:

I usally don't have a point)

Jan 23 - Ecclesiastes 7:29

God made human beings straightforward,

but they have devised many schemes.

Ecclesiastes 7:29

I love that verse ... and the obvious question is:

• Are you straightforward?
  
• Or is your heart a little crooked?

I almost said, "Are you a little twisted?" But "twisted" has earned an almost positive reputation. In modern advertising, "twisted" means brash, bold, unexpected, and wonderfully unconventional.

Have you ever been attracted to "twisted"? It's an axiom in theater that the evil character is much more fascinating than the bland good guy. That's true in high schools too. Dangerous is intriguing.

A better question today is ...

• Who makes us straightforward?
  
• Who twists our hearts?

Since God is the first answer, we might assume that the anti-god, Satan, is the second answer. It's not. Scripture says it's you and me that devise schemes. Yes, we may get tempted, but it's us how acts.

If you want a more straightforward, honest, blessed, and productive life, draw closer to the one who is level, straight, and true.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who wants to be

less of a pretzel

Jan 22 - Mark 1:15 part 4

 "At last the time has come!"

[Jesus] announced.

"The Kingdom of God is near!

Turn from your sins

and believe this Good News!"

Mark 1:15 NLT

The first two actions in this verse belong to God -- 1) at last he brings his plans to fulfillment and 2) he draws nearer and nearer to each of us. The final two actions, however, belong to us.

Yesterday, I addressed "the easier" of the two. In actuality, a vitality of faith may or may not be easier than repentance, but to a new believer, it probably sounds easier. Belief sounds like intellectual assent -- "yes, I acknowledge God" -- but repentance demands that we do something. Indeed, it demands that we change (and most of us don't like change).

I very purposefully chose the New Living Translation for today's reading of this verse. In Matthew's version of this same first sermon, Jesus says, "Turn from your sins and turn to God, because the Kingdom of Heaven is near" (Mt 3:2 NLT).

Turn from your sins

and turn to God.

I love that translation of "repentence." And logically, repentence absolutely belongs before belief. We can't believe in God, before we turn to him. And we can't fully turn to him, until we've turned away from sin, darkness, and the ways of the world. 

The problem is that most of us dabble. We dabble in faith; we dabble in sin. We dabble in the world; we dabble in church. And then we wonder why we lack power, purpose, focus, and direction.

Do you want something bigger and better? Go back to the first line, "At last [your] time has come."

This can be your time.

Turn away from the world and turn to God.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's like an old record player

(I want to turn and turn and turn ... to him)

Jan 21 - Mark 1:15 part 3

Jesus said,

"The time is fulfilled, and

the kingdom of God is at hand!

Repent, and

believe in the Good News."

Mark 1:15 HNV

For the third day in row, we're focusing on Mark 1:15.

Notice who acts to accomplish phrases one and two: God!

• All time belongs to God. Therefore, when God's prophecy is fulfilled, it is God who is bringing his owns plan to completion.
  
• Secondly, when Jesus says, "the kingdom of God is at hand," he's saying that God is making himself available to us.

Now look at phrases three and four. Who is called upon to act now? Us

• Jesus calls us to repent.
  
• He invites us to believe.

Today we're going to focus on the fourth phrase -- "believe." Jesus is inviting us to believe that 1) the time is indeed fulfilled, and that 2) God presence and power really are at hand.

But it's more than that. At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus is inviting the world to believe everything that will be revealed through his ministry ...

• He wants us to believe in his power -- he healed the sick and raised the dead. 
  
• He wants us to follow his wisdom, taking all of his teachings to heart.
  
• He wants us quit being legalistic like the Pharisees and show compassion to the poor and outcast and sinners.
  
• The King who knelt down to wash dirty human feet, wants us to serve rather than be served.
  
• He wants us to confess our sins, as we contemplate sin's real horror as it led to the blood-stained cross.
  
• He wants us to believe in the freedom that comes from his resurrection.

God's action is love. In mercy and grace, our Lord stepped off the throne, came humbly to earth, died for your sins, and rises in victory. Our action is simply to accept his love, grace, and sacrifice.

That's what belief is. It's more than believing that he did certain wonderful things; it's forging a relationship and trusting that he still acts in power and grace.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who sings old Monkees songs

(get it? I'm not singing "Last Train to Clarksville,

but "I'm a Believer.")

Jan 20 - Mark 1:15 part 2

Jesus said,

The time is accomplished and

the kingdom of God is at hand.

Repent and believe the gospel:

Mark 1:15 RHE

Yesterday we focused on the first phrase of Mark 1:15. Using the NIV translation, I ask if your "time has come," if your moment for deeper faith has been sparked?

The next phrase is a simple assurance:

When you're ready,

the Lord is ready too.

His "kingdom is at hand." It's right here. It's waiting for you. Do you see it?

We often don't see it. Why? Because we're looking for the wrong thing. We're looking for a neon sign ... a change of fortune ... or a tingling feeling. The kingdom is not energy, events, or emotions. The kingdom of God is a person -- Jesus Christ. Seeing the kingdom comes from establishing a relationship.

When young people date, they say, "I'm seeing John" and "I'm seeing Mary." Seeing implies a relationship. In fact, John and Mary might live on two different continents. They may only "see" each other once every six months, so why do they say they're seeing each other? It's because they have a committed relationship.

If you want to see the kingdom that is truly hand -- barely a half inch away -- it begins with a relationship. When you're ready, the Lord is ready too.

In fact, the whole reason Jesus came to earth was to ask you on a date. He wants to see you. And he wants you to see him.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's seeing someone

in addition to his wife

-- and wants to see more

Jan 19 - Mark 1:15 part 1

"The time has come," [Jesus] said.

"The kingdom of God is near.

Repent and believe the good news!"

Mark 1:15 NIV

I started my new discipleship group this week with this verse. "The time has come," I said to ten men poised on the edge of friendship, faith, and a new adventure. "The time has come."

What are you poised on the edge of? New friendships? Deeper faith? Greater hope? Richer blessings? Bigger joy? or Grander adventures?

The world tries to lead you to a different edge -- a ledge of despair, a precipice of anger, a ridge of insecurity, a canyon of guilt, and a free-fall of fear.

What are you poised on the edge of?

Well, think of the context of Jesus' saying these words. What was "the time [that had] come"? The world was about to meet the Savior and greet the Messiah.

If you want to stand on the precipice of blessing -- instead of the cliff of mediocrity -- it's time to meet the Savior in a new way. What will you start today to make his presence more real in your life?

In Christ's Love,

a mountain climber

(not a cliff diver)

Jan 18 - 2 Corinthians 4:6

For God, who said,

"Let light shine out of darkness,"

made his light shine in our hearts

to give us the light of the knowledge

of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6

Has anyone ever given you a job? ... painted a very vague picture of what they wanted? ... given you inadequate tools and inadequate training? ... then yelled at you when you didn't do what they wanted?

That's the reason that many of us are afraid to venture boldly. We've been given inadequate instructions and then been yelled at too many times for doing it wrong.

Is this the kind of "boss" that God is? We're told in scripture to let our light shine, but has he told us how -- clearly -- or are you still perplexed?

Actually, he has given us very clear instructions. In addition to hundreds of calls, Proverbs, and commandments, the God who calls us to be lights and shined his light in our hearts.

Furthermore, He has given us his own Son. Through the Savior, God's instructions are clear: Do what Jesus did!

• Obey the Father.
• Love the sinners.
• Gather a group.
• Point them heavenward.
• Forgive human failures.
• Stand for truth.
• And pray a lot. 

Wouldn't this world be a much better place if we all did those few simple things?!

And here's the key ... Do it boldly! God's not an angry boss ready to yell at your failures. He's a forgiving Father who simply loves you and wants to bless your efforts. And if he says, "Be light," he'll give you the tools. He'll pour it into your life.  

In Christ's Love,

a shining knight

(because of what his light)

Jan 17 - Mark 16:15

Christ says,

"Go into all the world

and proclaim the good news

to the whole creation."

Mark 16:15

"How?" I asked a group recently. "How can you personally go into all the world and proclaim the good news to all the whole creation?"

Personally, you can't. But here's the key. You're not alone. You're one part of a huge body.

What you and I are called to do is our part ... 

• Personally, I / we can positively influence the people in our little corner of creation.
  
• Personally, I / we need to be a little more bold, looking for even deeper hungers around us ... including opportunities to travel.
  
• Personally, I / we should support the missionaries in our midst -- the ones who are personally called to go a little further into God's creation.
  
• Personally, I / we are called to give generously. Superficial giving meets the basic needs of the basic church inadequately. Giving as generous as God's generosity to us, focuses the church beyond the local and powerfully into all creation.

When Christ says, "Go!" He gives us personally the tools to make a positive impact on all creation.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who got a letter from

a boy in Mozambique this week

(that's one way we're helping,

how about you?)

Jan 16 - 1 Cor 13:6

Love does not rejoice in wrongdoing,

but rejoices in the truth.

1 Corinthians 13:6

Pilate asked Jesus, "What is truth?"

Christians answer that by saying, "God is truth. His Son is truth. His Word is truth. His wisdom, laws, precepts, and promises are truth."

We have a world, however, that is blinded by lies. There's too much doubt and despair. Too much violence and injustice. Too much darkness and sin.

What therefore is love? It is rejoicing in the truth. It's also pointing others to the truth.

It's not loving, after all, to leave people wallowing in sin, lies, and corruption. Part of love is point others to the truth.

Who are you actively pointing in this direction? Who could you be blessing better?

In Christ's Love,

a truth-lover

and truth-teller 

Jan 15 - Judges 6:23-24

The Lord said to Gideon,

"Peace be to you;

do not fear, you shall not die."

Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord,

and called it, The Lord is peace.

Judges 6:23-24

Fear is one of the most dangerous forces in the world ... and it lurks in our own hearts.

• Fear breeds hatred, injustice, and revenge. 
  
• It's often behind curses and denials.
  
• Fear has a hand in both bullying and arrogance; we inflate our worth because we're afraid that on our own we don't have much worth. 
  
• Part of guilt is fear; we fear we we can't be forgiven.
  
• Part of self-justication is fear; we lack a trust in God's grace to justify.
  
• Part of greed is fear; we're afraid we won't have enough.
  
• We're afraid of meaninglessness.
  
• We're afraid of illness.
  
• We're afraid of brokenness and bondage.
  
• Most of all we're afraid of death.

Indeed, at the root of all our fears is that fear of death. We're afraid of literal death, of course. We're also afraid of figurative deaths. Gossip and embarrassment, for example, have us dying a thousand little deaths.

That's why God gave Gideon today's verse. Soon God would tell Gideon to battle an army of a 100,000 with his own little band of 300. By human standards, that was insane! But God empowered Gideon with a simple promise: "Do not fear. You shall not die."

Guess what. God tells you that too. He tells you that if you believe shall live forever.

This mortal flesh shall indeed decay. But when you have the confidence of heaven, you have boldness!

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's learning

to boldly say,

"Any day's a good day

to go to heaven"

Jan 14 - Romans 2:4

Do you not realize that God's kindness

is meant to lead you to repentance?

Romans 2:4

As our years go on and on, what is our inevitable default position? Death and decay. 

Some people assume that heaven is default position. Our right!

No.

Without Jesus' sacrifice and our Lord's promise, our inevitable default position is dust. With him we fall and decay. End of story.

And yet God is kind. He is loving. He paints the tapestry of a beautiful world before our eyes. Even though the claws of sin try to rip apart the fabric of our joy, God, if we'll let him, will bless our lives with hope and peace and purpose. As we link to him in faith, we discover freedom, light, and love. As we catch a glimpse of God's majesty, we fall before him in worship, awe, and repentance.

And suddenly he has us where he wants us. On our knees in worship, awe, and repentance.

Now, in his kindness, he can stand us back up and empower our days. In these moments of grace, he changes our default position. As we repent, we are filled with new life.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's learning to change

the default position of his thermostat

(I'm setting it on confession)

Jan 13 - Isaiah 31:1

How terrible for those who depend on horses!

They trust in how many chariots they have.

They trust in how strong their horsemen are.

But they don't look to the Holy One of Israel.

They don't ask the LORD for his help.

Isaiah 31:1

Generals depend on horses and chariots.

What do you depend upon in life? Jobs? Bank accounts? A government check? Certain people? Our car? Our house? Comfort food? Yourself?

We all do it. We focus down here. And we forget to do the most important thing -- We "don't ask the Lord for his help."

What burdens are you carrying right now? "Ask the Lord for his help."

In Christ's Love,

a guy who keeps

depending on his computer

Jan 12 - Psalm 7:1

O Lord my God,

in you I take refuge;

save me from all my pursuers

and deliver me

or like a lion

they will tear me apart

Psalm 7:1-2

It's ironic that this is today's verse.

Each day I'm emailed semi-random Bible verses for my devotion, and I say that today's verse is ironic because I was praying with a friend about this topic just a day or two ago.

Like David, this friend was being chased by "a lion."

Now, like David, this person's ravenous foe was surely human, angry, spiteful, and sinful. But this vengeful human was surely not alone, because "like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour" (1 Pet 5:8).

Do you feel like your being chased by circumstances, pursued by illness, hunted by creditors, stalked by depression, enslaved by bad habits, or ripped apart by gossip?

You're not alone.

David's hope was not clever plans, better doctors, or human intervention. He cried, "10 God is my shield. He saves the upright in heart ... 17 [Therefore,] I will ... sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High."

In Christ's Lord,

a guy who knows

a lion tamer