Nov 19 - 1 Cor 13:2

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:9

Now I know only in part;

then I will know fully,

even as I have been fully known.

1 Corinthians 13:12

I couldn’t resist these verses in tandem.

Who knows fully? The one who is higher than the earth. So why do we on earth claim to be so wise? Why do we try to do things our own way? Pride. Based on our own limited perspective, we think we know what’s best … and we definitely know what we want. That’s a lethal combination.

The good news in this is that God knows fully … and still loves us.

If we’re honest, there are times when we don’t want him to look!!! He sees anyway … and still loves us.

If you want to discover a new blessing … it’s time to submit to God’s wisdom rather than your own logic  … it’s time to accept his timeless Word and eternal commands, rather than the selfish thoughts and false values and fickle priorities of our ever-changing world … it’s time to accept that God sees all, and to try to love him (including loving his laws) as much as he loves you.

In Christ’s Love,

a wise guy

(except what always happens to wise guys?

they’re always getting in trouble.

I want to be faithful guy rather than a wise guy)

Nov 17,18 - 1 Samuel 7:12

Thus far the Lord has helped us.

1 Samuel 7:12

When we review the story of God's people, it is clear that often the hand of God's protection was protecting Israel. When we review the story of God’s people, it is also clear that sometimes it was removed from Israel.

Does that mean God is fickle? No. A closer examination shows that sometimes the hearts in Israel were inclined toward God ... and sometimes their hearts were very far from the Lord. God's response to Israel, therefore, was based on Israel's response to him.

God cares desperately about our human circumstances. (He wouldn't have sent his Son in human form if he didn't!) Nevertheless, he cares more about our eternal circumstances! Therefore, when we're busy running away from God, God generally isn't busy blessing our wayward human circumstances. (Like a wise and loving parent, we doesn’t reward bad behavior.)

In 1 Samuel 7, Israel is battling the Philistines. Samuel's evaluation of the battle: "12 Thus far the Lord has helped us."

Does he view that as a permanent guarantee of success? No. Therefore, Samuel reminds Israel -- and each of us -- that we must "8 not cease to cry out to the Lord our God."

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's crying out

because it's clear

that too many in our world

are turning away

Nov 16 - Mark 7:34-35

Jesus said to the deaf man,

“Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”

And immediately his ears were opened,

his tongue was released,

and he spoke plainly.

Mark 7:34-35

Being deaf presents two major challenges.

<![if !supportLists]>·         <![endif]>The first is a problem in receiving information. It prevents a person from hearing.

<![if !supportLists]>·         <![endif]>The second is in transmitting information. Indeed, how can one speak clearly what they've never heard?

Therefore, two major miracles occurred in today’s lesson -- hearing and speaking.

Isn’t that just how God is?! No half-measures will do!

On earth, healing on earth is temporary at best. (We will all eventually die.) Therefore, the point of healing isn’t earthly … it’s eternal! God wants those of us on earth to catch a glimpse of his kingdom in heaven.

That’s what Jesus revealed to man who was deaf and to all who witnessed his power: When God – ephphatha – opens the kingdom, all that is broken will be restored! Eternally!

In Christ's Love,

a guy who can't wait

until heaven is ephphathaed

Nov 15 - Jeremiah 17:3

All who forsake you

shall be put to shame;

for they have forsaken the fountain

of living water, the Lord.

Jeremiah 17:13

To "forsake" means to abandon, leave, desert, or renounce. When we renounce the Lord (the first part of the verse), what are we renouncing? The second part of the verse gives the answer. Renouncing the Lord means departing from the water of life.

Thus, the prohet is telling us that without God, we will thirst. He is telling us, indeed, that we will inevitably die. He's also saying that we will be put to shame.

Death, of course, is the worst and final result of forsaking the Lord. But before the final defeat, the prophet is telling us that we will encounter shame -- that painful, sudden awareness that we have done something dishonorable. That's a painful earthly consequence of forsaking the Lord.

At some point, human arrogance will catch up with us. It will be revealed in those moments when we are most desparate and thirsty.

Have you ever known anyone in dire circumstances who needs the Lord ... but is so far away that he can't even see the light? Human pride has a cost.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who wants to stay thirsty

… for living water

Nov 14 - Psalm 31:5

Into your hand

I commit my spirit;

you have redeemed me,

O Lord, God of truth.

Psalm 31:5

The first words of this verse -- "Into (someone's) hand" -- is a common Biblical phrase. It's generally a military metaphor. When a people are conquered, they fall "into the hands" of an enemy.

But "falling into the hands of another" can a conscious choice rather than an accidental fate. Spiritually, we can choose to “fall into the hands of God." We can submit ourselves. We can commit our spirits.

That's precisely what Jesus did upon the cross. In spite of impending death, Jesus declared victory, committing his spirit into the hand of his ever-victorious Father.

In your life -- and in mine -- we can declare victory when we allow the "God of truth" to "redeem" us, to buy us back from the lies of the world.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's

declaring victory

URGENT: Pray!

Another presidential election has come and gone. If Spirit of Joy’s election patterns mirror those of Union County, 35% of you are happy today, and 65% are probably somewhat discouraged. But both sides have something powerful to celebrate!

Before I share with you my reflections, I want to start with some pieces of wisdom forwarded to me this morning. Apparently they come from a sermon preached last weekend by Pastor Mike Ross. He inspires these perspectives …

1.   Don’t allow this election to rob you of your peace in Christ. The President and his administration cannot fix things. Only God can do that.

2.    Don’t be too hard on the men and women in government. They face an overwhelming task of managing the affairs of fallen humanity, keeping evil at bay, and ruling in spite of their own blind-spots and sins.

3.    Remember, this election will not “take America back for God.” If God wants America for his own, he’ll take it back by means of the Holy Spirit and a great moral reformation and spiritual revival.

4.    Even if and when God “takes America back” it will only be for a time. No earthly country is now or ever will be the Kingdom of God!

That’s a good start. Now …

Here’s my reflections … my reasons to celebrate …

If you are among the thirty-five-satisfied-percent …

Congratulations.

I trust you were emboldened by your Christian conviction of compassion. Since I know good people of faith on both sides of the aisle, I know that the convictions of both sides are motivated by compassion (though via very different methodologies). Nevertheless, the Democrats always seem to do a better job of talking about compassion.

So if this – and other convictions – inspired you, congratulations! Today, therefore, you have national and corporate reasons to celebrate! We all pray that your leadership produces a harvest blessing for our world!

The other 65% of you …

… have, I believe, very different reasons to celebrate … personal reasons to celebrate.

Yes, you are probably discouraged nationally. Your values and political convictions were not upheld. Nevertheless, I pray this election reminds us of a more important Biblical principal …

The human condition is to think that human efforts produce godly results. No! Human efforts produce human results – some better, some worse, but at best, only human.  

Too many (even among good Christians) look to humans (say, a President) to fix what ails our world. In 1 Samuel 8, for example, the people of Israel demanded a king.

God said, “Very well, but here’s the results you will get …

1.    If you choose (and pin your hopes on) a human king, you are rejecting me as your king.

2.    This king will heap unbearable burdens upon you, taxing you at the ungodly rate of ten percent (indeed, the king’s government will ask for first ten percent that really belongs to God).

3.    “18 And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves; but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”

To the discouraged 65%, here’s your reason for celebration: The Day After is our ever-necessary reminder to quit depending on human leaders and human solutions … and even on ourselves. Trust God. Turn off the media. Turn to God in prayer. Open the Bible rather than the newspaper. Humble yourselves personally. And if you want to change the world, change your own heart!

In fact, here’s the celebratory irony: If your candidate would have won, you might have tried – for four more years – to wait for human results. Count your lack of control as a blessing! Turn to God completely today!

That was Isaiah’s point many generations ago. Anticipating a time of battle and adversity, Isaiah reminded God’s people to quit trusting worldly results, saying, “31:1 Alas for those … who rely on horses [and] trust in chariots because they are many and … are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord!”

In other words, don’t let any president be your horse or any government be your chariot. Submit yourself. Let God be God. And whether you’re a 35-percenter or a 65-percenter remember that this is a greater victory than any arrived at by any electoral college.

To close … I want to say, pray.

Each time I sit down to pray through my prayer list, in addition to praying for you, I pray for our president. I have for years … whether any given leader is my favorite candidate or not. So pray! Daily! For our president. For our nation.

… and by the way … by praying, you’re beginning to accomplish the principals I was just talking about! It’s God – not you nor any human leader – who changes things. Therefore, spend your energies connecting more impassionedly with the true ruler of the universe, and discover that he wants to connect more impassionedly with you!

In Christ’s Love,

A guy who wants

to be a 100-percenter

… all in for God!!!

URGENT: Vote!

During one of the many 20^th Century wars, a village was bombed and the statue of Jesus in the middle of town was damaged. The stone hands of Jesus were blown off.

As the village recovered after the battles, the people began to raise money to repair the statue … but they never completed it. Why? The people changed their mind after a mysterious sign appeared one night. It read, “Jesus has no hands but yours.”

That’s a good reminder for us as voting day approaches. As a congregation and as individual Christians, we call on God to bless our world. But tomorrow he will rely on our hands to pull the levers and vote his priorities for our world.

Tomorrow the lines may be long. Please don’t let that discourage you. Jesus is counting on your hands. And if you have to wait in line, remember to use that wait as holy time, folding your hands in prayer to the Lord of life!

Below are prayers we used for Saturday’s prayer service. Consider printing them out and bring them with you (along with a Bible) as you wait.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord   Psalm 33:12

Billy Graham’s Prayer for the Nation

    Our Father and Our God, we praise You for Your goodness to our nation, giving us blessings far beyond what we deserve. Yet we know all is not right with America. We deeply need a moral and spiritual renewal to help us meet the many problems we face. Convict us of sin. Help us to turn to You in repentance and faith. Set our feet on the path of Your righteousness and peace. We pray today for our nation’s leaders. Give them the wisdom to know what is right, and the courage to do it. You have said, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” May this be a new era for America, as we humble ourselves and acknowledge You alone as our Savior and Lord. This we pray in Your holy name, Amen.

Praying For The Government

1Tim 2:1            Heavenly Father, I give thanks for our government.

1 Tim 2:2          I pray for all men and women having authority over

                         us in any way.

Prov. 1:23         Pour out Your Spirit upon them and make Your Word

                        known to them.

Ps 25:21           Cause them to be men and women of integrity,

                        obedient concerning us,

1 Tim 2:2           that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all

                        godliness and honesty.

Prov. 2:10         Let wisdom enter their hearts, and let knowledge be

                        pleasant to them.

Prov. 2:11         Let discretion preserve them and understanding keep

                        them,

Prov. 2:12         to deliver them from the way of evil and from evil

                        men.

Psalm 1:1         Make their hearts and ears attentive to godly counsel,

2Chr 20:32        doing what is right in your sight.

Prov. 2:21         Let the upright dwell in our government.

Heb 12:27         Cause there to be a shaking in all areas.

Prov. 2:21         Let those complete and blameless before You stay.

Prov. 2:22         and cut off the wicked. Let the unfaithful be rooted

                        out.

1Cor 4:5            Bring to light what is hidden in darkness,

1Cor 4:5           and expose the secret aims of the hearts.

Rev 2:5             Let this nation remember from where they have fallen,

Rev 2:5             repenting, and returning to doing their first works,

1Chr 22:19        setting their hearts and their souls to seek the Lord,

2Chr 7:14          humbling themselves, praying, and turning from

                        their wicked ways.

2Chr 7:14          Then hear them, O Lord, and forgive their sins and heal

                        our land.

Acts 26:18        Open their eyes and turn them from darkness to

                        light.

Heb 3:13           Soften the hearts that are hardened through the

                        deceitfulness of sin.

Ps 107:20         Deliver them from their destructions.

2Pet 3:9            Father, You have been longsuffering toward us,

2Pet 3:9            not willing that any should perish,

2Pet 3:9            but that all should come to repentance.

Isa 49:22           Raise up a standard in this nation.

Zech 10:1          Cause the rains of Your Spirit to flood this land

Hab 3:2             and revive Your work in the midst of us.

Isa 59:16           Raise up intercessors for this nation

2Cor 10:4          to pull down strongholds over this land.

Isa 40:5             And let the glory of the Lord be revealed!

Scriptures for Elections

    II Chronicles 7:14 – If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, will heal their land.

     Acts 17:30 – Pray for repentance for yourself and for our nation.

     Psalm 32:6-7 – Pray that Christians will be motivated to pray faithfully for this election and that the Lord would deliver us from the wrong leaders.

     Proverbs 16:13 – Pray that our nation will listen to the truth and not be led astray.

     Psalm 125 – Pray that those who trust in the Lord will not be shaken.

     Psalm 86:14-17 – Pray that the Lord would defeat those who have no regard for Him in this election.

     II Kings 13:16 – Pray that the Lord would put His hands on the man of His choice for president (and his team) and guide them in this election.

     Luke 12:54-57 – Pray that God’s man and our nation will be discerning and do what is right.

     Psalm 16:7-8 – Pray that the Lord would give wise counsel and guidance to His choice for president in this campaign.

     Proverbs 1:5-6 – Pray that God’s man will listen with discernment, add to his knowledge, and receive wise counsel in this campaign.

     John 16:33 – Pray that the man of God’s choice would be given wisdom and ability from the Lord to overcome any obstacle or difficulty during this campaign.

     Philippians 4:13 – Pray that the Lord’s choice for President will have special strength and unusual ability from God.

     Psalm 18:32-36 – Pray that the Lord would arm the man of His choice with strength; would guide him in battle (this election); and would sustain him and give him victory.

     Hebrews 11:32-34 – Pray that God’s man could, through faith, persevere and maintain his courage throughout this election.

     2 Corinthians 12:9 – Pray that the Lord would empower and enable his man in any area of weakness.

     Habakkuk 1:5 and 3:2 – Pray that the Lord would do something that would utterly amaze us.

Oct 7 - Psalm 23:6a

and I will dwell in the house

of the LORD for ever.

Psalm 23:6b

KJV

I often pray this Psalm at hospital beds …

… and at funerals.

Through its course, this Psalm talks about the valley of the shadow of death and acknowledges the seasons of grief.

It ends though with triumph. And with confidence.

If you believe this statement, there’s power in your life. I’ve seen it and felt it. Indeed, I’ve watched this power unfold before my eyes – even in the midst of hard circumstances.

Yes, this world may indeed smack you around. Yes, this world may even knock you down on occasion. But when you have this confidence, you know, absolutely, that this world does not have the final word.

In this world, “you will grieve,” said Jesus in John 16:20, “but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy when you see me again.”

What’s keeping you from this confidence?

•      Doubt? Faith is a choice. Pray, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mk 9:24, NKJV).
•      Guilt? If Jesus could forgive those who nailed him to the cross, he will absolutely forgive you. As it says in Romans 5:8, “God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”
•      Despair? Don’t just look at your immediate trials. Look back and remember all the blessings in the past. If God has blessed you before, he can and will bless you again.

Part of living in this broken world, said Jesus, is that “you will grieve.” Yes, but what will happen when claim the confidence of dwelling in the house of the Lord forever? “Your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy when you see [Jesus] again.”

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who chooses to not look down …

but to look up in confidence

Oct 5 - Psalm 23:6a

Surely goodness and mercy

shall follow me all the days of my life

Psalm 23:6a

KJV

I’ve heard this passage all of my life. I’ve always liked the promise of “goodness … all the days of my life.” But I’ve never stopped to think about what it means to have goodness following me.

While I’m absolutely thankful for every past blessing, I’d generally prefer (and eagerly request) for better days to be ahead of me than behind me. So what does it mean, that “goodness and mercy follow me”?

Here’s what I think …

In John 10:24, Jesus says, “My sheep recognize my voice … and they follow me.” The good shepherd is in front of us, and good sheep follow behind.

Now, carry that a step further, if you’re a good sheep, what’s following you? Other sheep.

I’ve not looked this up to see if this is the official meaning of this verse; nevertheless, I invite you to hear today a call to leadership (in addition to the ever-present call to discipleship and following).

It’s been said that every Christian ought to look like a sheep from the front and a shepherd from behind.

Who are you following and learning from? Who are you leading and teaching?

Discover the joy of having those who follow you walk in the paths of goodness and peace.

In Christ’s Love,

a sheepdog,

I try to follow and lead

Oct 2 - Psalm 23:5c

my cup runneth over

Psalm 23:5c

KJV

If people remember Jimmy Dean, nowadays, they think of sausage.

I remember him first from the old Daniel Boone television show. (Yes, I was one of the young American boys with a coonskin cap.)

Jimmy Dean’s first claim to fame, however, was as a singer and entertainer. In terms of recordings, this country star is probably best known for his early 1960’s hit, “Big Bad John.”

My favorite song of his, though, is “My Cup Runneth Over.” Also known as “Drinking from my Saucer,” this “song” is really a lyrical reading of a simple but powerful poem of thankfulness and perspective. The second verse is my favorite …

I ain't got a lot of riches, and sometimes the going’s tough

but I've got kids who love me and that makes me rich enough

I just thank God for his blessings and the mercies he's bestowed.

I'm drinking from my saucer, cause my cup has overflowed.

Listen in … 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who’s been given

more than I deserve

(I’m lapping at the table,

‘cause my saucer’s overflowed)

I never made a fortune and it's probably too late now

But I don't worry about that much, I'm happy anyhow

And as I go along life's journey, I'm reaping better than I sowed

I'm drinking from my saucer, cause my cup has overflowed.

I ain't got a lot of riches, and sometimes the goings tough

but I've got kids who love me and that makes me rich enough

I just thank God for his blessings and the mercies he's bestowed.

I'm drinking from my saucer, cause my cup has overflowed.

I remember times when things went wrong, and my faith got a little thin

but then all at once the dark clouds broke, and the sun peeked through again

so Lord help me not to gripe about the tough rows I hoed

I'm drinking from my saucer, cause my cup has overflowed.

And if God gives me strength and courage, when the way grows steep and rough

I'll not ask for another blessing, I'm already blessed enough

And may I never be too busy to help another bear his load

I'll keep drinking from my saucer, cause my cup has overflowed.

Oct 1 - Psalm 23:5b

Thou anointest my head with oil

Psalm 23:5b

KJV

Do you know what “Messiah” means?

Wait … before you answer that, do you know what “Christ” means?

Both words refer to Jesus. And both words mean “anointed” – “Messiah” is the Hebrew and Old Testament word for the long expect king; “Christ” is the Greek and New Testament word for the fulfillment of these prophecies through Jesus, the Son of God.

While we’re talking about “anointed,” do you know who, in the ancient world, was normally anointed? Three types of people …

•      Kings
•      Priests
•      And dead people (They were anointed with spices to minimize the stench of death)

By the end of his life on earth, Jesus was all three.

•      He was a dead person. (Though he would soon rise, Jesus – not just a person, but the Son of God himself – would die to save us from our sins.)
•      Though he was mocked at his death – a crown not of gold, but of thorns, upon his head – the sign above Jesus as he hung upon the cross was wonderfully true, “This is Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.”
•       Furthermore, Jesus is not understood as just a priest, but scripture tells us that he is to be viewed as the ultimate and eternal high priest. As it says in Hebrews 4:15, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin.”

Psalm 23 does not refer, however, to Jesus the Eternal King. It refers to David, a shepherd boy who would be anointed an earthly king.

But what does it mean when WE pray these words? Are we kings? Are we priest? Are we dying?

Yes, yes, and yes.

•      We are priests. We are constantly called to stand between God and the world. We represent (re-present) the heart and teachings of God to a broken world. We represent (re-present) the prayers and confessions of broken people to loving, forgiving God.
•      We are royalty. God is The King and is utterly unequaled. But when he calls us his children, we become princes and princesses – royalty. What is our realm? From the very beginning – Genesis 1:28 – God has given us “dominion,” kingship, and authority of this earth. The question is … will you be a leader in this world or a follower?
•      Finally we are dying. For some that’s scary. For some it’s depressing. For you, I pray this realization is hopeful instead. When we come to faith in Christ, we unite our lives and our destiny with his. Inevitably, we will die – just as the human Messiah did – but “if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” That’s the hope. That’s the promise. That’s the victory.

In Christ’s Love,

a guy with oil

dripping off his forehead