Oct 12 - Colossians 1:27

The Apostle Paul wrote:

God chose to make known

how great among the Gentiles are

the riches of the glory of this mystery,

which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

It is he whom we proclaim.

Colossians 1:27

 

I love mysteries. A riddle. A puzzle. A mental challenge. So did the Apostle Paul. In fact, “mystery” is a favorite word of his. In his letter to the Ephesians, for example, he hints at a great “mystery” in his opening words (1:9). Nevertheless, he waits until chapter 3 to unveil the secret.

 

What is this “⁵ mystery” that “⁵ in former generations was not made known to humankind”? “⁶ That … the Gentiles have become fellow heirs [with the Jews], members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel”! (The Apostle Peter reiterates this wonder, saying, “Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” – 1 Pet 2:10.)

 

Today, in Colossians, Paul reiterates this message … and adds to it! He says, “how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery.”

 

Yes, it’s a gift and a wonder that Gentiles have been grafted onto the family tree, that they too can be people of God. But its bigger than that!

 

Read it. What is “the glory of this mystery”? It is “Christ in you”!

 

When Jesus says in John 15 that he is the vine and we are the branches, he is saying that we are grafted in to something that is living. Think what happens in a literal gardening graft. A branch is cut from a previous plant. (Cut plants are dead … or at least dying. They are dead, they just don’t know it yet.) Nevertheless, before all their life leaks out, they are grafted onto a fully living plant. And the life of the living plant begins to flow in and through the dead and dying branch, restoring it to life.

 

The mystery that Paul is talking about is that the Gentiles were dead. They were detached from God – his kingdom and his covenants. For maybe ninety years of life, one can pull off the illusion of life – just like a cut flower can look pretty in a vase for a few days – nevertheless, that flower will inevitably droop and wither and decay. Our lives are like cut flowers … unless and until we are attached to a living vine.

 

And Paul says, “the glory of this mystery [is that] Christ [is] in you.” When you submit your life to him, he lives in you. You are grafted in and his power flows through you. His forgiveness regenerates your dying heart. His grace sets your feet to dancing.

 

In Christ’s Love,

a poison ivy vine who has

been grafted onto The Grape Vine

and somehow (mysteriously)

I’m bearing good fruit

 

Oct 11 - Psalm 107:23-31

Some went out on the sea in ships …

a tempest lifted high the waves …

in their peril, their courage melted away

Psalm 107:23-31

 

Two stormy stories for today.

 

The first tells of a violent tempest. It is recorded in the Psalms. Imagine confident, experienced sailors – seamen and “merchants” – suddenly overwhelmed by the chaos of the towering waves.

 

The second is almost prefigured by this Psalm. Imagine confident, experienced fishermen – Peter and Andrew, James and John – suddenly overwhelmed by the chaos of another storm. In the Gospels, as they feared for their life, Jesus was doing what? Sleeping in the back of the boat.

 

Listen to today’s verses. My commentary is italicized.

 

²³ Some went out on the sea in ships. Peter, James, John and all the rest. They were merchants on the mighty waters, fishermen familiar with the deep blue sea. And that day, much to their surprise, ²⁴ they saw the works of the Lord, his wonderful deeds in the deep.

²⁵ For the Lord spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves. ²⁶ The heights and troughs of these waves were so great that it seemed like they mounted up to the very heavens and went down to the depths. The whole drama of life and death, heaven and hell, seemed to be playing out with each violent lurch of the seas. And in their peril their courage melted away.

²⁷ They tried to stand firm, but they reeled and staggered like drunkards. They were at their wits’ end.

²⁸ Beyond all human ability, they finally cried out to the Lord in their trouble. “Lord, are you sleeping? Do you not care that we are perishing?” “Oh, you of little faith,” said the Lord, as he brought them out of their distress. ²⁹ He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.

³⁰ They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven, almost immediately it seemed that they arrived at the distant shore.

³¹ Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.

 

The key moment in this Psalm – and at this moment in the Gospels – is the cry for help. Storms will come. Nations will totter. Health will ebb away. Will you cry?

 

Indeed, when will you cry? Must you wait for a storm? Or could you start crying, talking, praying, developing the relationship now?

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who knew a WWII sailor

who described a night on the North Sea.

The antennas on his ship were

eighty feet high and the waves –

from lowest troughs to highest heights –

were higher than the top of the antennas.

He became a praying man that night.

 

Oct 10 - Acts 5:29

We must obey God rather

than any human authority.

Acts 5:29

 

There is rule and then there are exceptions.

 

The rule is obey both – God and human authorities. Under normal circumstances, obeying human laws is how we are good citizens.

 

But how many times do we say, “I don’t like this rule. I think that law is stupid. What will it hurt if I fudge just a little?” The answer is: It hurts a lot. Excuses compromise our heart. And they teach our children a dangerous precedent. There’s an old axiom: What you tolerate, your children will embrace.

 

Therefore, under normal circumstances, wisdom and respect demand compliance of human laws. That’s the rule.

 

But Acts 5 showed one of the few legitimate exceptions: ²⁷ Then they brought the apostles before the high council, where the high priest confronted them. ²⁸ “We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this man’s name!” he said. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!”

 

²⁹ But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.”

 

Unless your civil objection rises to the level of “I won’t kill,” “I won’t steal from a neighbor,” and “I won’t forsake my God,” then you and I probably ought to slow down on the highway and model civil obedience rather than excuses.

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who’s heard his

daughter-in-law say

that one of the things

that attracted her

to her husband is that

he was know as a

rule follower

 

Oct 9 - Luke 9:33

Peter said to Jesus,

“Master, it is good for us to be here;

let us make three dwellings, 

one for you, one for Moses,

and one for Elijah”—

not knowing what he said.

Luke 9:33

 

Moses went up on the mountain to meet with God. He was there for forty days. And when he came down, his face glowed. Such was the glory of God. 

 

Shortly before Jesus' crucifixion, he too went up on a mountain. Taking with him Peter, James, and John, these three disciples got a glimpse of that same glowing glory of God. 

 

We call the event the Transfiguration. In short, Jesus' earthly "figure" was "transformed" - even momentarily - into a glimpse of his true glory. 

 

As the disciples gazed upon this wonder - made even more spectacular by Moses and Elijah appearing in attendance beside Jesus - the disciples were overwhelmed. (Who wouldn't be?) Peter tried to say something helpful. It wasn't. Scripture says essentially that he didn't know what he was saying. (Who would?)

 

Look, closer at what Peter - honestly and innocently - said: "Let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." Peter was overwhelmed. He was trying to be helpful. But look at what he was saying. He wanted to contain a glimpse of heaven in a rickety little dwelling on earth. 

You can't blame Peter - he was overwhelmed. You also can't blame him because God himself had once "inhabited" an earthly tent - the tabernacle in the wilderness. Further, when Jesus came to earth, John 1 tells us that God(-the-Son) "dwelt ("tabernacled") among us" in human flesh. Yes, for our benefit, the God of the immense heavens allowed himself to be "contained" in temporary "dwellings" (the tabernacle, the mortal body of Jesus) on earth. So why shouldn't Peter have suggested making three tents, right?

And yet this reveals a continual problem that we humans have. We constantly want to bring down the God of the immensities and make him human-sized. We want him to play by our rules, follow our logic, and respond in our time. And we get disappointed with God when he doesn't do things our way. Sinful beings - who constantly separate themselves from God - constantly rail against God as not being fair. (Fair would be our death. Immediately. And yet God himself gave his own life on the cross to save rebellious sinners. That is what isn't fair!) 

We are like Peter whenever we - understandably and inadvertently - attempt to bring God down to our own size and make him play by our own rules. Instead, we need to look for his glory and thank the Lord that his ways are beyond our ways. 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who wants to see

(and not contain) the glory

 

 

Oct 7-8 - Amos 5:15

Hate evil and love good,

and establish justice in the gate;

it may be that the Lord,

the God of hosts, will be gracious.

Amos 5:15

 

"May be."

 

It's not the word we were looking for, is it? 

 

We want guarantees of the Lord's provision, don't we? Amos reminds us that on earth we don't always get what we want - when and how and where you and I want it. 

 

Why? Read the first lines of today's verse. Because there's "evil" that we don't always "hate" or forsake. There's "justice" that still needs to be established -- means that "injustice" keeps reigning. Furthermore, we as a people don't always "love" the "good" -- which is the only place where God can dwell on earth. 

 

Now you as an individual may love justice and hate evil (probably not perfectly, but as a general rule), but Amos was addressing a nation. And you and I live in a web of worldwide sin. Our culture isn't godly. And this week our nation is grieving over more and more terror. 

 

Like hundreds of thousands of pretty good Jews, we may just get caught up in Tiglath-Pilesar or Nebuchadnezzar's attacks. (And like hundreds of pretty nice concert goers, we may just get caught up in a madman's Las Vegas sniper attacks.) Horror! That's life in a sinful world. Therefore, if you are looking for guarantees on earth, "may be" - "may be ... the Lord ... will be gracious" - is not good news. 

 

And here's the problem: are you looking for guarantees on earth?

 

You and I are pawns on a huge worldwide chessboard. The Lord cares desperately about your life. He knit you uniquely in your mother's womb. He knows the number hairs on your head. You are his precious child. But don't forget that this world -- for the believer -- is as close as we'll ever get to hell. (Whereas, it is as close as an unbeliever will ever get to heaven.)

 

It's interesting. I was choosing between two verses "assigned" for these weekend days. One was a depressing "may be" ... on earth. The other was a triumphant guarantee ... in heaven. Heaven's final guarantee is this: "God will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away," Revelation 21:3. 

It is as C. S. Lewis said, "If you aim for heaven, you will get earth thrown in. But if you aim for earth, you will get neither." 

 

Too many people are looking for guarantees in the midst of this hopelessly sinful web of a world. Instead, we need to look forward. And upward. Then, the guarantees are glorious.

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who needs

better aim

Sent from my iPhone

Oct 6 - Psalm 143:8

Let me hear of your

steadfast love in the morning,

for in you I put my trust.

Psalm 143:8

 

And our most recent church council meeting, a conversation was started. I want to continue it here. 

 

Our world and our culture seem to be crumbling before our eyes. Not only is busyness swallowing our families, but we're increasingly rushing to keep up with the world's dubious priorities. We are settling for the good rather than the best. And sometimes it's not even the good that we're settling for. We're distracted. More and more and more. Nowadays, "good people" don't just sin and fall short, they are failing shockingly. 

 

So, brainstorming, I asked our faithful church council what they were seeing and what they would recommend. One quiet voice helped break through. She said, most people are not in the word. She said, I am surprised at how few people have heard (comprehended, allowed themselves to be trained in) taking a quiet time each day. She said essentially, we are adrift because we haven't learned how to connect.

 

Which leads me back to today's verse: "Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning, for in you I put my trust." You are reading this today, perhaps in the morning. Today I am reflective, questioning, more than I am being inspirational. Today you were not hearing as much about God's steadfast love. But my question is this: how do we help more of our friends hear of God's steadfast love each day?

 

You are reading a devotional this morning. The world is not. Please pray for that next step. Because… the world needs to hear of God's steadfast love each morning, so that they can put their trust in him.

In Christ's Love,

a guy whose own

devotional passion

includes helping you

and others grow

Oct 9 - Luke 9:33

Peter said to Jesus,

“Master, it is good for us to be here;

let us make three dwellings, 

one for you, one for Moses,

and one for Elijah”—

not knowing what he said.

Luke 9:33

 

Moses went up on the mountain to meet with God. He was there for forty days. And when he came down, his face glowed. Such was the glory of God. 

 

Shortly before Jesus' crucifixion, he too went up on a mountain. Taking with him Peter, James, and John, these three disciples got a glimpse of that same glowing glory of God. 

 

We call the event the Transfiguration. In short, Jesus' earthly "figure" was "transformed" - even momentarily - into a glimpse of his true glory. 

 

As the disciples gazed upon this wonder - made even more spectacular by Moses and Elijah appearing in attendance beside Jesus - the disciples were overwhelmed. (Who wouldn't be?) Peter tried to say something helpful. It wasn't. Scripture says essentially that he didn't know what he was saying. (Who would?)

 

Look, closer at what Peter - honestly and innocently - said: "Let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." Peter was overwhelmed. He was trying to be helpful. But look at what he was saying. He wanted to contain a glimpse of heaven in a rickety little dwelling on earth. 

You can't blame Peter - he was overwhelmed. You also can't blame him because God himself had once "inhabited" an earthly tent - the tabernacle in the wilderness. Further, when Jesus came to earth, John 1 tells us that God(-the-Son) "dwelt ("tabernacled") among us" in human flesh. Yes, for our benefit, the God of the immense heavens allowed himself to be "contained" in temporary "dwellings" (the tabernacle, the mortal body of Jesus) on earth. So why shouldn't Peter have suggested making three tents, right?

And yet this reveals a continual problem that we humans have. We constantly want to bring down the God of the immensities and make him human-sized. We want him to play by our rules, follow our logic, and respond in our time. And we get disappointed with God when he doesn't do things our way. Sinful beings - who constantly separate themselves from God - constantly rail against God as not being fair. (Fair would be our death. Immediately. And yet God himself gave his own life on the cross to save rebellious sinners. That is what isn't fair!) 

We are like Peter whenever we - understandably and inadvertently - attempt to bring God down to our own size and make him play by our own rules. Instead, we need to look for his glory and thank the Lord that his ways are beyond our ways. 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who wants to see

(and not contain) the glory

 

 

Oct 5 - Isaiah 50:9

It is the Lord God

who helps me …

Isaiah 50:9

 

How does the Lord help you?

 

Does he teach? Does he encourage? Does he comfort?

 

The fruits of the Spirit include peace, patience, kindness, and self control. Does the Lord weave those into your life?

 

Does the Lord occasionally provide physical blessings, like strength and healing? Today, let me ask you to consider one more way in which the Lord blesses us. Today, I intentionally used half of the verse provided. I wanted you to first focus on the many ways in which the Lord helps; now, I want you to focus on one additional way. Scripture says,

 

It is the Lord who helps me;

who will declare me guilty?

 

In other words, God is our lawyer. Our advocate. The world may try to judge us. Satan my persecute us. Situations may handcuff us. But who will declare me guilty, if the judge of all creation is on my side?!

 

My favorite scriptural expression of this is in Romans 8 (and I’ll add a little commentary to make it clear) …

 

33 Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who [instead of charging us,] justifies [us]! 34 [And] who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who [instead of condemning us] died [for us], … was raised [declaring victory], who [now sits] at the right hand of God [constantly] interced[ing] for us. [Father, I know she’s sinned. You know he’s guilty. But this is one of mine! I’ve paid for her sin. I’ve taken his penalty upon myself.]  35 [And if Christ is at the right hand of the Father, pleading your freedom, then] who will separate us from th[is] love …? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, 37 No, [for] in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy with a

high-priced attorney

 

Oct 4 - Hebrews 11:32

And what more should I say?

For time would fail me to tell of

Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah,

of David and Samuel and the prophets—

who through faith conquered kingdoms,

administered justice, obtained promises,

shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire,

escaped the edge of the sword,

won strength out of weakness …

Hebrews 11:32-33

 

You may know that Hebrews 11 is from a chapter known as “The Hall of Faith.”

 

Verse by verse, Hebrews has been celebrating many “heroes” of the faith, trumpeting their acts of boldness in the name of God.

 

Now in verse 32 – and just before getting to a final, triumphant point – the author is throwing in a few more stories … almost in bullet point fashion. He wants to make sure you know that all of his previous examples should be understood as the rule rather than the rare exception. Thus, he says, “[And] time would fail me to tell of [seven bullet points]

 

·                  Gideon,

·                  Barak,

·                  Samson,

·                  Jephthah, of

·                  David and

·                  Samuel and

·                  the prophets

 

—who [seven more bullet points] through faith

 

·                  conquered kingdoms,

·                  administered justice,

·                  obtained promises,

·                  shut the mouths of lions,

·                  quenched raging fire,

·                  escaped the edge of the sword,

·                  won strength out of weakness.

 

Wow! I’ve never shut the mouth of an attacking lion nor conquered a kingdom! That’s huge! (Is that your response too?) But – and here’s the question – with God’s help, could I?

 

The answer is, Yes. Absolutely! …

 

1.    if that was God’s call for me and

2.    if I submitted my life to his calling for my days.

 

I said earlier that Hebrews 11 was highlighting (in bullet-point-fashion) several final examples, leading up to a final, climactic point. What is that point? The first verses of Hebrews 12 give the answer: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

 

What is the race marked out for you? What is God’s call for you and your life?

Are you submitting yourself to this calling for your days?

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who wants to be

in The Hall of Faith

(my days may not be

as dramatic as Gideon’s,

but God has a plan for

my days … and yours too!)

 

Oct 3 - Colossians 1:19

God was pleased to

have all his fullness dwell

in [Jesus, his Son], and

through him to reconcile

to himself all things,

whether things on earth

or things in heaven,

by making peace through

his blood, shed on the cross.

Colossians 1:19

What is peace? After long battles, I think of famous pictures like the one from the officer-lined decks of the USS Missouri in September of 1945. Two admirals, on behalf their nations, would sign peace treaties, bringing an end to World War II. 

Eighty years earlier, two generals would meet at a courthouse in Appomattox, Virginia. Ulysses S Grant and Robert E. Lee, representing their two sides, would likewise sign a treaty, bringing an end to another bloody war. 

Peace In both of these cases was not a ceasefire - where hostilities stop but no one can declare victory. No. Peace in this case was decisive. One side rose in resounding victory and the other fell in final defeat. 

Today's verse essentially says that the Cross of Christ was the ultimate peace treaty, signed with the blood of Christ. 

For virtually all eternity there has been a war in heaven and on earth. Darkness has been battling Light. Lies have been sabotaging Truth. Death has continually been assaulting Life. 

Ephesians 6:12 describes the cosmic dimensions of this battle like this: "For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." 

But on the cross, this verse reaffirms that Christ Jesus won the war. This was the victorious scene as final and decisive as those on the USS Missouri and at Appomattox Courthouse. 

But here's the question: Where were the two generals representing the two sides? 

After Satan had tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Luke 4:13 says, "When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time." The Devil found his opportune time when he tempted and turned Judas. Jesus was arrested. A sham of the trial was conducted. Jesus was whipped and beaten. The general of heaven was hung on a cross. He was signing the treaty of victory and surrender with his blood. 

In a sense, the other general, Satan, showed up on the decks of the USS Missouri, thinking he had won. He signed a presumably victorious peace treaty by orchestrating the hanging of Jesus on the cross. But it wasn't until three days later - on Easter Sunday morning - when Satan bothered reading the terms and conditions and fine print. The tomb was open. The real victory was won. 

Now, we live in a time of virtually instantaneous communication. Throughout history that was not always the case. A peace treaty could be signed, but it could take days or weeks for word of the victory and surrender to reach the farthest flung troops. Sadly, even after the war has officially end, there has historically been bloodshed and death. 

After World War II, there was even an occasional story about a marooned Japanese soldier who kept fighting the war for years, even decades, because word of surrender had never reached his hiding place on a lonely Pacific island. 

With the Easter Resurrection, the victory was utterly, clearly, and eternally won. The peace treaty was the cross. Christ now reigns victorious. Nevertheless, word of heaven's victory hasn't fully sunk in to Satan and his minions. They haven't comprehended the full victory, nor their ultimate defeat. Therefore, they keep fighting on. 

And that's the world we live in today. The victory has been won, but the enemy keeps fighting. And you can choose to stand confident in victory ... or be constantly overwhelmed by the futile battle. 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who is enlisting

as an officer on

the victorious side

(It’s my opportune time!)

peace treaties being signed. 

Sent from my iPhone

Oct 2 - John 8:12

Jesus says, “I am

the light of the world.

Whoever follows me will

never walk in darkness but

will have the light of life."

John 8:12

The summer solstice is the longest day of the year. It occurs generally on or about June 21. One year on June 22, I remember my father saying, "This is the worst day of the year." Why? "From now on we start losing light!"

It was a joke. But how many of us feel like we're losing light in our world?

In today's verse, Jesus is telling us that there are two "sides" in this world. There is light and there is darkness. 

In one sense, darkness is evil. There is a cosmic battle. Darkness is actively opposed to the light. 

In another sense, darkness is blindness. We're simply looking the wrong way. We've been deceived. We - naively or willfully - don't know what is right or don't want to know what is light. Either way, we live in darkness. 

And like we find now in our October skies, the darkness seems to be steadily encroaching in our culture. Why? Because our corner of world is gradually rejecting the light. 

Jesus offers an alternative. The alternative isn't light. It's him. He's the light. He's the way, the truth, and the life. He loves and forgives. He teaches and heals. He lightens our path and lightens our burdens. He shows us a "way" of living that brings graciousness and integrity. He gives us the certain hope of eternal "life." Furthermore, he is the only true "truth" in a world of lies. 

With that last statement in mind, I invite you to join us on Wednesdays at either 11:00am or 6:00pm. We are on a journey to discover Truth. The Truth Project is a worldview class that exposes the cosmic battle of blindness and deceit and leads us on a path of brighter and brighter light. 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who has a

love-hate relationship

with Fall: less light,

but cooler temperatures

(I guess I'll have to

find my light in a person -

Jesus - and his Word)

Sept 30/Oct 1 - Romans 14:8

If we live,

we live to the Lord,

and if we die,

we die to the Lord;

so then, whether we live

or whether we die,

we are the Lord’s.

Romans 14:8

 

These are comforting words — especially at a funeral. And yes, we use them at a grave site.

 

This is a simple, one sentence summary of a bigger doctrine. The Apostle Paul is writing here to the Church in Rome, and to these bellieves he trumpets this glorious truth: Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

 

In 2 Corinthians 5:8, takes this hope even a step further. He says, “[I] would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” Prefer? Yes! Indeed, he confirms this sentiment in Philippians 1:21, saying, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain”! 

 

In fact, says Paul in the following verses — Philippians 1:23-24, “I am hard pressed between the two [— between the desirability of life vs. death — because] my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you.” Now, you probably know that Paul spiritually opts to stay. Not that the length of days is really his choice, of course. Our days are ultimately in God’s hands. But spiritually he wills himself to stay for the purpose of earthly ministry, rather than escaping prematurely for the “far better” comforts of heaven.

 

Interestingly, a few verses later in Philippians 2:5-11, Paul shows that for the purpose of earthly ministry, Jesus himself opted to leave the realm that was objectively “far better” to come for a purpose that was far better for us. Indeed, Christ “6did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 rather emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, and being found in human form.”

 

“5Let this same mind be in you,” starts this passage.

 

Well, do you have this same view of heaven vs. earth? Do you view “death” as “gain”? I quoted 2 Corinthians 5:8 slightly incorrectly. I added brackets and substituted a word. Instead of “I,” it should read, “we.” “We would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” Is that your hope?

 

In last Wednesday’s Truth Project class, a haunting question was asked: Do you really believe that what you believe is really real? (Read that a few times. Let it sink in.)

 

Paul believed in heaven. In fact, he believed so confidently, that heaven was so real that to “die” was “gain”!

 

What do you think it would take for you to get that confidence?

 

For me, I’ve had the privilege – strange word for what I’m about to say – of doing one hundred funerals. It hurts to lose a friend! And I walk this road with lots and lots of friends. But here’s why I call it a privilege: Because every time I do a funeral, I grow more confident of heaven! I see God show up! I see the veil between heaven and earth pulled back, even just a little. And like Paul, I can say with growing confidence, “To live is Christ; to die is gain.”

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who is learning

to really believe that

what he believes

is really real

 

Sept 29 - Nehemiah 9:32

Now therefore, our God,

the great, the mighty,

and the awesome God,

who keeps covenant

and loving kindness,

do not let all the hardship

seem insignificant before you,

which has come upon us.

Nehemiah 9:32

Isn't this a perfect verse for this past September in our hemisphere? "O God ... do not let all the hardship seem insignificant before you, which has come upon us."

 

Hurricane Harvey. Then Hurricane Irma. Then Hurricane Maria. Then multiple Mexican earthquakes. Many of our own southern cities are battered and waterlogged. But the worse damage is generally in poorer places - Carribean islands and Mexican villages. "O God ... do not let all the hardship seem insignificant before you, which has come upon us."

 

That's the petition: "Help us, Good Lord."

 

But before the petition, the prayer reminds us and reminds God about the basis upon which we dare to make this request: 

 

O God, you are "great," please remember us. You are "mighty," apply your strong arm to save. You are "awesome," hear our prayer. You "keep covenant," do not let us fall. Your heart is full of "loving kindness"; in love you could never forget your children, could you. Therefore, indeed, "do not let all the hardship seem insignificant before you, which has come upon us."

We constantly need to remind ourselves of who God is - especially when tragedy strikes. Do we need to "remind" God? No. He knows! But do you think we ever need to remind him that we are reminded, that we truly know. 

 

We call "knowing" God's goodness "faith." And our faith is always the basis upon which we approach the ever-faithful God. And he yearns to joyfully respond to faith. 

 

Try incorporating praise into your prayers - reminding yourself and reminding God!

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who is writing

this at breakfast;

time to remind God

that he is the provider,

as I go to get my

daily bread

 

 

Sept 28 - Psalm 8:4

When I look at your heavens,

the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars

that you have established;

what are human beings that

you are mindful of them,

mortals that you care for them?

Psalm 8:4

 

I was with a friend’s child recently. This little one carefully arranged a group of stuffed animals and cried out, “Everybody, watch! We’re going to do a show!”

 

The cry of joyful, playful child was, “Look at me!”

 

That’s cute ... when done by a child.

 

It’s not so cute when adults do it! Prima donna is one way to describe people who are clamoring for attention. “He thinks the world revolves around him,” is a phrase we’ve all been tempted to say.

 

Fortunately ... that’s not the prevailing attitude of the Psalms! The Psalmist looks at the heavens, comprehends “the moon and the stars,” and realizes -- in awe -- that this is what God has (and only God could) “establish.” And instead of crying “look at me,” instead of thinking like a prima donna that the world revolves around him, the Psalmist bows in wonder and humility:  “what are human beings that you are [even] mindful of [us].”

 

I hope the first thing you hear in today’s verse is awe. “Wow! God is so big.”

 

The second thing I hope you hear is love. “God may be vast, but he’s also personal. And his ‘mindfulness’ of you and me shows his constant love and care.

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who likes watching kids

as they think they can bring

stuffed animals to life

(but has a word for adults

who think the same thing:

Delusional!

 

I wonder … how many of us – you and me –

occasionally act like the world revolves around us

and are thus delusional, not giving credit to God