Always Simple, not Always Easy

S - Psalm 121:1-8; Mark 9:4-8 (NLT): "I look up to the mountains--does my help come from there?My help comes from the LORD, who made the heavens and the earth! He will not let you stumble and fall; the one who watches over you will not sleep. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never tires and never sleeps. The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not hurt you by day, nor the moon at night. The LORD keeps you from all evil and preserves your life. The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. … Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus. "Teacher, this is wonderful!" Peter exclaimed. "We will make three shrines--one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He didn't really know what to say, for they were all terribly afraid. Then a cloud came over them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." Suddenly they looked around, and Moses and Elijah were gone, and only Jesus was with them."

O - The psalm (a Song of Ascents) carries the truth and theme which Jesus repeats very specifically - we are not alone, not on our own and not our own. Jesus speaks clearly about so many things on earth, not just about things in heaven. We are more likely to accept his words and way of thinking about heaven than we are about earth. We won't "deny" his words; we'll just redefine and recalibrate them a little because we do not believe they will really "work" here on this fallen earth. We will use his words and ignore the meaning … claiming his authority but demonstrating/possessing very little of it. Jesus said: "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I assure you, anyone who doesn't have their kind of faith will never get into the Kingdom of God." Psalm 121 describes their kind of faith. The real question is: Is this my kind of faith?

A - The application for me is the application for us all. Do I, will I, accept both the Father's instruction about Jesus and the instruction of Jesus like a child? Will I listen with the childlike faith and trust Jesus lives out and insists I also engage? On this day and in each situation, what should I do is a good question and of course more importantly what will I do? I will believe (this is the work). I will trust (fierce personal loyalty). I will listen (unto doing). I will accept and embrace the truth that I am not alone, not on my own and not my own. I do think he is working everything for good and that he is purposeful in everything he causes and in everything he allows. Today is my day to believe, trust, listen and follow.

P - Lord who Leads,

It is my assignment to listen to you and to believe your words unto their doing. Yes, Lord, I do believe and I do want to live your words out loud. Please show me the way to go in this day. I am glad to not be alone, not be on my own and to not be my own. Let me live this day with you, making you glad and keeping your company all along the way. Thank you for wanting us/me and for always walking point. I do love you back!

Steve

God's Worldview on Religion

S - Acts 10:27-28, 34-36, 42-48 (NRVS): "And as he talked with him, he went in and found that many had assembled; and he said to them, "You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean. … Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. … He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, "Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days."


O - This exchange with Cornelius and his household begins with the unavoidable conclusion Peter was carried to by the vision he saw from heaven. It was certainly not the prevailing view among believing Jews and yet its truth was irrefutable. God insists that we (all believers):

1. Call no one (from any culture or background) profane or unclean.

2. Accept unconditionally all who fear God AND do what is right (both of these are essential). This does not eliminate the "need" for Jesus but lets us start with people at the same place God does.

3. Remember Jesus is Lord of all.

4. Engage our assignment, in light of these truths, to speak (his name and words) and give witness (the context of our daily lives) to his preeminent place for all people (ordained by God as the judge of the living and the dead - all men will be drawn to him).

5. Invite all to believe (personally respond to) Jesus who is the Gospel.

6. Interface with all people as sinner to sinner unto the forgiveness of our sins (Jesus spends no time trying to convince people that they are sinners. He announces that we are such and as such we are the very ones he is calling and seeking and speaking to).

A - The result of this "world view" is not only astonishing to other believers (who are strong in their own cultural/religious system), but one which the Holy Spirit will insert himself in a direct and identifiable way. Ultimately, theology without experience is impotent (even though it's true). We all need to experience our theology:). This awesome insight into the heart of God and the purposes of Jesus on this planet is both the affirmation of, and clear direction for, my little life and how I interface with all people. (The rungs of concentric circles from the inside out: Jesus; Scripture; believers (people); all Religion (Culture). Only Jesus is life giving, life saving; life transforming and life empowering.

P - Dear Lord of All and Lord of me,

Thank you for letting me do this … for letting me carry your name and your words and for calling me to unconditionally accept all who fear God and do what is right. Thank you, from my 17th year on, for allowing me to experience the theology your written voice presents. Thank you for your speaking voice which found Peter and has also found me. Please, shepherd me through these next days so I may shepherd others according to your will. Please change my life; put your Holy Spirit on me and cause him to flow out of me unto the revelation of your person and the receipt of forever life (vibrant, refreshing, irresistible). Help me be little today so I won't miss you and what you're doing. Make your desire and purpose for me clear so I may do your bidding. Let me bring you glory and make you glad.

Speak, Lord, your servant (little and weak) is listening.

Steve

So, What Exactly is Your Point?

S - Mark 14:1-9 (NLT): "It was now two days before the Passover celebration and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The leading priests and the teachers of religious law were still looking for an opportunity to capture Jesus secretly and put him to death. "But not during the Passover," they agreed, "or there will be a riot." Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had leprosy. During supper, a woman came in with a beautiful jar of expensive perfume. She broke the seal and poured the perfume over his head. Some of those at the table were indignant. "Why was this expensive perfume wasted?" they asked. "She could have sold it for a small fortune and given the money to the poor!" And they scolded her harshly. But Jesus replied, "Leave her alone. Why berate her for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But I will not be here with you much longer. She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. I assure you, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman's deed will be talked about in her memory.""

O - The leaders were efficient … avoiding a riot and murdering the Christ all accomplished in a matter hours. This woman comes inspired to do a beautiful thing to the Lord and the disciples moan about its inefficiency and waste. Jesus rejoices in its beauty and relational expression. To the "efficient" her actions are pointless … now giving to the poor would be something; quantifiable and a very good point. To the Creator and Ruler of all her actions are so much the point that she will never be forgotten ("wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman's deed will be talked about in her memory."). Jesus identifies something in her which is like the beauty/good she expressed to him "She has done what she could." Not only was her giving a beautiful act of devotion it is one which is not wasted either … she alone had the privilege of fulfilling the critical cultural expression in the first century of a body prepared for burial. The Mary's will come the day after his crucifixion and burial, but their spices will never be needed or used. The Kingdom and the Christ are not primarily efficient but they waste nothing. Love has never been the most efficient but it is forever the greatest!

A - Doing what you can in face of criticism by leaders, over whelming need and/or oppressive public opinion will always be among the opportunities given to the followers of Jesus. The world (church and secular) will forever peg to the very human efficiency quotients, statistical data and formulaic logic. While these are not completely absent in the work of God and the reality of his kingdom they NEVER lead the way - EVER! They lead the way in the thinking and actions of the Sanhedrin, in Herod's palace and at Pilate's court but not with God, his kingdom and his Christ. My assignment is to work with him which requires faith, trust, reliance upon the God to whom nothing is impossible. This work, his work, will always invite me to do what I can, to give my pathetic little into his unending greatness in the face of earth's most crushing inevitabilities. The combination of faith and so very little becomes more than formidable - it becomes indefatigable in the highest order - the order and power of the resurrection from the dead. My measure will not be efficiency but relationships, it will not take its cue from the greatness of the need but from the greatness of the God who calls me near to live with him, work with him and in this context to do what I can.

P - Lord of Beauty, Power, Mercy, Grace and even of me,
Thank you for my assignment which is not for you but with you. Thank you for not gauging everything by efficiency … for love is not primarily efficient and you have loved us first and most and still (to this very day, hour, minute and second) REFUSED to change your mind. O King, O Friend, O Living Hope and Only Hope I love you back and say I want to bring my very little all and give it all to you … to do what I can as you assign my place and partnership with you. Thank you for not asking me to do everything I could possibly do at all times. Rather, you call me to yourself, to relationship and to work with you giving my all to that which you are doing. Thank you for not calling me to work for you but with you. Lord, my answer is yes. I believe and this is the real work. I give you my all, this is the real privilege. Thank you causing me and my very little all to matter here and hereafter.
All my love,

Steve

When Faith for the Moment is NOT Enough

S - Mark 9:16-19,21-23,28-29 (NRSV): "He asked them, "What are you arguing about with them?" Someone from the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I brought you my son; he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak; and whenever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so." He answered them, "You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me." … Jesus asked the father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood. It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us." Jesus said to him, "If you are able!—All things can be done for the one who believes." … When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" He said to them, "This kind can come out only through prayer.""

O - There is no doubt that doubt is a big problem for the human race. In the immediacy of this post transfiguration event, the need for faith, even mustard seed sized faith, is strongly affirmed. This needed miracle was clearly within the realm of possibility for the disciples and for the father of the boy and for the crowd surrounding them. The Lord's rebuke is strong and his displeasure is not in the sinful condition or critical needs people have but in our faithlessness. "All things can be done for the one who believes." Even the dad's struggle with doubt does not prevent the miracle as he engages the faith he does have. All this said, the disciples ask further into the mystery of their inability to "deliver." They had obviously attempted which would indicate some level of faith for this act to be accomplished. Yet, they were unable to do what their faith assured them could be done. No only so, but we know that they'd been successful in the deliverance, healing, raising the dead activities for prior to this event they’d returned to report such to the Lord. They ask him why and he answers.

Their inability was not about no faith but how faith works in the daily and non-emergency times of life. The rescue of the boy was not dependent on the Lord's deity - Jesus' dialogue with the group and with the disciples in private make this point very clear. Jesus identifies that one of the real evidences of faith is revealed in our prayer lives. The faith Jesus highlights for the healing of the boy is not about the moment or even the possibility but all about the expression of faith in prayer. Apparently, it is not about the faith and prayer of the moment but all about the faith and prayer in cadence day by day. Jesus' answer coupled with the fact that he didn't ask the dad to wait awhile while he went off to pray only serves to emphasize the point. How many times did the Lord send "the boys" ahead so he could stay and pray. He is often up before them all at prayer. And in the garden, they fall asleep while he, in prayer, falls under the load and at the Father's feet. Even when Jesus knows the answer is no -- he still prays, he still asks according to the greatness of his Father. I'm still wondering if in heaven we're rewarded for how we asked rather than just how we received:).

A - My now 56 year old life has been through many seasons. In these seasons my prayer life has fluctuated. I don't think that this is all bad and I don't think that volume alone is the only indicator. We're not heard for the greatness (volume) of our words and yet we can say as much as we want to. I do believe that a part of prayer life is the Lord taking our requests as seriously as we do as evidenced by our prayers (Luke 18). I also believe that pouring out my heart in prayer makes room for him to pour in what is needed. Also, prayer is one of the ways we can draw near and stay near his person … it really is me making myself loving present to the God and King who is everywhere. With all these many words the application for me is to be growing in my prayer life day by day (not always measureable but always active). Faith is more than what I am willing to believe the Lord for at a moments' notice; it includes what I am willing to give my time and attention to day by day. I want to be someone he can count on for the kind who won't come out except by prayer.

P - Lord who prayed and who taught us to pray,

I admit my need to grow in prayer, to contend in prayer and to live out a prayer life which is essential to the faith that makes you glad (pleases you - Hebrews 11). With more of the 'I never been this way before' territory in front of me, many moments will be thrust upon me and in them all I want to believe you -- to have and use the faith that you commend, the faith that moves mountains and can be as small as a mustard seed. Apparently, I won't always know what "kind" of faith is required … the immediate or the seasoned faith. Either way, prayer remains essential. So, in my routine, the cadence of my daily life, help me find the way forward to be with you in prayer more and more. I need spirit help, Lord. My spirit remains willing and my flesh is not only weak but often resistant. My history is a contradiction … more time spent praying does not always equal more answers or less resistance or more power. Nevertheless, I do thank you for your decision to make prayer count … it is your mechanism of grace to which you have committed yourself. I make myself lovingly present to you and say … teach me your ways O Lord and lead me in a straight path. Let me know the pleasure of your company and the delight of your work on earth as it happens in heaven. Lord, I turn to you the face and ask, shape me in your image; use me in your plan and purpose; let me be a living stone and a living word and a living sacrifice to you and to others. I welcome you and your promises from a far. My answer is yes! Lord I believe, help my unbelief!

Even so come, Lord Jesus,

Steve