Am I Thinking Something or Someone?

S - Revelation 10:1-7 (NLT): "Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, surrounded by a cloud, with a rainbow over his head. His face shone like the sun, and his feet were like pillars of fire. And in his hand was a small scroll, which he had unrolled. He stood with his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land. And he gave a great shout, like the roar of a lion. And when he shouted, the seven thunders answered. When the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write. But a voice from heaven called to me: "Keep secret what the seven thunders said. Do not write it down." Then the mighty angel standing on the sea and on the land lifted his right hand to heaven. And he swore an oath in the name of the one who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and everything in it, the earth and everything in it, and the sea and everything in it. He said, "God will wait no longer. But when the seventh angel blows his trumpet, God's mysterious plan will be fulfilled. It will happen just as he announced it to his servants the prophets.""

O - God's mysterious plan is exactly that - mysterious.  The mystery is greater than the unknowns which are many.  This mystery includes such realities as the fact that there is a plan at all, the plan itself (methods, timing, players, etc.) and our part in it (we're often unaware of it).  The Greek literally reads "the mystery of God" and this is exactly the point.  God's plan is not comprised only of ideas, principles, goals and timelines … it is infused with himself.  It is mysterious because he is mysterious … he can be known and yet is beyond all knowing; revealed in Jesus and yet higher than the highest heavens. God's plan does not only require God's activity for fulfillment it requires God … his person and presence not just his activities or power.

A - Most of us fear that we will somehow miss God's plan and the real issue is will we miss his person?  This is the classic difference from the earliest of our existence on the planet to now.  God has never flickered or struggle to have a plan and to be able to completely accomplish that plan.  Adam, Eve, Cain, Able, Seth, Moses, Pharaoh, Saul, David, Rahab, Esau, Jacob, Judas, John, Peter, Pilate, Paul, Ananias and Sapphira … all involved one way or the other in God's mysterious and unstoppable plan.  Some were more aware than others but what makes all the difference in this world and in the next is the response to his person and presence.  Even Jonan found that a recalibration to the presence changed everything for him and yet changed nothing in God's plan (Jonah 2:8-10). Today is my day to come near and stay near.  Everything else is not the point and when I'm near the plan will never be the problem.  Jesus' point: the kingdom of heaven is at hand, repent (change the way you think)!

P - Lord of all and Lord of me,

The mystery and the misery of your ways coupled with my own fallen nature want me to focus on the things rather than on you.  I am not happy about his malady, I only confess it (you already know it) so that I may be helped by you in the changing of how I think about today, your person, purpose and plan.  Lord, I think every day starts the same - with you all things are possible AND every day you're knocking at the door of my life/heart asking for entrée though you have it by right.  Lord, I throw open the door to you, your person, presence, purpose and plan and ask that I can be near and stay near you.  I believe you. I welcome you and your will. I trust you.  I mix your promises with faith unto fellowship with you (Father, Son and Spirit) and on to the new wineskins, mulberry trees in the ocean and that which is too wonderful for me.
Repenting (i.e. thinking differently),
Steve

Christmas 'Last Words'

S - Luke 1:30a, 37-38 (TLJ): "The angel said to Mary … God can do anything! Mary said, ' I am the servant of the Lord God. Let this thing you have said happen to me!" Then the angel went away."

O - We live in a day and age where everyone always wants the last word; politicians, teachers, scientists, news commentators and religious leaders most often leading the way.  The Christmas exchange between the angel Gabriel and the young Nazareth virgin Mary (an unlikely pairing) hold the ultimate last words for heaven and for earth; for beings celestial and terrestrial. God's kingdom encompasses both heaven and earth and the last words of heaven to Mary and her last words to Gabriel reveal the only right conclusion both can come to.  Heaven says to all: God can do anything!  The point is not merely academic … it is personal and practical. Earth says to all: I am the servant of the Lord God. Let this thing you have said happen to me.  The beauty of these last words includes relief from our points of origin.  The focus is not where you're from or even what you're made of (heaven or earth) but rather what will be your last words to any day, any situation and any other person? What if we lived and shared these last words every day while it is called today?  Just think what could happen in heaven and on earth and in us!

A - As a human being reaction is a part of my make-up and design.  I can't always control my initial response to anyone or anything.  Fear, shock, anxiety can all emerge immediately and predominately in the midst of life on earth. In fact, fear is how Mary started her encounter with heaven.  She confirms the truth that it's not the first thoughts or words but the last which will really carry the day. My assignment is less about my first reaction and way more about my conclusion to any day, any situation and other person.  I want to embrace and live out loud these last words: God can do anything! Whatever he's up to I’m in!  Let it be to me just as he as planned and purposed!

P - Lord,

You know exactly where I'm from and what I'm made of and you call me to these last words for every day, every situation and every other person.  I do believe this to be true because of Jesus, your written voice and the presence of the Holy Spirit.  So, Lord, please let me follow you in this regard as well.  Let me think, speak and live these last words unto new wineskins, mulberry trees in the ocean and that which is too wonderful for me.

In them,
Steve

It Really is ALL or NOTHING

S - Titus 3:1-7 (NIV): "Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. 3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."

O - This passage affirms the Lord's unalterable equation: Grace and Mercy for ALL = Grace and Mercy for Me. As a true equation it can (and in the kingdom sense must be) read both ways. Any alteration to one side requires an alteration on the other side. Thus, Grace and Mercy for Me = Grace and Mercy for ALL. We are saved "not because of righteous things" we do but "because of his mercy." We have the hope of eternal life because we have been justified by GRACE. This is why we are to treat others, all others, with true humility and to slander no one. If I want to drop (remove, refuse) even one person from the ALL on one side of God's equation it requires the ME to be dropped from the other. Jesus confirms this at the end of his teaching prayer … if you won't forgive men when (not if) they sin against you then neither will your Father in Heaven forgive you. There really is no middle ground on this … ALL GRACE FOR ALL or NO HOPE FOR ME.

A - Because of grace (poured out generously because of God's kindness and love) I am to be engaged not only in doing that which is good but to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate and to show true humility toward ALL men. This is something I want to do! I want the life of Jesus (real, vibrant, holy, irrepressible) flowing into me and out of me. I want to have my heart tuned to heaven, available and vigilant to the Holy Spirit and to be a reason others would believe. Since I am such a recipient of the magnanimous heart and actions of the Lord he is calling me to join him in this strong family likeness and intentionally live this way too. What a great Christmas exchange … no white elephants here … rather a Merry Christmas to all and to all a great hope!

P - God who is Christmas,
Thank you for today and for all you are doing to redeem, reconcile, transform and bring lasting hope to our very terse and temporary planet. Lord, I want to treat all others the way you have so undeservedly and relentlessly loved and treated me. I want to live out loud your goodness and greatness and be one through whom others come to know and love you back. Thank you for your unflickering and relentless love. I do love you back.
Steve

How or How?

S - Luke 1:18, 34 (NIV): "Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."  … "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?""

O - At first blush these two questions seem just about the same.  However, heaven's response to them is not. O yes, both events will still happen but Zechariah will lose his capacity to speak until John is born and Mary will not lose her virginity while giving birth to Jesus.  Both questions are about how.  The first questions God's intention, the second recognizes the current problem. Zechariah is not struggling with possibility but with skepticism; he wants a sign before the miracle, a "proof" that he won't get his hopes up for nothing.  Mary's how is about the practics not God's intent.  She may be wondering about the angel's understanding of how these things normally work … since he's not from around here.  At the core, Zechariah is offering a conditional response to God and Mary an unconditional one. Both will experience his deeds but only one stepped immediately into his ways. 

A - I see this distinction not as a performance issue but as a relational issue.  If performance were the key then Zechariah would forfeit his miracle and some other relative would have to fill the bill.  The issue for these two is the issue for me.  Will I rely on God's love, his person or on my current understanding and history? Will I start at "all things are possible" or at skepticism? Will I be this world's "grown-up" or heaven's "little child"?  Jesus prayed out (Matthew 11:25-26): "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure." My assignment is to live out loud the relationship he desires … dearly loved children who dearly love him back unto the faith that pleases!

P - God of the impossible,

Thank you that you've never required flawless performance.  Thank you that nothing is too difficult, impossible or too wonderful for you.  Thank you that your response to the world is all inclusive and without condition.  All are wanted and all may come.  Lord of all and Lord of me, I come.  I throw open the doors of my heart in unqualified welcome to you and your will.  I want to please you by faith and by trust … the fierce personal loyalty you deserve and offer to all who will come near and stay.  

All in,

Steve

The Buck Really does Stop Here

S - 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NLT): "Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone. But their trust should be in the living God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give generously to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may take hold of real life."

O - Jesus has made it very clear that money will vie for our loyalty and that none of us are exempt from this often subtle but decisively critical altercation. This dynamic is not limited to the excessively wealthy. Even the poorest will be required to face this challenge on a regular basis. There really is no middle ground. We will serve money or God; ultimately we will love one and hate the other, we will cling to one and refuse the other. How do we avoid, and keep avoiding, the lure and pull of this commodity we are all required to interact with? We are told to assess at two points: pride and trust. Pride is something the Lord will resist in his love and grace is that which he will always give to the humble. Trust, fierce personal loyalty, is for the Lord alone. It is verified only under pressure when the intense and personal nature of it is more than apparent. From this internal assessment a check list is offered so we may know how we are fairing in this unavoidable contest for our loyalty.

1. Am I using my resources for good which does not directly help me?
2. Is my "account of good works" as active and large as my bank account?
3. Am I generous to those in need or restrained, skeptical and/or judgmental toward them?
4. Do I think, speak and live out the truth that all my resources and capacities are from God and not from my hard work or brilliant life strategies?
5. Am I more concerned about retaining my financial status or my personal obedience to the Lord and his leading?
6. Do I make financial decisions based on my fear of future loss or lack rather than the future of the age to come?

A - There is no virtue in poverty and no safety from this dynamic - greed and pride and self-deception are not reserved for the rich and famous. I admit that I will never be exempt from this dynamic regardless of my age or financial status (for the good or the bad). While we do not live by bread alone we do live by bread and this is why this issue is so critical to us. Jesus presents himself and his Father as the God of daily bread, not just spiritual dynamics focused exclusively on the end of life and the next life. If his Lordship and instruction do not find me in this very practical area (and keep finding me) there is serious doubt that it has actually found me anywhere in my life. The beauty of this is its very tangible nature … I know if I'm giving and living generously or if I am engaging a "stewardship" based on fear or lack or want. I choose to live and give in the generosity which is focused on him and his never ending Kingdom.

P - Lord of Daily Bread,
Thank you for calling me to yourself and to learn the ways of your kingdom. Lord, I pray against the yeast of the Pharisees (who loved money and tithed) and for the yeast of your kingdom to work into me and throughout my entire life/being. Lord, I welcome you and your promises from afar and I am believing you in this time as we pursue what I am convinced you have put in my heart. I am promising you no greed, gloat or grudge. I am living out loud the faith (fierce personal loyalty) which engages acts of obedience which must be followed by your acts. I am grateful to be doing such and thankful that you are leading us today and everyday. Dear Lord and Friend, we (Jan and me) are gratefully following.
Steve

Stupid is as Stupid … Wait a Minute

S - Matthew 8:23-27 (NLT): "Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a terrible storm came up, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went to him and woke him up, shouting, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" And Jesus answered, "Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!" Then he stood up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly all was calm. The disciples just sat there in awe. "Who is this?" they asked themselves. "Even the wind and waves obey him!"

O - In a world of storms and countless drowned fishermen the Lord's question seems rather … forgive me for this, stupid.  This apparent stupidity is followed by a statement which reveals a truth the world still refuses (even the church world).  Little or no faith concludes only what it knows to be the inevitable.  Experience, accurate assessment of conditions and options all confirm the diagnosis … blub, blub, blub.  This world, our world, fallen and full of unexpected and tragic events looks very different to the eyes of faith. Earth's inevitable and heaven's inevitable are nothing alike and Jesus' consistent point is that heaven is near; not just in the invisible and eternal but in the tangible and now. The Lord's question and statement are followed by actions which leave no other conclusion: to him who believes nothing shall be impossible.

A - Little faith (mustard seed size) can literally move a mountain or toss a tree into the ocean and … it can also shut down and give-up even when the Lord has planned something better.  The "encouragement" to shutdown is fueled by past requests which have not been answered as asked or by overwhelming emotions and thoughts in the face of overwhelming dynamics.   Jesus' response to the disciples was not "how could you have been so foolish as to sail into a storm?" or "stop whining and row harder!" The issue is faith in God's power and trust in the person of Jesus not the magnitude of the storm or the history of men at sea. My assignment as a follower of Jesus is not to assess probabilities of outcome but to do the work of believing and asking. What makes the impossible possible is always the same … me taking Jesus at his word.

P - Lord of All,
I thank you for allowing me to come near and stay near and to ask anything.  I admit that killer storms want to kill my faith or at least shut it down.  I also admit that waiting to see how things turn out is not the same thing as believing that things will turn out well; and that in this season of believing I still have to wait until the storm subsides and we are safely on the shore.  So, today while it is called today I default to faith in your limitless power and trust in your impeccable person.  Lord, I yield to your awesome brilliance and extreme goodness as you work everything for good.  I will work with you and do the work of believing.
Steve

More Important than Light

S - John 1:1-5, 14 (NLT): "In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. He was in the beginning with God. He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn't make.  Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone.  The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.  … So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness [Greek - grace and truth].  And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father."

O - Jesus' life is the true light which is shining, giving light to all and which the darkness (in all its forms and furry) cannot extinguish.  This Life, this only true Son comes among us and makes the way for all of us to become God's children … not just the result of his creative capacity but the wanted and cared for members of his ever expanding family and household.  Jesus is life and life is available to all and it is available to all the same way - in Jesus.  This life, irrepressible, eternal, vibrant, refreshing is exclusively available in Jesus and universally offered to all. It is possible to benefit from the light and miss the life.  It is impossible to have the life and miss the light. 

A - Jesus has not yet eliminated the darkness … he shines through it.  There will be a day when he will expel it all.  Until that day we have the light of his life shining so that we can follow and find our way.  Isaiah warns us about light sources other than the life of Jesus.  He says (Isaiah 50:10-11): "Who among you fears the LORD and obeys his servant? If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the LORD and rely on your God. But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires. This is the reward you will receive from me: You will soon lie down in great torment." In this season of long and deep shadows and obscured vistas, I am called to the person of Jesus for life and the light his life provides.  I will refuse all other forms (even the lawful) for I have no desire to take my fate upon myself or gain the temporary comfort of my own light and warmth only to have it give way to great torment.  I choose to come near and stay near the life and true light and embrace and endure the current discomfort (often intense, seemingly unrelenting) and wait with him for his will and desire to be clearly seen and accomplished.  I am not content to merely enjoy his light, I want to be one in whom his life flows unto his glory and the good of all.

P - Lord who is Life,

Thank you for wanting us, and for wanting to have your very life in us and through us.  Lord, this day comes to me from you, your brilliance, power and goodness … crafted, designed and fully resourced to do exceedingly abundantly above all I am asking or imagining.  I welcome you and your day to carry the day in me and through me according to grace and for the sake of love.  Lord, I do want to be a faithful and trusted servant, an unfeigned friend, a child who brings you pleasure, a son who does your bidding not to prove worthy but because of love.  Lord, I turn to you because of love … because you have loved me first, and most and refused to change your mind.  I am asking, seeking, knocking for new wineskins, mulberry trees in the ocean and for that which is too wonderful for me.  I turn away from all other light and heat sources and say what is forever true and forever my desire: ONLY YOU!

Steve

20/20 in the 21st Century

S - 1 Corinthians 16:8-9 (NIV): "But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me. "
 

O - What is wrong with this picture? The combination of circumstances in Ephesus defy our 21st Century worldview.  How can the Lord set open a great door for effective (ἐνεργής: active, operative: - effectual, powerful) work AND allow great opposition (ἀντίκειμαι: to lie opposite, that is, be adverse [figuratively repugnant] to: - adversary, be contrary, oppose) at the same time? Doesn't one negate the other?  Doesn't opposition equate to  ineffectiveness or won't effectiveness eliminate opposition ... and here they are married together? What a minute, is this combination a constant in the life of Jesus? Didn't he say the students are not above their teacher and servants are not above their master?  Wow, 21st century "vision" seems pretty short-sighted from this perspective.  The problem isn't in this picture but in our culture's preconceived and erroneous ideals.

A - I am a resident of the 21st century and I come complete with all the attending issues implied, known and unknown. Fortunately for me (and for us all) Jesus came so that the blind would see.  I want to see clearly according to Jesus and God's Kingdom … unto all that he intends on earth.  I admit my need for my vision to healed day by day. Eyes that see, ears that hear and a heart that understands require his specific and ongoing interface with my life and world. Clear vision one day does not guarantee the same for the next.  Like his mercy being new every morning I need my vision healed every morning too.  This is life as he intends it to be lived. 

P - Lord who makes the seeing and the blind,

My vision seems weaker than usual today but you are strong, you are intent on giving me/us eyes that see and ears that hear and a heart that understands. And so Sovereign Strong, please touch my eyes, my ears and my heart today while it is called today.  Please, Lord, engage me according to your defiant mercy, relentless love and powerful grace.  Today I want to stay near, love you back and be a reason someone else might believe. Jesus, none like you!  Father, I am asking that my vision would be healed so that I will  not see myself or others like trees walking. Please expel the yeast of the Pharisees and infuse my life with the yeast of your kingdom. According to grace I will follow no matter where you lead and no matter what I face.
Steve

Seeing It as it Is

S - Mark 2:5-12 (NLT): "Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "My son, your sins are forgiven." But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there said to themselves, "What? This is blasphemy! Who but God can forgive sins!" Jesus knew what they were discussing among themselves, so he said to them, "Why do you think this is blasphemy? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man, `Your sins are forgiven' or `Get up, pick up your mat, and walk'? I will prove that I, the Son of Man, have the authority on earth to forgive sins." Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, "Stand up, take your mat, and go on home, because you are healed!" The man jumped up, took the mat, and pushed his way through the stunned onlookers. Then they all praised God. "We've never seen anything like this before!" they exclaimed."

O - Faith, authority, forgiveness and healing are all working in this occurrence. All of these essentials turn on, rest on and are validated by the person of Jesus. Jesus is 'Jesusing' at this moment. He could have simply healed, wowed the crowd and gone on with his teaching.  Instead, he draws us all in by bringing up the greatest issue for every human - sin.  He is about the Father's work, he is about the Kingdom's nearness, he is about God's love for the whole world.  This miracle and the dialogue which accompanies it is for believers and skeptics, for the strong and the helpless, for the well informed who are missing the point and for uninformed who aren't sure there is one, for participants and onlookers alike.  How generous.  How loving.  How marvelous … it really is too wonderful.  Jesus in his 'Jesusing' makes the way and leaves the room for any and all to come near, to believe and to stay near the one who has authority in all realms at all times. Repent (change and open up your mind) for the Kingdom of God is near!

A - Jesus exceeded the request and met the greatest needs of all, not just the needs of the man on the mat.  In my little world, I often and quite naturally fall into a one or the other mentality.  Sin or physical healing.  Talk for believers or talk for unbelievers.  The immediate and temporal or the spiritual and eternal. Jesus has no trouble, strain or lack in dealing with it all at the same time.  He wants me to know and have proof (eijvdw - have your eyes wide open and fully understand) that he is the authority and has authority (ejxousiva - jurisdiction, right, power, liberty, ability )… that I will live out loud in the confident, generous and limitless provision of heaven.  I need to open up and change my mind … the Kingdom of God and the Great King are at hand.

P - Lord of All and Lord of me,

I admit that I know more than I live out loud … that I falter in living the beauty and truth you have given to me in yourself, your word, your spirit and even in this fallen world.  Today, Lord, I woke up once again seeing people walking like trees and I am relying on you to touch my eyes so I may see clearly, wide open and with clarity.  In the face of that which seems futile or impossible or devastating you say don't be afraid, merely believe.  Lord I believe, help my unbelief.  Thank you for this day in which I get to live out the authority of your too wonderful for me person.  I really do love you back!
Steve

The Narrow Door: Trying Hard in Grace

S - Luke 13:22-27 (TLJ): "Jesus was teaching in every town and village. He continued to travel toward Jerusalem. Someone said to him, "Lord, how many people will be saved? Only a few?"  Jesus said, "The door to heaven is narrow. Try hard to enter it. Many people will want to enter there, but they will not be able to go in.  If a man locks the door of his house, you can stand outside and knock on the door, but he won't open it. You can say, 'Sir, open the door for us.' But he will answer, 'I don't know you. Where did you come from?'  Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you. You taught in the streets of our town.' The he will say to you, 'I don't know you. Where did you come from? Get away from me! You are all people who do wrong!'""

O - In this mixed up world there is this problem … not only are we always trying to determine who is "in" and who is "out" we're seriously and often way off on who that actually is.  I want to think I'm in, that I've entered the narrow door … but of course the Pharisees thought they were in and Jesus spent three years trying not only to convince them that they were out but to also come in. Why would Jesus tell us that not only is the door narrow but we must try hard to enter it and that there will be many who want to but won't? How hard is grace?  And, since all can come why would those who want in not be able to get in? The following thoughts are current in me:

1.       Grace is amazing but it is not accidental or haphazard.  The door is narrow because ONLY grace gains entrance not theology, lack of sinning or religious status.

2.       Grace isn't earned but it can be refused. We have to "try hard" because we must enter the narrow door every day, not just once somewhere in our "religious history." Jesus calls me/us every day to "enter the narrow door."

3.       I can want "in" among many other wants and some of those wants can easily be ahead of wanting in the narrow door.  Nothing/no one must be allowed to precede this "want" and need. Jesus makes this clear numerous times in his teaching the disciples and the crowds.

A - When it comes to determining who is "in" and who is "out" I am to be very quiet about conclusions--except for the 2x4 in my own eye.  The real issue for me/us is me/us not another. Am I entering the narrow door today? Am I trying hard so that nothing and no one precludes the undivided and pure devotion Jesus, who is the door, deserves?  Today while it is called today I need to remove the log from my own eye and turn into the door, narrow but welcoming, and try hard to go in.  Amazing!

P - Jesus who is the door,

Thank you for wanting all and for making the way for all and for inviting all to enter this specific portal of grace new every day.  Thank you for loving us at our worst and for working everything for good if we'll just love you back and stay called according to your purpose.  Today, I want to try hard and to do the work of believing … so that everything you have worked, dreamt, died and rose again for will transpire in me and through me according to grace.  Lord, I really do love you back!
Kata Karis*,
Steve

*Transliteration of Koine Greek for "according to grace"

Real Grace has to Stay Amazing

S - Galatians 5:4-6, 13-14 (NLT): "For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God's grace. But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive everything promised to us who are right with God through faith. For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, it makes no difference to God whether we are circumcised or not circumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.  … For you have been called to live in freedom--not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

O - This reality, when and how we are made right with God, never changes.  Jesus did not give people who believe in him a "clean slate" that they are supposed to keep clean on their own from that day forward.  He did not give us a "jump start" and then make us responsible to "keep the car running."  We are made right and kept right only one way ...faith in Jesus.  Any other attempt, attitude or conclusion is worse than error … it is bondage unto death.   This is the freedom that keeps us free.  This is an amazing part of amazing grace.  Grace is not only how we start it is the ONLY way we stay.  Jesus sets us free to serve God and others according to love, a freedom we could never earn or work hard enough to keep.  Jesus keeps us.  His love and grace keeps us we don't keep ourselves. 

A - This reality which never changes is one which we all try and change many times along the way … even unintentionally.  Our logical minds and fallen natures combine to create formulaic ideals which masquerade as wisdom and righteousness. The written voice of God says "These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence (Colossians 2:22-23)." My/our propensity over time to this tragic mistake is another reason why we need each other, the written voice and the ongoing reality of personal relationship with Jesus.  If any observance of the law can make or keep us righteous enough for God then Jesus died for nothing.  I do not want my life to carry this message on earth or to be reflecting it to heaven.  Amazing grace needs to stay amazing in and through me and through all.

P - Lord who really is amazing,

Thank you for this day and for the relentless truth that I can never make or keep myself in the righteousness you require … and you don't want me to ever try.  You put and keep me there and this keeps me close to you - the place I really want and need to be.  I am so grateful that amazing grace stays amazing forever in my life and through my life for your glory and the good of all.  Forgive me for my lapses … toward myself in approval and toward others in disapproval.  Thank you for calling us/me to yourself so that we would have real life.  Lord, I come to stay because you made the way and you keep me.  No one is able to pull away from you those the Father has given you and you never push them out.  I rejoice in the security of your love and offer mine back to you.  Lord, I do love you back.  Let me make you glad and bring you glory.
In Them,
Steve

So, Can I Really be Trusted?

S - John 7:16-18, 23-24 (TLJ): "Jesus answered, "What I teach is not my own.  My teaching comes from the one who sent me. People who really want to do what God wants will know that my teaching comes from God.  They will know that this teaching is not my own.  If I taught my own ideas, I would just be trying to get honor for myself. But if I am trying to bring honor to the one who sent me, I can be trusted.  Anyone doing that is not going to lie. … Yes, you often circumcise baby boys on a Sabbath day.  This shows that someone can be circumcised on a Sabbath day to obey the Law of Moses.  So why are you angry with me for healing a person's whole body on the Sabbath day? Stop judging by the way things look. Be fair and judge by what is really right."

O - Jesus really is the way and shows the way for us all.  He shows us how we are to "share" or "speak" or "teach" or "proclaim."  In our world (religious and secular) people use truths or principles all the time to affirm and move forward their own agendas.  Jesus is showing us that even this is a huge problem and the problem is one of trust.  It's not that all people are moving bad, wicked or evil agendas … it's that we are moving agendas at all.  What hangs in the balance is not doing a good thing or not but rather who can be trusted.  The little manipulation or alteration for appearances or mixed motives to accomplish something "good" is the bad yeast Jesus warns all of his followers about repeatedly.  We must take extreme care in assessing our own hearts, words and motives.  We are called to work with the Lord in that which is already doing NOT work for him with ideas we claim his authority for. It's really straight forward according to Jesus. When we work with him we can be trusted and when we work for him we can't.

A - The application here for me is huge.  I teach, share, speak all the time and I'm engaged in projects for the 2/3's world which require funding.  If "good" is the only measure I can do and say almost anything. If motives, agenda and working with Jesus are the measure I am limited AND can be completely trusted.  Of course, choosing the limitations of with Jesus ends like his requirement of losing my ends.  I find my life and am working with the confidence that I can ask him anything … and with him anything is possible.  Tenderly he does not require me to be flawless in the repelling of this yeast but blameless.  He will help me/us to learn, grow and become those who are consistently to be trusted.

P - Lord who is forever to be trusted,
Thank you for refusing to launch out on your own in your Father's name.  Thank you for warning us/me about this yeast, for forgiving it whenever we/I get infected and for calling us to grow, learn and become those who bear, according to grace, the strong family likeness of being trustworthy.  Lord, I do rely completely on you and want to me one you (and all others) can rely on as well.  With King David I say, teach me your ways and lead me in a straight path.
All my love,
Steve

What Do You Say to Yourself When the Pressure is On?

S - Lamentations 3:24-26, (NIV): "I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.  … For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men."

O - Wait quietly? Waiting when literally "all hell is breaking loose" is not only a challenge for the one waiting but for those close by who think it's us on them to work something out.  To the world (religious and secular) waiting under the pressure of severe trouble or trial is rarely (maybe never) viewed as a good choice.  They claim adult responsibilities, stewardship, loving and caring for others, the very same claims which are used to rationalize an exemption from the actions of God pleasing faith (e.g. the reasoning used at Kadesh Barnea, Numbers 13,14). In the end, this kind of "logic" leaves us denying the Lord's person and personal involvement.  Such patterns conclude in actually trusting in oneself and not in the Living God. This distinction strikes to the very heart of all issues … pleasing God with faith.  We can risk, sacrifice, work hard and use the words of Scripture all without faith; but we can never please God without it.  Under the "deserved" punishments Jeremiah resolves to wait and to rely on God because so great is his unfailing love ...he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.

A - I want to be one who waits and relies on God so that I will not be attempting to work for him when he's called me (and all) to be those who work with him.  Waiting is work just like believing is work … that we may in fact work the works of God.  He is not only magnanimous and generous he is extreme in his goodness, relentless in his love and delighted to engage us and our world.  Today, my place is with him not for him, in him not about him, looking for his assignment rather than me making one up on his behalf.  Even if my circumstances are the worst and a deserved worst at that (and thankfully today they are actually very good) Jesus calls me to come near and to stay near, to wait, to believe and to receive his affirmation and assignment.  This I gladly choose to do according to grace.

P - God Almighty, Lord of all and Lord of me,

You remember us, have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, never forget to be merciful and never forget that we are frail as breath and just dust. You have set your affection upon us and refuse to change your mind. Lord, today I want to do the waiting and work which is your will on earth like it happens in heaven so that I am relying on you and not on me "in your name".  Today I admit your great and tender brilliance, generosity and commitment toward the race you fashioned in your own image.  Please cause your irrepressible resurrection life to flow into me and out of me that I may be all you intend and be a blessing to all I come in contact with today.  You have loved me/us first and most and have refused to change your mind … and I have given you reasons all along the way and you won't!  These thoughts make be bold according to your love, your person, your beauty.  O King, thank you for letting me/us and wanting me/us to be with you and in you forever.  I do love you back!

Steve

It's not When Pigs Fly but When They Drown

S - Mark 5:14-15, 17 (TLJ): "The men who had the work of caring for the pigs ran away. They ran to the town and to the farms and told everyone what happened.  The People went out to see. They came to Jesus, and the saw the man who had the evil spirits. He was sitting down and was wearing clothes. He was in his right mind again. When they saw this, they were afraid.  … Then the people began to beg Jesus to leave their area."

O - Fear is a funny thing.  Over time the town's folk had grown used to the naked man with all the demons who lived in the burial caves.  They had accepted him as some of the unavoidable collateral damage this world produces and contains.  A guy with a legion of resident demons--no problem. What scared them was when Jesus put him in his intended condition … near, clothed, fully engaged. Their conclusion based on fear?  Beg Jesus to leave … now! Why not beg him to stay?  Why not ask him to help others?  Why not rejoice in the freedom of the man?  Fear seems to be the answer. I wonder who brought this guy the clothes?  Did a couple of the disciples donate a piece of their clothing?  Did one of the town's people who as first on the scene accomplish this?  Whoever did it wasn't afraid … and I think in this regard Jesus wants all of us to not be afraid and to partner with him in the freedom he brings … and for the begging … that we beg him to go with him.

A - I want to be someone who will partner with Jesus; who will be happy for one set free rather than fearful; who will be concerned to bring clothes rather than furious at the drowned pigs.  Even when I am afraid, and in following Jesus we do experience fear, I want to beg him to stay and to beg him to let me go with him.  I want to live out loud the terms of David's response: the time I afraid I will trust in him.  Today, I want to partner with the Lord, refuse to accept collateral damage and stay near.  Wow, what a great assignment today while it is called today.

P - Lord who is freedom, life, hope and the friend of sinners,
Thank you for my assignment today in staying near, in partnership even when I am afraid.  Thank you for loving all and calling me to love with you.  Thank you for leading … and Lord I beg you please DO NOT leave the region of my life and PLEASE let me go with you, work with you and be with you today while it is called today.  Let your irrepressible and vibrant life flow into me and out of me.  Lord, I want to be someone who runs for the clothes not from the pigs. 
Lord, I love you back,
Steve

Shakespeare was Right about the Question of Being

S - Luke 24:44-53 (NLT): "Then he said, "When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me by Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must all come true." Then he opened their minds to understand these many Scriptures. And he said, "Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise again from the dead on the third day. With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: `There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.' You are witnesses of all these things.  "And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven." Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. They worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God.""

O - No one goes to the tomb thinking resurrection … everyone goes thinking corpse, thinking dead, thinking tragedy, thinking how do we go forward from here?  All of this is interrupted by Jesus suddenly appearing, coming along side and opening up the minds of those who have been with him for over three years.  Shouldn't their minds already be opened?  Shouldn't at least one of them been thinking resurrection?  And then … amidst the unbridled joy of Jesus appearing, of resurrection reality and a worldwide assignment they are told to wait.  And so they do and while they wait they spend all of their time in the Temple praising God.  Shouldn't they have gone into planning mode?  Why didn't they begin the process of "agreeing" on what the message of repentance would include?  After all, will waiting and praising get anything done?  This unique start to the Great Commission and real church life underscores the priorities of the Kingdom and our 21st century problems with them.  We are all about doing and the kingdom is always about being first.  So, the disciples will be … waiting and praising for days and days and then the doing will begin. We assume the "being" as an intellectual conclusion rather than a spiritual state and direct connection relationally to the person of the Lord.  The power the disciples will wait for would first deepen, enhance and intensify their being (praising God) rather than a mere equipping for doing.  We are called to witnesses of Jesus the person not promoters of information.  The great joy of the kingdom is always about being not doing … the doing flows from the being.  Doing without being ultimately disables the person and disables the message reducing it to mere information rather than a living being.

A - I live in a culture and among a people which are all about doing.  I am called to a person and a kingdom which are all about being unto a doing which is a partnership WITH not a function FOR someone.  Jesus did not work for his Father but with him. He has not called me/us to work FOR him but WITH him. This requires being unto doing rather than doing in place of being.  It is the difference between living and dying, between light which stays light and that which becomes a great darkness … it is the difference between the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of the Kingdom.  My assignment in this day and in every day, regardless of circumstance, is to be with him and then work with him.

P - Lord who is, who works and who calls me to come near,
Thank you for your life, your kingdom, your will and your ways upon the earth.  I admit that you and your ways are holy … not like me, not like this earth.  I run to you and ask that today I will be with you and then work with you.  I re-present all the details, pressures, hopes, fears, history and dynamics which swirl in and around me.  I lay my head on your chest and ask for your life to come into me and for your life to flow out of me.  Help me see YOU first and then the wealth of your kingdom and righteousness unto all the rest being added.  I remember that my asking is ultimately about you doing it (and maybe asking me to do something with you) rather than me doing it "for" you all on my own.  Lord, I seek, knock and ask for new wineskins, mulberry trees in the ocean and for that which is too wonderful for me.
Grateful to BE with you,
Steve

Salt in Good Measure

S - Psalm 150:1-2, 6; Luke 17:32-33 (NLT): "Praise the LORD! Praise God in his heavenly dwelling; praise him in his mighty heaven! Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness!  … Let everything that lives sing praises to the LORD! Praise the LORD! … Remember what happened to Lot's wife! Whoever clings to this life will lose it, and whoever loses this life will save it."

O - This imperative which concludes the book of Psalms is THE best and only true beginning for each day for every human being bar none.  It is not connected to nor precluded by any circumstance, situation, tragedy or failure.  It is directly connected to his person, unequaled greatness and mighty works.  It is the right response to each day because every day begins the same:  with God all things are possible.  Think of the possibilities available to us all in just a single day.  Darkness to light, death to life, sick to healthy, broken to healed, helpless to empowered, rejected to accepted, Joseph from Pharaoh's prison to Pharaoh's throne, Israel from Egypt's slaves to Egypt's conquerors, Daniel from the Lion's Den to the Empire's Governor, Esther from an orphan to a queen, fishermen to apostles and enemies of God to his dearly loved children all in a single day.  The constant in all of this is God … the God who is and who is near us, for us, with us and who in Jesus calls us to himself.  

A - The problem for me is not the thought or truth of all the possibilities in a single day but the years Joseph spent in prison waiting for the day, the 400 years which preceded Israel's deliverance, the heartache of Esther's loss before the joy of her life's calling.  Yet, not only does every day start the same (with God all things are possible) every day is sustained by the truth that he is working EVERYTHING for the good of those who love him back and stay called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). So, while I'm thinking about all the awesome possibilities this very day holds I also get to cling to the person who makes them all possible; knowing that he is working even when I do not see it or understand it.  He is calling me to the fierce personal loyalty (trust) he deserves and also gives to me.  It seems that when I'm clinging to "my life" my praise is often subdued or silent.  When I'm clinging to him my praise is consistent and confident.  The difference between the delightful salt of the earth and a tragic pillar of salt (Lot's wife) may be determined by my clinging and assessed by my praising. 

P - Lord of life and Lord of all,

I do praise for this day which you have made and in your great mercy not only included me in this day but in your kingdom, will and very life.  I praise your excellent, flawless, brilliant greatness.  I praise your defiant mercy, relentless love and unflickering forgiveness.  I praise your awesome brilliance, limitless power and extreme goodness.  I surrender, lose, give-up and gladly lay down my life … clinging to you and your purposes.  I praise you for you are purposeful in not only everything you cause but in everything you allow.  Lord, you're allowing so much I can't explain … not only in the dark and difficult but in the blessing and beauty.  So, in this day, I hope in you.  I trust in you.  I cling to you and say Yes, Lord - lead on; I will follow.  I do love you back and choose you and your purpose. Lord, I remember you and Lot's wife.

Steve

Happy Days … Today While it is Called Today

S - Luke 10:38-42 (NLT): "As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord's feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord, doesn't it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me." But the Lord said to her, "My dear Martha, you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it--and I won't take it away from her.""

O - So, what would have happened if Martha had decided to sit down too?  Not as a boycott for "better working conditions" but to join Mary and the others in the discovery of the "only one thing worth being concerned about." Would they have all missed dinner? That seems to be about worst case scenario I can see in this situation.  Would Mary be able to just sit there if she was unwilling to abandon her worry?  I'm guessing not, based on my own life experience.  Even if she refused the work in the kitchen worry can so deeply distract and disable us that all other influences, even the person of Jesus, are minimized or missed.  Why did/would Jesus allow Mary to just sit there?  Culturally and practically shouldn't he shame her into action?  Scripturally shouldn't he invoke some principle or command about sharing, caring, helping or going the extra mile? The Scriptures don't tell us what happened.  But they do call us to a very important conclusion: there is only really one thing worth being concerned about and we should never let anything or anyone interfere with our ongoing response to it (him). All other issues and concerns can and ultimately will be taken away from us.  But this one cannot and will not be taken from us.  Jesus, his presence, his person is the one thing worth being concerned about. Apparently, Fonzie and Happy Days got it right "just sit on it."

A - Martha has been castigated for her "problem" for centuries … but I remind myself that she ran to the Lord as he approached her home after the death of her brother Lazarus while Mary stayed put.  Who is choosing better now?  This reality of priority and choosing is forever a tricky one for us humans.  There really is no formula.  Even our best intensions cannot guarantee a right conclusion.  In this story it seems to me that Martha is working for the Lord while Mary is working with him. In fact the Greek term for concern or need is (creiva) and it means employment, needful, required, business.   Ultimately Jesus will conclude his "session" and when he does he will:

a.       Send everyone home or to bed hungry and tell them suffering is a part of discipleship.

b.      Miraculously suspend the need for them to eat and quell their hunger pangs.

c.       Miraculously provide dinner like with the 5,000.

d.      Say … I'm starved, let's all get dinner going and then get up and lead the way to the kitchen.

However this event might have concluded, one reality remains … there is only one thing worth being concerned about which will not be taken from me or from any … and my assignment is to always focus my concern there - being with Jesus and working with Jesus not working for him.

P - Lord,
You are the something and the only thing worth being concerned about and you will never be taken from us and you will never forsake or abandon us.  I am often heading toward the kitchen or wondering why I'm not getting some immediate help here and this means I'm at least distracted and worried.  You call me to live only today and today there is only one thing worth being concerned about.  I surrender to, welcome and yield to you, your awesome brilliance, limitless power and extreme goodness.   Jesus, I love you back and need you to touch my eyes because I woke up again this morning seeing people walking like trees. Father, please help me by repelling the yeast of the Pharisees and infusing me with the yeast of your kingdom.  Holy Spirit, please intercede for me because I am weak and because you have a will on earth I'm invited to partner in.  Lord, I put, cast, fling all my anxieties on you … I want to work with you, be with you, love you back and have you and your Father and the Spirit living in me.  Please let your life flow into me and out of me.
Sitting with you,
Steve