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