Only One Thing?

S - "As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”" (Luke 10:38-43 NIV)

O - Is there really only one thing which is needed for us earthlings? What would happen if the whole world chose to live like Mary? How would anything ever get done? The world (secular and religious) believes that this story points out an impractical side of Jesus' interaction and cautions all to not take his words, in this case, too seriously. The record of how Jesus lived and his interaction with practical human need "call out" this cultural lie and point of fear and intimidation. Culture says such a response will leave the world lacking and its adherents lazy and ultimately impoverished. It sides with Martha unequivocally. Fortunately, Heaven isn't intimidated and knows different. One thing really is needed and all who choose to actually believe Jesus about earth (John 3:11-12)  find that he does not impoverish but enriches; is directly connected with heaven and earth and makes the same connection for all who will so choose. Something greater than the Temple, than Solomon, than Jonah, than the Sabbath is here. The will of God REQUIRES God day by day … This is how Jesus and his first followers lived. It is how he wishes all who call on his name to live too. All won't but all could.

A - In this life I am now living this exchange struck me deeply as I keep following day by day. I am attempting to daily choose what is needed - more than a set time for reading and praying - an ongoing embrace of Jesus' words about earth … which require ongoing intervention from him (miracles) of the most practical order … and "orders" from him to uniquely partner with him on earth; which actually sees (in the context of Martha's complaint) "dinner served too."

P - Lord who lets us choose,

Thank you that Martha is no less loved than Mary. Thank you for engaging us in real relationship where the choices of both parties really do matter. I will keep following. Jesus, I do, and want to, choose the one thing which is needed. I choose you back.

All my love,

Steve

Focus: Person not Plan

S - Acts 11:19-21 (ESV): "Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord."

O - The first followers of Jesus to "go into all the world" were not sent out by a religious group or even in some thought out, prayed about or organized way.  They followed the instruction of Jesus regarding persecution: "When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next … (Matthew 10:23 ESV)." Their going was not due to a prophetic word or spiritual strategy put together by the Apostles in Jerusalem. They were scattered. The result, however, was spectacular: "a great number believed and turned to the Lord." Those who believed were not confined to the religious culture of the Jews. As intended, the message from heaven was not limited to any one religion/culture. What was this message? The message, the Gospel, was and still, is a person. They presented "the Lord Jesus." They didn't offer creeds or historic events. They weren't trying to convert anyone to or from a particular religion. Instead they spoke to everyone concerning the Lord Jesus. Heaven didn't send a plan to earth. A person was sent who is the message. "“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son … (John 3:16 ESV)." According to Jesus there is only one way to the Father and that is through him (John 14:6); and there are currently 7.2 billion ways to Jesus.

A - I don't think these verses are forbidding us to think or plan or send out. I do think they must cause us to rethink many of the assumptions our own culture has groomed us in (literally to repent, i.e. to pursue and accept an ongoing transformation in our thinking to not be conformed to the pattern of this world). We're not saved by a plan. We're not adopted by God as his dearly loved children by what Jesus said or by what we think he said. The Scriptures do not save anyone and they do not bring us eternal life (John 5:39-40). We receive eternal life from Jesus. We are transformed by Jesus; the person not the concept. I will spend the rest of my life repenting … learning to think, speak, act and love like Jesus.

P - God who loves the whole world,

Thank you for sending Jesus and for calling us all to an ongoing transformation as dearly loved children. I admit there is so much about your ways that I do not understand and many things you allow that I do not like. Nevertheless, I am grateful to know the person of Jesus and that you are literally working everything, even bad things, for good. Thank you that life is a person and that your message, your good news, to the whole world is a person. When I see and hear him I see and hear you! I welcome everything that is already in your heart to do in me and through me. I do love you back.

I am saying this to you in Jesus' name,

Steve

God's Will or Ours?

S - Matthew 1:18-24 (NIV): "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us." When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife."

O - The Christmas Story not only reveals how Jesus came to earth but how heaven works with human beings.  Joseph and Mary are caught up in what God has already decided he would do.  They are not the initiators. They are asked to join the Lord in the plans he has; plans that require his direct involvement and activity. God's will always requires God.  The humans don't get it started and hope for God's agreement.  They are invited into what he is doing and asked for theirs.  Joseph does not help God, he cooperates with him.  This is the way of God on earth with earthlings.  

A - It's wonderful to know that God does have a will on earth that includes me and all my fellow citizens of earth.  His will is not something I do for him but with him. He does not require nor want my help.  Like any parent he wants my cooperation.  I am expected to rely on him for assigning me my part and for him doing his.  If I'm engaged in something that does not require his involvement and activity I'm missing my assignment; even if what I'm doing blesses and encourages others. 

P - Lord who is near and who acts on earth,

Thank you for wanting me to join you in what you already have in mind to do.  I want to stop helping you and completely cooperate with you.  Thank you for your desires and plans … and for wanting me to stay near you and cooperate.  I throw open the gates of my heart and say "speak Lord your servant is listening."

All my love,

Steve

Fear or Near?

S - 2 Corinthians 1:9 (NIV): “Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead."

O - Religious and secular culture teaches us to become self-reliant.  God's kingdom is calling us all to not rely on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.  This is how Jesus lived among us and how he insists we learn to live. Culture (which is always afraid of something) is afraid that such a lifestyle will produce lazy, foolish and entitled people.  Religion says 'pray like everything depends on God and work like everything depends on you'.  The problem with this is that it directly contradicts Jesus, his words and his life.  Jesus prayed, worked and lived like everything depended on God … the God who raises the dead.  He was the first to be raised from the dead to die no more and he says to all ‘follow me’. Jesus and his kingdom are fearless.  Heaven is never afraid and is always looking to love everyone. 

A - The fear in believing Jesus about earth is that it won't happen … he's really not that involved with human existence.  When it comes to daily bread we're really on our own; i.e. the kingdom really isn't as near as Jesus "implied" … it's more like 'if I should die before I wake' near.  Jesus asked Nicodemus (John 3:12) "I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?" I'm going to follow Jesus and engage as Paul did … not relying on myself but God, the God who raises the dead. I will believe Jesus about earth.

P - Lord of heaven and earth,

Thank you for wanting to be involved and leading in all of life … even daily bread details.  I admit that there are times I get afraid.  I also admit that I can't be running after what I'm going to eat, wear and store up AND actually follow you at the same time.  I admit that we can "take" the things you’ve promised to add.  Lord, I want to follow and believe. I will refuse to worry, run after and take. Instead I'll trust, follow and see it added. Thank you for coming to earth, living on earth and teaching us how to live here too.

Relying on you,

Steve

Heresy is Less about Talking and More about Living

S - "But there were also false prophets among the people, as there will be false teachers among you also, who will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, thus bringing on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their licentious ways, because of whom the way of truth will be reviled. And in greediness they will exploit you with false words, whose condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep." (2 Peter 2:1-3 LEB)

O - I used to think that "denying" was exclusively theological in nature.  If my theology on the identity of Jesus is "off" then I'm denying him.  This thinking was inspired and encouraged by all my religious training.  What I didn't see was that the demons always had accurate theology when they came in contact with Jesus.  They always knew and openly confessed his true identity.  Historically, the folks who launched the Crusades of the Middle Ages confessed the creed … but, like the demons, they lived in open denial and rebellion to the person and teaching of Jesus.  History and our current day are full of people who hold to "orthodox theology" about Jesus and are driven by greed and self-promotion.  Jesus left his followers only one assignment that if they would engage the world (secular and religious) would know that they are actually following him and that the Father did send him.  That assignment? To love each other (cf. John 13:35; 15:13; 17:23).  Wouldn't anyone who alters, ignores, minimizes or refuses this assignment be "denying the Master who bought them"?  Of the religious and theologically elite the Apostle Paul wrote: "For many live, of whom I spoke about to you many times, but now speak about even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ," (Philippians3:18 LEB)

A - Jesus has been teaching me that loving is more important than being right.  If I love him I'll end up not only accurate in my theology but empowered in my living and transformed in my thinking.  To God and his Kingdom, nothing is more important than love.  It's not accuracy which will keep me from denying him … but love will.  I choose to accept the assignment Jesus has given to all.  I will love all … it is the greatest ands the greatest commandment.  Everything hangs on it and if I do it not only will others know, I myself will live.

P - Lord Jesus,

The remedy and repelling of denying you is love, not theology.  Thank you for loving us first and most and for refusing to change your mind.  Today, while it is called today, I choose to accept the assignment you've given to all.  I will love you back with all my heart, mind, soul and strength and my neighbor as myself.  I will believe you about earth and not just about heaven. 

All my love,

Steve

The Devil's Workshop

S - "From that time on Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised on the third day. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, God forbid, Lord! This will never happen to you!” But he turned around and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a cause for stumbling to me, because you are not intent on the things of God, but the things of people!” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life on account of me will find it. (Matthew 16:21-25 LEB)

O - Jesus is living out the words he's saying.  The good news is Peter is following Jesus. The bad news is that he's doing what religion teaches people to do: to rely on their own understanding.  The intense response of Jesus to Peter's well intended and theologically based "God forbid" helps us see how tragically pervasive and devastating this problem is. It is the place where Satan is.  Religion will teach us concepts, principles and promises from the Scriptures and then encourage us to "believe" them. We're left to apply, think through and accept the conclusions which are natural to our way of thinking in direct opposition to Scriptures instruction to NOT lean on our own understanding (cf. Proverbs 3:5-6). Heaven calls us to a person and to rely exclusively on him. Anyone can follow but everyone must follow the same way … the way Jesus followed his Father: lose your life so it can be found; deny yourself so your self will rely on a person rather than concepts, principles or promises; take up your cross for clear thinking and the life that is really life. "You search the scriptures because you think that you have eternal life in them, and it is these that testify about me. And you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life." (John 5:39-40 LEB)

A - Peter's Christology did not allow for the promised Messiah to suffer and die as a criminal or to ever leave Israel once he'd come.  Jesus did both. Peter's hope was and is a person and so is mine.  I am not called to a mission, world view, principle or cause … I am called to Jesus.  The Scriptures were not given to reveal a plan.  They were given to testify to a person.  I will rely on him and refuse the Devil's workshop.

P - Lord,

I admit my risk to lean on my own understanding of the very things you've been teaching me.  You are the point of the teaching and the only point of reliance.  I don't want to think or work for you but with you.  Today, I am very confident in you and that you already have in mind what you want to do. I say yes to you.  I'll choose to lose so I can follow, be near and really live.

I love you back,

Steve

Wise and Trusted

S - "Who is the wise and trusted servant? The master trusts one servant to give the other servants their food at the right time. Who is the one the master trusts to do that work? When the master comes and finds that servant doing the work he gave him, what a great day it will be for that servant. I can tell you without a doubt, the master will choose that servant to take care of everything he owns. But what will happen if that servant is evil and thinks his master will not come back soon? He will begin to beat the other servants. He will eat and drink with others who are drunk. Then the master will come when the servant is not ready, at a time when the servant is not expecting him. Then the master will punish that servant. He will send him away to be with the hypocrites, where people will cry and grind their teeth with pain." (Matthew 24:45-51 TLJ)

O - These words are spoken by Jesus on the front end of the "final exam" he posts in Matthew 25. The wise and trusted servant is NOT the one who has the largest following, who is a financial and/or entrepreneurial wizard or who has the greatest social influence/reputation.  Culture (religious culture included) teaches us to assess greatness by these measures.  Jesus tells us to assess ourselves by how we treat others … all others! The wise and trusted servant is the one who loves his neighbor as himself; who remembers and lives out the truth that all people are loved and wanted by God. The world (secular and religious) affirms those as wise and trusted who live by the bottom line, put the good of the organization/institution above all others and who have a great public image. According to Jesus, these are the ones who will be sent away with the hypocrites where the people will cry and grind their teeth with pain.

A - Jesus always starts and ends with people.  I was trained to start with resources, structure, image and concepts and then people.  I am being retrained, refocused and refreshed by Jesus and his definition of wise and trusted.  I can't serve God and money … all money. The Kingdom is NOT primarily efficient because it is a kingdom of love … and love is not primarily efficient.  The love God is and affirms gives up its life for all others rather than giving up others for the life of an organization, institution or religion. Jesus insists I recognize that God cares about who I am in private rather than how I'm perceived in public.  I choose to believe Jesus about heaven and earth. "Truly, truly I say to you, we speak what we know, and we testify about what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony! If I tell you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? (John 3:11-12 LEB)

P - Lord who loves and wants all,

Thank you for always starting and ending with people, all people. I accept your start and finish and the truth that the bottom line is never the bottom line.  Please keep leading, teaching, changing, transforming me … I really want to get out and keep out the plank in my own eye.  I admit that the purpose you give to me and to all is to love you back with all my heart, mind, soul and strength and my neighbor as myself.  If I do this I will live and everything hangs on this.  I want to be trusted and wise.

All my love,

Steve

Give Peace a Chance

S - "Jesus came near Jerusalem. Looking at the city, he began to cry for it and said, 'I wish you knew today what would bring you peace. But it is hidden from you now. … you did not know the time when God came to save you.' … 'Whoever loves the life they have now will lose it. But whoever is willing to give up their life in this world will keep it. They will have eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me. My servants must be with me everywhere I am. My Father will give honor to anyone who serve me.'" (Luke 19: 41-42, 44; John 12:25-26 TLJ)

O - Jesus in tears over people not geography, religious sites, historic buildings, vibrant markets or beautiful architecture.  A part of this huge miss is directly connected with the terms of peace heaven offers earth.  Repeatedly Jesus will describe the terms of peace; real and lasting peace here and hereafter.  It will require everything one has and is … everything! The people of Jesus' day were willing to have peace, they were peace lovers. But they were unwilling to engage the necessary response.  Peace makers are those willing to give all to gain all. The people he wept over wanted peace added to what they already had. Real peace does not and will not come this way.  "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27). What would our world look like if we all accepted Jesus' terms for peace?  Is Jesus weeping over me the way he wept for those in Jerusalem?

A - The terms for peace are the same terms to be a follower … everything.  I would like to be among those who do not drive Jesus to tears.  If I give up everything he in turn will give me everything. If I hold on to anything I lose everything.  I accept the terms of Jesus for peace and for following … unto the life that is really life. 

P - God who is life, peace, hope and the transformation of all,

Thank you for loving us more than life. For wanting us at our worst and for refusing to change your mind.  I accept your terms of peace.  I choose to lose! I want to lay my life down so you will take it up; to lose it so you will find it and keep it.  I welcome you and your irrepressible life to come into me and out of me.  I would like to be a source of tears of joy rather than grief … I know you love me either way.  Jesus, I love you back.

Unto peace,

Steve

Work Site not Work Crew

S - "There is someone shouting in the desert: 'Prepare the way for the Lord. Make the road straight for him. Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be made flat. Crooked roads will be made straight, and rough roads will be made smooth. Then everyone will see how God will save his people.'" (Luke 3:4-6 TLJ)

O - This Isaiah prophecy (Isaiah 40:3-5) is assigned to John the Baptist as he engaged his assignment from God.  He did prepare the way for Jesus and yet, exactly how did the valleys fill and mountains flatten?  In what way were the crooked made straight and the rough smooth?  Religion teaches that by pedigree (tradition) and performance (our "righteous" activities) such things happen.  Heaven completely disagrees.  How does God save people? The truth is He does the work … He saves us we don't and can't save ourselves.  Jesus, who is the Lord, makes the crooked road straight, fills in the valleys and makes flat the mountains and hills.  He makes the rough road smooth. God does the making; we do the welcoming and following.  Heaven has not set out to make any of us better.  Instead, Jesus comes to completely transform us.  Like Heaven, we are to depend on him.  Like heaven, we are to completely embrace him.  He is the way. He is life.  He is how God saves people. 

A - The verb connected with each work zone is "will be".  There is no doubt that the transformations happen. This is because of who is doing the work.  Like Jesus with his Father, we work with him not for him. The straight road I engage is my unqualified agreement with his person and everything he already has in mind to do. Even this recognition requires his activity, his help.  I am invited into the work he is doing, not primarily as a member of the work crew but primarily as the work site.  As for the others around me?  If I am embracing his work in me he is already working through me.  If I try and work on others for him I'm actually not helping at all.  Heaven doesn't want my help just my cooperation. This is how God saves me.   

P - God who is working everything for good,

I embrace, accept and fully engage the person of Jesus and everything he wants to do IN me.  I welcome your work unto the transformation of my life into all you already have in mind.  Please work in me.  I accept that I'm the construction zone not the construction crew.  I believe you! Thank you for all you already have in mind.  My answer is yes.

Steve

Confusion is NOT A Disqualifier

S - "But Mary was very confused about what the angel said. She wondered, 'What does this mean?' … 'You will name him Jesus. He will be great. People will call him the Son of the Most High God, and the Lord God will make him king like his ancestor David. He will rule over the people of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.'" (Luke 1:29, 31-33 TLJ)

O - There were so many things for Mary to be confused about.  Certainly the biology alone was staggering; the social implications tragically complicated.  Nevertheless, the angel continued with his message and she continued to embrace what was being presented.  The name, identity and duration of this  "incoming baby" moved deeper into the realm of confused impossibilities.  God's Son? King? Forever? Never end?  The description of Jesus given to her is straight forward and uncluttered.  The wonderful thing about heaven's interface with earth and earthlings is that it never requires understanding … just believing. It is not surprising at all to find that she is greeted by her relative Elizabeth with the acknowledgment "blessings are yours because you believed what the Lord said to you!" (Luke 1:45)

A - From my two thousand year old vantage point everything the angel said to Mary is easy to understand. In fact, the Christmas story is now understood the world over.  It has found its way into worldwide commerce, religions of all types and sizes and even into very remote corners of planet earth.  Interestingly enough, all these years later the challenge of the story remains the same.  The  critical focus is never understanding but believing. This is the issue for me and for all humans.  Regardless of my current level of understanding, will I believe?  As I consider this day, the season of my life and the situations and circumstances which orbit me, I admit that not only does God have a will on earth but he is working everything for good.  I will accept the conclusion of both the angel and Mary: "Nothing is impossible with God" and "I am the servant of the Lord God. Let this thing you have said happen to me." (Luke 1:37-38)

P - Lord in Heaven above and on earth below, there is no other,

Thank you for NOT requiring me to understand.  Thank you for not calling me to a principle, plan, promise or concept but to a person … to Jesus.  I welcome you and your will on earth like they do in heaven; without reserve or flicker.  I am so grateful that mustard seed sized faith is really is sufficient to all you intend.  Thank you for loving me/us first, most and for refusing to change your mind.  I love you back and am gratefully saying this to you in Jesus' name.

Steve 

Answer or Cause?

S - Acts 15:36, 38, 39 (ESV): "And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. … "

O - Compare the beginning of the journey above with the one recorded earlier in Acts. "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off(Acts 13:2, 3 ESV)."The difference in these two beginnings demonstrates how the mission wants to divide us. This return visit was so important to Paul he was willing to separate from Barnabas and John Mark. Jesus prayed that this would not happen (“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me." (John 17:20, 21 ESV). Jesus won't separate himself from Judas. He won't refuse to wash Judas' feet or have him eat with him at his last Passover meal. This dynamic between Paul and Barnabas has inspired a ton of division and religious bigotry since Jesus prayed. We think the mission is so important (most important)and Jesus thinks the persons are. For a change, what if we were an answer to the prayer of Jesus instead of the cause of it?

A - I'm learning, seeing, thinking about the three things that want to divide and do divide those who claim to be following Jesus. Money, mission and method are the three. It's not that his followers don't and won't engage these; it's how they will and what place they will be given in what is thought to be most important. Jesus has already established that which is most important; the superlative; the greatest. It is how he was sent, how he lived and how he instructs all who follow him to live. Today, while it is called today, I will embrace Jesus and his instruction. Nothing is more important than loving God and loving others … NOTHING!

P - Lord who prayed and prays for us,

I want to be an answer to your garden prayer and no longer a cause of it. Thank you for speaking and living so plainly in this and every regard. I admit that nothing is more important to you than people. They are who you love, why you came and why you'll come again. I accept my purpose for living, for every day … loving you back and loving my neighbor as myself. I choose this and you empower it.

Unto the life that is really life,

Steve

The Shock Doesn't Stop

S - “Now at that very moment his disciples came back. They were shocked because he was speaking with a woman. However, no one said, “What do you want?” or “Why are you speaking with her?” Then the woman left her water jar, went off into the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Surely he can’t be the Messiah, can he?” So they left the town and began coming to him. … Now many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the report of the woman who testified, “He told me everything I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they began asking him to stay with them. He stayed there two days, and because of his word many more believed. They said to the woman, “No longer do we believe because of your words, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this one really is the Savior of the world.” (John 4:27-30, 39-42 NET)

O - The shock of Jesus chatting with an unaccompanied woman and a Samaritan at that would get "worse". There would be the following shock of such a socially disqualified person being told directly by Jesus his full identity and her being the one who would inspire an entire village to interact with him. The shockwave would continue with this culturally outcast people group believing and asking the Savior of the world to stay with them. And the final jolt would be him actually staying with them for two days and not trying to "convert" any of them to Judaism. "But a time is coming – and now is here – when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such people to be his worshipers. God is spirit, and the people who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23, 24 NET)

A - This recorded shock of the disciples will find all who will follow Jesus. It will not be a singular experience. Jesus thinks very differently about earth than we were taught to think. If we stop being shocked in this way we really need to assess if we're still following. Personally, my first shock was the same shock of the woman; the shock of meeting Jesus and experiencing him and his unconditional love. The shock of my real condition and his real desire to call me to himself; the shock of no condemnation and no moral tirades even though my moral standing was tragic. In this story I am the woman, the disciples and the villagers who believe because they are personally interacting with the Savior of the world. Today, all these years later, I am still being shocked by Jesus.

P - Savior of the world,

Thank you for continuing to shock me and all who follow; for wanting us and loving us and for refusing to change your mind. I want your shocking person, spirit and love to come into me and to come out of me. I embrace the only purpose you give to all … to love you back and to love all others as I want to be loved. I welcome ongoing transformation in my entire being unto the life that is really life. Jesus, I do love you back!

Steve

Faith for More than Emergencies

S - "And on the next day as they were departing from Bethany, he was hungry. And when he saw from a distance a fig tree that had leaves, he went to see if perhaps he would find anything on it. And when he came up to it he found nothing except leaves, because it was not the season for figs. And he responded and said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you any more forever!” And his disciples heard it. … [next day] And as they passed by early in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered!” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God! Truly I say to you that whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea!’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. For this reason I say to you, whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received it, and it will be done for you. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your sins.”" (Mark 11:12-14, 20-25 LEB)

O - Some key words in this exchange between Peter and Jesus about life on earth in non-emergency moments: faith in God, whoever says, done for you, forgive.

·         Faith in God isn't something we're supposed to pump up when desperate circumstances befall us; it's how we are to live day by day all day long. The kingdom that is near is wide open to all, to whosoever for whatsoever … anything is possible for the one who believes.

·         The not doubting part is NOT about us trying to squeeze out every last flicker of doubt. It is about letting faith in and believing God, the person not the concept. Faith is a gift not a mindset!

·         This asking, saying, believing is not something the one believing/saying then scurries off to try and make happen 'with God's help'. When engaging God as Jesus instructs and demonstrates (even though he never mentioned him in his fig tree curse nor really appeared to be praying when he said it) God takes the lead. "It will be done for him" is very different than humans trying to work it out for God. We're supposed to do the work of believing and then if God has a part for us to do, he'll let us know.

·         The one thing we are supposed to take the lead in as we live faith day by day is forgiving. The terms anyone and anything aren't just applied to us asking God. They are directly connected to our assignment to forgive. "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your sins."

A - Religion taught me to try and get and keep doubt out … to squeeze and concentrate and hold my breath.  Jesus is teaching me to stop thinking that way.  Nobody gets darkness out of a room, everyone brings light in. When light comes in darkness leaves automatically.  When faith is brought in doubt leaves the same way.  Faith is the gift of God; it's not by works … no boasting (Ephesians 2:8-9).  I will be bringing, accepting and asking for the gift which he already wants to give … faith.  I will refuse to work my requests out for him and stand ready to do everything he asks me to do.  The very first of his assignments in the completing of my requests is that I would take the lead in forgiving, no exceptions.  I accept both the gift and the assignment to forgive … unto new wineskins, mulberry trees in the ocean and that which is too wonderful for me.

P - Lord and Friend who is near,

Thank you for calling me to yourself and to the work of believing … of working with you and never for you.  I accept your assignment and taking the lead in forgiveness … I forgive any and all! I am asking for faith to come in, for your irrepressible life to come in, light, hope, compassion, love, mercy to come in unto all you intend in me and through me. I will be asking big, staying little and following no matter what.

All my love,

Steve

Funeral Folly: Forget "Better Place"

S - "Now we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you will not grieve as also the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, thus also God will bring those who have fallen asleep through Jesus together with him. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who remain until the Lord’s coming, will not possibly precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who remain, will be snatched away at the same time together with them in the clouds for a meeting with the Lord in the air, and thus we will be together with the Lord always. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13--18 LEB)

O - We’ve been taught to think of "better place" when it comes to death, dying and the departure from earth of those we love. This is not the teaching of Jesus or of the Scriptures. While heaven is obviously a better place than literally anywhere else, the place is never the point. The point is always who one is with. The verses above confirm this essential distinction. The absence of war is not the same as having peace. The absence of hate does not equate to love. Heaven is heaven not because there is an absence of death, sin and suffering … heaven is heaven because Jesus is there and he is life; vibrant refreshing, irrepressible, eternal life. Heaven doesn't make him anything; Jesus makes heaven heaven. His reply to the request of the thief being crucified next to him ring with this awesome truth. "And he said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (My highlight - Luke 23:43 LEB)

A - In this season of my life I have the privilege of a ton of national and international travel. When I'm completing one of these trips and my plane lands at the airport in Eugene, Oregon the world, secular and religious, says I'm home. But I know better. I won't be home until I'm with Jan. Eugene is the place but Jan is home. Jan makes Eugene home; Eugene doesn't make Jan anything. This reflects the beauty of belonging to Jesus in an ongoing relationship. He is the point of it all and when I'm in his company everything is possible, everything is being worked for good and I really will "live happily for ever after."

P - Lord who is life,

I accept this transformation in my thinking as you intend for me and for the entire human race. Thank you for calling us all to yourself and not just a place. Thank you that you are near now and asking me to stay near and keep following. I admit the Scriptures have it right.

I love you back,

Steve

Where Heaven Touches Earth

S - "Truly, truly I say to you, we speak what we know, and we testify about what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony! If I tell you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? (John 3:11-12 LEB)

O - Over 90% of all that Jesus said was about earth; how the kingdom that is near interfaces here and how we are to live out each day in this "present age".  His words about earth are understandable and straightforward; so straightforward that a third grader can understand them.  The problem is we don't believe they will work on this planet so we really don't accept them.  We want to accept Jesus' testimony about heaven but ignore or alter his testimony about earth.  According to Jesus, we can know we believe him about heaven if we actually believe him about earth.

A - Money, enemies, love, forgiveness, what we eat, wear and store-up are among the many things Jesus instructs us on.  This question of Jesus to Nicodemus continues to deeply influence my thinking and my living. I will believe Jesus about earth … unto the life that is really life.

P - Father of Jesus and God of all,

Thank you for sending Jesus who is the message, the gospel, the exact representation of your person.  I admit that he has called me to follow, to believe, to trust and to welcome the kingdom on earth as it happens in heaven.  I accept his testimony about earth and am so very grateful to be discovering that his instruction actually works here.  Thank you for not leaving us alone or on our own.

Living and praying in Jesus' Name,

Steve

Catastrophically Good Stewardship

S - "Where is the wise person? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not know God, God was pleased through the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe. … For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. … But the foolish things of the world God chose in order that he might put to shame the wise, and the weak things of the world God chose in order that he might put to shame the strong, and the insignificant of the world, and the despised, God chose, the things that are not, in order that he might abolish the things that are, so that all flesh may not boast before God. (1 Corinthians 1:20, 21, 25, 27-29 LEB)"

O - To what elements of life on earth does this dynamic of wise and foolish apply?  Is it only to religious or spiritual things?  Or is it about how we are called to follow Jesus and live life each day on planet earth?  Well, how did Jesus live?  He lived this dynamic each day and each circumstance.  No distinction was made between here and hereafter when it came to wise and foolish. "No domestic slave is able to serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and will despise the other. You are not able to serve God and money.” Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. And he said to them, “You are the ones who justify themselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts! For what is considered exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. (Luke 16:13-15 LEB)"

A - The "wisdom" of earthly stewardship inspired OT Israel to not believe God about resting the land every seventh year.  They didn't believe he'd really take care of them. It seemed completely foolish for farmers to intentionally not plant their crops and "trust" that the harvest of year six would be sufficient to carry them to the harvest of year eight.  Then, when they planted in the seventh year God did not curse their crops.  They harvested in year seven, had more and could even claim good stewardship and God's blessing.  The problem was they didn't believe God about earth.  They chose the wisdom of the world rather than the foolishness of God. In their “wisdom” of “good stewardship" they chose to not know God. The result was catastrophic for themselves and their children.  The question of Jesus to Nicodemus remains his question to me and to all who will follow: "If I tell you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? (John 3:12 LEB)" I will choose Jesus and his foolish way of thinking, loving, living and speaking … unto the life that is really life.

P - Lord who made heaven and earth,

Today I want to be little and not big; to be foolish according to the world (secular and religious) that the wisdom of heaven would find me again and again.  I admit I am prone to start at human wisdom and miss you and your ways on earth in the process.  I am asking for help, not self-help in finding this narrow door which leads to real life here and hereafter.  Thank you for living this way and sending us all that same way you were sent.  Jesus, I trust you and will believe you about earth.

Steve

Revolution not Rebellion

S - Matthew 26:55, 56 (NIV): "In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled."

O - The question Jesus asks the mob who came to arrest him is an important one. The term translated 'rebellion' is λῃστης. It actually means a thief or robber.  It is more than a petty thief; rather the term refers to one with associates who could only be apprehended by an armed band. Of course, He isn't trying to steal anything because everything and everyone already belongs to him by right. Jesus can't be leading a rebellion because all authority in heaven and on earth is his. He is, however, leading a revolution.  The characteristics of a revolution, by definition, include:

1.       an overthrow or repudiation and the thorough replacement of an established government or political system.

2.       a radical and pervasive change in society and the social structure.

3.       a sudden, complete or marked change in something.

His revolution is a revolution of love. The force of its pervasive change is divine grace and the transformation is accomplished in people not just through them.

A - According to the Scriptures the Lord already "owns" everyone and everything by right (he made everything) including me (Psalm 24:1).  The beauty of his response to earth and earthlings is that his grace dignifies every life with the capacity to choose … to choose to be his by grace even though we're already his by right.  The purpose of this? A revolution of relationship; a revolutionary relationship of love.  I choose to follow him, to love him back (he already loves all first and most and refuses to change his mind) and to join his life (not just a cause) … he lives in me and I live in him by grace according to love.  A pervasive and marked change happens in me. The governance of my life (interior and exterior) is thoroughly replaced by his presence and his spirit … and the writings of the prophets are fulfilled in me. With me being the focus and locust of his revolution … he then reaches through me to call others to himself and the revolution of love.

P - Lord who is love,

I choose you back, love you back and say an unqualified yes to you and to your revolution.  I repent of (overthrow and repudiate) the patterns the world (secular and religious) and welcome your governance in me in all ways … radically and pervasively.  You lead this revolution where you are doing the work in me. I follow and accept any and all assignments you give.  Thank you for wanting me in and near your very person and life.  Thank you for not calling me to a cause but to yourself.  I will pray and live in Jesus' Name.

Steve