Happy New Year! - No One and Everything

S - "Jesus then told them these sayings: No one uses a new piece of cloth to patch old clothes. The patch would shrink and make the hole even bigger. No one pours new wine into old wineskins. The new wine would swell and burst the old skins. Then the wine would be lost, and the skins would be ruined. New wine must be put only into new wineskins. No one wants new wine after drinking old wine. They say, “The old wine is better.” Luke 5

O - These sayings are told in response to a challenge given to Jesus about the religious practices of his followers.  In his reply three "no one" statements are made.  Of course, no one would patch an old coat that way.  Of course, no one puts new wine into old wineskins.  And no one who drinks the old wine wants the new.  Yet, the "old wine" drinkers of culture (religious and nonreligious) often attempt to do just that.  Jesus is not heaven's "patch" for the old coat nor is he old wine for old wineskins and those who drink it.  He is the new coat, the new wine and he is perpetually incompatible with the old.   

A - The passing of time is the factor in a new year, new coat and in new wine becoming old.  Comfort, familiarity and taste are the lawful results of the old.  And this really is the "no one" problem for all who follow Jesus.  Over time I learn to live a cadence that becomes comfortable, familiar and tasty to me. Yet, from time to time I'm offered a new coat and new wine by Jesus. The question is what will I do with them when offered.  This is among the reasons why Jesus requires his followers to give up everything … even the old coat he gave me and the old wine he's been sharing with me along the way.  “In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my followers.” I will welcome the New Year, new coat and the new wine and give up the old … unto the life that is really life!  

P - Friend of sinners and therefore friend of me,

I accept the terms of following … everything!  I accept the without exception reality you describe … no one! Am so very grateful for your provision of "coats", "wineskins" and "wine" day by day in my decades of following. I will accept the new any and every time you offer.  I do admit that I often like the old taste and old feel better than the new.  Nevertheless, you lead and I follow.  I am glad to be with you regardless of attire or taste.  You are vibrant, irrepressible life. You have loved us first, most and refused to change your mind.  I love you back! Yes, to you and to your new!

Steve  

And in Conclusion…

S - "Peter then said: Now I am certain that God treats all people alike. God is pleased with everyone who responds to him and does right, no matter what nation they come from. This is the same message that God gave to the people of Israel, when he sent Jesus Christ, the Lord of all, to offer peace to them. … Jesus was put to death on a cross. But three days later, God raised him to life and let him be seen. Not everyone saw him. He was seen only by us, who ate and drank with him after he was raised from death. We were the ones God chose to be witnesses. God told us to announce clearly to the people that Jesus is the one he has chosen to judge the living and the dead. Every one of the prophets has said that all who have faith in Jesus will have their sins forgiven in his name." Acts 10 TS

O - It took a very direct intervention from heaven for Peter to come to the conclusion that all of earth's religions, ethnic cultures and social cliques DO NOT want people to accept. The conclusion? Certainty that God treats ALL people the same - no favorites.   He treats them all alike … no matter where they come from.  This is how Jesus lived and taught; how and why he died and was raised from the dead.  He is heaven's good news for all people everywhere.  Not just for Christian people or politically correct people or any of the other categories created by  people to judge, reject and/or even hate others. Jesus is the living proof of this beautiful and unflinching reality: "God treats all people alike."

A - In my life experience, the religion, politics, cultural segments and ethnic alliances around me were willing to accept the idea of “equal treatment by God for all people” as long as the people joined their group and accepted their ideologies. This not the conclusion heaven sent by Jesus nor the one Peter received and embraced. Membership in a subgroup is not required for acceptance or equal treatment. A person may be a part of a group or join one if they wish but at some point, will have to choose between approval from the group or approval from heaven. Perhaps this sheds some context on the words of Jesus in Luke 14: “You cannot be my follower, unless you hate your father and mother, your wife and children, and your brothers and sisters. You cannot follow me unless you hate your own life.” I am gratefully choosing Jesus and his conclusions.

P - Lord of all and Lord of me,

Thank you for coming to earth to clarify the person and purposes of God. I admit and accept your conclusion to accept me, and all others, regardless of where we come from. You were amazing in the first century and are just as amazing today. Thank you for loving us and for refusing to change your mind.

I love you back and will follow,

Steve

Where Heaven and Earth Collide

S - "Jesus was in the town of Bethany, eating at the home of Simon, who had leprosy. A woman came in with a bottle of expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus' head. But when his followers saw this, they became angry and complained, “Why such a waste? We could have sold this perfume for a lot of money and given it to the poor.” Jesus knew what they were thinking, and he said, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. You will always have the poor with you, but you won't always have me. She has poured perfume on my body to prepare it for burial. You may be sure that wherever the good news is told all over the world, people will remember what she has done. And they will tell others.” Matthew 26 TS

O - The stewardship of earth and the stewardship of God's Kingdom collide in this story.  Well intended people, even people who follow and love Jesus, find themselves subject to a mistaken priority.  Earth thinks efficiency is the critical element in the use of recourses and heaven doesn't.  The Kingdom of God is not primarily efficient because it's a Kingdom of love; and love is not primarily efficient. "God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has confidence in him will have eternal life."       

A - Logical thinking isn't necessarily right thinking according to Jesus. There is no situation more vulnerable to this dynamic than stewardship. Earth's logic begins and ends with the bottom line. Heaven's logic always begins and ends with people. Earth thinks the proof of good financial stewardship is more finances. God's Kingdom thinks the proof of good financial stewardship is more friends (Luke 16:9-13). Earth thinks you need to steward your money in a godly way.  Heaven thinks all the money is already the Lord's and he wants us to use it his way. When it comes to money and stewardship, I'll live and give the way Jesus instructs.  His caution is essential in every circumstance: "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." (Matthew 6:24). No one means everyone …  I accept the right thinking and stewardship of Jesus!

P - Jesus,

Thank you for calling us and helping us to change our thinking about everything because you and your kingdom are near.  I want to live and to give as you intend … unto friendships galore and relationship sublime.  You are amazing every day and in every way.

All to you,

Steve

To Die for - Literally

S - "While they were talking about what had happened, Jesus appeared and greeted them. They were frightened and terrified because they thought they were seeing a ghost. But Jesus said, “Why are you so frightened? Why do you doubt? Look at my hands and my feet and see who I am! Touch me and find out for yourselves. Ghosts don't have flesh and bones as you see I have." After Jesus said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. They were so glad and amazed that they could not believe it. Jesus then asked them, “Do you have something to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish. He took it and ate it as they watched. Jesus said to them, “While I was still with you, I told you that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and in the Psalms had to happen.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. He told them: The Scriptures say that the Christ must suffer, then three days later he will rise from death. They also say that all people of every nation must be told in my name to change their thinking in order to receive freedom from sins." Luke 24 TS

O - Jesus leads the way, is the way, for every human being.  He led the way through all of earth's very worst, requested forgiveness for those who manifested such tragic brutality and included in his kingdom any who would but ask.  Jesus accepts the most unjust, painful  and humiliating death any person can experience so that regardless of when or how people die -- he is and has made the way for them.  He is buried and waits for his resurrection.  Though he has the power to literally get up from the dead all on his own he waits.  His waiting, like his coming, living, teaching and dying, is for us. He will experience this so we can follow him through it.  He is the way to resurrection because he himself is the resurrection and resurrection life. His call to all people never changes: "Follow me."

A - Jesus thinks every human being is worth dying for and living for.  His entire life and experience on earth was for people, all people.  He didn't fulfill the Scriptures to prove they were right nor to prove his identity.  He did all he did for us (7.4 billion and counting).  He does this in such a way that all can literally follow in his steps … through death and resurrection - literally.  At our worst and the world's worst he refused to exercise his divine nature or prerogatives.  He humbly accepts the worst to guarantee us all the capacity to participate in the very best both heaven and earth offer; life vibrant and irrepressible, forever life.  I will follow him no matter where he leads or what I face.  He has loved us first and most and refuses to change his mind; even when I give him reasons to. 

P - Lord who is resurrection life,

Am still so amazed that you love us like you do.  Thank you for never quitting on any human; thank you for never quitting on me. You are the way and I will follow.  I really do love you back!

Steve 

Heaven Sent or Clever Facsimile?

S - "And we know that the Son of God came so we could recognize and understand the truth of God—what a gift!—and we are living in the Truth itself, in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. This Jesus is both True God and Real Life. Dear children, be on guard against all clever facsimiles.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭5 ‭MSG‬‬

O -  Jesus himself warned us to be on guard against all others claiming to be the Christ; or as stated above, all clever facsimiles. These cunning copy cats are not limited to individuals but include the "composite Christs" presented by religious groups and philosophical ideologies. It's a concern which became the motive for a letter in the Scriptures, Galatians.  “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.” The Jesus of the Scriptures (of the four accounts, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) is often very different from the Jesus of those who claim to be representing him. According to Jesus, there is a litmus test to confirm that we are following the real one and not a clever facsimile; the Jesus the Scriptures testify to but don't reveal (John 5:39-40). We should always believe Jesus about Jesus rather than someone else about him.  A Jesus humans can reveal is only a facsimile. The Jesus God sent is the Jesus flesh and blood cannot reveal (Matthew 16:13-19). 

A - The Jesus heaven sent (the Jesus of John 3:16) is himself the good news. He is the message God sends to the entire world (not just the religious or Christian world).  He is the same everywhere and for everyone while the composite Jesus isn't. I admit that I cannot reveal the Jesus who is life but I do know him and can share with others what I am experiencing in him and learning from him. He isn't a concept or principle we fold into our world view.  He's not a discovery made or an insight revealed by humans.  Jesus is a person reveal by the Spirit to be known and loved as a person … and he is the most amazing person one can ever meet.   

P - God who gives us Jesus,

Thank you for sending Jesus to clarify your person and your purposes.  I will rely on your Spirit as you intend.  It is such an amazing journey to be in league with Jesus; living in him not to him; working with him not for him.  Thank you for letting us live and pray in his name.

All my love,

Steve

Life Together According to Love

S - "From the very first day, we were there, taking it all in—we heard it with our own ears, saw it with our own eyes, verified it with our own hands. The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen! And now we’re telling you in most sober prose that what we witnessed was, incredibly, this: The infinite Life of God himself took shape before us. We saw it, we heard it, and now we’re telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy!" 1 John‬ ‭1:1-4‬ ‭MSG‬‬

O -  What makes a credible witness of God and his Kingdom is not one's theological prowess but one's relational experience with Jesus. Fellowship, life together, sons and daughters is not based upon a common creed or set of principles but on a shared friendship and ongoing experience of the person heaven sent to the world God loves (currently 7.4 billion). Jesus clarifies the person and purposes of God and his Kingdom. "When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me." (John 12) Theological frameworks, religions and religious practices do not and cannot offer this. Only in Jesus is the entire world invited to experience God's love and adoption. 

A - As a child I was taught to sing "Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so."  The Scriptures do tell us this. However, this is NOT how we are to know that we are loved. As an example, I don't know my wife loves me because the wedding vows we took included such a statement.  I know it because I am experiencing her presence and love on a daily basis.  I don't know Jesus loves me just because the Scriptures say it.  I know it because I experience him and his love day by day. He says “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” Experiencing him and his love is the point. This is the joyous experience of communion with the Father and his Son referenced above.  I am very grateful to be experiencing him and his never ending love!  

P - Lord who loves us more than life,

Thank you for giving yourself to us day by day according to love.  I give myself back to you completely.  Though this exchange is drastically unequal it is the point of life forever with you in your Kingdom.

Love you back,

Steve 

How to Make God Angry

S - " … some Religious Experts had become followers of the Lord. They stood up and said, “Gentiles who have faith in the Lord must be circumcised and told to obey the Law of Moses.” … Peter stood up and said … He [God] knows what is in everyone's heart. And he showed he had chosen the Gentiles, when he gave them the Holy Spirit, just as he had given his Spirit to us. God treated them in the same way that he treated us. They put their faith in him, and he made their hearts pure. Now why are you trying to make God angry by placing a heavy burden on these followers? This burden was too heavy for us or our ancestors. But we believe that we will be saved by the gift of undeserved grace from our Lord Jesus Christ, just as the Gentiles are." Acts 15 TS

O - Making God mad is never a good idea. Add anything, ANYTHING, to Jesus and God's displeasure is immediate. Don't add scriptural concepts, practices or well intended conclusions. Don't rely on or include traditions, principles or promises. Heaven insists on Jesus plus nothing; his person period! He is the good news and eternal life (John 6:28-29, 17:3). He spoke directly to this issue when he said: "You search the Scriptures, because you think you will find eternal life in them. The Scriptures tell about me, but you refuse to come to me for life." John 5 TS

A - Anything added to Jesus produces a huge burden on people and makes God mad. Tragically, what religion claims to be the inspiration for God's anger and what actually makes him angry is very different. Religion points to its own practice and the performance of its adherents as the way to God's pleasure and the avoidance of his wrath. Earth focuses on its own "best practices" and heaven is focused on a person. I welcome God's only method, point and way to adoption and eternal life. “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.”(Galatians 5:4) Yes to Jesus and no to all additions.

P - God and Father,

Thank you for sending Jesus to all, not a plan, book or practice. He clarifies your person and purposes and I admit he alone is your gift, your way and your point. I have no intention of making you mad by adding anything to him. I accept your light load. You are amazing and I love you back.

Steve      

Warning or Confirmation?

S - "And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed … On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. … While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”" (Acts 21:4-5, 8, 10-14 ESV)

O - Twice in these accounts the brothers and sisters warn Paul to not go on to Jerusalem. Their counsel is not only a logistical/human concern but one borne out of insight (revelation) given by the Holy Spirit. In two different settings with two different groups this will occur and each time Paul will not be dissuaded. Why would he wave this off? Why not accept their direction? Consider the following statements, one from Paul and the other from Jesus.

·       "And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20: 22-24 ESV)

·         "But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”" (Acts 9:13-16 ESV)

There is a difference between a warning and a confirmation. Though the information was the same, it appears the disciples thought they were giving a warning but according to Jesus' dialogue with Paul it was a confirmation. Some say Paul made a mistake in going. Jesus said differently. After his appearance before the Sanhedrin the Scriptures record: "The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” (Acts 23:11 ESV)

A - It was a matter of life and death … and according to Jesus I/we must lose our lives to find them; give them away to keep them. Such actions are not to be inspired by a cause or a worldview … only by a person. He said "“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:26 ESV) These are the terms for all who will follow - everything. I accept the terms unto the life that is really life!

P - Lord who is life,

I accept the only terms you offer … I give up everything and you give everything. I am not tough. I am not able. I am willing and you are the enabler. I say yes to you … completely yes, forever yes come what may.

I love you back,

Steve

The Voice of the Lord

S - "That winter, Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Temple Festival.  One day he was walking in the part of the temple known as Solomon's Porch, and the Jews gathered all around him. They said, "How long are you going to keep us guessing? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly!" Jesus answered: I have told you, and you refused to believe me. The things I do in my Father's name show you who I am. But since you are not my sheep, you don't believe me. My sheep know my voice, and I know them. They follow me, and I give them eternal life, so that they will never be lost. No one can snatch them out my hand.  My Father gave them to me, and he is greater than all. No one can snatch them from his hands, and I am one with the Father." John 10 TS

O - Jesus is questioned by the religious as to his actual identity.  There's no doubt that they'll be lining up what he might say with their understanding of the Scriptures.  His answer was not about what he was saying but about what he was doing.  Without a spoken word the communication from heaven as to his identity was clear and unmistakable; and remains so to this very day.  Later in the same conversation Jesus will say "If I don't do what my Father does, you should not believe me.  But if I do what my Father does, you should believe because of that, even if you don't have confidence in me." Earth wants to argue about words.  Heaven sent the Word … the message, the good news: Jesus. He is still speaking to his sheep … sheep from different pens which he is bringing together.  

A -  Human beings, the experts tell us, communicate with a ratio of 10% verbal and 90% nonverbal. Recent studies reveal the breakdown is more specifically 55%nonverbal, 38% tone in the voice and 7% the actual words. Think of that … only 7% words for communication on the human plain.  Since God made humans how do we think he communicates with them?  The Lord's voice is not limited to words but is clearly expressed with his presence and activity.  This is the voice his sheep know and how the Good Shepherd communicates. The Lord's voice is more than words.  He communicates with us the way he made us … 90 - 10. While I am grateful for every word, I am so glad to be hearing his voice beyond words.  

P - Lord who speaks,

Thank you for wanting to communicate with the whole world, not just the religious world or the Christian world but with all … you love, you came for, the entire world.  You are the message to all people and all times and in all places and cultures.  You lead, I follow. Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.

I love you back,

Steve

Religious or Relational Thinking and Living?

S - "One Sabbath, Jesus was having dinner in the home of an important Religious Expert, and everyone was carefully watching Jesus. All of a sudden a man with swollen legs stood up in front of him. Jesus turned and asked the Religious Experts and the teachers of the Law of Moses, “Is it right to heal on the Sabbath?” But they did not say a word. Jesus took hold of the man. Then he healed him and sent him away. Afterwards, Jesus asked the people, “If your son or ox falls into a well, wouldn't you pull him out at once, even on the Sabbath?” There was nothing they could say." Luke 14 TS

O - Religion can never get it right because … it is religious.  Religion is based on rules, concepts and assumptions "objectively" applied. Religious relationships are its byproduct.  The Kingdom of God is relationships … relationships are the Kingdom not its byproduct. It is only in the context and ongoing dynamic of relationships that any promises, principles or concepts are engaged. Jesus wasn't sent by the Father to work out amnesty but to call the world to engage adoption as daughters and sons.  Religion fears relational thinking claiming such will distort and compromise truth.  This very assumption distorts and compromises the Kingdom it claims to represent. Religion starts and ends with its rules.  According to Jesus, life in the Kingdom of God begins and continues with relationships. 

A - When Jesus was asked to teach us how to speak with God, he began where everything in the Kingdom begins … relationally.  The first two words of this globally famous prayer establish and confirm it. "Our Father …".  When thinking about the application of promises, plans, concepts and principles … the starting point and conclusion must always be the same - relational … a family of brothers and sisters following Jesus responding to their Father. According to Jesus we were not made for religious practice (humans were not made for the Sabbath; the Sabbath was made for them). We were not made for the Scriptures; the Scriptures were given to/made for us. I will start my thinking, speaking and living with Jesus; his person and the ongoing relationship he is giving to me and the whole world.  I will accept his counsel: "… don't be afraid! Your Father wants to give you the kingdom (Luke 12)."  

P - Our Father,

Thank you for making us children in your family not adherents in your institution or organization. Thank you for sending Jesus to clarify both your person and purposes.  I gratefully accept and engage the adoption you call all people to … personally, specifically and joyfully.  I promise to start where you do with all people and with all applications of the Scriptures you made for us.  You are completely amazing!

I love you back,

Steve