When it comes to God, where do you start?

 

Where we start matters. Jesus comes to enable us to know where to start in our thinking, speaking, living, praying and loving. When it comes to God, he invites and instructs us to start at only one place - Father; more specifically our Father and the focus is love; that we are loved and wanted unconditionally (at our worst).  Religion wants us to start at Creator/Judge and the focus is sin (performance).  Theology wants us to start at Eternal/Almighty and the focus is accurate information (knowing about). Religion calls us to the Courtroom, Theology calls us to the Schoolroom and Heaven is calling us to our own room in our Father's House. "Then Jesus said to the crowds [all the people] and to his followers: … none of you should be called a teacher. You have only one teacher, and all of you are brothers and sisters. Don’t call anyone on earth your father. All of you have the same Father in heaven." According to Matthew 23:1, 8-9

Essential to the Recipe of Life

S - "You are the salt for everyone on earth. But if salt no longer tastes like salt, how can it make food salty? All it is good for is to be thrown out and walked on." Matthew 5:13

 

O - This dynamic described by of Jesus of Nazareth is admitted and admired by people of all ethnicities and cultural backgrounds (religious and nonreligious). In spite of all the diversity in our world, the actual composition of the "salt" is just about universally missed; religion, politics, social sciences, education, business, etc. included. It's not missed because the understanding begins with salt's flavor enhancing and preservative qualities.  It is not in the admission that salt is required for us to live. The miss isn't because the universally accepted observation of "a little goes a long way" is erroneous.  The miss is in identifying salt as anything other than love.  Love universally enhances the flavor of everything it comes in contact with and is a preservative like no other. It really is essential to life.  

 

A - Culture tragically and consistently misses this essential conclusion.  It describes salt in terms of things to not do, of opinions to hold or refuse, of conclusions which promote judgment of others in the harshest terms. Jesus and scriptures are unflinchingly clear on the point that without love it all becomes noise and nothing even it is true.  No love … no longer salty … thrown out and walked on.  Jesus, and according to him God as well, always starts at love. It is the only place he instructs those who follow him to begin every day, every circumstance every person.  In the thinking, living and teaching of Jesus the salt of the earth people are those who love.  If we love we cannot fail and if we do not love failure is certain.  

 

P - God who loves the world (7.8 billion),

I accept the instruction, encouragement and experience of the salt you're looking for us to be.  Love is the only dynamic which offers the hope of life's greatest flavors and a longevity which has no shelf life. I admit that it is not the concept of unconditional love but the activity of it. Yes to salt! Yes to love! Yes to flavorful and vibrant living,

Loving you back,

Steve 

 

The Purpose of Unlimited Power

S - "After Jesus had finished speaking, he looked up toward heaven and said: Father, the time has come for you to bring honor to your Son, in order that he may bring honor to you. And you gave him power over all people, so he would give eternal life to everyone you give him. This is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, the one you sent." John 17:1-3

 

O - In this conversation with the Father, Jesus affirms the surprising purpose of unlimited authority. It is not to exert a forced compliance on others but to enable them to a relationship which is eternal life; a vibrant and irrepressible life. This humble and loving use of such power demonstrates God’s relentless love and his desire for ongoing relationship with the human race, individually and eternally.  

 

A - The Kingdom of God is relationships not theological conclusions or religious rituals. There is no one unreachable or "too far gone" to make eternal life impossible.  Without the direct involvement of Jesus and this power none of us will be able to engage the relationship which is eternal life.  It requires a miracle for each one to enter and remain in this eternal dynamic.   

 

P - Father of Jesus and Father of us,

You are not only amazing in your limitless power but in the way you choose to wield it.  This great dignity of choice and the relational dynamic which is your kingdom is mind blowing and heart melting.  I am intensely grateful that the possessor and dispenser of this authority is Jesus!  I admit the impossibility without him and so enjoy the knowing made possible by him.  We are completely and unconditionally loved and I love you back!

Steve 

The Essential Metric for Effectiveness

S - "You did not choose me. I chose you and sent you out to produce fruit, the kind of fruit that will last. Then my Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name. So I command you to love each other." John 15:16-17 TJB

 

O - Four sentences which continue to underscore the relational nature of the Kingdom of God which is near.  We are given the great dignity of choosing back the one who chose us.  

·       Our understanding and participation in the reality of God's Kingdom is never the result of our own intellectual or spiritual prowess.  

·       Producing anything that will last has only one starting place - love.  Without love whatever we're working on or hoping for cannot and will not last.  It must be our starting place each day, circumstance and activity.  We choose where we start.

·       In our metrics of assessment in all facets of life, if love is not the first and most important we've missed big.  I can actually know if I'm choosing and pursuing love … even if those around me don't think I am.  

·       The only direct command of Jesus is that we love each other.  Fruitful living and praying are directly connected to our engaging this instruction.

 

A - The beginning of all worthwhile activities is the same, love. My capacity to miss, drift from or refuse this reality is always present. Nevertheless, it’s something I can choose do to regardless of my current emotional state or opinion. Culture wants me to work longer, think deeper, study harder and acquire more as the way to successful and useful living.  Heaven wants me to love.  In fact, the Scriptures are clear on this point: without love it all becomes noise and nothing. Not only do I admit Jesus' command, I will embrace and engage it.      

 

P - Our Father, 

Thank you for the great dignity of choice and of choosing you back; of choosing where I start and what I will embrace as my primary metric of assessment.  An open heart, open heaven and open future are all connected to this always simple but not always easy reality.  I say yes to you, to love and the nearness of your Kingdom.  Am so very grateful that love and all its relentless benefits are only a decision away.

Grateful for the command and coaching of Jesus,

Steve

Where We Start Matters

S - "When you speak with God, don’t talk on and on as people do who don’t know God. They think God likes to hear long speeches. Don’t be like them. Your Father knows what you need even before you ask. You should speak to him like this: “Our Father in heaven, we honor your name.”" Matthew 6:7-9 

O - Where we start matters.  Jesus comes to enable us to know where to start in our thinking, speaking, living, praying and loving. When it comes to God, he invites and instructs us to start at only one place - Father; more specifically our Father and the focus is love; that we are loved and wanted unconditionally (at our worst not just at our best).  Religion wants us to start at Creator/Judge and the focus is sin (performance). While God is the Creator Judge and sin is an issue it is not the most important one.  Theology wants us to start at Eternal/Almighty and the focus is accurate information (knowing about). God is the Eternal/Almighty and accurate information is not a bad thing but it too is not the most important one. Without love it all becomes noise and nothing even if it is true.

 

A - If we start at Creator/Judge and move toward Father that "father" is never fully pleased with us. If we start at Eternal/Almighty and move toward Father that "father" is distant and disinterested in us. Religion calls us to the Courtroom; Theology calls us to the Schoolroom; and Heaven is calling us to our own room in our Father's House. "Then Jesus said to the crowds [all the people] and to his followers: … none of you should be called a teacher. You have only one teacher, and all of you are brothers and sisters. Don’t call anyone on earth your father. All of you have the same Father in heaven." Matthew 23:1, 8-9 

 

P - Our Father,

Thank you for sending Jesus so I would know where to start every day, every circumstance in my thinking about You, others and life on earth. Thank you for wanting me at my worst … for loving us first and most and for refusing to change your mind. Thank you for inviting us to our own rooms in your house.  I do love you back.

Steve

“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” Albert Einstein

S - "About this same time Jesus was told that Pilate had given orders for some people from Galilee to be killed while they were offering sacrifices. Jesus replied: Do you think that these people were worse sinners than everyone else in Galilee just because of what happened to them? Not at all! But you can be sure that if you don’t change your thinking, every one of you will also end in ruin. What about those 18 people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Do you think they were worse than everyone else in Jerusalem? Not at all! But you can be sure that if you don’t change your thinking, every one of you will also end in ruin." Luke 13:1-5

O - God sends Jesus of Nazareth to the world to clarify his person and purposes.  How would he begin the conversation?  What statement would he have Jesus start with?  Jesus begins the conversation by saying: "Change your thinking.  The kingdom of Heaven is near." The current events described in the section above shows him continuing the invitation and instruction to pursue a change in our thinking. To refuse this ongoing change is to end in ruin.  

 

A - Culture (religion, politics, etc.) is always trying to change peoples’ opinions.  Heaven is inviting and insisting on a complete change (transformation) of thinking. In computer terms it is a completely different Operating System (OS) not a mere change of programs or apps.  The new OS affects everything, every program, that runs on the computer.  The kingdom is near and is insisting on change, an ongoing transformation, of our thinking.  Jesus examples, describes and is the way of this transformation. I admit, accept and pursue this essential and ongoing dynamic of a change in my thinking!

 

P - God who sent Jesus of Nazareth,

Thank you for the clarity and essential coaching he brings to us and to our world.  Believing him about earth and not just about heaven is key. I accept that living this out loud is always more important than saying it out loud.  Yes to you and to following him.

Steve 

Why the Why Matters

S - "The next morning Jesus went out to a place where he could be alone, and crowds came looking for him. When they found him, they tried to stop him from leaving. But Jesus said, “People in other towns must hear the good news of God’s kingdom. This is why I was sent.” So he kept on speaking in the synagogues in Judea. According to Luke 4:42-44

O - This exchange between Jesus and the crowds of people looking for him is one of the many times he will state the purpose for his coming to earth. It is simply and directly identified. Jesus is sent by the Father to clarify his person and purposes. He is God's message to the world and he brings the exact representation of God's person and Kingdom. He tells the people "This is why I was sent." As will be stated all through the accounts, something greater than Solomon, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Elijah, Jonah, David, the Sabbath, the Temple and the Twelve is here.

A - Whenever the religious and religions of our world lay their claim to Jesus of Nazareth they all present a reason, the why, of his appearing. Though there are many wonderful dynamics in the coming, living and teaching of Jesus, the priority he gives for being sent is to clarify God's person and purposes. This singular and consistent affirmation is the one reality all religious teaching and practice ignores and resists. This tragic response was true of the religions of the first century and is just as true of those of the twenty-first century. Jesus is not merely a very important part of God's plan; not a necessary actor to embellish the world's information base of God. He is the exact expression sent to the entire world. He says: "When a person believes in me, they do not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When they look at me, they see the one who sent me." What I am accepting as the why of Jesus' coming directly affects my response to God, his Kingdom and my fellow human beings. I accept Jesus' explanation of himself.

P - God of all and God of me,
Thank you for the crystal-clear picture given to all through Jesus. Whenever my picture of you and/or your kingdom is not identical to him, I admit I have the wrong picture and will actively recalibrate my thinking, living and loving … but will need your help. I am confident I will receive such help because of him.

Steve

Plain as Day

S - "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 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 of 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." According to John 10:23-30

 

O - This exchange between Jesus and the religious of his day exposes one of the beautiful dynamics of God's Kingdom.  Jesus isn't just speaking with words but with his actions and interface with people and circumstances.  His sheep know his voice and his voice is more than words.  It is his activity, unmistakable and unending, in the lives of people.  One last note: the Jews didn't "miss" they "refused".  Religion is always scaring people with the thought that they will unintentionally miss God, his voice and his desires.  Jesus consistently clarifies this issue.  He and his Father are constantly working, communicating, loving the world.  Humans don't miss - they refuse.  

 

A - Theological training teaches that if you're not hearing words you're not hearing God. Why should it surprise any that heaven communicates with us the way we were made?  We humans communicate with each other on the basic 90/10 pattern (90% nonverbal and 10% words).  The beauty for me in being a follower, one of the sheep of his flock, is experiencing this type of communication again and again.  The result is life for today and forever … the irrepressible and vibrant eternal life which is Jesus.   

 

P - Lord who is forever life,

Am so very grateful for your active, ongoing love for all people of the world.  I accept your invitation to follow, to be one of your flock and the telling of who you are and what you're thinking.  For sheep and for children, the issue is always their proximity to another - the shepherd or their parents. Am glad to be consistently choosing to be near you … the experience of your person and presence.

Glad to be in your fold,

Steve  

Quiet Please!

S - "Peter and John answered, “Do you think God wants us to obey you or to obey him? We cannot keep quiet about what we have seen and heard.” Acts of Ambassadors 4:19-20 TJB

 

O - Under the threat of death two of the first followers of Jesus of Nazareth give a very clear signal on speaking out.  What is often missed in their reply is the source and inspiration for their refusal to be quiet. It is from their personal interaction with Jesus not their well-intended opinions and observations from the Scriptures. It is that which they have personally experienced and been witnesses to in this regard.  John will later write: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard … .” 1 John 1:1-3 NIV 

 

A - Religion wants its adherents to do witnessing and heaven wants us to be witnesses (cf. Acts 1:22). The Scriptures' intent is not to give its readers information to debate, argue about or develop systematic theologies. Jesus clearly identified the purpose of Scripture. He said to the Scripture experts of his day: "You search the Scriptures, because you think you will find eternal life in them. The Scriptures testify of me, but you refuse to come to me for life." John 5:39-40 TJB. It is our direct, personal interface with his person and his spirit that is to be the basis for our talking.  Jesus is the ultimate material witness (John 3:11-12) and we are to be like him; material witnesses not the purveyors of scripturally inspired theories and hearsay. While I am welcome to my opinions on other matters, apart from my place with him as a material witness he insists: Steve, quiet please! 

 

P - Lord of life,

Am so very grateful to be experiencing you, knowing you, not just knowing about you.  I accept the limitation you want me to live and speak by.  I am not only willing to speak; I am willing to be quiet … just like you.  

I love you back,

Steve

Hometown Surprise

S - "Jesus left and returned to his hometown with his followers. …The people were upset because of what he was doing. But Jesus said, “Prophets are honored by everyone, except the people of their hometown and their relatives and their own family.” Jesus could not work any miracles there, except to heal a few sick people by placing his hands on them. He was surprised that the people did not have any faith." According to Mark 6:1, 3-6

O - This hometown heartbreak highlights a tragic misdirection religion perpetuates.  There is a critical difference between one's theology and one's actual faith.  The people of Jesus' hometown had a truckload of theology and no faith.  How is this so?  Religion's emphasis is on what is perceives to be informational accuracy and God's kingdom emphasis is on relational authenticity with the one sent by heaven. As it turns out, faith is not primarily a theological term but a relational one.  The original term means to have confidence in and to rely on. Specifically, to have confidence in and rely on Jesus of Nazareth; something Jesus' hometown would not do.  Surprise: accurate theology does not equate to faith. 

 

A - All the religions promote the idea that God's greatest gift to humans and the world is actually a book. Torah for Judaism, Quran for Islam, Bible for Christianity, the Vedas for Hinduism and the Tipitaka (also called the Pali Canon) for Buddhism, etc. However, heaven’s greatest gift is a person; Jesus of Nazareth. He is heaven's message to the world.  He clarifies the person and purposes of God. God has never made a Christian, Jew, Buddhist, Hindu or Muslim … humans have made all these.  He's making a family, dearly loved children, brothers and sisters together from every culture, nation and ethnicity. I am very grateful to have confidence in Jesus and to be relying on him; not a concept, principle or plan … Jesus himself; and to be doing so with brothers and sisters from all over the world.

 

P - Our Father,

Thank you for sending Jesus and for your dream for all the world - a family, not a religion, institution or organization. Am so grateful that you can be known not just known about.  You have loved us (the world) first, and most and refuse to change your mind.  Am so glad to be experiencing you and your love in confidence and reliance on Jesus.  

Amazed,

Steve

Clear Vision or Self-deception?

S - "Jesus told him, “For judgment I came into this world, so that the blind would see and those who see would become blind.” When the Religious Experts heard Jesus say this, they asked, “Are we blind?” Jesus answered, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty. But now that you claim to see, you will keep on being guilty.”" According to John 9:39-41 TJB

O - What was the basis used by the Religious Experts to conclude they possessed their sight? How did they affirm and validate their "seeing"; a seeing which leaves them guilty in the most tragic way? While the story does not go on to answer these questions directly, we can identify some of the claims, validations and causes for their self-deception and blindness.  They were experts in scripture, knowledgeable and well-trained.  They were the inheritors of an unbroken tradition from Moses and leaders in the dynamics which shaped the culture/religion of the day. How could they not be sighted? So profuse is their self-deceived and self-imposed blindness (which they considered to be clear sighted reality) they will go on to refuse and reject the Messiah, condemn and demand his death.  In truth, they rejected the one who fulfilled all of the markers and prophecies given by the scriptures they used to validate themselves. How blind and sad is that?  And yet, are these not the same claims and validations used by the spiritual and religious leaders of our day?  They all, regardless of religion, use these to claim sight, validation, vindication; the very thing which is blindness and unrelenting guilt, according to Jesus. He says: “Your eyes are the lamp for your body. When your eyes are good, you have all the light you need. But when your eyes are bad, everything is dark. So be sure your light isn’t darkness. If you have light, and nothing is dark, then light will be everywhere, as when a lamp shines brightly on you." [Luke 11:34-36 TJB]  

 

A - Whoa!  I am a leader, one fairly well skilled and trained in scripture.  How am I assessing my "seeing" and what is the metric of such for validation in my life? How do I avoid the self-deception which inspired the tragic thinking and actions of the Religious Experts; and which ends in a self-imposed blind-guilt?  Just like the man born blind, safety and seeing will not come through my interface with the scriptures, religion or culture.  It is obtained exclusively by interface with the person of Jesus.  Ongoing interface with his person, presence and spirit gives sight; not the culture, religion or even the verses of one's best known passages of scripture. Light, not information, is required for us to be able to see.  "Once again Jesus spoke to the people saying, “I am the light of the world! Follow me, and you won’t be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life.”" [John 8:12 TJB] Sight, light, freedom, life is in a person not a principle, religious practice or a scripture.  Seeing is from him and in him … and he is validation enough for all who follow.  

 

P - Lord,

I admit that without you darkness, self-deception and blindness will be my status; even if I hold scriptural insights or principles. You are life and light and I rely on you to enable my seeing, following, living and loving. 

You really are validation enough,

Steve

No Scripture Required

S - "And when he was raised from death, his followers remembered what he had told them. Then they believed the Scriptures and the words of Jesus." According to John 2:22 TJB

 

O - Those following Jesus and who were closest to him did not believe because of anything recorded in the Scriptures.  They'd even forgotten much of what he told them. They did not believe in the resurrection of Jesus because the Scriptures foretold it. The catalyst for their belief did not come from theological information or religious practice. It came, and it comes, from only one source: personal encounters with the resurrected Jesus. Religion wants people to believe in the Scripture so they will believe in Jesus. Heaven wants people to meet Jesus and then the Scriptures will have their intended place.      

 

A - The life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth highlight and emphasize the reality that God's Kingdom and all religions are diametrically opposed to each other.  The polarized differences are the differences between mere human culture and God's Kingdom. Religion uses Scriptures to come to conclusions it thinks are accurate.  It builds, creates a Savior, a Jesus in its own understanding.  These two are so intensely opposed to each other that the best religion of Jesus' day will insist on and insure his unjust trial and underserved execution. Ultimately, religion will use the words of Scripture and then refuse or change the meaning.  Jesus clearly and repeatedly warns his followers of this sad reality. He invites me and the world (7.7 billion) to follow himself not a principle, plan or concept. Faith in Jesus does not come from accurate theological conclusions but from the reliance and confidence one has in his person in ongoing relationship. Jesus is to be known not just known about. Once we meet him … resurrection is a foregone conclusion.  No Scriptures required.  

 

P - God of all and God of me,

Am so very grateful that your great love for us is fully expressed and confirmed in the person of Jesus and his invitation to know you not just know about you. Am glad to be following him and loving you back.

Steve  

Relational Ease

S - "Jesus was teaching in a synagogue in Capernaum when he said these things. Many of Jesus’ followers heard him and said, “This is too hard for anyone to understand.” … Then Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless it is given to them by the Father. That is why I have told these things to all of you.” As a result, many of his followers turned back and stopped following him." According to John 6:59-60, 65-66

 

O - Religion promotes the misconception that accurate information is the critical piece God requires.  The result is that one's understanding becomes the primary dynamic and determining factor in all things related to God.  Jesus consistently refutes this idea.  God's desire and God's kingdom is a relational reality not a theological one. Information isn't unimportant it is just not most important.  Relational authenticity always trumps informational accuracy (e.g. Jesus' consistent silencing of demons saying true things about him).  The beauty in this is that being near relationally is more important than understanding a truth, plan or concept.  Presence of and interface with a person triumphs over intellectual understanding (e.g. the sisters of Lazarus). This is true for all children and Jesus promises the world (7.7billion): "People who are like these little children belong to the kingdom of God. I promise you that you cannot get into God’s kingdom, unless you accept it the way a child does."    

 

A - As a child I was encouraged to memorize Proverbs 3:5-6.  It says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Then, over the years, I was encouraged in and believed the lie of religion: to rely on my understanding of Scripture; the very thing the Scripture tells us to not do.  Heaven invites me and all to trust a person, to rely on and have confidence in him rather than in our understanding. Children rely on being near/with their parents not their understanding, resources, information or skill sets. They rely on another for direction, protection and provision. Jesus' solitary invitation remains and I am very keen on accepting and living it out loud -- "Follow me."  

 

P - Lord,

I will trust in you with all my heart, not in my current read of the Scriptures or in my understanding of concepts or principles. Am so very grateful to know you and your presence not just know about you.  You lead and I'll follow.

I do love you back,

Steve 

More than a Change of Opinion

S - "After Paul had gathered some wood and had put it on the fire, the heat caused a snake to crawl out, and it bit him on the hand. When the local people saw the snake hanging from Paul’s hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer! He didn’t drown in the sea, but Justice will kill him anyway.” Paul shook the snake off into the fire and wasn’t harmed. The people kept thinking that Paul would either swell up or suddenly drop dead. They watched him for a long time, and when nothing happened to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god." Acts of Ambassadors 28:3-6

O - As it turns out, the local people were right about Paul's violent past and wrong about Justice.  On a couple of different occasions, he will write about his life before encountering Jesus of Nazareth on the road to Damascus. He describes himself as violently persecuting the community of followers and trying to destroy it; a pursuit which involved imprisonment and death for those he was after. When Paul didn't die by the snake bite, the local people would change their minds about him and be wrong again. The straight-line (cause and effect) thinking of people often appears logical and accurate and is just as often wrong. What is required is a change of thinking, not just a change of conclusions or opinions based on certain subsets of input. Straight-line thinking isn't always wrong but at its best it is always incomplete. This is, in part, why Jesus starts his conversation with world by saying: "Change your thinking. The kingdom of heaven has come near." 

 

A - Nature defies (resists, refuses) a straight line. Trees are vertical not straight. The Himalayas are beautiful but not one of them is straight. Rivers don't flow in a straight line and the horizon is curved. So, who made nature? Who are we following? It’s true that the shortest distance between any two points is a straight line— but it seems he rarely takes it. Straight-line thinking is why the 12 want to send the 5,000 families away hungry. Jesus had something else in mind.  It is why the Scripture experts of his day misunderstood and misapplied Sabbath. Straight-line thinking is why the religious and political leaders killed Jesus. He says "Change your thinking. The kingdom of heaven is near." He also says "Unless you change your thinking you too will end in ruin." I will welcome and accept more than a change of opinion; more than conclusions based exclusively on sequential assessments. I'll pursue and embrace a transformed thinking made possible by God's Spirit and the Kingdom that is near. 

 

P - God of Jesus and God of me,

I admit that I need an ongoing change of thinking unto the life that is really life.  I will welcome this change day by day, relying on you for its clarity and effect.  Thanks for the beauty of creation and the beauty beyond straight-line thinking.

Steve  

Faith - it may not be what you think it is

 

S - "Jesus replied, “Didn’t I tell you that if you had faith, you would see the glory of God?” John 11:40 

 

O - These are the words of Jesus spoken to the sister of his friend who had died four days earlier. He was talking about a resurrection on that very day and she was stuck in her theological framework. You can read the entire exchange in John's account at chapter eleven. So, what does Jesus mean by "if you had faith"? Is he provoking her to rehearse, enhance or alter some theological conclusions about his identity? Is having faith laying a claim to some promise or principle in scripture? The record is clear and the answer is no. In fact, the resurrection of her brother is not the result of her request, spiritual intensity or scriptural understanding. Yet, she sees her brother raised to life and the glory of God in it all.  Faith (the original language word) is not a theological term but a relational one.  It means to rely on or have confidence in.  It is not the result of theological definition but of personal exchange.  Even in her misunderstanding and failure to ask, she is relying on and having confidence in Jesus.  The rest is history and a glorious one it is. 

 

A - The opportunity of choice, the work heaven wants all people to do, is to believe (to have confidence in and rely on) the one sent by God.  Religion has made faith a theological term and heaven insists on keeping it relational.  The great thing for me in this story is that being near Jesus in relational confidence is more important than knowing what to ask for.  The sister won't miss because of who she is with; not because of her theological prowess or spiritual fervor. The same dynamic is offered to me and to all.  The invitation remains: "follow me and you'll be amazed at what you see."  All these years later I can say -- I remain amazed at Jesus and at God's glory.     

 

P - Lord,

Am so very grateful for your open-ended and unrelenting invitation to come near and to believe.  Thank you for insisting on a relationship rather than a religious practice; for the joy of knowing you and not just knowing about you.  Thank you for putting the face on God; for clarifying his person and his purposes.  

Confident in and relying on you,

Steve  

Known not just Known About

S - "GOD called again, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli, “I heard you call. Here I am.” Again Eli said, “Son, I didn’t call you. Go back to bed.” (This all happened before Samuel knew GOD for himself. It was before the revelation of GOD had been given to him personally.)" 1 Samuel 3:6-7 MSG

 

O - This ancient event and text identify one of heaven's essential desires for all people.  The desire? That each of us would know GOD for ourselves, a relational exchange given to us individually, personally.  Religion is satisfied for people to believe its presentation of the facts about God.  It creates adherents, devotees and enthusiasts.  It develops gatherings, rituals, programs and organizational structure based on the information it presents. It calls people to believe in God the way 330 million Americans believe in Abraham Lincoln. Heaven has no such desire.  

 

A - Knowing someone and knowing about someone (regardless of how many facts about them are possessed) is not the same thing. Jesus of Nazareth clarifies eternal life with this same dynamic. "This is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, the one you sent." The beauty for me is not only can God and Jesus actually be known/experienced but we are also known by them. We are not just known about by heaven (the way the IRS knows about us).  We are known, loved and wanted even at our worst.  WOW! 

 

P - God who invites us to know,

Am so very grateful for you and your kingdom which is relationships. For the great dignity of choice given to us all so that we would have and grow in an actual relationship with you. I admit that I can't make you do your part and you won't make me do mine.  We choose together.  

Am grateful to live and pray in Jesus,

Steve 

The Tragic Result of Self-Reliance

S - "Some people brought their children to Jesus so he could bless them by placing his hands on them. But his followers told the people to stop bothering him. When Jesus saw this, he became angry and said, “Let the children come to me! Don’t try to stop them. People who are like these little children belong to the kingdom of God. I promise you that you cannot get into God’s kingdom, unless you accept it the way a child does.” Then Jesus took the children in his arms and blessed them by placing his hands on them."  Mark 10:13-16 TJB

 

O - In this rather famous event in the life of Jesus, he identifies those who belong to God's kingdom and also how that kingdom is entered.  It is the same for both entry and belonging. Childlikeness is the only way.  In fact, we are promised by Jesus that without this reality actively working in our lives we "cannot get into God's kingdom"; and we cannot and will not belong. Those people (regardless of age, station in life, religion and ethnicity) who enter and belong are childlike. Any who try to stop or prevent childlike entry and belonging anger him.  He says "Don't try to stop them."   

 

A - Jesus is the most childlike human being to live on earth and he insists we join him in childlikeness. Religion and the "grown-up world" in which we live do not believe him about this reality. It thinks that accurate theology and right religious practice are the keys to entering and belonging.  The result is the conflict which angers Jesus.  The world tries to stop all childlike thinking and living.  It insists on worldly wisdom and maturity.  God insists on the opposite.  If I am going to enter and belong I must accept, pursue and engage childlike living in all circumstances. Grownups are taught to rely on themselves; what they know, what they have and what they can do. Children rely on another for direction, protection and provision.  Childlikeness is not naiveté, that is childish. Rather it is consistent reliance on another, on God and not ourselves.  In my thinking and living am I childlike?  Am I living a self-reliant life or one relying on Him? In my interface with others am I hindering their childlikeness by words and actions of "maturity"? Jesus says: "Blessed are those people who rely only on God.  They belong to his kingdom."

 

P - Our Father in heaven,

Your kingdom is near and you give all people the dignity of choice.  I accept the instruction and assignment Jesus gives regarding your kingdom.  It is in my heart to enter and to belong and so I choose to learn the ways of childlike living.  Thank you for sending Jesus to clarify your person and purposes. 

Steve