Darkness is not a Friend

S - John 12:35-36a, 44-46 (TLJ): "The Jesus said, "The light will be with you for only a short time more. So walk while you have the light. Then the darkness will not catch you.  People who walk in the darkness don't know where they are going.  So put your trust in the light while you still have it. Then you will be children of light." … Then Jesus said loudly, "Everyone who believes in me is really believing in the one who sent me. Everyone who sees me is really seeing the one who sent me. I came into this world as a light. I came so that everyone who believes in me will not stay in darkness."

O - Darkness is not something we can "get out" or "move" on its own.  The only remedy for darkness is to bring light in, not to think we can "get darkness out."  The emphasis must be on the light and bringing it in rather than on the darkness to get it out.  This point of focus or emphasis is huge and polarizes people.  Those focused on getting darkness out are always judging, condemning and demanding.  Those focused on bringing the light in are always hopeful, life giving and able to find their way forward through any darkness or difficulty. Culture and religion focus on darkness; the kingdom and those who are following Jesus focus on the light. Light is a person and he came so that everyone who believes will not stay in darkness.

A - The focus or emphasis for my life, for this day and for every day is to be all about bringing light in rather than getting darkness out.  This is the point for me and for everyone.  Today the forever light and life of the world (Jesus) is completely available and willing to come into my entire existence (good and bad, healthy and sick, living and dying, strong and pathetic, light and dark)  … so that believing, seeing, walking, trusting all will find their fulfillment in him on earth just like they do in heaven. 

P - Lord who is light,

Thank you for this day and for the privileged place I have of direct connection with you and all that you are doing on planet earth.  I praise you for wanting in to all of our/my darkness and for calling everyone to welcome light regardless of standing, circumstance or history.  Lord, I praise you for living hope, irrepressible life, relentless love and a future overflowing with defiant mercy and powerful grace.  I love you back … I praise your greatness and the greatness of your name.

You are the Living God,

Steve

Better than Being Home for the Holidays

S - Hebrews 1:1-3, 2:10-11 (NLT): "Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. But now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he made the universe and everything in it. The Son reflects God's own glory, and everything about him represents God exactly. He sustains the universe by the mighty power of his command. After he died to cleanse us from the stain of sin, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God of heaven. … And it was only right that God--who made everything and for whom everything was made--should bring his many children into glory. Through the suffering of Jesus, God made him a perfect leader, one fit to bring them into their salvation. So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters."

O - Jesus makes us (any who will let him) holy.  We do not and cannot make ourselves holy.  We cannot sustain this holiness by our own "good deeds".  We can only come near and stay near so that Jesus will make, keep and perfect in us the holiness which is the strong family likeness all the children of God share.  Holy is not a list of things to not do.  It is not a goal for which we aim.  It is a state of being we can only receive from the One who alone is Holy. It provokes and inspires activities which are not like us and not like our world (cf. Matthew 5:43-48; 6:1-18).  Even these activities do not make us holy; they are the effects of being made holy by Jesus.  We can grow and deepen in this holiness because like everything in the Kingdom it is a living and dynamic reality. We cannot produce, replicate or sustain it on our own.  It is not from us and not from this world.  It is freely given, always available and life changing for those who will.

A - The voice of Jesus is always calling me/us near.  Regardless of the content of his message the desired result is always the same.  Come to me, follow me, be near me and I will make you … The making of us is not a making us mind or making us stop or making us do something we don't want to do.  It is a creating, an empowering, a partnership of being made into all that he died, dreamt and lives for us to be.  It exceeds our expectations and hopes for ourselves.  It is humble because he won't do so without our cooperation and because we must humble ourselves under his mighty and loving hand to receive. Out of this world and immensely practical in this world those who are being made holy live vibrant, confident and strangely refreshing lives.   My/our assignment each day, each circumstance and even moment by moment is come near so I/we can be made holy unto shameless and irrepressible life.

P - Holy Lord,
You are so magnificent!  You really have loved us first and most and refuse to change your mind.  Thank you insisting and wanting us to come near and stay.  Thank you for refusing to be ashamed of us and for enabling us to become more than we think or imagine.  Lord, today I will not be able to be holy without your direct touch.  Lord, I come near so that you will make me holy - not like this fallen world or even my fallen self but like you and the strong family likeness of our Father.  Thank you for coming near us (advent) so that we could come near you and stay.
Daily preparing room,
Steve

What's Your Priority-One?

S - 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV): "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." (MSG) "Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything." (AMP) "Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others]."

O - This is not an exhortation toward denial or pretend.  It is an affirmation of the most important assignment humans have toward each other … love your neighbor as yourself.  This response/capacity has as its source the primary assignment given us toward God … love him with all your heart, soul, strength and mind.  In both cases the result is a multitude of sins being covered (kaluvptw: to hide or veil, to hinder the knowledge of a thing). Jesus said that all Scriptures hang on these two commands and that if we would do them we would live.  Peter says … above all else.  Religion says, only under certain conditions.  Jesus says this is the greatest.  Culture says only fools love this way.  It's not that sins aren't sins. Rather, it is that they become the opportunity to love rather than to condemn.  This is how God demonstrates his love for us, while we were still sinner Christ died for us.  This is the same demonstration we have been called to live out loud day by day with our brothers, sisters and neighbors.

A - Culture/religion wants me to be right; Jesus wants me to be near. Culture/religion is focused on information and the Kingdom is focused on a person.  Culture/religion is all about what is seen (how things look) and the Kingdom is all about what is unseen (how things actually are).  Culture/religion won't discourage all love it just doesn't want it to be "above all else."  It can be on my list just not first on my list. Jesus put love first on the list for all people and this beautifully forgives, disregards, and hinders the knowledge of the sins of others.  I've found that when Jesus addresses my sins he's not looking to publically expose and make of me an example.  Rather, he's looking to forgive completely and make of me an entirely new creation.  He insists I hold every life in the hope of transformation -- even my own.  Okay, Steve, so … above all else love your neighbor as yourself.

P - Lord God who is love,

Thank you for wanting us to receive and give love above all else.  Jesus, thank you for revealing the Father and for continuing to reveal him so that the love he has for you would be in us and that you yourself would be in us.  Lord, I need and want your love, to love you back and to make you glad by loving all others.  Today, with 9 shopping days left 'til Christmas and the press felt in our culture, I want to love.  Today, I welcome you and all you want to do … and the very first on your list is love.  Lord, I do love you back!

Steve

Complete Hope for the Completely Regrettable

S - Luke 23:41-43 (ISV): "We have been condemned justly, because we are getting what we deserve for what we have done, but this man has done nothing wrong. Then he went on to plead, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus told him, I tell you with certainty, today you will be with me in Paradise."

O - A completely regrettable and forgettable life is asking the One who is life to be remembered by him; the guilty is asking for help from the guiltless; the powerless from the powerful and the response is immediate and complete.  Jesus will not offer this tragic human being self-help but help; his granted request will not end in a better person but a completely transformed one.  Much has been made about the place (i.e. Paradise) but the real beauty is found in the company this condemned criminal will gain.  Frankly, from his current locale on a cross anywhere other than hell itself would be a "better place."  Jesus isn't giving the relief of a change in venue but the remedy of a complete transformation.  We should all forget "better" and "better place" and remember that we're remembered … living near him and holding every life, even our own, in the hope of transformation.

A - There are so many times that I just want relief when Jesus is offering me remedy.  Today, the point for me should be/must be all about presence, about who I am with and who is with me rather than about where I am or the circumstances which currently surround me.  I do not want to settle for self-help but the help of transformation.  I am very glad that Jesus doesn't want a "better" me. He already has it in his heart and mind for a completely transformed me.  Today hope is mine because hope is a person and he is with me, for me and won't change his mind.

P - Lord who is near and working everything for a good,

Thank you for today and for wanting us near.  Thank you for more than relief … thank you for remedy here and hereafter.  I'm asking that I would do the work of believing so that all that you've got in mind to me and through me would be unhindered.  Thank you for allowing my choices and my faith to matter.  I'm asking that your life would flow into me and out of me unto the transformation you already have in mind. I am believing unto new wineskins, mulberry trees in the ocean and that which is too wonderful for me.

Thanks for never forgetting,

Steve

Vandalism of the Worst Kind

S - 1 Corinthians 3:17-20 (NIV): “If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple. Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"; and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.""

O - The term "destroy" is  fqeivrw: properly to shrivel or wither, that is, to spoil (by any process), to ruin, corrupt (self), defile, destroy. What is the assault on God's temple being warned against?  What is this destructive activity which, according to Scripture, will garner an identical response from the Almighty? Answer: Division (e.g. 1 Corinthians 1:10-13)!  A boasting which separates believers one from another (e.g. 1 Corinthians 3:21-23); a choosing of sides which promotes a disconnect between the brothers (e.g. 1 Corinthians 3:3-4). Disunity is no small matter to the spiritual condition of God's people/temple and is not viewed as a misdemeanor by him. It withers, destroys, defiles and shrivels that which is sacred to God and which he desires, loves and wants all people to participate in.  In the Kingdom of God the temple is not a place, a building, a religious organization or observance … it is comprised of individual living stones (people) each one worth an incalculable amount; each one so desired that Jesus would literally rather die than be without them; and so cherished by him that he refers to the whole of them as his bride.   

A - The world, secular and religious, accepts disunity and division as often  necessary or at least unavoidable in a world with collateral damage. Jesus' response to betrayers wasn't to throw them out or denounce them but to love them and engage them (this was true for Judas, Peter and those who crucified him).  Jesus has called me/us to only one assignment which, according to him, will cause the world to know that the Father sent him and that I am/we are his followers. This will happen, he says, if we (his followers) will love each other, i.e. are without division (John 17:23).  21 centuries later we still don't think this will work and won't do it.  I bring this up , not to accuse others but to embrace getting and keeping the beam out of my own eye.  Today, and every day, my primary assignment remains the same: love God with my all and all others as myself.  Regardless of another's view of me (brother, neighbor or enemy) the assignment for me is the same, love. This will keep me/us from the destruction of that which God as identified as sacred. Love does not divide nor accuse, does not boast, is not rude … it always hopes, always  protects, always perseveres (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:1-7).

P - Lord who is love,

I admit that this primary assignment, which is your primary response to all, is simple and clear but it is not how I was taught nor is it easy to my flawed thinking and living. Nevertheless, you have promised to never leave nor forsake me.  You not only show me the way you are the way and you are love. So, forgive me for all the times I've chosen or boasted thinking I was defending truth or faith while in reality I was shrinking that/those which you hold sacred.  You always start at love, lead with mercy and then face the facts.  I've been trained to start with facts which then appear to require a no mercy response which is then labeled love.  I do choose to repent and welcome the work of your irrepressible life and spirit to enable me to prove it by my deeds. Jesus, I'd like very much to be a reason someone else might believe.

All my love,

Steve

Spiritual Warfare that Actually Works

S - 2 Corinthians 9:15, 10:3-5 (NLT): "Thank God for his Son--a gift too wonderful for words! … We are human, but we don't wage war with human plans and methods. We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds. With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ."

O - Human plans and methods "for Jesus" often become the strongholds or ideas which keep others from knowing him.  They create divisions, condemnation, comparisons and pride. They inspire us to speak boldly (arrogantly) where the scriptures are silent and to turn a blind eye to where they speak plainly.  This tragedy is not only found in such endeavors as the Inquisition or Salem Witch Trials but in denominational distinctions and splits, in political wranglings and causes and in opinions, traditions and convictions which are treated like Scriptural commands.  These do not defeat the Devil, they actually work in league with him and his desire to accuse, condemn and divide. The wonderful gift of Jesus is enough, we don't need to add anything to him or to his words. We need to work with him.  We need to love, trust and obey him and love all others as we have been loved and love ourselves.  The only thing that counts [ejnergevw: to be active, efficient: - do, (be) effectual (fervent), be mighty in, show forth self, work (effectually in).] is faith expressing itself through love (Galatians 5:6). Now that's effective warfare.

A - I am wondering if resisting and defeating spiritual forces has less to do with praying (not no praying) and more to do with how I/we engage others.  Jesus disarmed the principalities and powers in open triumph by how he engaged the others who were betraying, denying, deserting, torturing and crucifying him.  Colossians 2:15: "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." His prayers focused on embracing the Father's will above his own. His weapon against all the forces of hell was loving his Father and loving all others no matter what.  While flesh and blood are not my enemies people  may well provide the only effective place for dispensing the "ordnance of heaven" which defeats the unseen spiritual forces of darkness.  Ephesians 6:12: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." What advance would the Lord call me to in this way of thinking, living and warring?  Who am I estranged from or at odds with which requires me to love?  Is there a group or a pocket of people currently isolated from my willingness to love?  Without love I am not even one thing - nothing [oujdeiv~].

P - Lord who is love and who leads us in triumphal procession,

I thank you for all the connections you are helping me/us make with those who love you.  I thank you for your patient and zealous protection over us/me all these years.  I thank you for your provision and generosity in all aspects of life on earth and life forever - Lord you really are awesome.  As I think about my day, my life, my circumstance, my fears and my hopes I am struck with this thought about how your soldiers soldier.  Take these thoughts and these wonderings and lead me to both the conclusions and "missions" which will make you glad and hasten the defeat of those powers who yet live in opposition to you.  Lord, I want to work with you and in that place do the work of believing.  I want to follow no matter where you lead and in that following love all the way I've been loved.  Thank you for calling me/us to yourself.  Thank you for including me/us in the living out of your triumph not merely in the observation of it.  Children are not greater than their parents, students their teachers and servants their lords.  Jesus, show me how to live and work and war with you. 

Opened hearted and committed without reserve,

Steve

The Devil's Weapon of Choice

S - 2 Corinthians 11:3, 13-15 (NIV): "But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.  … For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness."

O - Jesus and the Scriptures give us clear warning about the Devil and his malevolent existence.  These verses connected to and compared with the life of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13), the dynamics of the religious leaders of his day (John 7:52) and the history of the religious world also confirm his weapon of choice. It's a shocking recognition the first time it's clearly perceived. Satan's weapon of choice is always the Scriptures … the Scriptures with just a little change in wording or shift in emphasis (cf. Genesis 3:1-6).

A - Jesus gives us/me insight regarding this strange and commonly experienced phenomenon. Rightly handling the Scriptures does not happen by a vigilant desire to be right but by avidly staying near him who is the Gospel.  He (Jesus) cautions me to never forget their purpose or the power of God's person.

John 5:39-40: "You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life."

Matthew 22:29: "Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God."

P - God who speaks,

Thank you for your written voice and for your speaking voice.  Thank you for giving us your Living Word, Jesus. He is life, light, truth, hope and he calls me/us to come near and stay.  I choose to, because of grace, to come near and stay near unto the unveiling of the masquerade, the dispersal of shadow and the beauty of love's pure light.  Today, you are vigilant as my shepherd and I get to be avidly near you as your dearly loved sheep. Once again I rejoice that the battle, the warfare, belongs to you. 

Staying near & listening,

Steve