Transformation: Near not How; That not When

S - 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV): "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

O - Transformed (μεταμορφόω:  to change into another form) is the point of the work Jesus is doing in everyone who follows him.  He brings us help not self-help; transformation not reformation. The word metamorphosis comes from this Greek verb and is demonstrated in nature by the caterpillar turned butterfly. How does the caterpillar accomplish this?  By being a caterpillar; by simply living out its design as God intended. The caterpillar does not decide when or how this happens.  In Scripture transformation is demonstrated in the life of Jesus when he went up on the mountain and had a chat with Moses and Elijah.  How did Jesus manage this?  By being Jesus.  How do followers of Jesus become a new creation, a transformed human who reflects his glory? By following, by being his disciple, by staying near! Transformation is his work not ours.

A - Caterpillars don't try to become butterflies … they simply do. Jesus wasn't straining to be transfigured … he simply was.  This is the beauty of Jesus and his followers.  He does the transforming, we stay near and follow.  Transformation is so glorious and heavenly we can't do it.  It is his work and spirit in us which accomplishes this change where heaven touches earth and from glory to glory our lives are, my life is, transformed.  Jesus insists that I hold every life in the hope of transformation … even or especially my own.

P - Lord who helps us,

Thank you for this day and the hope of transformation it already contains by your will, design and presence.  I admit that you've already decided that I should be transformed and conformed into the image of Jesus and this I do welcome and believe.  I'll stay near and follow as your friend and disciple … you'll do the transforming.  Jesus, I'm not asking for self-help but help.  I love you back.

Steve

Even When You're Perfect Life Still Isn't

S - Mark 3:20-22, (NIV): "Then he [Jesus] went home. Such a large crowd gathered again that Jesus and his disciples couldn't even eat. When his family heard about it, they went to restrain him, because they kept saying, 'He's out of his mind!' The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem kept repeating, 'He has Beelzebul,' and, 'He drives out demons by the ruler of demons.'"

O - What a "great" welcome home.  His family is thinking he's out of his mind. The religious leaders have assessed and concluded that he himself is demonized and is only able to eject demons by Satan himself.  Home may be where "they have to let you in" but it doesn’t mean they're thinking the best of you or your activities.  Jesus will go on to affirm his true family (those who do the will of God) and his home (not in this world).  It is this way for all who are his.  Even when we're home on earth we're not home yet.  And as for the assessment of others Jesus tells us all (Luke 6:26): "How terrible it will be for you when everyone says nice things about you, because that's the way their ancestors used to treat the false prophets."

A - Well, I can say that this dynamic and expert assessment has been a part of my life's experience.  It really does feel terrible but Jesus wants me to not believe how it feels but to trust his description of how it actually is.  He is the perfect human and yet his family relations and the opinion of those with influence are far from what one would expect.  While I can postulate many reasons as to why this is so, Jesus is really not talking much about it.  Apparently he wants me/us to know that this will happen and to be unintimidated or disheartened by it.  While it is never a comfortable dynamic there is a silver lining. Not only has he left me/us this example but he comes near when these dark occurrences cast their shadow over our lives. The shadows can't remain … he is life, light, love and hope.  He dispels darkness and says to all who follow: do not be discouraged because I am with you; do not be dismayed because all authority is mine and I am with you and for you.

P - Lord who knows all about earth,

Thank you for wanting to be near even when our hearts hurt and our minds misfire and emotions are strong and dark.  You not only know the way you are the way … and you have loved us first and most and won't change your mind.  Let me love all, especially those who are set in opposition to me.  Let me be like you and live out loud the beauty of the freedom of forgiveness.  Jesus, today, I will follow, stay near and believe.  My heart is open to you.

I love you back,

Steve

Once is not Enough

S - Mark 1:15 (ISV): "He [Jesus] said, The time in now! The Kingdom of God is near! Repent, and keep believing the gospel."

O - Repent (literally 'change the way you think') is not a onetime activity related exclusively to past sins and theological conclusions on the true identity of Jesus.  Though it includes such, the change in thinking Jesus came for and comes for when two or three gather in his name is an ongoing dynamic of interface with the person who is the gospel (Jesus) and the words, actions, attitudes and optic such an exchange creates in us. Our part in the intentional recalibration and alignment with the Kingdom of God and its nearness. His part is the transformational power and process which enables us to think like Jesus, speak, love, act and live like him.  The time for such an exchange and interaction is always "now." The result will be out of this world in this world … where heaven literally touches earth.

A - The question for this day for me is not have I believed in the past but am I believing right now?  In the current circumstance, status and situation I'm in, am I intentionally turning into the person of Jesus, the Kingdom of which he is the king and the reality of its nearness? Simply, am I choosing to give my all to think like Jesus, speak, act and love like Jesus? The time for this is always now and when we/I do we find him always near … and in his company nothing is impossible, too difficult or too wonderful for him to do.

P - Lord is the Gospel and who is near,

I admit that my natural (lawful) thinking patterns are not like yours.  I also admit that you want into them all unto the transformation of my entire life to be what you've dreamt and intended it to be all along.  Jesus, I welcome you to engage me however you wish and am choosing to engage the change of thinking which embraces you and the nearness of your kingdom.  Lord, I am all in … and holding nothing back.  Do everything it's in your heart to do.  My answer is yes. I do love back. I choose to keep believing.

Glad for your nearness,

Steve

Building According to Specs

S - Luke 6:46-49 (NIV): "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

O - Jesus is the message from heaven, the Gospel, the exact picture of his Father.  His words were not his own (John 12:49-50) and his words were NOT limited to things "spiritual" and "eternal".  Jesus speaks plainly about money, daily bread, enemies, forgiveness, judging others, etc., all things of earth.  He instructs his followers of his priorities and his desires for our lives here not just here after. So, the question of Jesus remains: why do you call me Lord and then ignore, deny or excuse yourselves from what I plainly say?  Can we really throw another human being "under the bus" of needing to succeed (secularly or religiously) and think all is well?  Can I worry about and run after what I'm going to eat, wear and store up and not have it drastically hurt my soul, my relationship with God and the building of my life on earth (Matthew 6:25-34)? Jesus' question to Nicodemus remains connected to this picture of wise and foolish builders: how will you believe me about heaven if you won't believe me about earth (John 3:12)?

A - Like the spiritual leaders of Jesus' day most of the leaders of my day don't really believe Jesus and his Father about earth.  They claim to believe. They talk about the kingdom and heaven and hell … but their lives betray the truth that they do not believe Jesus about earth.  As a result I was trained to do the same; to very selectively believe Jesus about earth and to always reserve the blinders of "knowing better" than he does about how "it really works on earth."  I am not angry or unforgiving toward those who taught me this because it's what others taught them; and they were doing the best they knew. According to Jesus, when the blind lead the blind they both end up in the ditch.  The REAL issue for me is the beam, the plank, the 2X4 in my vision.  How will I live today on earth? Will I believe the words of Jesus about earth and not just about heaven?  Will I do what he says or simply continue to give lip service to his Lordship? I will say yes to the person and words of Jesus about heaven and about earth. I will build according to his specifications. I will do what he says. 

P - Lord Jesus,

Thank you for calling me/us to yourself and not just to a place or a principle.  Thank you for being the message and for giving specific instructions about how I am to work with you in the building of my life on earth.  I admit that my primary purpose today is loving you and my neighbor. I admit that the work is believing you and that the only ensign of being your disciple is loving. I admit that I cannot run after what I'm going to eat, wear and store-up and follow you at the same time.  Today, you are already working with your Father and already have in mind what you're going to do.  I accept your grace-filled invitation to work with you.  Lead on, teach on, transform my little life.

I love you back,

Steve

Houston--Earth has a Problem

S - Psalm 81:11, 13 (NIV): "But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. … If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!"

O - Above are two of the three times in this brief psalm where the problem of listening is identified.  The failure in listening was not a lack of hearing the words but of believing the words heard.  Israel would not believe the words and ways of God on earth.  They would claim the authority of the words but not do them.  This is the perennial problem with humans and culture (secular and religious).  It is the yeast of the Pharisees, Sadducees and Herod which ruins the entire batch.

A - The application to my life and to all who claim to follow Jesus is starkly clear.  His question to Nicodemus is the question to all who will follow: How will you believe me about heaven if you will not believe me about earth? (John 3:12). Believing Jesus about earth encompasses the listening of Psalm 81 … not only claiming or using the words but actually living them out on planet earth.  Jesus left his followers only one instruction, commandment, which if we'd do would let the entire world know that the Father sent him and that we were indeed his followers.  The assignment?  Love each other (John 13:34-35; 17:23). 21 centuries later we still won't do it.  Today, my assignment remains the same. To listen, to believe, means that today there is nothing more important for me to do than love; to love God with all my heart, mind, soul and strength and my neighbor (7.2 billion minus 1) as myself.  I welcome the insight and wisdom of this Psalm.  I will listen, believe and live out loud on earth the words of Jesus about earth. 

P - You who are the Message sent from Heaven,

Today I will believe you about earth and not just about heaven.  Today I will accept, embrace and engage my primary assignment; the commandment you gave all who follow you … to love you back with all my heart, mind, soul and strength and all others as myself.  I admit that I am prone to claim the words and refuse the meaning. I am asking for the help you promise all who believe … transformation not mere reformation. Jesus, I love you back and am listening.

Steve

Picture ID Required

S - Daniel 9:2-3, 18-19 (NIV): "in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition … Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name."

O - These are the concluding lines of Daniel's prayer, inspired by the discovery via Jeremiah that 70 years was the period assigned to Israel's consequence. This prayer is prayed about a year before Cyrus gave the order for the Jews to return (i.e. it's year 69 of 70). Bluntly, with or without Daniel's prayer Cyrus will give the order and the return will begin. Culture (religious theology and secular history) wants to present this petition as a pleading for God to do what he's already said he would rather than an agreement for what God has already promised to do. And herein lies a huge problem; one so immense and pervasive it will take the arrival of Jesus (who is the message from heaven) to confront and contradict it.  The prayer as petition presents a God who is distant, disinterested and stingy. The prayer as agreement presents a God who is near and vitally interested. Daniel's "pleading" comes from the depth of what he is feeling not the person or character of the God to whom he prays.  Jesus tells us that God and his kingdom are not far away (if I should die before I wake …) but very near.  Surrounded by the Roman Empire at its worst Jesus says (Luke 12:6-7) "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."

A - Jesus wants me (and all) to change the way I/we think, speak, pray, act and love; to literally repent. He says “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." If my picture of the Father is not identical to the picture of Jesus I have the wrong the picture.  The Father of Jesus and the Father of Religious Thought are NOT the same person. It's a confrontation Jesus had with the religious leaders and people of his day and it's one still in process. Today, and every day, I'll believe Jesus and pursue the thinking, living, speaking he identifies and examples. He instructs (Luke 6:35-36): "But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."  I will follow, pray to, serve, believe and love the God and Father of Jesus who is kind, generous and near! 

P - Father of Jesus and Father of me,

Thank you for wanting to be my Father and me to be your child.  Thank you for sending Jesus who is both your message to the world and the exact representation of your person.  I welcome you and all you already intended do, all you're already doing on earth like in heaven.  I choose to repent, to refuse a picture of you which is not identical to Jesus.  Thank you for wanting us at our worst. I need, accept and want to be a conveyor of your relentless love, defiant mercy, overwhelming grace and transforming power. I yield to your awesome brilliance, limitless power and extreme goodness.

In Jesus' name,

Steve

Welcome, Come Right This Way ...

S - Luke 7:37-38, 47-48 (NIV): "When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.  … Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.  Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

O - What was it about Jesus that made this particular sinful woman think she could (let alone should) do what she did?  How did she ever conclude that her actions would not only be tolerated but accepted and affirmed by the only human being known to be sinless? According to Jesus, both the woman and the Pharisee were sinners.  Interestingly enough, Jesus is willing to be friends with both of them.  The ultimate distinguishing feature would not be their lifestyles, histories or religious moorings. The difference would be found in their response to person of Jesus. The basis of the exchange between them all was love not moral agreement, theological rubrics or religious formulas.  Jesus, friend of sinners.  Jesus the same yesterday, today and forever.

A - Today there is only one purpose for my life and the lives of all who are following Jesus: love God with all the heart, mind, soul and strength and our neighbors as ourselves.  According to Jesus all the law and prophets are filled in this, everything depends on this and if we'll do this we will live forever.  My world (secular and religious) wants me to believe that there are occasions and exceptions to this; certain very important settings and circumstances where I may "temporarily" set aside the greatest imperative.  Jesus doesn't want me to believe that at all.  I will believe Jesus, love him back and love my neighbor (anyone who is not me) today while it's called today.

P - Lord God,

Thank you that you want me to think that I am wanted by heaven.  You want me/ us (no matter where we've been or what we've done) to come near and stay near according to love. I admit that you call me to yourself according to love and ask, instruct, insist that love be my primary purpose above all others and that the only real work to which you call us is the work of believing you … your beautiful, accessible, irrepressible person.  I give myself to you and to all you already have in mind.  I do love you back and remain amazed at you and your relentless love for all.

Loving much,

Steve