Following? … Experiments Required

S - "Jesus replied: I am not teaching something I thought up. What I teach comes from the one who sent me. If you really want to obey God, you will know if what I teach comes from God or from me." According to John 7:16-17

 

O - The way (apparently the only way) to validate the teaching of Jesus as coming from God is by how we live rather than by how we understand scripture. The capacity to recognize the source of his instruction is obtained by doing his words (obey) not just studying them. Following is less about what we’re reading and more about how we’re living. Religion places emphasis on saying words out loud and Jesus invites us to live them out loud. 

 

A - Following consistently inspires and requires me to engage “experiments” in doing the words of Jesus. Since the bulk of his recorded teaching (over 90%) is about life on earth, here and now; there’s a large volume of opportunities to live out experiments on forgiveness, money, neighbors, fruitfulness, stewardship, etc. His instruction is always simple not always easy. For me, these experiments, this doing, not only confirms the source of his teaching but results in a relational beauty he describes as “the light that gives life.” 

 

P - Friend, Shepherd and Teacher,

I welcome you and your words in my life unto ongoing experiments and the light that gives life. Thank you for the invitation to follow, to believe you about earth and not just about heaven; to experiments in living day by day.

Still Amazed,

Steve

Useless Worship

S - "Jesus replied: You are nothing but frauds! The prophet Isaiah was right when he wrote that God had said, “All of you revere me with your words, but your hearts are far from me. It is useless for you to worship me, when you teach rules made up by humans.” You disobey God’s commands in order to obey what humans have taught. … And you ignore God’s commands in order to follow your own teaching. You do many other things just as bad." Mark 7:6-8, 13

 

O - According to Jesus and Isaiah, religion is the leading promoter of useless worship. It inserts itself with attitudes, conclusions and requirements which are polar opposite to God’s person and instruction. The verification of this tragic activity is not found in the method of expressing worship (words, songs, rituals, gatherings etc.) but in the thinking and practice of everyday living. 

 

A - The validation of worship which actually connects with God is not in the words, settings or activities engaged during worship but in the ongoing relational dynamic of daily living. Is my worship useless? Am I giving to the one who asks per the instructions of Jesus or turning away based on the conclusions of human reasoning? Am I learning childlike-living (sheep among wolves) or just trying to be a better version of a wolf?  Am I pursuing the ongoing transformation of my heart or just the calibration of my words in certain settings?  Is my focus on how things look or how they actually are? I am in the hopes to avoid and refuse the practice of useless worship by assessing my daily living and thinking with the help of God’s spirit and my brothers and sisters. 

 

P - Dear God,

Thank you for the gift of worship given to the world for our benefit - not yours. Am so glad to be learning, growing and changing day by day. I want to possess and offer to you a right heart and authentic living - not merely right words. Convinced of your love and help, this is more than possible. I love you back.

Steve

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