Funeral Folly: Forget "Better Place"

S - "Now we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you will not grieve as also the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, thus also God will bring those who have fallen asleep through Jesus together with him. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who remain until the Lord’s coming, will not possibly precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who remain, will be snatched away at the same time together with them in the clouds for a meeting with the Lord in the air, and thus we will be together with the Lord always. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13--18 LEB)

O - We’ve been taught to think of "better place" when it comes to death, dying and the departure from earth of those we love. This is not the teaching of Jesus or of the Scriptures. While heaven is obviously a better place than literally anywhere else, the place is never the point. The point is always who one is with. The verses above confirm this essential distinction. The absence of war is not the same as having peace. The absence of hate does not equate to love. Heaven is heaven not because there is an absence of death, sin and suffering … heaven is heaven because Jesus is there and he is life; vibrant refreshing, irrepressible, eternal life. Heaven doesn't make him anything; Jesus makes heaven heaven. His reply to the request of the thief being crucified next to him ring with this awesome truth. "And he said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (My highlight - Luke 23:43 LEB)

A - In this season of my life I have the privilege of a ton of national and international travel. When I'm completing one of these trips and my plane lands at the airport in Eugene, Oregon the world, secular and religious, says I'm home. But I know better. I won't be home until I'm with Jan. Eugene is the place but Jan is home. Jan makes Eugene home; Eugene doesn't make Jan anything. This reflects the beauty of belonging to Jesus in an ongoing relationship. He is the point of it all and when I'm in his company everything is possible, everything is being worked for good and I really will "live happily for ever after."

P - Lord who is life,

I accept this transformation in my thinking as you intend for me and for the entire human race. Thank you for calling us all to yourself and not just a place. Thank you that you are near now and asking me to stay near and keep following. I admit the Scriptures have it right.

I love you back,

Steve

Where Heaven Touches Earth

S - "Truly, truly I say to you, we speak what we know, and we testify about what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony! If I tell you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? (John 3:11-12 LEB)

O - Over 90% of all that Jesus said was about earth; how the kingdom that is near interfaces here and how we are to live out each day in this "present age".  His words about earth are understandable and straightforward; so straightforward that a third grader can understand them.  The problem is we don't believe they will work on this planet so we really don't accept them.  We want to accept Jesus' testimony about heaven but ignore or alter his testimony about earth.  According to Jesus, we can know we believe him about heaven if we actually believe him about earth.

A - Money, enemies, love, forgiveness, what we eat, wear and store-up are among the many things Jesus instructs us on.  This question of Jesus to Nicodemus continues to deeply influence my thinking and my living. I will believe Jesus about earth … unto the life that is really life.

P - Father of Jesus and God of all,

Thank you for sending Jesus who is the message, the gospel, the exact representation of your person.  I admit that he has called me to follow, to believe, to trust and to welcome the kingdom on earth as it happens in heaven.  I accept his testimony about earth and am so very grateful to be discovering that his instruction actually works here.  Thank you for not leaving us alone or on our own.

Living and praying in Jesus' Name,

Steve

Catastrophically Good Stewardship

S - "Where is the wise person? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not know God, God was pleased through the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe. … For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. … But the foolish things of the world God chose in order that he might put to shame the wise, and the weak things of the world God chose in order that he might put to shame the strong, and the insignificant of the world, and the despised, God chose, the things that are not, in order that he might abolish the things that are, so that all flesh may not boast before God. (1 Corinthians 1:20, 21, 25, 27-29 LEB)"

O - To what elements of life on earth does this dynamic of wise and foolish apply?  Is it only to religious or spiritual things?  Or is it about how we are called to follow Jesus and live life each day on planet earth?  Well, how did Jesus live?  He lived this dynamic each day and each circumstance.  No distinction was made between here and hereafter when it came to wise and foolish. "No domestic slave is able to serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and will despise the other. You are not able to serve God and money.” Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. And he said to them, “You are the ones who justify themselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts! For what is considered exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. (Luke 16:13-15 LEB)"

A - The "wisdom" of earthly stewardship inspired OT Israel to not believe God about resting the land every seventh year.  They didn't believe he'd really take care of them. It seemed completely foolish for farmers to intentionally not plant their crops and "trust" that the harvest of year six would be sufficient to carry them to the harvest of year eight.  Then, when they planted in the seventh year God did not curse their crops.  They harvested in year seven, had more and could even claim good stewardship and God's blessing.  The problem was they didn't believe God about earth.  They chose the wisdom of the world rather than the foolishness of God. In their “wisdom” of “good stewardship" they chose to not know God. The result was catastrophic for themselves and their children.  The question of Jesus to Nicodemus remains his question to me and to all who will follow: "If I tell you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? (John 3:12 LEB)" I will choose Jesus and his foolish way of thinking, loving, living and speaking … unto the life that is really life.

P - Lord who made heaven and earth,

Today I want to be little and not big; to be foolish according to the world (secular and religious) that the wisdom of heaven would find me again and again.  I admit I am prone to start at human wisdom and miss you and your ways on earth in the process.  I am asking for help, not self-help in finding this narrow door which leads to real life here and hereafter.  Thank you for living this way and sending us all that same way you were sent.  Jesus, I trust you and will believe you about earth.

Steve

Revolution not Rebellion

S - Matthew 26:55, 56 (NIV): "In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled."

O - The question Jesus asks the mob who came to arrest him is an important one. The term translated 'rebellion' is λῃστης. It actually means a thief or robber.  It is more than a petty thief; rather the term refers to one with associates who could only be apprehended by an armed band. Of course, He isn't trying to steal anything because everything and everyone already belongs to him by right. Jesus can't be leading a rebellion because all authority in heaven and on earth is his. He is, however, leading a revolution.  The characteristics of a revolution, by definition, include:

1.       an overthrow or repudiation and the thorough replacement of an established government or political system.

2.       a radical and pervasive change in society and the social structure.

3.       a sudden, complete or marked change in something.

His revolution is a revolution of love. The force of its pervasive change is divine grace and the transformation is accomplished in people not just through them.

A - According to the Scriptures the Lord already "owns" everyone and everything by right (he made everything) including me (Psalm 24:1).  The beauty of his response to earth and earthlings is that his grace dignifies every life with the capacity to choose … to choose to be his by grace even though we're already his by right.  The purpose of this? A revolution of relationship; a revolutionary relationship of love.  I choose to follow him, to love him back (he already loves all first and most and refuses to change his mind) and to join his life (not just a cause) … he lives in me and I live in him by grace according to love.  A pervasive and marked change happens in me. The governance of my life (interior and exterior) is thoroughly replaced by his presence and his spirit … and the writings of the prophets are fulfilled in me. With me being the focus and locust of his revolution … he then reaches through me to call others to himself and the revolution of love.

P - Lord who is love,

I choose you back, love you back and say an unqualified yes to you and to your revolution.  I repent of (overthrow and repudiate) the patterns the world (secular and religious) and welcome your governance in me in all ways … radically and pervasively.  You lead this revolution where you are doing the work in me. I follow and accept any and all assignments you give.  Thank you for wanting me in and near your very person and life.  Thank you for not calling me to a cause but to yourself.  I will pray and live in Jesus' Name.

Steve

Far From Perfect

S - "Paul looked directly at the council and said, “Brothers, I have lived my life with a clear conscience before God to this day.” At that the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit there judging me according to the law, and in violation of the law you order me to be struck?” Those standing near him said, “Do you dare insult God’s high priest?” Paul replied, “I did not realize, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You must not speak evil about a ruler of your people.’” … The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Have courage, for just as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” "(Acts 23:1-5, 11 NET)

O - A couple of things stand out to me in this passage. First, Paul is clearly not Jesus:). His experience of being unjustly struck is almost identical to what happened to Jesus at his trial too. The difference is in how they respond. Paul reacts with a harsh reply and Jesus with a clarifying question (cf. John 18:22-23). Paul will quickly recant and Jesus won't need to. Both of them were unjustly accused, both of them were declared innocent of any crime and neither of them received a fair trial or were released. The second standout for me is that flawless performance is not required of Paul or of us. Jesus will make no mistakes ever and Paul clearly did. Yet, Jesus will stand by him the following evening to affirm and encourage him without any commentary or rebuke. Jesus doesn't say, 'Now about your failure in Jerusalem, make sure you don't make the same stupid mistake in Rome.' He's not demanding or expecting us to be flawless just blameless … the very thing he accomplished for us.

A - It's a wonderful reality to be completely relieved of the pressure to perform. The love God has for me, my place in his will and family was not secured nor is it maintained by anything I do. Jesus did not come to make a way for amnesty but adoption. We are loved because we are his. I have made so many mistakes in my life, sinned knowing better and failed even when I really gave it my best. Regardless of my best or my worst his love and will do not flicker. He has loved me first, most and refuses to change his mind. Today and every day he's working everything for good, even my failures. He doesn't demand perfection, he provides it. He doesn't want me under the pressure of performance but under the unflickering security of his love. He's not counting on me making no mistakes he's calling me to come near and stay. The disciple Jesus loved wrote: "(My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.) But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous One, and he himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the whole world." (1 John 2:1, 2 NET)

P - Lord who is flawless,

Thank you for always wanting me/us near no matter what … no matter where I've been or what I've done. Thank you for your relentless love and for refusing to change your mind even when I give you a reason to do so. Thank you for working EVERYTHING for good, not just good things. I accept your call and invitation to come near, follow and believe. I do love you back. I say yes to everything you already have in mind to do.

Confident according to your love,

Steve

Think Twice if it's Yours for the Taking

S - Matthew 4:2-4 (NIV): "After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”"

O - The very first temptation to confront Jesus involved how life "works" on earth.  Humans need to eat and Jesus hadn't eaten for a seriously long time.  Not only does he need to eat but he can actually turn the stone to bread. So, why would this be "wrong"? What's wrong with doing everything in your power to meet obvious and lawful needs; needs created by God's design?  Later, he would turn water into wine (John 2) without it being a "violation" so why is this any different? Jesus comes to live out loud the truth that not only is the Kingdom of God near, it is interested and involved in daily life and daily bread on earth.  The world (secular and religious) does not accept this view.  Jesus will warn his followers to be on guard against only five realities and two of them are the yeast of the Pharisees (the religious) and all kinds of greed.  He calls all to follow and all to accept a transformation in thinking (repent).  He says to all, "So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:31-33 NIV) Apparently, there is a huge difference between lawful things "given" and us "taking" them.  Jesus won't take them, even though they are his for the taking.  It's the difference between the stone to bread and the water to wine.  He knows and will live out this essential truth: We can't simultaneously follow and run after the lawful things of earth. “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight." (Luke 16:13-15 NIV)

A - Earth (its culture and its citizens) is always afraid of something and the Kingdom is never afraid of anything or anyone.  Religious earth admits there's a God and even an afterlife but on this side you're basically on your own.  Jesus comes to earth to say WRONG!  He said  and lived this right to his crucifixion and his resurrection.  The earth says worry and even affirms worry as a sign of love or good stewardship.  Jesus say do not worry.  The devil wants me to run after the lawful if I won't embrace the unlawful because either of those keep me from following.  Today, I will believe Jesus about earth and not just about heaven (John 3:12).  I won't run after I'll follow. I won't take, I'll confidently stay near him as all the designed and needed earthly realities will be given as well.

P - Lord in Heaven above and on earth below,

Thank you for calling us to yourself and to the confidence of your involvement with daily bread.  I admit that all my human training tells me to take when you tell me it will be added.  I want the yeast of your kingdom to come into me and completely displace the yeast of the Pharisees.  I admit I can't serve two … earth (bread, money) wants me to serve it and it can never connect me to you or your kingdom but it can and will disconnect me.  Heaven wants me to serve you and you will connect me to yourself, the kingdom AND add all the rest.  I accept the transformation (repentance) in my thinking because the kingdom is actually near.  I will follow you and refuse to run after that which is already known by heaven as needed and promised to be provided to me.  Thank you for giving us this day our daily bread!  I love you back!

Living in Jesus' Name,

Steve

Following the Way We're Sent

S - Matthew 10:16-20 (NIV): "“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."

O - Jesus sends his followers out the same way the Father sent him. This "way" includes both a challenging environment (sheep among wolves) and an equally challenging modus operandi (shrewd as snakes; harmless as doves). The combination of snake and dove, shrewd and harmless, is a tough one to get right. I can only think of only one attribute of shrewd which doesn't carry a negative connotation.  Shrewd is not naive; it is fully informed. Even in the vulnerable position of being a sheep among wolves, this aspect of shrewd can work fully without any malevolent intent or outcome. We're not being told to balance a benevolent form of "street wise manipulation" and keep ourselves from slipping to the "dark side" of it. Instead, we are being told to embrace the way Jesus was among the wolves of his day: no naïveté and yet completely innocent. The key to living this way is trust, i.e. fierce personal loyalty. Jesus was fiercely and personally loyal to his Father. He trusted him completely. This is how he was sent, lived, died and rose again. This is how his followers do too.

A - Well, there I have it and no way around it. I may never be an ostrich (bury my head in the sand)or a Napoleon (benevolent dictator) and think I am living as Jesus did and how those following him must also live. "Being on your guard" does not mean avoiding or finding a way to intimidate the wolves. It does mean to accept his "way" and live out loud the fierce personal loyalty he deserves, gave his Father and offers to us (he would literally rather die than be without any of us … all 7 billion).

P - Only true Son, King and Friend,

I accept the terms of your sending … that I may continue to follow. I want to give to you the trust you deserve and offer to me. I will trust in you with all my heart and not lean on my own understanding. With you and in you I can be a sheep among the wolves - fully informed/aware and innocent. I will believe you about earth and not just about heaven. I admit that apart from  you I can do nothing. With Isaiah I say 'here am I send me.'

Steve