Fear No Evil … Even When You Know It's Near

S - "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (‭Psalm 23:4 ESV)

O - The presence of evil is, in fact, a fear provoking reality.  Death holds its own intimidation and threat against the living.  Yet, these intense and formidable forces hold no sway over David.  He is not oblivious to their presence or intent.  He is not unacquainted with their activity on earth. Though not impervious to feeling their malevolent nearness he remains steady and confident. What is the inspiration and source of his comfort which repels the malevolence so close at hand? It is not his experience and skill as a fighter. He is not putting his confidence in superior resources.   The brave and seasoned warrior is put at ease by the presence of his shepherd.  The shadow of death is held at bay by the One he is with … "for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."[my emphasis]

A - Children do not rely on their skill, resources, history, information or planning … they rely on presence for comfort, inspiration, provision and direction.  David was living the very thing Jesus insisted his disciples embrace: "At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (‭Matthew 14:1-4 ESV) My assignment today and every day is to be little, childlike unto the Kingdom which is near and the life which is really life. Today I get to join Jesus in his joy about how the Kingdom that is near works on earth:  "In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will." (‭Luke 10:21 ESV)

P - Lord who is near,

I accept the assessment you give … rather than spending my energies on endless threat assessments I will spend them on assessing my proximity to you.  Thank for all the hours and days when evil is far from me.  When your way leads to the valley of the shadow of death, I will stay near, follow and be confident because I'm with you.  Enable, transform my life so that I will be little today; childlike unto the fullness that you intend. I want to join you in your joy, Jesus.  No matter where you lead, I am glad to be following according to your person and presence.

Steve 

For Heaven's Sake!

S - "And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead? … At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. … To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”" (Acts 26:6-8, 13-15, 22-23 ESV)

O - Saul of Tarsus was not converted to a new religion; he was transformed by a person … a person who never even said the word Christian. He was not convinced by theological argument but by an experience of presence. He was not called to a cause or worldview but to a person named Jesus whom God raised from the dead. His entire existence, after his encounter with the resurrected Jesus (Acts 9:1-19), revolved around three key realities; realities which filled his life, ministry and even his defense in Jerusalem (cf. Acts 22:6-16, 23:6), Caesarea (cf. Acts 25:13-19) and Rome. These realities are the name, person and resurrection of Jesus.

A - Religion wants converts made by information. Heaven wants children made by the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead. Religion wants its adherents to pursue and follow an "approved" worldview. Heaven wants its citizens to pursue and follow a person. Religion will call the world to a cause and Heaven calls the world to a man … follow me is the call and Jesus is the man. For Heaven's sake and for my own I want to live out loud the realities heaven gives to all people … the name, person and resurrection of Jesus.

P - Only True Friend of the Entire World,

Thank you for calling the whole world to yourself. Thank you for your name, presence and resurrection life given to all who will receive. I welcome you, your presence and irrepressible life to come into me and hope that such will come out of me for your sake and for the sake of all, me included. Thank you that you want us to hold every life in the hope of transformation, especially our own. Yes, Lord … change/transform me. I will come near, stay near and follow wherever you lead.

All my love,

Steve

The One Character Trait that Outdoes All Others

S - "Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus. (Acts 18:24-28 ESV)

O - The dynamics in and around Apollos are encouraging in many ways. The list of attributes is quite striking. Eloquent, competent in the Scriptures, fervent in spirit, accurate, helping believers and powerful in public discourse is a list anyone would love to be described by.  Amazingly, there is another quality of his life which is often not a part of people who possess so many outstanding characteristics. The powerful, brilliant, eloquent Apollos was coachable, teachable … a rare combination ("when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately."). Teachable is a quality of childlikeness … childlikeness is the only standard Jesus mentored the twelve toward which would cause them to enter and fully possess the Kingdom in its fullness (Matthew 18:1-4).  This is the quality which is the clearest affirmation that he both knew and was following Jesus.

A - Jesus did not tell his closest followers to be more like David, Daniel, Ruth or Moses. He did tell them to become like little children. Children:

o    rely on presences, not skill, resources or information.

o    are teachable unto change.

o    default to trust in the best and worst of times.

I want and need this attribute in increasing measure so I will continue to know (grow in my relationship with) and follow Jesus. I guess what I'm saying is: I want to be like Apollos so I can be more and more like Jesus. "In that same hour he [Jesus] rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”" (Luke 10:21-24 ESV)

P - Lord Jesus,

You lived it, taught it, commanded it and rejoiced in it … the revelation comes only to those who will become like little children. I am seeking, asking for spirit empowerment in this regard that my learning curve of you and from you would not fall toward horizontal but stay pleasantly toward vertical. Let me be coachable unto all you intend and to the life that is really life.

Looking to become and stay little,

Steve

What's Your Worldview on the Necessities of Life?

S - "And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”… While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him." (‭Luke 22:35-38, 47-51 ESV)

O - There is an absolute ton of dynamics going on in these few verses.  Yet, the anchor point for them all was the twelve being sent out to surrounding villages without the usual necessities; intentionally refusing to take them.  Amazingly, they actually believed Jesus and went with nothing and amazingly they  lacked nothing.  So he chooses this intense moment (his actual betrayal and arrest) to restate the point in a direct question.  According to Jesus, before you take moneybag, knapsack, sandals and even a sword, this reality of the nearness of the Kingdom and how life on earth works in that Kingdom is essential; not just in one's theology but in one's actual experience and current worldview. Even with this firmly in place, there's misunderstanding about the sword. Like the rest, it's a "lawful" thing to have. But for Jesus the point of having a sword in this situation is NOT using it. His inaugural slogan and his earlier words to Peter apply:

• "From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, [literally think differently] for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”" (‭Matthew 4:17 ESV)
• "But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”" (‭Mark 8:33‬ ESV)  

A - Am I willing to believe Jesus about earth (John 3:11-12) … to accept his instruction and live it out loud the way his first followers did?  Will I engage ongoing repentance; transformed thinking? Not just about sin but about everything because the Kingdom is near, not far away.  I admit I will not be able to do or sustain this on my own.  I will need the help of God's Spirit, the Scriptures and the followers of Jesus.  I have the privilege of choosing to engage in confident and dependent hope of the help heaven promises. I choose yes. I will believe Jesus and follow!  

P - Lord who is life,

Thank you for insisting that we follow your person and admit that you are fully engaged in life on earth … daily bread and swords included.  I admit that,  at what I think are my finest moments, I may be in error … thinking like a mere human rather than like you.  I welcome the help of your Spirit, your written and speaking voice and the counsel of my brothers and sisters.  Thank you that to this very day I still lack nothing. 

Saying yes in Jesus' Name,

Steve

It's not What I Thought: Wise or Foolish?

S - "“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ “ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. (Matthew 25:1-13 NIV)

O - There are several uniquenesses about this end of the age parable.  The ten are assessed as either wise or foolish … but in the storyline why aren't the wise labeled as "stingy"? Normally, Jesus will instruct his followers to be relentless in giving, sharing and blessing others but here it is not so.  The foolish, interestingly enough, are in the right place at the right time with the right desire and yet they are shut out of the Kingdom.  The oil they lacked they had access and capacity to have brought with them.  Why aren't they more precisely labeled as lazy? At the end, the "foolish" aren't lectured for a practical failure but are refused for a relational one. The bridegroom refused their entry with the statement: "Truly I tell you, I don't know you." How does this equate to an absence of oil? The answer for understanding both groups, like the truth of understanding the good news, is found in the person of Jesus and people's response to him … not to a place, plan, concept, principle or promise.

A - If I am to be wise, I will never give up anything which would hinder or interfere with my relationship or response to Jesus.  If I am to avoid foolish it means that my thinking, living, speaking and desires are to be shaped and directed by an ongoing personal response which wants to be near/with the person of Jesus not just in a better place or with greater blessing.  To know Jesus is to know and live this … if I'm just engaging an accurate scriptural concept looking to avoid a missing a better place or a blessing I will end up foolish.  

P - Lord Jesus,

I admit that left to myself I am at great risk to end foolish rather than wise.  I want to love you back and stay near your person … whatever waiting is required. I want to be among the wise and want to be a reason others would be among them too.  I will rely on the Holy Spirit interceding for me according to my weakness and God's will.

Hopeful in you,

Steve

Alms FROM the Poor and Alms for the Poor

S - "While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you. … Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.”" (Luke 11:37-41, 52 ESV)

O - In these exchanges between Jesus and the religious of his day we find two of the great deceptions promoted by all religions.  The first is what God wants us to give to him.  Religion wants us to give only that which looks good and does not reflect poorly on its adherents.  So give a little money, a little time and show a little compassion as you find it convenient.  The Kingdom wants us to give everything and to start by giving as alms that which is within … including the dark, sinful, warped and broken.  Culture/religion says you're a fool to think God wants the seriously toxic realities inside and yet, according to Jesus, that's exactly what he wants … unto transformation and real life.  The second deception is about knowledge.  Religion places its emphasis on knowing information.  The Kingdom places the emphasis engaging whom and what it is making known.  In religion knowing certain facts is the point.  In the Kingdom, knowing and following a person is the point.  The lawyers would not "enter in" i.e. engage because this is the key. Instead, they simply observed, concluded as they wished and went their own way. 

A - Jesus is sent by the Father to befriend and heal sinners.  He works from the inside out so that what occurs is real, irrepressible life rather than stints at pretend.  I admit that he's knocking on the door of my real and complete self every day … wanting in to be with me.  He wants me to give him everything … especially the flawed, failed and toxic.  He doesn’t want me growing in information but in relationship and following.  I accept the fact that I'm primarily the worksite not the work crew.  I am grateful to know that the Holy Spirit wants to help, intercede for me according to my weakness and God's will (Romans 8:26-27). I say yes to it all!

P - Lord Jesus,

Alms for the poor starts with me, the poorest, giving you everything … especially my toxic worst.  I welcome you to do everything already in your mind to do unto transformation.  I affirm your requirement and my willingness to give you ALL!  I will engage, live out loud, your words on about earth as I love you back and follow day by day.  Thank you for 2X4ology and for loving us first and most and for refusing to change your mind.  I love you back.

Unto to no pretend or pretense,

Steve

My Welcome to My Weakness

S - "The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. … In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God." (Romans 8:15-16, 26-27 NIV)

O - Culture (which includes ALL religions) is quick to point out weakness in others. It chastises, rejects and condemns it and those who manifest it. Heaven will also identify weakness with a very different result … in order to help.  Culture throws out those who are weak.  Heaven wants the weak AND wants into the weakness itself unto the transformation of life.  Culture inspires fear of rejection while heaven offers unconditional acceptance.  Culture will point out the problem but offer no permanent solution.  Heaven will point out the problem and offer lasting adoption … this is God's will on earth for earthlings.  

A - I am always wanted … not just at my best but especially at my worst.  Heaven is not yelling at me (or at anyone) to get the weakness out. Instead, it calls and asks to be invited into that very weakness.  I don't get darkness out of a room, I bring light in.  I don't get weakness out I accept adoption and welcome the Helper in.  He will intercede for, intersect and interfere with me and my weakness unto transformation.  WOW! I accept!

P - Abba,

Thank you for wanting all to be adopted.  No fear of rejection.  No condemnation. No hiding, pretend or cover-up.  I throw open my very little and often tragically weak self to you … my complete self and say come in and see everything and do everything you wish.  I accept your invitation to adoption.  I want and need help, not self-help. I love you back with all my heart and in all my weakness.

Steve