The Right Direction

1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 (NIV) ⁸  The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia--your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, ⁹  for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, ¹⁰  and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead--Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

            As I read this passage this morning, the words “turned to God from idols” began to roll around in my mind. John Calvin called the human heart an idol factory, and it seems to me we are always moving in one of two directions: to God from idols or to idols from God. Jesus told the Pharisees that people were either with Him or against Him – either gathering with him or scattering. (Matthew 12:30) There was no neutral ground. This can certainly be frustrating to anyone who knows who Jesus is, but does not want to commit to him. The person who knows who Christ is, but wishes to “have fun” or “do my own thing for a while”, is making some significant assumptions. First of all, he is assuming he will have an opportunity at some future point to turn to God. The Scripture tells us not to boast about tomorrow, for we do not know what a day will bring forth (Proverbs 27:1). And Jesus called the rich man who built his barns a fool, because that very night his life would be required of him. (Luke 12:16-21) It is foolish to assume that we will have time to turn to God before we die. And then, secondly, he is presuming he is innocent of being against Christ. His assumption is that he has never intentionally or willfully said a bad word about Jesus or done anything to offend Him or “harm” Him. Therefore Jesus should be “okay” with him. The problem is that Jesus perceives “neutrality” to be opposition. That person who is supposedly neutral regarding Jesus is “moving to idols” just as much as a person who hates Jesus Christ is. And usually it’s not a matter of overt hate. It’s more a matter of simply loving the idols more.

What are the idols? The things we trust more than God. The things we look to for comfort and help instead of looking to God. The things that are more important to us than God. The things we spend more time with, more money on, and use more energy for – with no thought for or regard to God. Idols can even be good things in our lives – even some of God’s own gifts to us: like a relationship, a job, or a material blessing of some kind. Whenever we come to love the “goodies” more than the good Giver, we are in danger of moving toward idols. On several occasions Jesus spoke of following Him. He said once that it is impossible to follow Him without “hating” one’s father, mother… (family). Jesus does not promote hate-filled relationships here. But He does require a love for Him that supersedes all other loves. We are either moving to God from idols or to idols from God.

            In his sermon, The Great Polarizer, Kent Hughes said, “Jesus is the great polarizer. It's as if all of humanity were iron filings laid out on a sheet of paper, and Jesus is the magnet. Every single filing lines up either with the North Pole or the South Pole. Every person is either attracted to or repelled by the person of Jesus Christ, because he's a magnet. The power and influence of his very being cannot be ignored.” Wherever a person is in life, whatever he or she believes, our time here will come to an end. It may come when Jesus comes again or when we die, but it will come. And we will face Him – with nothing but the truth of who and what we are, and what we have loved the most. As C. S. Lewis warned, "That will not be the time for choosing. It will be the time when we discover which side we really have chosen, whether we realized it or not."

            Each day in our life in Christ affords an opportunity to step away from idols. We do this because we are a new creation in Christ. We do this because He first loved us. We do this for the joy that awaits those who love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. We do this because we’re family (with God) now, because we have been adopted as His children who have been clothed with the righteousness of Christ. We do this by and because of God’s grace, which gives us a hope and a future that no idol – as wonderful as it could seem to be – can give. May the Lord deliver us daily – hourly – moment by moment if need be, from the idols we would create apart from His presence and grace. AMEN!

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (NIV) ¹  As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. ²  For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

Isaiah 42:8 (NIV)  "I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.

PRAYER:  Father, show me the subtlety of how things in this world want my worship. Keep my heart pure, and may I be singularly and wholeheartedly devoted to you in love. In the choices that lay before me today, may I move toward you, and not toward an idol of any kind. To your glory.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!    

Scott

Welcoming Revival

            You cannot command sleep. Yet how many of us have tried! Many a mom has grown weary of telling her child, “Go to sleep now.” And many a dad just as weary of adding, “Go to sleep or else.” Yet we cannot say the word – as if we were hypnotists – and put someone to sleep with just that word. We wish we could. How nice it would be if sleep came with the turning of a switch – especially on those nights when we toss and turn and roll and have our minds filled with racing thoughts. But sleep doesn’t work like that.

            In His book Imagining the Kingdom, James A. K. Smith compares revival to falling asleep. He describes how you can only be its object and not its producer. He writes…

“I cannot choose to fall asleep. The best I can do is choose to put myself in a posture and rhythm that welcomes sleep. I lie down in bed, on my left side, with my knees drawn up; I close my eyes and breathe slowly, putting my plans out of my mind. But the power of my will or consciousness stops there. I want to go to sleep, and I've chosen to climb into bed—but in another sense sleep is not something under my control or at my beckoned call. I call up the visitation of sleep by imitating the breathing and posture of a sleeper. There is a moment when sleep "comes" settling on this imitation of itself which I have been offering to it, and I succeed in becoming what I was trying to be. Sleep is a gift to be received, not a decision to be made. And yet it is a gift that requires a posture of reception—a kind of active welcome.”

“A posture and rhythm that welcomes sleep…” In other words, do everything I would do as if I were sleeping (darken the room, make it quiet, lie down on the bed, put my head on a pillow, etc.). Sleep then “happens”if I have created a good environment for it to happen. But it happens – it always happens – quite apart from my command.

What a good analogy for God’s work in revival when He sends His Spirit on us in power. It’s not that we are not looking for Him (though we may, in fact, not be). We are practicing repentance, humbling our hearts, recognizing our brokenness, recognizing it’s about me and not others (not pointing the finger at them, but at myself), softening our hearts, letting God know of our desire for the filling of the Spirit, and spending much time in prayer seeking God’s transforming work in our hearts and minds and attitudes. We are waiting on the Lord patiently and seeking to be faithful day by day. We are doers of the Word and not hearers only. All of these things (and others like them) are ways we put ourselves in the “posture of reception”. We are trusting the sovereignty of God to give grace in the time of His favor.

How else might you put yourself in the posture of reception? Think about your daily words and actions and attitudes. Do they reflect a readiness for revival… for a work of God’s glory and power in your inner being? If you wanted to get into this posture, where would you begin? Would it be to put out of your life a “love” that is competing against your love for Christ? Would it be to find a faithful brother or sister who would help you confess a sin and more openly declare what it has been doing to you? Would it be to fast… to set aside a deeper and more intentional time for prayer? Where would you begin? If you can identify that place, I encourage you to “go there” and do that and wait on the Lord… and continue to wait. I can’t command you to be revived. But I can encourage you “turn out the light” or “pull up the covers”, if you know what I mean.

            Let us seek the Lord and His work in our lives, whether it is in the form of revival or in the everyday-ness of life. Really seek. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Psalm 85:1-7 (NIV) ¹ You showed favor to your land, O LORD; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. ²  You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. Selah ³  You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger. ⁴  Restore us again, O God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us. ⁵  Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations? ⁶  Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? ⁷  Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.

Hosea 10:12 (NIV)  Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.

Jeremiah 29:10-14 (NIV) ¹⁰  This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. ¹¹  For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹²  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴  I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)  And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

PRAYER:  Father, may I live each day in expectancy, with a hunger and thirst for you that delights to anticipate the filling of your Spirit and the revival of my soul. Thank you for such outpourings of your grace. Return me to my first love and restore my passion for you.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!    

Scott

No Commitment Without Sacrifice 2

            Take a few moments to do a commitment inventory. In other words, think about the people, things, and ideas (values) you are committed to. One definition of commitment is “the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.”

            Most people would say that they are committed to their husbands, wives, children, girlfriends, boyfriends, and many other types of relationships in their lives. Many people can describe commitment with regard to their jobs or employers or fellow-workers. And through our lives most of us experience commitments like graduating from high school, getting a college degree, someday buying a home, starting a family, and/or serving our community.

            We commit to healthy living, to exercise, to diets, to serving our country, to travel, to various hobbies and personal interests (such as fishing, boating, running, collecting various things, sports teams, music, arts and crafts). We commit to television programs and computer programs (such as Pinterest and FaceBook) electronic games (like X-Box and PlayStation), as well as to pets, family/personal chores, looking good (whatever it takes), and reading. All of us who have played on a team (any sport) or learned to play a musical instrument or saved money in any way have experienced the significance of commitment.

            The number of commitments out there are as many and varied as there are people. The list is huge. How has your commitment inventory grown over time? Some of our commitments are public and well known (think wedding) and some are internal, and quietly personal. All these commitments – regardless of their origin - require a decision on my part. How will I use my time? How will I use my energy? How will I use my money?

            One thing I know: all commitment requires sacrifice. There is no commitment without sacrifice. If you and I are not sacrificing something, then we are not truly committed. You and I make sacrifices for the things/persons/ideas we are committed to.

What does your commitment inventory say about you? What does it say to you? Where does Jesus Christ fit in? Where does His body, the church, fit in? If you say that Christ is at the very top of all you are committed to, does the reality of your life (and how you make sacrifices) reflect that? Can others see that your highest commitment is to Jesus when they look at how you spend your time, energy, and money? Are all of your life’s commitments subject to – or submitted to – Christ? Can you or I be effective followers of Jesus if He is not at the very top… if all of life is not surrendered to Him?

As you can tell, I have lots of questions on my mind. They all started when I took that commitment inventory. It’s really good for me to think about those questions. Jesus asked questions and taught in such a way that caused people to evaluate their commitment to Him. He was not interested in fair-weather fans. He is looking for followers, and there are no true followers (of anyone or anything) who are not committed. And there is no commitment without sacrifice.

John 6:66-69 (NIV) ⁶⁶  From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. ⁶⁷  "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. ⁶⁸  Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. ⁶⁹  We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

Mark 8:34-38 (NIV) ³⁴  Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ³⁵  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. ³⁶  What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? ³⁷  Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? ³⁸  If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."

John 21:15-17 (NIV) ¹⁵  When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." ¹⁶  Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." ¹⁷  The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

PRAYER:  Father, lead me to understand my commitments in light of the Gospel and my relationship with you. Give me grace to understand that even more important than commitment is the idea and practice of submission to you and your Word. Thank you for the joy that is in submission to your will and purposes for my life. Fill me with a hunger for you and for your will.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!    

Scott

No Commitment Without Sacrifice

            The first day of Fall was a spectacular day for a hike: no clouds in the sky, almost no wind, cool (but not cold) temperatures, bright sunshine, and good trail conditions. Paul and Scott had hiked Katahdin several times in years past and they were excited for another opportunity on such an excellent day. As usual, the day began very early with the alarm ringing at 3:15 a.m., followed by a quick breakfast and a traffic-free drive to Bangor. They would then take one vehicle the rest of the way to Baxter State Park. It was the earliest they had ever arrived at the entrance station in Baxter. Another eight miles and they were at Roaring Brook. They parked, changed, put their packs on, signed in at the ranger station, and set out on the trail at 7:15. The hike into Chimney Pond was quick and relatively easy. Their plan was to hike the Dudley Trail from there up to Pamola Peak, then do the Knife Edge and have lunch at the summit. After lunch they would come back over the Knife Edge and head down the Helon-Taylor Trail, the trail they typically climbed up when they hiked Katahdin. It would be a good challenge and a full day. They were feeling good when they started up the Dudley. This was a steep ascent of about 1.3 miles. It didn’t take long for them to be sweating even though they were in the cool shadows of the mountain between them and the morning sun. About three fourths of the way up Scott said to Paul, “Did you hear that?” It felt like a small stone had hit Scott in the back of the leg.

           

            “No, what was that?” came the response.

            “That pop.” Scott had pushed hard off his right foot while taking a long, steep step. “It sounded like the twang of a strong rubber band.”

            In an instant Scott was hobbling with pain. His right calf muscle felt like it had ripped apart. He could not push off from the toes of his right foot. Every step brought severe pain. His first thought? “This is not good.” His second? “Lord, we need your help.” He was thinking about the rest of their hike.

            They could not turn around and go down the Dudley. It was dangerous to do that. So they had to slowly work their way up the rest of the way to the 4919-foot summit of Pamola and then head down the Helon-Taylor. There were several occasions when Paul had to pull Scott up from above. There would be no Knife Edge and Baxter Peak today. “And who knows how long it will take to cover the nearly four miles left to get down to the parking lot?” Scott thought. He knew he did not want to have to be carried off the mountain, and he felt bad for Paul. It was disappointing to say the least. Prayerfully and carefully they made it to the top and grabbed a bite to eat. Other hikers who had come up the Helon-Taylor were passing by and enjoying the spectacular views. Paul brought up the possibility of Scott resting long enough for him to zip over the Knife Edge and the summit and back. Then they could go down. It was early and they had lots of time.

            But Scott was afraid his leg might become unusable. It was one thing to be hobbled, but he didn’t want to be totally disabled. So he felt like he should start down as soon as possible. And that’s what they did. Scott felt bad to disappoint Paul, but he was very thankful to have Paul with him. The trip down was not easy. Though the downward leg motion was easier on the calf than climbing, soon Scott had pain in his hips. This was probably from the compensation for the awkward motion of his right leg. About halfway down his legs also began to cramp. The outward difficulty, combined with the inward frustration and disappointment, made Scott feel like he had let Paul down.

            But Paul and Scott are good friends: friends who are committed to one another in Christ. Paul was patient with the slow descent, and willing to do whatever was needed to make sure they made it down okay. And by God’s grace they finally did, much to Scott’s relief. “Thank you, Jesus,” he prayed when they stepped onto the parking lot, and “Thank you, Lord,” when he made it into his driveway three hours later safe and (not so) sound.

            This story is true. No names have been changed, because no one was innocent. It was written and shared to affirm the principle that… “Commitment involves sacrifice.” Because of commitment to their friendship in Christ, Paul sacrificed his preferences for the day. He gave them up out of care and concern for Scott. All commitment – in every relationship – requires sacrifice. There is no commitment without sacrifice. Jesus Himself displayed this when He left heaven to become a man, live a human, though sinless life – a truly human life, and die on the cross for our sins. His was the greatest sacrifice ever made, and He made it for the sake of a relationship with those whom the Father loved and saved from sin by grace. There is no commitment without sacrifice.

Romans 5:8 (NIV)  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV) ¹  Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children ²  and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NIV) ⁵  For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶  who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time.

PRAYER:  Father, thank you for “getting us down” from the troubles in our lives, but most of all for the commitment of love that is given to us in Jesus. Thank you that “commitment” was more than just a word for Him. He displayed it in His loving actions toward us, especially in the sacrifice of His own blood – His own life for us. In this we understand more what commitment in our lives looks like. Shape all our relationships in a way that they will reflect Christ.  In His name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!    

Scott

What is an Itch?

            What is an itch?

            An itch is an irritation in the skin that elicits an urge to scratch.

            By experience, we all know what an itch is. But do you know where an itch comes from? What is the biology of an itch?

            Itch has many similarities to pain. Nerve fibers for itch and pain both originate in the skin. Itch receptors, however, are found only on the top two skin layers. The innermost layers of skin do not have these receptors. Nor do we ever perceive itch in muscles or joints. Itch can be caused by infection, allergic reaction, various skin conditions, healing, and even by the power of suggestion.

            Just talking about itching is like talking about water. When you start to hear about cold, refreshing, thirst-quenching water, a common natural reaction is that you want a drink. When you hear someone talk about itching or read about it, it isn’t long before you may notice an itch to scratch. And when you start scratching in one place and the itch seems to move. When I have had to wear a cast for a broken bone I have experienced what I call an “exquisite” itch – one that is so strong that it must be scratched. That’s one of the reasons coat-hangers were invented as far as I’m concerned. And when that kind of itch is scratched, the sense of relief is so great that I might scratch too much. And too much scratching leads to the danger of infection when the skin is broken.

            Joanne is very useful at times when I have an itch I cannot reach, though she must depend on me navigating her to the right place on my back. For some reason, it feels better when she scratches than when I use a backscratcher. I don’t know why that is. Itching is such a common part of life that we scratch much of the time without even thinking. But itching can be serious (think poison ivy for those who are allergic) and can become a very problematic condition. Swimmer’s itch caused a shutdown of the waterfront at camp a few years ago and became a health issue there. Wherever it originates, most of us don’t like an itch because it’s just plain annoying.

            Have you had to scratch since you started reading this? See what I mean?

            For the most part, in the Bible the word “itch” is confined to some ceremonial/cleanliness laws in the book of Leviticus. But there is an expression used by Paul in his second letter to Timothy that uses the word “itch” as an adjective, describing something about people. Nearing the end of his life and ministry, Paul charges Timothy to faithfully preach the Word of God at all times – what he calls “in season and out of season”. This includes patiently and carefully instructing, correcting, rebuking, and encouraging. Why was this necessary – both then and now? Because a time will come when people will not put up with – the will even hate – sound biblical truth and teaching. Instead, they will run after and fill up on all kinds of ideas and teachings that are doing nothing more than scratching their itch for pleasure… allowing them to do what they want to do Their goal, in effect, is the opposite of what God wants in their lives. Paul describes these people as having “itching ears”. They have an insatiable desire to hear what they want to hear. Today this desire exists on university campuses, in the media, and in all manner of churches where the truth of God’s Word is not enough, or not “acceptable” to the intellectual palate of our time. The words of the Bible are old and out-of-date in the minds of many. Yet there is great pursuit of all kinds of spiritual ideas that are so far-fetched and do little more than give people what they want. Far be it from anyone to say “No” to someone else’s ideas.

            But Paul knew that the Word of God has power, so he encourages Timothy to preach it boldly and faithfully. How about you? Are you looking to the church and its leaders – and to spiritual things in general – to make you feel good and never offend your modern sensibilities… or are you looking for the deep and abiding truths of God’s Word? Where is your itch? Only God’s Word can get it ultimately.

2 Timothy 4:1-4 (NIV) ¹  In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: ²  Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. ³  For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ⁴  They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Isaiah 55:10-11 (NIV) ¹⁰  As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, ¹¹  so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)  For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  

PRAYER:  Father, may your Word be what I hunger for, even when what it tells me is uncomfortable in this world’s eyes. You are the author of all truth. May my desire be for you… for your ways… and for your ends in my life and in my world. Teach me to love your Word, and to run from all things intellectual and physical which are nothing more than my wants and wishes. Thank you for your grace.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!    

Scott

On the Job with God

            I read recently that the median number of years a U.S. worker has been in his or her current job is just 4.4, down sharply since the 1970s. The average U.S. worker will have an average of ten to twelve jobs in a lifetime. This decline in average job tenure, the author wrote, is bigger than any economic cycle, bigger than any particular industry, bigger than differences in education levels, and bigger than differences in gender. Two days ago was Labor Day, the “official” end of summer… a day off. I confess I didn’t spend any time on Labor Day celebrating the fact I was employed. But by God’s grace both Joanne and I have passed the average. Does this mean we are above average? J No. It just means we have a great deal to be thankful for.

            In the Sunday school class I’m attending we have begun a look at a broad overview of the Bible by thinking in terms of the Kingdom of God. As John led the class this past Sunday in looking at some themes and ideas from the early chapters in Genesis, we saw how the perfect Kingdom God had established became a “perished” kingdom. A great deal was lost in the Fall when Adam and Eve stopped trusting God and asserted themselves as being ultimate. I thought about how one of those things lost related to work. Work went from being a valued good in the Kingdom of God – something which God Himself does – to becoming a cursed part of life in the perished Kingdom. Work becomes difficult. It becomes a battleground for survival in life. It comes to be infected by sin. Most workers can easily point out the problems where they work and can readily observe the impact of sin – either on the work itself or on the relationships of the workers.

            In the Lord, though, work is a joy. In the Lord, work is a source of thanksgiving and praise. In the Lord, work is worship – or at least a component of how we serve God. In human terms – without the Lord – work is a source of frustration, drudgery, and even pain. I don’t mean to say that someone who is not a believer in Christ can’t enjoy their job. But ultimately, apart from Christ, we are left in the same boat as Solomon: ⁴  I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. ⁵  I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. ⁶  I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. ⁷  I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. ⁸  I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well--the delights of the heart of man. ⁹  I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me. ¹⁰  I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. ¹¹  Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 2:4-11)

            Jesus Christ redeems our work. Not only is it a means by which we care for our families (which is His will) and ourselves… Not only is it a means by which we bless others by helping people in need and by giving (which is also His will)… Not only is it a means by which we find some identity and meaning in life… Our work is an act of worship when we understand Christ as being at the very center of our lives. Jesus doesn’t only save us from our sin when He comes into the world. He redeems things like work from the impact of the Fall. He comes restoring a kingdom which perished due to sin. The transforming power of God’s grace also transforms the worker. May the Lord help us to see our workplace as a grace-place… a place for the Kingdom of God to come in Christ. So may we pursue all that is right and good and honorable there as we seek the mind of Christ.

Colossians 3:22-24 (NIV) ²²  Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. ²³  Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, ²⁴  since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

PRAYER:  Father, transform my work, my attitudes, appreciation, and my worship of you as I work, where I work, and with whom I work. May Christ be always at the center of what I do.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!    

Scott

"Baby Hog"

            I joked on Sunday morning about Joanne, my wife, being a “baby hog”. Our recent visit to see our daughter and her husband was much about meeting and being with our new grandson, though we were happy to see his parents as well. On Sunday I said I enjoyed holding him… when I could get him out of Joanne’s arms. In the limited time we had she wanted to make the most of every opportunity. And truthfully, it is a great delight to me to watch my wife delight in Mason. Her experience of joy gives me joy.

            This illustrates another opportunity I have: taking delight in the Lord as He delights in His children. My attitude toward my brothers and sisters in Christ changes when I realize that God delights in them. They are precious to Him and He enjoys them. The Bible describes how in the past God took great pleasure in His children. It uses deeply personal descriptions. Sometimes He is like a husband delighting in his wife, and sometimes He is like a parent delighting in His children.  

I know Joanne could sit for hours just holding, looking at, or playing with Mason. Other “activities” hold little appeal for her in those moments. Do you think of God, your Father in that way? In Christ, His love for you and me is so great that He loves just being with us. In Christ, you are a priority to Him. Endless source of love that He is, He can love you this way, along with every other child He has redeemed. God the Father delights in you because of Christ’s work in you. You have been redeemed and made His child for His glory. His love is not a soupy, sentimental love. It’s a love that does whatever it takes for us to be in the center of His will and purpose in this world. Sometimes it is a comforting love. At other times it is a disciplining love. At still other times it can be a gifting, encouraging, forgiving, or teaching love. Whatever dimension God’s love for us takes, it is always focused upon us through His Son Jesus, the mediator of His grace.

The next time you experience deep pleasure and joy in a relationship, take a moment to thank the Lord that it is a reflection and reminder of the pleasure He has in you.

1 John 3:1 (NIV)  How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

Psalm 68:5 (NIV)  A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.

Isaiah 64:8 (NIV)  Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.

Matthew 7:11 (NIV)  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Romans 8:14-17 (NIV) ¹⁴  because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. ¹⁵  For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." ¹⁶  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. ¹⁷  Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Isaiah 40:11 (NIV)  He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

Isaiah 66:12-13 (NIV) ¹²  For this is what the LORD says: "I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. ¹³  As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem."

Psalm 149:4 (NIV)  For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.

PRAYER:  Father, thank you that you delight in your Son. And as we have been made your children by His work and righteousness, we rejoice that we are your children. So we are beloved, treasured, and cherished by you. What an awesome thing to be the object of your pleasure and enjoyment. Please be glorified in us as you love and nurture us.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!    

Scott