Who is Lord?

From the beginning of time when Eve picked the forbidden fruit and shared it with Adam, we as a human race have been struggling with this question. Who will determine my destiny? Even after we make a decision to accept Christ’s gift of salvation, we struggle with who is in charge. Think you got this one down? Here are a few litmus tests to see how you are doing.

1.   Did you just do some Christmas shopping? How did it go when someone grabbed the last item off the shelf in front of you or cut in a long line or took the parking space you were obviously ready to pull into? Did you see that person as a human made in the image of Christ and pray for his/her redemption? Did you bless them or curse them with your thoughts, words and/or actions?

2.   Last time an aggressive or tentative driver got between you and your goal, did you respond with grace or did you tell them some unpleasant things even though they didn’t hear you?

3.   When you get up in the morning, is the first thing on your mind your ‘to do’ list of all the things you need to get done today and what order you want to do them in or is it to thank God for another day and ask Him what His plans are for you today?

4.   When the bills come and the paycheck doesn’t or at least doesn’t reach, do you panic or do you take it to Jesus and ask His guidance on how to proceed?

5.   When your body experiences sickness, do you gather your pharmaceuticals around you and complain about how you feel until you get over it, or do you go to the Master Healer and ask for His healing and guidance in dealing with the sickness? 

These and many other things that happen daily in our lives tell us much about our progress in allowing Jesus to be Lord. In the end, it will become very clear who is Lord and it will go much better for us if we have chosen the Lordship of Christ before we get to that point. In “Today’s Quiet Walk Devotional” for December 28, 2014, (Walk Thru the Bible), the author speaks in regard to Revelation 19: 

“Apocalypse: ‘The revelation of a violent struggle in which evil will be destroyed’ (Webster's Dictionary). The second coming of Christ will be the apocalypse fulfilled. While the symbolism of the language in Revelation makes it difficult to ascertain exactly how events will unfold, it is clear that when Jesus returns again, it will be to confront evil and destroy it. The heavens will split and Jesus will descend upon the armies of the earth which have gathered in opposition to His return. In contrast to His past role as Savior of man, He will now come as King of creation. Whereas once He made Himself subject to men, now all men will become subject to Him. History will end and eternity will begin.”

In John 18:4-6, we see the first glimpse of every knee bowing to our great and awesome King. “Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.”

Isaiah 45:23, Romans 14:11 and Philippians 2:10 all tell us that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. We can either choose to bow or we can bow as the soldiers did when they arrested Jesus, but we will bow. 

Lord, I want you to be Lord of my life. Help me in my weakness when my flesh wants to take over to listen for Your voice and to allow You to be Lord of each circumstance as it occurs. You are indeed Lord and I am not. Thank You for the gift of peace when I acknowledge that. Thank You for the grace that washes over me and allows me to speak blessings over others rather than curses. Keep opening my eyes to see You and give me a heart to follow You every day of my life. Amen.

Transforming Power: Not what I expected!

The story of Joseph in the Old Testament continues to intrigue me. I wonder, could Joseph have become the leader he was if he had not gone through the years of slavery and prison? I wonder how those years transformed Joseph’s spirit and mind. How could he go from being a prisoner to being second in command – only Pharaoh had more power? We are not given his thoughts while he was in the caravan on his way to Egypt, sold by his brothers to be a slave. We don’t know what he was thinking when he was unjustly accused and thrown into prison where he was ‘forgotten’ for a few years. I’m guessing it was a process working through anger and trusting in God’s goodness. He didn’t have the “story of Joseph” to look back on… he was living it!

And then I hear story after story of people who have been ‘relieved’ of their ministry positions where they were being eroded by the prevailing powers, unable to use the creative gifting God had given them and unable to express their love for people because of all the ‘stuff’ that was going on. They were so controlled by the situation, they didn’t even have the power to resign. I have watched them go through a time of searching, longing, and sometime self-deprecation. But in the end, they are transformed into powerful leaders, placed in positions that are ready for them, and able to be God’s ministers of reconciliation and healing to people around them. They would tell you that while it was hard, they are now blessed to be working in effective ministries where they are fulfilled and full of God’s grace.

Very few, if any, people go from the womb through blissful childhood, untainted by teen years, and given positions of power and authority which they maintain happily ever after. It seems that the tough things in life are the things that get our attention and allow God to transform us into useful vessels for His purposes. And in the end, we can say with Joseph, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20

Having been through some hard things myself, I have learned some of the deep secrets of God. And I can see quickly in another person when they have been through some hard things. The marks of God’s grace are on them. We become less taken by the things and positions of this world and more filled with compassion and desire for others to really know God – not as the guy who keeps us out of hell, but the One who loves us deeply and would stop at nothing including the death of His Only Son on a cross to open all the doors for us to come ‘home’ to the One who created us. We are learning, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” We are learning His grace is sufficient for every day He gives us breath and that there is nothing to fear because we know we are called and we have an eternal focus, knowing that when we are done on this earth, we will be going to heaven to worship our Lord and King forever.

The world may be in turmoil, but we live in peace, trusting God to help us navigate the path before us. Thank You God, for Your grace each day and for the joy that I can experience here on earth regardless of my circumstances. You are an awesome God. Thank You for Your awesome love. Amen.

Why God Doesn't Like Lukewarm

Have you ever choked on lukewarm coffee or soup? It’s not very pretty as it goes flying across the table and/or your clothes. It’s even kind of embarrassing if it happens in public and all around frustrating as you clean up the mess. But that is the reaction Jesus has to the Church of Laodicea, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:16 That is the NIV version. Other versions use words like ‘spew’ or ‘vomit’ rather than ‘spit’ which are probably closer to what happens when you choke on lukewarm liquid.

I’ve often wondered why Jesus is so strong in His reaction to the Church of Laodicea. All the other churches, in Revelation 2 and 3, He begins by complimenting them on what they are doing right and then challenges them to work at something they have been missing. But with Laodicea, He jumps right in with ‘spewing’ them out. So I wonder what makes them lukewarm to begin with and why this is so very disturbing to Jesus that He gives this message to John.

Recently, I was talking with a friend who is a pastor. He was sharing the pain of a young friend who recently was sexually abused and very confused. He commented on how bold sin has become in our world. It is not even hidden anymore. We talked about how important it has become for us as a church to be bold and clear on who we are. We cannot afford to ‘blend in’ but must stand out as different. A picture came to me of using a vacuum cleaner when I was young. I preferred to vacuum when the floor was really dirty because it was easier to see where I had been and where I needed to go yet. There is a bigger difference when you clean a dirtier floor. I wonder if this is some of the picture of hot or cold vs. lukewarm.

What made the Church of Laodicea lukewarm? “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” Revelation 3:17 It appears that they have become self-sufficient. They don’t need ‘cleaning’ because they have become comfortable with themselves just the way they are. They have found a way to ‘blend in’ and not stir things up too much around them. And they are happily going along ‘blind’ and ‘naked’!

I wonder then, if the reason God hates for the church to be ‘lukewarm’ is because we just blend in with the world. We keep accepting more and more of the worlds’ view on things and pay less and less attention to what Christ came to change. How then can others see any need for Christ in their lives if we as the church are really no different than anyone else? If we don’t need Christ daily in our lives because we are self-sufficient, how can others see their need for Christ in their lives? In essence, we hide the Gospel from others because we appear to be something we are not – good in and of ourselves. If we can’t see that we are ‘blind’ and ‘naked’ and in need of God’s help, we really have nothing to offer to others but another social gathering of the ‘feel good club’.

So what is Jesus’ remedy for lukewarm sickness? “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me” Revelation 3:19-20 Did you ever notice that this invitation is for the church?!

We need to quit trying to ride in the middle of the road. That is a very dangerous place to be. We are not saved because we are “good” or because we are doing “good” things. We are saved because Jesus Christ gave His life for us. We need Him. He is the very air we breathe. He desires relationship with us – deep abiding relationship with us. We need that relationship with Him. We cannot be His church, inviting others into relationship with Him if we are anything but in desperate need of Him ourselves. Then we will stand out like a light in the darkness and help others find their way to Him. We will be the salt bringing out the flavor in life.

Oh Lord, do not let me hinder your Gospel message from going out into the world. Help me to be bold – to live humbly in desperate need of You so that others can see who You are and how You forgive, heal and restore. Thank You for providing everything I need. Amen.

The Battle Rages

If we are not experiencing suffering and loss at the moment, we all know someone who is. What do we do when a friend, neighbor or acquaintance is going through a difficult time? Do we stay away because we don’t know what to say? Or do we babble nonsense because we need to say something? Or do we seek to understand God’s wisdom and heart and encourage them for the journey? As many times as I have read Job, I don’t remember ever distinguishing so clearly between man’s wisdom and God’s wisdom as on this read through.

I wonder how often readers read Bildad’s words, Zophar’s words, or Eliphaz’s words thinking, “They are in the Bible, so any verse here is God’s truth.” After all, they make sense to our impoverished minds as we read them. But, they come totally from human wisdom and not from God’s wisdom. While Job continues to confront them throughout the whole book, we don’t hear from God until the end of the book of Job. After God has dealt with Job, He addresses Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has… My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly.” Job 42:7-8

Keeping that in mind, as I read the book of Job, I know pay better attention to who is speaking and what they are saying. This book now begs me to think about how I speak to those who are suffering – to be careful to not spout off platitudes of my own understanding, but rather to prayerfully and humbly speak to the person who is suffering.

The mistake I see in Job’s friends as they speak is that they look at what is happening and, trying to make sense of it, pronounce judgment on the one suffering. Essentially they are saying, “Why would all this bad happen to you if God were not judging you for something?” And then they proceed to make up the things they believe God is judging Job for. Job must have cheated people, stole from them, disregarded people’s needs, etc. in order for God to be so angry with him as to treat him so badly because they are sure that is how God works.

Job defends himself saying that he has always cared for others. His friends don’t believe him because all the evidence (God’s judgments in their minds) point to the opposite. In the end, God vindicates Job and replaces all he lost with even more and humbles his judging friends saying that He will forgive them when Job prays for them.

“Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18. Chris Tiegreen writes, “At a practical level, that means that hardships you endure today are pointing toward a purpose. They will give Him occasion to demonstrate Himself, and they will give you occasion to demonstrate your faith. Both occasions lead to a glory that far outweighs the pain. In the end, it will all be worth it. The God who endured the Cross gives you His guarantee.” January 21 in ‘Wonder of the Cross Devotional’

My hope and prayer is that I will prayerfully and humbly approach those who are currently suffering and that I will offer them the encouragement of God’s compassion, comfort, and love and together we can watch for God to demonstrate Himself and use this opportunity to grow in faith. That He is to be honored and glorified is not selfishness on God’s part and disregard for our suffering, but rather a demonstration of His caring intimately for us as He continually rescues us, comforts us, and opens our eyes to see Him for who He really is! Our God is worthy of our praise!

And Lot Went With Him

“God doesn’t have grandchildren – only children.” I’ve heard that phrase countless times in many different settings. We all know that it means each one of us must make a personal commitment to accept God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ because we won’t be able to ride to heaven on the coattails of our parents.

Many times I have looked at the story of Abram and Lot and noticed that Lot’s life was not nearly as fulfilling as Abram’s. Today, as I was reading the story of their journey again, something stood out to me that helps me understand more why that might be. In the beginning, Terah ‘took’ Abram, Sarai, and Lot with him when he left Ur. After Terah died, Abram was called by the Lord to “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you… so Abram left as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him.” Genesis 12:1-4 Later, “Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him.” Genesis 13:1.

We don’t see Lot talking with the Lord or committing to obeying the Lord. We only see him going along for the ride with Abram. Maybe he liked adventure. Maybe he saw something in Abram that he liked and was drawn to but didn’t see the need to purpose his life to obeying the Lord. For a time, at least, he was enjoying the blessings by hanging out with Abram.

But when their servants began to fight over pasture and water for their herds, Abram suggested they split ways. He gave Lot the first choice which way to go. And Lot (like many of us would) chose what he perceived to be the best. “Lot looked up and saw the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar.” Genesis 13:10

Now Lot is on his own. And when trouble comes to the land he is living in, he and all his family and possessions are taken as plunder by the conquering kings. When Abram hears about it, he takes 318 of the trained men born in his household and pursues them. They successfully recover the plunder including Lot and his family and return them to their home in Sodom. Abram is still looking out for Lot even though Lot is no longer ‘his responsibility’. God blessed Abram and his men with the strength to overcome the kings who had overcome Sodom. Lot once again benefits from Abram’s relationship with the Lord and seems to be content with that and not motivated to have his own relationship with the Lord.

Years later, when the Lord has made a covenant with Abram and renamed him Abraham, Lot is once more in trouble because the Lord is planning to destroy Sodom because of the great sin there. Abraham pleads with the Lord to not destroy Lot. And the Lord sends angels to remove Lot and his family before destroying the city. In that action, Lot loses everything – even his wife who seemed more attracted to what was left behind and not able to focus on what was ahead. Lot and two of his daughters survived and lived in a cave because they were afraid to stay in Zoar. So Lot has escaped with his life, but the ‘good life’ he had in Sodom is a thing of the past. Lot doesn’t ever seam to recover from that because he has never sought his own relationship with the Lord. Even in his distress, he didn’t seem to understand that it was the Lord leading and protecting Abraham and that he could experience that too if he were to be obedient to the Lord. He was content to ‘take care of himself’ and not ‘need the Lord’.

I wonder how often I am content to ‘take care of myself’ and ‘not need the Lord’ and how many blessings I walk away from because I am too busy to listen and be obedient to what the Lord is calling me to do. It is so very easy to get caught up in the daily living things, to develop ‘comfort habits’, to take the easy way that looks inviting, and to ignore the voice of God speaking into my life. When I look at the outcomes between Abraham and Lot, there is no comparison! Being obedient to God has a much, much better outcome than following my own desires.

Lord, please open my eyes to see and my ears to hear You. I desire to obey you, serving you with my whole life, holding nothing back. I know Abraham had to do a lot of hard things and I will too, but in the end, those hard things bring me closer to You and that is where I want to be. Thank You for Your great love and awesome grace through Jesus Christ. Amen.