Did you realize your heart could be noble and good even before you hear the word of God?
I’m not a great sports player, but I played my share through my life. One of the things I enjoyed the most was football. In high school we just had flag football for intramurals. It was fun though. I think part of the reason I’m not great at sports is because my ball handling skills just aren’t that great and my depth perception is a little off. So when I would get picked for a team I would tell the QB don’t worry about getting me the ball I’ll just block for you. People are usually pretty happy with that news, they don’t have to figure out how to get the ball to me so it’s all fair for everyone. And I was big enough blocking was something I wasn’t too bad at.
Well it so happened one game I was blocking as usual. We were all lined up and the ball was set in motion. The guy I was blocking somehow got around me and headed for the QB but I was left wide open and with a toss the ball was in my wide open hands and I began to run. It was an amazing feeling flying down the field for a great 30 yd play. I had always thought of myself as a poor receiver and yet when the moment came my hands were wide open and I became a good receiver in that moment.
In Luke 8 Jesus tells the parable of the sower. A man went out to sow some seed. Some landed on the path and was carried away by birds, some on the rocky soil where is only had shallow roots and faded away. Other seed sprung up quickly by the weeds grew up and choked it out. But there was also good soil and when the seed fell there is grew up to a harvest of many fold.
Jesus then explains the different types of soil as different hearts receiving the word of God. Some are afflicted by Satan, others the busyness and cares of life get in the way, and some just loose interest, but there is the good soil. The noble and good hearts open to the word of God and it sinks in and produces a crop.
This is interesting language, because it seems the heart, which is called, deceitfully wicked in other places in scripture can also be good. This is not so surprising sense God promises us a new heart, a heart of flesh instead of a heart of stone. But this heart is good before it receives the word of God so how can it already have the new heart?
What makes a heart good here is it’s openness to the word of God. The heart wide open is ready to receive the word of God and run with it on down the field. The opposite side of this is the hard heart. Pharaoh is an example of this. Moses comes to ask the Pharaoh to let Israel go and the bible says Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not let him go, the heart of stone or the heart of flesh.
God must be working with our hearts before we receive the word of God in order for them to be open and receptive. This means he is giving us new hearts even before we actually know who he is! We haven’t received the word yet, so we don’t know him and yet are hearts are good and open when it comes.
God works much further out of the evangelistic book then we think. To get a new heart we must accept Jesus, right? No, it turns out to accept Jesus we need a new heart first.
What an amazing God we serve! He is transforming us even before we know him.
May your heart be open today to receive the word of God and may we be made aware of the good hearts all around us just waiting for us to sow the seed.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Glowing Orange (Luke 7)
Has forgiveness touched you deep enough to break through the externals of your life?
I remember when Lorelai was quite little, about 2 or so, we took her into the doctor for a check up. Everything was running along smoothly. Our doctor had a med student with him and he asked a rather strange question of his student, "Do you notice anything about the color of Lorelai's skin?" The student thought for a moment and then said, "She seems a little orange." The doctor told the student he was correct and then asked, "Why do you think she is a little orange?" Then the student hypothesized Lorelai may have been eating too many orange colored foods, specifically carrots. The doctor confirmed this hypothesis with a question to us. Sure enough it was true Lorelai's favorite food at this point in time was carrots and she was willing to eat them so we were willing to feed them too her.
What a strange day at the doctor's office, you baby is turning orange from eating so many carrots, you might want to back off of the carrots.
Luke chap 7 is kind of a proof chapter of who Jesus was. He didn't prove who he was through his words, it just kind of came out to the surface in his actions. A centurion seeks healing for his servant, Jesus heals him from a distance. Jesus sees the sorrow of a morning mother for the loss of her son. His heart is moved towards her. He compassion is turned into action and he raises the boy to life. John's disciples come with the question of whether Jesus is the messiah or if they are waiting for someone else. Jesus heals, gives sight to the blind, casts out demons, cures all manner of sickness. He tells John's disciples to share with John the things they have seen. Who Jesus is flows out in his actions.
At the end of this chapter we see this outward expression of love coming back too Jesus. The woman, the sinful woman, comes in to wash the feet of Jesus. Simon shows his true colors by judging both Jesus and the woman. Jesus asks Simon who loves more the one who has been forgiven more or less? The one forgiven more is the obvious answer. Jesus tells Simon, "this woman has been forgiven much so she loves much."
Forgiveness has gotten into the depths of this woman's soul. She knows she is deeply forgiven and so who she is comes out in what she does. Compassion and love come pouring out of her forgiven depths. If forgiveness were carrots this woman is glowing orange!
What is in the depths of our hearts? In just the previous chapter Jesus teaches if there is good stored up in our hearts then good will come out, if there is evil, bitterness, and loathing stored up in our hearts then those things will come out. What are we storing up? Are we holding on to old grudges and injuries in the past then bitterness will flow from out hearts and into the lives of those around us through our actions.
Have we allowed the forgiveness of Christ to soak down deep into every fiber of our beings? Because if we have it will come flowing out in every interaction we have with those around us. We will glow orange from the inside out.
May we open ourselves up to be saturated with the love of God today, so the proof of Jesus Messiah and his forgiveness will come out to the rest of the world through the actions of his people.
I remember when Lorelai was quite little, about 2 or so, we took her into the doctor for a check up. Everything was running along smoothly. Our doctor had a med student with him and he asked a rather strange question of his student, "Do you notice anything about the color of Lorelai's skin?" The student thought for a moment and then said, "She seems a little orange." The doctor told the student he was correct and then asked, "Why do you think she is a little orange?" Then the student hypothesized Lorelai may have been eating too many orange colored foods, specifically carrots. The doctor confirmed this hypothesis with a question to us. Sure enough it was true Lorelai's favorite food at this point in time was carrots and she was willing to eat them so we were willing to feed them too her.
What a strange day at the doctor's office, you baby is turning orange from eating so many carrots, you might want to back off of the carrots.
Luke chap 7 is kind of a proof chapter of who Jesus was. He didn't prove who he was through his words, it just kind of came out to the surface in his actions. A centurion seeks healing for his servant, Jesus heals him from a distance. Jesus sees the sorrow of a morning mother for the loss of her son. His heart is moved towards her. He compassion is turned into action and he raises the boy to life. John's disciples come with the question of whether Jesus is the messiah or if they are waiting for someone else. Jesus heals, gives sight to the blind, casts out demons, cures all manner of sickness. He tells John's disciples to share with John the things they have seen. Who Jesus is flows out in his actions.
At the end of this chapter we see this outward expression of love coming back too Jesus. The woman, the sinful woman, comes in to wash the feet of Jesus. Simon shows his true colors by judging both Jesus and the woman. Jesus asks Simon who loves more the one who has been forgiven more or less? The one forgiven more is the obvious answer. Jesus tells Simon, "this woman has been forgiven much so she loves much."
Forgiveness has gotten into the depths of this woman's soul. She knows she is deeply forgiven and so who she is comes out in what she does. Compassion and love come pouring out of her forgiven depths. If forgiveness were carrots this woman is glowing orange!
What is in the depths of our hearts? In just the previous chapter Jesus teaches if there is good stored up in our hearts then good will come out, if there is evil, bitterness, and loathing stored up in our hearts then those things will come out. What are we storing up? Are we holding on to old grudges and injuries in the past then bitterness will flow from out hearts and into the lives of those around us through our actions.
Have we allowed the forgiveness of Christ to soak down deep into every fiber of our beings? Because if we have it will come flowing out in every interaction we have with those around us. We will glow orange from the inside out.
May we open ourselves up to be saturated with the love of God today, so the proof of Jesus Messiah and his forgiveness will come out to the rest of the world through the actions of his people.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
"If I end up being a youth pastor, it's all his fault." (Luke 6)
Can you honestly say you would like those who learn from you to be just like you?
When I was a youth pastor in Denver, I had a great group of guys I would hang out with. These students where a lot of fun. We would plan all kinds of large elaborate strategy games after school, tackle football in the snow, and go down town to engage in faith conversations with people on the lite rail. They were cool guys and apparently they didn't think I was too bad either. I remember walking across the church parking lot one time and one of them said, "Man, if every youth pastor is like you and Matt, I wanna be one." I looked at him with an inquisitive expression. "If I can be as buff as you guys and have wives who look like your wives do...I definitely want to be a youth pastor."
My two years in Denver were wrapping up. I was headed to seminary. We were meeting together with this group of students who has joined out street ministry team for one of our final prayer times together. Each student was placed in the center of the circle and everyone would lay hands on them and then pray for them all the way around. We got to the end of they group of students and the kids insisted the youth pastors get in the center. When it was my turn I remember the love of those kids flowing out through their prayers. (blink, blink) One of the guys prayed, "I know its selfish God, but if it works out for me to run into Pastor Cory again in my life, I pray you would make that happen." And if that wasn't enough a little while later another kid prayed, "God, if I end up being a youth pastor its all Cory's fault."
In Luke chap 6 Jesus is teaching the people in his famous sermon on the mount, Luke's version. He shares a parable, If the blind lead the blind they will both fall into a pit. A student is not above his teacher and when he is fully trained he will be like his teacher. This is a scary prospect as a teacher/pastor. Do I really want my students to turn out like me? Will it be a good thing for my student in Denver to be a youth pastor like me? Will we both end up in a pit?
The flip side to this teaching of Jesus is if he is our teacher we will turn out like him. When we are fully trained, fully formed, when he has finished the work he has started in us we will be like him. This is really good news for us and for the people who follow us.
Some of us may not be teachers in title, but we all have disciples, we all have people who follow what we do and learn patterns of behavior and faith from what they see in our lives. As one of my good friends who is a teacher said this morning, "Probably the times outside of the class room are even more important then what I say in class."
Here's the thing, if we are learning from Jesus, if he is our teacher, if we are his disciples and the people around us see this to be true, then to follow us they will need to follow Jesus. This is my hope and my redemption as a Pastor. If I am following Christ, when as student prays, "If I end up being a youth pastor, it's all his fault." I don't have to worry or fear, because they will follow Jesus not me. They will only do so however if I am following Jesus and being formed in his image as he intends for all of us.
May we follow Jesus today, so those who follow us will be following him as well.
When I was a youth pastor in Denver, I had a great group of guys I would hang out with. These students where a lot of fun. We would plan all kinds of large elaborate strategy games after school, tackle football in the snow, and go down town to engage in faith conversations with people on the lite rail. They were cool guys and apparently they didn't think I was too bad either. I remember walking across the church parking lot one time and one of them said, "Man, if every youth pastor is like you and Matt, I wanna be one." I looked at him with an inquisitive expression. "If I can be as buff as you guys and have wives who look like your wives do...I definitely want to be a youth pastor."
My two years in Denver were wrapping up. I was headed to seminary. We were meeting together with this group of students who has joined out street ministry team for one of our final prayer times together. Each student was placed in the center of the circle and everyone would lay hands on them and then pray for them all the way around. We got to the end of they group of students and the kids insisted the youth pastors get in the center. When it was my turn I remember the love of those kids flowing out through their prayers. (blink, blink) One of the guys prayed, "I know its selfish God, but if it works out for me to run into Pastor Cory again in my life, I pray you would make that happen." And if that wasn't enough a little while later another kid prayed, "God, if I end up being a youth pastor its all Cory's fault."
In Luke chap 6 Jesus is teaching the people in his famous sermon on the mount, Luke's version. He shares a parable, If the blind lead the blind they will both fall into a pit. A student is not above his teacher and when he is fully trained he will be like his teacher. This is a scary prospect as a teacher/pastor. Do I really want my students to turn out like me? Will it be a good thing for my student in Denver to be a youth pastor like me? Will we both end up in a pit?
The flip side to this teaching of Jesus is if he is our teacher we will turn out like him. When we are fully trained, fully formed, when he has finished the work he has started in us we will be like him. This is really good news for us and for the people who follow us.
Some of us may not be teachers in title, but we all have disciples, we all have people who follow what we do and learn patterns of behavior and faith from what they see in our lives. As one of my good friends who is a teacher said this morning, "Probably the times outside of the class room are even more important then what I say in class."
Here's the thing, if we are learning from Jesus, if he is our teacher, if we are his disciples and the people around us see this to be true, then to follow us they will need to follow Jesus. This is my hope and my redemption as a Pastor. If I am following Christ, when as student prays, "If I end up being a youth pastor, it's all his fault." I don't have to worry or fear, because they will follow Jesus not me. They will only do so however if I am following Jesus and being formed in his image as he intends for all of us.
May we follow Jesus today, so those who follow us will be following him as well.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Calling us to something more (Luke 5)
Have you ever stood in the presence of something or someone who made you feel so insignificant?
I have had a couple of times in my life when I have met famous people at least famous to me. The first one that comes to mind is the band, big tent revival. I watched them play their show and worshiped with them as they played. Then after they got off stage I found them back stage and met them all and asked if I could pray with them. They were very open to it and we had a nice time together. I felt welcomed and encouraged through this meeting.
The other time coming to mind is when I met or rather ran into a rather famous christian hip hop star. We were both in the the crowd of a different concert mingling with the people who were there. I called out his name and he turned towards me. I told him how I had been a long time fan and how his music had helped me stay connected to God. I told him how I was now in youth ministry and continued to reach out to students, thanking him for inspiring me. At least that's what I wanted to say. But he brushed me off so quick I barely had time to get it out of my mouth. I have chosen to believe he was just having a bad day.
In both meetings I felt a little in awe of these men who were such amazing musicians, who had inspired me and brought good things into my life. One of the meetings I was discouraged by and made to feel less significant. In the other meeting I was welcomed in and lifted up into who they were and what they were doing. It was a very cool thing.
In Luke chap 5 Jesus is teaching on the shore. He asks Simon (Peter) to allow him to use his boat so he can teach the people from the lake, which would probably amplify his voice, plus give him some space to see and teach from. After he is done teaching he tells Peter to push out and let his nets down for a catch. Peter grumbles his reply, "we have been fishing all night, but if you say so." They let down their nets and they are so filled with fish Peter has to call in back up and even with two boats the catch is so large the boats start to sink. Peter in awe of who Jesus is, falls to his knees and cries out, "leave me Lord I am a sinful man."
Peter has met his celebrity fisherman if you will and recognizes he is more than that. He must be divine or at least sent by God. Jesus could have left Peter groveling in his insignificance, he could have brushed him off, but he doesn't. Jesus calls Peter into something greater. Jesus saw who Peter would become and he called him out of his catching of fish to his catching of men. Perhaps Jesus even saw the day of Pentecost when through Peter's preaching 3000 people would choose to follow Jesus and be baptized.
We may find we recognize our insignificance when we are in the presence of a Holy God. Peter fell to his knees in declaration of his sinfulness and Job when he met God stated that he despised himself. But God doesn't leave us there. He calls us into something more; Peter into fishing for men, Job to pray and offer a sacrifice for his friends. We are so much less in comparison to God, but God sees us as so much more than we know of ourselves.
May we encounter God today and fall to our knees at his holiness and may he raise us up and call us into something more.
I have had a couple of times in my life when I have met famous people at least famous to me. The first one that comes to mind is the band, big tent revival. I watched them play their show and worshiped with them as they played. Then after they got off stage I found them back stage and met them all and asked if I could pray with them. They were very open to it and we had a nice time together. I felt welcomed and encouraged through this meeting.
The other time coming to mind is when I met or rather ran into a rather famous christian hip hop star. We were both in the the crowd of a different concert mingling with the people who were there. I called out his name and he turned towards me. I told him how I had been a long time fan and how his music had helped me stay connected to God. I told him how I was now in youth ministry and continued to reach out to students, thanking him for inspiring me. At least that's what I wanted to say. But he brushed me off so quick I barely had time to get it out of my mouth. I have chosen to believe he was just having a bad day.
In both meetings I felt a little in awe of these men who were such amazing musicians, who had inspired me and brought good things into my life. One of the meetings I was discouraged by and made to feel less significant. In the other meeting I was welcomed in and lifted up into who they were and what they were doing. It was a very cool thing.
In Luke chap 5 Jesus is teaching on the shore. He asks Simon (Peter) to allow him to use his boat so he can teach the people from the lake, which would probably amplify his voice, plus give him some space to see and teach from. After he is done teaching he tells Peter to push out and let his nets down for a catch. Peter grumbles his reply, "we have been fishing all night, but if you say so." They let down their nets and they are so filled with fish Peter has to call in back up and even with two boats the catch is so large the boats start to sink. Peter in awe of who Jesus is, falls to his knees and cries out, "leave me Lord I am a sinful man."
Peter has met his celebrity fisherman if you will and recognizes he is more than that. He must be divine or at least sent by God. Jesus could have left Peter groveling in his insignificance, he could have brushed him off, but he doesn't. Jesus calls Peter into something greater. Jesus saw who Peter would become and he called him out of his catching of fish to his catching of men. Perhaps Jesus even saw the day of Pentecost when through Peter's preaching 3000 people would choose to follow Jesus and be baptized.
We may find we recognize our insignificance when we are in the presence of a Holy God. Peter fell to his knees in declaration of his sinfulness and Job when he met God stated that he despised himself. But God doesn't leave us there. He calls us into something more; Peter into fishing for men, Job to pray and offer a sacrifice for his friends. We are so much less in comparison to God, but God sees us as so much more than we know of ourselves.
May we encounter God today and fall to our knees at his holiness and may he raise us up and call us into something more.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Public Schools and Sea Shells (Luke 4)
We can say whatever we want, but its understood by what we do.
OK so I have a bit of a confession to make. I have this goal as a youth worker to make a difference on a public school campus. I even went down to the local high school, filled out my back ground check forms, and got my picture taken for an ID. I have this fancy ID in my wallet right now in my pocket. But here's the problem. I haven't used it yet. I went in and got the ID and now I haven't been back to the school. How ridicuous is that! Part of it has to do with my full schedule to be sure. I look at my calendar and try to figure out a day when I can spend lunch on campus and I just don't have the time.
There is also something intimidating to me about entering a school I'm not sure I'm welcome in and not sure where to go or what to do when I go there. It is so easy to walk on to the campus of our christian school. I'm expected there, the kids and teachers say high, and the principal buys me lunch once a week when I show up. I'm also not the best at just striking up conversations within a crowd. Small talk really isn't my thing. I just can't think of anything to say. Sometimes is goes great and then others I just feel awkward.
The thing is, I have been saying for four years now, we need to love on the kids in the public schools and not just our private schools. I can say it all I want, I could even make a mission statement out of it. If I don't actually do it, saying it doesn't accomplish anything.
This paradigm is what I love about the mission of Jesus when he came to this earth. In Luke chapter 4 he makes two different statements about his mission. The first in is quoting the prophet Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” The second time he says it a little more concise, But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”
He can say these things all he wants, but does he back them up? Yes the rest of the chapter is filled with the stories of him setting the captives of demon possession free, healing the sick, and teaching in the synagogues. The chapter even starts with his one on one fight with the Devil in the wilderness. The kingdom of heaven is at hand, it has invaded the kingdom of this world, and Jesus is taking Satan head on.
I wonder what I will do today. I wonder what today will look like and out of all the options I have for the ways I could spend my time which ones will I choose? Will they be inline with what I say is important to me? Will I love on my family? Will I fulfill my personal mission statement in someway? Do I have the right mission statement? Do I actually know what I want to say and do?
Rob Bell tells the story of his son playing on the beach picking up fragments of shells. As the stroll along the beach they see a star fish just waiting to be plucked from the water. He goes out into the water to pick it up but comes back without it. Rob encourages him to go get it. He tries again and again returns without it. Rob asks him why he hasn't gotten the starfish and his son replies,"My hands are full of shells."
What is it we have said we are going to do? What are the things we have said yes too? What are the things we have declared to be out mission in life? Are we actually doing them? Do our actions fulfill our mission as Jesus' actions fulfilled his mission?
I pray today that we would not only do the things we say we are going to do and fulfill the values we claim. I pray that we would also say the things most important for us to do. Jesus had his mission, he withdrew to a solitary place to confirm his mission with his Father and then he carried it out. He fulfilled it with his actions.
May we do the same.
OK so I have a bit of a confession to make. I have this goal as a youth worker to make a difference on a public school campus. I even went down to the local high school, filled out my back ground check forms, and got my picture taken for an ID. I have this fancy ID in my wallet right now in my pocket. But here's the problem. I haven't used it yet. I went in and got the ID and now I haven't been back to the school. How ridicuous is that! Part of it has to do with my full schedule to be sure. I look at my calendar and try to figure out a day when I can spend lunch on campus and I just don't have the time.
There is also something intimidating to me about entering a school I'm not sure I'm welcome in and not sure where to go or what to do when I go there. It is so easy to walk on to the campus of our christian school. I'm expected there, the kids and teachers say high, and the principal buys me lunch once a week when I show up. I'm also not the best at just striking up conversations within a crowd. Small talk really isn't my thing. I just can't think of anything to say. Sometimes is goes great and then others I just feel awkward.
The thing is, I have been saying for four years now, we need to love on the kids in the public schools and not just our private schools. I can say it all I want, I could even make a mission statement out of it. If I don't actually do it, saying it doesn't accomplish anything.
This paradigm is what I love about the mission of Jesus when he came to this earth. In Luke chapter 4 he makes two different statements about his mission. The first in is quoting the prophet Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” The second time he says it a little more concise, But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”
He can say these things all he wants, but does he back them up? Yes the rest of the chapter is filled with the stories of him setting the captives of demon possession free, healing the sick, and teaching in the synagogues. The chapter even starts with his one on one fight with the Devil in the wilderness. The kingdom of heaven is at hand, it has invaded the kingdom of this world, and Jesus is taking Satan head on.
I wonder what I will do today. I wonder what today will look like and out of all the options I have for the ways I could spend my time which ones will I choose? Will they be inline with what I say is important to me? Will I love on my family? Will I fulfill my personal mission statement in someway? Do I have the right mission statement? Do I actually know what I want to say and do?
Rob Bell tells the story of his son playing on the beach picking up fragments of shells. As the stroll along the beach they see a star fish just waiting to be plucked from the water. He goes out into the water to pick it up but comes back without it. Rob encourages him to go get it. He tries again and again returns without it. Rob asks him why he hasn't gotten the starfish and his son replies,"My hands are full of shells."
What is it we have said we are going to do? What are the things we have said yes too? What are the things we have declared to be out mission in life? Are we actually doing them? Do our actions fulfill our mission as Jesus' actions fulfilled his mission?
I pray today that we would not only do the things we say we are going to do and fulfill the values we claim. I pray that we would also say the things most important for us to do. Jesus had his mission, he withdrew to a solitary place to confirm his mission with his Father and then he carried it out. He fulfilled it with his actions.
May we do the same.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Dating God? (Luke 3)
The Fruit of Repentance (Luke 3)
What does it look like to run after God?
My junior year in high school began with a bang. I broke up with my girl friend of 10 months. It broke my heart and I experienced the worst emotional pain I had ever felt. But the break up isn’t the story I want to tell. As my heart began to heal, I began to notice there were actually other lovely ladies on campus other than the one I had “mutually” broken up with.
I started in on the flirting game once again. Talking with this lady and then that lady, getting to know some new girls I had never met before. I remember having 4 or so different girls I was interested in and wondering who I would choose to pursue. As time when on it became very apparent which girl it was going to be. We just got along so well and had so much fun together. Pretty soon the other ladies faded away and my focus of time and attention zeroed in and I was hooked. I was all out running after this girl and luckily she wasn’t running away.
In the book of Revelation the message version of the bible translates repenting as turning around and running after God. This is a pretty great description as the word repentance in the Greek means to turn around, a complete 180. In Luke chap 3 we have John the Baptist all grown up and preaching a baptism of the repentance of sins. Many are coming to be baptized.
John tells them there must be fruit of repentance in their lives, its not enough just to get dunked. If there is no life change then there has really been no repentance. The people begin to ask him what they must do. John gives them some examples; share with those who have none, do not collect more in business then the right amount, don’t extort or falsely accuse people, and be content with your pay.
I think back to that junior year in high school and I realize once we are sold out on someone, once we have decided to run after them with all we have the fruits of our lives will show it. When we repent, turn around and run after God, our lives will show the fruits of the race we have chosen. Our faith must shape out lives.
John also gives the consequences for our lives if we don’t produce the fruit, thus our repentance being insincere. Those trees, which don’t produce fruit, will be cut down and burned. While there is a reference to hell fire here, I also think this has to do with what kind of legacy we will leave behind. If all we do is cheat, extort, save up for ourselves, and constantly chase after more money there will be nothing left behind when we die and no hope at a future.
To have lives of consequence we must repent, run after God, and let our faith shape our lives. I am reminded of the old Albert Finey movie “Scrooge.” We can either have people singing thank you very much when we die because our horrible existence is over. Or we can have people singing thank you very much now because of the fruits of our lives are those of generosity while we are living.
May we turn around and run after God today and let this faith shape out lives as our relational focus turns to God and we pursue him and his will for our lives with all we have with in us.
What does it look like to run after God?
My junior year in high school began with a bang. I broke up with my girl friend of 10 months. It broke my heart and I experienced the worst emotional pain I had ever felt. But the break up isn’t the story I want to tell. As my heart began to heal, I began to notice there were actually other lovely ladies on campus other than the one I had “mutually” broken up with.
I started in on the flirting game once again. Talking with this lady and then that lady, getting to know some new girls I had never met before. I remember having 4 or so different girls I was interested in and wondering who I would choose to pursue. As time when on it became very apparent which girl it was going to be. We just got along so well and had so much fun together. Pretty soon the other ladies faded away and my focus of time and attention zeroed in and I was hooked. I was all out running after this girl and luckily she wasn’t running away.
In the book of Revelation the message version of the bible translates repenting as turning around and running after God. This is a pretty great description as the word repentance in the Greek means to turn around, a complete 180. In Luke chap 3 we have John the Baptist all grown up and preaching a baptism of the repentance of sins. Many are coming to be baptized.
John tells them there must be fruit of repentance in their lives, its not enough just to get dunked. If there is no life change then there has really been no repentance. The people begin to ask him what they must do. John gives them some examples; share with those who have none, do not collect more in business then the right amount, don’t extort or falsely accuse people, and be content with your pay.
I think back to that junior year in high school and I realize once we are sold out on someone, once we have decided to run after them with all we have the fruits of our lives will show it. When we repent, turn around and run after God, our lives will show the fruits of the race we have chosen. Our faith must shape out lives.
John also gives the consequences for our lives if we don’t produce the fruit, thus our repentance being insincere. Those trees, which don’t produce fruit, will be cut down and burned. While there is a reference to hell fire here, I also think this has to do with what kind of legacy we will leave behind. If all we do is cheat, extort, save up for ourselves, and constantly chase after more money there will be nothing left behind when we die and no hope at a future.
To have lives of consequence we must repent, run after God, and let our faith shape our lives. I am reminded of the old Albert Finey movie “Scrooge.” We can either have people singing thank you very much when we die because our horrible existence is over. Or we can have people singing thank you very much now because of the fruits of our lives are those of generosity while we are living.
May we turn around and run after God today and let this faith shape out lives as our relational focus turns to God and we pursue him and his will for our lives with all we have with in us.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Birthday reflections: growing up with God (Luke 2)
What was your family like growing up?
It's my birthday today and I have just spent some time reflecting over what the past year has looked like for me. It has been a good one, a year of healing and moving forward in good and positive ways. My marriage has been greatly improved as well as my quality of life. I also find myself reflecting on the home and family I was born into. There is a real blessing for me in this family of mine. I was raised in a home where I was encouraged to encounter God at an early age and to know of his love through the love of my parents.
I think about the stories in Luke chapter 2. Jesus is born heralded by the angels the shepherds come to give him worship and Mary holds these things in her heart. At the appropriate age Jesus is taken to the temple to be dedicated. Two young parents raising their child with the intention of him knowing God. They are met by two old prophets who speak of who Jesus will become and Mary holds these things in her heart.
Luke then informs us, Jesus grew in strength, wisdom, and in favor with both God and man. What would it have been like if Jesus had been born to a family who did not love God and who did not care to raise their child to know God? Obviously God knew whom he was choosing to give his son too. And while there was an incident of Jesus staying behind in Jerusalem when he was twelve and completely stressing his parents out for three days he returned to Nazareth with them and lived in obedience to them. It is a good thing to be in a home where obedience to mom and dad is also obedience to God.
Sometimes we shun the idea of a Christian upbringing or a Christian home. The children are two sheltered or narrow minded. Of course they believe in God they were raised that way. If they were raised in a Buddhist home they would believe in Buddha. Be that as it may, I am grateful today for my Christian home and my Godly parents. I observe my life has been better because of it and I am grateful on this day of my birth.
May you find yourself in a home filled with God today whether by the choice of your parents or of your own choice. May we know we are held in the heart of God.
It's my birthday today and I have just spent some time reflecting over what the past year has looked like for me. It has been a good one, a year of healing and moving forward in good and positive ways. My marriage has been greatly improved as well as my quality of life. I also find myself reflecting on the home and family I was born into. There is a real blessing for me in this family of mine. I was raised in a home where I was encouraged to encounter God at an early age and to know of his love through the love of my parents.
I think about the stories in Luke chapter 2. Jesus is born heralded by the angels the shepherds come to give him worship and Mary holds these things in her heart. At the appropriate age Jesus is taken to the temple to be dedicated. Two young parents raising their child with the intention of him knowing God. They are met by two old prophets who speak of who Jesus will become and Mary holds these things in her heart.
Luke then informs us, Jesus grew in strength, wisdom, and in favor with both God and man. What would it have been like if Jesus had been born to a family who did not love God and who did not care to raise their child to know God? Obviously God knew whom he was choosing to give his son too. And while there was an incident of Jesus staying behind in Jerusalem when he was twelve and completely stressing his parents out for three days he returned to Nazareth with them and lived in obedience to them. It is a good thing to be in a home where obedience to mom and dad is also obedience to God.
Sometimes we shun the idea of a Christian upbringing or a Christian home. The children are two sheltered or narrow minded. Of course they believe in God they were raised that way. If they were raised in a Buddhist home they would believe in Buddha. Be that as it may, I am grateful today for my Christian home and my Godly parents. I observe my life has been better because of it and I am grateful on this day of my birth.
May you find yourself in a home filled with God today whether by the choice of your parents or of your own choice. May we know we are held in the heart of God.
Monday, January 10, 2011
So when does the Spirit show up? (Luke 1)
What have been the extraordinary moments in your life?
When it comes to the Holy Spirit I usually end up with more questions then answers. When does he show up? How do we know when he is here? Are we limiting him in our lives by generalizing his presence and his gifts?
As I think back on my life, there are moments more extraordinary then I could have made them on my own. The moments when I experienced my call into ministry for a couple. The turmoil within when God was trying to move me out of my comfort zone and the peace when decisions were made. When I stand up to preach and the hearts of those listening to me are moved. There have been conversations when just the right words came, teaching moments with students when clarity comes in a way I had never thought of it before. A voice suggesting I wait and watch the clouds clear from obscuring Mt. Hood until I experience and amazing snow covered view.
But are these moments really Holy Spirit inspired or just great moments of human experience. The moments of the Holy Spirit in the bible seem so much more dramatic. tongues of fire dancing on peoples heads while they talk in different languages, a strong man carrying city gates, pulling down pillars, and slaying an army with the jawbone of a donkey. Not to mention being transported great distances instantly like Phillip or Ezekiel.
I don't know about you but I have never experienced any of these kinds of things. So am I, are we experiencing the spirit filled life Jesus promised us?
In Luke chap 1 we have several moments of people being filled by the spirit. When Mary is visiting Elizabeth she is filled by the spirit and begins to recite praise to the Lord for what he is doing in both the births of John the Baptist and of Jesus. Later Zachariah is also filled with the spirit and gives similar revelry of praise to God for the messiah who is coming. It is promised John the Baptist will be like Samson with the same vows and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth.
I find myself filled with hope when I read these expressions of the work of the Holy Spirit filling the moments of these individual's lives. The reason why? Because the expressions they gave when filled with the Holy Spirit, even those of John the Baptist calling for the repentance of sinners and preparing the way of the Lord, match my Holy Spirit experiences.
Moments when I have found my self in the revelry of praise and worship, moments when the spirit of God has given me comfort, and moments when God has given me words to speak in public and private conversation. These stories confirm our Holy Spirit experiences as believers and I find great joy in this. We are spirit filled new creations in Christ just as Jesus promised us we would be. The comforter has come, the teacher and reminder of all things Jesus taught, the one who places words in our mouths to enable us to give and answer when we have none. The Holy Spirit is alive and well in our lives!
Today I pray we would be as those moved by the wind. I pray others around us, though they cannot see the wind, they will see its effect in our lives. May you and I be Spirit filled today!
When it comes to the Holy Spirit I usually end up with more questions then answers. When does he show up? How do we know when he is here? Are we limiting him in our lives by generalizing his presence and his gifts?
As I think back on my life, there are moments more extraordinary then I could have made them on my own. The moments when I experienced my call into ministry for a couple. The turmoil within when God was trying to move me out of my comfort zone and the peace when decisions were made. When I stand up to preach and the hearts of those listening to me are moved. There have been conversations when just the right words came, teaching moments with students when clarity comes in a way I had never thought of it before. A voice suggesting I wait and watch the clouds clear from obscuring Mt. Hood until I experience and amazing snow covered view.
But are these moments really Holy Spirit inspired or just great moments of human experience. The moments of the Holy Spirit in the bible seem so much more dramatic. tongues of fire dancing on peoples heads while they talk in different languages, a strong man carrying city gates, pulling down pillars, and slaying an army with the jawbone of a donkey. Not to mention being transported great distances instantly like Phillip or Ezekiel.
I don't know about you but I have never experienced any of these kinds of things. So am I, are we experiencing the spirit filled life Jesus promised us?
In Luke chap 1 we have several moments of people being filled by the spirit. When Mary is visiting Elizabeth she is filled by the spirit and begins to recite praise to the Lord for what he is doing in both the births of John the Baptist and of Jesus. Later Zachariah is also filled with the spirit and gives similar revelry of praise to God for the messiah who is coming. It is promised John the Baptist will be like Samson with the same vows and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth.
I find myself filled with hope when I read these expressions of the work of the Holy Spirit filling the moments of these individual's lives. The reason why? Because the expressions they gave when filled with the Holy Spirit, even those of John the Baptist calling for the repentance of sinners and preparing the way of the Lord, match my Holy Spirit experiences.
Moments when I have found my self in the revelry of praise and worship, moments when the spirit of God has given me comfort, and moments when God has given me words to speak in public and private conversation. These stories confirm our Holy Spirit experiences as believers and I find great joy in this. We are spirit filled new creations in Christ just as Jesus promised us we would be. The comforter has come, the teacher and reminder of all things Jesus taught, the one who places words in our mouths to enable us to give and answer when we have none. The Holy Spirit is alive and well in our lives!
Today I pray we would be as those moved by the wind. I pray others around us, though they cannot see the wind, they will see its effect in our lives. May you and I be Spirit filled today!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Is God worthy to be King?
Would to ever take the responsibility for something you didn’t do?
I remember the first time I really read Job all the way through. I went on my first spiritual retreat. I took 24hr and went to retreat center. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with myself for a whole 24hr, but it was a class assignment so I went. I brought everything I could think of; books, guitar, bible, journal, a car full. I was leafing through my bible trying to figure out where I wanted to read. I came across the book of Job and began to read and read and read. I read the whole book strait through.
What a mess of images and messages came swirling through. The accusations and explanations of the friends the laments of Job, I didn’t know how to interpret them. Finally I came across the last chapter, chapter 41. God overwhelmed Job. Having seen him now not just heard of him, Job falls on his face in worship and repentance realizing the scope of things he does not comprehend.
Then God says something unexpected. He is angry with Job’s friends because they did not speak rightly about God as his servant Job had. My mind raced back through what I had read about what Job said about God. The arrows of the almighty are in me. God is bringing this affliction on me. His friends were blaming everything thing on some hidden sin of Job and saying God was punishing him. Job was saying God was simply bringing the affliction on him and he didn’t know why.
But wait a minute, the beginning of the book says the devil is doing it all??? How can Job be right about God???
I went for a walk, I put down my bible and went for a walk out to the lake. It was dark the moon was out shining its reflected light across the surface of the water. It was really quite beautiful. I walked down to the edge of the lake with all of the thoughts of Job swimming around in my mind. Finally clarity broke through.
God was not the active agent in the suffering Job experienced the devil was, this is plainly stated in the first two chapters of the book. But if God is sovereign, if God is really in charge over all, then he is still responsible for the affliction upon Job. God allowed it therefore he is responsible and he accepts the responsibility in affirming that Job was right about him.
This goes even farther though. We are in a world right now with a large deal of affliction and suffering, much of it caused by our own hands. The acts of sin we commit that hurt other people is running rampant. Here’s the thing, God is still sovereign! He is still allowing all of this to happen. Therefore he must take ultimate responsibility for it.
He did...
On the cross...
Even though God is not the active agent in sin, he still takes ultimate responsibility for it because he could have stopped it at any time. So he becomes man in Jesus Christ takes the responsibility for the sin of the world upon himself and suffers the consequences in dying on the cross.
Only one who is willing to take the responsibility for the actions of his subjects is worthy to be called king! And God did just that and he is king of kings and lord of lords. I wouldn’t want anyone else as sovereign of this world or of this life.
May we come to deeply understand the wait of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross today and see in it the fullness of God’s worthiness to be sovereign.
I remember the first time I really read Job all the way through. I went on my first spiritual retreat. I took 24hr and went to retreat center. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with myself for a whole 24hr, but it was a class assignment so I went. I brought everything I could think of; books, guitar, bible, journal, a car full. I was leafing through my bible trying to figure out where I wanted to read. I came across the book of Job and began to read and read and read. I read the whole book strait through.
What a mess of images and messages came swirling through. The accusations and explanations of the friends the laments of Job, I didn’t know how to interpret them. Finally I came across the last chapter, chapter 41. God overwhelmed Job. Having seen him now not just heard of him, Job falls on his face in worship and repentance realizing the scope of things he does not comprehend.
Then God says something unexpected. He is angry with Job’s friends because they did not speak rightly about God as his servant Job had. My mind raced back through what I had read about what Job said about God. The arrows of the almighty are in me. God is bringing this affliction on me. His friends were blaming everything thing on some hidden sin of Job and saying God was punishing him. Job was saying God was simply bringing the affliction on him and he didn’t know why.
But wait a minute, the beginning of the book says the devil is doing it all??? How can Job be right about God???
I went for a walk, I put down my bible and went for a walk out to the lake. It was dark the moon was out shining its reflected light across the surface of the water. It was really quite beautiful. I walked down to the edge of the lake with all of the thoughts of Job swimming around in my mind. Finally clarity broke through.
God was not the active agent in the suffering Job experienced the devil was, this is plainly stated in the first two chapters of the book. But if God is sovereign, if God is really in charge over all, then he is still responsible for the affliction upon Job. God allowed it therefore he is responsible and he accepts the responsibility in affirming that Job was right about him.
This goes even farther though. We are in a world right now with a large deal of affliction and suffering, much of it caused by our own hands. The acts of sin we commit that hurt other people is running rampant. Here’s the thing, God is still sovereign! He is still allowing all of this to happen. Therefore he must take ultimate responsibility for it.
He did...
On the cross...
Even though God is not the active agent in sin, he still takes ultimate responsibility for it because he could have stopped it at any time. So he becomes man in Jesus Christ takes the responsibility for the sin of the world upon himself and suffers the consequences in dying on the cross.
Only one who is willing to take the responsibility for the actions of his subjects is worthy to be called king! And God did just that and he is king of kings and lord of lords. I wouldn’t want anyone else as sovereign of this world or of this life.
May we come to deeply understand the wait of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross today and see in it the fullness of God’s worthiness to be sovereign.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Wrestling Leviathan!
Have you ever thought, "If there is a God in heaven he's doing an awfully poor job?"
Does you life even feel like a series of unfortunate events? I have felt that way lately financially. Everything seems to come at once. A new transmission $2400, class fees $480, the after school care bill $200. It just keeps piling up it seems. But the bank account doesn't have the same influx so we get further behind. So we say OK up there in the sky, mister God of the universe how about a little help here.
I'm reminded of the movie Bruce Almighty, a great film by the way. Jim Carey's character Bruce seems to have everything going wrong in his goals, dreams, and life in general. So he calls God a sadistic kid with a magnifying glass and tells God to leave him alone. Well God shows up and gives Bruce his powers for a few days. Bruce fixes a few things for himself, new car, better job, a little revenge. It seems he has taken care of things pretty well in his own life.
But then his world view gets expanded and he sees the mess made in the lives of those around the world due to some of the consequences of his own actions. He cries out to God in the end admitting he can't do it. He can't do what needs to be done, even with the power of God he can't be God.
In Job 39-40 God challenges Job with two huge creatures the Behemoth and Leviathan asking Job if he can contain or control them. God sets it up in the beginning of chapter 39 by asking Job if he can put on his splendor and majesty speak with the thunder and lighting, bring all the proud men low and lay all the wicked in their graves. Then and only then would God admit Job's own effort could save him.
Sometimes we think, if I just had a little more money, power, influence, I could really change things around here. I could set my life strait if I just had a bit more self control and could meet my goals I could remove the suffering and sorrow from my life and the life of my family.
They problem is, unless we have the power to get rid of all wickedness and selfish desire in the world, there will be no perfect justice, no easy life, no freedom from suffering or the occurrence of unfortunate events in our lives. I don't know about you, but I don't have the power to do it and even if I did, as Bruce almighty did, I don't think I would have the wisdom to know how to use it.
This is getting to the heart of the book of Job. This story has very little to do with Job in the end and much more to do with understanding the sovereignty of God in the midst of the limits of humanity. I am glad I'm not God! I am also glad I am not given the responsibility to save myself or the rest of the world. I would much rather it rest on the shoulders of the one who made it all and has both the power and wisdom to know what to do with it all.
May we recognize our limitations today and rejoice in the limitless God who has a much better viewpoint of what is going on in each of our lives individually and collectively.
Does you life even feel like a series of unfortunate events? I have felt that way lately financially. Everything seems to come at once. A new transmission $2400, class fees $480, the after school care bill $200. It just keeps piling up it seems. But the bank account doesn't have the same influx so we get further behind. So we say OK up there in the sky, mister God of the universe how about a little help here.
I'm reminded of the movie Bruce Almighty, a great film by the way. Jim Carey's character Bruce seems to have everything going wrong in his goals, dreams, and life in general. So he calls God a sadistic kid with a magnifying glass and tells God to leave him alone. Well God shows up and gives Bruce his powers for a few days. Bruce fixes a few things for himself, new car, better job, a little revenge. It seems he has taken care of things pretty well in his own life.
But then his world view gets expanded and he sees the mess made in the lives of those around the world due to some of the consequences of his own actions. He cries out to God in the end admitting he can't do it. He can't do what needs to be done, even with the power of God he can't be God.
In Job 39-40 God challenges Job with two huge creatures the Behemoth and Leviathan asking Job if he can contain or control them. God sets it up in the beginning of chapter 39 by asking Job if he can put on his splendor and majesty speak with the thunder and lighting, bring all the proud men low and lay all the wicked in their graves. Then and only then would God admit Job's own effort could save him.
Sometimes we think, if I just had a little more money, power, influence, I could really change things around here. I could set my life strait if I just had a bit more self control and could meet my goals I could remove the suffering and sorrow from my life and the life of my family.
They problem is, unless we have the power to get rid of all wickedness and selfish desire in the world, there will be no perfect justice, no easy life, no freedom from suffering or the occurrence of unfortunate events in our lives. I don't know about you, but I don't have the power to do it and even if I did, as Bruce almighty did, I don't think I would have the wisdom to know how to use it.
This is getting to the heart of the book of Job. This story has very little to do with Job in the end and much more to do with understanding the sovereignty of God in the midst of the limits of humanity. I am glad I'm not God! I am also glad I am not given the responsibility to save myself or the rest of the world. I would much rather it rest on the shoulders of the one who made it all and has both the power and wisdom to know what to do with it all.
May we recognize our limitations today and rejoice in the limitless God who has a much better viewpoint of what is going on in each of our lives individually and collectively.
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