July 29, 2018 Sunday

“1 ¶  After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2  Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased. 3  And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples. 4  Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. 5  Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” 6  But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. 7  Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.” 8  One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, 9  “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?” 10  Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11  And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. 12  So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.” 13  Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. 14  Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15 ¶  Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone. 16  Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, 17  got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them. 18  Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. 19  So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. 20  But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21  Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.” (John 6:1-21 NKJV)

            John gives us a running list of miracles which while impressive may seem disconnected and forced together.  This would be true if it wasn’t for one phrase, “Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near.”

            The Passover connects and gives deeper meaning to these miracles and to a Jew connects Jesus with one of the mightiest works of God the Jews experienced and for Gentiles would give meaning and connection to an event they might have seen as meaningless to them.

Jesus sat with them – The presence of God was with the Jews through Moses and the miracles of the plagues.  We must remember that to the Egyptians these were horrific acts but to the Jews they were signs of God’s presence and power!  We might think this was terrible of God but compare this to all the evil treatment by the Egyptians for generations!  God also was directly with the Jews as they travelled!

Jesus set them free from diseases – Think of the condition the Jews were in after generations of slavery!  And as the plagues were happening to the Egyptians were happening the Jews were not affected!

Jesus fed the people – Until they reached the land God had promised every day except the Sabbath a daily allotment of food was provided!  The direct feeding by God is a reminder of what God does for all of us!

Jesus provided abundantly – There were more leftovers then the “seed” of the miracle.  A farmer will take a seed and plant it and it will produce not just enough to feed them but seed for the next year!  During the Exodus God provided enough each day and on the day before the Sabbath there was provision for two days.

Jesus was the expression of the glory of God – They could see and know God was with them!  God was not just a story told over generations but was with them and cared for them!  Through the miracles of Jesus they could see the loving character of God!

Jesus showed power over the water – Just as God parted the seas for the Jews to escape Jesus showed power over water!  The Hebrew word for the sea and ocean is similar to the word for chaos and sin. While the religions of the day required sacrifices to the god of water God protected them freely as needed!

            Without carefully searching for the meaning of how the Bible is written we can miss the deeper meaning which in itself is an expression of God’s love and provision for us!  Look and discover not just what God did but what God does for you every day!

            Do you think God is not with you and does not care about you?  Do you think all the good things you have are your own work?  Do you “Count your blessings” each and every day?

After what has been a very hard month God blessed me to be able to attend the family celebration of my 60^th birthday yesterday!  This was a sweet day because when I was 19 the doctors said I had three months to live!  Each day I do count my blessings and know each day is a true gift from God!  All I have, all I have been able to do and who I have become has been a direct provision and blessing from God!  Thank you My Lord and My Love!  I pray I have made you smile! At least some of the time!

July 28, 2018 Saturday

“1 ¶  « A Psalm of David. » The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2  He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3  He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.” (Psalm 23:1-6 NKJV)

            Psalm 23 is probably one of the best-known passages of Scripture though most people may be exposed to it during funerals. That is understandable since Psalm 23 is a comfort to those who are dying and to those grieving a loss.          

            It is of great importance the position of Psalm 23 because before it is Psalm 22 which speaks of the horrific sacrifice of the Good Shepherd for us and Psalm 24 which speaks of the glorious power and position of our Good Shepherd! We can trust the promises of Psalm 23 because we have experienced the faithfulness of the Good Shepherd in Psalm 22 and we experience the glory and power of our Shepherd in Psalm 24.

            Each and every promise of Psalm 23 has such a depth of meaning this devotion does not have space to explain or to seek to understand them. A deeper study of each promise can be found in the book “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” by Phillip Keller. Mr. Keller was a shepherd for many years and gives a very different and beautiful perspective on what it means to be a shepherd.

            While Psalm 23 is a beautiful choice for funerals let us understand it is also a vivid description of our daily walk with Jesus. Sheep are by their nature cantankerous, foolish, self-destructive and unwilling to follow their shepherd. It is very easy to understand why Jesus sees us as sheep!

            In spite of the stupid and illogical way of sheep God loves and cares for us because we belong to God! But this ownership gives us a value and a place to be able to “dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.”

            As a sheep do you admit God owns you? Do you see the value and esteem which comes from God owning you? Does Psalm 23 affect your life and how you perceive death?

Over the last weeks the pain and the weariness have been so intense my mind wanders, words are hard to come by and my thoughts are not very coherent. The progress of whatever is happening is growing faster than the medications cover. I do not offer this for pity but as an explanation if the devotions are incoherent. Very few people read these devotions but they are offering of love and a sacrifice of praise to my Lord and My Love.

July 27, 2018 Friday

“1 ¶  Now it came to pass when the king was dwelling in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies all around, 2  that the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains.” 3  Then Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.” 4 ¶  But it happened that night that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, 5  “Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Would you build a house for Me to dwell in? 6  “For I have not dwelt in a house since the time that I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt, even to this day, but have moved about in a tent and in a tabernacle. 7  “Wherever I have moved about with all the children of Israel, have I ever spoken a word to anyone from the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’ ”’ 8  “Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel. 9  “And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth. 10  “Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously, 11  “since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel, and have caused you to rest from all your enemies. Also the LORD tells you that He will make you a house. 12  “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13  “He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14  “I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men.” (2Samuel 7:1-14 NKJV)

            When we first receive Jesus as our Savior many have a real excitement and a desire to serve God in some way. It is very easy to rush ahead of God even while trying to serve God. Sometimes the most dangerous thing is a brand-new Christian. In their excitement about what God has done for them they can put off those they try to reach out to.

            After all God had done for David he wanted to do something for God in return. We cannot be sure if it was an expression of gratitude or a belief of David he owed God for all God had done for him. Humans often struggle with gifts from God either by believing they deserve the gifts or believing they need to repay.

            For whatever reason David got ahead of God and something that was a right thing was wrong because of the timing! Only after David already had decided to build the temple did he talk with Nathan. Nathan then agreed with David without seeking God’s will.

            Their excitement and planning came to a halt as God showed David and Nathan who was the source of power and wisdom. Not only was David not to build God a house but God was going to make of David a house! God was not going to build David a building but through David a family, a lineage and a house would come Jesus Christ the Messiah!

            There was no way David could understand what God was doing and that this was a prophecy the Messiah would come from the house of David just as we today cannot understand what God will do to bring about the second coming of Jesus as portrayed in the book of Revelation.

            As Christians we must seek to learn God’s will rather than seeking for God to bless our will! It is too easy to make our decisions and plans without even consulting God and then depend on God to bless our plans. We even get mad at God if our plans don’t work out.

            As Christians we must seek God’s will for us and for those we pray for. By seeking God’s will all of our works will be joined together and the whole will be bigger than the parts and God will be glorified! Rather than us!

            Do you have a desire to serve and glorify God? Through prayer do you allow the Holy Spirit to not just guide you to God’s will but also give you the wisdom and strength to complete it? Who is in charge of your life you or God?

July 26, 2018 Thursday

“11 ¶  Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh — who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands —  12  that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 ¶  For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15  having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16  and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17  And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18  For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. 19  Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20  having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21  in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22  in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:11-22 NKJV)

            Remember! When Jesus initiated the Last Supper he said “do this in remembrance of me” a call to remember who Jesus is and all Jesus has done for us. We must never forget the sacrifice Jesus made for us out of love!

            But Paul tells us we should also remember who we were and what we were like before Jesus. Before Jesus we were without hope and without people. Sin always divides, distorts and destroys. Our sin became an unbridgeable gulf between us and God where only God could reach across to us.

            By being totally human Jesus could bear our sins and take our punishment and being totally God Jesus could become our righteousness. Jesus abolished the enmity between God and humanity thus breaking down the wall of separation that existed.

            As we come to God and have access through the Holy Spirit not only are we united with God but also we are “fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God”.

            The body of Christ continues to grow with Jesus as the chief cornerstone, the apostles and prophets as the foundation and all who profess Jesus Christ are joined together to form God’s holy temple.

            God is continuing to build his holy temple as more and more people come to Jesus Christ and become a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit!

            Are you still trying to build your own life and make your own way? If you have come to Jesus Christ do you remember where you came from even as you celebrate where you are now? Who has the ultimate authority over your life and over the church?

“God made us before we had the opportunity to make up God.”

William H. Willimon. United Methodist Beliefs: A Brief Introduction (p. 1). Kindle Edition.

Fall Tapestry

Falls colors form amazing tapestry

Many colors blend and new colors be

The reds alight the whole like fire

More of them our hearts desire

The yellows bright places in the sea

Of the wondrous rolling tapestry

The green pockets here and there

Adding poignancy to trees when bare

The browns form the flowing sea

The most plentiful color of falls tree

God has a meaning to this tapestry

Each color God gave us eyes to see

The reds remind us sin and loss

Redeemed by Jesus on the cross

The green are from death set free

And will grow and live eternally

The yellows fro and too do toss

If go too far will grow bare by loss

What of the browns of tapestry

That dim the colors of the sea

They are dead though leaves see

Dead to live now and eternally

But the green trees red must share

For life to spread color everywhere

For only the red of Jesus’ blood

Can stem the browns dying flood

Receive the red and green can be

Set afire the flow of Fall’s Tapestry!

                                                                                      7/19/2018

July 25, 2018 Wednesday

“20  I have found My servant David; With My holy oil I have anointed him, 21  With whom My hand shall be established; Also My arm shall strengthen him. 22  The enemy shall not outwit him, Nor the son of wickedness afflict him. 23  I will beat down his foes before his face, And plague those who hate him. 24  “But My faithfulness and My mercy shall be with him, And in My name his horn shall be exalted. 25  Also I will set his hand over the sea, And his right hand over the rivers. 26  He shall cry to Me, ‘You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.’ 27  Also I will make him My firstborn, The highest of the kings of the earth. 28  My mercy I will keep for him forever, And My covenant shall stand firm with him. 29  His seed also I will make to endure forever, And his throne as the days of heaven. 30  “If his sons forsake My law And do not walk in My judgments, 31  If they break My statutes And do not keep My commandments, 32  Then I will punish their transgression with the rod, And their iniquity with stripes. 33  Nevertheless My lovingkindness I will not utterly take from him, Nor allow My faithfulness to fail. 34  My covenant I will not break, Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. 35  Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David: 36  His seed shall endure forever, And his throne as the sun before Me; 37  It shall be established forever like the moon, Even like the faithful witness in the sky.” Selah” (Psalm 89:20-37 NKJV)

            When God places us in a position of power and authority we should not respond with pride and a sense of our own worth but with humility and knowledge of our dependency on God.

            David had the example of Saul who had a crash and burn. Saul went from hiding in the baggage wagons to in his arrogance as King took on the priestly duties of offering a sacrifice and reinterpreting God’s commands. And so Saul was not only replaced but indeed destroyed.

            God makes incredible promises to David while these promises were for David they would be fulfilled by Jesus Christ who is the seed of David and the son of God!

            Like many of the promises God makes to his people they have a present and also a future fulfillment. God has a plan and uses people - everyday people to fulfill that plan. The lineage of Jesus goes back to Abraham in a constant stream of faithfulness to God! Faith in God and of his plan flowed from generation to generation until finally and completely all was fulfilled by the coming of Jesus Christ!

            The covenant God makes with David could only be fulfilled by Jesus Christ as the only one who could fulfill verse 32 and take our punishment upon himself!

            God calls for us to look to the sky and just as the moon the sun and the stars faithfully and obediently follow the course God created them for so God will faithfully fulfill this prophecy!

            If you are struggling whether to trust in God’s faithfulness or not lift your head high and see God’s faithfulness in the sun and moon and stars God created!

            When you are called to a position of power and authority do you react with pride or humility? Like David do you recognize you are part of an eternal lineage of faith in God that has eternally changed the world?  Can you trust in Jesus who bore your punishment?

July 24, 2018 Tuesday

“1 ¶  “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” says the LORD. 2  Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,” says the LORD. 3  “But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. 4  “I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,” says the LORD. 5  “Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And “”6  In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” (Jeremiah 23:1-6 NKJV)

            Jeremiah prophesies there are shepherds over God’s flock who not only are not shepherding God’s flock but are actually scattering the flock! These “shepherds” are more like wolves in shepherds clothing to deceive the flock. Some of these “wolves” have been misguided by other wolves that look like shepherds. Many of these wolves have made a choice like Eve who added to God’s word in her discussion with the serpent.

            The wolves are pretty easy to spot if you spend time studying the Bible and in prayer. The wolves will always question what is clearly stated in the Bible. They seek an accommodation with the views and beliefs of the world and so they will seek to come up with an “historic Jesus”.

            There are two major problems of the wolves teaching and sad to say both of them are eternal in their nature.

First and most dangerous is they call God a liar! When they twist, misinterpret, or just ignore God’s teaching they in affect say God is either stupid or a liar!

Second because they call right wrong and wrong right they cause people to believe what they are doing is acceptable to God and don’t need to change their behavior or ask for God’s forgiveness!

            God will send an eternal shepherd who will come from the house of David who will “execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.”  Jesus would come as the Lord of righteousness and by his life and death would redeem we who are unable to be righteous be made righteous through Jesus!

            Do you follow the good Shepherd through the Scriptures and time in prayer? Are you willing to trust the word of your shepherd? Will you pray for those who are wolves so they may become shepherds of God and guide God’s people to all truth?

In over 30 years in the pastoral ministry I discovered the vast majority of those who come to worship on Sunday have not read the Bible all the way through. This leaves them open to being led to the slaughter by the evil one! This is incredibly dangerous and has eternal ramifications!!! Do not leave yourself defenseless but read and study the Bible not just for your protection but so you can develop a real relationship with God.

July 23, 2018 Monday

“53  When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there. 54  And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, 55  ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was. 56  Wherever He entered into villages, cities, or in the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.” (Mark 6:53-56 NKJV

            The land of Gennesaret is a fertile area on the Sea of Galilee located close to Capernaum. The word Gennesaret is a Hebrew word which means harp. It would be interesting to know why this area would be named with a word which means harp.

            The Sea of Galilee was also known as Lake Gennesaret which shows the prosperity and popularity of this town. During the time of Jesus the Sea of Galilee would also be known as the Sea of Tiberius.

            It would be interesting to know how much of the three years Jesus ministered was spent on a boat. Here the people recognized Jesus right away and they began to gather around him. People seemed to expect Jesus would receive them and would help them.

            Just as in most of the Gospel of Mark there is urgency in the wording as well as the action of those involved. “Immediately” is a word used often in Mark and we are told as soon as Jesus was recognized people “ran” to spread the news and then the flow of those needing healing poured toward Jesus.

            Loved ones who needed healing were carried on beds so they could be brought into the presence of Jesus. From miles around they came and as Jesus moved from town to town they followed in the hope their loved ones could be made whole.

            Today there seems little urgency and willingness to bear others and bring them to the presence of Jesus for healing. So few of those who proclaim to be Christians gather to worship the God who has redeemed and made them whole or rush to immediately spend time in prayer with God or to read the Bible.

            The people of the land of Gennesaret trusted by faith their loved ones could be healed if they only touched the hem of the garment of Jesus.  Do we in the church have that kind of faith to trust in God’s will and word? Sometimes the Bible can be very hard to understand or to believe in. So much of the Bible goes against our fallen natures and this fallen world. But as Christians we are called to hold on to the teachings of the Bible so we can be made whole just as they were by holding on to the hem of Jesus’ garment

            Are you willing by faith to reach out and receive redemption and salvation through Jesus? Are you willing by faith to believe the teachings of the Bible are true and will help you become whole? Do you “run” to spend time with Jesus and to worship him?

July 22, 2018 Sunday Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

“30 ¶  Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. 31  And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. 32  So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves. 33  But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. 34  And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.” (Mark 6:30-34 NKJV)

            One of the consistent threads throughout Scripture is the idea we are God’s sheep and God is our shepherd. This description is as humiliating as it is true. Sheep are not very bright and will consistently leave the good places where the shepherd brings them and go to the wilderness where they become prey.

            Jesus calls his disciples together and in their hunger and weariness Jesus decided they needed a place to be nourished and to rest. This nourishment and rest was probably not just physically but also emotionally and spiritually.

            One of the hardest things as your eyes are opened by God is seeing the spiritual starvation as well as the other kinds of starvation and to take time to take care of yourself. From experience I know this can be very difficult!

            But if we are not careful we will destroy ourselves spiritually. We can come to believe to be a god in our own right who must meet every need! This is a loss of faith in God to know the needs of others and asked their shepherd take care of them.

            But the multitude like trouble followed Jesus and came “together” to find Jesus. Their need led them to the shepherd because they like sheep have wandered in the wilderness and their lives in every way were broken. They knew their deep need and for the first time recognized Jesus was the one who could fill that need and heal them.

            When Jesus got off the boat and came out he saw all of those sheep and was moved with compassion. Jesus knew these were sheep who had run from their shepherd and no longer were under the shepherd’s protection and had fallen prey to the evil one!

            Our response to the needs of others is usually to give them money or food but Jesus does something remarkable, Jesus teaches them! Jesus realizes their need cannot be met by a handout but like the old saying says “if you give a man a fish you will feed him for a day but if you teach a man to fish you feed him for a lifetime”!

            Do you see the great need around you and hear the cry of those who have no shepherd? How do you respond to such a great need? If Jesus responded to their desperate need by teaching them “many things” how should we respond?

(The story of the starfish stranded on the beach can teach us that like the little boy who responded to the statement he could not save them all said he could at least help one!)

July 21, 2018 Saturday

“1 ¶  « A Psalm of David. » The earth is the LORD’S, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. 2  For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters. 3 ¶  Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? 4  He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. 5  He shall receive blessing from the LORD, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6  This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face. Selah 7 ¶  Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. 8  Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. 9  Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. 10  Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah” (Psalm 24:1-10 NKJV)

            We who are Christians can assume we have a right to come into the presence of God. One reason for this mistake is we do not understand the holiness and power of God who not only is the creator but also sustainer.

            As the creator of all things including ourselves we belong to God. The fall was not just eating a fruit God didn’t want us to eat but our attempt to be our own god and no longer recognize God as Creator and our owner!

            And then the psalmist gives us a description of how we should live if we recognize God is our Creator. By living according to God’s command and by our obedience we are seeking God and to see the face of God. Selah in a similar to amen and means so be it which is recognition of our acceptance of God’s plan and will.

            The result of our acceptance of God as our owner and creator is God’s presence in our lives! The God who is creator, sustainer, owner, glorious, strong and mighty and mighty in battle not only accepts us but comes into our lives!

            With the fall we became aware of our nakedness which is more than just a lack of clothing but also means to recognize we are defenseless! If we pull away from God or kick God out of our lives, our families, our communities, our nation and our world we no longer find ourselves under God’s protection and then we are at the whim of evil people and the evil one.

            We must lift up our gates and our doors so God can dwell not only with us but in us. The Psalmist goes even farther and declares that we ourselves are the very gates that keep God out of our lives. The psalmist calls for us to lift our heads up to experience the glory of God rather than looking down to be our own god and to live our lives “My Way”!

            Do you choose to reject the God who created you and close your door so you can be your own god?  Do you recognize your “nakedness” and seek God as your protector and sustainer?  Are you willing to accept God as your creator and to live according to God’s will and command?

July 20, 2018 Friday

“12 ¶  Now it was told King David, saying, “The LORD has blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with gladness. 13  And so it was, when those bearing the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, that he sacrificed oxen and fatted sheep. 14  Then David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod. 15  So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet. 16  Now as the ark of the LORD came into the City of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. 17  So they brought the ark of the LORD, and set it in its place in the midst of the tabernacle that David had erected for it. Then David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. 18  And when David had finished offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. 19  Then he distributed among all the people, among the whole multitude of Israel, both the women and the men, to everyone a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a cake of raisins. So all the people departed, everyone to his house.” (2Samuel 6:12-19 NKJV)

            What would it be like if we approached worship like we see in this passage?  Do not just read this passage but take time to see yourself in the crowd watching this celebration of the Ark – the very presence of God coming into Jerusalem!  The noise, the joy, the offerings and the music and dancing would pull you in and make you part of it!

            There is so much here but I want to look at four things:

First, they went out to bring the Ark – the very presence of God into their city and lives!  They did not sit back and wait on God to come to them but went forth in expectation and joy just to be closer to God!  They sought the God who sought them and sacrificed to the God who bought them and set them free!

Second, the sacrifices people made as God’s presence moved closer to Jerusalem were astounding as every six paces sacrifices were made to honor God’s presence coming closer!  Can you imagine the cost of this sacrifice and the love and joy it took to make it?  But these sacrifices were shared with everyone and as they went home they carried not only the food but the joy of God’s presence they experienced!

Third, the joy and celebration that took place as God’s presence came closer to Jerusalem is a symbol of how we should celebrate our Lord when we come to worship.  The singing, the loud music, the dancing and the joyful noise are a model of how we should react as we gather to worship the God who came to us!  The God who even when we cast Him aside still came to us and waited for us!

Fourth, the reaction of those who cannot understand our response to God will usually be confusion or hatred.  From Jesus through today the Church has faced murder, rape, theft, slavery and exclusion! Jesus who came to offer God’s love has brought a response of so much hatred that he was vilified and crucified!  We can expect no less.

            Have you reached out and brought God into your heart, your Jerusalem? Are you willing to make your sacrifices in response to the wonder of God’s presence in your life? Are you willing to accept the rejection and persecution of those who either hate or fear the God whose glory you celebrate?

July 19, 2018 Thursday

“1 ¶  Again David gathered all the choice men of Israel, thirty thousand. 2  And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, whose name is called by the Name, the LORD of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim. 3  So they set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart. 4  And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill, accompanying the ark of God; and Ahio went before the ark. 5  Then David and all the house of Israel played music before the LORD on all kinds of instruments of fir wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums, and on cymbals.” (2Samuel 6:1-5 NKJV)

            As David brings the ark of God to Jerusalem he took 30,000 choice men of Israel and what seems to be a band made up of the people of Israel. In what can only be seen as a triumphal entry the ark where God’s presence resided. Placed on a new cart the ark moved downhill from its old location.

            The term “choice men” usually refers to the better trained military personnel who can be used for defense of the king, a powerful offensive strike or as in this case an honor guard.

            To some this may seem too militaristic a way to honor God. Some may even say the honor guard was okay back then because the times then which were much more dangerous.

            There are two reasons why these views may not be sufficient to explain a military honor guard for the ark of God.

First, there never has been a time which was not militaristic and there never will be!

Second, it is a lack of recognition that even if we aren’t in a military war we are in a spiritual war!

            The Salvation Army possibly understands this better than any other denomination and their pastors and preachers hold military titles. Like a military unit they have a chain of command where God is the commanding general. Salvation Army officers will within their corps enlist laypeople to be what are called non-commissioned officers.

            And like the people of Israel the Salvation Army moves onward as Christian soldiers with their bands and singing lifting the cross of Jesus as they battle satan, evil, depression, addiction as they fight a physical, emotional and spiritual warfare!

            What does Jesus say that he came to bring? Can we truly stand by and peacefully watch billions upon billions damned to hell because we will not fight against the evil one? Looking at the world around us how does that fit with your theology which not only be Biblical but livable?

July 18, 2018 Wednesday

“8 ¶  I will hear what God the LORD will speak, For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly. 9  Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land. 10  Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. 11  Truth shall spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven. 12  Yes, the LORD will give what is good; And our land will yield its increase. 13  Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps our pathway.” (Psalm 85:8-13 NKJV)

                         

                          It is so much more pleasant to talk about salvation, mercy and peace. If we are not careful we can come to see God as Santa Claus and the sacrifice of Jesus as a hollowed out get out of hell card!

                          The psalmist shows us the tension that exists in our lives as Christians which is much more than just doing good or getting good. Some would call this a duality which would mean each side was equal but the truth is both sides come from the same source. To see this clearly let us make the comparison.

Salvation and fear are in tension because we will not even know we need to be saved without an understanding of the awe and glory of God! So salvation is the work of God and fear is the result of who God is and understanding who we are not.

Mercy and truth are also in tension as seen when Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate and Jesus declared himself to be truth as he prepared to offer himself as an act of God’s mercy. Without truth we could not believe in mercy without mercy we could not stand the truth of who we are.

Righteousness and peace are within themselves in tension because if we are not made righteous by God we cannot have peace with God. Humanity is fallen and broken and completely unable to either earn righteousness or become righteous. We are dependent upon God by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to make us righteous when we confess and repent. The tension between righteousness and peace is why families, communities and nations cannot have peace unless we are made righteous through Jesus Christ.

                          The promise of God is if we turn to God and trust God to bring those tensions into line in our lives or our nations then God will make things good and enrich our lives and lands.

                          Do you believe God will grant you salvation without any understanding of who God is? How can we even trust in God’s mercy if we lie and cannot trust God is telling the truth? Is peace with others enough or do we need peace with God to be able to have peace with others?

July 17, 2018 Tuesday

“7  Thus He showed me: Behold, the Lord stood on a wall made with a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand. 8  And the LORD said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said: “Behold, I am setting a plumb line In the midst of My people Israel; I will not pass by them anymore. 9  The high places of Isaac shall be desolate, And the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste. I will rise with the sword against the house of Jeroboam.” 10 ¶  Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words. 11  “For thus Amos has said: ‘Jeroboam shall die by the sword, And Israel shall surely be led away captive From their own land.’ ” 12  Then Amaziah said to Amos: “Go, you seer! Flee to the land of Judah. There eat bread, And there prophesy. 13  But never again prophesy at Bethel, For it is the king’s sanctuary, And it is the royal residence.” 14  Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: “I was no prophet, Nor was I a son of a prophet, But I was a sheepbreeder And a tender of sycamore fruit. 15  Then the LORD took me as I followed the flock, And the LORD said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’” (Amos 7:7-15 NKJV)

            Before we even get to the passage itself there are a couple of things we need to understand. First a plumb line is used to tell if something being built is correct and straight. The root of this word is used for straight. The second thing we need to understand is the fruit of a sycamore tree are figs. The third thing is like David and Jesus Amos takes care of sheep.

            The implication of this prophecy is the time of mercy is coming to an end and the time of judgment is beginning. A wall has been set up Israel cannot cross and God has a plumb line to show Israel is not straight by not living up to the covenant they made with God.

            The time of mercy is coming to an end and God is going to lay waste to all the worship places of false gods! God is also going to strike Jeroboam down for leading his people in a way that is not straight and broke the covenant with God.

            The response to this prophecy is astoundingly wrong like we see in many times, even our own. They are angry that the words of Amos, really the words of God, are making people uncomfortable and even afraid.

            The king then kicks Amos out of the country telling him to not prophesy again at Bethel which is where the king lives. The response of Amos is amazing as he declares he was not a prophet or the son of a prophet. He declared he was a sheep breeder and tended the sycamore fruit or figs. This is not our picture of a prophet.

            Amos then proclaims he only is a prophet because God called and appointed him to prophesy to the people of Israel. The prophecy is God will make Israel straight even if it means the death of the one leading them in the wrong way and the judgment of his people Israel. Sadly if we will not turn back to God in the time of mercy judgment will always come! But just as in our court systems judgment causes us to see the dysfunction in our lives and gives us a chance to come to God and through mercy receive a new life!

            How do you respond when someone tells you there is something wrong in your life? Are you living with the hope mercy will continue and judgment never come? What is God calling and appointing you to be.

July 16, 2018 Monday

“3 ¶  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4  just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5  having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6  to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. 7  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8  which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9  having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10  that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth — in Him. 11  In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12  that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 13  In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14  who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:3-14 NKJV)

            One of the most amazing hymns is “Victory in Jesus”.  The phrase “He sought me and bought me” is so much a part of this passage and of the Gospel.  But even beyond that we are told long before we were even born God had sought us and bought us!

            We lose so much if we merely argue whether predestination is about God deciding beforehand or God knowing beforehand. This argument masks the truth of this passage which is God’s will and enduring love for us and the sacrifice of Jesus to regain for us by adoption what we had lost through the fall!

            The truth of this passage expounds on the simple yet alarmingly amazing message of John 3:16 that Jesus loves us. A wide plethora of words are used to describe the depths of God’s love like riches, inheritance, blessing, abundance among so many others.

            While the world berates us and says we are without worth God not only is willing to give the life of Jesus for us but we also are given a share of the inheritance! God places an incredible value on each human life that ever has lived, is now on this earth or who will in the future.

            One of the most amazing things we inherited through Jesus is the ability to see the world through God’s eyes rather than our own. Our own eyes are centered on our self and we are blinded to the reality around us but through God’s eyes we are able to see the fullness of God’s work as we perceive what God has done, is doing and will be doing in the future.

            God does something for us beyond incredible. Before becoming a Christian we could not see or understand what God was doing around us but through Jesus we not only see what God is doing we also become a part of it!

            Can you accept such a love from God? Do you place such a high value on others as well as yourself? How do you respond to such a love?

Today was a really terrible day. Mondays are always bad after going to worship on Sunday but this Monday was much worse. It seemed as though I hurt everywhere and that makes me very tired.