Author Archives: revjaf

AT ANY AGE Daniel 10 and Luke 2: 25-35

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Our Bible readings bring into focus two old people.  Daniel is over the age of 80.  A real accomplishment in his time, when the average life expectancy was about half that.  And then there’s long in the tooth Simeon, one of my favorite characters in the Christmas story.  Steady-Eddie…for the Lord.  Waits patiently with great hope.  He recognizes Messiah as he holds the baby Jesus.

Two old codgers.  Yet to both come fresh insights from the Lord.  For Daniel, it’s a revelation of the coming Messiah. And also the end times, whatever and whenever that may be.  His understanding of God, and His plans, expands exponentially.  So can mine as an older man.  And yours.  Really, at any age.

For Simeon, he recognizes in this child the salvation of God’s people.  The One promised.  Must be next to impossible for Simeon to contain his emotions.  Joy erupts from his lips–‘…For my eyes have seen your salvation…’ (Luke 2:30).  However, God hints that all will not be fun and games.  Some will believe but many won’t, making life painful and harrowing for the promised One, including for Jesus’ mother Mary–‘And a sword will pierce your own soul too’ (Luke 2:35).

Both old men contemplate a godly, glorious future, in spite of all not being hunky-dory.  Here’s where a challenge confronts us.  At any age.  We have two hands.  We need to hold hope in one while the other juggles troubles and trials.  A balancing act helping us to stand up for the Lord, not stumbling down in the dumps.

I need more unflappable steadiness.  After all these years, I know a lot more.  Sort of.  Nothing new under this setting sun.  Seen it before.  Been there, done that.  Just me?  We can become grouchy, bitter sourpusses.  One-handed.  Tilted.  Burned by life’s dings and zings.

So, we need balance…from God’s promises.  His encouraging Words.  To hold them in our other hand until it becomes muscular and dominant.  Comes in handy, lifting our spirits.

Get tight-knit with Jesus.  Cuddle up a little closer.  Nudge Him for His help.  He loves to watch over us in every way.  Especially when we’ve run out of gas and He’s there to fill us up with high octane Holy Spirit!

Be a Daniel and a Simeon this Advent season.  Eyes wide open… embracing more of Jesus, standing firm on His promises.  At any age.

 

For hope in the midst of darkness, we thank you, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

 

 

THAT’S RUINED! Luke 1: 5-25

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One son shares a similar reaction when something goes wrong.  We say, ‘that’s ruined!’  Even when it’s not.  Just like to hear ourselves say it.  Yet, way down deep, we mean it.  What we’d hoped for, longed for, planned for that doesn’t quite live up to our expectations.  That’s ruined!

A lesser known character in the Christmas story is Zechariah, found in Luke’s Gospel.  He’s an older man, whatever that means in a time when being in your 30’s was solidly middle-aged.

Zechariah serves as a priest in Jerusalem’s Temple.  Not like a church staff of three or four, there were thousands of priests assisting in this holy place.  King David is the master organizer.  He institutes twenty-four priestly orders.  Each one would be on duty a week at a time for a total of two weeks each year.  That’s far less time than some think pastors work–one day a week and only for an hour on Sunday, if that!

Priests were, of necessity, bi-vocational.  Tended sheep, raised crops, earned their family living through the trades except for those two weeks a year.  Now here’s another chore that’s remarkable–the burning of Temple incense,   symbolizing prayers to God along with masking nasty aromas of animal sacrifice and milling throngs of unwashed folk.  This incense burning only happens once in the lifetime of a priest.  Once.  And only once.  That’s it.

Finally, it’s Zechariah’s turn to do just that, burn incense (Luke 1:9).  Can you imagine his excitement?  All his godly calling looks to this very moment.  Finally, it’s here.  The day has arrived.  And now what?

An angel appears to Zechariah inside the Temple precincts.  He can’t believe what he sees and hears, leading the angel to silence him.  Which means no speaking for the foreseeable future.  Like a pastor with severe laryngitis, even though looked upon as a blessing by the congregation!

A measly fourteen days a year of God’s work.  Once in a lifetime for incense offering.  Now Zechariah’s disqualified.  Muted.  Kaput.  Hushed.  Down the drain.  The angel zips his lips.  Loud priestly prayers gagged and muzzled.  That’s ruined!

Ever feel that way?  God’s poor timing?  You had it all figured out and God messes with it.  God forbid God’s will prevails when I have it all planned out so much better.  Neat and tidy.  Really?  Sounds like bald-faced pride, which usually comes before a big Humpty-Dumpty fall, doesn’t it.

Better to be quiet and silenced.  Derailed yet now moving on God’s track.  Recognizing who knows best, waiting for Father’s plans to emerge.  Get behind Him…and follow.  Good idea?  I think so.

By the way, our daughter-in-law Erin points out that the only priest mentioned by name in Luke’s Christmas story is good old Zechariah!  Top billing.  First in his class.  Blue ribbon winner.

Hey, nothing’s ruined after all.  Especially in the Lord’s hands.

 

Lord, to follow you is always best.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

JONAH’S THANKSGIVING Jonah 2

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Thanksgiving day!  Mouthwatering, delicious food.  Appetizing aromas waft in the air, while the chitchat of adults and children compete with one another.  Pleasures abound!  What about Jonah?

Jonah?  What about him?  Well, he’s the prophet who runs away from God’s call, winding up in the belly of a great fish.  Three days and nights in its feedbag bring him some rather sobering thoughts.

Hear this stinky, slimy prophet–‘But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you.  What I have vowed I will make good.  Salvation comes from the Lord’ (Jonah 2:9).  Jonah’s thanksgiving prayer accompanies a grateful melody.  ‘Joy and rapture unforeseen’!  An example for us this Thursday?

No, not getting inside the gut of a big fish!  I’m interested in what prompts Jonah to praise God from what appears to be certain death.  A rescued outcome seems far less likely with each passing day and night.  Does he throw in the towel?  Call it a day?  Quit cold Thanksgiving turkey?  Not Jonah.

Let’s look deeper at chapter 2 with hints from the original language.  Jonah 1:17–‘But the Lord provided a great fish…’  ‘Fish’ is a masculine noun in Hebrew.  Jonah 2:1–‘From inside the fish Jonah prayed…’  Here’s a feminine noun for ‘fish’.  The last verse–‘And the Lord commanded the fish…’ (2:10)– reverts back to the masculine.  In Jonah 2:2 he uses this image to describe his location– ‘…from the depths of the grave…’  Literally– ‘the womb of Sheol’.  A feminine image.

Note the subtle shade of meaning.  The strong fish (masculine) will not eat poor Jonah for its Thanksgiving dinner, but will act like a safe womb (feminine), protecting and nurturing him, allowing him to ponder his life and where thankfulness might yet come from.  God surrounds Jonah in every way.

A light goes on in the old noggin.  Jonah, focus on the lemonade and not life’s lemons.  There’s an idea!

What Jonah’s mostly thankful for is his salvation, his deliverance by the Lord.  But remember that his praise comes days BEFORE he finds himself on dry ground (2:10).  BEFORE he’s safe and sound.  Even BEFORE God answers our prayers, we can have confidence in His strong protection and His womblike love and care.

With Jesus, death loses its grip.  His own three day and night ordeal delivers us, by His resurrection, from the consequences of our rebellion and sin.  All forgiven.  And forgotten.  Gone.  Is that not something to be thankful for?  If not, I have no idea what would be.

That’s what I’ll be thinking about this Thanksgiving week.  What Jesus has done for me.  And still does.  Of course, all the other goodies as well!  But mainly Him, who’s both powerful and protective.  Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Thank you, Jesus, for saving us and making us yours forever.  Amen.

 

 

JUDGE FOR YOURSELF Judges 6 and Acts 17

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Maybe you shouldn’t.  What?  Judge for yourself.  Making me, I,and myself life’s deciding factor.  Decisions based on what benefits mostly me.  Judge for yourself?  No!  This isn’t to say that we’re not to use our little grey cells, experience and maturity, if we have any!

Reading the book of Judges, God’s people miss their deceased leaders Moses and Joshua.  In the very first chapter they seek God’s guidance.  What He recommends.  Where He leads.  Good start, folks!  Keep it up!

But they don’t.  Downhill from here on out.  This book’s final verse laments that ‘…everyone did as he saw fit’ (Judges 21:25).  Judging for themselves.

Where did God’s people go wrong?  Judges 6:10–“I said to you, ‘I am the Lord your God; do not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live.  But you have not listened to me.'”  God speaks.  No one pays attention.  They stuff cotton in their ears.  Blindfold their eyes.

And where does it get them?  On the outs with God.  Cut off at the pass.  Utterly lost, following an out-of-date, moth-eaten, moldy map.  Judging for themselves.

In Acts 17, we’re introduced to polar opposites–the Bereans.  They know how to judge what they’re hearing.  Whether what the Apostle Paul says is the real McCoy or spiritual malarky.  Their discernment hinges on whether it jives with God’s Word.  They check it out, believing what complies with the Bible.  They’re tough folk.  They don’t easily fall for the latest cultural fad.  Do you?  Or me?

Societal norms keep changing.  What’s been viewed as harmful and sinful, now touted as normal, healthy and good.  The ungodly browbeat and strong-arm, gaining ground everywhere.  Even in churches.  Dominoes keep falling.  Leaders break under the pressure to conform.  Bullies win the day.  With you?  Or me?

Shouldn’t we be like the Bereans?  Checking it out with your Bible?  Seeking God’s advice. What He wants.  What the Great Physician Jesus prescribes.  WWJD–‘what would…’  Well, you know.

Here’s a radical idea.  God points the way.  Then take it!  Follow Him.  Regardless.  No guarantees of a safe landing.   Not in this life.  So, get in line behind the Lord Jesus, whom you say you love.  You’ll be in great company.  Judge that for yourself!

 

Lord, thank you for your trustworthy Word, the Bible.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

A DYING TREE Colossians 4: 10-18

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Behind our property is 5 acres destined to become a neighborhood park.  Most trees will remain with open space limited.  We’ve noticed an ugly, dying tree behind our back fence.  Each year it looks worse and worse.  With all the snow this past winter, it appears to be on its last legs, with a lean toward our home in evidence.  Timber!

To the city I call.  Out comes a water department man.  Water?  Messages get mixed up.  Another phone call.  Another city worker arrives.  I’m away but my wife speaks with him.  Late in their conversation, he shares that the next day they’ll take their two year old son to Seattle’s Children’s Hospital for special care.

Sue tells him we’ll pray.  When he phones about the removal of that tree, I mention that we’re praying.  He says that we can monitor progress on a certain website.  We do and for months and months now we get to read, weep, laugh, worry and pray as this family navigates life and death for their little boy.

We discover that this couple loves Jesus.  They praise Him, beg Him, look to Him for help and healing.  An ugly, dying tree is used by God to bring us onto their prayer team.  What a joy to know that He has His own praying when the time is right and the need is great.  I haven’t a clue how many have prayed for me over the years, over my life’s disasters.  And those I’ve prayed for who likewise hadn’t a clue.

That’s the fun of prayer–when God calls us to lift up someone we barely know.  Whether it’s a family with a child whose life hangs in the balances.  Or political leaders of varied stripes.  Or that troubled neighbor who rarely opens up.

Pray.  Pray hard.  Wrestle in prayer like Epaphras in Colossians 4.  Keep wrestling.  Don’t let go.  Don’t give up.  Keep on keeping on.  Pray it through.

Okay, I admit it.  I get discouraged.  Only me?  When will God answer my prayers?  Seems like this side of never.  Maybe on February 31st?  I should live so long.

Still I go to the Lord.  Refusing to be pinned down by Satan.  Not giving the enemy the upper hand.  Tie him up.  Give the deceiver a diving elbow drop and back kick.  ‘Epaphras…is always wrestling in prayer for you’ (Col. 4: 12).  Always a prayer wrestler.

By the way, that little boy?  His future?  Hard to say.  Still ups-and-downs.  Still in the hospital.  Us?  We’re still wrestling…and praying!

 

Lord, help us to pray without ever giving up.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

REMINDERS Numbers 28 and 29

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Reading through the Old Testament book of Numbers each year, the thought crosses my mind–why?  What’s the point?  Slogging through census records, rules and regulations, making and placing of Temple furniture.  You know what I mean.  But this is the Word of God.  In our Bibles for a reason.  I take no shortcuts, no speedreading or skipping pages and chapters.  I’m all ears, Lord!  Mostly, that is.

But I’m puzzled by the repetition.  The same commands and instructions.  Seems unnecessary, doesn’t it?  However, a teacher friend says that he must repeat information at least five times for it to sink in.  He’s got thick-headed students!  Five times?  I must be in his class!  You too?

The Lord knows we’re made of clay and dust.  Fragile stuff, which in His hands are created good, but in ours becomes brittle and broken.  Our hearing’s impaired.  Eyesight on the blink.  So He keeps on repeating, running it by us time and time again.

Studying Numbers 28 and 29, a light goes on in the old noodle.  From daily offerings, to weekly Sabbath worship and rest, to annual Passover and Pentecost and the Day of Atonement, to camping out during the Feast of Tabernacles.  Lots of celebration.  Plenty of good food to go around.  Work forbidden.  One Fast day.  One.  I’m beginning to get the point.

Worship bids us to love our God.  Praise and thanksgiving overflow.  It’s good times for God’s thankful people.  Over-and-over again, we’re to remember our Lord and all that He’s done for us.  And, by all means, relish Him!

Reminders.  Focus…off of ourselves…onto Him.  Where it should be.  But often isn’t.  Hence reminders.  Time to reflect.  Repent.  Renew our promises to Jesus.  He needs no such renewal or reminder.  We do.  I do.  Big time.

Reminders.  Hey, run that by me again!

 

Thank you, Jesus, for never giving up on me.  That’s a great reminder and a precious promise.  Amen.

 

HAVE YOU ORDERED YOUR ‘REMINDERS FOR DAILY DEVOTION’ BOOK FOR HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING?

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Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s holidays are just around the bend!  Time to order your copies of my new book ‘Reminders for Daily Devotion’ for $12.99 at Amazon.com.  If you’re a Prime Member, shipping is free.  If not, then order two or more copies and your shipping will also be free.

A great gift for a family member, a neighbor, a co-worker, church family and especially someone you’d like to share Jesus with.  I’ve made the price as affordable as possible, so don’t wait a second longer (no, I’m not the guy selling slicer-dicers!) and get your hard copy of ‘Reminders’.

Also, thanks for your faithful reading of my weekly devotions to the Lord!  John

SMELLING SALTS! Psalm 44

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I’ve never fainted.  Or known of anyone else to either.  Usually see swooning faints in old movies or on television, but not in my experience.  However, we always have smelling salts at the churches I serve.  My sermons are not that disturbing or super duper mind-blowing, causing people to pass out.  At least, not that I know of!

Smelling salts wake up a collapsed person, bringing them to consciousness.  What’s like that in my life?  That wakes me up.  Gives insight and perspective in a mind-numbing world.  You know.  Yes, the Bible.  Go to the head of the class, whiz kid!

The longer I hang around spaceship Earth, the less I’m sure about almost anything.  What’s been rock solid fact soon becomes slimy mush fiction.  What’s considered morally right gets cast aside like old, bald tires.  Useless and dangerous.  Makes me lightheaded.  About to faint.  Break out the smelling salts!

That’s when I open my Bible to hear from God.  He never changes.  Not fazed by the latest whatever.  Can stand up to the most ghastly abuse hurled His way.  And where do I know about this great God?  Right again, Einstein!

Psalm 44:1–‘We have heard with our ears, O God; our Fathers have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago.’  Ancient Israel takes seriously its commission to pass along God’s truth to the next generation.  Word of mouth being one way.  What’s more lasting is the written record of God’s character, commands and actions.  God’s people are committed to preserving and caring for His trustworthy record, giving us a place to stand when the floor gives way.

They did a super job.  Only a few spelling errors here-and-there, but the bulk of Bible material remains letter perfect.  Not talking about a postcard from Aunt Tilly, mailed from Atlantic City’s boardwalk in 1962.  No.  Written records thousands of years old.  Meticulously transmitted by one hand to the next, from one age to another.  From scroll to book.  From billions of hard paper copies to endless digital ones.  Spot on.  Without parallel.  Second to none.

Pick up your Bible.  Get into it.  And it into you.  A holy habit.  Daily.  Without fail.  Keep at it.  Like using smelling salts, you’ll wake up to a world of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

And so much more.  A far better world.  Truly the best!

 

Thank you, Lord, for truth found in the Bible.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

SIN’S REWARDS Numbers 32: 23-24

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I can still hear her warnings.  My mother scares me with these–‘God’s going to get you’.  ‘Be sure your sins will find you out.’  I was a nice little boy.  A polio victim needing extra TLC!  Maybe not.  I guess I stepped over the line.  Did what I shouldn’t have.  Those words come flying at me and hit their target’s bullseye.

My mother was not a particularly religious person.  Rarely attends church as an adult.  Been to Sunday School and Christian Endeavor youth programs, but with seeming little lasting effect.  Except when needed in her arsenal of discipline with her youngest!

Doubt my mother knows she’s quoting from the Old Testament book of Numbers–‘…and you may be sure that your sin will find you out’ (Numbers 32:23).  The only Bible verse she memorizes for Christian Endeavor is ‘Jesus wept’ (John 11:35).  She’s probably not alone!

Numbers 32 is not an easy read.  Not to modern ears and eyes.  War never is.  The people of ancient Israel have battles ahead, great and fearsome ones, to gain God’s Promised Land.  Read the book of Numbers.  It’ll be in your face.  Hard to take.  Harder to fathom the sacrifices required.

Back to my mother’s warning about sin finding me out, catching me red-handed and flatfooted.  Sin doesn’t pay.  Calls us out.  Does us in.  Wreaks havoc in more ways than one.  Then spills over, corrupting future generations.  Its insidious ways poison so much and so many.  Sin will find us out.  My mother’s right.

The remedy?  Too simple for most.  For believers, its simplicity is overshadowed by the enormity of Jesus’ love and sacrifice.  Almost unimaginable yet true and trustworthy.  All our sin exposed and laid on our Savior’s shoulders.  He then takes them and tosses them far, far away.  A threat no longer.

Could forgiveness and salvation be mere pie in the sky?  Hardly.  In reality it’s the real McCoy.  On the up and up and twenty-four carat gold.  All because of Jesus.  His gifts… never earned by us.  That’s our Savior’s rewards!

 

Thank you, Jesus, for everything.  Amen.

 

SMELL THE WOOD BURNING? Deuteronomy 1

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How many times has the Lord saved my bacon?  Grabbed me by the hand just as I’m heading over some cliff’s edge?  Saved by heaven’s bell.  Yet, I rarely notice.  Clueless.  Things happen.  Messes work themselves out.  Lucky break.  Good karma.  Really?  Not!

Wish I could see God at work.  Wouldn’t I feel much better?  Not so fearful.  There’s that word.  Fear.  My father suffered with too many worries for his own good.  Kept him hemmed in, fulfilling few of his supposed dreams.  Some of his claustrophobic fears that I witness, I inherit.

Fear.  Shadows from the past, biting us in the here and now.  Water, under the bridge, flooding to the surface.  Its upstream sins now rush downstream, finding us out.  How about all those risks life throws at us?  We’re afraid to leave home, even though most accidents occur under its roof.  Thanks for the reminder!  Now I’m mired in a blue funk, taken down a peg or two.

What about the future?  Oy veh!  Not then.  Money problems down the road a piece.  Medical can of peas around the corner.  Kids imploding.  Marriages exploding.  Pastors running amok.  Churches splitting and dying.  Politics wrenching with horrendous hostility and division.  The future?  What’s to fear?  Come to think of it– everything including the kitchen sink.  And you know what plumbers charge!  Woe is me.

Ready for some good news?  Deuteronomy 1:29-31–‘…Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them.  The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert.  There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.’

Stop for a second.  Put on your thinking cap.  Look back.  Brainstorm about the times that God has helped you.  Count those many blessings.  Think of more.  Smell the wood burning?  Throw on another log.  Stir up the embers.

This week, when fears rear their ugly heads, I’m going to guard myself with God’s good promises, praising Him as much as I can.  At least I’ll try, as I’m far from perfect.  But He knows.  He understands.  Like a good father carrying us.

Join me?  Nothing to fear…

 

Thank you, Lord, for all your goodness promised to us in Jesus.  Amen.