Author Archives: revjaf

GIVING WHO THE COLD SHOULDER? … Jeremiah 6: 1-15

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I don’t like it when someone gives me the cold shoulder.  Who does?   Being looked down upon, held in contempt, with an eye-full of scorn.  I remember a boss of mine, in a church no less, who used to greet me by saying, ‘well, how is everything in your little life.’  Little life?!   I was too young at the time, and too afraid to say what was on the tip of my tongue!  Poor guy, he was so impressed with his big-shot life!  Guess I should have been too, but I wasn’t!

No one likes to be treated with scorn.  And that’s what the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah says about how God’s people treat Him and His Word.  With scorn and the cold shoulder. Can you believe it?   Jeremiah 6: 10–‘to whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear?  Behold, their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen;  behold, the Word of the Lord is to them an object of scorn;  they take no pleasure in it.’

God and His Word an object of scorn?  Might as well spit in His face.  That I do not recommend.  For us, who are believers in Jesus Christ, we know that with the difficulties of life, we can place each and every one of them squarely on His broad shoulders –and He will carry them for us.  He shoulders our burdens.  His are the best to lean upon.  The God, in whom I take such great pleasure, and whose Word is a lamp to my feet, a light to the bi-ways  of my not-so little life!

Give Him the cold shoulder?  Who…to God?  What are you crazy?  In Jeremiah 10:21 the Lord tells the prophet to proclaim that ‘…the shepherds(the religious and political leaders) are stupid and do not inquire of the Lord…’  Call it what it is…to ignore the Lord, not to seek His will and love is just plain s…t…u…p…i…d!  That’s what it says.

Let’s be smart…lean on Him, His shoulders are broad and strong and good.  Take pleasure in Him and His Word.  Enjoy!

 

Prayer:  Lord, we love you.  We need you and thank you for always being right there, shoulder to shoulder, next to us.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

SO NICE TO BE INVITED… Psalm 122

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Isn’t it nice to be invited?  Whatever the occasion, it doesn’t really matter to me.  A graduation, a wedding, dinner at a friend’s home, to our church to pray for all kinds of needs.

Years ago, my wife and I were invited to a Bar Mitzvah of a dear friend’s grandson at the local synagogue.  It was quite an honor to be included as if we were special friends to them, which we were.  To be invited meant so much.  To be thought of,  to be wanted, for them to be honored with our presence…that’s so special, isn’t it?  Don’t you feel that way when someone you care about let’s you know that they want you to be with them,  to share that special moment together?  Of course you do.

Psalm 122 verse 1–“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!'”  Invited to God’s house…they were wanted and welcomed into the house of the Lord.  Not them alone,  but you and me as well.  Invited to be in a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  His nail-pierced and -scarred hands are always open to us.  Always reaching out in our direction…to reassure us of His love and His desire for us.

God is reaching out to everyone all the time.  If only they would listen…and open the door of their hearts (Revelation 3:20).  If only they would open their ears and eyes.  If only they would stop the cacophony of strident voices all around, and to sit in silence at His feet and hear His wonderful voice in the Word of God, the Bible.  If only…

The invitation has been in the mail for a long time.  Have you responded to Him, to His invitation?  He loves you and will forever.   Like the psalmist who said ‘I was glad when they said to me…'(Psalm 122:1), you’ll be glad that you RSVP’d the King of Kings and accepted His invitation of salvation and new life.  I’m glad, so glad… And you?

 

 

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for inviting me to have a relationship with your Son Jesus Christ.  What a privilege.  In His name.  Amen.

HIDDEN BUT NOT IN HIDING… Psalm 119:9-16

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The other day I decided to read all of Psalm 119 in one sitting.  It’s the longest chapter in the Bible.  The longest Psalm–all 176 verses.   Have you ever done that?  I’ve done it many times.  It is the most amazing psalm of all.  Dig a little deeper and you’ll discover that it is an Hebrew alphabet acrostic. What in the world is that, you might ask?

There are 22 sections of 8 verses each in Psalm 119, with each section beginning with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet.  The first letter of each of those 8 verses of every section begins with the same letter.  So, the 1st eight verses all begin with the letter ‘Alef’, the next 8 all begin with ‘Bet’… and so on until you get to verses 169-176 where all begin with the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, ‘Taw’.  A masterpiece of creative writing, at its very best.  All praising the Lord for the gift of His Word.  His Law and commandments, statutes and precepts…all those synonyms for His gift of the Bible, from A to Z, all inspired, all truthful, all encompassing.  From beginning to end, we have a gift from Heaven that is incomparable.

While visiting our son and his family, one of our grandsons blessed us by repeating some verses from the Bible that he had memorized at his kid’s church program.  He was six years old.  And to hear him share God’s Word from his heart was about the biggest joy we could ever experience.  He is hiding God’s Word in his heart.  Hiding it, not hidden away for none to see, but putting it in the deepest part of his life, his heart and mind, so that as he grows up and experiences all the things that happen in life, those words will be there for him.  To help him…to guide him…to bring him back to where he needs to be and where he needs to go.

Did you start that young in life putting God’s Word deep within?   I didn’t.  I was a teen and my memorizing the Bible was hit-and-miss, at best.  But who cares when you start?  The only tragedy would be to never start at all.

No matter what your age…get into God’s Word.  Get it into your mind and heart.  If you do, I know that that’s a regret you’ll never, ever have.  Start today…maybe sit down and read that amazing Psalm 119, all in one sitting!  Not a bad idea, if I must say so myself!

 

 

Prayer:  Thank you, Lord, for the gift of your Bible.  As I spend more time with you each day, open up its treasures to me to see you in all your glory.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

READY OR NOT!…2 Timothy 4:1-5

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I’m taken with what the Apostle Paul says to young pastor Timothy– ‘be ready’.  To not be ready is not an option in the Christian life.  Too important–to be ready.  And willing.  Leave ‘not’ out of it!  Commitment is called for.  A nod of ‘yes’.  No fence-straddling. No wishy-washy hemming and hawing.   No ‘fair-weather’ believers need show up at the recruiting office of God’s forces.

The apostle says to ‘be ready’.  I wonder what comes to mind?  ‘Be ready’! I think of when I was a brand-new financial planner with American Express Financial Advisors.  I had the best manager I could ever hope for.  A delight to be with.  Honest, caring, and understanding.  Rare to find anywhere.  He wanted to know how much money I wanted to make my first year.  Really?  It’s that easy?  Is this a trick question?   Pick a number out of thin air?  Name it and it’s yours?

Well, no.  Not really.  Of course not.  Based on the dollar number that I came up with as a goal, he could show me the activity required to generate that kind of income.  How many phone calls I had to make each week.  The number of appointments made,  followed by the number of analyses of prospect’s needs and goals I had to make.  Then, how many new clients I needed each week and how many investment dollars I would bring in to reach my own goals.  In other words, I had to work hard and smart and, above all, honest.

Couldn’t get to the end result without lots of preparation and getting ready, i.e. work…work…work!  The Apostle Paul says to be ready.  Get going.  Stop making excuses for yourself.  Get into your Bible.  Let God’s Word get into you.  Bathe yourself in prayer.  Not only ’emergency’ prayers, but praise and intercession and whatever comes to mind.

Visiting a Roman villa in England reminded us of all the time the Romans spent in bathing.  Frigidarium, tepidarium, and caldarium were so well constructed and well used…at great effort and expense.  As believers in Jesus Christ, bathe in Him.  Bathe in His Word, the Bible.  Time alone with your Lord and time with other believers.   Sharing Him with those who need Jesus Christ more than they could ever imagine.  Be prepared–whatever it takes, whatever the cost.  ‘Be ready…’

 

 

Prayer:  Dear Lord, make me ready for all you have in store for me today.  I’m yours, Lord.  Thank you for all the excitement of the days ahead…with You!  In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

WHAT DO THE SIMPLE FOLK DO?… 1 Timothy 6: 17-19

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When in Cornwall, England, we toured the castle where King Arthur supposedly was born.  Quite the hike in and out, but well worth it as there were wonderful views of land and sea from those ruins.  In my head I was humming the song sung by King Arthur in Lerner and Lowe’s musical ‘Camelot’– ‘What Do the Simple Folk Do?’.  Simple folk…like you and me.  Not simpletons; hopefully, but common folk.  The bread and butter people of life.  Not royalty or the hoi-poloi.

The simple life…that we all yearn for.  But do we?  Then why do we allow such messes to rear their ugly heads in our lives.  Taking on other’s worries.  Butting our heads in where they don’t belong.  Fretting over the same old stuff.  So, do we really want the simple life?

If so,  the Apostle Paul has such good advice found in 1 Timothy 6: 17-19.    You say that these words are for rich folk–‘as for the rich in this present age’.    Isn’t that us?   We have so much.  We are spoiled.  Just me.  Not you?  You’ll have to decide for yourself.  Rich in this present age, Paul says, is best lived with humility,  knowing the blessings of God are not due to what I deserve or even have earned.

He says to be humble and grateful, knowing that what we brought into this world is what we’ll take out of it!  So, thank the Lord for all His many blessings.  But on the other hand, if we have very little– could it be that the less we have, the more we lean on God and learn of Him?  Could be.

Paul says to enjoy what we have.  We will, if we do so with open hands.  Willing to share, eager to give when truly needed.  What we have from God is a blessing.  Still more blessed to give, as our Lord said!  Doesn’t just feel good, but it also builds a foundation for us in heaven.

To cap it all off,  Paul says that living this way is ‘taking hold of that which is truly life'(1 Timothy 6: 19).  Truly living…the real deal…the simple life.  It is simple.  Not really complicated.  Sound good?  We should try it…!

 

Prayer:  Dear Lord, you have given us so much.  And we are grateful people.  Thankful for all your blessings.  Help us to share more, enjoy more and really live the life you intended  for us.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

AND A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM…Revelation 21: 16; 1 Kings 6: 20; and Ezekiel 41:4

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Why can’t I get it right?  It boggles my imagination.  When I was pastor of my last church, I made a commitment to share the Gospel to every child who came through the door.  As many as possible.   If they stayed for the fellowship hour after worship, I’d grab my handy-dandy ‘Evangecube’ from the front pew.    I’d ask whoever brought the child if I could share this puzzle-cube with them.  All said ‘yes’.

This cube told the Gospel story in such a fun way.  The children loved it.  Only problem was that I could never figure it out, never get the order straight.  Jesus was upside-down, died before He was born,  was resurrected while guarded by Romans still 3 days in the tomb!   You could see our regular kids laughing away at their goofy pastor could never get the cube to work!  Fear not!  I  had a plan!

I’d yell, ‘help’.  And one of the children would save the day for Pastor John!  Who would tell about Jesus?  They would!   All I’d have to do is ask the question–‘would you like to ask Jesus into your heart today? He loves you so much’. I never tired of the Evangecube.  Still use it now with our grandchildren who also show me how to work it!

Have you read today’s Bible verses?  They make reference to the shape of a cube.  Equal dimensions of width, length,  and height.  1 Kings tells us that Solomon’s Temple would have an inner sanctuary, the Holy of Holies, that was a perfect cube.  God would be present in that Holy Place.  Not just anyone could enter that cubic holy space.  Only once a year, on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, could the High Priest enter, praying for the sins of his people.

Ezekiel 41 looks to the end time, with that Holy of Holies in a restored Temple as a perfect cube.  In Revelation, we hear that the New Jerusalem, the Holy City,  will itself have the  dimensions of a cube (21:15-17).  But no Temple there.   No need for one.  The Lord our God  will be the Temple.  Won’t be hard to figure out that cube!  Not at all.  We’ll be with Him.  He’ll be with us.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every child in all our churches could hear and respond to that message?   Could you do something about that?

 

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for opportunities to tell children about your Son Jesus.  Such is the Kingdom, we are told.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

AIN’T LIFE GRAND!… Revelation 22:4-5

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I can still hear my Nana Gibson saying, ‘Ain’t life grand!’  She’s been gone many years now.   In the Lord, our life certainly is grand!

But just you wait, and that’s not for Henry Higgins either…just you wait!  The Apostle John writes in the book of Revelation that ‘they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads’ (22:4).  Go ahead and read that whole last chapter of Revelation, and be utterly amazed at the wonders that await.   We’ll see Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit. Face-to-face.  We’ll be with them forever with no more tears, good-byes, failed hearing or eyesight.  None of that anymore.

‘They will see His face…’  Really?  What Moses had hoped and prayed for way back in Exodus 33:12-23?  “Moses said, ‘Please show me your glory.  And God said, ‘I will  make all  my goodness pass before you…I will be gracious…and will show mercy…but you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.'”   The Lord God showed Moses His character of love and mercy, compassion and forgiveness, but…’you shall see my back…my face shall not be seen.’  Not His face, not His being, but He will show His character.

That reminds me of what Jesus said about knowing people by their  fruit(Luke 6:43-45), and His half-brother James saying that ‘faith without works is dead(James 2:17).  Believers and followers, not by the labels on our lapels, but from what comes out of them, from deep within.  The Lord as well.  We know Him by His character and makeup of love, compassion, mercy, joy…

God has always been most generous in showing the whole world the ‘fruit’ of His being.  It’s there for all to see and wonder at.  But His face…now that will be for a special group.  For His children, those who say ‘yes’ to His invitation to know and love Him through the death and resurrection of His only Son Jesus Christ.  Is that you?  Have you asked Him into your life?  If not or you’re not sure, ask Him.  He’d love to love you forever.  I know that.  He even loves me!  And then some day, we’ll see Him…face to face…and that’s something you can’t quite put into words this side of glory…for that’s what it will be.  Glory!

 

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for better days ahead.  Someday we’ll be with you in glory, face-to-face.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE… Ezekiel 3:1-11

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Everything is about making your Christmas ‘pub’ dinner reservation now.  Don’t wait a second longer!  But it’s only September!   We gripe back home when we hear Christmas music in stores before Halloween!  Here in England they’ve been playing Christmas music for weeks and weeks.  It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Ezekiel chapter 3–Ezekiel’s call to prophetic ministry with God telling him, ‘all my words that I shall speak to you receive in your heart, and hear with your ears’ ( 3: 10).   Before he can hear God’s Word, Ezekiel needs a receptive heart.

Before we can hear the Lord, our hearts must be open and receptive, eager to hear from Him.  Is that yours?  Excited to get into the Bible each day?  Can’t wait to hear from Him?

Like back home.  Day after Thanksgiving, my father would decorate for Christmas.   He loved doing it, and had his certain routines.  The artificial tree had to be assembled, only to discover that the lights were invariably broken.  Outside, on the overgrown holly tree, he’d set up ladders and poles to string up lights, which were either stolen or shattered in some wind storm.  But every year the lights went up, regardless.   Inside, a smiling Santa was brightly lit on our fake fireplace mantel.  In the dining room on top of the breakfront he had 4 separate letters spelling ‘Noel’.  Someone, I won’t say who(!),  would rearrange the letters every day until they read Nole, Leon, Olne, Elon…  He always laughed, and then just as quickly nodded off for a nap!  That was my Dad.

Christmas morning no one, and I mean no one, ever went downstairs to see what was under the tree until my father slowly, ploddingly, deliberately, edged himself and us down those endless stairs to the living room.  Took hours, so it seemed!  And then, finally, he’d announce, ‘it looks like Santa has been here’!  Only then, could we run to all the packages and toys and fun that awaited us!

Is that the anticipation the Lord is telling Ezekiel to have when it comes to His Holy Word?  Is that your attitude?  If so, great!  If not, pray for it.  Ask the Lord to make you receptive, open and excited…to dive into the Bible regardless of how you feel.  Get a good study Bible.  Attend a Bible study that stretches your heart and mind.  Find the church where you can grow and share in the Lord.  Get with it.  Come on…get all excited!  It’s God’s Word…listen to Him.  What could be better?

 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the Bible.  I can’t wait for our next time together!    In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

GET UP, ALREADY! …Ezekiel Chapter 2

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Ezekiel is such an amazing book.  Reading those first 2 chapters and you’re ushered into a totally different world.  Symbols and visions.  Disconnect from reality as we know it.   Here’s the world as Ezekiel saw it!

The call of Ezekiel to prophetic ministry is like none other.  Eating the scroll of the Word of God?  Strange diet!   At the end of chapter 1, Ezekiel sees ‘the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.’   Falls on his face (who wouldn’t?), and hears a voice saying to him– ‘stand on your feet…and the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard Him speaking to me’ (Ezekiel 2: 1, 2).

When I read those verses, something clicked within.  When we accept Jesus into our lives, we receive the Holy Spirit– ‘…do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?'(1 Corinthians 6: 19-20).  God the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us.  How?  In what way?

Here’s what I think–what does it matter?   He says to stand up, so I recommend you do that!    Don’t sit around and be lazy in the Lord.  That won’t work.  Not with the Holy Spirit providing the energy to live for Him.

Or filled with fears from the past.  I know:  easier said than done.  And I’ve got a long ways to go.  Like you do.  Don’t sit around,  filled with bitterness and regrets, making excuses for yourself.  I know.  Easier said…

When I became a believer in Jesus Christ,  something changed within me.  Like the Spirit said to stand up.  Start studying like you mean it.  Literally overnight, a mediocre student started earning straight ‘A’s.  In Millburn High, if a senior had an ‘A’ in class, you didn’t have to take the final exam.  A way to motivate seniors, tempted to slump at the very end of high school.   I never took one final exam.  Straight A’s!  From me?  Something had changed within.

Now I know that it was the Holy Spirit.  Telling me to get up, already!  Stand up…I’ve set you on your feet to do things for Me!  That’s what it was.  I know it.

How about you?   Look back at your life and remember when you accepted the Lord into your heart?  What happened when He stood you on your feet…to do things for Him, for others?   Maybe, just maybe, He’s extending  His hand to you right now, saying, ‘Get up!   Stand on your feet!  Let’s get going.  No time like the present…to live for Jesus!  Stop putting it off…

 

Prayer:  Holy Spirit within.  Move me to be and do all that You have designed for me for the sake of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior!  Amen.