Category Archives: Uncategorized

NOT SO COMPLICATED AFTER ALL John 10

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That Sunday evening, when I first heard on the radio about Jesus’ love for me, I couldn’t do anything else but ask Him into my life.  Why would I turn Him down?  He offers to forgive all my sins and to change my life.  That’s a no-brainer.  Grabbed hold as tight as I could.

What next?  The following day I find my mint condition, never-opened Bible, given to me by the church I’m baptized in as an infant, and I start reading the New Testament.  Good idea since avoiding Sunday School in my growing up years leaves me a blank slate in Bible knowledge.

I’ve met Christians who proclaim that you’re not truly saved unless you can pass their Bible knowledge test.  Then and only then can they be sure.  When I give my testimony, they huff and puff in disbelief.  Too bad, so sad…for them!  Mine was not so complicated.

Reading the Gospels, you’ll find Jesus’ bunch rather dull in the old noggin.  Somewhat boneheaded.  Over and over again, Jesus tells them what they can’t or don’t want to hear.  His identity, His destiny–precious little receives their ‘Good Disciple Stamp of Approval’.

So, I have hope.  Yes, I possessed itsy-bitsy Scripture mastery, but it didn’t stay that way.  My craving to know more about Jesus, God and the Bible has only mushroomed.  Still at it years after I retired from formal ministry.  Sermons cancelled but not my growing relationship with Jesus.  I’m engrossed in my Bible, daily wanting more and more of what He wants for me.  Not so complicated after all.

Hopefully, the beginning pales in comparison with the ending of our earthly lives as disciples.  The days of ignorance replaced with a yen for God and His ways, as poorly as I may live them.

There’s better news.  About heaven.  Not a boring place, dull as dishwater, a cosmic yawner, flat as a pancake, floating on clouds, strumming harps without end.  No!  Excitement, clarity and newness till the cows come home and they never will!

Hear what Jesus says–‘I am the door.  If anyone enters by me, he will be saved…’ (John 10: 9).  That’s not so complicated, is it?  Wasn’t for me.  How about it–have you opened His door?

 

 

Thank you, Lord, for much better days ahead.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

BEHIND THE SCENES John 9

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We know that there’s much more going on in life than we can see with our eyes or hear with our ears.  All that behind the scenes stuff.  Don’t you wonder what’s really said in the Oval Office?  Or the back rooms of Congress?  Or the side halls of 10 Downing Street?  Let alone the Lodge at Canberra for our dear friends the Littler’s in Australia?

What goes on behind the scenes for the blind man in John 9?  The story elements are straightforward and well-known.  Jesus spits on the ground and then applies this mud to sightless eyes.  Why not a direct and immediate healing?  He’s done it before and will after.  What gives?

This reminds me of Kuda Bux, the early TV Hindu mystic, who applies soft dough balls to both eyes, then is blindfolded, yet can see clearly.  But, unlike the TV showman, this is no fake trick by Jesus.  For our Lord makes it beyond doubt that this man is blind.  In no way can he see through this muck covering his eyes.

What happens to this fellow after his healing?  Behind the scenes he’s confronted by a rabble of religious leaders ready to blow a gasket his way.  They’re in his face.  What he now sees is terrifying, unnerving, unsettling and discombobulating.  As a reward for gaining his eyesight, he’s booted out of the Temple!  Church membership nixed.  No longer allowed to use the disabled parking spot next to the pastor.  His service dog sent to the pound.  Has he gained more than he’s lost?  Time will tell.

It’s at the end of chapter 9 where something else happens behind the scenes.  John 9:35–‘Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him…’  Searching high and low, Jesus finds this man, now an outcast.  Truly never out of His sight.  Jesus searches for His own until their found.

That’s what He’s done for me.  Found me.  I can see that now.  All those years ago, when I heard on a radio program that Jesus loved me.  What?  Cared about me?  He does?  Yes, He was knocking at the door of my heart.  I pushed that door wide open only to discover that He was doing the same toward me, but with more tender loving strength.

He seeks His own.  Behind the scenes.  Never giving up.  Looking for you and me.  Until we’re found…and forever His!

 

Thank you, Jesus, for seeking and finding me.  I love you.  Amen.

 

SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT Malachi 3:16–4:5

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The old adage rings true as we rack up the years.  You know the one that warns– ‘little kids, little problems;  big kids, big ones.’  We’ve all experienced some of this.  Makes us a gun shy about what’s next.  The other shoe that drops.  Know what I mean?  Hope you don’t, but I’m positive you do.

Here is where I struggle–losing control.  Issues outside my ability to have some say or sway.  Leaves me feeling fearful and anxious.  Not wanting other’s problems to rule my life.  What to do?  How to handle what’s beyond my grasp.

Reading the last few verses in the Old Testament gives me comfort.  I shouldn’t be surprised when the Lord puts His arms around me with His Word, which helps at the right time.  That’s our God.  Aren’t you grateful that He lovingly pays attention to our hurts and is there to help?

Here’s what He wants me to hold onto.  That I’m His.  He won’t let me go.  I’m secure in His grasp.  You too.  And He also spares us of so much.  Malachi 3:17–‘They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him…’  ‘My treasured possession’.   ‘I will spare them’.  Out of my control… into His.

Here’s more.  Romans 8:28–‘All things work together for good…’  Not that all things are good.  They’re not.  But in His hands, somehow, beyond my peabrain’s understanding, God causes good to come out of terribly complicated situations.  How or when?  I’ve no idea.  Only requirement– lean on His promises.  And lean in hard.

I’m His.  Probably little else to say.  Keeping strong in Jesus, right to the end, believing His Word.  Let me be honest in saying I struggle to trust Him as much as the next.  Don’t look at me.  Turn your eyes upon Jesus, as the old hymn rightfully sings.

The Bible ends on this wonderful note.  So will we.  After all, we’re His treasured possession!  That’s something to shout about!

 

Thank you, Jesus, for being with us always.  Amen.

WHO WILL? Zechariah 10

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On a tour of Scotland last year, we note that the British love their newspapers.  Tons of them available, mainly tabloids.  Who dominates?  Will and Kate.  Some refer to the prince as Wills.  Pix galore of the royal couple and their children.  This was before Harry and Megxit!

Reading Zechariah 10, I see many references to ‘will’.  Not Prince William.  Reading from verse 6 onwards, the Lord God makes promises to His people.  Over and over again, He says ‘I will’.  At least eight times–‘I will’.

Why?  What’s His point?  To say ‘I will’ is to pledge yourself, a commitment made.  As in marriage vows, when a man and woman offer themselves freely to each other.  ‘Will you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?’  ‘I will’.  ‘And this woman?  I will.’  A vow is taken.

That’s what God repeats to us.  His commitment to His own.  Not because we’re so great or perfect.  Please, those who know me, say no more!  Rather because He wills to love us.  His undeserved mercy.  That’s His choice.  Jesus loves us because that’s His will.  And He means it.

Let me recommend that you repeat that little phrase as you trudge through this coming week.  Will come in handy.  When you feel like giving up, know that God’s promises still ring true.  When you can’t, He says ‘I will’.

But remember the ‘I’ refers not to you, but to the Lord!

 

Thank you, Jesus, for your strength.  Amen.

ANYTHING AT ALL 1 Chronicles 23-27

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Please don’t blow a gasket.  I’m aware that the Bible chapters for this week are from its most obscure section.  Cut me some slack.  It’s leap year.  February 29th.  Here goes!

Reading these chapters, I find myself freed to do anything at all for the Lord.  Whatever it is, do it.  Don’t hold back.  I know it’s not easy.  All kinds of obstacles clutter our paths.

Just under the surface of my emotions, I feel as if I’ve not done near enough for the Lord.  And, of course, I haven’t.  Slacked off when I should have had my nose to the grindstone.  But why look back, holding onto negative thoughts?  God forgives.  Move on.

Here’s some good news from little known Chronicles.  Really?  Some hope from these unsung pages?  For sure!  Nothing in the Bible is wasted.  Not one jot or tittle without purpose.  So what do I see?

Note that King David is organizing the building materials and personnel for Jerusalem’s Temple, which his son Solomon will complete.  There will be lots to do.  All kinds of jobs–priests, builders, designers, weavers, gatekeepers, perfumers, jewelers, armed forces, musicians and singers, accountants and managers.  You name it, they’ll need it.  Choices galore.

Same today.  Whatever you do for the Lord is fine with Him.  But do it.  Try not to let Satan derail you, sapping your joy in serving the Master.  For me, two steps forward, one back.  But at least a couple steps move forward.  Not bad.  But let’s do some better.  And always…for Him.

 

Thank you, Lord, that we may serve you.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

DAD’S HELP 2 Kings 19

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How I loved arranging my work schedule so that I could help my 8 year old son Dave deliver the local newspaper on his first paper route.  My job allows me the freedom to plan appointments around both my boy’s school, sports and work schedules.  They almost always come first.

So, off we go delivering papers, door-to-door, for about 45 neighbors.  Once in a while, a mean dog prevents our doorstep delivery, so a handy, well-placed toss lands the newspaper somewhere in their front yard.  Not messing with a hound that bares its teeth, looking barely fed!

Months in, I wonder why Dave’s paycheck is so low.  What gives?  Volunteer work?  No.  When asked, he won’t say.  Off to the newspaper office we go.  Turns out a customer isn’t paying.  Hence, Dave’s income becomes almost invisible.  The local rag sheet isn’t about to lose a penny, but my boy does.  Can you sense that Dad is none too happy?

What happens?  Standing my ground, of which I’m quite capable, the problem’s solved lickity-split as in no more daily papers unless they cough up for three months in advance, in addition to all the back payments owed my son.  Can still see the relief on Dave’s face.  What joy to help my boy!

King Hezekiah receives a threatening military letter from world-dominating Assyria.  Lots more at risk than an insolvent paper route.  The nation teeters on the brink.  Defeat and death hang in the air.  What to do?

2 Kings 19: 1–‘When King Hezekiah heard this, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and went into the temple of the Lord.’   Verse 14–‘Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it.  Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord.’  Up against it, what next?

So simple.  Whatever weighs you down, take it to the Lord.  Lay it all out before Him.  Even if you’re at fault, especially then, bring it to Jesus.  He’s your friend.  He loves to help even when it all seems so helpless.

But did you notice something?  Dave never cried out to me for help.  Poor little tyke probably too shy or embarrassed.  Not to worry.  I was watching.  I could see that something was rotten, not in Denmark, but with his paper route.   And that’s when I took off the kid gloves.  Eating Popeye’s spinach, landing on both feet, ready to right the wrong…for my boy.

I wonder how many times I never asked the Lord for help when He was already at work on my behalf?  And yours.  Think about that this week.  Thank Him for all that you’ve never seen Him directly do for you.  For when you kept your mouth shut, He was at work anyway…for you!  That’s Dad’s help.

 

Thank you, Jesus, for helping me.  Amen.

GOALS 2 Corinthians 5

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No, I’m not rehashing errant field goal attempts from some past Super Bowl!  Nor am I remembering the annual visit to my investment company manager’s office to declare in writing what my dollar goals would be for the new year.  Like I have a crystal ball.  Or some tea leaves to decipher.  Or worse, slicing an animal’s liver to decode the year ahead.

2 Corinthians 5: 9–‘So we make it our goal to please Him (Jesus)…’  St. Paul doesn’t issue a command, but voluntarily decides to please his Lord and Savior.  His preference.  Ours?  Goal #1?  Most of the time it’s you-know-who.  Me!

But who deserves it most?  Guess!  It’s not like God is narcissistic and self-serving, craving endless attention.  Like some people we know, who must always be right.  Know-it-all smart alecks.  Talk incessantly about themselves.  A regular I love me.  Boring beyond measure.

No.  He’s not needy like we are.  After all, He actually deserves our attention, praise, and worship.  Because He’s Lord of all… always.  Don’t rob Him of what’s rightfully His.

And, by the way, we owe Him.   2 Corinthians 5: 15–‘And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.’  Crystal clear?  Shouldn’t we live for Him?  The answer’s way too obvious.  Here’s the goal–  ‘…for him.’  Again ‘…for him.’

All this week, we’ll have choices to make.  To please God?  How?  Don’t ask me.  Ask Him.  By the way, why not admit it.  We know what pleases God.  Don’t we?  Then do it!

 

Lord, to follow Jesus is absolute joy.  Thank you.  Amen.

EVEN ELIJAH CAN’T FIGURE IT OUT 1 Kings 17

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If Elijah can’t figure it out, what hope is there for me?  Here in 1 Kings 17, the prophet finds himself in a quandary.  About what?  Fleeing drought and famine in Israel, he finds much the same in Zarephath, a Phoenician town along Israel’s Mediterranean northern coast.  He meets a widow who is preparing a last supper for herself and her son.  Only enough flour and oil for a trifle of a final meal.  Nothing extra to share especially with a total stranger.

Not known for shyness, Elijah tells this poor woman to give him some water and food before they get a bite or a sip.  Can you imagine?  What chutzpah.  What a nerve.  Brazen so-and-so.  Here, serve me first!

You probably know that God performs a miracle.  This widow will not run out of flour or oil as long as the famine lasts.  Cheers go up daily as God’s provision is made for all three.

Sometime later, this woman’s faith gets tested when her only son dies.  She rails against Elijah, wondering if her sins have caught up with her–‘What do you have against me, man of God?  Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?’ (1 Kings 17:18).  Her faith hits a brick wall.  Hangs by a tiny filament of thread.

Elijah knows who can help–“Then he cried out to the Lord, ‘O Lord my God, have you brought tragedy also upon this widow I am staying with, by causing him to die?'” (1 Kings 17:20).  The prophet doesn’t know what’s going on.  What gives, Lord?  What are you up to?  Killing her son?  See what I mean?

If Elijah doesn’t know, how can we?  Often I have no idea what God wants me to do.  Oh sure, not to murder or steal or lie.  The Ten Commandments.  No problem there.  But lots of other decisions are left hanging in the air, without a clue or hint…from Him.  Silence from above.  E-mails and texts ignored.  No return call.

When in doubt, do what Elijah does.  What’s that?  He takes hold of the boy.  Doesn’t bury his head in the sand.  Grabs hold.  Talks with his Lord.  Lays it all out.  No crafting certain words.  Prays for life to return.  And then prays some more.

In this case, the boy revives.  But who knows?  Maybe, in my case, nothing changes.  Or I won’t like God’s answers.  The opposite of what I asked for.  Or no word at all.  Then what?  That’s my quandary.  Just me?

Can I still hang in there with Jesus?  Pray without ceasing?  Without obvious answers?  Move ahead with trust and faith?  Be true to Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit?  Can I?  Will I?

And you?

 

Thank you, Lord, for faith that doesn’t give up.  Amen. 

NASTY COLD FRONT Mark 2: 18-22

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I always wanted to ski.  On snow that is since I can’t swim.  Looks like such fun sooshing down newly groomed slopes of fresh powder.  Bobbing and weaving past evergreen trees.  Jumping moguls.  Only problem is that I’m petrified of heights.  No problem going down but the other raises immediate issues!  Since I can’t fly, I try the chair lift.

Oy vey!  I didn’t know my fears could rise higher than where this infernal moving bench is going.  An instructor advises me to persist as the phobia will eventually disappear.  Yea, right.  Liar, liar, pants…

Only gets worse.  Sashaying onto the lift is easy, but elevating skis and timing my exit, as the chair keeps going, is way too complicated.  Off I slide, down on all fours!  Skinned hands with skis stuck in the packed ice and snow.  Lift stops with other skiers dangling in the frosty air.  I’m never so popular.

I immediately notice that it feels mighty cold in my nether regions.  Falling was one thing but ripping the entire back of my ski pants ushers in a cold snap where least wanted.  An ill wind blows for sure.

On a much more serious note, Jesus talks about ripping garments and bursting wineskins.  In Mark 2, He points out that the newness He brings will not work within worn-out garments and brittle wineskins, symbolic of stifling religious rituals.  His new rips apart the old.  No patches allowed.  Religious rigidity won’t work.  Never has, never will.  It’s the supple heart He looks for.

Garments rip when Jesus appears before the high priest Caiaphas in Mark 14.  When Jesus affirms that He’ll be seen sitting at the right hand of God and coming again in judgement and glory, Caiaphas no longer tolerates such blasphemy.  Mark 14:63–‘The high priest tore his clothes’.

Wine sacks burst open, the high priest’s clothing tears, but even more happens in the Temple when Jesus dies.  The heavy curtain, which separates off the Holy of Holies, reminds all that God detaches Himself from sinful people.  Division rules.  ‘Keep Out’ signs will be obeyed, until Jesus dies and that heavy curtain is torn from its top all the way down to the bottom.  Ripped apart.  As if by God’s own hands.

And a new welcome sign goes up.  The porch light stays on.  Back door unlocked.  Welcome home, my child!

 

Thank you, Jesus, for tearing sin from our lives.  Amen.

 

FOUNDATIONS AND FOOTINGS 1 Corinthians 3

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At this moment two homes are being constructed across the street from us.  We’ve lived in this new development for over 4 years.  Our home being one of the first ones built.  Construction noises part of our DNA.  Do we mind it?  Sometimes, but no pain, no gain!  And we love it here.

After the land is cleared by a rather noisy piece of earth-moving equipment which we call the ‘evil machine’, we shout a word of thanks!  Then the foundation men arrive.  Measuring tape in hand.  Blueprints to follow.  Wooden foundation frames put in place.  Concrete footings constructed, along with poured cement filling those frames.  Cement usually hardens in a day or two, meaning that the foundation guys return removing the wooden framing.  Voila!

Foundations complete.  Now begins the structural framing to finish the home in about 4 months.  Takes awhile.  Requires exact planning and measuring.  Hard labor.  Precision work.

Windows…insulation…mudding…painting inside and out…gutters…doors…composite roof…cabinets…electrics and plumbing…and so on.   All at a rather high price!

Reading 1 Corinthians 3, I note similarities with our Christian life– ‘For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ’ (1 Cor. 3:11).  Hence, the question–upon what am I building my life?  To make money?  It’s necessary but not as our all-in-all.  To get recognition?  It’s nice to be appreciated.  To make my mark for Jesus?  Not as often as I’d like.

Here’s a warning sign–‘But each one should be careful how he builds’ (1 Cor. 3:10).  ‘…careful how he builds.’  Good point.  For me I have to work at keeping Jesus front-and-center daily.  He too easily gets booted to the sidelines almost out of sight.  Often I’m asking Him to bless decisions I’ve already made long before even thinking about consulting Him.  I’m in charge until I remember who really is.  A tad late but better than never.

So, as early as possible, ask for His guidance.  His will, which is not always easy to discern.  But hang in there.  Don’t jump before you look.  Take your time.  Use the measuring tape of the Bible.  Jesus your foundation.  Frame Him Lord of your life.  You’ll find your footing.

Doesn’t happen overnight.  He has lots to do.  Takes time.  Will be costly.  Notice that the house is going up.  We’ll soon move in.  Get ready.

By the way, He has another one for us over the hilltop.  A mansion (John 14:1-6).  That He’s built.  Won’t that be just out of this world!

 

Thank you, Jesus, for home sweet home with you.  Amen.