SIMPLY Zephaniah 1

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Why do I make life more difficult than it already is?  I’ve earned my dishonorary doctorate in catastrophizing and nail-biting from the unaccredited, no profit, no good University of Hard Knocks!  Something a tad dodgy becomes devastating to my emotions, loosely held together by chewing gum.  What’s seemingly bad graduates to far worse without even lifting a finger or batting an eyelash.  Am I alone in this?

When it comes to our relationship with the Lord, simplicity should rule day and night.  Did you know that that last phrase is technically called a ‘merism’?  Two opposites that signify totality.  Day and night=all the time.  There I go again.  Muddying the waters.  Discombobulating what should be easy as pie.  After all, who gives a flying fig?

See what I mean?  I make things all tangled and tied up in knots.  Anyway, reading the Old Testament prophet Zephaniah, there’s hope.  As in God wanting my relationship with Him to be out in the open, no bones about it, a snappy walk in the park.  Really?  Yes indeed.  Simply enjoying my loving relationship with God.

Zephaniah 1: 6–‘…those who have turned back from following the Lord, who do not seek the Lord or inquire of him.’  Turning that verse’s negative into a positive, I’m assuming that we all want to follow the Lord Jesus.  But let me be up-front–I’m a poor example.  Flawed, cracked, and broken.  You say that you know that about me?  Thanks.  With friends like that you, who needs…!

So, don’t follow me.  Follow Jesus.  For it’s the will of God that we do just that.  Get behind Jesus allowing Him to take the lead.  Follow the leader.  Stop trying to do what only He does best.  God wants more followers than leaders.  Get out of His way.  But don’t lag too far behind.  Use the gifts given you by you-know-who, doing what He wants.  Simply follow.

Then seek Him.  Pray.  Talk it over.  Not like He’s clueless, as if your bad news comes as a shocking surprise to Jesus.  Hardly.  Seek Him.  He’s all ears, eager to help in His way, in His time.  Lay it all at His feet.  Hold nothing back.  Simply seek.

Then inquire of your Lord.  This means getting into your Bible and having it get into you.  Not long ago, a professor at my old Bible school tells me that today’s Bible student knows so little about the Bible.  Say what?  Clogged ears?  No.  These are coeds at one of the leading and oldest Bible schools in our nation.  The cream of the crop, so to speak, may have soured a bit, sad to say.

Get serious about inquiring of the Lord.  See which way His wind blows.  Pay rapt attention to your Bible.  Immerse yourself.  Wonder why we know so little?  Any ideas?  You know.  Simply inquire.

Follow…seek…inquire.  God’s will, with all its simplicity, that even I can understand.

Lord Jesus, I want to know you better.  Amen.

THERE’S MORE TO THIS STORY Habakkuk 3

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The conclusion of the Old Testament prophetic book Habakkuk has been preached on many times.  Even by me.  It’s about Habakkuk’s faith standing tall and firm despite economic collapse from barren fig-trees, missing sheep and cattle, down-the-drain olive harvests along with wheat and barley crops going belly up.  Life downsizes almost to a goose egg as the grim reaper knocks at their front door.

The prophet’s reaction?  Habakkuk 3:18–‘…yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation’.  Now that’s faith.  No cursing at God or waving an angry fist in His face.  No.  Habakkuk’s faith triumphs.  How would I do under similar circumstances?  And you?  I’m feeling a twinge of guilt knowing how wishy-washy and out of gas my faith can be.  Only me?

But there’s more to this story.  Check it out for yourself.  Habakkuk 3–a psalm, a song of praise to God, which lifts high the Lord’s name as creator and sustainer, who stands with Israel through the toughest times.  Nevertheless, Habakkuk accepts that victory will have to wait.  Just around the corner yet not any time soon.

For the Babylonians lurk and skulk around that bend, and they’re not a happy bunch until they wipe out almost everyone and everything in their path (not such ancient history in light of today’s warring tragedies).  Destruction and violence will plague God’s people.  Habakkuk questions his Lord –‘…why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?’ (Hab.1:13).  Why Lord?  Why?  Include my voice in Habakkuk’s mournful choir.

What’s happened to his faith?  To be strong and firm?  Like an immovable rock?  Again, there’s more going on here.  For Habakkuk gets right in God’s face.  Bold as brass.  Layered with chutzpah.  Do you know why?  Do you?  Habakkuk knows that God can take it.  Whatever questions he has, the Lord will hear him out.  They possess a vital and spirited relationship.  Full of faith.  A no-holds-barred bond that lays it out all on the line.  More confidence than cowering.  No hiding of true feelings with the One who knows all anyway.  Our loving heavenly Father wants to hear from His own.  No matter what.

There’s more to this story.  Read again that ending in chapter 3.  Habakkuk knows that no matter what troubles God’s people face, they’re never alone.  Not only them.  Can you not hear His reassuring words?  That abandonment is not God’s plan for His own?  Can I hear my Lord Jesus’ loving words as found in the four Gospels of my Bible?  Sometimes yes, sometimes no.  But, then again, He’s not done with me yet.  Or with you.  That you can hang your hat on!  No matter what.

Lord Jesus, increase my faith and trust.  Amen.

CONFESSION 2 Corinthians 8

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It’s time for me to fess up.  About what?  Something scandalously juicy?  Expecting the worst of me?  Sorry to disappoint.  No murders.  No bank robberies.  At least not yet!

I may not be alone with this, but when it comes to money, I can be a tad squeaky tight.  I’d rather think of myself as determined and focused, careful and prudent.  Others may think of me as a cheapskate, a penny-pinching skinflint, a regular Jack Benny.  Nasty bunch!  By the way, did anyone see that 10 cents off coupon I misplaced?  Or that penny I found in the Walmart parking lot?

Having survived some nasty financial ups and downs (and who hasn’t?) has left me with a few scars.  Excuses?  Possibly.  Probably.  But, cutting myself some slack while looking squarely in life’s mirror, frivolous spending is not in my DNA.

We’re cautious giving to Christian causes.  Appropriate?  I think so.  Must feel comfortable with who or what we’re giving to.  Fraud stories abound, even among God’s folk.

For better role models, read 2 Corinthians 8.  Jesus’ Corinthian followers could never be labeled as tightwads.  They’re described another way–as overflowing in generosity; giving way beyond their means; begging to give more.  Their heart’s in the right place.

Read 2 Corinthians 8: 1-15 for yourself.  See what I mean?  Sound like you or me?  Must speak for me–not quite.  I admit that I’m getting better at giving.  We’ve found Christian mission groups, including our local church, that we love to give to.  Passionately.

Plus, I keep praying to Jesus to increase my giving.  Stretch me… but maybe not too much!  I may never match the description of those bighearted Corinthian believers, yet following their lead is the way to go.

I feel better.  Confession has been good.  Even better for those in need of Jesus’ help…through giving… from me and you.

Thank you, Jesus, for giving all of yourself for me.  Amen.

WHAT ABOUT THAT GOD OF THE OLD TESTAMENT? Micah 7

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Sometimes I’ve heard church folk, even a pastor or two, bemoan the meanness of the Old Testament God.  He’s not like Jesus.  Not a chip off the old block, so to speak.  Like we have two gods?  Now that’s skating on thin ice.

Apart from the fact that the word ‘love’ is found more often in the Old Testament than the New (check out a concordance as I did), let’s mosey on up next to the prophet Micah for a moment.  Throughout Micah 7, we hear of the decadence of ancient Israel.  They’re supposed to be God’s chosen people, but they live more like the devil–‘The godly have perished from the earth, and there is no one upright among mankind; they all lie in wait for blood…their hands are on what is evil, to do it well…’ (Mic. 7:2-3).  Nice bunch unless you have to be around them.

Don’t worry–there’s better news!  Beginning at Micah 7: 18 we read about God and how He deals with our sin.  Often, I wonder if I’m stuck with my misdeeds.  Slathered in Gorilla glue.  Fastened tight, never dislodged.   Even worse, does God forgive and forget?  Why should He?  Maybe He’ll throw salt on wounds of my own making?  Holds a grudge forever?  Sounds more like me than Jesus.

What is God like in the Old Testament?  What does Micah reveal?  Read it and find out for yourself.  Would it surprise you that God, here in the Old Testament, pardons His own like a kind judge who dismisses a legal case?  No longer guilty.  Free as a bird.  Then Micah says that the Lord passes over our transgressions because we’re His precious inheritance, not holding tightly onto fuming, angry grudges with too many bones to pick.

All this comes from His character’s commitment to love.  His compassion, toward all who receive Jesus into their hearts, confessing their sin’s neediness, causes God to trample all over our sins until they can’t be seen.  Covered and concealed.   He hurls sin as far away as possible until they splash and sink into far-flung depths of the deepest oceans.  Gone and good riddance.  Is that not great news?

Micah 7: 18-20 reminds us that this loving Old Testament God goes back in time to Abraham, Jacob, and the saints of old.  Going forward we find this same Lord in the pages of the New Testament.  He’s the One who loves you and me.  Jesus of Nazareth, our Lord, and Savior.  The God of the Old and the New Testaments of our Bible.

We’re no longer skating on thin ice but hitting the road with Jesus on solid ground!

Thank you, Father, for all the love you show me.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

DON’T TAMPER WITH IT 2 Corinthians 4

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New medicine bottles seem easier to open.  Used to be that I’d have to take a screwdriver and hammer to them.  We know why they were invented, but why such heavy sledding?  Someone hears our hue and cry as some newer ones are a smidgeon better.  Tamper-proof caps reduce a toxic outcome for unwelcome hands.

Take a gander at 2 Corinthians chapter 4.  St. Paul affirms that there’s nothing deceptive or deceitful in what he does– ‘…having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.  But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways.  We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word…’ (2 Cor. 4: 2).

Notice that last phrase.  It’s a warning–don’t monkey around with God’s Word.  Stop watering it down, finagling with, or cooking His book.  ‘We refuse to…tamper with God’s Word’ (2 Cor. 4: 2).

So, what does Paul mean?  Does this apply to today?  Does it ever.  Big time.  Here’s where the rubber meets the road in today’s churches.  As in treating God’s Word with reverent respect, diving in with both feet, culling all we can from His revealed and inspired wisdom, adjusting our thoughts and lives to His standards.  As opposed to the other way around.

You can see when churches begin to fail.  They play footloose and fancy-free with the Bible.  Questioning whether God really means what He says.  Condoning what God forbids.  Editing and deleting what they don’t agree with or happen to like.  Only focusing on what they want to hear.  Like that dialogue between the serpent and Eve in the Garden of Eden–“…’Did God actually say…?'” (Gen. 3:1).

So many churches and denominations nosedive into this same dry well while falling down like dominoes, all in a row.   Every new societal trend eventually gets its green light.  Sin loses its edge.  No big deal.  Live and let live.  ‘…Did God actually say…’?  Seemingly without a clue, they lose members every year, eventually blown away, weightless as chaff and dust in a storm of their own making.

Don’t tamper with God’s Word.

Wake up.  Let the Bible get your attention.  Give it a fair hearing.  Then do something about it.  Put it into practice.  That’s good medicine.  Its container is not hard to open.  Not at all.  Try.  Crack open its pages.  It might become your daily bread.

And remember–don’t tamper with God’s Word.

Thank you, Lord, for your trustworthy Word.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

THREE Micah 6

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What is God’s will?  Somewhat a conundrum and quandary?  Wish I had definitive answers.  Do you?  Actually, we should.  Check out Micah chapter 6 in the Old Testament.  As plain as the nose on my face.  And that’s ample enough!

I used to agonize over what the Lord’s will was for me.  To do this or that.  Go here or there.  Don’t do this.  Stay away from that.  Don’t even think about whatever.  You’ve done some of the same?  Maybe?  Maybe not?  Then sit back and hear me out.

God’s will can be as easy as pie and as difficult as high-level calculus and differential geometry (like I know what I’m talking about!!).  Micah 6: 8–‘He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.’

God’s will is not all twisted up in inscrutable codes, puzzles, riddles, and brainteasers.  He’s told us three things.  Three.  Not like the mile-thick IRS Code or all the rules and regulations required to build almost anything.  Forget it.  Three.  Need I repeat myself?  Okay–three!

Here they are–do justice, love kindness, and walk/live humbly with your God.  Understand?  Maybe? Maybe not?  Think about what God means.  Chew on that for a bit.

For me, doing justice is doing what’s right.  Not cheating others.  Lying is out.  Being fair even if I must swallow my pride and it costs me something.  Not only talking but doing.  What does doing justice mean to you?

To love kindness means being passionately loyal and faithful.  Loving and kind.  Simple?  Maybe?  Maybe not?  Like standing up for Jesus when the winds of culture roar gale-force against us.  Loving Him above all else.  Or at least with some honest effort in His direction.  He knows how fallible we are.  Comes as no surprise when we waver and fail.  Even still He loves us.  Got it?  I’m trying to.

Walking humbly means giving credit where credit is due.  To God.  Of course, thanking others but knowing from whose hands all blessings flow.  Not forgetting Him.  Not leaving Him out.  Not leaning on my arms more than His.  Stop fixating on yourself for a change.  That’s God’s will.  Plain and simple?

Wonder how we’re doing with what we know Jesus wants of us?  I’m fair to poor on good days.  Yet aiming to do better with His help, which is my prayer.  To do God’s will.  Being just, loving being kind, and living for others especially Jesus.  Giving it the old college try even at my age.  Join me?

Thank you, Jesus, for helping me to follow you better today.  Amen.

NOT JUST TOURISTS Micah 4

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When in Israel we loved being tourists.  We still reminisce about those ancient places that we’d only read about in our Bibles.  Had to pinch ourselves ’til almost black and blue.  Are we really where Jesus and the disciples lived, walked, and helped others?

Traipsing the streets of small villages like Bethsaida, some of the apostles’ hometown.  Ambling up, ever so carefully, the same steps used to enter the Herodian Temple in Jerusalem.  That little town of His birth.  Then back in Jerusalem to the site where Jesus was probably crucified.  Is all this real?  Are our eyes deceiving us?  Ah, the joys of being a Holy Land tourist.

But the Old Testament prophet Micah looks for more from us–“It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and it shall be lifted up above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it, and many nations shall come, and say: ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths” (Micah 4: 1-2).

What does Micah want?  Not just tourists.  Not only those who gawk at sights, sounds, and smells.  Who take umpteen pictures that are never looked at.  Who brag to any cornered Tom Dick and Harry about their exotic globetrotting.

No.  Not them.  Rather committed followers, who are all ears to God’s teaching and decide to do what He says.  Who grab hold of Jesus, never letting go.  Who don’t stumble around, flirting with sin but walk His straight and narrow as hard as that may be.  Must admit that I fumble around, not up to snuff, easily distracted, walking on eggshells with God, too often up to my eyeballs with fear, expecting that He’ll land heavily on me for the least offense, hoping beyond hope that He’ll look the other way at gobs of bigger ones.

Yet my intention is toward Him.  In His direction.  It’s not about me.  It’s focused on belonging to Jesus.  His child and loving being right where I am… in His heart.  Safe and secure.

Ready to be more than a Holy Land tourist?  Let’s go for it.  But don’t forget the Purell!

Lord Jesus, I’m yours because you’ve chosen me.  Thank you.  Amen.

LISTEN Matthew 17 and Luke 10

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A friend has a hard time listening to me, not that I’m ultra-boring.  Or am I?  No comments, please!  This friend seems preoccupied, thinking about what he’s going to say next rather than lending me an ear.  Repeating the same questions is a hint that what I’ve said goes in one ear and out the other.  That could never be said of me, could it?  What’d you say?  Sorry, I wasn’t listening!

In the Bible, the ability to listen is critical, a necessity in following God.  But do we listen to Him, focusing on what God has to say?  His views?  His ways and will?  And where can we find this?  Any ideas?!

Sometimes I seem careless, caring less than I should, using my profound (!) theological questions, doubts, and confusion as excuses to go my own way.  If I can’t figure it out, what’s the point?  Then, I’ll do what I want.

However, spending more time in my Bible allows for something else to emerge.  More seriousness with a settled quality to my faith sensing Jesus’ love.  I certainly don’t want to take Him for granted.  Rather, relish and delight in Jesus, getting busy doing what He wants.  That’s different for me.  Only me?

And I’m listening better.  At least a smidgeon more.  As God the Father says–‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him’ (Matt. 17:5).  Not a mere suggestion or sage advice, but His command.  ‘…Listen to him.’  Many competing and contradictory voices exist in this world.  Focus more and more on one.  On Jesus.  His voice can be found all through your Bible.

Listen up!  Grab your chair, pulling up a little closer to the Savior.  Or sit on the floor next to Him.  He loves cozy time with you.  As Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, does–“…Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching…’one thing is necessary.  Mary has chosen the good portion…'” (Luke 10:39,42).

Listen.  Hone in.  Key in and knuckle down.  All on Jesus!

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for sharing the good news with me.  Amen.

DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT! Micah 2

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Many years passed since I’d made contact with my old denomination’s hierarchy.  Nevertheless, I’m still classified as a ‘member in good standing’.  It catches me off guard when asked to preach by the pastor of one of their churches in a neighboring town.  So, I figure it’s time to reconnect.  Good idea?  Couldn’t hurt, could it?

A meeting is called.  The high mucky-muck gather.  I’m led to the slaughter.  The prosecution lays me out.  My defense appears fearful and weak.  Feels like I’ve been shoved through a meat grinder multiple times.  I return home wondering if they’d endorse me to preach once again.  Why not?  Where did I ever get that idea from?  Am I crazy?  No comments from the peanut gallery!

It takes about a week for their letter to arrive.  Permission granted?  Yeah, right!  They basically bloviate in no uncertain terms–Don’t preach ever again, anywhere, for anyone, for any reason.  Don’t even think about it!  Or words to that effect.

What?  Never again proclaiming God’s Word?  No longer teaching?  No giving an invitation to accept Christ for a brand-new life?  Not according to those blokes.  Sounds a bit like what’s going on in Micah 2: 6–‘Do not preach–thus they preach–one should not preach of such things; disgrace will not overtake us.’  Now I’m no Micah, not by a long stretch on even a good day, but something smells similar in this beeswax about nixing my preaching.

In Micah, these so-called godly folk presumes their place in God’s heart.  They feel secure–for God has made promises.  Regardless of how sinful and ungodly they live, God remains under obligation.  He’s given His word.  Gottcha!  Really?  Do you think so?  They did.  Good deal if you can get it.

The problem is that God’s promises hinge on our receptivity to Him.  Our relationship with and commitment to Him.  Imperfect as we may be, our aim is to please Him, not taking Him for granted as those bachagaloops did!

Overconfident and presumptuous.  As if they have Him in their grips and He can’t get loose.  Cornered.  Trapped.  Who?  God?  Think again.  Wrong.

So, what should I do with that single-leg takedown and full nelson wrestling holds given me by the likes of churchy Hulk Hogan and Mister T?  For years I meet weekly with a group of local pastors for Bible study and prayer.  I share that angry missive with them, pouring out my hurt feelings.

One of them, an older guy who has barely a year of Bible School, looks me straight in the eye and says this–‘Did God call you to preach?’  I respond that He did.  ‘Well then, why do you listen to that bunch, whoever they think they are.  If God calls you to preach, you preach!’  That got my attention.  From God’s heart through that pastor’s voice to my grateful ears.

I went home and penned a terse ‘I quit’ letter to that old denomination.  For me, that was the end.  Heard not one word back from them.  Nothing.  Silence.

Then I start to preach again… as asked and needed.  Help out in other churches.  Do a weekly testimony and evangelistic TV show for 5 years.  Then pastor a church for 14 years in that same community, where I now serve as their only emeritus pastor.  Pretty good, huh, for a guy warned not to preach.

That older pastor was right.  When God calls you to do something, do it!  Think of something?  For you to do?  For Jesus?  Nix to the naysayers.  Get with it!

Thank you, Jesus, for not giving up on us.  Amen.

DRIFTING SO FAR FROM SHORE John 10:1-18

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If you’ve already begun your daily Bible reading new year’s resolution, you’re off to a great start!  Missed a day or two?  Don’t fret.  Climb back up on the horse, so to speak!  Giddy up!

Here’s why I need to feed on His Word day by day–my faith is tepid, my trust near-starvation level unless I hang out with Jesus.  Regularly.  Frequently and consistently.  Meaning what I say.  Practicing what I…well, you know.

There’ve been times when seeking God’s guidance gets shoved to the back burner.  I’ll figure it out myself.   Who needs anyone else?  How foolish.  Decisions are rarely worth a hill of beans without Jesus’ input.

When I graduated from Princeton Seminary, I had the idea (me, I, and myself!) that I could be a missionary within my old denomination.  Not on some foreign field but closer to home, knowing that mainline folk (my old crowd) are not keen on needing to be saved, which really makes them out-of-line…with God.  They’re snooty-smug, figuring that God will let them into heaven without anything on their part.  Many aren’t sure there is a heaven.  So, why bother?

Thought I could lend a hand.  What a joke and not a good one at that.  Pretty quickly, as a young pastor, I become complacent and spiritually lazy, becoming quite genius (!) at taking shortcuts, turning my Bible reading and personal devotions with Jesus into sermon preparation time.  I must have a 2-for-1 coupon.  Hey, I’m snowed and swamped, up to my eyeballs in Churchianity!  Echoes of what my Grandfather Fischer used to say–‘smart like your father, you dope you!’

Here’s a song that catches me off-guard– ‘He Pilots My Ship’.  The words of the chorus are these–‘I won’t sail these stormy seas (any) more, lest Jesus leads the way.  I won’t ever drift so far from shore, I can’t hear what He has to say…’  I’m stopped in my tracks.  Knocked for a loop.  For there were times when I heard only a faint whisper from my Lord.  Barely audible.  Rarely noted or, even worse, heeded.

But now those words have become my prayer.  My commitment.  To stay close to His shoreline.  Hearing Jesus.  Listening for His voice.  Following what He says.  I’ve been lost, out of range, but now I’m staying close by, anchored but a stone’s throw from shore.  At least a bit more of the time.

John 10: 14,16–‘I am the good shepherd.  I know my own and my own know me…they will listen to my voice.  So there will be one flock, one shepherd.’  Who’s Jesus talking about?  This caring shepherd, who leads His own to the very best grazing lands.  Even gives up His own life for them.  You know.

And what characterizes Jesus’ own?  As in you and me?  We hear His voice.  Listen and respond.  Keen to follow Him.  Alert to what He says.  And that means time in your Bible.

This early in the new year, stay close by Jesus.  Don’t give up or get too lax.  After all, He’ll never leave you.  There’s really no good reason to wander off, too far from shore, out of range of His sweet voice.  Is there?

Lord, for being close by me, I thank you.  For Jesus’ sake.  Amen.