NO MATTER WHAT Philippians 1: 12-30

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Every generation confronts uncertainties and troubles.  We today haven’t cornered the market by a long stretch.  Can’t imagine the Great Plagues in Europe.  Or as a Jew in Nazi Germany.  Or as a Christian in North Korea.  In comparison, I’m getting off easy.

Times may be getting tougher as a believer in Jesus and the Bible.  That’s what a lot of preachers say today.  Maybe.  Maybe not.  This is where a little phrase used by the Apostle Paul means so much.  Hang onto it.  Roll it over in your mind.  Bring it to the fore at a moment’s notice.

What phrase?  The one found nestled at the beginning of Philippians 1:27–‘Whatever happens…’  No matter what.  Whatever life throws at you.  ‘Whatever happens…’  In other words, be prepared, be a good Boy and Girl Scout!

Life overflows with the unknown.  No guarantees.  None whatsoever.  Except that the Lord Jesus is in charge.  Nothing gets by Him.  He checks it out first and foremost, making sure we’ll be taken care of.  Either here or there.  Wherever and whatever.

But the Apostle Paul gives more than reassurance.  He urges us to live like Jesus wants us to–‘…conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ’ (Phil. 1:27).  This is the hard part.  I relish thoughts of heaven, of forgiveness, and life unending.  Who wouldn’t?  But Paul wants more from me.  To live for Jesus now… and mean it.

I knew there’s a catch.  Give me the sweet by-and-by any day, but live a godly life this very minute?  You mean my blasted impatience should stop in its tracks?  Losing it as a hothead on the phone with customer service people who barely speak English?  I’m a busy retiree.  I have a book to read.  Sun to bask in.  Get with it, people!  ‘Conduct yourself…’  Hmm.

It’s time to slow down and be kind.  Think about what Jesus would do (dust off that old WWJD bracelet, which doesn’t mean ‘What Would John Do’!), and live for Him.  Get it?

‘Whatever happens…’  ‘…conduct yourself…’  Don’t take your eyes off of Jesus.  Maybe a bit of heaven on earth will show up in your neighborhood.  And mine!

 

Lord, I need to be kind.  For Jesus’ sake.  Amen.

 

ME? A MISSIONARY? Luke 3: 1-20

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When studying at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, I was elected president of Missionary Union, the largest student mission organization at Bible schools in the nation.  Sounds pretty impressive!  And, in many ways, none having to do with me, it was.  There were numerous prayer groups, all focused on a particular country, region of the world or ethnic/religious identity.  Each focus group met daily for prayer and weekly to hear more about their area of concentration.  Our board met monthly, chaired by yours truly.

What’s ironic is that I never felt called to the mission field.  As a young believer, I wondered if God wanted me to do so.  Shaking like a leaf that He’d say ‘yes’, I’m scared witless that I’d have to live in a ramshackeled tent in some far-off wasteland.  Fear not, it’s to the pastorate I’m called!

When reading Luke 3, I’m amazed at what happens.  John the Baptist is preaching about the Kingdom of God and the need for repentance.  Getting right with God, first of all.  And people do…in droves and throngs.

But they wonder what’s next (v. 10).  Must be more.  Become a disciple of John the Baptist?  For some.  Off to the desert with the Essenes?  Maybe for a few.  To the mission field?  Good question.

To some in the crowd, John the Baptist spells out the need to be generous and to share.  With another, a tax-collector, John replies that he should only receive taxes of the proper amount.  No padding or taking bribes.  Be honest… for a change.  To soldiers, known for aggressive actions to a captive population, John observes that their lives must be free of coercion, graft and extortion.  And, by all means, be content with what you earn.

All should be missionaries?  Some may receive that call.  But, for everyone, then and now, you and me, do what you do with honesty, care and love for one’s neighbors.  Think about someone else’s needs.  Focus on who you are in what you do.  Put godly character into your calling.

And give.  Dig deep…for missions, near home and around the world.  Neighbors are boundless.  It’s a big world out there, all needing to know of Jesus’ love and forgiveness.  That’s a mission call for all of us!

 

Lord, may we be generous for Jesus’ sake.  Amen.

SOMETHING MISSING? 1 Kings 17

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Speed-reading the story of Elijah and Zarephath’s widow overlooks a key element.  Previously, God tells Elijah to hightale it out of the drought and famine-stricken Kerith Ravine and head northwest to coastal Phoenicia.  There a widow will give him food and drink to nourish his weary body.  He does.  And she does.  That’s it?

Hardly.  There’s much more going on here.  Life involves plenty we never see with our eyes.  As in angels caring for us.  God intervening when we imagine it’s luck, karma or our genius efforts.

Or what the Holy Spirit does for us, unperceived and hidden.  Can’t you sense Him at work?  I do.  Sometimes.  Often I’m as unaware as can be.  Blind as a bat.  It’s usually when I look back that I see more clearly where God’s footsteps have been.  When He scooped me up and carried me through.

In the story of Elijah and the Zarephath widow, there are a few strange verses.  At least, I think so.  1 Kings 17: 8-9–“Then the word of the Lord came to him:  ‘Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there.  I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food.'”  Here’s my question.  Where’s God’s command to this poor, starving widow?  Where?  Can’t find it.  Something missing?

As a matter of fact, she objects to Elijah’s request as there’s only enough food for her and her son.  Soon the grim reaper will show up to cart them away, dead as can be.  No mention of God’s command.  Nothing.  What gives?  Is something left out of the biblical account?

What we don’t see is how God works behind the scenes in our lives.  He uses unbelievers, strange circumstances, even prayers offered by people we’ve never met.  God is at work even when our vision is mostly impaired.

Trust Him.  Keep praying.  Remain on alert.  Watch and wait.  Be surprised… but not really.  Expect the unexpected.  Again, trust Him.

Here’s the icing on the cake (and I love icing!)– like that widow from Zarephath, we will be used by the Lord in ways we can’t even imagine.  Get ready.  Be flabbergasted and bowled-over when bolted out of the blue  being God’s helper in unforeseen circumstances.  To an Elijah needing food and drink.  To Jesus incognito.  Serving Him is more than meets the eye!

 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for surprising events that lead us to help others.  Amen.

 

More to follow

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Intrigued with this partial devotional.  Think about your own spiritual life.  Better than mine?  I hope so.  Be honest.  Time to get serious with Him.  More to follow at a later date from Psalm 52 and me!

NO ONE’S HOME? 1 Kings 18

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We fly Icelandair between Seattle, Washington and Manchester, England.  No-frills airline that rewards me with over a thousand bucks in my back pocket.  That gets my attention!  After a toxic encounter with the car rental people, off we go driving 100 miles to a 15th-century manor house in Droitwich, this side of Worchester.

Somehow, only with the Lord’s help, and I mean only, we arrive safe, sound and pooped-out.  The owner sails the seas off Spain and has a cleaning lady ready to meet us.  But where is she?  No one’s around.  This is the place, yet no one’s home.  Oy vay, already!

No place like home except when no one’s home!  Bags in hand, glazed-over eyes, and finally here she comes, Miss Twinkletoes, ambling along at a snail’s pace to open up ‘The Old Manor House’ for our 2 month stay.

Maybe Baal’s prophets feel something similar when they call out to him for a demonstration of his divine power when absolutely nothing happens (1 Kings 18: 16-39).  No lightning from the sky.  No cloudbursts.  No heavenly anything.  As if no one’s home.  Baal?  Have you bailed out on us?

What do they expect?  They’re crying out to diddly-squat and hot air.  Empty spaces, empty places.  Man-made void.  A big fat zero.  Comes as a surprise when they discover that no one’s home.  Shouldn’t have.  The Bible makes it crystal clear that there’s only one God.  There ain’t no mo’!

The Lord Yahweh is our all in all.  Love, mercy, forgiveness, kindness…on-and-on we go.  Don’t stop.  Thank Him for Himself.  Let your mind roam places of praise to your God.

He’s home to endless glory.  Always has been.  Always will be.  You can count on Him.  With Jesus in your life, what else do you need?

 

Lord, we press forward knowing you’re always with us.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

RAMBLING PRAYER Ephesians 6: 10-18

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My mind wanders during prayer.  Rambling here, meandering there.  Ambling, traipsing and moseying thither and yon!  All when I prefer to focus.  Why is that so hard?  Am I alone?

Hear the Apostle Paul–‘And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints’ (Ephesians 6:18).   All kinds of prayers and requests.  Keep on keeping on.

Someone says that when you pray and get off track, just follow the path.  See where those thoughts take you…and pray for whatever comes to mind.  Don’t fight it.  Go with the flow.  Follow His lead without second guessing.

You know something?  That thought is liberating.  I waste too much time wondering if I’m praying in the right way.  Agonizing over which wordy formula will break through heaven’s clouds.  Especially if I could only decipher His code to get what I want!  See what I mean about misspent energy?

Now here’s a clearer picture.  Pray for needs I know about.  But don’t shut down ancillary thoughts that seem out of right field.  Who knows?  St. Paul encourages us to pray using multiple kinds of prayers and requests.  Lay it all out before the Lord, knowing that His welcome mat is out (Hebrews 10: 19-25).  His porch light stays on.  Don’t walk on eggshells.  No need to.

Pray with abandon.  Keep it simple like Jesus’ prayer for His disciples (Matt. 6:9-13).  Short-and-sweet works fine.  Or on-and-on if that’s how you feel.  From your heart to God’s own.  Gets through without any busy signals or weak connections.  First in line, every time!

Anyway, both Jesus (Rom. 8:34) and the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8: 26-27) are interceding for us with the Father.  Imagine a better inner circle on your side?  I can’t.  OJ’s legal ‘Dream Team’ a bunch of unranked amateurs in comparison!

So, go for it.  Nothing to lose…much to gain.   Pray…!

 

Thank you, Lord, for always hearing our prayers.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

TWO LITTLE VERSES Ephesians 5:10 and Isaiah 44:19

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Only two little Bible verses today.  Both packed with big meaning.  When you read them, you’ll see what I mean.  First, there’s that phrase from Ephesians 5:10–‘…and find out what pleases the Lord’.  God’s people wanting to live as He wants us to.

This verse signals that a godly life is something we find out about, to seek after discovering what pleases God.  Here’s the rub.  To please Him.  Not just ourselves.  How much of my prayer life centers on me, I, myself and those people and issues orbiting around me?  Things I need and, more importantly, want!  I…I…I.  Me…me…me.

Alternately,  we’re to search out His will.  His ways.  Remembering that effort will be required.  Time slotted and allowed for.  To discover God’s ways for our lives.  Up for it?  Really?

I am.  At least some of the time, to be honest.  My prayer is for more willingness to get behind Him rather than hoping He’s behind me doing all the dirty work, sweating over the details I’d rather not even think about.  As I said, just being honest.

Then there’s that snippet from Isaiah 44:19–‘No one stops to think…’.  In context, the Lord bluntly proclaims that He alone is God.  No idols make any sense.  None.  Never have.  Never will.  Only Yahweh of Israel.  It’s so evidently true, yet most people, then and now, close their eyes and stop their ears to His truth.

Still God warns– ‘No one stops to think…’  But shouldn’t we be different?  Those of us who claim to be His own? Taking the time required?  Stopping in our tracks?  Up for that challenge?

I pray in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep.  It reduces my anxieties, getting my thoughts off myself.  Off worrying and fretting.  Helps thinking about others.  About Jesus.  What I know of Him.  Asking for more of His character, so that I might more closely resemble Him.  Wouldn’t that be nice… for a change.  So much more to be done inside me.  But it’s not over… yet.

Two little morsels from the Bible.  Both cry out for us to take the necessary time to find out what pleases God.  And then to stop and talk with Him about whatever He puts on our hearts and minds.  Whatever.

Two little verses.  Told you they were packed with big meaning.

 

Lord Jesus, we want to be more like you.  Amen.

WHAT TO DO ON RAINY DAYS! Acts 12: 1-19

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Do yourself a favor by first reading this portion of Acts 12.  So, what do you think?  What grabs me is what I’ll do on rainy days.  What?  Hear me out!

Here in the Pacific Northwest of the USA we get lots of rain, at least west of the Cascade mountains.  Clouds blow in off the Pacific Ocean, heavily weighted with H2O.  Since bloated clouds can’t easily ascend over the mountains, they dump their moisture over us all winter long.  I exaggerate.  But only a little!

We become indoor people.  Not jailed but it may feel that way.  Cabin fever sets in.  Light deficiency a possibility.  Webbed feet grow.  Wet clothes hardly a rarity.

Life itself gets that way at times.  We feel hemmed in.  Pinned down in some nasty business.  Family trouble surfaces putting the kibosh on just about everything.  Money worries skyrocket.  Hurt feelings harvest a bumper crop of noxious weeds.

Rainy days set in.  Dark and depressing.  What to do?  Well, I suppose you’ve found ways of coping.  As in fighting back or fleeing the scene.  Usually, one or the other.  Actually, there’s another possibility–burying your head in the sand!  Not sure any of these coping mechanisms have much going for them.  I tend to fight back only to feel guilty for being a bully and a bother.  And you?

Back to Acts 12.  The Apostle Peter is in prison.  James, the brother of John, has met his end at the tip of a sword.  Peter figures he’s next.  Ominous clouds fill the sky.  Rainy days loom large.  A funnel cloud appears, shooting debris everywhere, destroying much in its path.

On this rainy day, the early church knows what to do.  Doubt anyone has to tell them.  They get right on their knees.  Turn to their Lord.  Pour out their hearts, trying as best they can to cast their burdens on Him.  Not easy… but to prayer they go.  As we must.

Even if our faith is teensy-weensy, rivalling the size of an itsy-bitsy mustard seed.  Not to worry.  God sees it.  Honors it.  Loves us.  Cares about our troubles and tiny faith.

Let Him have His way.  Move aside, so to speak.  Tell Him everything.  Hold back nothing.  Lean on your Lord.  Look up to Him.  Pray.  And see what Jesus makes of a rainy day!

 

Thank you, Jesus, for being so close to us.  Amen.

SHALOM’S CITY Psalm 122

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In Hebrew language ‘Jerusalem’ translates as ‘city of peace’.  Iru…shalom=City of Peace.  Too bad it’s almost never been such in its long history.  But some day.  When newness hits the horizon and breaks the eastern sky, bearing the coming Messiah to rule and reign in glory!  Probably not today.  Possibly not tomorrow.  But the day after!

King David sings in Psalm 122: 6–‘Pray for the peace of Jerusalem’.  Peace for the city of peace.  God wants nothing better than for peace to prevail in His holy city, and especially for His people.  For you and me.

Psalm 122 is one of those psalms sung by pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem for one of three annual sacred festivals.  It’s called a ‘Song of Ascent’.  From whatever direction you approach Jerusalem, it’s always an ascent, a going up to the holy city and the Holy One.

How could we ever forget our first view of Jerusalem.  Sue and I have been touring with our group for over a week.  Amazing sights.  Awesome biblical insights.  Only downside remains battling a hot, dusty sandstorm all week long.  Nasty with nary a sign of letting up.  Until we arrive at the Ambassador Hotel in Jerusalem.  Putting the luggage into our room, which has large picture windows, there it is.  Right in front of our eyes.  Jerusalem!  At night.  All lit up.  And finally not a bit of sand in the air!  Crystal clear.

Breathtaking an understatement.  Had to pinch ourselves.  Are we really here?  Are we seeing what our eyes behold?  A dream come true?  Yes, to all the above.

Except little peace was found almost anywhere.  Israeli soldiers, everywhere.  Palestinians we befriended, entrenched in past grievances.  Not willing to budge an inch.  Religions proliferate with pilgrims scurrying from one shrine to the next.  Peace…barely evident.

Peace is what God gives to His own.  From Jesus, the Prince of Peace.  Exactly what we need.  No matter how rotten life becomes, He still offers peace like a river (Is. 48:18), that steadies fragile nerves (Is. 26:3-4), which solitude and calm become His will for us (Is. 26:12).

Jesus also promises this–‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you…not… as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid’ (John 14:27).  Promises given.  Promises fulfilled…just around the corner!

 

Thank you, Lord, for peace beyond measure.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

TOO YOUNG Psalm 115

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At the ripe old age of 28, I become senior pastor of the West Side Presbyterian Church in Englewood, New Jersey.  Pretty good, huh?  However, the church had fallen on hard times.  Not because they call me as their pastor!  For lots of other reasons.  Some not so good.

Years before racism rears its ugly head, barring neighbors from membership for being of a different color.  Mistreated neighbors have long memories.  Adding insult to injury, the Gospel of salvation, with new birth in Jesus alone, rarely is preached.  Adds up to lots of trouble, inherited by their latest pastor, me!

On a wall of the secretary’s office are photos of all the pastors dating back to the church’s founding in the 1890’s.  Mine is the latest hanging, so to speak!  Always call those clergy photos the ‘Rogues Gallery’!  Most are very severe looking.  Spooky and scary.

My photo actually wins a prize!  Truly.  I’m filmed wearing my black Geneva pulpit gown, given to me by the youth group of the church I serve while studying at Princeton Seminary.  In full bloom blossoms my burgundy-red facial beard!  Eye glasses in one hand, with the other one positioned over my Bible.

Looks pretty good, if I must say so myself.  Actually, the photographer wins a prize not for subject matter but for composition.  The posed elements win.  That figures.  My luck.  Phooey.  Not about me at all.  Not in the least.  I’m merely a staged mannequin!

Now listen to Psalm 115–‘Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory…’ (v.1).  Twice the psalmist reminds us who deserves the glory and the credit.  Not me…or you.  Sorry, Charlie!  But who better to get all the praise than our Lord?  Who?

I was too young to be a senior minister.  Too inexperienced and self-centered.  ‘Not to us, O Lord…’ echoes faintly in my life back then.  But today’s a different time for me.  Much different.  Now I know who deserves all the praise and thanks.  No competition.  No arguments from me.  None whatsoever.  Why?

To be honest, it’s taken awhile to get where I am spiritually, still barely at the starting gate.  I’ve been through some wringers in the interim.  Crashing into some nasty potholes in life’s highway.  Rocks tossed at me and some I’ve thrown back.

Can honestly say that the Lord never gave up on me (and He won’t for you, either).  Rather that He allowed me to wallow in my own sinful messes, to be thumped down by other’s jealousy and meanness, always with His eyes watching over me.  Never letting go.  Never giving up.  Never.

Still those tough times were just that, tough times.  But the Lord wastes none of them.  All to teach me Psalm 115:1–‘Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness’.  I get it now.  Mainly on good days.  Still need to keep reminding myself–‘not to us, O Lord, not to us but to you…’  Let me repeat that.

 

Lord Jesus, we glorify you in every way, every day.  Amen.