THANK YOU, DEAR FRIENDS! …Luke 10: 25-27

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A friend from our church family sends birthday greetings with this verse:  ‘Happy Birthday to you, to your Savior be true, everyday read your Bible, Happy Birthday to you!’  Obediently, I’m reading my Bible at Luke chapter 10.  A high-and-mighty religious leader comes to Jesus to test Him, put Him off-balance with this loaded question–  ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’

Without hesitation, Jesus tells him to love the Lord with all you are and have, and your neighbor as yourself.  Jesus’ answer comes from the Old Testament.  Nothing new…but rarely acted upon.  I like what our good friends, Jack and Maggie Littler,  from Australia, wrote to us–‘what this sorry world needs is lots of  L…O…V…E!’  Agreed!  More importantly, Jesus would say ‘amen’!

Luke chapter 10.  ‘What must I do?…’  Jesus puts His finger on the pulse.  First, love the Lord.  Without this starting point, everything else goes awry.  Loving God means telling Him that…and meaning it by obeying Him.  Following Him.  Letting Him take the lead.

But there’s more.  The part about loving neighbors.  Pretty obvious, isn’t it?  But, we’ve had neighbors who made our lives miserable.  To love them involved staying away, avoiding confrontation as best we could, wishing them well, praying for them.  More than that would have been reckless and foolhardy.  Love doesn’t have to be over-the-top.

Then Jesus mentions loving self.  Here’s one we’re good at, without even trying!  Focusing inward.  Navel-gazing.  The unholy trinity of ‘me, I, and myself’.  Not what Jesus means.

First things first!  Love the Lord.  Our goal in life is to glorify Him.  To cherish Him above all.  Not to the exclusion of neighbor and self.  But He’s primary.  Not for His ‘goodies’, but for Him.  When we love Him, we can’t help but care about those around us.  Neighbors–near and far.  Loving ourselves?  When the first and second are properly aligned, this one will not be too far out-of-whack.  Always have to work at it, like jugglers and plate-spinners in the circus, not wanting any to fall and break.

Thanks, church friend, for the good reminder: ‘every day read your Bible’.  And Jack and Maggie, that love is so needed by us and the whole world.  I’m thankful for good friends and the Great Friend of all who trust in Him, the Love of our lives…forever!

Prayer:  Thank you, Lord, for all the love you have for us.  We love you and want to share you with those near us.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

HEARTFELT WORDS…Hosea 14

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One of the most beautiful chapters in the Bible is Hosea 14.  Hosea may be included in the ‘Minor Prophet’s, but nothing minor about his message to us.  Not at all.  He begins this chapter by calling God’s wayward people back to Him saying, ‘Return O Israel, to the Lord your God’.  He then urges them to confession, repentance and sorrow for their sin.

‘Take words with you…’   Heartfelt words.  Mean what you say and say what you mean.  When I look at my own life, there is much to shake my head at.  I too must come to the Lord in honesty, openness, humility and confession.  Am I the only one?

Asking forgiveness.  Depending on His grace and mercy.  Offering Him the ‘fruit of our lips'(v.2).  Fruit of prayer and praise.  Reading verses 4-7 you’ll see the long list of blessings coming from our Lord.  Amazing ones!  Like healing our sinful ways.  Turning us, more and more, His way.  Loving us with a flood of divine affection that never dries up.  As dew on the ground in a parched land causing flowers to grow and bloom.  Our roots getting deeper and deeper into our God like those of the cedars of Lebanon.

The Lord says in verse 8 that ‘I am like a green pine tree…’  Two of my aunts had a primitive cabin on a small lake in the backwoods of rural New Jersey.  Pine trees were everywhere.  Though I never liked that place, I’ll never forget the aroma of fresh pine in the air.  Certainly not the cabin or the lake or the abysmally long drive to get there, but what’s memorable is the air, crisp and fresh, clean and pleasant.  The scent of pine was in the air!

The point being?  All our blessings come from the Lord.  All of them.  Each and every one.  Admit it.  It’s true.  ‘…your fruitfulness comes from me'(v.8).  Today, we offer to God heartfelt words of praise and thanksgiving.  And especially for His Son Jesus, who makes our life worth living!  Amen?

Prayer:  Lord, from our lips to your ears, may you enjoy our love and thanks today.  And everyday.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

SOMETIMES THIS, SOMETIMES THAT…Joshua 5: 10-12

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For 40 years in the desert, God has provided for His people.  Many of us have had careers that long.  I have.  Pastor…financial planner…pastor again…writer.  God has provided abundantly for me, even though I have messed up more times than I like to think about or admit.  As I said,  He has been faithful to me.

Shortly after leaving Egypt, God’s people suffer a memory lapse.  They were slaves in Egypt.  Hard-work under harsh conditions in a climate that saps every bit of energy and hope.  Now free,  yet they grumble and complain, whine and kvetch.  Numbers 11: 4-6 tells all.  Not a pretty sound from those whom the Lord has liberated, led and fed.  He gives them ‘manna’ every day.  A double portion Friday morning, so they don’t have to work on the Sabbath.  Only rest and worship for that special day.

In Hebrew language, ‘manna’ means ‘what is it?’  Could tell they were not thankful from the tone in their voices!  Now, it’s forty years later.  Moses has died.  Joshua is God’s man for Israel.  They celebrate a magnificent Passover, reminding them of God’s deliverance from Egypt.  The very next day they begin to eat the produce of the Promised Land(Joshua 5).  ‘Manna’ ends within a day or two.  No more ‘what is it?’ for them!  Fruit and vegetables like they had in Egypt, but now as liberated people.  Free to worship the One true God!

‘Manna’ for 40 years.  Now the produce of the land, that they had worked for.  Clearing and preparing the fields, planting seed, caring for new growth, patiently waiting for the harvest.  Sometimes this…sometimes that.

Sometimes God needs to carry us as we are weak, broken and fragile.  Like a precious piece of Chinaware.   He leads us carefully, by the hand, cradling us in His arms, gently and lovingly.  Our burdens…on His shoulders.

Sometimes, though, He says to go out, work hard, ‘cultivate your fields’.  Struggle through it, deal with it, hang in there, grow up and harvest His provision through your hands and your hard work.

‘Manna’ from Him…one day.  ‘Produce of Canaan’…the next.  Sometimes this…sometimes that.  Praise the Lord… for His care and provision!  And strength to work!  All from His hands!

Prayer:  Oh Lord, we are your grateful people.  Whether you carry us or strengthen us to do our work, we know that all comes from you.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

LIVING WATER!…John 4: 1-26

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Living in the Pacific Northwest of the USA, we usually experience much more than ‘the scent of water’ that Job mentions in Job 14:9.  Usually a gentle mist, but can be downpours accompanied by thunder and lightning(hardly enough of both for my taste!).   Rain–for a good part of the year(until mid-May when ‘good’ is no longer the operative word!).  Lots of water.  Rivers and lakes, full.  Towering mountains covered with snow like icing on a cake.  Not anything like the climate of either Job or Jesus.  Parched and hot for much of the year.   That ‘scent of water’ was always welcome in their land.

My wife and I travelled to Jordan to visit one of the amazing cities of the ancient world–Petra.  The picture always displayed of Petra is but one of its buildings, the ‘Treasury’.  Trust me–that’s but the tip of the iceberg.  No ice in Petra the day we visited.  Temperatures reached 120 degrees.  Oy vey, that’s broiling!  We brought lots of bottled water with us.  Seemed like we were carrying way too much.  Wrong!

We walked what seemed like a couple miles from where the tour bus let us off.  How in the world, or in Petra, could they ever build such structures using the primitive tools they must have had?  Today, the ‘smarties’ can’t figure out how.  But build they did!  We walked and climbed, drank every drop of water we had.  Not even a ‘scent of water’ left.  After we ditched our slow-poke, lazy tour guide, we had over five hours to tour Petra.  A pleasure… until thirst grabbed our necks and throats.  Felt like we were made of recycled cardboard.  Drank everything.  Never quenched.

Finally,  hiked back to the hotel where we had lunch.  Did we drink every drop of ice water that was placed in front of our dehydrated mouths?  Seemed like we downed gallons.  Later we ordered ice water from room service and they brought us a tub filled to the brim.  Consumed every last drop!

Will I ever get to John chapter 4?  Glad you asked!  This woman at the well is offered ‘living water'(4:10) by Jesus.  ‘Living water’ never runs out.  His well never dries up.  You’ll never thirst again(4:13).  Of course, Jesus is not referring to our bone-dry mouths, but to our relationship with Him.  ‘Drinking’ of Him, drawing nearby reading our Bibles,  praying and obeying Him, will help keep thirst at bay.  Our thirst for forgiveness, healthy relationships and salvation will all be quenched by Jesus.  He gives us more and more…of Himself.  Not only that scent of water.  Thirsty today?  Jesus offers ‘Living Water’!  Stay close to the source… to Him!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for ‘living water’.  For Jesus in all His abundance.  Amen.

 

THIS LITTLE LIGHT WILL DO!…Job 14: 7-9

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We were at the Mount of Olives.  Should have been black-and-blue all over from pinching ourselves with what we were seeing in the Holy Land.  Were we in a dream?  Is all this real?  We’re strolling through the Garden of Gethsemene at the foot of the Mount of Olives.  Looking at old olive trees.  Some may have been from the time of Jesus!  See what I mean about pinching ourselves?  In the Garden, gazing across the Kidron Valley, to the city of Jerusalem, with the Temple Mount less than half a mile away.  My wife and I could only shake our heads in wonder!

The olive trees were gnarled, twisted, chopped-off, rather dead looking.  Not a pretty sight.  A tree only its mother could love!  We wondered–are they dead?  They appear to be less than alive!  Upon closer examination, you could see, from the side of the trunk, new shoots displaying life.  New growth…as they had for hundreds and hundreds of years.

Job, is certainly feeling rather down-and-out, like a withered old olive tree.  With but a drop of water, all that would change.  Listen–‘At least there is hope for a tree:  if it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail.  Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant'(Job 14: 7-9).  I love that phrase–‘…at the scent of water…’  A hint of mist, and things begin to happen.  A slight increase in humidity and new life begins to stir.

For us, too.  A whiff of added prayer.  A dash of encouragement.  A dollop more giving.  A smidgen extra Bible reading.  A pinch more witnessing.  Gradually, little by little, shoots spring forth, leaves appear, fruit produced.   Healthy growth for the Lord.

You don’t have much to offer Him?  Neither do I.  As a little boy, I used to play a vinyl record of the song ‘This Little Light of Mine’.  I’d play it over-and-over again.  Don’t have to be a big, blazing light.  Only a little one.  Key is to let it shine.  Don’t hide it.  Shine for Jesus.  Will He bless your little light that shines for Him?  Try it…you’ll see!

Prayer:  Lord, let us shine for you.  No matter how big or small our lamps, let us shine them so others can see you.   Jesus, the Light of the World!  Amen.

WEREN’T THEY FOOLED!… Acts 4: 1-13

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Weren’t they fooled?  Who?  The big-shot religious ‘pooh-bahs’ who knew that they had gotten rid of Jesus and His motely crew.  Now, Peter and John are up-to-their-necks in king-sized trouble.  Ever felt that way?   I have…a few times!   If I think about it long enough, I can conjure up all those old feelings of stomach-churning fear.  Peter and John?  Sure, the headwinds were blowing against them.   Their lives were on the line.  The religious ‘high muckety-mucks’ wanted no more talk of Jesus and His resurrection.  ‘All a bunch of baloney, anyway.  Jesus the Messiah?  Leaving Rome still the occupying power?  Crucified, dead and buried.  That’s the end. Over and out!’   Right?  Wrong!

What should Peter and John do?  After all, they knew that Jesus is alive!  He has risen from the dead.  So, if anyone rejects Jesus, they are doomed by their own choice.  So, speak up!  Say something!  Too much is at stake.  Like eternal life or you-know-what.  Who cares what someone else thinks about you.  Who cares?

There may be a sign outside our local hospital that says ‘Quiet Zone’, but if my child is running across the street and a log truck is barreling down on him, forget the ‘Quiet Zone’.  I’ll shout to the highest heavens, loud enough to wake the dead, to save my precious child’s life.  Who wouldn’t?

That’s what the apostles did.  Spoke up.  They said, ‘Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved'(Acts 4: 12).  This was not a popular message in their day.  Nor ours.  But speak up they must–‘When they saw the courage of Peter and John…'(4:13).  How can we keep quiet when the house is on fire and people are inside, unaware?  But who would listen to Jesus’ followers anyway?   ‘… they were unschooled, ordinary men…'(4:13).  Jesus had a tax-collector(much loved in His day…NOT!),  a former terrorist, fishermen, and some we know nothing about.  Ordinary blokes all.

But people listened to them. Why?   What made these men special?  Not their credentials or how much money they had or for any other earthly reason.  What people noticed was this–‘…that these men had been with Jesus'(4:13).  That’s all.

Do you know Jesus?  Spend time with Him.  Then stand up and share Him with someone else.  People are hell-bent.  A log truck barrels out of control.  Their house is on fire.  But God has a safe escape, planned for them.  Tell them…about Jesus.  Decide to do that.  Join me?

Prayer:  Lord, make me bold.  Not offensive or arrogant but urgent, telling others about the only way to heaven.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

BEING WITH HIM…Acts 4: 12-13 and Deuteronomy 28: 14

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Being with Him.  Sitting at His feet.  Listening.  Simple acts of humility.  What could be better?  Any effect?  Would people notice?  They did.  That’s what it says in the book of Acts, chapter 4.  What others observed was how expensive their cars were?   The size of their diamond rings?  How much money they had in corporate bonds?  No.  None of that.  What did they detect?

These ordinary folk became bold after being with Jesus, after His death and resurrection.  So can you and I.   We now know that death is not the final word.  Can kill the body, but not the soul.  Jesus has risen.  Alive!  He came to His disciples with His hands wide open.  The Apostle Peter, who has denied Jesus three times, now is courageous and brave.  Peter speaks up.  Noticeably different from the cowering, weak-kneed denier that he was at Jesus’ trials only weeks before.

When we believe in Jesus, welcome Him into our lives, He gives us His Holy Spirit, who begins change from within.  All this from being with Jesus.  ‘…they took note that these men had been with Jesus'(Acts 4:13).

Spend time with Him in His Word, the Bible.  Not like you have to.  Not to make ‘brownie points’.  No.  Then why?  Because you WANT to spend time with Him.

For over 25 years I’ve read the Bible through, from Genesis to Revelation, each year.  Not for sermon material or bragging rights, but to spend time with my Lord, listening to Him.  I’ve been a Christian now for over 50 years, having accepted Him into my life as a teen.  I’ve read the Bible through more than 22 times.

But that means for many years I didn’t.  Hit-or-miss readings, at best.  Here-and-there.  A few Psalms that were really short.  Avoiding tough books like Revelation, those long-winded prophets or the endless lists in Chronicles.  Then a friend challenged me to read the Bible every day, from cover to cover.  So, I started.  A few chapters every day.  By year’s end, I had read it completely.

But why stop?  Another year…and another full reading of the Bible!  Now, each day I look forward to spending time with Him.  It’s been such a blessing.  Sitting at the Lord’s feet.  Can you imagine?  May I be your friend, challenging you to read ALL the Bible in the next year?  God has so much to share with us.  ‘…ordinary men…they took note that these men had been with Jesus'(Acts 4:13).

Prayer:  How good, our God,  to be with you.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

ANYONE NEED A GOOD LAWYER? …Job 16

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Lots of jokes about ‘good’ lawyers.  And pastors, too!  But not today.  Not in Job 16.  Have you read the chapter yet?  Don’t miss it!  Poor Job is having the worst time in his life.  Even his friends turn out to be ‘miserable comforters’!  ‘Will your long-winded speeches never end?  What ails you…'(Job 16: 2-3).  With all that’s happening to him, all the losses, the pain he suffers, the inevitable unanswered questions, yet at the end of chapter 16 he affirms his hope that he has an advocate(vs. 19-21).  What’s that?  Someone who intercedes for us.  Who helps us when we can barely help ourselves.  Like a good lawyer.  In this case, one who pleads with God on our behalf.

For believers, we know who that is– Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord!  As the Apostle Paul says, ‘Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us'(Romans 8:34).  Jesus… our advocate, our good lawyer.  Who speaks on our behalf with the Father.  He’s on our side.  Understands our plight in life.  Knows what to say when we can barely form the words in our mouths.  He says them for us.  He loves to help us.

There’s another precious word in this chapter of Job.  The very last word of verse 21(NIV):  ‘friend’.  What a wonderful word.  God is our friend.  Someone who sticks by us, even when every reason has been given to leave us in the lurch, telling us to ‘take a hike.’  He won’t do that.  Not ever.  When we turn our backs on Him, He doesn’t.  When the Lord seems far off, maybe it’s not God who’s walked away.  Shouldn’t we turn around and see that He’s right there next to us?  Those ‘footprints in the sand’.  His carrying us like a shepherd with a lamb on his shoulders.  Like a mother cradling a child in her arms.

Think about all that Jesus did for us–facing rejection, suffering on the cross, dying for those who could care less.  Jesus endured horrific loss.  Job did also.  But Jesus would do it all over again if need be.  He loves us that much.  He’s our friend.  A friend like no other.  As He said in John 15: 15–‘…I have called you friends…’

Thank you, Friend, thank you…

Prayer:  Dear Lord, for standing with us in life, we are so grateful.  We’re never alone, no matter what.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

WHOSE FRIEND?…John 15: 9-17

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‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus’–and what a great hymn!  I love to whistle it much to my poor wife’s consternation!  Have you read this section of John 15?   You hear Jesus’ words about friendship–‘You are my friends…’ and ‘…I have called you friends…'(vs. 14-15).  Can you imagine being God’s friend?  A personal friend to Jesus, the Risen Lord?   Let that sink in a bit.  Mull it over.

As I was reflecting on these verses, thinking about Jesus being my friend, another thought came to mind.  Jesus said, ‘you are my friends’.   Of course, He is our friend, the very best of all.  But this is what I was thinking–am I Jesus’ good friend?  Oh, I go for the idea that He loves me, that He’s my friend.  But what about how much I love Him?  Or what kind of friend am I… to Him?  How can we be His friend?  What pleases Him?  Frankly, I like it the other way around!  On the receiving end of all those goodies from God!  Sure, who wouldn’t?

But that kind of friendship is way too one-sided.  We all know what it feels like to be with ‘friends’ who can only talk about themselves.  Their ailments.  Their troubles.  All about them.  Showing little interest in you.  They’re ready and eager to jump into every conversation with one-upmanship.  Take a breath, and they leap right in with both feet to tell you their much better or worse story!  You know what I mean…and who!

Are we that way with God?  Always asking and bargaining and begging in prayer?  Talking about ourselves and our problems?  Not sharing Jesus with others?  Not speaking up about an issue when we know how God feels about it?  Rarely thanking or praising Him?

How about sitting quietly, with our Bibles open on our laps, listening to Him speak with us for a change.  That’s what a real friend would do.  Listening…being with our best Friend.   Are you a good friend to Jesus?  I ask myself the same.  I want to be.  Join me?  Friends of Jesus!

Prayer:  Lord, help me to focus more and more on you.  More praise in my prayers today.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

SOME REALLY TASTY LEMONADE! … Acts 8

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Why do tough times come our way?  When will they end?  What’s next, Lord?  Reading Acts chapter 8, we discover that a ferocious persecution has broken out in Jerusalem, making it impossible for most believers to stay safely within the walls of the ‘holy city’.  So dangerous that the Bible says they ‘scattered’–fled for their lives.  They must have moaned and groaned, whined and complained.  Not quite!  ‘Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went'(Acts 8:4).

Wherever the dangerous rip-tide of persecution took them, the Word of Jesus went alongside.  Boldly they shared the Good News of Jesus.  I’m sure they didn’t like being persecuted.  None of us likes going through turbulent times.  But what they had, and what we have, is the assurance of God’s presence.  He is ‘Immanuel’, meaning ‘God with us’.

I remember a time when I was devastated by a committee of my old denomination.  Basically, they were telling me to ‘get out of Jerusalem’.   And while you’re hightailing it out the door, no more preaching…anywhere, ever again.  Get it, buddy?  This put me flat on my face.  What do I do, Lord?

Attending our weekly pastor’s Bible study, I unloaded my bundle of hurt on them.  One of the older members was a pastor of a very small church.  Possibly he had attended Bible school for a year.  Maybe not.  A second career man.  Had been a car mechanic beforehand.  Me?  Graduated second in my class from the Moody Bible Institute(yes, there were more than two students in my class!).  Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary.  Three cheers for me!  When I told the group what had happened, this older pastor turned to me and asked, ‘did God call you to preach?’  Unequivocally, I said,  ‘yes, He did’.  He barked at me, ‘Then why do you listen to those people.  If God called you to preach, you preach!’  His pointed words were from God’s mouth, through this man’s lips, to my ears.  His words changed my life.

I went home and resigned from that old denomination.  I started to preach again when asked.  For five years I hosted a Christian television program in our area.  The icing on the cake?  Fourteen years pastor of a lovely church in that same town, the longest serving pastor in their 100+ year history.  Now,  I’m their Pastor Emeritus!  Can you imagine?  I couldn’t.  What God could do with my deadend situation!  Did I love going through it all, and couldn’t wait for the next calamity?!  Of course not!  But I do love the One who turned those lemons into the best lemonade I’d ever tasted.

Are you going through terrible times?  He’s still ‘Immanuel’.  God with YOU!  The outcome?  Hard to say.  Leave that to Him.  Jesus knows best.  He has wonderful surprises ahead for you!  Trust me.  No.  Trust Him!

Prayer:  Thank you, Lord, for being with us.  We depend upon you.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.