May 5, 2009

I Kings 19 spoke to me this morning.

On the heels of Elijah's incredible victory over the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel, he was fell victim to discouragement.

"Elijah was afriad and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he may die.'I have had enough, Lord,' he said. 'Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.," Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.

Thank God for answered prayers, but also for the ones He doesn't answer! He didn't kill Elijah. He did, however, touch Elijah at his point of need.

Let me make several applications from the first few verses of I Kings 19 that I find helpful:

1) Like Elijah, I often find that I am most vulnerable after a big spiritual victory. It usually takes a significant investment of spiritual, emotional and physical energy to get a big win like Elijah did. After you get it several taxing things can happen; you begin to feel the pressure from the next big thing plus you usually make some enemies who will oppose you, and invariably there is an emotional let down.

2) Notice the way God responded to Elijah's discouragement. Some would say that discouragement is a sin. The last thing you need when you are battling discouragement is a layer of guilt piled on top of that. But God did not condemn Elijah, He ministered to his physical needs. The lesson is this, when you don't take care of yourself physically you make yourself more vulnerable to discouragement and to attacks from the enemy. Eat right. Get rest. Stay physically fit. Ministry is a marathon not a sprint.

3) Elijah gave in to fear. Again, when you are physically and mentally exhausted you lose your perspective and fear can overtake you. Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled." In otherwords, fear is a decision. In every situation you can choose to have faith or give into fear. When you get more focused on those who oppose you than on those who stand with you will fall victim to fear.

So, if you are battling discouragement today, take some wisdom from Elijah:

- guard your physical condition. Eat right. Rest well. Stay fit.

- guard your perspective, if God is for you, who can be against you?

- guard against a letdown, plan something fun or relaxing following a big event.

Getting discouraged is not a sin. Staying discouraged is! Learn from Elijah!

May 4, 2009

I am reading in I Kings 18-20 and Luke 23.

These are two very different portions of Scripture seperated by centuries, but there are several striking similarities.

First, in both cultures, truth and righteousness were being redefined. In one instance truth was being redefined by an idolotrous religion and in the other case it was being formulated by institutional religion.

Second, in both periods the people in power were the ones who were reshaping the notions of what was true and right. So, to oppose their notions of truth was to go against the full force of political and military power.

Third, during both eras there were people of conviction who held to God's truth and righteousness but who didn't want to confront the powers that be. So, in their desire for a quiet and peaceful life, they unwittingly contributed to the problem. And it the absence of a courageous and articulate leader around whom they could rally, they lacked the conviction of a compelling vision around which to rally.

Fortunely, in both instances a leader arose to champion the cause of truth and righteousness. The first was a Prophet of God's truth and righteousness named Elijah. And in Luke, it was Jesus Who WAS truth and righteousness.

Both men showed up for a showdown. And not a moment too soon!

Elijah took on 850 false prophets - 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah. How would you like 850-1 odds? Those were the odds that Elijah requested - trying to make it fair because the "1" in the 850-1 odds was not Elijah it was God! He put out the call for those false prohets to meet him on Mt. Carmel. The challenge was, "Let's see who the REAL God is in Israel. If it turns out to be Baal, then we will worship Him. BUT if God wins, we will worship Him.

It was time to "put up or shut up" and all the nation was invited.God showed up, He put up and the false prophets were shut up!

Centuries later, on another mountain, Jesus waged the definitive battle for truth and righteousness. He, Who was righteousness, became sin for those who had no righteousness.

So, now we are confronted by a culture that is obsessed with redefining truth and righteousness. Truth is being turned on its head. What has traditionally been defined as right is now being ridiculed. Alternative notions of truth and rightness are being promoted by movies, media, and music as the new "liberated" way to think. Moral confusion reigns. Political correctness is the new rightness.

Who is going to battle for truth? Who is going to stand for righteousness? Where is the next Elijah? Who will represent for Jesus?

Will you stand for truth today? Will you commit to doing the right thing - every time? Leaders emerge one deed at a time, decision by decision.

May 3, 2009

This morning I am finishing Luke 22. I was moved by the agony of Jesus in Gethsemene. As I was doing some research on what would cause someone to actually sweat blood, I came across the following article. I was blessed by it and I couldn't improve on it - so I share it.

"Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." Luke 22:39-44

I like that it’s only the doctor, Luke, who records this unique detail: the sweating of blood. I’m not exactly sure what Luke would have called it in the first century or if there was even an awareness of the condition at that time, but today we call this hematidrosis. Due to severe emotional/physical stress the capillaries just beneath the surface of the skin burst, mingling blood in with the sweat glands.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been really struck by this moment in the story of Christ. I’ve been trying to fathom exactly how “stressed out” he must have been.

So what stressed him out so much?

We’d probably assume very quickly that the upcoming brutalities of the cross would cause this strain; that beatings, whippings, mocking, mutilation, humiliation, the nails driven in his hands, and the exposure of his bloodied body to the elements would cause this stress-induced hematidrosis.

But, if that’s all would Jesus really be that stressed out? In the Roman Empire, thousands if not hundreds of thousands of people suffered a crucifixion nearly identical to Christ’s yet how many of them were so stressed they perspired blood? We don’t really know – but do you think it was the cross alone that wearied Christ? Or was it perhaps something worse than the cross that actually stressed Christ so much that he would sweat blood?

I want to suggest that the cross was mere child’s play; to suffer at the hands of men is nothing compared to bearing the wrath of God. Can you even imagine that? There is no human torment that can even begin to resemble the wrath of God. There is no form of torture, no sensation of pain, there is no emotional agony that we experience or execute as human that can compare to what God’s wrath must be.

Honestly, I think that’s what wearied Christ.

And lest we forget, the entire purpose of Christ was to stand in as our substitute – to atone for our sin, to absorb all that punishment onto himself, to suffer the wrath of God in our place. His purpose in coming was to experience the wrath of God so of course he knew what was about to happen – he knew what to expect.

The point is this: there is punishment for sins, there is wrath, and it is severe, and Christ, on that night in the garden when he prayed, looked forward to that wrath. He knew that he would soon stand in as our substitute, that he would absorb the wrath of God, that he would suffer it for us.

Can you imagine that? Can you imagine suffering God’s wrath even for your own sin? How about suffering God’s wrath in place of five other people, could you do it? Christ suffered the entire, eternal wrath of God upon ALL our sin and he did it in three short days. An eternity of God’s wrath condensed into three days… do you think Christ had reason to stress to the sweating of blood?

One last point:

Look again at the Luke passage.

I’m still amazed that despite the coming torment and agony of God’s wrath, Jesus “prayed more earnestly.” If you’d like to know exactly what it is that he prayed, you can find much of in John 17. He prayed not just for himself, nor just for his disciples, he prayed for you and me.

Crazy huh? In a moment of unfathomable strain and stress, despite the impending weight of God’s wrath that hung just over his head, Jesus prayed for you and me.

May 2, 2009

This morning I am hanging out in Luke 22, especially the first six verses:

“Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.”

Here we see recorded the most despicable deed ever perpetrated by a Christ follower. We wonder how Judas could do such a thing?

As I was considering that question this thought crossed my mind, Judas sold out Jesus because he didn’t sell out to Jesus.

He didn’t have an excuse. He had followed Jesus for three years and had seen the miracles, heard the parables, listened to the teachings, and knew well the demands of discipleship. He counted the cost of selling out to Jesus, but he preferred to sell Jesus out.

People who refuse to pay the price always have a price. Satan is well aware of that. He knows that followers who haven’t completely bought into Jesus can be bought off.

I have heard cynical people confidently proclaim that, “Everybody has a price.” They believe that personal convictions are negotiable and will be traded to the highest bidder.

I did some research on the value of those 30 of silver that Judas received for betraying Jesus. The estimate I found was $19.20. Even factoring in today’s inflation, that still isn’t much money to gain by betraying the Son of God. Of course, what amount would be?

What’s your price? How many times have you sold Him out?

So, what brought Judas to the point of selling out Jesus? What kept him from being sold out?

He had the wrong agenda. Judas’ agenda for following Jesus was “What’s in it for me?” Jesus said, “If any man will come after me he must deny himself and take up his cross….” Jesus called Judas to sacrificial service, but Judas was self-serving.

Sold out Christ followers are not self-serving. They serve sacrificially. Which are you?

He had the wrong attitude. Jesus calls His followers to humility. Judas was looking for honor. When Jesus began to lose His popularity, following Jesus began to lose its status. When the tide of public opinion began to turn against Jesus, so did Judas.

Sold out followers of Christ are committed to honoring Him with a humble spirit. Is that your attitude?

He had the wrong affection. God calls us to love Him with all our hearts and love our neighbor as ourselves. Judas demonstrated that he loved himself most when he sold out Jesus and, in fact, the other disciples.

Sold out followers love Christ more than they love their own lives. Judas didn’t. Do you?

Judas proves the point of this devotional. If you are not sold out you will sell out.

Selling out means that we surrender to Jesus’ agenda of sacrificial service. Serve God by serving others,

Selling out means that humble we ourselves in order to honor Him. Judas fell victim to his pride. So will you.

Selling out means loving God with all our hearts. If you don’t love Him above all, you don’t love Him at all.

Jesus paid the price for you! Are you willing to sell out to Him? Will you do that today?

May 1, 2009

This morning I am in I Kings 10 and 11. A very troubling portion of Scripture. Not troubling from the standpoint of interpretation but for what it clearly portrays - a great man who did not finish well, Solomon.

Solomon reigned for 40 years. The first twenty were strong years. During that time he built the Temple for the Lord and the royal palace for the king. Not bad for a beginner!

Because he built the Temple and ruled wisely, God's people lived in peace and prosperity.

In chapter 10, Solomon gets a visit from the Queen of Sheba. She had heard of Solomon's wisdom and grandeur. Here is the account:

"When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relation to the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions. Arriving at Jerusalem with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind. Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her. When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the LORD, she was overwhelmed. She said to the king, "The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard."

How often does something that seems too good to be true actually turn out to be that good? Solomon was! Why?

Here are some clues:

"Solomon showed his love for the LORD by walking according to the statutes of his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places. The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." Solomon answered, "You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day. "Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?" The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life."

Solomon called on God for wisdom. God made him the wisest man ever. God-given wisdom will get you a long way in life and in leadership. It worked for him and it will work for you.

Secondly, Solomon had a God-given vision:

"The word of the LORD came to Solomon: "As for this temple you are building, if you follow my decrees, carry out my regulations and keep all my commands and obey them, I will fulfill through you the promise I gave to David your father. And I will live among the Israelites and will not abandon my people Israel." So Solomon built the temple and completed it."

When you build your life upon God's wisdom and a God-given vision - that's a strong start! No wonder Solomon launched into leadership with such success.

Third, Solomon had a godly focus:

"When Solomon had finished building the temple of the LORD and the royal palace, and had achieved all he had desired to do, the LORD appeared to him a second time, as he had appeared to him at Gibeon. The LORD said to him: "I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there. "As for you, if you walk before me in integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws, I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father when I said, 'You shall never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.' "But if you or your sons turn away from me and do not observe the commands and decrees I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel from the land I have given them and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. Israel will then become a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples."

The secret to Solomon's early fame and success is not hard to comprehend. In fact, it is available to you and me: God's wisdom, God's vision, and a godly focus.

What IS hard to comprehend is how someone who started so strong could finish so poorly:

"As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech the detestable god of the Ammonites. So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD; he did not follow the LORD completely, as David his father had done. On a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable god of Moab, and for Molech the detestable god of the Ammonites. He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and offered sacrifices to their gods. The LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice."

How can the wisest man who ever lived finish so foolishly? Here is the formula for a fall! Solomon turned from the very things that made him great - wisdom, vision and focus!

So, what does all this have to do with you?

No much, if you are not interested in finishing well. But if you are determined to finish well here is a great challenge and great caution. You are never too strong to fall and you are never so weak you can't rise. You will rise or fall according to where you turn for wisdom, where you find your vision for living and where you fix your focus.

How will you finish?

A better question - how will you start today? Will you seek His wisdom? Will you follow His vision? Will you focus your faith on Him?

April 30, 2009

Here's a question for you this morning, "Would you rather impress Jesus or bless Him?"

Those are two very different ways of thinking about faith. That occurred to me as I was reading in Luke 21. You are probably familiar with this story:

As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins."I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." Luke 21:1-4

Imagine going to church one Sunday and there is Jesus standing next to the offering plate. How would that impact your giving pattern?

While this isn't my main point this morning, it is obvious that Jesus pays attention to what we give.

More to the point, Jesus knows why we give.

He watched as a wealthy member paraded past the offering plate and with great ceremony he pulled out his wad, peeled off some large bills and dropped them into the plate. I can imagine that after depositing that final bill he shoots a glance over to Jesus and nods.

Then the next guy in line has to step up and dig a little deeper. So it went all morning. One after another they step up trying to impress Jesus with their generosity, each trying to outdo the other. So it goes all morning.

Jesus isn't impressed.

As He turns to leave, Jesus catches movement out of the corner of His eye. Turning back he sees an elderly little lady slip out of the crowd, quickly deposit a couple of coins and try to fade back into the crowd. But Jesus won't allow that. He calls His disciples, "Whoa! Did you see that? That is impressive! All these other people have been trying to impress us by giving out of their abundance, but this dear lady emptied her bank account!"

Jesus was impressed - and blessed.

As I read that story for the bazillionth time, that is how it challenged me. What is my faith walk all about? Am I trying to impress Jesus or do I live to bless Him?

Sometimes I don't like the answer. Sometimes I serve Him with my leftovers instead of my all.

How about you?

I promise that today I will live to bless Jesus and not try to impress Him. Want to join me?

April 29, 2009

I am reading through the Bible this year. Today I am in I Kings 6 and 7 in the Old Testament and Luke 20 in the New Testament. You may want to consider finding a Bible reading schedule and read through the Bible in a year.

This portion of I Kings finds Solomon supervising the building of the Temple of God. In so doing, he is fulfilling the dream that his father, David wasn't able to realize. He employed thousands of craftmen, spared no expense, cut no corners, followed God's blueprint to the most intricate detail because he was building a temple to the Most High God. The building project lasted seven years, but when it was completed it was the pride of all Israel because it was the place where their God would dwell. Now they had a place to go and meet with their God. How wonderful! This was one of the highest moments in the history of God's Chosen People.

As wonderful as this accomplishment was for God's people then, it is even more exciting for God's people now! Check this out!

"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple." I Cor. 3:16-17

Solomon built a magnificent place where God's people could go to meet with God! But you are even MORE blessed! According to the verses you just read, you don't have to go to a Temple to meet with God - HE COMES TO MEET WITH YOU! You are His temple!

As God promised Solomon:

"The word of the LORD came to Solomon: "As for this temple you are building, if you follow my decrees, carry out my regulations and keep all my commands and obey them, I will fulfill through you the promise I gave to David your father." I Kings 6:11-12

God promises to dwell with you as long as you live in obedience to Him. What a promise! What a privilege!

How would you do life today if you knew God was dwelling in you as His temple?

Will you let that truth control your thoughts and guide your actions today!