Year: 2020

What is at Home Within You?

Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/col.3.16.AMP

This verse speaks first about something that happens TO US:

• The spoken Word of God
• Making its home within us

And then about what WE DO in response:

• We teach (spiritual things)
• We admonish and train one another with spiritual wisdom
• We sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs in thankfulness to God

The gospel is the opposite of a virus, it is the cure. But it travels amongst us in a very similar way. The Word of Christ is spoken — and it travels through the air and is received by others “who have ears to hear” — and it is received into our hearts ands minds so that it permeates, infects, overwhelms, impacts every aspect of who we are.

Once we become aware of our own sinfulness. Once we stop listening to our own self justifications for why we have done the things we have done, why we have said the things we have said, why we have thought the things we have thought — and we realize our own filth in comparison to God’s perfect will –and we see our undeniable need for both forgiveness and for change — we know that we need the cure for no longer being blind to what is right and wrong. And the cure is not to ignore or forget the truth about ourselves — but to look to Christ the LORD and Saviour who provides cure and change from the inside out by coming to live in us and through us.

I remember SciFi movies from when I was young about body snatchers and alien imposters, where a person was replaced by someone else who looked and sounded like them, but whose actions were different enough to draw attention and cause suspicion that the person was an imposter. But I’m not talking about an imposter/replacement of a person by someone else — I’m talking about a surrender to walk with a companion and a comforter. A born again experience that changes the hearts and lives of men and women.

And this change, this “coming of the new”, it produces symptoms. Those symptoms are what we do in response to the gospel. Can those symptoms be faked? Well, teaching, correcting, training, and singing can easily be manufactured and imitated and performed by a mere man or woman to pass the “eye test” of onlookers. But spiritual wisdom and thankfulness to God has to pass the “smell test” of those who walk with Christ themselves and know His sweet aroma personally. So don’t judge others by outward appearances — teach, train, and admonish with spiritual wisdom — and sing and rejoice with thankfulness that flows from thankfulness to God.

And each of us has our part to play in this.

First, have you heard the spoken Word of Christ?

Have you received Christ into your life by turning away from your own ways to God’s will?

Have you believed that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead?

Have you confessed with your mouth that Jesus Christ is LORD?

If you cannot say yes to these four questions, if you have any doubt in your mind at all at this point — it is not too late to get it right, to make a change, to believe and receive. The Word of God would compel you to “choose today who you will serve” because “we are not promised tomorrow” and that “today is the day of salvation“. You can do this right now. Right here. It is between you and God, and He is here with you closer than the breath in your lungs.

If you know Him, tell someone today the hope you have found in Jesus — because we can all use hearing more of the spoken Word and praise and thankfulness being poured out into the world around us. Help build up and encourage, and even correct in love your fellow believers so that we all grow in spiritual wisdom. And give your thankfulness to God an outlet in praise and worship and service to God.

I stumbled upon this original song by a new acquaintance this morning on an app where I like to sing in thankfulness to God with people all over the globe. Don’t hide your light. Shine bright, friend!

What is at home within you? Is it Christ? Then GO, SPEAK, TEACH, TRAIN, CORRECT, and SING! This is your act of worship, to DO THE WILL OF GOD!

It’s what you think about it!

“It isn’t what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it.” – Dale Carnegie

Contentment and gratitude should breed activity and direction.

Being content and grateful doesn’t mean that we are complacent. If I am unhappy for valid reasons, I don’t need to just lie there in my misery and try to convince myself (lie to myself) until I believe I am happy – like some homeless Zen master. I need to change my thinking from being “this is where I am stuck” to “where am I going from here“.

Yes, there are circumstances where we need to “look on the bright side” — but a healthy mindset drives us forward in purpose and in action.

I’m reminded of the lyrics from a song of my youth that says “The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades… Well I’m heavenly blessed and worldly wise… Things are going great, and they’re only getting better”. And I wonder, do we realize right now that we’re are Heavenly blessed? I wonder, are we being wise to the ways of the world? And I wonder, are we standing on the promise that God has good in store for us?

Do you feel unchallenged, unappreciated, unsuccessful, stagnant? Do you feel stressed, anxious, unsure, and filled with doubt about where you are right now? Are you worrying about how many more tomorrows you can weather if they all turn out like today?

It doesn’t help us to run around looking for an immediate way out in a spirit of fear. Emotion can have us trading a manageable circumstance for a worse circumstance just because we are in a hurry to “get out”. That’s where the still calm voice of the spirit can share the fruit of self-control and patience with us to reveal so many valid reasons for gratitude and contentment. We must take control of our thoughts and not let an emotional drunkenness that comes from pride and expectation and self-interest lead us down the path of self-destruction.

So first, we should assess ourselves with a sober mind — not biased by emotions like fear, bitterness, anger, or disappointment — but with humble self reflection and with trusted constructive criticism. But we don’t just stay where we are. We don’t just lazily accept where we are. We set our eyes and hands and effort upon what must be done, what must be said, what bridges must be built, what new lands and opportunities must be explored.

We do not have to foolishly waste time and emotional strength begrudging our current circumstances. We acknowledge our purpose and our goal, and we act and we move. We don’t put off today’s work to make time for grumbling and complaining. We work today towards our tomorrow, grateful for the eyes to see that we are strong enough to weather whatever winds and waves come today, because our foundation is solid.

My foundation is solid because it is built upon Christ Jesus, my Lord and Savior. I may take a beating at times from the circumstances that surround me, but I’m not alone in my walk through this life. I have a companion much stronger and wiser that is leading ands teaching me along the way. On my best days, I do not work for my employer, my customers, my family, myself, or even for honor and recognition — but I work because I am gifted and able to do so because of His grace and mercy and favor towards me. On other days, shamefully I have to admit that I can forget how much He has done for me and continues to do for me. It hurts my heart to think about how many times I have forgotten Him, even while He is always there for me — eager to forgive me, eager to restore me, eager to discipline and teach me every time. And can you see how the grace of God restores me to a sober- mindedness that is necessary for me to truly take a step forward instead of backwards?

I hope that you know my Jesus too as your personal Lord and Savior. I’m not trying to rope you into religion. I’m just hoping that you have met Him, that you have talked with Him, that you have felt His healing touch, and received His life giving Word. I don’t care where you are sitting on a Sunday morning, I care whether or not you truly know Jesus, closer than a friend.

Have you ever truly sought Him out?

Have you ever truly laid down your life and followed Him?

Have you ever truly confessed with your mouth and believed in your heart that He is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead?

I’m not asking whether you have gone through the motions before, or fulfilled some religious tradition or ceremony. Have you truly?

If you haven’t, I’m encouraging you today to take that step between you and God. And if you have taken that step truly between you and God privately, you should also be eager to take steps publicly to acknowledge this new life that you are choosing — to walk in the way of Christ instead of in the way of the world. Jesus said that, “You will know my disciples by the way they love one another.” Seek out true believers who LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Don’t just settle for a dead, Sunday morning religion — know Jesus and walk with Him and talk with Him and learn from Him everyday. He is your teacher. If you need a brother to talk with, reach out to me. God bless!

Provider and Disciplinarian

And you shall remember [always] all the ways which the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart (mind), whether you would keep His commandments or not. He humbled you and allowed you to be hungry and fed you with manna, [a substance] which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, so that He might make you understand [by personal experience] that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord . Your clothing did not wear out on you, nor did your feet swell these forty years. Therefore, know in your heart (be fully cognizant) that the Lord your God disciplines and instructs you just as a man disciplines and instructs his son. Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk [that is, to live each and every day] in His ways and fear [and worship] Him [with awe-filled reverence and profound respect]. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; a land where you will eat bread without shortage, in which you will lack nothing; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper. When you have eaten and are satisfied, then you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you. “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by failing to keep His commandments and His judgments (precepts) and His statutes which I am commanding you today; otherwise, when you have eaten and are satisfied, and have built good houses and lived in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiply, and all that you have increases, then your heart will become lifted up [by self-conceit and arrogance] and you will forget the Lord your God who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. He led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water; it was He who brought water for you out of the flinty rock. He fed you manna in the wilderness, [a substance] which your fathers did not know, so that He might humble you [by dependence on Him] and that He might test you, to do good [things] for you at the end. Otherwise, you may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.’ But you shall remember [with profound respect] the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore (solemnly promised) to your fathers, as it is this day. And it shall come about if you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you will most certainly perish. Like the nations which the Lord causes to perish before you, so shall you perish; because you would not listen to and obey the voice of the Lord your God.
Deuteronomy 8:2‭-‬20 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/deu.8.2-20.AMP

“Do not say in your heart when the Lord your God has driven them out before you, ‘Because of my righteousness the Lord has brought me in to possess this land,’ but because of the wickedness of these nations the Lord is dispossessing them before you. It is not for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart that you are going to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations the Lord your God is driving them out before you, and to confirm the oath which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. “Know [without any doubt], that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stiff-necked (stubborn, obstinate) people. Remember [with remorse] and do not forget how you provoked the Lord your God to wrath in the wilderness; from the day you left the land of Egypt until you arrived in this place, you have been rebellious against the Lord .
Deuteronomy 9:4‭-‬7 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/deu.9.4-7.AMP

So circumcise [that is, remove sin from] your heart, and be stiff-necked (stubborn, obstinate) no longer. For the Lord your God is the God of gods and the Lord of Lords, the great, the mighty, the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe. He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the stranger (resident alien, foreigner) by giving him food and clothing. Therefore, show your love for the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall fear [and worship] the Lord your God [with awe-filled reverence and profound respect]; you shall serve Him and cling to Him [hold tightly to Him, be united with Him], and you shall swear [oaths] by His name. He is your praise and glory; He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which you have seen with your own eyes.
Deuteronomy 10:16‭-‬21 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/deu.10.16-21.AMP

Jesus answered, “The first and most important one is: ‘H ear , O I srael , the Lord our G od is one Lord ; and you shall love the Lord your G od with all your heart , and with all your soul (life), and with all your mind (thought, understanding), and with all your strength .’ This is the second: ‘Y ou shall [unselfishly] love your neighbor as yourself .’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:29‭-‬31 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/mrk.12.29-31.AMP

Lord, help us to not take credit ourselves for the great things you are doing. You forgive us when we humbly confess our sins, but you resist the proud. Amen.

Separation and Reunion

So clearly true and visible today:

A time to throw away stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing.
Ecclesiastes 3:5 AMP

I’m reminded of the reuniting of Joseph and his family, and of Jacob and Esau, and Lazarus and Jairus’s daughter that Jesus raised from the dead to be reunited with their family, and Eutychus raised by Paul to be reunited with his family and friends, and the Prodigal son returned to his father, and so many dead souls raised to life to be reunited to an abiding relationship with the living God, and the reunion that awaits all of creation when Jesus returns — yes, I long for reunion.

A physical separation does not have to be an emotional or spiritual disconnection. In fact, for those with emotional and spiritual ties that bind, physical separation can “make the heart grow stronger” as the old saying goes. But for unhealthy “connections” in our lives (that only want us around for whatever we are “useful to them” for, etc.), physical separation from them is good for us and will reveal more clearly the truth of the relationship. The old saying, “Set a bird free…” comes to mind, and is true about the cleansing and revealing power of separation.

But while separation is the end goal for those unhealthy connections, it is not the end goal for the healthy connections. Reunion is the goal.

For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart. And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, and revealed to the eyes of Him with whom we have to give account.
Hebrews 4:12‭-‬13 AMP

Lord, we trust you are separating and reuniting in this time with a wonderful purpose and plan. Keep watch over us, protect us, and grant us measures of faith and peace to see us through whatever today will bring our way. Amen.

COVID-19 on April 15, 2020

As I sit working from home for part of the fifth week in a row, I am encouraged by a lot that I see happening around us — people helping each other, people encouraging one another, etc. Yes, there are also people that are being led around by their fear — hoarding things, grumbling loudly, casting blame in every direction they can, seeking to manipulate others for their own political or personal agendas, seeking to leverage their authority to oppress others, etc. — but I can see the roses amongst the thorns. We can really tell a lot about what a person’s life is founded upon when challenges set in.

I’m also encouraged by the recent data showing that the number of new confirmed cases per day is apparently on a down trend (Source: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html ):

As an American who is interested in how our leadership is handling this pandemic, and as I realize that the USA has the highest total number of confirmed cases, I know that we can’t blindly compare:

• the number of cases/deaths in a large country like the US where there is much more transportation and everyday free movement between cities and states and where testing is widely available and encouraged
• to a smaller country that is more isolated and remote with little testing widely available
• without taking into account the population.

When looking at the top 10 most affected countries, the US has the highest jump in confirmed cases (seen in green below):

However, when we take into account the population of the various countries, we are not one of the highest in number of deaths per population. Obviously, I’m not celebrating that other countries have a higher or lower death rate per population, and I’m not on some US specific agenda. I would love to see everyone have as low as possible death rate across the entire world — but the only data we have on something new like this is to make comparisons:

I’m encouraged that our efforts as a nation of Social Distancing and then Staying at Home over these past 5 weeks have the statistics at least indicating that we may have flattened the curve. I’m encouraged that the case statistics are now on what appears to be a down trend:

While these trends encourage me that our efforts are having an impact, every number on this graph for the deaths in the US is a real person — with even more people around them that their death has impacted in some way:

I realize that even still today, there are many who are mad and disgrunted about the shutdowns and inconveniences. I realize that there are even still today people who want to blame all of this on conspiracies, etc. and who deny that it was ever something we even needed to address. For some, even after it takes the life of someone close to them, they may still not be able to accept the interruptions and inconveniences they have undergone as being helpful to protect others — as a reasonable and worthy sacrifice on behalf of their fellow man. But I say, even if it were contrived, and even if we are to be wronged by someone — isn’t it better to accept being wronged for the benefit of others?

I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 6:7 in this instance. I really like both the KJV and Good News translations of this verse from the original Greek:

Original Greek: ἤδη μὲν οὖν ὅλως ἥττημα ἐν ὑμῖν ἐστιν ὅτι κρίματα ἔχετε μεθ᾽ ἑαυτῶν δια τί οὐχὶ μᾶλλον ἀδικεῖσθε; δια τί οὐχὶ μᾶλλον ἀποστερεῖσθε;

KJV: Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?

GN: The very fact that you have legal disputes among yourselves shows that you have failed completely. Would it not be better for you to be wronged? Would it not be better for you to be robbed?

And I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 as well:

Original Greek:  Ἡ ἀγάπη μακροθυμεῖ χρηστεύεται ἡ ἀγάπη οὐ ζηλοῖ ἡ ἀγάπη οὐ περπερεύεται οὐ φυσιοῦται  Ἡ ἀγάπη μακροθυμεῖ χρηστεύεται ἡ ἀγάπη οὐ ζηλοῖ ἡ ἀγάπη οὐ περπερεύεται οὐ φυσιοῦται

KJV: Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

NLT: Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

Lord, help us and guide us in these times to follow in your footsteps, to walk with you, to trust in you, and to not let fear, anxiety, or the challenges of the day gain a foothold in our lives. You are greater, and you are faithful and true to the end. Amen.

Question about Modesty

I’m going to give you some scriptures to consider… broken up into what I would consider:

• Milk – easy to consume (foundational)
• Bread – must be washed down with milk (learning/ construction)
• Meat – must be chewed on, meditated upon, takes time (polishing)

First, let’s talk quickly about perspective — whether I’m in a mindset of “can I do this or that” or I’m in a mindset of “what glorifies God, benefits the Kingdom of God, and doesn’t stumble others”. This is the milk.

If we can’t stomach this “milk” scripture first and have a right perspective to begin with, we may not be mature enough to receive the “bread” scriptures I’ll share below specifically about modesty without considering the scripture as “burdensome legal obligation keeping us from what we want to do” instead of “helpful godly instruction that glorifies God, furthers the Kingdom, and doesn’t stumble others”. Because if we are still focused on “I”, we need a lot more nursing life from Christ and our old life of sin and selfishness dying away.

Remember, the “milk” will wash down all of the bread so that we dont choke on it (not leaving any out or changing it, put potting right or perspective to receive it):

You say, “I am allowed to do anything” —but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.
1 Corinthians 10:23‭-‬24 NLT

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:1‭-‬2 NLT

You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies. And God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead. Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never! And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, “The two are united into one.” But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him. Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
1 Corinthians 6:12‭-‬20 NLT

If the perspective is wrong and we are only thinking about ourselves, the next scripture will only seem burdensome legal obligation and not joyful instruction in godliness. But with Christ as our guide, we can reach conviction and repentance instead of remaining in rebellion, condemnation, or shame.

In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives. Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They put their trust in God and accepted the authority of their husbands.
1 Peter 3:1‭-‬5 NLT

In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy. And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do. Women should learn quietly and submissively. I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly. For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result. But women will be saved through childbearing, assuming they continue to live in faith, love, holiness, and modesty.
1 Timothy 2:8‭-‬15 NLT

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.
Galatians 5:16‭-‬26 NLT

As you can see above, a person in the wrong mindset and perspective of “self” could either read the above and say, “How dare they judge me or tell me what to do!” Or say, “Look how godly I am because I already do these things!” And both those responses from the heart would reveal the same sin of pridefulness. This is why I must also include meat to be considered for part of the meal if you long to grow to be a mature Child of God, loving others, and walking with God in light and not in darkness:

Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.” But suppose we seek to be made right with God through faith in Christ and then we are found guilty because we have abandoned the law. Would that mean Christ has led us into sin? Absolutely not! Rather, I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down. For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.
Galatians 2:16‭-‬21 NLT

Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer : ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Luke 18:9‭-‬14 NLT

When we can receive all of this joyfully, and can be eager for all of this to be true in our lives and in our hearts and in our thoughts — and when we are not adding to it, subtracting from it, or wagging our finger at others about it, but are humble before God and seeing Him actively make it so in us as He leads us along this narrow path — then we will know that He is God and that He will finish the work He has started in us. Amen.

Old Man Wrigley on a Maundy Thursday

The song “Believe” made popular by Brooks & Dunn talks about a young man’s life influenced by an older man’s faith. This older man is called Old Man Wrigley in the song. Give the song a listen, and pay attention to the lyrics:

Hearing my mom Jean Edge Ballinger read daily devotionals to my grandmother in the next room while I’m working from home reminds me that being an Old Man Wrigley has nothing to do with age, or position in life — just that strong pull of faith, of gratitude for what was laid down on Good Friday and raised back up on Easter Sunday, and an eager willingness to share honestly with others the reason for our hope.

I have plenty of pastor friends, and most of them look at the Old Man Wrigleys of this world with more awe and respect than they do the crowd gatherers. And some Old Man Wrigleys have such a clear and understandable reason for their hope that crowds gather very regularly to listen to them, not just on a front porch.

You might see Old Man Wrigley on a front porch, or an old man taking a boy fishing, a step parent adopting a child to love as their own, or a neighbor spending time with you, or a loved one taking care of a family member, or a preacher sharing the Good News, or a recovered addict helping run a shelter, or a business leader teaching and mentoring other professionals — but look past the veil of this world, and you might just catch a glimpse of Jesus and His disciples washing feet.

Maundy Thursday is a remembrance that some Christians practice in remembrance of the night before He went to the cross. The key with Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter, Christmas, or even weekly church gatherings isn’t about carrying on the consistent religious tradition of such things — but that we actually remember and appreciate and “worship in spirit and truth” our Savior and Lord.

On the text, we see that Jesus first demonstrated by His actions the principal of living service to others:

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
John 13:3‭-‬17 ESV

Then after He had demonstrated with His actions, He told His disciples what to do:

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:31‭-‬35 ESV

Believers, we must be like Jesus and like Old Man Wrigley, letting our lives’ actions speak so loudly of the gospel that others might ask us, “How are you like this?” Or “Why do you believe?” Because this is real faith that they can see and discern is quite different and peculiar from the self-righteous and from the hypocritically religious and from the lost clearly trapped in sin and pride and selfishness. Because you can tell a child all day what to do with your words, but if you don’t first instruct them with your actions and your example, it is futile.

…you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.
1 Peter 3:15‭-‬16 NLT

Opportunity Walks Alongside Challenge

John Maxwell had this quote to share today on his Minute with Maxwell:

“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.” –Chuck Swindoll

Every opportunity comes from a challenge. How we perceive a situation or circumstances can either blind us to the opportunity in hopelessness, or it can set our eyes upon God’s promises and His ability to accomplish mighty and amazing things even in seemingly impossible situations.

Yes, our own strength and ability had limits. You are wise to not expect that you could overcome everything that you face on your own. But what is impossible for man is possible for the Almighty.

What does scripture tell us?

fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all. For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord ; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. Behold, I make of you a threshing sledge, new, sharp, and having teeth; you shall thresh the mountains and crush them, and you shall make the hills like chaff; you shall winnow them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the tempest shall scatter them. And you shall rejoice in the Lord ; in the Holy One of Israel you shall glory. When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
Isaiah 41:10‭-‬17 ESV

The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
Exodus 15:2 ESV

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2‭-‬4 ESV

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalms 23:1‭-‬6 ESV

Lord, may we trust in you fully. Trust in your faithfulness. Trust in your plan. Trust in YOU. Amen.

Breathe

The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
Job 33:4 ESV

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19‭-‬20 ESV

Michael W. Smith released “Breathe” in 2001 that was written by songwriters Liam Howe, Tahliah Barnett, and Timmaz Zolleyn. With lyrics like “I’m desperate for you”, “Your holy presence living in me”, and “Your very word spoken to me” — it’s clear that this song is about something much deeper than church attendance, quoting scripture and following a moral compass for day to day living.

This song is about intimacy with God. It is about an abiding relationship that generates a fire in our bones and a thirst for closeness with our bridegroom, Christ Jesus.

That might sound very odd and peculiar to both the rigid religious practitioner and the wild lost rebel, but that is what sets The Way apart from “religions”. Others might choose wise men with wise words and advice that are long ago dead and turned to lifeless dust in the ground — but our Lord not only overcame death and sin and rose again in both body and spirit — He lives in us. Not just metaphorically in our memories (like a lost friend or relative), but truly as a companion, teacher, and a close friend.

I don’t ask you to join my religious organization. I don’t ask you to send your money. I don’t ask you to abide by my guidelines. I don’t even ask you to call me teacher. I’m telling you about THE TEACHER that you can know for yourself personally and closely and intimately. I’m telling you about a breath of life that can be breathed into you by Almighty God to bring you into a life abundant with the fruit of His Spirit that tastes of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. I’m telling you about a miracle where men and women are born again to lives of purpose, of service, of building up and encouraging others instead of tearing them down — and a life free from shame and guilt and treating their own selves down anymore.

Yes, it sounds crazy at face value. What’s the angle? Where’s the catch? What is this fool trying to sell me? What is He going to ask me to do?

It is free. Free free free free.

I know you hear that from commercials and advertisements these days and or is always a lie and a marketing attempt to eventually separate you from your money or your time.

I’m not here to convince you. I’m just here to tell you that it is true. I know what Jesus has done for me, and I just have to celebrate and praise Him for it. I know some might hear and believe and be changed, and I know that some will refuse, and that’s between you and God.

I just have to praise and worship, and if you want to listen, sing along, or join me in worship — deep, personal intimate worship of the Lord God Almighty who is worthy of praise and honor and glory — you choose to do what you are drawn to do. God bless you and yours, and glory be to God! Amen!

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God : Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.
Ezekiel 37:9‭-‬10 ESV