5 Understandable Words for Today

For the next two weeks, I will depart from our journey through the 'book' of Hebrews to reflect on two very dynamic phrases we all would be blessed to embrace.

"...ask for the ancient paths..."  Jeremiah 6:16

These past few weeks have been a whirlwind for my wife and I as we made final preparations for our youngest daughter's wedding. We were blessed beyond measure to witness the collective efforts of family and friends in executing an incredible event for the now married couple. We will never be able to repay everyone for the work and effort given toward this marvelous celebration.

It brings to mind the preparation God is making for the wedding feast in heaven. The church being His bride (2 Co. 11:2-3; Ep. 5:22-33), will experience a great celebration in heaven to recognize the work of the groom in redeeming and saving His bride.

At the wedding, I shared five powerful words written by Jeremiah as he took notes of God's instruction:

"This is what the Lord says, 'Stand at the crossroads and look, ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good ways is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.'" Jeremiah 6:18

A wedding is certainly a crossroads for those entering into such a commitment, and it reflects one of five ancient doors or establishments of a righteous society. The ancient paths lead to ancient doors... some leading to God's good ways, others leading to death.

A path is a well-worn trail providing obvious direction to the traveler. It provides some assurance that the way is safe to travel, and will get the sojourner to his/her destination. All paths lead somewhere. The paths to God's good ways are narrow, yet worn, as only a few have wisely chosen the way. (Mt. 7:14) God wills that all would follow the path to eternity, though many reject His way, and in so doing walk the wide paths of rebellion, licentiousness, and destruction. (Dt. 7:9-15; 11:26-28; 12:28; 28:1-20)

The five ancient doors I referred to above are the doors of: marriage, family, education, business, and government. God's Word directs us to ask for directions to the ancient paths and follow each to the ancient door. Then knock with persistence (Mt. 7:7), that the door may be opened. Once inside, the life traveler discovers God's precepts are accurate for meeting the challenges to a healthy marriage, a strong family, educational excellence, business ethics, and governmental orthodoxy.

It is only in the best interest of His children for God to encourage us to ask. We should not assume a posture of superiority, but of humility in seeking the higher walk of integrity and purity. The awesome dynamic of God's way provides healing and restoration to those who have either ignored or rebelled against God's righteous precepts... God is the God of a second chance! Seek out a long follower of Christ and ask for the ancient paths.

God will make a way,

steve (John 3:30)

5 Understandable Words for Today

“Jesus has become the guarantee…”  Hebrews 7:22

In our discovery of Hebrew’s treasures, we were presented with a stern warning last week. The writer cautioned new Jewish believers about returning to old patterns of living, encouraging them to, “…take hold of the hope…” (6:18). It was the same hope God provided their patriarch, Abraham, when God told him, “I will surely bless you…” (6:14). The hope is a result of the faith which God had planted in Abraham's heart and was then invested in God's own faithfulness. This faith is described later in the letter to the young Hebrew converts. The new believers were further encouraged with the writer describing the hope as an anchor for the soul which holds firm and secure (6:19).

Jesus was described as the high priest in the order of Melchizedek Who entered the inner sanctuary behind death’s curtain (6:19-20). The description continues into the seventh chapter where we find today’s eternal promise.

The writer retells the story from Genesis 14, providing the meaning of Melchizedek, and describing as having no geneology – “…without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.”  (6:3) (v.7) The ‘greater’ person was proved, not on the basis of a regulation to ancestry, but on His power over death – having an indestructible life. (v.16) So, you see, Jesus is the guarantor and the guarantee of eternal life as the High Priest Who offered the final sacrifice (read v.’s 23-28). The writer describes Jesus, the High Priest in the Order of Melchizedek: “…one Who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.” (v.26) The very Jewish writer concludes this revelation of Jesus’ identity stating:

“For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, Who has been made perfect forever.” (v.28)

By referring to “the oath”, the writer is harkening back to David’s prophetic psalm when he described the resolution:

“The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever’” (Ps.110:4)

Why was such a declaration made by God? Because the former regulation was set aside, being weak – for the law made nothing perfect, which is why there was a need for a final, perfect sacrifice in the person of Jesus Christ, Who lived a sinless life. This sinless life qualified Him as the final sacrifice, taking on the sins of all those who come to Him by faith. In so doing, a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. (read v.’s 18-19)

O, how marvelous the way has been made for us to draw near to the Father… all because…  “Jesus has become the guarantee”!

Have you felt distant from God lately? Draw near to Him today with the guarantee of being received through The Son, Jesus Christ.

Blessings to all,

steve

5 Understandable Words for Today

“…take hold of the hope…”  Hebrews 6:18

In our journey through Hebrews last week, we discovered Jesus’ heavenly identity as being “…in the order of Melchizedek” (5:6,10) - not selected among men, but sent from God, evidenced by His obedience to death on a cross. The writer, though, chastised his audience of Jewish converts (the first converts to Christianity were Jewish – occurring at Pentecost) for being unable to distinguish between good and evil (5:11-14), telling them they were “slow to learn” (v.11). In fact, he compared them to babies who are still nursing without advancing to solid food (v. 13). How did this occur? In Chapter 2:1-4, the writer described how the Hebrew Believers were drifting from the Word; which led to doubting the Word (3:7-4:13); which resulted in some becoming dull to the Word (5:11-6:8).

He then invites the reader to leave the elementary teachings about Christ and advance to maturity. God wants us to grow up in His Kingdom. The writer describes spiritual maturity being evidenced in a life that moves beyond the initial “repentance from acts that lead to death” (6:1), instructions on baptisms, laying on of hands, and the afterlife (v.2). So, just what is beyond these precepts? Bringing hope to the world and being Love personified to the loveless… to be the only Jesus some will ever see.

Then, the spirit of the letter changes. The writer was inspired to call out those who had tasted of God’s goodness, only to reject it and fall back into prior sinful patterns of living. He even asserts it to be impossible for one to be brought back to repentance after such spiritual treason (read v.’s 4-6). He likens such behavior as crucifying the Son of God all over again – subjecting Him to public disgrace. (v. 6) A verbal picture of unproductive land is presented as an object lesson on those who reject God’s mercies and who face a tragic end (read v.’s 7-8). Such a warning would certainly not be taken lightly. So, bringing a ray of light into the darkness of doom, the writer then quickly encourages his ‘dear friends’ (v.9) of better things to come in their faith journey. He again resurrects the memory of Abraham, who believed God’s promise an heir, which would result in the birth of a great nation.

Today’s five understandable words are hidden in the writer’s encouragement to the Hebrew Christians to embrace the Abrahamic practice of faith in God, Who fulfilled His promise of a Messiah – Jesus, the Christ. He describes the surety of God’s faithfulness as seen in how God not only fulfilled His promise to Abraham, but also accomplished the miracle at an old age, thereby fulfilling His oath to bring it to fruition… two unchangeable declarations which acted as proof to God’s inability to lie and His supernatural ability to do the impossible. That’s the unchanging nature of God’s purpose! He is able to accomplish far beyond what we ever thought or imagined (Ep.3:20). And it is to His unchanging nature that we “…take hold of the hope…” He offers in His faithfulness. The writer describes such hope as, “an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (v.19)

The anchor was frequently used as a symbol in the infancy of the church. According to Warren Wiersbe, there are at least sixty-six pictures of anchors that have been found in Italy’s catacombs. Wiersbe describes the spiritual anchor of hope as being anchored upward to heaven, not downward. It’s purpose is to allow us to move ahead, not to tether us down. Jesus is that anchor! The author of Hebrews summarized the priestly role the Lord fulfilled when he writes:

“It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus – Who went before us – has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” (v.’s 19-20)

It should cause us to well-up with joy to express to Him in our worship! Jesus, we thank you for enduring the cross for us, and for ever interceding on our behalf! Dr. Louis H. Evans, Jr., former pastor of National Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC shared his perspective on hope for today:

“The winds of diabolical temptation are increasing in their force, tending to blow Christians off their course and against the rocky shores of apostasy, where they will be dashed to pieces and destroyed. What can hold them on course? Is it not an unwavering hope, a confidence in the Person of the Priest and His perfect sacrifice that opens to them a way into the presence of God at all times?” (The Communicator’s Commentary, Vol. 10, p.141)

“…take hold of the hope…”

I do hope you already have…

steve

5 Understandable Words for Today

"...the source of eternal salvation..."  Hebrews 5:9

As we continue in our discovery of the letter to the Hebrews, we  discover, yet, another phrase to impact our understanding of Jesus' priesthood. The writer continues elaborating on the importance of Jesus being our High Priest, describing how earthly priests are chosen, as well as the responsibilities the priest is expected to fulfill. (read 5:1-4) The priest is selected from among the people: His calling by God (v.4) is recognized by those who know him and have observed the gifts of his calling.

The one called to the priestly role represents the people in matters related to God. He has a heart for the people to know God and grow in God's grace through His Word. The "matters" which relate to God and His Kingdom are given as: offering gifts in the act of worship, as well as sacrifices for repentance from sins. We do not approach God empty-handed; we offer Him gifts because of the lavish gifts He has given us in life, family, friends, income, health and functionality. In Biblical times, the worshiper offered a blood sacrifice, following Levitical law, to accomplished at least two things: coming clean with one's sin - owning up to one's transgression and demonstrating a personal desire to continue in relationship with God... His way. When one repents of a sin, it is not just to confess it, but to turn away from the pattern of the sin. Repentance is an 'about face' from a life practice which seeks to enslave the sinner and bring destruction to the sinners life and relationships.

Jesus, as High Priest, represents us (the people - those who have been regenerated through the power of the cross) in matters relating to God: He actually took the punishment we deserved for sins we committed, and He is ever interceding for us to the Father (7:25). He's as close as the mention of His name, to offer us power over sin and strength for each day. Though He never sinned, He was tempted in all ways known to man, yet without sin. Therefore, He understands our weakness and deals gently with us to call us away from sin and its snares.

The writer then describes Jesus' priestly identity as that, "...after the order of Melchizedek."  The name literally means, "King of righteousness". The first mention of Melchizedek is found in Genesis 14, where he meets Abraham and presents bread and wine to Abe and his men who had just defeated Kedorlaomer and his three allied forces. Melchizedek is described as both the King and High Priest of Salem (Jerusalem), who brought the provisions to Abraham and then redirected Abe and his men to recognize God as both the Creator and the Deliverer in battle. In so doing, Abraham and his men were reminded that is was not their might, weapons, or war strategy that won the victory, it was the hand of God. There is no further mention of the King of Salem until David mentioned him in Psalm 110:4, which the writer of Hebrews quotes: "...the Lord has sworn and will not relent, 'Your are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek."  

There are some theologians who believe the High Priest was the pre-incarnate Jesus - Jesus revealing Himself to Abraham, just as later He may have revealed Himself to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. (read Daniel 3) In any case, Jesus' role as the High Priest from heaven, qualified through His obedience leading to His death on a cross, became "...the source of eternal salvation..." from that moment on. And Jesus was not clueless to this essential mark of His identity. He even stated that He was the resurrection and the life, and anyone who trusted their eternity in Him would have eternal life (John 11:25-26).

I hope God will use those five words to convince you of an awaiting eternity and of salvation through no other than Jesus Christ.

He's the Fountainhead of our eternal home...

sf

5 Understandable Words for Today

“…hold firmly to the faith…”  Hebrews 4:14

When the believer’s thoughts are fixed upon Jesus, the Treasure of Life Eternal, the heart is kept from becoming hardened by sin. The writer introduces this imagery when quoting from the 95th Psalm, where we find the powerful five word phrase, “…do not harden your hearts…” (Ps. 95:7; He.3:15) This command is written to warn the follower of Christ on the consequences of sin and its pattern of drawing the heart away from God’s way, leading to the destruction of one’s testimony, family, work, influence, etc. The picture drawn by the author is that of not entering into God’s rest and peace… the promised land of a fulfilled life.

The writer recalls the disobedience of the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness for forty years... all because they allowed their faith to wander into idolatry, bitterness, and complaining. An entire generation died without ever entering their ‘place of rest’ because of their disbelief, turning from God time and time again. At this point, the reader is introduced to God’s mercy in providing ‘today’ - the gift for any person to turn from sin and toward Jesus Christ. That's why it's called, The Present!. And, again, the imagery of a hardened heart is brought to the reader’s attention. (4:7) Just as calloused hands lack the ability to feel heat or pain, so a heart hardened by sin lacks in: sympathizing for others; understanding one’s own slavery to sin; and realizing one’s negative influence upon others. (v.11)

The urgency is compelling: the writer develops the argument of a Sabbath rest available to all who embrace God’s provision of rest through Jesus Christ. The rest experienced by the Believer is a rest from one’s personal works – efforts of personal achievement toward an eternal reward. All the ‘work’ was accomplished through Jesus Christ and any righteous or good work we accomplish in our flesh is only because of the good work begun in us at salvation. Our works cannot and will not qualify any of us for entrance into heaven’s security and rest… only God’s grace allows for such through the atoning work of the cross. (read Ep. 2:8&9) The earnest appeal to the reader is one of immediacy… tomorrow is not guaranteed… today is the day of salvation (v.7; 2 Co.6:2).

Serendipitously, the writer provides one of the most beautiful descriptions of God’s Word… like an oasis in the middle of a desert, God breathed these words through the writer’s heart and hands:

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword; it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (v.12)

The words are given to relate the source of God’s rest. The one searching for the promised land need to look no further than God’s Word, as it was The Word that became flesh (Jn.1) The writer exhorts the reader to “make every effort to enter that rest”. This is not to infer working for it, only to discover it. Where will it be discovered? In the Word that will never pass away. (read Is. 40:8; 1 Pt. 1:25; Mt. 24:35) The entire Word points to Jesus Christ, His promised arrival, His life, His death, His resurrection, and His still awaited return.

The Word also reveals to the searching heart, those things God uncovers to expose one’s need for healing and restoration. Immediately following verse twelve, the writer describes the power of God’s Word to expose our sin, our need, and our duplicity:

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account.” (v.13)

Anything we try to coverup will be exposed; everything we expose before Him, He covers with His grace and mercy. (1 Jn. 1:9) This is why the discipline of time in God’s Word is so vital to the Believer. Not only does it act as a mirror for us to see ourselves as God sees us, but also to provide comfort in times of brokenness; direction when we’ve lost our way; exhortation for times we are tempted to wander; and affirmation of God’s way. Do you sometimes squirm as you struggle to understand the meaning for your life within the context of a portion of scripture? Or do you struggle to stay awake each time you open your Bible? It is a discipline which the enemy does not want any Believer to develop. Satan desires to disarm you, making you ineffective in your spiritual pursuit of holiness – rendering you unproductive for God’s service… a lie the devil wants you to believe. However, God can and will make all things new. He is the God of a second chance; the Mender of broken vessels; the Healer of broken hearts; the Restorer of fractured lives; and the Light to those who’ve lost their way in the darkness of their own sin.

Then a lifeline is thrown out to the reader. Five powerful words… to encourage and command the follower to never give up. It’s where we find today’s five understandable words:

“…hold firmly to the faith…”  (v.14)

Why should any Believer hold firmly to his/her faith after failing God for the umpteenth time? Because we have a high priest who understands our weaknesses, and has experienced temptation’s lure – yet without sin. We are invited to draw near to God throne of grace with confidence… in doing so, we receive mercy and are given the grace to empower us in our very time of need. (read v.’s 14-16) He is able to continue the work He began in you, and to complete it in His time.

Hold firmly to the faith.... God is the author and finisher of our faith (He. 12:1); and it is the faith to which we cling in the tempest of life. Hold firmly to Him, as if you were being tossed in a huge torrent of life's wrestless sea... as if your life depends on it; because it actually does. Do not let go under any weakness on your part. Hold fast to your confession and He will see you through to your promised rest... your promised land of peace.

He must increase,

steve (John 3:30)

5 Understandable Words for Today

"...fix your thoughts on Jesus..."  Hebrews 3:1

In our continuing journey through Hebrews, we come upon this imperative phrase, which is part of a summary statement to "...holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling...". Please notice the standard for those who share in the heavenly calling: a walk of holiness. There is no accident in how it was written; the author understands one's walk with Christ to be a life of intentional purity. In other words, one called to Christ understands the significance of walking in holiness as we carry His name to a dark unbelieving world. Just how is this holiness accomplished? The writer provides the answer: by fixing our thoughts on Jesus... on His life, His words, and His example.

The writer goes on to explain our identification with Jesus, Whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. It is intriguing to see the author recognizing Jesus as an apostle. The Greek word used here is a form of "apostolos", which means to send forth (as an envoy). He describes how Jesus fulfilled the mission for which He was sent, and is "...the Son over God's house." He then recognizes Believers as the house of God - basically mirroring Jesus' teaching on God's Kingdom being within each of us (read Luke 17:20-21). Paul echoes this idea when describing the household of faith to the church in Ephesus (read Ephesians 2:19-22). Peter, as well, identifies Believers as living stones being built into a spiritual house (read 2 Peter 2:5).

In verses 7&8, the writer quotes from David's ninety-fifth psalm: "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts..." (Psalm 95:7-8). This quote leads to a description of the Jews rebellion during the wandering in the wilderness after the great exodus. Their hearts continually went astray (v.10), and the reader is warned to guard the heart to prevent turning away from God. For their unbelief, an entire generation were kept from entering the promised land... their promised rest... all due to their unbelief.

This why it is so important to fix our eyes on Christ, Whom the writer later describes as the author and finisher of our faith (12:2). It seems the more we think on Christ, the more we mirror His attributes.

The word, "fix" implies an intentional effort to be resolute, immovable, tightly adhering to Him and identifying with His life and mission. When we fix our thoughts on Him, we embrace His purpose to redeem others; to bring light to a world of darkness; to heal the sick; to feed the poor; to clothe those in need, and to extend God's love to the rejects of the world.

Maybe that's all part of the 'fix' that happens in our heart...

Yearning for staying power...

steve

5 Understandable Words for Today

"...merciful and faithful high priest..."  Hebrews 2:17 (NIV)

After providing a historical context from the sacred texts to open a door of commonality with the Jews, the writer concludes the first section of the letter (what is now the end of the chapter one) with a description on the purpose of angels: ministering spirits sent to serve those who have inherited eternal life (1:14). The reader then receives a serious statement of caution - to not ignore so great a salvation.

The second section of the letter could be one of the most eloquent descriptions of Christ's purpose and position - reflecting the sacrificial death of Christ (v.'s 9, 14-18), as well as His place of honor in heaven (v.'s 9&17). I find it deeply moving how the writer identifies himself as a first generation convert: "confirmed to us by those who heard Him." (2:3) His trust in the disciples' experience with Jesus led to his trust in Christ as Savior. The personal relationship is critically important in translating the grace of Christ to a fallen world. Reinforcing the biblical truth with another reference to the Old Testament, provided further veracity to the writer's argument when he quoted from Psalm 22:22: "I will declare Your name to My brothers and sisters, in the assembly I will sing Your praises." Imagine... joining Christ in exalting God the Father in heaven... only to see God the Father return the praise right back to Jesus, Who is worthy of all glory and praise (Rev. 5:13).

Why is Jesus given such glorious praise? The writer reveals the reason just a couple of verses earlier: "...should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what He suffered." (v.10) Of course, we know He was already perfect in His pre-incarnate state as God, the Son. The verse is actually stating Jesus establishing a first: the sinless dying for the sinful, and restoring the sinful to a full relationship with a pure and holy God.

Jesus, as the "...merciful and faithful high priest..." to God, instead of offering a sacrifice, BECAME the sacrifice Himself - "...that He might make atonement for the sins of the people." (v.17) AND He is able to strengthen us in defeating temptation by His familiarity with the devil's ways when He Himself was tempted (v.18). (Jesus was tempted in the wilderness before beginning His ministry. Read about it in Matthew 4:1-11.)

He is the merciful High Priest because of His death on the cross. He is the faithful High Priest because He fulfilled His purpose for which He was sent to earth in human form. He is now faithful to complete that which He began in each of us when we embraced Him by faith (read Philippians 1:6). If you have not embraced Him in faith, then I offer the strong caution of the writer: "...how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?" (v.3)

Join me in honoring Jesus for such a great sacrifice.

To Him be the glory!

steve

5 Understandable Words for Today

“…the radiance of God’s glory…” Hebrews 1:3

The writer of Hebrews had a purpose in the design and construction of the letter to Jews under Roman law: to communicate the love of God as shown in the person of Jesus Christ, who is described as the promised Jewish Messiah and Savior of the world. The writer is reaching out to Jewish Christians at the time to encourage their faith in Christ by verifying Christ’s authenticity, as well as strengthening their resolve in the midst of persecution from both Romans and Jews.

Evidences of Christ’s pre-existence is provided in the salutation, from which we glean these five words describing Jesus: “…the radiance of God’s glory…”. In fact, the author attributes Jesus as the Creator of all things, as well as the voice of God – recognizing Him as God’s Son. (v.2) As any son may show his genetic characteristics and be recognizable by the community in his likeness to his parents, so Jesus – as God’s Son, reflects the radiance of God’s glory, and His attributes of supremacy and wisdom.

The letter’s author then began a lengthy theological lesson on the doctrine of Christ’s ‘son-ship’, quoting from a barrage of Old Testament literature: Psalm 2:7; 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chronicles 17:13; Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalm 104; Psalm 45:6-7; Psalm 102:25-27; Psalm 110:1. I share all this with you to show the writer was very familiar with both the sacred writings and how to properly apply them theologically and historically. By using the sacred texts the Jews were familiar with, the writer bridges a credibility gap - hepefully, to capture their attention in communicating the good news of the Messiah's reality and validity.

As I pondered on these words, there came a realization for application in my life each day: Just as Christ is the radiance of God’s glory, so we are the radiance of Christ’s glory. This ‘radiance’ is evidenced by our love for each other (read John 13:34-35); by the fruit of God’s Spirit at work in our behavior patterns (read Galatians 5:22-23); by embracing His great commission through intentional efforts at making disciples (read Matthew 28:19-20); and by heaven’s own testimony – namely: Christ in each of us being the hope of heaven (read Colossians 1:27).

How I shudder at such! How fearfully and wonderfully we are made… and are being remade into His image… an incorruptible model of humanity after His likeness! It is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me (read Galatians 2:19-21)!

Lord reveal these evidences in our lives to us that we may radiate Your glory.

Steve (John 3:30)

5 Understandable Words for Today

'...give it one more chance...'  Luke 13:8

Notice I do not have the phrase in literal quotes, as it is from The Living Translation and these words are not part of the literal translation, though it does mirror the semantic of the passage. Let's examine this short parable Jesus used in describing His relationship with God the Father as it relates to the garden of humanity.

There are many who believe Jesus never confronted people concerning sin, but such is not true. Jesus confronted the sin of the woman at the well (John 4); He compassionately dealt with the sin of an adulterous woman, nevertheless instructing her to "go, and sin no more". (John 8)  John 5 reveals an encounter Jesus had with an invalid whom Jesus healed and instructed to stop sinning. Evidently, Jesus knew the man's condition was caused by his sinful choices. Jesus did not shy away from exposing sin, though He modeled for us today an approach whose fundamental aim is restoration. This approach is fully motivated by love... without such love, one's efforts to confront sin in another is both Pharisaical and judgmental.

The context of today's five understandable words follows a rebuke by Jesus to the crowd He was instructing. He described how everyone was able to predict certain weather patterns:

"Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, 'When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, "Here comes a shower." And you are right. When the south wind blows, you say, "Today will be a scorcher." And it is.'" (Luke 13:54-56)

Jesus was simply revealing obvious patterns - patterns that are obvious to this day. Many of you may know the old rhyme: 'Red sky at night is a sailor's delight; red sky at morning, you'd better take warning.'. Jesus then reprimanded the crowd for understanding weather patterns while having no clue as to the pattern of  moral decline happening all around them (the Roman culture was quite liberal, similar to ours in America today).

Jesus was told how the Roman mayor of Jerusalem was complicit in conspiring to murder some Jews from Galilee who had been offering sacrifices in the temple there. A common assumption held in that day was the belief that people deserved their horrible end because of the sin in their life (remember, this is the culture that fully embraced the gladiator culture within the Roman Coliseum, and relished in the gore of contests to the death). Jesus called everyone out on the general assumptions they held, and then warned them to repent, or they, too, would meet a worse end than those executed by Pilate. (13:1-5)

Jesus then shared the heart of God - that none should perish (Matthew 18:14), through a brief parable about a land owner and his gardener. The owner had planted a fig tree in his garden, but was disappointed in its lack of fruit bearing ability, instructing the gardener to cut it down, as it was just taking up space in His garden without delivering any produce to sell.

The gardener, though, asked that the tree be given another year so that special attention could be given it by himself. It is in this conversation that I feel the editors of The Living Translation were spot on in mirroring the message of the story: '...give it one more chance.'  The message whispered in these five simple words speaks volumes. God is all about second chances. God is all about making us healthy to yield productive lives. God's expectation is for us to be fruitful.

In this parable, I believe God the Father is the owner, and Jesus is the gardener, Who gives each of us His own special attention when we are not yielding spiritual fruit. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control (Galatians 5:22-23). Jesus desires to see us healthy and strong, displaying these qualities in our lives. It's interesting that, in the literal translation, the gardener tells the owner that he would "dung" the tree - meaning, he would place feces (typically a mix of cattle, sheep, and human excrement). Perhaps there is a hidden meaning for our own lives in this. Have any of us felt that we've experienced things we would equate to the 'dung' for the tree?

The Gardener of humanity does not give up on us, even when we give up on others - or ourselves. Be encouraged in this new year: Jesus is working all things out for our good (Romans 8:28), as He works to restore us to Himself in wholeness. Let these words encourage you to give someone else another chance... or maybe give yourself another chance. Doing so will mirror the heart of restoration.

He's still working on me.

steve

5 Understandable Words for Today

"Be strong and take heart..." Psalm 31:24

Sometimes we need to hear these words. Sometimes we need someone to come along side of us, place loving arms over our shoulders, and whisper the words into our ears. Sometimes we need to tell our inner self to "man-up" or "woman-up" and recognize the reality of being grown up by facing our own discouragement and discovering once again the source of our inner motivation. Motivation can be a deceiving variable in one's life.

Motivation can be based on so many things: rewards, approval, awards, advancement, narcissistic satisfaction, avoidance of pain - physical or emotional, establishing personal goals, etc. For me, motivation is more of a spiritual exercise. I've never been one to put much credence in material things, which is why I guess I've never made a lot of money - though at times I've been greatly blessed, and at other times have experienced great need. Motivation is defined as the reason or reasons one has for acting in a particular way. Welllllll, yes, that can be true. However, motivation can also go much deeper to match the cadence of one's steps through life - a creed, if you will, reflecting one's world view.

Many years ago, while in my twenties, I embraced the following biblical passage as my life creed:

"I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall be on my lips. My soul will make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together." Psalm 34:1-3 (adapted from the NKJV)

This creed has reminded me to:

1. bless or acknowledge God's faithfulness in all circumstances; 
2. make my boasting about heavenly things, not earthly ones;
3. remember those with little means of support, education, or family connection;
4. invite others of every nation to join me in exalting the name of Jesus.

Recently, though, I needed a kick in the pants... to be 'reset'... not just defragged. My needs required a complete shutdown and restart. Over the past few months, I have grieved the loss of dear ones who God saw fit to bring to heaven - without my agreement on the matter; struggled through decisions on financial matters; wrestled with personal health issues; and contested God's judgment on matters concerning my life. 2016 was a rough year. Psalm 31 seems to speak strongly to my heart in these days:

• I needed a refuge. I wanted to hide away... just for a time.  (Ps. 31:1)
• I needed to be rescued all over again. I asked God that He would protect me and never let me be put to shame.  (v.'s 1-2)
• I was reminded of the honor given to each saint to carry the name above every name throughout the world, and I sought His direction for such a commission. (v.3)
• I spent needed time in prayer seeking God's protection from the entrapments of this world, as I recommitted myself to Him. (v.'s 4-5)
• I echoed the Psalmist's prayer in verses 9-13 so many times.
• I reaffirmed my trust in Him to write the story of my life, stating my times were in His hands.  (v.'s 14-15)
• I sought the Lord's face through time spent in His Word... that He would shine on me... not publicly, but privately - being the glory and the lifter of my head.  (v.'s 16-18; Ps. 3:3)
• I reaffirmed God's goodness and my hope in His Way. (v.'s 19-20; Jer. 29:11)
• I praised Him for showing me the wonders of His love!  (v.'s 21-22)
• I discovered today's five simple words... pregnant with power for living... understandable words for my soul:

"Be strong and take heart..." Psalm 31:24

Today, be a superman or superwoman, knowing you can do all things through Christ Who strengthens you! (Philippians 4:13)

This year, be strong and take heart, knowing He cares for you.

Have a victorious 2017!

steve

5 Understandable Words for this Christmas Day

"...on earth peace among men..." Luke 2:14

The angelic chorus witnessed by the shepherds included this blessing for peace to those with whom God is pleased. The letter to the Hebrews declares it impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6) - the kind of faith Jesus spoke of when the Roman centurion told Jesus not to bother coming to his home to heal a servant, only to speak healing and he knew the servant would be healed. Jesus was amazed at such great faith by the centurion. (Matthew 8:5-13)

God bestows peace to those who, by the faith He generates, exercise their faith in Him to grant peace of mind and seek peace with others. Faith is circular in its source and exercise - one receives a measure of faith from God to engage it in pursuits that bring honor to God. 

As the year draws to a close, we see that the time for peace has not yet come: terrorists threaten jihad around the world; outbreaks of sickness occur around the world; war displaces hundreds of thousands of refugees seeking asylum; violent storms ravage the planet, claiming thousands of lives; and even in the "civilized" USA, a clash of cultures has erupted over the killings of police officers and citizens of color. People cry out for relief, for calm, for peace without success.

God's desire, though, is for each of us to know and experience His peace... it's why Jesus was born in the first place. The Bible tells us that Jesus is The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) and those who know and walk with Him experience lives of peace beyond the comprehension of this world (Philippians 4:7). In fact, Jesus Himself IS our peace (Ephesians 2:14). In other words, amid the chaos of this world, the Christian can experience peace in and through the world's tragedy as Jesus works in and through us to bring His peace to the world.

Corrie ten Boom described seeing such peace in her sister, Betsie, while in a German concentration camp during WWII. While in the horrid conditions of the Ravensbruk concentration camp and nearing her own death, Betsie would not allow any hatred or bitterness to enter her mind, only peace and forgiveness.

Has life unsettled you? Has tragedy struck your household this year? Have heartache or bitterness overcome and disillusioned you? Ask the Prince of Peace to shower His grace over you and give you His calm assurance of His presence with you in your life's journey. Let go of any anger, bitterness, and hatred, and allow the sweet savor of God's peace to flow through you... bringing heaven's peace to the turmoil of the world around you.

Family Prayer:

Confess any sin getting in the way of your prayers. Ask God to replace any bitterness, confusion, overcoming sadness or grief with His peace. Pray for peace within your family and extended family, your neighbors, your fellow church members, and work associates... and pray for world peace, please.

5 Understandable Words for Today

"...laid Him in a manger..."  Luke 2:27 (NIV)

From the time of His birth, the world has lacked room for Jesus. Because of Ceasar's decree to count the population, people were instructed to return to their family hometown where there would be fewer challenges to one's identity, thus verifying one's legitimacy as a citizen. Most stayed with relatives, however Joseph must have come from a large family because, by the time they arrived, there was no room for Mary and him... not even in the local inn. The proprietor, though, did show a measure of hospitality and charity by offering the young expecting couple lodging in the stable under the dwelling.

As it happened, Mary came to full term and, in the darkness of that musty barn, delivered the light of the world (John 1:4). She wrapped Him in clothes and made a bassinet from a feeding trough. Isn't it interesting The One Who described Himself as The Bread of the World was placed in a feeding container? (John 6 reveals an interesting proclamation by Jesus on this foundational precept.) The Bible tells us to: "...taste and see that the Lord is good." (Psalm 34:8)

Can you imagine the odors and sounds that surrounded the newborn and His young parents? It was all the back drop God used in His continuing story of connecting His heart to the hearts of people. A stable may not seem like the perfect place for a newborn. However, that one assignment kept the new infant from the touches and breath of curious well-wishers, other children, and those who may be carrying a host of contagious illnesses.

Within the stable were the animals used to transport Joseph and Mary, as well as other possible domesticated creatures:

• Perhaps a young donkey would carry the Savior through the streets of Jerusalem in years to come... as the crowds would proclaim, "Hosanna to the King!" (John 12:13)
• Could there be a covey of doves in the eaves of this stable whose descendants would be directed by the hand of God to land upon the head of Jesus? (Luke 3:22)
• Did the baby hear the bleat of a lamb that was to be prepared for either a feast or to be sacrificially presented for the sins of the family in the Jerusalem temple just five miles away? (John 1:29)

There is no detail given to coincidence in God's script of life, and there is no detail in your life that God does not care about... or know about. He cares for you and has made room in His Kingdom for you (John 14:2), do you have room in your heart for Him? Or have the cares of this world crowded your heart to have no room for Him? Sin separates us from the One Whose light can have no fellowship with darkness. Make room in your heart today for The LIght of the world, and walk in His light (Psalm 119:105).

Pray with your family or friends:

Before you pray, discuss the moment each child or person was born, describing the protection, nurture, and care given in the first years of life. Thank God for how He protected Joseph and Mary and the infant Jesus from the plans of Herod (Matthew 2:1-23). Thank God for His care for your family and you... and for The Bread of the Word that nourishes our spiritually hungry souls.

5 Understandable Words for Today

"...the birth of Jesus Christ..." 

What a powerful statement God makes through Matthew when recording the birth event of Jesus. He quite literally became 'Emmanuel', God with us (Matthew 1:23); the moment God took on human form, clothed in human flesh, experiencing our every weakness... yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). In what way did He experience human weakness?

As a baby, He was exposed  to the human weakness of total dependency on others for His care. Though He was fully God and fully man (read Hebrews 2:5-18), He subjected Himself to the entire human experience (read Philippians 2:6-7). He grew through the stages of development each of us share: learning physical coordination to walk; eye-hand coordination; learning to speak; and developing His understanding of language skills.

As a child, Jesus saw in others the human weakness of discord. He may have felt the pain of scraped knees or hitting His thumb with a hammer; or He may have seen the unleashed anger of others during a childhood game or some competitive sport... and yet He Himself did not sin... neither was He ever held in disfavor by others (read Luke 2:52). Imagine how small children squabble over toys... not so with Jesus - He shared from His supply, even as a child. Think of the childhood quarrels that arise... not so with the King of Kings, Who never fell into disfavor with anyone in those years. He was willing to defer and to share with all.

As an older child, Christ experienced the corrective practice of discipline by His own parents. When His mother and father discovered He was missing from the family caravan that had left Jerusalem a day earlier, they had to return to retrieve their son Who they found teaching in the synagogue. It took them three days to find Him! (Can you imagine how frantic they must have been?) Their son was in the Temple both giving and asking questions with the teachers of God's Word, and they were astonished at His knowledge and use of God's Word. (Luke 2:41-47) One can be certain Joseph and Mary acted as any concerned parent would: giving Jesus appropriate verbal reprimands and discipline, which Jesus followed completely, of course. (Luke 2:48-51)

As a man, Jesus experienced the human weakness of despair. In the garden, Jesus prayed to be spared the brutality of the cross with the commitment to overcome His own human weakness in the words: "...but not my will..." (Luke 22:42)  If He had not become fully human, He would never have experieinced the torture, ridicule, and death upon that cross. He had to become as one of His own creation in order to exhibit His perfect eternal love to the world. His birth brought to fulfillment that which had been planned in eternity past and promised so many years before. (For a look at 100 biblical prophesies fulfilled at the cross see the following web article: 

http://www.100prophecies.org/page4.htm)

Through the reality of Christ birth, we are able to rely on the testimony of His life, experienced as fully human. We can better understand how He humbled Himself to leave heaven's throne and become a person exposed to the same hurts and weaknesses we experience: dependency, discord, discipline, and despair... a life journey that began in a humble stable and led to a humiliating end on a cross.

Thank you, Jesus, for Your wisdom in becoming like your own creation, and for loving us enough to fully experience and endure it all.

Oh, that now He would live through each of us! (Galatians 2:20)

steve

5 Understandable Words for Today

"...I bring you good news..." Luke 2:10

We are inundated every day with bad news from politics, banking, society, government, etc. People of the world have become hardened to the arrival of bad news after exposure to despotism, random killings, plagues, natural disasters, brutality, corruption and the host of other horrors occurring throughout the world today. Most people long for just a little good news from somewhere... and it was no different in Jesus' day. That part of the world was dominated by Roman rule, scandalous military regimes, prejudice and sickness. 

And then good news arrived through a serendipitous angelic visit to a small group of shepherds working near the village of Bethlehem. Shepherds were some of the lowest 'class' of people in their time. They may have preferred to stay out in the field after herding the sheep into a field corral... it may have been better to spend the night in the field than to endure the hustle and bustle of the government census taking place throughout the land. All who hailed from the sleepy little town, just six miles south of Jerusalem, would have returned as required by the rules of the census, crowding the streets and inns of the little town.

So... there they were that night... out in the fields keeping watch over the sheep... the angelic visit was no ordinary angelic visit either (if one could describe any angelic visit as ordinary), for it included an entire army of angels - countless messengers proclaiming the good news of Jesus' birth. They even ended with a resounding chorus of praise to God:

Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace among men with whom He is pleased!  Luke 2:14

What a peculiar way to pronounce such unprecedented news: announcing heaven's headline news to a bunch of sheep herders. People didn't care what shepherds thought. Shepherds held no political sway or social influence. So, why bring the news to these guys? Why not appear before the world's leaders, or the socially elite, or the VIP's of their day?

Perhaps God not only directed the angels to the shepherds, but also preserved the occasion in His Word (which will last forever) that we might know there is no person on earth He views as insignificant, unimportant, disposable, or inconsequential. YOU matter to God... you do! And though you may not have had a recent chorus of angels surrounding you with good news, God wants to delight you with the same message of His love expressed through the life of His Son. It is through His Son where one finds grace sufficient for each moment (read 2 Corinthians 12:9), and the hope of eternal joy (read Romans 15:13). 

The benefits of God's good news should incite our hearts to worship Him. Would we be moved to worship Him with the same enthusiasm of the angelic host by proclaiming from our own mouths our best ascription of praise? If heaven is moved to worship with such passion, shouldn't we - as God's earthly creation - mirror the same? Let the songs of the season move your heart to join in the spirit of this season to not only show greater concern for our fellow man, but to also give God our heartiest expressions of praise for the priceless gift of His son, Jesus Christ.

Glory to God in the highest!

steve

5 Understandable Words for Today

"...God will set you high..."  Deuteronomy 28:1

This promise to Israel is conditioned upon being careful to keep all His commands. Obedience is the prequel to blessing. Disobedience is as witchcraft in God's eyes (1 Samuel 15:23). We reward our children for good behavior, and in the same way, God rewards us for embracing His way. How does He reward us? Pretty well, I'd say. So much so, that we become the envy of other nations. This is the meaning behind the phrase we inspect today. Why would a nation embracing God's ways become the envy of other nations? Well... check out the benefits:

1. The towns and fields will be blessed. (v.3) There will be peace in the cities and the fields will produce plenty of grass for the livestock.
2. The children and crops will be blessed. (v.4) The children will grow up in an environment of love and happiness. Crops that are planted will be harvested in abundance. Even the offspring of the livestock will be healthy and productive!
3. One's fruitbaskets and breadboards will be blessed. (v.5) These were used in two ways: to give in celebration at special occasions and to demonstrate care to those in a time of crisis. This 'blessing' reflects the abundance available from the work of their hands that can be sold or given away.
4. One will be blessed wherever one's travel leads and whatever one's business pursues. (v.6)
5. When the nation is under attack, God will fight  their enemies. (v.7)
6. Everything will be blessed and there will be plenty to store away. (v.8)

Moses summarized the blessing by giving another promise: "...the Lord will establish you..." (v.9) He provided a vision of what that looks like when he said, 'Then all the nations of the world will see that you are a people claimed by the Lord, and they will stand in awe of you."

If there has ever been another nation that has experienced such blessings from God where other nations are in awe of the blessings, it would be the United States of America. I've known such blessings throughout my life, and pray that another great awakening across this country will occur in the days ahead to bring continued blessing to our land. Please pray with me for such. 

You can jump start that prayer for our country with my book, Freedom's Foundation, which will guide you through forty days of intercession for America. You will discover a biblical precept of freedom each of the forty days. Each precept springs from then inspiration of a simple five word biblical phrase. There are over 60 historical citations that complement the material as well. I know you will enjoy it.

Pray with me that God will set us high, once again, as the envy of other nations.

The purpose of such?  TO BLESS OTHER NATIONS!

John 3:30

steve

5 Understandable Words for Today

"Give generously to the poor..."  Deuteronomy 15:10  NLT

As we continue a look at the information God gave Moses for the nation of Israel, God provides instruction on how we are to manage a portion of our monies or income... in charitable giving. This section of teaching is located in Deuteronomy 14:22 - 15:11.

The first rule for money management the Lord provides is to tithe a tenth of one's income to the Lord. The Hebrew word for it is: מַעֲשֵׂר  (pronounced mah-as-ayr'). It literally means the tenth part. There is another word for offering. The tithe was a testament of the worshiper declaring God's ability to provide. The purpose God gave for the tithe was to teach everyone to fear the Lord - to reverence Him only, recognizing His providential hand to supply all their needs.

God provided a second rule of money management: to bring the tithe of the harvest to the nearest town (the closest synagogue) and give it to the Levites, who in turn would share it with the foreigners, orphans and widows in each town. By remembering the Levites (14:27,29), God promises to bless all the work of their hands (14:29e).

A third rule of financial management is then provided by God: to cancel the debts of everyone who owes money. This is a most interesting practice, which - of course - is seen as either outdated or non-applicable in today's business practice. God's reason for erasing the debts of their fellow citizens was so there would be no poor among you (15:4). God then assures His great blessings to those who follow His ways. In fact, God echoes this sentiment a second time stating: "You will receive this blessing if you are careful to obey all the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today."  (15:5) God promises Moses these practices will create a financially strong nation: one that would lend to other nations, and would never have to borrow from another nation. God provides a quick lesson by doing so: the debtor is 'slave' to the lender (see 15:6c). This rule did not apply to the foreigners living among them, as foreigners were to demonstrate fiscal responsibility by paying their debts... to do otherwise would have bankrupted the country. We might learn a wise lesson from this practice.

There are three important phrases God shares to conclude His teaching on one's philanthropic responsibility.:

1. "...do not be hard hearted..." (15:7)  If they see that their neighbors or fellow citizens are struggling financially, they were to proactively lend the resources needed to get them on their feet. It's interesting that this phrase is paired with another descriptor: "tightfisted" . One who is tightfisted has no sensitivity to the financial plight of others. A wise handler of money knows that the status will not change overnight. It will take time. Nevertheless, the resources should be supplied generously to provide whatever they need (to get established). It is quite true that it takes such to build true  community, so each member of the community recognizes the mutual worth within their citizens.
2. "Do not be mean spirited..."  (15:9a)  God knows how humans think and calls each of us out on it. He even provides the circumstantial illustration of refusing to provide a loan close to the year for cancelling debts (15:9b); adding the reminder of God's ever watchful eye for those who are poor or oppressed.
3. "Give generously to the poor..."  (15:10a)  God addresses the heart of the issue: our heart attitude. To give generously to the poor, one must be willing to open up hands, pockets, and pocketbooks to provide for those less fortunate. He does not get into the reasons the poor are poor. He does not accuse them of foolish handling of their monies. He does not offer any 'cause - effect' on why the poor are poor. In fact, God simply states there will always be poor living among us (15:11). Jesus echoed this truth in John 12:8, when He defended Mary's lavish display of love by pouring expensive perfume on His feet. He told those who questioned her actions that there would always be time to address the needs of the poor... and that His time was soon running out.

So, today's five understandable words are those words used when God addresses our heart attitude. It's always about one's heart with God... our actions flow from the heart. Have you allowed the Great Physician to give you a heart checkup lately? Have you had a heart to heart talk with Him today?

Give and to you will be given... (Luke 6:38)

steve 

5 Understandable Words for Today

"...and thou shalt stone them..."  Deuteronomy 13:10 ASV

In this directive, God is defining the punishment to those who make concerted efforts to lead God's people away from Him. We, today, are horrified of the thought of such as we witness the beheading of Christians by ISIS militants and hear of the persecution of Christians around the world. The issue at hand was the worship of other God's... an issue Christians in America may do well to reflect upon. Sunday's used to belong to God's people who gathered to study God's Word and give Him honor and glory through whole hearts united in worship. Does it hold true today? According to the recent movie, "Concussion", Sundays are now 'owned' by the NFL. Others have noted Friday nights are dominated by high school football and nightclubs, while Saturday nights are 'owned' by college football and shopping malls... signs of the times in an entertainment driven society. 

What alternatives are possible for Christians today to embrace the semantic of the directive? The first way to demonstrate one's devotion to God and His ways is to take up one's cross and follow Him. (Read Matthew 16:24) By recognizing how we deify our own selves and dying to our own fleshly lusts, we embrace God's design of the creature worshipping The Creator. (Read Romans 1:18-25)  Taking up one's cross is a statement which declares one's willingness to give one's own life in service of our Lord. As I stated earlier, that very thing is happening in certain parts of the world today. Taking up one's cross also shows to the world that we are a people of peace and sacrifice, not willful destruction. At first blush, it may seem to be contrary to the weight of today's five understandable words. However, the Christ follower takes on the likeness of The Savior when personal sacrifice is required, thereby fulfilling the punishment required for those who despise God's way. So, what are we to do, willingly die at the hands of those who so savagely accommodate such an action? In Romans 8:36, the apostle Paul is saying just that:  "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written, 'For Your sake we face death all day long, we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more thatn conquerors through Him Who loved us."  (Romans 8:35-37)

The second alternative we have toward those who seek to lead us away from our followship of His way is by impressing those hearts with the Word and love of God found in Christ. We are then hurling stones of love and compassion... thereby heaping hot stones upon their heads.  (Read Romans 12:1-21, giving special attention at verses 19-21)

The third alternative followers of Christ can employ in fulfilling the essence of the Old Testament directive is by our vote. When leaders of a nation make such bold statements which challenge core precepts of our faith, they can be voted out or kept from entering the public legislative community. Christians must not shrink back from exercising their right to vote, and that vote should be very seriously considered and paired with one's values. The dichotomy which exists in today's political environment is too obvious to miss. The Goliath we face today is of a post-modern liberalism which threatens the very foundations of our country. I write about this in my book, "Freedom's Foundation", providing forty biblical precepts to freedom the Founders were intimately familiar with, and which aided in their development of our founding documents. This Goliath is too big to miss... Christians must aim and fire with the power of their vote.

The efforts we make today will embolden our children to stand and preserve the fundamental right to the practice of religion in America for their generation. In so doing we are "pleasing Him" (v.18). We become those who will not throw the first stone in a punitive way, to show the integrity of Christ's way. (Read John 8:1-7)

Sticks and stones... 

Steve (John 3:30)

5 Understandable Words for Today

“…your God is testing you…”  Deuteronomy 13:3

These words, spoken to Moses on the mountain top, were given to teach the nation Israel how to discern between true and false prophets. It seems we humans are easily ‘schnookered’ into believing someone or something to be genuine or true, when it is actually a fake: a confederate, a charlatan, a counterfeit, etc. It is at that time when one feels ‘bamboozled’ and made to look the fool. It’s a tough morsel to swallow… eating crow is no fun.

Why would God want to test us anyway? He desires for each of us to reflect the righteousness of His Kingdom through our love for His Word and by embracing His Way. It’s oftentimes not the popular way, though it is the more blessed way. He desires for each of us to worship Him alone, not the idols of this world. Some of us are more fanatic about a professional sports team, a professional entertainer, or even our own possessions than we are about ascribing glory and honor to God’s name in worship.

What consumes our greatest attention, energies, time, and resources? What do we boast about most often? The answer to those two questions, if different from the Lord Jesus Christ, may reflect one’s own personal idol… even if the answer is family. (Jesus taught this precept in Luke 14:27, when teaching his disciples to take up a cross and follow Him. 

A sermon I once heard by a Rev. Dale Sealy once described God’s tests as having three characteristics: each test is personal, each test is a pop test, and each test is graded on a pass-fail basis. Tests are opportunities given by God to demonstrate one’s ‘followship’ of His Way or one’s rejection of it, and thus the rejection of His truth for our lives found in His Word.

Every test is personal. God is a personal God: He is not some phantom of one’s imagination; neither is He some impersonal angry being seeking to make life difficult for all. The Bible teaches us that God is love (I John 4:8) and the calling card of those who follow Christ is the character of love. The apostle Paul taught that love was the chief of everything we could ever experience on earth: “…the greatest of these is love.” (I Corinthians 13:13). Just as some of the best love stories in history reflect a test or multiple tests which demonstrate the couple’s enduring love, so God tests each of us out of His love for us.

Every test we face is also a pop test: we never know when it will come upon us. I never liked pop tests in high school or college. I became very anxious at the thought of failing… sometimes because I was keenly aware of being woefully unprepared for the material of the day. Moses demonstrated his own opinions of such when God called to him from the burning bush. (Read the excuses Moses gave to God in Exodus chapters 3 and 4) God provides His Word for us to be prepared for the uncertainty of this life and to direct our hearts to His unchanging love. His pop tests may be reminders for His children to be students of His Word – the guidebook for those lost and who can’t find their way; the love letter for the broken hearted; the book of promises for those who have seen nothing but broken promises.

God’s test’s aren’t graded on a curve. God’s tests are given for each of us to know immediately if we passed or failed. There is no dread of waiting for the test results. There is no confusion for wondering one’s next steps. The Bible is full of examples about those who either passed or failed God’s ‘pass-fail’ tests (which were also personal and pop tests), allowing that one to understand his own weakness or strength in the dynamic of the moment:

• Sampson knew where his strength originated, yet realized he failed God when he awoke in chains with his eyes pierced out.  (Read Judges 13-16 for the entire story)
• Joseph realized at an early age that God had a magnificent plan for his life, yet he was painfully aware of his failure to love and serve his brothers as a youth.  (Read Genesis 37:1 – 44:9 for the entire story)
• David’s confidence grew as he understood his strengths in battle after defeating the lion, the bear, and even the giant – Goliath, only to realize the consequence of his sin at arranging the death of one of his best generals while he slept with the man’s wife.  (Read 2 Samuel 11 – 12 for the entire story)
• The thief at the cross was able to agree with God concerning his sin, and discovered the joy of God’s love when Jesus promised him a quick reunion in paradise.  (Read Luke 23:32-43 for the entire story)

What tests have you experienced lately? Do you recall times of testing in your life which perplexed you or brought you to a time of searching? Remember God’s promise through His Son, Jesus, when He said:

“I will be with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

It’s been said that two things are certain in life: death and taxes. I would entertain a third certainty: life tests. Each one will be personal, pass-fail, and you will never know when it is coming… but you can be sure you are not immune to one coming your way. I guess that’s why I always loved the Boy Scout motto: “Be prepared”. Being equipped both physically and mentally to face the unexpected is a spiritual precept found in today’s five understandable words: “…your God is testing you…”. The tests become moments to display one’s devotion and affection to God Who loved each of us so much that He sent His only Son to die in our place on a cruel cross – to pay the price of our sin. Jesus passed the test of total compliance to the Father’s will. The phrase immediately following today’s five simple words reveals God’s purpose for these tests: “…to see if you truly love Him with all your heart and soul.” The test goes full circle: it was given to us out of God’s love, so we, in turn, could demonstrate our love to Him.

The tests are important… for there is a reward that follows those who pass God’s tests of love. Paul echoed the words of Isaiah when he described the rewards to the church at Corinth:

“…eye has not seen, nor has ear heard, and neither has entered into the mind of man the things God has prepared for those who love Him.”  (I Corinthians 2:9)

In the gospel of John, chapter 21, Jesus posed a question to Peter three times, “…do you love me?” It could be said that each question was a mini pop-test, though the entire conversation was a test to determine the extent of Peter’s love for the Lord. The question rings true today…

Have you heard Him ask you recently?

steve (John 3:30)

5 Understandable Words for Today

"...remember to include the Levites..."  Deuteronomy 12:12  NLT

These five words were a reminder to a nation that had often rebelled against God's way and had many times forsaken His design for a healthy community. You see, God's design included the welfare of those who would serve the nation through prayers of intercession and presenting the offerings people brought to worship the Lord. What led to this instruction from God?

If you recall, the tribal leaders coerced Aaron into making an idol of a golden calf. Once Aaron had completed the work on the statue, the people declared their allegiance to it and began worshiping it - thus committing idolatry. There was a huge celebration with men and women dancing around the symbol that would give them favor in the eyes of the other nations - showing their neighboring countries that they shared similar religious practices. Just as the party was getting warmed up, Moses showed up after descending Mount Sinai with the first set of tablets on which God had engraved the Ten Commandments... with His own hand.

Once Moses witnessed the disgraceful behavior of the people, he became so angry that he threw the sacred tablets down... smashing them into a rubble of broken laws... literally... just about every one of them was broken by the nation of Israel that moment. (Moses recalled the entire event in Dt. 9:7-29) With the originals being irreparably damaged, God instructed Moses to chisel out two stone tablets similar to the first ones, (Dt. 10:1) as well as a sacred chest to be made of wood. Moses complied by constructing the chest from acacia wood. Moses made the trek back to the top of Mount Sinai where God, once again, engraved the Ten Commandments upon the tablets. Moses placed the tablets in the sacred chest called an Ark.  

The nation broke camp and headed toward Jotbathah, a land with many brooks and streams (10:7). It was at that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the Ark of the Covenant, and act as His ministers, as well as to pronounce blessings in His name. (v.8) The Levites were to understand their inheritance as the Lord, Himself - they had no share of property in the promised land. While the nation traveled and set-up camp at Jotbathah, Moses ascended back to the top of Mount Sinai, where he stayed for forty days and nights. (v.10)

During the next forty days God provided Moses with instruction relevant for us today:

1. Fear God's omnipotent power; this gives Him the right to judge. (v.12 & 11:1)
2. Live to please God: by loving and serving Him with a whole heart. (v.12)
3. Obey His commands... they were given for our good. (v.13 & 11:1)
4. Let God's way change our hearts... do not stubbornly refuse to change. (v.16)
5. God is Who He says He is. (v.17)
6. Show love to foreigners. (v.19)
7. The blessing and the curse from embracing or refusing God's way. (11:16-28)

For a moment, God reminds Moses of the future with another five simple words: "When He gives you rest..." (12:10) The Lord once again commands Moses to remember to worship Him on the appointed day - the day of rest for when God provides rest... which is why the nation was to: "...remember to include the Levites..." (12:12) God repeats the instruction in verse nineteen after describing the practice of sharing the sacrificial meat in a meal with the Levites who prepared the sacrifices.

Across America, the Christian culture of today falls woefully short of this instruction given to Moses. The American church has scorned God's omnipotence by embracing contemporary cultural practices. Serving God has become something only a minister does, and is not seen as a Christian's responsibility. Obeying the Ten Commandments has been reduced to following one's own heart, which we stubbornly refuse to be transformed by God's redeeming grace. Those who attest to following Christ are filled with intentions to harm or mistreat the foreigners living among us. Christians across the country by-in-large disregard any teaching of a blessing or curse - deeming it superstitious. Pastors across the land are dropping out in record numbers due to the harsh treatment given them by parishioners. There doesn't seem to be a heart of compassion for one's pastor, even a heart leading to dine with one's pastor.

Let this blog remind us to remember the Levites, as well as God's way given to bless us personally, which will also bless our families, our neighborhoods, our cities, our counties, our states, our nation, and the world.

I will remember,

steve (John 3:30)

5 Understandable Words for Today

“Doing this will teach you…”  Deuteronomy 14:23e

Before entering the promised land, the Lord instructed Moses on the meaning of the law given to guide the people in holy living. When it came to giving, God instructed the tithes of crops, new wine, olive oil, and the first born males of the flocks and herds be delivered to the designated place of worship. By following this practice, the people would learn to fear the Lord. Fearing God can be described as being in awe of His way, and thus embracing it as one’s own way.

The tithe was an act of worship. It might even be said it was the central act of worship during this era of Israel’s history. There are times when we may experience a dryness in our spirit and consider holding back from worshiping the Lord. One may even discontinue the practice of tithing or giving to God as an act of worship. God’s Word counsels us to reconsider this decision and allow God to work in and through our worship of Him to teach us His way.

This precept of giving is a reflection of God’s gift to us: He did not hold back His only Son (read Romans 8:32), and He supplies all our needs. When we give in worship, we recognize the sacrifice of Jesus’ own life on the cross. We can more closely see the meaning in His prayer: “…not my will but Yours be done…” (Luke 22:42), thus leading us to make a similar sacrifice when we are prone to avoid worship and the act of giving.

God even instructed Moses on ways to accomplish one’s intent to give – even when one has to make the sacrifice of a great distance to do so. (v.’s 24-26) Moses was then reminded to remember the Levites among them, for they would have no allotment of land they would occupy. Every third year, the tithe was to go directly to the Levites, foreign neighbors, orphans, and widows – that they may “…eat and be satisfied.” (v.’s 27-29) By keeping this practice, God promised to bless the work of the Israelites.

And He will do the same for us today… God will bless our work (v.29) and teach us to revere His way through our commitment to tithe and worship Him. Perhaps we might look at the efficiency with which the tithes were budgeted, and the commitment of His people to give. It may create in us a more charitable spirit, as well as yield a more accountable use of God’s blessings to us.

Give and to you will be given…  (Luke 6:38)

steve