Junk Food Fast
Psalm 80; Isaiah 5:1–7; Galatians 5:16–26

Both Psalm 80 and the passage from Isaiah 5 are not warmhearted Scriptures. They both address the reality that the Israelites have not been faithful to God.

Other places in the Scriptures note that the Israelites were faithful in their actions, or at least they attempted to complete the requirements of the Law. Those same places, however, observed that while the actions were “per the book”, their hearts were far away from the heart of the Law (true purpose). It could be said that they were further from the heart of the Law than they were from their relationship to God, and that’s saying something.

As I am looking to sending my last 2 kids to college this fall, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own college freshman year. One of the first things I thought of was the food (like any teenage male). Yes, it was cafeteria food, but like most male teenagers it was quantity, not quality. One of my favorite foods was corn dogs, which I still like. The quantity I would eat at one sitting hurts my stomach at this point. One or two corn dogs a month wouldn’t be horrible, but it wasn’t one or two, and it wasn’t once a month.

Corn dogs are, bluntly, junk food. They’re tasty (to me, at least). Hot dogs can be okay for you (really, they’re just a sausage). Cornbread isn’t too bad (depending). The combination, especially deep-fried, is not healthy. On the other hand, if one were to only eat a particular food, no matter how healthy it might be on its own, our bodies would break down, as no food has all the nutrients that our bodies need.

While misunderstanding God’s intent is one thing, but doing wrong is something different. Paul’s message to Galatians talks about the spiritual “junk food” that they were consuming. What we have been taught to think of as sins (understandably) were the ways of the surrounding culture.

They were part of the surrounding culture and thus were a norm. As these practices were part of the culture, learning to understand that they were not part of a God-honoring life would require self-sacrifice and discipline. If they were to continue their cultural practices, their spiritual bodies would become fatally obese.

G.K. Chesterton wrote, “the Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried.”

For the Galatians, dieting from their cultural norms and expectations would have been found very difficult, and probably a little hard to explain to their friends and family. For American Christians, so much of our culture has what we think are Christian trappings, but is actually the junk food of the American culture. Figuring out what is healthy and what is not in our culture for the Christian life is the obligation of the Christian community.

Without question, though, there is a need for significant spiritual dietary changes.

※Reflection※
- What is one thing you know is an American Christian “thing”, but isn’t present among Christians in other countries?
- How are you evaluating the culture around you and its influence on your walk with Christ?
- Are you rightly evaluating the cultural pieces you agree with and disagree with?
※Prayer※

Lord, we need the Holy Spirit to change our spiritual diet. Help us, in community, to work out what is and isn’t of you. Amen.
2021-05-03
Open Invite
Acts 8:26–40; Psalm 22:25–31; 1 John 4:7–21; John 15:1–8

In many respects, the story of the Ethiopian is one of my favorites. It, along with the Samaritan woman, reflects the love and grace of God.

Yesterday, in Amos 9:7, Cushite was used as a disparaging term toward the Israelites infidelity to God. A Cushite is what the Old Testament calls…an Ethiopian. So, the people group used to disparage the Israelites…can have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

Then there is another issue. The Ethiopian was a eunuch. Per the Law, a eunuch was not permitted in the Temple. Granted, tradition had redefined things a bit.

One thing often disappears in this is the reality that one cannot reproduce biologically when one is a eunuch. However, as a Christian one still produces children…spiritual ones (think Paul and Timothy).

The Ethiopian was already on the spiritual journey, for he was going to worship at the Temple. It means that he was a worshiping as a Jew. He was, then, almost there.

The Ethiopian is symbolic of just how outside of God’s “family” a person can be, and still be called into relationship. We could dismiss the so-called minor issues of the Ethiopian, however, the Law helped to define what was holy for the Jews.

So, this isn’t a minor thing. Instead, it shows that while God is holy and separate, God still makes a way for those whose hearts are open to the movement of the Holy Spirit. That’s pretty open. God’s grace is wide open.

※Reflection※
- Have you ever felt so separated from God, that God would never take you back?
- How would you explain this grace to a person who does not understand holiness?
※Prayer※

Jesus, you are the reason for this grace that we have been given. Thank you for what you did for us on the cross. Amen.
2021-05-02
Even Smaller Than That
Psalm 22:25–31; Amos 9:7–15; Mark 4:30–32

The Lord’s condemnation of Israel puts Israel in the same category as the people that were pushed out of the Promised Land in the beginning. In many respects, the church in the West probably is similarly categorized. You may have had your instantaneous response of, “Yes, THAT part of the church has THAT issue.” Yes, they probably do. And don’t forget that they see some issue with you.

This is human. It is also the future saving grace of the church. Yes, that there are two such severe wings of the church is actually a great potential for the greatest grace lived out since the last reformation.

Viewing Amos as a vision of the church (a very loose interpretation, granted), there was a silver lining to being categorized alongside the enemies of God. God wasn’t done with them (Israel or the church), and they would eventually be restored.

In these times, we (even we cynics) must look for both the silver linings and the little ways that God is moving in the world, especially the Western World that appears to be alienated from or directly opposing God (including or especially in the church). We need to be actively looking for God’s mustard seeds.

※Reflection※
- What mustard seeds are you seeing in your life?
- What mustard seeds are you seeing in the lives of others?
- What will you do to nourish these mustard seeds you see?
※Prayer※

Lord, you are never sparing in sowing the seeds of grace. Help us to be equally generous as we share our lives which you have changed through your love. Amen.
2021-05-01
A Different Movement
Psalm 22:25–31; Amos 8:11–13; Acts 8:9–25

The diminished place in American society that the American church is finally beginning to truly wrestle with is where the church was in many other Western countries many decades ago. As it processes what this means, the American church what it means when “its place” is not the one of honor nor power.

God, however, isn’t as concerned about the church, per se, but about its people. The people (e.g., the future descendants of Psalm 22:30) will still proclaim the glory, mercy, and love of God. How it’s done, however, will be changing rapidly over the next few years. This isn’t the first time.

Much of what Jesus opposed during his time of ministry developed when God was quiet (the time between Malachi and John the Baptist). God was very quiet. Yes, there were pious and spirit-led people during those times. They led the people and helped the people. Sadly, over that same time period, others developed ways to “meet the mark” that resulted in broken hearts and spirits, and not in a good way.

The Western church may be in such a place. On the other hand, some of the Western churches aren’t experiencing decline; they are experiencing revival! While they are the exception, it just shows that God is moving.

There are plenty of Simons in the world. They are successful. They have influence. They have money. Yet, there will be those who, like Simon, will find the message about Jesus to be irresistible and abandon it all.

Like Peter, though, we will still need to disciple them so that they understand what it means to follow Christ. Even in the church today, there are people who bargain with God. Some will give so that God will give them what they think they want. There are a lot of Simons even in the church.

How God will speak, how God will move, how people will respond are all in question at this point. We cannot make any assumptions. Nor can we remain comfortable or complacent. God will act, let’s hope we’re beside God as it happens.

※Reflection※
- What changes in church do you see?
- What changes in you do you see toward God’s movement?
- How do you see how you will share about Jesus changing?
- What are your expectations for how God will move?
※Prayer※

Lord, as we wait for your movement, help us to be aware of the little movements all around us, so that we may be present when the big movements come. Amen.
2021-04-30
Joy to Tears
Psalm 22:25–31; Amos 8:1–7; Acts 8:1b–8

For many people, singing in worship of God is a significant part of their life of faith. They love the joy-filled worship of God.

The image provided in Amos takes those joy-filled songs and turns them into songs of pain, sorrow, and lament. The misery of the people of Israel (as conveyed by Amos) is that even their praise and worship had become crying and wailing. Think of a church service where all the joy was gone.

In many respects, after a number of incidents (9/11, Oklahoma City, and others) people would come to the church and grieve. Their feelings of pride and courage buried in the ashes of death. Yet, now, people don’t. We’ve had horrific things happen in our society and people aren’t looking to the church.

Perhaps we need a Saul. Perhaps COVID or Trump or Biden is our Saul. Perhaps it will be something else.

Saul persecuted the church. The members of the church left Jerusalem. The faith spread. The number of people who came to Christ grew.

We are in a state of discomfort. We, the church, are no longer sure of where we belong. We look at ourselves (the church) and wonder what’s wrong. We look at the world and wonder what’s wrong.

※Reflection※
- It can be hard to sit in the dark, when we want to be in the light of Jesus. Why is part of our purpose to be in (not of) the dark?
- What can the darkness teach us about the light?
※Prayer※

Lord, you called from the darkness into your light. You sent us back into the darkness to share your light. May we do your will. Amen.
2021-04-29
Restoration
Psalm 95; Micah 7:8–20; Mark 14:26–31

In this passage in Micah, Zion is the personification of Jerusalem and the Promised Land. Zion also takes on the aspect of the people themselves. What is interesting is that Zion proclaims guilt in regards to God, but the actual people weren’t open to that way of thinking.

The recognition that the consequences of destruction are well-earned is also something many of the people would not understand. If we are honest with ourselves, none of us like the negative consequences of our actions. We only want the positive ones.

The poetic hyperbole of the rebuilding of Zion is about the speed of restoration versus the speed of falling into one’s own mire. God gave the descendents of Israel plenty of time to allow themselves to descend into the mess of their own making. God also gave them plenty of time to repent. They chose not to.

God still loved them, though, just as God still loves us even when continue to do things that God does not want us to do. That is the beauty and the grace in the poetic rebuilding of Zion. In many respects, we can see a resemblance to what occurs when a person first truly gives their heart to Jesus Christ. Restoration! Restoration of our relationship with God is always there waiting for our surrender.

When the disciples made such sure and quick promises to Jesus that they would never betray him, their words were honest to the best of their understanding. However, once the hard times came, they quickly ran away (granted, after today’s verses). They were truly overwhelmed by the power (physical, religious, cultural, and political) that came to take Jesus.

They made a rash proclamation and broke it quickly after. Jesus still came and restored the relationship. Restoration is always around the corner.

※Reflection※
- How has God restored you? Can you recall how many times? What lessons were learned from them? What person or people were common in any of these experiences (whether individuals or roles)?
- What does this tell you about God? What does it tell you about yourself?
※Prayer※

Lord, under your grace and love, we are always under construction. Thank you for working on us. Help us to surrender each wall, door, or room of our hearts that is not like you. Amen.
2021-04-28
Throne Encirclement
Psalm 95; 1 Chronicles 11:1–9; Revelation 7:13–17

Thrones are attractive. The concept of a throne involves power, wealth, and influence. Depending on “the throne”, it might also have religious and cultural ramifications as well.

Thrones, or their facsimiles, often draw those who are weak, yet seek strength. Thrones also draw those who crave power and control over others. There, too, are those that seek to use the throne for their own wealth.

King Saul was dead. The man all these elders surrounded Saul and likely helped keep David away from the throne that God had bestowed upon David. To their credit, they recognized that God had indeed bestowed the seat of Israel to David. However, based upon their remarks, they had understood prior to this moment that David was God’s choice, yet it was only now that they approached David.

We can see similar behavior in our state (or provincial) capitals and our national capitols. While the US (for example) has no throne, Congress and Executive branches have plenty of people surrounding them, brown-nosing and seeking favor. Washington, D.C., has become the throne.

This is not to say that all who are around the throne (whether David’s or Washington, D.C.) are bad. In fact, there are more positive, effective, well-meaning, and loyal people than bad ones. It’s just that the bad ones are more capable of doing harm, solely because those that are good don’t even think that way.

The “throne” of God also attracts many of the same bad kind. Many of these will see their gain through God, but not recognize that their gain is nothing but vapor.

On the other hand, those shown in the vision to John were not that kind. Some were likely martyrs. Some had hard lives that brought glory to God through blood sweat and tears. Others did work where they saw no glory at all, but were faithful and trusted God with their endeavors.

※Reflection※
- What are good reasons to surround the throne of God?
- What are good reasons to surround the thrones of humanity?
※Prayer※

Lord, may we view your throne with hearts of righteousness, and may we surrender the thrones of our hearts, souls, and minds to you. Amen.
2021-04-27
A Matter of Age
Psalm 95; 1 Samuel 16:1–13; 1 Peter 5:1–5

Are you old, or are you young? It might seem to be an easy answer. Even with twins (or other multiples), there is always one who is older. Except, that far too often, we focus on chronological, rather than contextual age.

There are stories after stories in the Scriptures where youth isn’t the issue, but rather faithfulness to God. To be sure, some of the most faithful showed their faithfulness from their youth (Samuel and David, for example).

David and Samuel were both young when God called them to amazing things. What we often don’t discuss is that these two, for example, were surrounded by those older than themselves. Whether it was David’s family (or later counselors) or the priests and seers around Samuel, there was bound to be someone older who spoke into their lives. We know that even Eli (Samuel’s mentor) spoke into Samuel’s life in a God-filled way, despite having fallen away from God in other ways.

While Peter’s letter is generally assumed to be by chronological age, there is another perspective. While age was still a factor, in particular, it was age of faith. Peter’s calling to the leaders was as leader, elder, and age. There is something to be said about long and deep experience in the faith (rather than a short time or any length of time in shallow faith).

This gets particularly interesting for us in regards to people who are older who then come to faith. There are many situations where a person comes to saving faith in Jesus Christ as an adult. Logically, we can understand that they may be less wise and educated in the faith than a (for example) teenager that came to faith as a child, but a life of experience can make a great change, too.

It is a both/and situation. It is both chronological age (and theoretically experience in the world) and duration of faith. There is also the factor of wisdom.

In the Church of the Nazarene, we hold baptism and moral responsibility at the point of accountability. Just like the preceding words regarding elders of age and faith, there is a lot of discernment and grace that goes into it. We often don’t really know who is accountable according to God. We often just have to guess.

This is the same as who is “the elder” of the church. It isn’t only a title. It is also a way of being. You may find that others discern that you have greater spiritual wisdom than you think you should (by the grace of God). On the other hand, you find yourself thinking yourself much more of a elder than everyone else finds you.

※Reflection※
- To whom might you be a spiritual elder? Why might that be?
- Who is a spiritual elder to you? Why?
- What makes someone a spiritual elder?
※Prayer※

Lord, may the Holy Spirit guide us into all Truth, including the truth of ourselves, so that we look for spiritual elders and so that we may become God-honoring spiritual elders to others. Amen.
2021-04-26
We Maybe Sheep

Psalm 23; Genesis 48:8–19; Mark 6:30–34

“They’re running around like chickens with their heads cut off!”

For someone who wasn’t raised on a farm (me), it is probably a bad phrase to use, though I understand the concept. I’m sure it’s different were one to experience it. Oddly, that phrase comes to mind when Jesus has compassion on the crowd because “they were like sheep without a shepherd.”

Add that to another phrase I’ve heard, “we love the sheep, but sheep bite,” and it all sounds very similar to the current reactive culture that surrounds us. It also sounds like far too many people who call themselves Christian.

“We have our shepherd…Jesus.” Christians should, but Jesus says that His sheep will know the sound of his voice. Look around you. Does it seem as if people are hearing the voice of Jesus? This may sound harsh, yet one of the biggest accusations thrown at Christians is that they are hypocrites.

If people who call themselves Christians are not listening for and to God, then hypocrite is pretty accurate. I’ve heard many people (of varying political/economic/ cultural/career/personality types) say that the world is so angry, harsh, judgmental that they want nothing to do with it. We are called to be salt and light.

The world around us needs to figure out how to have conversations again. The church has the Great Shepherd to guide us. We should probably figure out how to guide the world, but first, we must allow ourselves to be guided.

※Reflection※

Is there one “voice” that you listen to above all others? Whose? How do you deal with that voice when it leads you into apparent conflict with your dreams, family, or other relationships? How do you test that “voice”?

※Prayer※

Lord, helps to develop ears that hear you and hearts that follow you. Amen.

2021-04-24
Alien Calling
Psalm 23; Genesis 46:28–47:6; Acts 4:1–4

I have moved around 15 times in 25 years. I have told that to even some military families and they look at me in shock. That is, honestly, a stupid number of moves. Some were big. Some were small. All were disruptive. My childhood was somewhat similar. My biological parents had divorced by the time I was 2. I went to my dad’s on weekends and spent the week with my mom. As a child, where home was, well, questionable. Many of us have some part of us that is unsettled. Whether it is dissatisfaction at home (I pray not, but it is reality), work, school, or even church, we may not feel welcome or whole or as if we belong. It can be spiritual, emotional, financial, or even something else.

We shouldn’t be particularly surprised by this. We have the image of God (Imago Dei) in us. This world, as the saying goes, is not our home.

Jacob (Israel) and his family settled in Goshen. Goshen became (for all intents and purposes) the home of the Hebrews. Yet, even while there, from beginning to end, it was not really their home. The Promised Land was to be their home. The place their children’s children’s…children would be.

Those that joined the Way (one of the original names for Christians) both joined a new place of belonging and alienated their origin belonging (whether Jew or Greek). They became aliens in their own land.

Being alien (or strangers) in one’s own land can seem to be peculiar. That is actually one of the issues that American Christians have (or perhaps should have). American Christians are often that…Americans that happen to be Christians. That isn’t quite as strange as Christians that happen to be American. Seems the same? Except the primacy is different. Christian first; American second.

And I lost some people right there. None of us want to be strangers in the country in which we were born. Perhaps, though, we are called to be strangers more than familiar.

※Reflection※
- Why might it be more important for a Christian to be a stranger in rather than a citizen of the country in which they live (even if born there)?
- What can a stranger often see that the comfortable cannot?
※Prayer※

Lord, we are ambassadors of your Kingdom. Thus, we are not of this world. Help us to realize this in the depths of our souls. Amen.
2021-04-23

Junk Food Fast

Psalm 80; Isaiah 5:1–7; Galatians 5:16–26

Both Psalm 80 and the passage from Isaiah 5 are not warmhearted Scriptures. They both address the reality that the Israelites have not been faithful to God.

Other places in the Scriptures note that the Israelites were faithful in their actions, or at least they attempted to complete the requirements of the Law. Those same places, however, observed that while the actions were “per the book”, their hearts were far away from the heart of the Law (true purpose). It could be said that they were further from the heart of the Law than they were from their relationship to God, and that’s saying something.

As I am looking to sending my last 2 kids to college this fall, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own college freshman year. One of the first things I thought of was the food (like any teenage male). Yes, it was cafeteria food, but like most male teenagers it was quantity, not quality. One of my favorite foods was corn dogs, which I still like. The quantity I would eat at one sitting hurts my stomach at this point. One or two corn dogs a month wouldn’t be horrible, but it wasn’t one or two, and it wasn’t once a month.

Corn dogs are, bluntly, junk food. They’re tasty (to me, at least). Hot dogs can be okay for you (really, they’re just a sausage). Cornbread isn’t too bad (depending). The combination, especially deep-fried, is not healthy. On the other hand, if one were to only eat a particular food, no matter how healthy it might be on its own, our bodies would break down, as no food has all the nutrients that our bodies need.

While misunderstanding God’s intent is one thing, but doing wrong is something different. Paul’s message to Galatians talks about the spiritual “junk food” that they were consuming. What we have been taught to think of as sins (understandably) were the ways of the surrounding culture.

They were part of the surrounding culture and thus were a norm. As these practices were part of the culture, learning to understand that they were not part of a God-honoring life would require self-sacrifice and discipline. If they were to continue their cultural practices, their spiritual bodies would become fatally obese.

G.K. Chesterton wrote, “the Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried.”

For the Galatians, dieting from their cultural norms and expectations would have been found very difficult, and probably a little hard to explain to their friends and family. For American Christians, so much of our culture has what we think are Christian trappings, but is actually the junk food of the American culture. Figuring out what is healthy and what is not in our culture for the Christian life is the obligation of the Christian community.

Without question, though, there is a need for significant spiritual dietary changes.

※Reflection※

What is one thing you know is an American Christian “thing”, but isn’t present among Christians in other countries?
How are you evaluating the culture around you and its influence on your walk with Christ?
Are you rightly evaluating the cultural pieces you agree with and disagree with?

※Prayer※

Lord, we need the Holy Spirit to change our spiritual diet. Help us, in community, to work out what is and isn’t of you. Amen.