Tag: faith

Whose King

Psalm 95:1–7a; Ezekiel 34:11–24; Matthew 25:31–46; Ephesians 1:15–23

Christ is King. We often say that to ourselves and to others. The real question that we need to ask is, do we believe it?

As the 2020 US political season wraps up, the victors and the losers each have their speeches to give, and much to reflect upon. We, too, have much to reflect upon. This isn’t just a need for the US. The entire world was watching this election.

The harsh truth is political parties are not Christian. This is by definition. Political parties’ very nature is that of the kingdom of earth. Too many people have tried to put the Heavenly mission into the earthly basket and are disappointed when it fails.

When Ezekiel talks about God rescuing the flock from the darkness, it certainly seems politics is part of the darkness. Despite often wedding ourselves to a political party, God still talks about bringing us back, healing us, and strengthening us.

“Isn’t it enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of the pasture with your feet? Or isn’t it enough that you drink the clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?” (Ezekiel 34:18, CSB)

How much of that sounds like Christians have been treating each other? Far too much.

Probably the biggest reason why politics don’t mesh with the Kingdom of Heaven is what motivates each of them. Politics are about power (yes, it should be more). The Kingdom of Heaven is about love.

One cannot bring about the Kingdom of Heaven through politics. One either loves and has power of influence, or one has power and loves little. It would be nice if the two could work together, but humanity seems incapable. Humanity certainly is incapable of any cohesion of the two without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

The Kingdom of Heaven and Jesus, the King of Heaven, should overwhelm our human earthly politics with love.

※Reflection※

What does it say about the depth of our faith when politics often overrides our faith? How does your faith inform your politics? Have you ever had the experience of choosing a candidate from “the wrong party” because they appeared more closely aligned with your faith than the candidate from “the right party”? If not, can you imagine what it would be like, and what might drive that?

※Prayer※

Lord, we declare you our king. Help us live it out. Amen.

2020-11-21
Facial Cliff

Exodus 28:36–38; Deuteronomy 6:4–9; Revelation 13:11–18; Revelation 22:1–9

Since I was a child, I’ve been described as having a large forehead. Due to its apparent size, I was often told that I had a receding hairline, and that I would be bald by 30 if not 40. My hair has certainly turned gray, but I still have the same “large” forehead and a hairline at the same place.

When we look at a person’s face, whether we realize it or not, we see their forehead. If they have long hair, it may be hidden, which often accentuates it, rather than hiding it. Foreheads provide body language to help us identify the emotions of others (really important these days with masks covering so much).

It is also a place of prominence. In certain religions/cultures, symbols are worn/tattooed on the forehead to indicate caste standing, piety, and a number of other things.

In Christian thinking, one of the biggest is the “mark of the beast”. As we read in Revelation, John’s vision talks about the mark being on the hand or on the forehead. It was an open declaration of loyalty.

Yet, the lesser known “forehead mark” mention in Revelation is a declaration of faith in God through Jesus Christ. What is interesting is the comparison. The “Godly” mark is only on the forehead. The “beastly” mark is on the forehead or the hand. This indicates with the hand, at least, that not all who bear the mark are happy about it.

In Exodus, Aaron (and the successor Head Priests) are to wear a gold medallion in front of their foreheads. In Deuteronomy, the Israelites are told to wear the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4–5) on their foreheads.

The Christian church does similar acts through making a cross on the forehead whether it is Ash Wednesday, Anointment with Oil, or Baptismal Remembrance.

The forehead is, well, at the fore (the front) of our heads. It sounds silly, but really think of it as a billboard of who you are. For those of us with big foreheads, that might be a little disheartening. The intent of the words “on the forehead” are also an indicator of direction.

By-and-large, where your forehead points you go. This is the symbology that is present with marking the forehead. There is also likely a psychological reason for this. If it’s on your forehead you are very much aware of it.

※Reflection※

Have you ever participated in Ash Wednesday, Baptismal Remembrance, or been anointed? What was it like? If you haven’t, what do imagine it would feel like? Why do you think foreheads were/are important?

※Prayer※

Lord, help us find things and actions that keep you at the forefront of our hearts, souls, and minds. Amen.

2020-11-19
Thankfulness as Discipleship

2 Timothy 1:1–9

Thankfulness is often for that which benefits us. We are thankful for homes, jobs, food, family, Jesus. Paul is thankful for Timothy.

Paul’s simple gratefulness for Timothy’s enduring faith is plain to see. Paul does view Timothy as a son, but not as the biological son of a father, but more of the ultimate disciple. Timothy, it seems, represents the ultimate expression and thus inheritor of Paul and Paul’s legacy.

In modern terms, we might use the term mentor or coach. Except on rare occasions, however, neither mentor nor coach adequately explains Paul’s feelings for Timothy.

It is unusual for us to be thankful for those like Timothy in our lives. Some teachers are truly grateful for a few of their students (often outweighed by the others). By and large, though, people who “bring up” others are often only grateful or thankful if those who were “brought up” bring them credit, honor, or glory.

However, often what we don’t realize is how much we learn about ourselves and our knowledge when we “bring up” others. For many years, apprenticeship was the way a person learned. The “master” would be challenged by the apprentice as the apprentice would seek to exceed the master.

In a discipleship relationship, the “elder” will often learn as much as the “young”. If the “elder” is not learning and changing, too, then discipleship has become a system and not the Way of Life. This is how one becomes grateful for those “bought up”, for one learns that with them, one would not have grown as well.

※Reflection※

Do you have a person that “walked” alongside you as an “elder”? Do you have someone you are walking alongside?

※Prayer※

Lord, help us be grateful for those you have brought to us, and make us mindful of the mission you have for us. Amen.

2020-11-17
Freely Abiding

Titus 3:1–11

The next wave is coming. All around the globe, the next wave of COVID is coming. Countries that thought they were done are back to a true lockdown state. In the US, certain states are returning to more limited engagements.

It’s hard for those of us in the US. We really do not understand, or even often accept, these limitations. So much of our cultural heritage is freedom of movement for the individual and the freedom of association.

Christians used to be known as the ones who would take care of the unwell. Christians would take care of plague victims. Christians are the reason that hospitals and care homes even exist.

Now, however, we find ourselves in a weird place. Society has declared that the better thing is for us to isolate ourselves from one another. Society does have a point. Yet, humanity cannot exist for long in isolation without some sort of outlet. Christians have long stood in the gap.

What has become the hot button US issue has become the impact upon the freedom to practice our faith. Like every other religion, our gathering sizes are being limited. We are not alone.

What we have, though, is an interesting conflict. There are now heated exchanges within communities about what a faithful witness is. The long-term ramifications of this situation remain to be played out.

※Reflection※

When it comes to faithful witness, is your initial response following the authorities, or freely expressing your understanding of freedom of religion? What are the weaknesses and strengths of both approaches? How can we respect the expressions of one another as faithful followers of Christ?

※Prayer※

Lord, help us to be faithful to you and full of mercy, grace, and understanding of others. Amen.

2020-11-15
One Hundred and Twenty

Genesis 6:1–13; Judges 2:8–23

“The younger generation just doesn’t…”

“The older generation just doesn’t…”

The generational splits have grown. Much of that has to do with the acceleration of technology and the cultural changes that have gone along with it.

Many times, the older generations say that they wouldn’t have behaved as the younger generation does. That older generation also says that “this” generation is so much more corrupt than “mine”.

The reality is that generations have said that before. Generations will say that again.

The generation ebb and flow seem to be common to human history. When we read the versus about the time of Noah or the time after Joshua, it certainly doesn’t sound good. No matter how bad the “next” generation is, God isn’t flooding the earth.

Yes, God made a promise not to. Yet, when we read the verses in Judges, we recognize that much of this is to temper us. This is all intended to make us better followers of God.

What is also interesting is that there are certain similarities between separated generations. The Silent Generation (those that were children during the Great Depression and fought in WWII) has many similarities with Generation Z (born late 90s–10s) who have experienced 2 major recessions as children, and whose lives have pretty much included the so-called War on Terror.

In many respects, Generation Z may be a huge reset, though perhaps Generation Alpha as the first 21st Century generation (all born in the 21st Century) may be that reset. Regardless, human history shows that there is often some sort of reset. What was old becomes new.

With 6 living generations (with some extenuating people make 7), there are going to be large differences. That’s a spread of 120 years.

In all likelihood, 3 of those generations will see the next century (assuming, of course, that Jesus doesn’t return). While many of us are concerned about the next generation, perhaps we ought to be more concerned about the next century.

※Reflection※

What changes with your thinking about God and faith when you think about the next century rather than the next 20 years? Why might it be important to look that far ahead? What are the risks of looking that far ahead?

※Prayer※

God, just as you have faithfully loved us and given us grace, may we be love-filled and grace-filled for those who came before and those who will follow. Amen.

2020-11-12
Now’s The Time

Matthew 16:1–4; Matthew 13:1–9; Matthew 13:18–23; Titus 2:11–14

Humanity has smashed the atom. Humanity has gone to the moon. Humanity can splice the fabric of life (DNA). Humanity sill hates. Humanity still wars. Humanity still fears.

A generation goes and a generation comes,
but the earth remains forever.
What has been is what will be,
and what has been done is what will be done;
there is nothing new under the sun
Ecclesiastes 1:4,9 (CSB)

When Jesus talks about the sower, we can look around us and see plenty of people who are in rocky ground and amongst thorns. The reality is that it may be that far too many so-called Christians are exactly those. In seemingly crazy and desperate times such as this, it is very easy to be overcome.

Whether it is political change, racial tensions, economic chaos, world tension, changes in how the body of Christ (the church) gathers, there are so many things that cause people to uproot their own faith. They also become easy victims to those who oppose the Christian faith.

The writer of Ecclesiastes didn’t see the internet coming. Really, though, the internet is just a faster form of communication. In other words, the mode changed, but that’s it. Ultimately, from the view of Ecclesiastes, the human condition doesn’t change.

Our fellow Christians, maybe even you, are struggling right now. The church is as divided as the US. The church, sadly, reflects the world. The politics (left, right, and everything from the middle to the extremes) of the world are not the church and should have no place there.

This is hard for most of us, currently. Some are feeling persecuted for their faith. Others are wagging their tongues and figures regardless of whether “their” “side” won or lost the recent election (or have been perceived to). It is nothing new under the sun.

Paul’s words to Titus provide some guidance. While the “present age” was Paul’s and Titus’ time, the Christians of the “present age” should be aggressively taking Paul’s words to heart.

※Questions※

1) What do you think it means to “live in a sensible, righteous, and Godly way”? (Titus 2:12)

2) How have you been living like that in the current cultural/political environment?

3) How were your answers more worldly than Godly?

※Prayer※

Jesus, help us to walk in your footsteps. Amen.

2020-11-09
Neglection

Proverbs 1:20–29; Hebrews 2:2–11; Hebrews 10:23–25

It’s been pretty normal that there will be some dramatic (and probably horrific) story of neglect that will be in the news. Children and animals recovered from bad situations; situations where the health and well-being (including mental and spiritual) of children is neglected.

Most of us usually respond with a feeling of horror and disappointment in our fellow humans. It can be quite easy to look at the ways others act with neglect, for it can be easy to see.

It could be that neighbor who doesn’t mow their lawn. It could be that neighbor whose car is a rusting rotting wreck in the driveway. It could be the neighbor whose house needs a serious paint job. That kind of neglect is visible.

Then there is the neglect of a harried worker who spilled water on the floor, didn’t clean it up, and someone slipped and fell. It could be the chef who forgot a key ingredient in their signature dish.

It could be you, who forgot to bring your facemask. Perhaps you forgot your wallet. Maybe you left your keys in the car. Maybe you didn’t polish your shoes before that critical meeting or job interview.

Neglect takes many forms and guises. The reality is that many Christians have indeed neglected the wisdom of God and the truth of their salvation. Neglect could mean attending church (online or in-person), but only so that you can check it off the to-do list.

Neglect is easy. That is part of the great problem with it. Once one begins the walk down the road of neglect, it is often very hard to return even to the starting point.

※Questions※

1) In this time of COVID, what things are you finding easy to neglect regarding your faith life?

2) How can you help others to not neglect their faith?

※Prayer※

Jesus, help to not neglect the gift that you have given us. Amen.

2020-11-07
Gather Where

Exodus 3:1–6; Ezra 3:8–13; Matthew 23:37–24:8

I visited Rome many years ago. I have never been so overwhelmed by the sheer number of church buildings. It seemed that there wasn’t a block that didn’t have one. There is a Roman Catholic church building dedicated to every country in the world, and that’s not even half of the Roman Catholic church buildings in Rome. There are also plenty of non-Roman Catholic churches and house churches.

If one based faith on the number of buildings, then Rome would be bursting with faith. It isn’t. This certainly isn’t just a Roman Catholic issue.

There are plenty of communities in the US that have a high number of church buildings, but the number of Christians is just not significant (population-count-wise). Just as in Rome, all the church buildings could indicate a place bursting with faith. Instead, the buildings are just withering on the vine.

Moses found a burning bush. God was there. The ground was holy.

Think about it, though. Moses wasn’t the first herdsman of Israel. In fact, the lineage of Israel consisted of herdsmen. Did all the herdsmen not worship God while they were in the fields?

Many people do, in fact, their greatest God connection when amid God’s unspoiled Creation. For some, it might be mountains, or lakes, or seashores, or deserts. Others will find it in cathedrals build by man. It doesn’t matter. God is there.

The new temple in the midst of its rebuild, and even after it was completed, was not the impressive piece of architecture as the original. In comparison, it was a block of wood in comparison to a shining jewel. Ultimately, though, it was a place set aside to worship God, and to provide a focal point of faith practices.

Despite the second temple being nothing in comparison to its predecessor, the people of Jesus’ day still viewed it as sacred. Jesus pointed out that it was only a building. It too would fall. While people took great offense at his statement, it was only truth. The world is perishing; so too would the temple.

According to some recent numbers, 30% of churches pre-COVID will not return to their building post-COVID. For them, the building is done. For some congregations, this means that the congregation is done, and the people will join other congregations or none at all. For others, this means a new expression of the gathering: Cafe Church, Circle Church, Church in a Bar (yes, this is a non-Nazarene thing), and who knows what else people will discover as they seek to be the gathered community.

How buildings of worship will change, remain, and how they will be part of our faith life is still to be seen. Without question, place is very important. It can be under a tree (as many African Church of the Nazarene congregations do). It can be in a sheet metal building. It can be in a building of concrete. It can be in a house. It can be in a yard.

※Questions※

1) Can you see yourself worshiping (well) in a “place” different than the “church” building? What “calls” to you?

2) Do you think a “place” to gather in community is important? Why or why not?

※Prayer※

God, you have called us to gather in community. Help us, as the world drastically changes, continue to seek ways to gather to build up one another and bring praise and worship to you. Amen.

2020-11-06
Path Lighting

Joshua 4:1–7; Joshua 8:30–35; Proverbs 27:17

What do you remember? What “traditions” or practices do you remember from your childhood? What did that teach you?

Over the years, the church universal developed many practices to teach the faith to its people. It often had a hard journey, as it had to teach people from varying walks of life to be one with each other. It often had to surmount the lack of general education for centuries.

Many of these practices are no longer used. Many have lost the intent, and even the instruction that went with them. They became empty words. Valuable Truth was lost because people failed to teach well.

As we each go to church, whether online or in person, or whether we only listen to sermons or we add life groups, we each have a responsibility to learn and to teach. Often, we look to experts to train us. However, the experts are, well, experts. Experts often get lost in their expertise and then they can no longer translate their expertise to the non-expert.

In many respects, from a personal perspective, that may be part of the current state of the church. Perhaps we have left too much to the experts and not sharpened ourselves.

Of course, there is danger in such freedom. There is a balance of some sort between expert and non. We may well be in a place and time where we need to discover together what that balance is.

The passages from Joshua are just 2 passages where something was done to teach. The first was the pile of stones from the middle of the Jordan river. Yes, 12 stones pulled from the bottom of spring flood raging river. This pile of stones became a physical place of teaching.

“Look at that river! God made it so our ancestors could cross it on dry land.” Imagine a young child overcome with the vision of the waters being told the story of the stones while seeing that river. That would certainly be formative. This is the kind of thing ideal in the informal settings of Life Groups.

The second passage is Joshua repeating the Law that they had been given. It was a reminder of who they were. The Law wasn’t just rules and regulations, it was their identity. In many respects, this is the more formal aspect of preaching and Sunday School.

The question that we each need to ask ourselves: is our faith important enough to us to learn?

2020-11-05
Saintly Ones

Matthew 5:1–16; Revelation 7:1–17

※ Q: What is a Saint? ※

You would think that this question is easy. However, the meaning of saint depends on the context and even timeframe.

Chasid (חָסִיד) and Kaddish (קַדִּישׁ) are the Hebrew words that are most often translated as saint (not always, though). Chasid (חָסִיד) means faithful or devout ones (with the implication being toward the covenant). Kaddish (קַדִּישׁ) means holy ones or people of the holy ones (yes, we could, but perhaps shouldn’t, infer the Trinity there).

Hagioi (ἅγιος) is first seen in Matthew 27:52 and used to talk about those who rose from the dead upon Jesus’ death. It is most used by Paul to refer to the (what became) Christians in his letters. It became generally used that way by the other New Testament writers and the church. In Revelation, the word becomes expressly tied to those who died as martyrs.

※ Q: What does it mean to be a saint? ※

If you’ve been in the church any length of time, saint can be applied to a person of significant patience. It is also applied to many that have been in the faith for a long time and have gray or white hair (the hair color, of course, is important ????). However, that is probably a bad way of thinking about it.

If we were to tie both the Hebrew and the Greek together, we would probably get an approximation of people whose relationship is with God through faith in Jesus Christ and for whom this is their primary identity.

※ Q: Are you a saint? ※

※Prayer※

Holy Spirit, guide into a relational identity with the Father, through the Son. Amen.

2020-10-31