Tag: living

What’s The Matter?

Numbers 3:44–48; Numbers 18:20; Deuteronomy 10:8–9; 1 Peter 2:3–10

Inheritance wars have long been a genre of popular fiction. Whether the fights were over business or titles of nobility or who will take over the family criminal enterprise. Sometimes, battles are fought over who gets what, or who got the most. That last one may even destroy family ties as one person feels loved least or loved most.

In the agricultural world, inheritance what truly critical, as which land (or how much of it) could mean success or death, with success often being just making it to the next season.

The Levites were given cities and surrounding land, but that land and city was always within the domain of another tribe. In some respects, we can view them as embassies. Due to agreements and treaties, the land within an embassy is treated as if it belongs to the ambassadorial country.

However, the embassy being another country is a matter of treaty. It is not absolute. The perpetual tension of an embassy is that it can be revoked. In fact, “breaking off” of diplomatic relations usually went along with embassies being closed. The land of that “country” returned to the holding of the host country.

Upon the entrance to the Promised Land, the immediate response was fulfillment. In other words, there wasn’t an issue with the Levites and the allocations.

God was the inheritance of the Levites. That’s a pretty big inheritance. When the people, however, don’t respect or love God and thus don’t bring the first fruits or monetary replacement, then what?

From a modern perspective, it seems that the goal was for the Levites (certainly of the Temple service) to be sustained by the faithful sacrifice. The extended purpose of the Levitical cities was to guard against a people who forgot about God. At the Levites would have food.

Did the Levites fulfill God’s intent for them? It would seem not, but to put all (or even most) of the blame on them would deny others’ choices.

A number of years ago, I heard a quip, “Christianity is one generation away from vanishing.” In many respects, this is a true statement. If the faith is not passed down, it will not survive outside of the work of God. The same could be said of the Levites of the Jews.

In many respects, what the Levites experienced (and continue to) is what Christians should expect, too. Now, this is not because we aren’t good enough sharing the Word of God. It’s not that we’re bad about talking about the love of God (though there are many loud people who are awful at it).

We really need help at living it out well. This is the muddle, though. We think we are. We might even be. The world, however, doesn’t see it that way.

※Questions※

1) Do you think the world is more or less correct that we Christians (as a whole) do not live out the Christian life of love?

2) Do you think the Priesthood of all Believers (1 Peter 2:3–10) is equivalent to the Levites? Why or why not? If yes, what does that mean for you?

3) Levites’ primary purpose was the work of the Temple. Families taught the faith. Today, our “priests” (pastors) seem to be expected to be the only teachers. What can the Levites’ place teach us about pastors and families in regards to faith and discipleship?

※Prayer※

Father, you called a certain people to facilitate relationship between you and your chosen people. Help us to be facilitators of your dream for the world to reconcile itself to you. Amen.

2020-09-29
Things Change

Exodus 20:1–6; Numbers 21:4–9; 2 Kings 18:1–4

The Ten Commandments has been a political and religious hot potato for years. There are a number of times various parties have used the Ten Commandments to score political points. There have been those that state that the Ten Commandments are what the Constitution is based on. Some have even made, it seems, a political career about Ten Commandment statues and placements.

Many Christians (cultural and actual) have claimed if we were to just follow the Ten Commandments, we would be fine. Yet, in the case of the statue above, the Ten Commandments seemed to have become more of an idol, rather than a definer of a relationship with God.

In the Ten Commandments, God directs that the Israelites should not create an object of worship that resembles something created. This is so that people are not deceived by stone and wood, and that their hearts pursue the God who creates all and is uncreated.

Something strange happens later. God directs Moses to create the bronze serpent. This is an object made to resemble a created being. Depending on how one interprets the Ten Commandments, this directive violates the Ten Commandments.

The nuance is that the bronze serpent was not meant to be worshiped. It was a symbol of God’s healing, grace, and mercy, and a reminder that the Israelites were reliant upon God. The living serpents were a punishment. The bronze serpent a tool of healing and a symbol of grace and mercy.

However, as many good things do, the good became bad. The symbol of God’s grace, mercy, and healing became the exact kind of object that was prohibited by the Ten Commandments…an object of worship.

There are many good things in the world. Many of them (trees, mountains, animals, etc.) have become objects of worship and have been elevated in human thinking to the level of a god. This perversion of their nature does not make them bad, just as the perversion of the bronze serpent did not make it automatically bad.

The story of the bronze serpent, however, is a morality tale that any God-follower should pay attention to. There are many who appear to hold the Scriptures, the Ten Commandments, the church in a way that is worship. This is where a non-church attender could reasonably say, “I can worship God in the middle of a stream, better than in a building with a whole bunch of hypocrites.”

The moral of the story is that anything that was once good can become bad. Something that once led us to God can become our god instead. Something that used to give us the language to talk about God can become a barrier to share the story of God.

This is a serious matter. It also is not a new issue. One of the gifts that the Reformation gave us (along with many not-so-good things) is the concept of Semper Reformanda, always reforming. In other words, we should always be looking for anything—even the stuff we think is good—that keeps us from or inhibits our relationship with God.

※Questions※

1) What does reform mean to you?

2) What can you think of that is objectively good, but can also inhibit a healthy relationship with God?

3) Why is the story of the bronze serpent important to your life as a follower of Jesus and a member of Christ’s Body on Earth (the church)?

※Prayer※

Heavenly Father, help us to chisel away any hardness or edge or characteristic that prevents us from fully following and worshiping you. Amen.

2020-09-14
Sorté

“And you continue, so bullheaded! Calluses on your hearts, flaps on your ears! Deliberately ignoring the Holy Spirit, you’re just like your ancestors. Was there ever a prophet who didn’t get the same treatment? Your ancestors killed anyone who dared talk about the coming of the Just One. And you’ve kept up the family tradition—traitors and murderers, all of you. You had God’s Law handed to you by angels—gift-wrapped!—and you squandered it!”

At that point they went wild, a rioting mob of catcalls and whistles and invective. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, hardly noticed—he only had eyes for God, whom he saw in all his glory with Jesus standing at his side. He said, “Oh! I see heaven wide open and the Son of Man standing at God’s side!”

Yelling and hissing, the mob drowned him out. Now in full stampede, they dragged him out of town and pelted him with rocks. The ringleaders took off their coats and asked a young man named Saul to watch them.

As the rocks rained down, Stephen prayed, “Master Jesus, take my life.” Then he knelt down, praying loud enough for everyone to hear, “Master, don’t blame them for this sin”—his last words. Then he died.

Saul was right there, congratulating the killers.

That set off a terrific persecution of the church in Jerusalem. The believers were all scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. All, that is, but the apostles. Good and brave men buried Stephen, giving him a solemn funeral—not many dry eyes that day!

And Saul just went wild, devastating the church, entering house after house after house, dragging men and women off to jail. Forced to leave home base, the followers of Jesus all became missionaries. Wherever they were scattered, they preached the Message about Jesus. Going down to a Samaritan city, Philip proclaimed the Message of the Messiah. When the people heard what he had to say and saw the miracles, the clear signs of God’s action, they hung on his every word. Many who could neither stand nor walk were healed that day. The evil spirits protested loudly as they were sent on their way. And what joy in the city!” —Acts 7:54–8:8 (The Message)

Normally, I would quote a longer piece of the Scriptures, but the way The Message conveys this is too important to leave it to our preferred translations, for it speaks in our everyday language. Two sentences in particular:

“Forced to leave home base, the followers of Jesus all became missionaries. Wherever they were scattered, they preached the Message about Jesus.”

This whole COVID/Corona season we’ve had “home base” completely disrupted. Whether it’s working from home, not working, or other “homes”, such as the church building, and the friends’ living rooms being prohibited, it has been quite a time.

As things have progressed, working from home for many became a prison rather than an escape. Not being able to go places became its own struggle. Even those who consider themselves homebodies want to get out.

The reality is that we all seek a “base”. We want a place to feel safe. We want a place to be “home”. We want a place to be “normal”.

In this case, however, perhaps “base” is actually what we don’t want. A better way to say it might be that for us to grow in gifts and graces we need to step off (or out of) the “base”.

Notice that it was after being cast out from Jerusalem (home base), Jesus was being preached. After leaving the safe confines of “home” they began to preach. Something about being out of their comfort zone caused them to share about Jesus.

※Questions※

1) What might the lesson be for us regarding “home base” and the world in this time we find ourselves in?

2) Why did losing “home” seem to loosen tongues and hearts for Jesus?

3) How does comfort or normal inhibit sharing the Gospel?

※Prayer※

Lord Jesus, we offer our comfort to you that we might use it, or lose it, to fulfill your will. Amen.

2020-09-10
Disciple, Baptize, Teach

Matthew 28:16–20; 1 Corinthians 1:14–25

One of the measurements of a church’s growth is the annual number of baptisms. If we were to review the church’s (and, by this, generally all American churches), the percentage is not particularly great. It certainly does not meet the so-called New Testament numbers.

A lot has changed over the years. In certain traditions, infants are brought to be baptized into the life of the church. While the Church of the Nazarene generally dedicates infants, functionally it often ends up being the same.

Is baptism a good measurement? Yes…and no. Baptism does not a disciple make. It would be nice if it were that easy.

There is probably a reason why the order is disciple, baptize, teach. The two primary modern pathways are baptize/teach and teach/baptize. Discipleship seems to not be part of the primary paths.

Yes, the word disciple is used a lot. The actually living as a disciple seems to be lacking. But, you say, we have a discipleship class or book or…really, something that teaches.

The evidence of a lack of discipleship is all around us. Look at our culture. Look at our news. Look at our sports.

Paul’s words somewhat feed into that. He states that he was not sent to baptize, but to preach. Now we often immediately equate preach to teach (not just because it rhymes). Paul seems to separate that.

Especially in the apologetic intellectual Christianity of today, preaching is often used as teaching. Paul calls his preaching foolishness. Paul’s foolishness wouldn’t seem to be the same as today’s preaching.

It might even mean that the wise, the teacher of the law, the debater of the age might very well be the church and its practices. This is not to tear down the church, but to examine it. This is meant to examine us.

Jesus, you commanded your disciples to make disciples. Help us to do our part. Amen.

1) What is discipleship? What does a disciple look like?

2) What is the difference between being a disciple and being taught?

3) Do you think Jesus meant the three (disciple, baptize, teach) in a particular order or to actually separate them? Or do you think Jesus had something else in mind? If so, what?

2020-08-27
Criminal Christian

Luke 23:32–43; 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11

A criminal is saved on the cross. Talk about a “bedside” or “execution” salvation! He was on the cross when he was saved.

Look at the words the criminal stated. Look at the words that Jesus spoke. We often have longer phrases and understandings (even from Jesus’ own words) of what it takes to be saved. There probably is no quicker salvation story.

That being said, it could be that the rumors and news about Jesus was so strong and flowing, that the criminal even from prison knew about Jesus. We don’t know what seeds had already be sown when the man sought salvation.

However, we can say that by all appearances the criminal didn’t meet even the lowest standards of salvation as we often understand it. Does this diminish his salvation? No. It does show the amazing grace and mercy of God.

Do you want to be the criminal? All done. All saved. All good. Nothing more to do.

The criminal is not the ideal follower of Jesus. Truly, to a select group the criminal is a beacon of hope. For the rest of us, though, the criminal is a criminal for something completely unrelated to the cross.

He doesn’t live out his faith. He does, for a few hours, but it’s really not the same. Faith and salvation are tested and refined through the long and many trials of life.

It can be reasonably argued, and has been by many, that salvation is only the beginning. Yes, in our salvation, we walk through the door to kingdom of God. It’s a big kingdom, though. Do you really only want to stay at the entrance?

The fuller life, the rich life of God, is the full and complete promise of life with Jesus. We are often satisfied with so much less. Even more disturbing is that so many want salvation, but they don’t want the transformative live with Jesus.

Some people call this being “on fire” for Jesus, except that it can devolve to being obnoxious in the name of Jesus. We don’t really want to be “on fire” for Jesus. We should want to be “on fire” by Jesus.

For Jesus usually comes from our strength and emotion. By Jesus means that it is fully (and lovingly and..and…and…) reliant upon Jesus to do the work in us through the Holy Spirit.

Is this merely semantics? Perhaps. However, there are a lot of people out in the world trumpeting the church (the Body of Christ), but aren’t living fully within it. Some show up on Sunday. Or, maybe they’ll show up digitally.

Living the (truly) rich Christian live means living it together in community. We must seek, foster, and grow that community. It won’t just come.

Or we can just be a criminal on a cross.

※Prayer※

Jesus, help us to want a full and complete life with you. Help us surrender everything to the Holy Spirit to form and shape us for your will. Amen.

※Questions※

1) How’s your faith community? Not just church (though that too), but your daily faith community?

2) How does one know whether one is living the Christian life of the criminal on the cross, or the fullness of the Kingdom come?

2020-08-18
Speed Check

Isaiah 56:1–8; Ezekiel 2:1–10

When you’re driving, do you continue to check your speed? What do you do when you check a speed limit sign?

A speed limit sign cannot make you stop speeding. A speed limit sign cannot make you speed up. A speed limit sign can only tell what the authorities have set as the maximum speed for the area.

The law enforcement agency in charge of that area may have some grace about being a little over. If a lot of people are going over, they might let it go. If a person is weaving in and out of traffic and going over the speed limit, they may likely end up with a citation.

While the Scriptures are the word of God, they are also similar to speed limit signs. There is guidance and wisdom in the Scriptures. There are many warnings. People can (and do) choose to do their own thing.

God is not looking for rote obedience, obedience for obedience’s sake, or obedience for a reward. God desires obedience out of love.

Take the eunuchs. In Deuteronomy 23:1, eunuchs were banned from joining the assembly of God. That doesn’t mean that they could not (or did) not worship God, but that they could not participate in any Temple aspect, including the sacrificial offerings.

At the time, this was likely a response to the cultures (such as Egypt) that had eunuchs as ministers and in charge of harems. This would further separate the Israelites from other peoples.

By the time of Isaiah, things hadn’t really changed in the surrounding cultures. Also, people would often seek power and influence or were sent (e.g., political hostages) to foreign powers and were made eunuchs. Isaiah overthrows the concept of Deuteronomy, insofar as relationship with God is primary.

In Jewish tradition, Isaiah is sometimes elevated over Moses and Isaiah (according to Jewish tradition) reduced the 10 Commandments to 2, justice and mercy. A faithful eunuch who pursued justice and mercy would give true life to others. The ability to produce children was outweighed by a faithful heart.

The eunuchs, then, were those who saw the speed limit signs and obeyed, rather than those that Ezekiel (and Isaiah) spoke of/to that disregarded the ways of God.

This is, in some small way, a foreshadow of the Gentiles. The Gentiles could not add to the tribe of Israel (for they weren’t of the blood). However, they could add to the Kingdom of God by living for God.

※Prayer※

Holy Spirit, guide us into all Truth. Especially guide and guard us in regard to justice and mercy. Amen.

※Questions※

1) Take any issue (not a person or political party) right now. What would be just and merciful in that situation? If there is more than one side to that issue, what would be just and merciful all sides?

2) Taking that same issue, trying (and it’s hard) to look at it from God’s perspective, what might God’s idea of justice and mercy be? Which “side” of the above does that match? Which “side” are you on?

3) Why is the concept of giving Godly/spiritual life—rather than biological life—rated so important?

2020-08-15
Whose Crown?

1 Samuel 8:1–22; Mark 10:35–45; 1 Corinthians 1:20–25

One cannot say the beginning of the fall of Israel was at the point they demanded a king. God pointed this out to disappointed Samuel. Israel’s “desire” for a king showed that Israel’s heart continued to not focus on God.

Samuel’s sons were a mess. In no way did they honor God or their father. Just like many of us, and the world, the Israelites were looking at humanity rather than God.

The failure of the Israelites wasn’t that they didn’t want Samuel’s sons in charge. That was actually wisdom. What they didn’t want, apparently, was a spiritual leader like Samuel. They wanted a “normal” king.

When God tells Samuel that the Israelites were against God, God makes it clear that it isn’t Samuel’s fault. The hearts of the Israelites are at fault. What happens, though, is that while they get want, they want, it does eventually become a “be careful what you wish for.”

The path of king never really ends for the Israelites. Eventually, the kingdom splits into 2. The Northern Kingdom (confusingly also called, Israel) eventually disappears. The Southern Kingdom (called Judah) remains, but over the years of exile and conquest never really stops having a king.

By the time of Jesus, the “king” (Herod) really is just a governmental flunky of Rome. The Gentiles and their quests for power (a constant theme of the Roman Empire) are what Jesus is likely referring to when he talks to the disciples. His point being who wants to live like that. Jesus had a better way.

The better way was the way of God’s love (not just generic human love) of both sacrifice and discipline. What need of worldly government and power would such a person have?

When we focus too much on worldly power, we miss the reality that Jesus turned power upside down. If we focus on the world’s ways, we succumb to the foolishness of the world, rather than living in and through the wisdom of God.

When we rely on the world, we make the same mistake the Israelites did…we choose a king (even if it’s only for 4 years).

※Prayer※

Lord Jesus, as we try to live out being faithful citizens of this world, help us to remember our deeper and truer citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen.

※Questions※

1) What are some reasons you think the Israelites wanted a king “like the other nations”?

2) In what ways does the US political scene look at the president as King? What does that teach us about our (and our nation’s) heart?

3) How might you live out the upside-down kingdom that Jesus brought to us?

2020-08-10
Heart of Money; Heart of Mercy

2 Corinthians 8:1–15; 1 Timothy 6:17–19

Generosity is a good thing. A generous heart is a good thing.

Paul encouraged generosity among the churches. The churches would care for one another as they were going through trials (famines, war, etc.). The graciousness of one church gave life to another church.

The churches did not do this to receive; they did it out of generous hearts.

The US churches have been known around the world for their generosity. The US churches were so effective, that they deeply affected US culture to also be generous.

Except, that seems to be waning. Both the US church and the US population is becoming less generous. A lot of that is likely due to fear. However, much of that seems to also be an expectation of reciprocity. In other words, “what do we get out of it?”

The other part of the waning aspect may actually be the most concerning. This is the “washing of hands” part. I’ve given my money to the cause (church, politics, NGO, etc.). I have done my duty, and I can go on living.

We can be generous with money, but not with our hearts. We can be generous with our hearts, but not our money. However, being generous in one area and not in the other, really means that we are generous at all. It is an all or nothing situation.

It sounds harsh. It is. It sounds impossible. It just might be. Or, at least impossible without God.

How generosity actually takes place is not a fixed recipe. The people of Macedonia were generous to the best of their capability. The churches of Corinth may have had a greater capacity to be financially generous.

The people of Macedonia were not absolved of financial generosity. It was to the best of their means and through generous hearts. They prayed. Pray generously!

The people of Corinth may have been capable of giving far more than the people of Macedonia. That didn’t absolve them from praying. It is both/and.

The church, as a whole, is struggling financially. The patterns of the past are broken. Truly, the church is in (or should be in) a hugely transformative process.

While you may be giving as you have, just because a building (even the church building) is closed, doesn’t absolve you of the mission of loving people generously.

What loving a person does to live generously at this time is a little strange. It could be going “old” school and calling people. It could be texting them. It could be emailing them. It could even be sending a letter.

Giving financially is part of the Christian life, and so is living generously in others’ lives. The rhythm of life may mean different forms of generosity at different times. However, a single form of generosity is not living life generously, it is living life monotonously.

※Prayer※

Holy Spirit, give us hearts that beat with your generosity. May we live generously through your power. Amen.

※Questions※

1) How do you give generously? How do you live generously?

2) Why do you think both financial and life generosity are important?

3) Which area do you need to live or give more generously? Why do you say that?

2020-08-09
Cause and Effect

1 Kings 16:29–33; 1 Kings 17:1–5; 1 Kings 18:10–18

Ahab blamed Elijah for the ongoing drought in Israel. Or, at least he could blame Elijah for the drought.

Ahab knew that Elijah had declared that no rain would fall on Israel. Sounds like a pretty good reason to blame Elijah. Except, the real reason was Ahab.

He had gotten to a point where whatever he wanted was reasonable, even if it was unreasonable from anyone else’s perspective. His wife, Jezebel, encouraged and enabled such behavior. Between the two of them, Israel was in a bad situation.

Ahab had the dubious distinction of being the worst king so far in not following God. Depending on how you read it, either Ahab was worse than any of the kings before him or was worse than all of them combined.

From our perspective of Jesus as the Living Water, the drought can be a symbol of life without God. It certainly fits the narrative. Israel was without God, and Ahab can be symbolic of Israel.

It is often important to look beyond the surface story and see the deeper meaning. For example, Ahab was blaming Elijah for “holding back” the blessing of water. Yet, the blessings were withdrawn as a result of behavior.

The goal wasn’t punishment, but repentance and reconciliation. Ahab looked at it as someone else’s fault, and couldn’t see anything but someone else.

※Prayer※

Father, help us to see your love even when we struggle. Amen.

※Questions※

1) How do you recognize something as your fault? How about responsibility?

2) What is the difference between fault and responsibility?

3) What is the difference between a spiritual drought and a spiritual wilderness? How can you tell the difference?

2020-08-06
Storied Reflections

Jeremiah 2:1–13; Matthew 9:35–38; John 7:37–39

Jerusalem was heading at full speed away from God and toward destruction. In many respects, this passage is God’s lament for Jerusalem. It is also, in many regards, the lament for the entire heritage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

When we read, “Israel was holy to the LORD, the first fruits of his harvest (Jeremiah 2:3),” we can readily see that this was indeed not only about Jerusalem. Then when we read about the Lord of the Harvest, it’s easy to tie Jesus’ words to the concept in Jeremiah.

There are two important aspects to this. First, is that from a Law standpoint (and even to the offerings of today) God is the Lord of our success. This means that we recognize that we are God’s beneficiary and respond in gratitude.

The second aspect is the implication that Israel was not the only harvest. Yes, they were the first fruits. That leaves the rest of the harvest, which is the rest of the world. In other words, it’s us.

Something that needed to be addressed was Jerusalem’s arrogance about God. The overwhelming opinion was that they didn’t need God, and all these other gods were good enough or even better.

Some will be quick to point at a particular country, and say, “yes, that is why the country is…” The reality is that Israel is the country called. The rest are a people called.

Jerusalem (and the world) had long fallen into the lifeless hands of useless idols. People were eager to do so. They do so today.

Thus, it becomes a critical point regarding water. It shouldn’t be lost on us that “Living Water” is used here. For Christians, it is easy to tie “Living Water” to Jesus. This also shows that Jesus was tying himself to/as God when he used that language.

In many respects, the objection is that Jerusalem acts as if it is independent and pulled itself up by the bootstraps (using a more modern phrase). Jerusalem, as part of its story, should know the truth.

The same could be said of us. Even we Christians, especially American ones, can tend toward so-called self-reliance, which is like building our own cracked cistern. It holds water, for a time. It ages. It leaks. And the water is stagnate.

※Prayer※

Lord, help us to wisely look at the story of Jerusalem and Israel, applying your Truths to our lives. Help us to put all things in perspective, that we may live life fully under your wings. Amen.

※Questions※

1) What does harvest look like in your life? How do you apply first fruits—not just money—to your life?

2) What in your life has been more like the cistern than Living Water?

3) Why is it important to keep in mind that we are called as a people, and not as a nation? Does that mean how/where the nation goes is not important?

2020-07-22