JUNE 25, 2017

 “The real glory is being knocked to your knees and then coming back. That's real glory. Thats the essence of it.” 
― Vince Lombardi Jr.

“There are no secrets to success: don’t waste time looking for them. Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty to those for whom you work, and persistence.” 
― Colin Powell

JOB 1-6

6One day the angels^a came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan^b also came with them. 7The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”

Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”

8Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”

9“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10“Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

12The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”

Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.(1:6-12)

ACTS 7:1-43

1Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?”

2To this he replied: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Harran. 3‘Leave your country and your people,’ God said, ‘and go to the land I will show you.’^a

JOURNAL 

Here in these passages are two men who have done nothing wrong...to the contrary they are doing everything right...yet they are about to get pummeled. Job is given to the hands of Satan and will lose everything but his life. Stephen is about to be stoned. 

What does this tell me about trusting in God and obeying him. It says that worldly success is not a guarantee. It says that my life will be used for his glory but it might be at the expense of success and accolades in this world. It just depends on how God wants to use it. 

Or to the contrary it may include riches and wealth and worldly success. The point is it won't really matter...what will matter is the joy that I will receive from obeying and living my life as an Outpost of the Kingdom of God. To give my life as an offering...a living sacrifice...is to take my eyes off the approval of man and focus my eyes on the love of God. It is to see that right here, right now I am blessed with life, with opportunity to worship God and obey him. What does that look like? I think it is different for everyone but I know it is a passionate, joyful active existence that pushes the envelope of what I consider possible. 

I think it must be an existence that stretches the boundaries of what I feel I can do and accomplish. I think it must be a life that honors my gifts and talents and seeks to multiply them. I think it must be a life that inspires courage and respect from my children and close friends. This is not to be a life of passive contemplation, but rather a life of active engagement. 

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

ROMANS 12:1-2

JUNE 23, 2017

“Before success comes in any man’s life, he is sure to meet with much temporary defeat, and, perhaps, some failure. When defeat overtakes a man, the easiest and most logical thing to do is to quit. That is exactly what the majority of men do. More than five hundred of the most successful men this country has ever known told the author their greatest success came just one step beyond the point at which defeat had overtaken them.” 
― Napoleon Hill

ESTHER 7-10

 24For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the pur (that is, the lot) for their ruin and destruction. 25But when the plot came to the king’s attention,^a he issued written orders that the evil scheme Haman had devised against the Jews should come back onto his own head, and that he and his sons should be impaled on poles.(9:24-25)

1King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout the empire, to its distant shores. 2And all his acts of power and might, together with a full account of the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king had promoted, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Media and Persia? 3Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.(10:1-3)

ACTS 6

8Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. 10But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.

11Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”

12So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. 13They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 14For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”

15All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

JOURNAL 

Mordecai, Esther and Stephen have become Outposts of the Kingdom. Their lives have become conduits of the power, love and Joy of God. What can I learn from them? How can I emulate their dedication and devotion to God?

It is really simple...seek God and obey him only. It becomes difficult because there are ways and habits of responding to the world that do not seek God. My ways and habits are mostly about protecting myself. Yet to truly follow God I must no longer seek to protect myself. I rather should constantly seek to obey God, seek his ways and the wisdom of his word. Seek to love him, build his kingdom and love others.

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

ROMANS 12:1-2

JUNE 22, 2017

“It is impossible to escape the impression that people commonly use false standards of measurement — that they seek power, success and wealth for themselves and admire them in others, and that they underestimate what is of true value in life.” 
― Sigmund Freud, Civilization and Its Discontents

ESTHER 4-6

15Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”(4:15-16)

ACTS 5:17-42

29Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

40His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

JOURNAL 

Both Esther and Peter risk death to speak truth. Their lives are fully devoted to God, no matter what may happen to them. Peter states that the spirit of God is given to those who obey God. This spirit is what turns humans into glimpses of the eternal, it is what turns them into Outposts of the Kingdom.

Seeking to be filled by God every morning, seeking to obey and be filled up with his power and love is the secret to living this life as an outpost. Also of importance is to end each day in surrender and giving my life as a living offering to God. 

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

ROMANS 12:1-2

JUNE 21, 2017

“To each there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour.” 
― Winston S. Churchill

ESTHER 1-3

19When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. 20But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up.

21During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthana^b and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 22But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. 23And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were impaled on poles. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.(2:19-23)

ACTS 5:1-16

12The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.

JOURNAL 

Mordecai does good. It does not matter that is in exile. It does not matter that he has suffered because of others and their disobedience. Mordecai takes in Esther, raises her as his own and then helps to uncover a plot to kill Xerxes. Just because it is the right thing to do. Mordecai is not bitter, or angry or vengeful.

It is amazing to see how things have turned...Jesus is dead but the influence of the apostles is gaining momentum. They are healing the sick and performing miracles and people are starting to follow them. I'm sure it had to be surreal...here is Peter who had denied being associated with Jesus, boldly preaching about him and becoming "famous" as a result. 

Peter has become an Outpost of the Kingdom. His life has become a glimpse into the eternal. To the point that people seek just to stand in his shadow.  This is Peter's time, just as Mordecai had his moment. God's desire is for me to be my best, to give my best and when the moment comes to fully embrace it and live it in confidence, power and love. There are moments every day. So it is my calling for my life to be lived as an Outpost of the Kingdom. 

18The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

PSALM 34:18

JUNE 18, 2017

“Over the years, I have come to realize that the greatest trap in our life is not success, popularity, or power, but self-rejection. Success, popularity, and power can indeed present a great temptation, but their seductive quality often comes from the way they are part of the much larger temptation to self-rejection. When we have come to believe in the voices that call us worthless and unlovable, then success, popularity, and power are easily perceived as attractive solutions. The real trap, however, is self-rejection. As soon as someone accuses me or criticizes me, as soon as I am rejected, left alone, or abandoned, I find myself thinking, "Well, that proves once again that I am a nobody." ... [My dark side says,] I am no good... I deserve to be pushed aside, forgotten, rejected, and abandoned. Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the "Beloved." Being the Beloved constitutes the core truth of our existence.” 
― Henri J.M. Nouwen

NEHEMIAH 7-8

9Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

10Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”(8:9-10)

ACTS 3

6Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

JOURNAL 

"the joy of the Lord is your strength"...really letting that sink in. Not power or talents but joy of the Lord...Joy in all that God is doing and has done. It takes the focus off myself and the current situation. It causes me to see God in the context of all he has done and is doing. God's joy is not finite, it is infinite. Therefore if I embrace his joy I see all of time past, all of the present and all of what is to come. I see that regardless of my life, God is doing great things, God is redeeming the evil of man. God is transforming hearts and minds and that is a joy that cannot be replaced. That is a joy that is far greater than my current circumstances. 

As my life becomes an outpost of the kingdom, it does so only to the extent that I embrace this joy. I become confident and content because God's love is far beyond my own, it is far beyond my own life but yet I share in it. My joy therefore is not limited to my own life. My joy is a result of the completeness of God. I share in his joy and therefore I share in his strength, because it is no longer limited to my finite life. 

This strengthens me because I cannot fail, no matter my circumstance no matter how dire, no matter the result. I embrace the joy of the lord and therefore I have victory, because God has victory. I can engage fully with my heart without fear, without dread because no matter the outcome, God will win. Regardless...my efforts will be part of his victory. No matter how man judges them or acknowledges them, my efforts as an outpost of the kingdom will be used by God to bring his joy and redemption. 

31but those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

ISAIAH 40:31