MAY 4, 2018

“God repeatedly uses the least-likely...to make the deepest impact on our world.” 
― Dillon Burroughs

1 KINGS 8-9

54When Solomon had finished all these prayers and supplications to the Lord, he rose from before the altar of the Lord, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven. 55He stood and blessed the whole assembly of Israel in a loud voice, saying:56“Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses. 57May the Lordour God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us nor forsake us. 58May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in obedience to him and keep the commands, decrees and laws he gave our ancestors. 59And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each day’s need, 60so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other. 61And may your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.”(8:54-61)

LUKE 23:39-56

44It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”^e When he had said this, he breathed his last.

47The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

JOURNAL 

In human terms this whole scene is a complete sad disaster. Jesus appears to have failed. The King of the Jews...the messiah...the Son of God...has just been executed as a criminal. He has been abandoned by those closest to him who are weeping and hiding in fear. Those closest to him stand watching from a distance. This is horrible, this is God's rescue plan and it has ended horribly...how is this the path and the plan of God? How is this good?? There is so much left to do...so many sick that need to be healed...so many persecuted wrongly. So many who are in power whose hearts are evil and wicked. Why has God seemingly abandoned Jesus and all the new believers?

Because earthly failure is often the fertile ground of God's greatest works. Moses, Joseph, Paul, Peter, Job, David...all these were counted out and deemed lost causes at one point in their life...it's the ultimate beauty and message of the Bible. What man deems lost and worthless God sees as having infinite value. What man sees as impossible God sees as perfect timing. 

It is why we are not equipped to judge correctly. We can't see the future, we can't see the depths of a man's heart and soul, we can't even know fully the depths of our own. It's God's grace that compels us to trust him, rather than ourselves, society, another man etc. It's God's grace and wisdom through his word that gives us the strength and power to push through adversity, tough times and even success. It compels us to focus on today and his provisions. It compels us to trust that tomorrow will work out in ways that will grow the kingdom, that right will prevail. We are not alone and this world never has the final verdict on the future. Yet we have a part to play...we must trust God for tomorrow and rest in the grace and gift of today. 

31But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

MARK 10:31

MAY 3, 2018

“We often miss opportunity because it's dressed in overalls and looks like work” 
― Thomas A. Edison

1 KINGS 6-7

51When all the work King Solomon had done for the temple of the Lord was finished, he brought in the things his father David had dedicated—the silver and gold and the furnishings—and he placed them in the treasuries of the Lord’s temple.(7:51)

LUKE 23:27-38

32Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”^c And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

35The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

36The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

38There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS

JOURNAL 

To fully commit to Christ means to embrace a life that is fully active in loving and serving. In many ways its all about the willingness to surrender to fully living. Christ died and his death gave us life...that means that we get life and a complete full life. Because of that, we no longer have to arrange for fulfillment. Jesus' death gave us the freedom to be free from shame, regret and the obsession of filling the darkness of our souls. His death gave us the key to true life and joy. That joy is found in surrender to work, service and in turn we get joy and completeness. We get an ability to be ourselves in all our uniqueness. 

That also means that joy is found in the everyday and the ordinary. We don't have to wait for vacation or hitting the lottery or some grand event in order to experience full life and joy.

22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

COLOSSIANS 3:22-24

MAY 2, 2018

“Our story is not only about exile and oppression and suffering. It is the story of thriving, of triumph, and of great faith. It is the story of a people that laughs in the face of deepest despair, that stubbornly clings to life and to joy even in the face of horror and death. We take our pain and turn it into poetry. We take our misfortune and transform it into opportunity.” 
― Daniella Levy

1 KINGS 3-5

7“Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”10The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” 15Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream.He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his court.(3:7-15)

LUKE 23:1-26

13Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, 14and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. 15Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.” [17]^a

18But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” 19(Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

20Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

22For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”

23But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 24So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 25He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

JOURNAL 

Jesus is sentenced to die. Pilate tries to find every way possible to let him go but ultimately the power of public opinion moves him to the ultimate conclusion. It is interesting to juxtapose this scene with that of Solomon and his dream. Solomon is asked by God what he would like for God to give him and Solomon asks for wisdom. Intuitively he knows that to lead a mass of people is an impossible task. In granting him wisdom God gave him the power of wealth and position as well. These gifts ensured that Solomon would be extremely powerful. 

How often in my own life am I more moved by the power of public opinion or the imagined future and fear of it than I am with the wisdom of God? Unfortunately it happens...and this is why it is imperative that I spend time reading scripture and in prayer. The power of the world is far to much to overcome with my own power. I need God's wisdom, direction and instruction.

But with it...there is nothing that I cannot face or overcome. God's spirit moves me to overcome any circumstance, any fate, any success. Life then is an opportunity to overcome trials, adversity, opposition. Every day is a new canvas waiting for my brush strokes...what will I paint, what will I create...will I surrender to public opinion, fear of the future or will I surrender to God and all that is required to be successful? 

 26To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God.

ECCLESIATES 2:26

MAY 1, 2018

“Gratitude looks to the Past and love to the Present; fear, avarice, lust, and ambition look ahead.” 
― C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

1 KINGS 1-2

9Adonijah then sacrificed sheep, cattle and fattened calves at the Stone of Zoheleth near En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the royal officials of Judah, 10but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the special guard or his brother Solomon.

11Then Nathan asked Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, “Have you not heard that Adonijah, the son of Haggith, has become king, and our lord David knows nothing about it?(1:9-11)...

2“I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, 3and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go" (2:2-3)

LUKE 22:54-71

54Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.”

57But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.

58A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”

“Man, I am not!” Peter replied.

59About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”

60Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62And he went outside and wept bitterly.

JOURNAL 

Often living in the moment is a terrifying ordeal. Reading this morning I really was compelled to think about both of these situations and the doubt, fear and worry that must have gripped Bathsheba, Nathan, Solomon and Peter. Their future looked completely in doubt. A betting man would have put the odds that this was the end of the road for them. All looked dark and dreary. This is why Peter denies Jesus...he was gripped by fear and all looked lost. 

This is the challenge of living in the moment. Often the present moment is scary. Often it doesn't seem to match the desires of our heart. It is in these moments that we can take comfort that God is always up to something good. We may be in the midst of hell on earth and it may seem dark and scary, but God is still up to something good. 

Trusting that and finding the joy in the present is the challenge and the essence of faith. I must remember and take hold of the truth that God is in today. He is no longer in the past, nor is he in the future. He is here now in the present. Therefore it is here that I find courage, joy, hope, peace and love. 

31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
MATTHEW 6:31-34

APRIL 30, 2018

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.”  

~ Abraham Lincoln

2 SAMUEL 24

17When David saw the angel who was striking down the people, he said to the Lord, “I have sinned; I, the shepherd,^c have done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? Let your hand fall on me and my family.”

LUKE 22:46-53

 47While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”49When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 50And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.51But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.52Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? 53Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.”

JOURNAL

Jesus cannot be swayed.  In surrendering to the path, he is resolute and willingly goes without a fight.  Knowing that Jesus is confident in his resolve and has been strengthened by God, he confronts Judas, heals a soldier and rebukes them all in the matter of a moment. The brilliance of Christ and his mixture of strength, wit, humility and power are all on display in this passage.

The same power, resolve and love are within me. It is in accepting God's love and grace that this power in spirit is made alive within. Because of that...I have no excuse...ever. If I do not give my best, surrender to discipline then I am selfish, slothful, manipulative and living in sin. It's not about being something I'm not...its simply about just being me and what God made me to be. When I shrink from that, lose focus and fail to perform then I am rejecting God and all the gifts he has given. 

To do that and claim that I am a believer and that I follow God is to slander God's name...his power and his love. 

He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. 

2 CORINTHIANS 13:3-4