Filled with the knowledge of God’s Will

Colossians 1:9-14

The Daily Mail headline asked if you can complete the world's most difficult puzzle.

As far as 1,000 piece jigsaws go this one with each piece a different color looks remarkably difficult.

I think most of us like puzzles, games and insightful tests. I remember some from my childhood where we were to choose the thing that was out of place. Inevitably good natured debates arose (especially in my family of antagonists!) about ambiguities which undermined reaching a consensus solution.




One such puzzle might look like this:

What doesn't fit?

I confess some might argue ambiguity. Some might see things in common which binds each image to the others. For instance, they could each represent a recent news story that ridiculed or contradicted clear Christian doctrine. They each could represent an ideology put forward by a self-identified christian scholar who kicked aside the plain meaning of Scripture to assert a personal opinion and political agenda. They could each represent an elevation of human wisdom above God. They could represent idolatry. So yes for all you scrappy folks, you could argue each image fits the montage. However there is a  view that sets one image clearly apart from the others. Would enjoy reading your thoughts in the comments section - so be free.

In his letter to the Colossians (as in most of his letters) Paul points us to God's will for us. There are many things that human's can rationalize as good and appropriate - which according to the plain reading of the text, are not. That is why, Christians surrender all that they are to God and seek only to do the will of our Father in Heaven. In a world of distortion, manipulation and corruption, living as God specifically and clearly calls us to in Scripture is the only safe and sure path to salvation.

I hope we can all pray together today that each of us will "be filled with the knowledge of God’s will, in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that [we] may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, as [we] bear fruit in every good work and as [we] grow abundantly in the knowledge of God."

be blessed

If we live as Christ, the world will listen

Ezekiel 33:10-16; Revelation 11:15-19

The Church's job is to be the Church that Jesus intended it to be. Put more bluntly and in the negative: If the thing you call "church" operates contrary to Jesus' truth statements and commands, it is NOT the Church.

The Church is the obedient, militant, missional organization of Christ followers sent into the world to lead (as Jesus lead) the way back to God! That is God's desire.

As I live, says the Lord God,
I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked,
but that the wicked turn from their ways and live;
turn back, turn back from your evil ways;
for why will you die? Ezekiel 33:11

Again, one is only a Christ follower if one's life reflects Jesus Christ.

An illustration: "I am an Olympic Gold medalist." This is only a fact if I have trained and qualified to participate in a sanctioned Olympic event at an officially designated Olympic games, and, if I have won that event in strict accordance with the rules that govern the event. If I have cheated, never triumphed, or never even participated you would conclude my claim "I am an Olympic Gold medalist" to be false. Similarly: "I am a Christian" - if my thoughts, words or deeds, openly or privately run contrary to Jesus Christ, how can I make this claim?
Being Christian is a question of fact.

Christians must realize they live in enemy occupied territory. Jesus is our government in exile. Christians are ambassadors of this government. Christians represent and are witness of the nature of this government. Christians are subversive agents acting faithfully toward the establishment of this government.

If we truly believe the seventh trumpet will sound and the proclamation "The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He will reign forever and ever" (Revelation 11:15) will be heard and fulfilled, then our lives will reflect that belief. We will live conforming to Jesus' truth statements and commands and thus take our place within His government - His obedient, militant, missional Church.

The bottom-line is this: If we live as Christ the world will listen.

be blessed,

Then the eyes of the blind will be opened ...

Reading today: Matthew 9:27-34

The ACrossMission team, Cathy and I have just returned from Tanzania. As we traveled through a poverty stricken, drought ridden, dry and weary land I confess I struggled. And as I journey through the season of Lent, I confess I continue to struggle.

The world is not what God created it to be. The Church seems numb to suffering, and prosperity seems quite comfortable in the presence of poverty. Do we worship God only with our lips? I guess if I am really truthful I question my life - my choices shape my life; I am not completely certain however that my choices authentically reflect Jesus. I would like to think they do, but what I see and hear confronts that conclusion.

It is interesting that in the reading today Jesus did not heal the blind men outright - He healed according to each blind man's faith. Their sight was restored to the extent their faith was authentic. They spoke and behaved authentically in harmony with their profession of faith - hence their reality reflected the Kingdom of God and their sight was restored.

This episode is set in juxtaposition to the unbelief of Temple leadership who, despite witnessing proofs, healing and signs (which they had previously demanded) remained blind to God's reality. In fact, their reaction is blasphemy. Counterfeit words and actions revealed discord with their professed faith.

It is easy for us to see the specks in the eyes of the Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians and Scribes in ancient Israel. It seems easy for us to place them in the lead antagonist roles of Jesus' stories (His parables) of unfaithfulness, corruption and hypocrisy.

But, here is the thing. I fear, given the clear obvious observable condition of God's beloved people, that the modern church member has now inherited and comfortably inhabits those lead roles in Jesus' parables. How else can we explain our neglect of our sisters and brothers? I pray that our blindness will be healed - but I hear Jesus saying our healing will be according to our faith.

My concern is that the western acceptance of our economic growth and accumulation of wealth (often lauded as "Christian prosperity") is in truth an idolatry rationalized by a convenient heresy. Our wealth by its very existence convicts us. We discard Christ and cling to our cash. The Christian Gospel cannot reconcile to the America's Prosperity Ethic as long as poverty exists - it is simply impossible.

When will our blind eyes open? When we truly believe what Jesus says is true and live accordingly. Let them with eyes see.

We will not be shaken

We will not be shaken

"You are my witnesses, says the Lord,

and my servant whom I have chosen,

so that you may know and believe me

and understand that I AM He." (Isaiah 43)

I almost weep when I read Philippians. Christ had barely ascended to heaven and the Church was already in schism. The Church is growing in the work and power of God the Holy Spirit just as promised by Jesus yet men are springing up everywhere to lead God's children astray. The Truth is so precious and powerful that the powers of darkness must respond; not able to overcome it, they surround it and conceal it in layers of lies and heresy! And sadly - there are always people who are more than willing to cooperate in darkness for worldly gain.

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits 

to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets 

have gone out into the world." (1John 4)

"But false prophets also arose among the people,

just as there will be false teachers among you,
who will secretly bring in destructive heresies" (2Peter 2)

It almost seems unbelievable! But then we realize, the hearts of people have not changed - we remain fallen to sin. The Truth remains concealed and distorted and disguised among the clutter of our sin. The Word of God made flesh, who walked among us is still being denied and contradicted. Who is bearing WITNESS of Jesus? Sadly too many (if not most) of us treat the Word as a mere philosophy, anthropology or ideology - we are not theologians shaped by the Cross rather we are philosophers, anthropologists, and ideologues shaped by the world.

Today can we pray for reformation? Can we pray for a returning to clear precise truth of God? 

When we hear Scripture explained through the lens of me and my problems, my desires and my concerns; when we hear preaching promising wealth, health, fame and fortune we are not hearing the teaching of the Christ pierced and murdered on a Cross. If those teachings are true, why was Paul beheaded and Peter crucified and John banished to Patmos?  Ask why Apostles and Martyrs must bear witness even in torture and death? In the shadow of the Cross how is it that we in the blessed west live quietly secure in comfort and prosperity while our brothers and sisters shout the Gospel in poverty and persecution? Let us pray for reformation!

"honor such people, because he came close to death

for the work of Christ"

Today hear the prophet calling Israel to witness. Today we hear the apostle calling the Church to witness. Today, hear your commission to go. God has called out across the ages for His people to bear Him witness. How do we respond? Is it yes or is it no? Even when it hurts, is it yes or is it no? When we lay down our lives we find life. The Church will not be shaken because God is true:

"you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; 

and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, 

and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1)

Perfectly Faithful

He wants us back!

"Do not fear." (see Psalm 126, Isaiah 43)

It is often said the encouragement not to fear occurs 365 times in the Bible (one for each day! I have never counted).

Up to about Chapter 39 in the Book of Isaiah the lesson spoken is that God is perfectly faithful despite our unfaithfulness. From every side Israel faced threat, violence and attack. Israel had to choose: "naively" rely on God - or - rely on themselves. Israel decided on themselves and (though they would not have acknowledged this) God kicked to the curb. God warned Israel their way would bring destruction. Not choosing to rely on God is Israel's oft repeated error - it is our oft repeated error!

Israel's King bowing to Assyria

In Isaiah 43 we hear God speaking hope. "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;  I have called you by name, you are mine." God’s faithfulness is perfect - He is faithful even though we are not. Destruction is the result of Israel's error (faithlessness) but our persistent faithful God will not forsake His own. God provides the way home; He will never stop working toward our reunion and restoration with Him because He Loves us. We must simply choose to stop running away. In many ways this story of Israel in Isaiah is the story of the prodigal son. In the prodigal son parable Jesus communicates the whole history of salvation: God provides abundantly for us and He passionately Loves us; He accepts rejection as we choose badly; we refuse God and our error brings destruction; God persistently seeks us; we repent and humbly return to God; God forgives and restores us to a redeemed relationship to Him. It is the history of Grace. Whatever Israel’s (or our) sins have been God is not deterred - no sin is bigger than God's desire and ability to forgive. We are God's children and He wants us back.

Our sin taints what we see and hear; our sin taints how we see and hear. Israel's error remains among us and we are just as blind and deaf to it as were the multitude that have gone before us. When will we seek God and rely upon His certainty? When will we turn away from the vapour of humanity and the rusting trinkets of mortal life? When will we live our yes to God relying on Him alone? Today let us begin to see clearly. Let us begin to hear precisely.

God loves us. God wants us to be home with Him. We need not fear returning for His love covers the multitude of our sin!

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine...
Do not fear, for I am with you (Psalm 126)

God is perfectly faithful ... God is completely reliable - He means what He says.

God calls out to us. Is it yes or is it no?

and unexplainable things happen

... and unexplainable things happen

Later this year I plan to do a study of what we call miracles. The study will adopt the context of Luke 4:43 “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.” The thesis is that when the kingdom of God is at hand, unexplainable things happen. When God is revealed, unexplainable things happen. When people turn to God, unexplainable things happen. When faith grows,  unexplainable things happen. When we trust God and obey God, oil flows in abundance, multitudes are fed from apparently nothing and unexplainable things happen. When we Love as Christ Loves, remarkably unexplainable things happen.

Jesus said “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose” and when He did, unexplainable things happened. Christ calls us to see beyond what we see and hear beyond what is said. Christ calls us to accept that our knowledge is incomplete and so our wisdom lacks proper context. Jesus revealed to us that to see God present everywhere and always will lead us in the way of truth. We must stop grasping hold of the chains of the finite to receive the Love and abundance of the infinite.

It is the challenge we heard echoed in Proverbs yesterday:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, 

and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him, 

and he will make straight your paths. 

Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones."

Jesus emptied Himself of all that is His by rights and took on human form. He declared the Kingdom is near, He witnessed the revelation of God, He turned to God in faith in every moment of His life, He lived in obedience and trust of God and unexplainable things happened. Except these are explainable: nothing of our human fall from God can remain in our reunion to God. This is the echo and extension of what we read yesterday; this is the call of Jubilee and the invitation to the feast: will you leave everything, come and follow Jesus? Remarkable things will happen. Is it yes or is it no?

Chains of our own choosing.

Chains of our own choosing.

It is a challenge we hear echoed in Proverbs:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, 

and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him, 

and he will make straight your paths. 

Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones."

The 21st Century Western Christian living in comfort and abundance might well read the passages and glaze over - what's this to do with me? We have everything under control? Others may read this and hear it promising an easy life if only we asked enough and pray enough.
We might in fact push back a bit at the thought of not being smart enough or able enough. Many of us value our "independence" - so what is this call to radical dependence about?  Too many of us feel a twinge of resentment at the thought of subjugation, obedience, surrender and submission. How do we, as modern individuals accept these notions so contrary to our consumerist capitalist individualist context?

The length and breadth of the Bible envisions God's perpetual grace in sustaining us - is many ways the Bible is challenging us to live our declarations - to actively live as God commissions us to live - to actually live in trust and obedience to God. It is pretty obvious that we are not doing well, we are not excelling in this radical challenge. So today we ask what does that failure say about us, our faith and our belief in God's faithfulness?

It is pretty clear most of us are bound to things that are not of our God. Our chains are fashioned of careers, possessions, reputations, abilities, wants and desires - but they are chains none-the-less. We pray "give us this day our daily bread" while we hold "our" stuff in reserve just in case "our" God doesn't, won't or can't deliver on His promises. Scripture challenges us to return all that is God's to God and to trust Him. This challenge reveals to us the chains we have chosen over freedom in our Christ.

Lent is a time to contemplate the wonder of God and it is a time of self reflection in the presence of our God. We find a harsh reflection of ourselves in the challenge to actually live as Christians.

Leviticus tells us that all we have in reality is God's - we are mere vapours that drift upon the land - yet when the owner asks for what is His we rebel. Leviticus shows us then that we are not bound in chains, rather we bind ourselves in the chains of our own choosing.

Jesus asks us: will you leave everything, come and follow Me? Is it yes or is it no?

The Tender Heart of God

The Tender Heart of God

God's love is totally beyond anything we can imagine. It is the passionate, compassionate, consistent and persistent love of the Creator for His children. And now this morning we open our Bibles to find our attention directed to the denunciation of godlessness, the condemnation of foolish wisdom, the articulation of the laws of atonement and the description of the final righteous judgement of God.

Psalm 53 likely never tops the "My favourite verse" lists. It is often read as harsh and wrath filled; it carries an even harder understanding if we approach it with our own self righteousness and pride. So today we must try to surrender ourselves before God's perfect and holy righteousness and then hear what is being said.

In many ways today God's Love, Mercy and Grace are being given context. Do not hear these texts as the self righteous preacher declaring "THEY are corrupt, THEY commit abominable acts; THEY do no good!  God's wrath is coming - Hallelujah!" Neither should we hear our own arrogant self confidence shouting "they... they ... they" and imagine our finger pointed at "them."

To hear God rightly we must remember the Father who runs to embrace his son, that shepherd who risks all to rescue the one, that woman who searches tirelessly. We are deserving of wrath - there certainly is no question of this. But that makes God's Love all the more wonderful! God's wrath is for what separates us from Him - and that wrath is terrible! But for us His Love, Mercy and Grace seek our restoration. The curtain has been rent and we can look upon God - if we truly believe Jesus is the Christ then we can know the tender heart of God - if Jesus is our Saviour then we can see the Light shining in the darkness drawing us into God's warmth and loving embrace. "I am corrupt, I commit abominable acts, I do no good, I deserve God's coming wrath." Yet my Saviour lives! He is Jesus the Christ! In Him I have received salvation! On His word I stand and to His work I am called.

God is Love; A love indescribable. Let us read the hard passages always knowing that in them and beyond them is the compassionate heart of God the Father, the Loving way of God the Son and the persistent desire of God the Holy Spirit. Let us surrender all that "I am" and all that "I have" so that all might come before God and sing “Hallelujah!" For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns - let us go into the world and reflect God's Love and Light. Amen

Good Good Father

Dare to Love

Dare to Love

Today's we think of one of the most loved of Jesus' parables; it is the "prodigal son (Luke 15)." Recently some have preached this parable as the "prodigal father." This teaching presented by Jesus is brilliant and overflowing with rich teaching and insight. We can understand the word play pivoting on "prodigal" in its two English essences - but it does not work in Greek. Certainly the son is "prodigal" - his request of his father was disrespectful, insulting and demeaning - he could not have insulted or hurt his father more in what he asked. Upon receiving his desire this prodigal son lived in wasteful extravagance - the word given by Jesus is ἀσώτως (asotos). To be blunt - this is not a nice word. It conjures up the worst kind of depraved licentious filthy debauchery. Do we get the point? The word cannot and should not be associated with the father in this parable - the father is not ἀσώτως - in this narrative we are the ἀσώτως.

The son in this parable is paralleling the fall in Eden - he represents our depravity, our grasping for what is God's alone and our separation from God. Modern "christians" seem reluctant to acknowledge and repent of our ἀσώτως - be that as it may - but if we are honest we acknowledge it is our state. If we are honest with ourselves we will glimpse the vast extent of God's love. Our ἀσώτως stands juxtaposed and contrasted against our God's great Love in Grace. If we moderate and downplay our ἀσώτως, then in essence we diminish our God's loving response. The beauty of this parable that brings tears to our eyes as we read, is that this father's love is so great that nothing - not insult - not depravity - not filth - not pride - not spite - not authority - not dignity - nothing will hinder the embrace and restoration of the lost child to his father. That is the beautiful wonder of Love unimaginable - that is the desire of our God for us.

And why did this father run? I remember reading of the release of Nelson Mandela from Victor Verster Prison in 1990; how Mandela moved with such dignity; his movements were measured and regal. Mandela was poised and dignified. But this father has none of this - he runs? Landowners don't run. Gentlemen don't run. The wealthy don't run. Princes don't run. Yet this rich, noble, landowning father runs? Why?

Jesus tells us why. "σπλαγχνίζομαι" - Jesus teaches that this father was filled with a gut wrenching passionate desire for the return of the fallen child. This father feared that if this moment passed, if this opportunity was squandered his son would be lost - he fought to rescue and reclaim that which was lost. This father was filled with a love above all loves - this love above all loves is a nature I pray we each will find in God's heart - we might call this nature compassion.

σπλαγχνίζομαι is our Father's response to ἀσώτως.

σπλαγχνίζομαι is the love God sends into the world through His Church.

σπλαγχνίζομαι is the love we live beyond our "yes" to God. 

σπλαγχνίζομαι is the love we have been given to give - the love we are reborn to live.

We thank God for all that He is and all that He does. He is completely and comprehensively sufficient. He is infinite, unquantifiable and beyond any means of measure. As His children, confessing Him we have received ALL that He is. We thank God for His limitless compassionate love for us. We pray and give thanks in the name of Jesus. Amen

Its Amazing Love

Its Amazing Love

Here we are, drudging on through the long middle days of Lent. Some of the resolve with which we entered Lent has faded and some of us are looking for justifications to give up on the rule-of-life which we committed to upon entering Lent. The day we celebrate Jesus' resurrection remains but a faint glow on a distant horizon - but today that Light seems brighter as Jesus reminds us of God's Fatherly heart and His amazing Love for us.

Jesus is often criticized because He dares to seek out and sit with sinners! In today's reading He responds to the criticism with parables. As with all parables we note how meaning can shift as the principle characters and props are defined and redefined. I was horrified recently to come across a history of an Anglican Church congregation entitled "Saints among the sinners." It was horrific because of the implications of the claims this ACC congregation made for itself in the title of their history. We must be careful; if this were truly the mindset of this congregation today they would be in grave danger of an heretical reading of Scripture. It is so very important that we position ourselves correctly in our readings - it is imperative that we remember who Jesus came to love and die for.

Who among us would leave all, hazard all, risk all and labour tirelessly for another person - especially a despised stranger? Would you? Let us be careful how we answer! Before we answer let us consider this: why must Gospel missionaries spend so much of their lives begging support instead of teaching? Why do we not support them abundantly and without their asking? The most challenging work I have ever been given is that of raising support for missionaries in the field - it is heart breaking how difficult it is to encourage Christians to support our indigenous brothers and sisters in their ministry (see A Cross Mission). My heart aches for missionaries working in danger and poverty but I truly mourn the "Christian Church" in the west who allow their continued suffering. We do not surrender our "all." So let me leave that question hanging. Who among us would leave all, hazard all, risk all and labour tirelessly for the other - the forsaken - the rejected - the condemned - the dying?

The lesson we draw from these two parables today is that we are loved and desired and valued by God. We are so loved that God does leave all, hazard all, risk all and labour tirelessly for each of us; for we are the sinners to which God came and continues to come.

God demonstrates his own love for us,

in that while we were still sinners,

Christ died for us. Romans 5

Again today in our Lenten journey we ask: when we are found by God, and restored by God to Himself how should we respond?

The second truth of these parables is that we are commissioned by Jesus to leave all, hazard all, risk all and labour tirelessly for the other - the forsaken - the rejected - the condemned - the dying, just as He did for us. We are given an amazing love; it is an amazing love that we have been given to give.

“Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I Myself will search for

my sheep and will seek them out." Ezekiel 34

(click here for the video)

Who among us would leave all, hazard all, risk all and labour tirelessly for another person? It is a tough question. God has revealed His loving heart. Father we pray that we will reflect that amazing love.

We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4

Truly Loved

You are truly Loved

Today we remember how Israel obediently entered the Promised Land under Joshua's leadership following exactly God's rather "odd" instructions. (Joshua 3) Yesterday we remembered something so amazing: God loves us - He wants us - He will do what it takes to restore our relationship with Him. Today we remember that God will not force Himself on us - He waits for us to persistently and obediently follow Him - even the odd stuff!

Today we read an awesome statement:

How blessed is the one whose rebellious acts are forgiven,

whose sin is pardoned!

How blessed is the one whose wrongdoing the Lord does not punish (Psalm 32)

This Psalm talks about the lengths God will go to to get us back! God loves that much. In Lent we spend a lot of time talking about the condition of our heart, the condition of our lives, the condition of our families, our congregations, our communities, our country and the world - the Psalm does not excuse that - in fact it delivers very blunt statements about our fallen unrepentant state. But it balances these with majestic statements of hope:

Then I confessed my sin;

I no longer covered up my wrongdoing.

I said, “I will confess my rebellious acts to the Lord.”

And then you forgave my sins.

(Psalm 32)

You are loved. I am loved. We are loved. These three statements bring us joy immeasurable.

The Lord’s faithfulness overwhelms the one who trusts in him.

Rejoice in the Lord and be happy, you who are godly!

Shout for joy, all you who are morally upright!

Be blessed and blessed be His Name.

Seeing Beyond

Seeing beyond the rocks and water

The Book of Joshua is the 1st of 12 Hebrew books that tell of the rocky and erratic response of Israel to God's Love as they lived in the "promised land." In these writings we get a sense of ever increasing separation from God and of God's long suffering and Grace. This book takes it's name from Joshua, who was appointed by God to succeed Moses as leader of Israel. “Joshua” means “יהוה [the God] of Israel saves” or “the LORD is salvation.” God delivered Israel and brought them into the promised land with Joshua as the leader of the people.

Israel has been wandering for 40 years - they are finally brought to the door step of the promised land and there is a river. First - I've read experts claiming that the Jordan in this era was a raging river and I've heard experts say it was but a trickle. I suggest if it was the latter there would have been no need to stop and even mention the crossing; in its journey through the landscape of the eastern Mediterranean, Israel would have encountered and crossed without comment hundreds of brooks, burns and ditches. So something more is going on here. As recently as 100 years ago we see the Jordan as a river overflowing its banks! Also in a few verses beyond what we read today the Bible tells us that after Israel had crossed, "the water of the Jordan flowed again and returned to flood stage."

Second - there are many ways to cross a river. There are natural and man made fjords, bridges and dams - all quite useful and quite within the power and ability of the nation of Israel. But Israel uses none of these. Instead they humble themselves before God, they hear God, they obey God, they trust God, they mark what God had done and they worship God.

They humble themselves before God: “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” [consecrate is to set yourself aside or dedicate yourself for a purpose - in this case God's purpose]

They hear God: "command the priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant, saying, ‘When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan."... It shall come about when the soles of the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan will be cut off, and the waters which are flowing down from above will stand in one heap. (Joshua 3)

They obey God: So when the people set out from their tents to cross the Jordan with the priests carrying the ark of the covenant before the people, and when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest), the waters which were flowing down from above stood and rose up in one heap. (Joshua 3)

They trust God: So the people crossed...

They mark what God had done: "When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ then you shall inform your children, saying, ‘Israel crossed this Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed, just as the Lord your God had done to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed" (Joshua 4)

They worship God: "that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, so that you may fear the Lord your God forever." (Joshua 4)

There are many ways to cross a river, just as there are many ways to engage every other challenge, trial and stress of life. We live in a fallen, distracted sin filled world - that's not the point - we will encounter the results of sin. The question for us again is how do we respond? Paul in his second letter to Corinth tells followers of God who are of this world, to look beyond our world to God. Do we behave as God's people and look beyond this world to Him or not? This in essence is the challenge of Lent - we are called to a hard long look at who we are and how we respond to God.

So, how do we respond to God? God seeks His people; He uses us to reveal the nearness of His Kingdom - are we His followers or not? Do we humble ourselves before God, do we hear God, do we obey God, do we trust God, do we mark what God has done and do we worship God in good times and in bad?

The Point of Parables #Jesus

The Point of Parables

Today we hear Jesus speaking two very short parables. Yes, the Kingdom of God is like a tiny seed, it is planted in fertile ground and it grows and becomes grand and gives comfort and life. Yes, the Kingdom of God is like a tiny measure of leaven, it is put into flour dough and it rises and provides enough for a feast and gives nourishment and life. Easy, I get it - its a small thing to say yes to Jesus yet that small yes grows to bring me comfort and nourishment - I get it!!

Except that's not really the point.

There are pitfalls I think we risk in reading Jesus' parables. One is we tend to treat them like a riddle and want to find "the" unique right solution - if we can find the hidden secret perhaps it is the key to the Kingdom of Heaven and will confirm my salvation. Another might be that we tend to look for solutions that are right "for me" - "here's what Jesus is saying to me" - we tend to look for and find confirmation of who I am rather than transformation to what God desires for us.  It does not take much to go off track with Jesus' parables. The point of parables is to make us think and explore; but that remains bounded by the nature and Word of God.

Today we see Jesus trying to communicate what the Kingdom of God is like. I can only imagine how difficult it is for our God who is awesome and infinite to communicate His context (His Kingdom) to us. We are finite and temporal; He is infinite and eternal. How can the finite ever grasp the infinite, we are so trapped in the here and now! So Jesus breaks it down for us and He does it in a context of hope.

How does the mustard seed become a grand and glorious tree bringing comfort and life? It is a mystery - yet there it is. How does the leaven feed a feast? It is a mystery - yet it does. Similarly, the Kingdom of God once begun in faith will flourish and thrive and provide comfort, life and bread for life. If we can have faith that a small speck of a seed put in soil or a small lump put in dough will have effect, surely our faith is secure in God?

What is this seed and leaven? What is the ground and dough? What is the tree and bread? What is the effect and function of the tree and bread? How we answer these questions can  reveal something new yet true and consistent about God, His Kingdom and His Church. I'd love to explore this after Lent!

One notion for us today in Lent: what if Jesus is communicating that a Christian is one who lives a life in trust and obedience? What if the seed/leaven is witness? What if the ground/dough is the sphere of our life? What if the tree/bread are the cloud of witnesses - God's people gathered in and around the Tree of Life seeking the Bread of Life? In this reading we hear the echo of Christ's commissioning of His followers to bear witness in all the world. We might also notice that Jesus does not say how the cloud of witness is grown from our witness - yet (like seed and leaven) relying on the promises of God and obediently bearing witness, somehow our simple words and actions grow and prosper the Kingdom of God. That's amazing!

Note one other thing. The leaven is the first parable where a woman is the principle character. So here is a bit of trivia - who was the first evangelist? Who was the first to run into the world and bear witness of Christ? (click here if your device won't play the video) 

Can you hear the echoes of sowing and leaven in this?

Just as it is true that in God's choices in creation the man and woman were made different yet one, to accomplish God's purpose and to bring God pleasure it is also true that woman and man are both sent into the world in different ways to bear witness of Christ. The man plants and the woman nourishes and both reveal Christ and the nearness of the Kingdom of God.

Here now is one aspect of the hope I spoke of earlier. There is more going on than what we see. We humans are bound to linear time and a finite place. God is not. What we see is a small dry seed  or a lump of sour mash. What God sees is a brilliant majestic plant and a great feast! It is amazing that God in His grace brings us into the growing of His Kingdom among His people - we are transformed as He uses us to transform the world. Therein our hope is found. We are part of something that is so much more than we see or imagine!

How do we respond to God: is it yes or is it no? God seeks His people; He uses us to reveal the nearness of His Kingdom - are we His followers or not?

Today please visit the ACrossMission website. Please pray for our missions and please consider supporting the witness of the Gospel in the poverty and violence of Sub-Saharan East Africa. Help us sow and knead the Gospel into people who have either never heard of Jesus or have rejected Him.

Hope of a Nation

Hope of a Nation

"Behold, though it is planted, will it thrive?"

My mom often throws up her hands in frustration as we talk about the Bible - "I just don't know anymore, its all so confusing now". Today's Hebrew Testament reading brings on just such a moment. Ezekiel tells us a fable - he uses birds and plants and inanimate objects to convey a message. And it gets worse - within the fable there is a riddle and that riddle sits within a second riddle. Confusion and frustration. But, if we focus on the main question of the big "riddle" rather than the puzzle what might we see - "will it thrive?"

Will what thrive? God's people. A tidbit of history: in the political turmoil between Israel's two exiles (approximately 598 to 586 BC) King Zedekiah breaches (yet again) the covenant between God and Israel. Zedekiah turns to political and military intrigues and deceptions; Zedekiah seeks alliances and pledges loyalties to worldly powers (an alliance is even struck with Egypt!). In short Zedekiah does not turn to God; faithless he relies on his own efforts in his own power and he casts God to the sidelines.

God has planted, "will it thrive?" Of course it will. God cannot be thwarted. God is faithful. God continually seeks His people. Through Israel God will bless all nations for it is through Israel that He will step into human history and provide the Way of our salvation. God has promised this and God will accomplish it - it will thrive. Israel will suffer in her repeated habitual unfaithfulness yet God will make a Way for us.

What will we glean today from this story? It is "Super Tuesday" in the USA - a nation currently embroiled in political controversy, intrigue and wrangling. Today around the world secularism, militarism, relativism and other human ideologies are on the rise. Those who call themselves Christians are fragmented splinters of splinters which too often bear little or no resemblance to Jesus (in the words of one 12 year old commentator: they're just making it up). God is not our plan A; I'm not even sure He is our plan D or E! Like Zedekiah, we give lip service to God but in reality, we too have sidelined God. Yet, as it has been and always will be, hope remains. God makes a Way for us.

What is that Way? It is as it has been - our way is found in returning to God, in trusting Him, in being His people. If we are His people, He promises to be our God.

How do we respond to God: is it yes or is it no? God seeks His people; He promises our redemption - do we relegate Him to the sidelines? Is He our God or not?

The Fate of a Nation #POTUS

The Fate of a Nation

The more things change the more they stay the same - or to be more biblical - "That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done; so there is nothing new under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 1:9)

The Bible is God's love story for us. Sadly, it is a story of unrequited love. It is the story of the One who loves beautifully but is rejected. The Bible is the story of the One who patiently waits, who seeks every opportunity to extend His Love yet time and again those loved are unfaithful and show only contempt for the Love offered. The Bible is the history of us rejecting God - our breach of covenant - our lack of faith.

"Hear My voice" "Be My people, and I will be your God." God pleads with us. But as it has been, so it is now: we do not hear, we walk stubbornly away from God and we love other gods. God suffers the freedom He has given us.

“What right has My beloved in My house

When she has done many vile deeds?"

As we move through Lent we must explore how our lives might tend this way? We want wealth and prosperity; we value career and reputation; we seek our comfort and pleasure. We, like Israel in ages past want an earthly Messiah wielding political, financial, commercial and military power to raise us up in worldly glory. As we read Scripture today can we crack open our eyes, look hard at ourselves and see how we withhold our love from God as a ransom for what we want?

Across the ages the human heart has not changed. God knows the condition of each person better than we know ourselves. Do we really seek God or do we seek what we want from God? This is a difficult and confronting yet crucial question. As it always has been: our salvation depends on the truth of our response to God.

God is seeking His people, "Listen to My voice and do all I ask of you so you will be My people, and I will be your God." How each of us comes before God determines how we live together in God as a people - as His nation.

How do we respond to Him: is it yes or is it no? God will embrace us and welcome us home the moment we wake up and truly return to HIM for God is truly Love.

Truth and Consequences

Truth and Consequences

Luke 13

At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them--do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did." Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, 'See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?' He replied, 'Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'

Jesus knows our hearts and He knows our ways of thinking - He knows us and our mindsets. Pilate had committed atrocities against God and a group of Galileans (atrocities were almost habitual for this Roman bureaucrat!!) - Pilate has apparently defiled the Temple sacrifice with human blood. Some present with Jesus were speaking or thinking of this horror as if perhaps the victims had deserved this "judgement" - perhaps they were "worse sinners"? - perhaps they were stained by the acts committed with their blood? Jesus wants none of this - sin is sin - there is no parsing of better or lesser sins. Jesus turns the rhetoric around - what of victims of accidents or illness? Do you think that they are worse offenders than you? Jesus is clearly saying look at yourself; look to your own sins, look to your own planks in your own eyes before you speculate and gossip and condemn others! God will judge - you have other matters (like your own sin) to attend to. God knows our hearts and there is enough sin in us to keep us plenty busy without speculating about others.

That said, it seems the victims of Pilate and the tower of Siloam died unrepentant. I wonder if we should read Jesus' words not as bold proclamations but rather as regret and grieving. God's beloved have perished separated from Him - there is only loss and sadness here. Jesus warns us to take care so that we do not perish in the same condition.We do not know the hour when we will be called before God to give account of ourselves - Jesus wants us to be ready; Jesus wants us to repent and return to God.

In the parable of the Barren Fig Tree, Jesus' lament broadens from grieving for individuals to concern for Israel. Jesus reiterates a well known Biblical theme: the consequences of disobedience are devastating. The Jews, Israel, the covenant people stand separated from their God. Jews of that era understood the fig as prosperity and would hear reference to the fig tree as reference to themselves. The Word of God (Jesus) is given to Israel to bring redemption, salvation and life - the Word is given that Israel might bear fruit.  In Jesus Israel might yet bear fruit and thrive. But Jesus warns, if the fig tree bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, it will be cut down.

Again today we are called to reflect. God has given the Word to us. Am I bearing the fruit God has commissioned me to produce? We ask again today, is my family bearing God's fruit? My congregation? My City? My country? Again today God holds up a mirror before us, He speaks plainly. "For years I have come looking for fruit and still I find none. Why?" It is clear that God gives us the freedom to choose Him or rebuke Him; He gives us the freedom to choose to work with Him or against Him. Again today God asks us, is it yes or is it no?


In the reading from Isaiah 55 God pleads for His people and each of us to come to Him, to know Him. Again today God asks us, is it yes or is it no?

"Remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent."

For You have been my help,

And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.

My soul clings to You;

Your right hand upholds me.

Freedom of Choice

Freedom of Choice

Lent is a time to ponder the wonder of our God who has done so much to restore us to relationship with Him. Lent is a time for self reflection; it is a time that can be very hard on us as who I am is held up against who the I AM created me to be. Remembering who God is (Who is God anyway?), remembering God's Word speaks to us individually; remembering God works in our family, in our community, in our country and throughout the world in every age, remembering all this how then do we read Isaiah? It seems clear that God tends the vineyard. But who is the vineyard God is tending? Isaiah is a prophet of Israel - so an obvious reading reflects God's displeasure with Israel and the consequences of Israel's continued turning away from God. The Church stands with Israel, praying for it's restoration to right relationship with God and for redemption.

But before we get too complacent thinking "Oh its Israel and not me", we hear Christ's words in the Luke reading. Now we must ask, am I bearing the fruit God has commissioned me to produce? Is my family bearing God's fruit? My congregation? My City? My country? Today again God holds up a mirror before us, He speaks plainly and He asks: "Why, when I expected it to produce good grapes did it produce worthless ones?" It is clear that God gives us the freedom to choose Him or rebuke Him; He gives us the freedom to choose to work with Him or against Him. Is it yes or is it no?

The Isaiah Scroll as displayed at the Israel Museum

Today let us pray for our personal restoration, for our family's restoration, for our congregation's restoration, for our city's restoration and for our country's restoration to right relationship in God and for the redemption of all people. Today let us pray that we will finally and truly take our place in the cloud of witness across the ages and step firmly into the place Christ prepared for us in His Church. Today, as we end the second week of Lent, let us pray that Israel and all people hear the voice of the One crying in the wilderness. Let us pray for the courage to be what we were made to be.

"Remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent."

For You have been my help,

And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.

My soul clings to You;

Your right hand upholds me.

Choosing Jesus

I choose Jesus.

"Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever."

Today's readings are hard; they confront us - we respond emotionally to what they imply. But in the end what matters is what we do about it. We can walk away and believe "I'm fine" and blame others. Or, we can take a serious look at our self and our lives and we can choose Jesus - really - truly choose Jesus.

Many many pastors and priests, in their sermons and messages express concerns for the Church. We must stop using this language. The Church - the Body of Christ throughout the ages is beautiful and wonderful and functioning as Christ among us. The concern we have is not for the Church. The concern we have is that we are NOT Church. The concern is for us; those who call ourselves followers of Christ, those who raise hands, those who fall to knees, those who choose Jesus yet do not follow Him. The concern is for us! Pastors, ministers and priests around the world are concerned - the nature of Jesus is not reflected in our hearts and minds; the symptoms of being of Christ are not evident in our lives. We can call ourselves Church and we claim the banner of Christ, but neither act makes us Christian.

It is time for direct talk and earnest self reflection. It is time we hear and listen to Jesus.

Today we read what Jesus says to the church in Sardis. Now some try to read away what Jesus says to the churches as not relevant to us here and now - that was Jesus talking to them, over there way back then. Yet Jesus commands all who have ears to hear what He says to the churches. And what does He say to Sardis? "I know your deeds, that you have a name [a reputation] that you are alive, but you are dead." You are dead? They have a reputation for life, they look alive doing churchy Christian stuff; but Jesus knows the truth and He pronounces them dead. "Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, those things which are about to die; I have found your deeds are not completed in the sight of My God." (Revelation 3)  Being alive in Jesus is comprehensive and complete. Life comes with Jesus present in every moment and movement of our life. Ask - does this describe me and my congregation? It is time to be real; it is time to be authentic; it is time we live exclusively for Jesus.

Again today we are told there are consequences. Again we are told there is a reckoning. Again we are told some will be with God and others will not. Over and over again Jesus asks us to use our ears, to hear and listen. Let today be the day we hear what Jesus is saying to us. Let today be the day we take Jesus out of the box and invite Him into every part of our life. Let today be the day we choose Jesus. Amen.

"Remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent."

For You have been my help,

And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.

My soul clings to You;

Your right hand upholds me.

Living in Trust?

Living in Trust?

About 600 BC Jerusalem was conquered by the Babylonians under king Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar naturally took for himself all the treasures of Jerusalem (it's what conquerors do) but he also took the best, the brightest and the most beautiful young people into his service. Among these were Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego who we read about today in our reading from the Book of Daniel. 

Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego were carried off to Babylon but they (and Daniel) seemed to be unique among the captives in this way: they truly loved God; they continued to trust God; they continued to obey God and they would worship only God. The problem is the King wanted them to love him, to obey him and to worship him. Of course you can't do both: you can't worship ONLY God and then turn around and worship the king. So Nebuchadnezzar gave these guys an ultimatum "if you do not worship me, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?" The answer was, "actually God can do that" and as we read today that is exactly what God did.

The effect was that the king was humbled and Nebuchadnezzar came to worship God. “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego"; the king acknowledged the witness of radical trust "who put their trust in God, violating the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God." Through this radical witness of three young men, Nebuchadnezzar (and a kingdom) began to know God.

700 years later Jesus dictates a letter to a church in Σμύρνη (Smyrna in modern day Turkey). Jesus acknowledges their suffering. We note this is not self focused suffering - this is not suffering because of bad choices or because of lust or because of wants. This is not "me" focused suffering. This is not bad health or no wealth suffering. This is severe push-back for not going after the things of this world but rather seeking after Jesus. This is Christ focused suffering. This is suffering in bearing witness of Jesus to the world. This is Christocentric suffering not egocentric suffering. This is the same suffering Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego faced and endured. The Greek word for witness is Martyr. Witness for God, suffering to bear witness of Jesus became so associated with death and torture that the English language took the word and defined Martyr as one who is tortured and killed for Christ. Jesus tells Smyrna that things are going to get worse (not better!!) but that it is in persistent and consistent faith that the victory in eternal life is known and claimed.

Can you hear the echo's of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego in this video telling the story of the martyrdom of Polycarp Bishop of Smyrna less than 60 years after Jesus dictated the letter we read today? (very short - under 3 minutes; click here if you cannot play this video)

Do we have ears that hear? Do we hear the truth in these stories of radical faithful witness? Do we hear what it means for us, our life and our witness? Witness (Greek: μάρτυς, mártys, martyr) is the call of every Christian. The commission given the Church by Jesus is witness, martyr, μάρτυς.

Today we thank you God. You have tasked us to bear witness in all the world. You want all the world to hear of your love and have determined that it is through faithful Christ followers that this will be accomplished. You shape each of us in witness as you transform the world through witness; it is marvelous and wonderful and for this we give you praise in thanksgiving. May all the world know of Your love and glory. Loving God - reveal the nearness of the Kingdom of God - build your Kingdom here. We pray this in Jesus' mighty name. Amen

In God we Trust?

In God we Trust?

It is a simple truth that when our mindset changes, the way we think changes, what we decide changes so how we live changes. Paul gives us the goal for this change; it's Jesus. Paul's letters encourage us to have the same mindset (or way of thinking) that Jesus has.

Yesterday the Bible reading showed us how reading with the wrong mindset can lead us to rather strange conclusions. We will think about things wrong if our mindset is wrong. Today we will see that if we really trust God it changes how our life unfolds.

As we read the Bible more we will see that very often God's people (Israel) did not have a mindset fixed on God; too often they went their own way thinking it was best. Because of this godless mindset Israel faced many disasters. But today we read of a rare exception - we meet Jehoshaphat (a king of Israel who reigned 873 to 843 BC).

A massive coalition army is invading the promised land. "Jehoshaphat was afraid." So what did he do? He is King - the human worldly response is to act. Let's gather the men. Let's train them up. Let's organize them. Let's arm them. Let's supply them. Let's deploy them. We will defend our land. That is the mindset of a human nation under attack. That is the mindset of most of us in life. We respond to circumstances in our own way. Our reaction is rational in the context of my understanding and my ability and my resources.

But here is the thing - Jehoshaphat chose differently; facing this invasion he called for fasting and prayer throughout the entire kingdom. The people gathered across the land, from all the cities to seek God in this time of need.

OK - that's ridiculous! We are being invaded by a massive coalition and the government wants us to stop eating, stand still, do nothing and pray. That's crazy.

So what happens? God responds to Jehoshaphat. "Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but mine". Side note: apparently the Bible says not to fear 365 times (you can count; I did not). Living without fear is God's desire for us. How is this achieved? By being in a restored relationship to God. How is that achieved? By having a mindset that seeks God first and trusts Him at all times and in all circumstances. Breach of trust (thinking we know better than God and doing our own thing our way) is the crisis that echoes across Scripture from the Garden of Eden, to the Cross to the end of the age. A symptom of being a Christ follower is the Christlike mindset that seeks God first in everything at all times.

So what happened? Jehoshaphat said to the people “Listen to me people of Judah and Jerusalem! We must put our trust in God, we must obey Him and He will save us.” According to God's instructions Jehoshaphat organized people to sing songs to God and other people to praise Him in liturgies; they all walked out to meet the enemy army singing and praising God together. Really? Can you imagine that? It's totally ridiculous! Meet a murderous invading army with songs and praise? Nonsense. Except, when they began singing and praising God He acted and invaders who had come against Judah were soundly defeated. The people then gave thanks to God.

In God we trust. Do we?

Our mental habit is to rely on ourselves not God - why? It reflects the truth that we don't really trust Him. We say it. But do we, really? If we did we would go to Him first and trust Him to act. Instead we go to ourselves first - we trust and rely on ourselves. But the mindset of the Christ follower begins with trust in God, it leads to obedience and thanksgiving and it ends in Love. The Jesus mindset seems abnormal - but it is a symptom of walking along a narrow path toward a narrow gate which leads to God.

As we journey through Lent and life, God give us, as your people your mindset. Guide us, work in us and mold us into a restored relationship with You. Draw us into the habit of seeking you first. Let our first reaction be to Love. Change our way of thinking so that we understand the needs of others as our own. Develop in us the attitude of Jesus. Amen

For today's full text click here
(It is important to read the full text! Hold me accountable if you feel it has not been handled well. It is what Scripture means when it says to wrestle with the Bible and mentally struggle with it and inwardly digest it.)