Dec. 11th,. Searching

Searching…

We’re on a quest. We seek knowledge; riches, the best job, a perfect spouse, a good friend and…the list could go on and on. The reality is that this is the way that God has created us. He created us to be seekers and our greatest quest is the search for Him. This is evidenced in the journey of the Wise Men.

In each of us there is the desire to discover God and to enter into relationship with Him. There is nothing strange about this or unusual. It is, in fact, a natural course to follow. It is natural to follow the creator of our purpose so that we might be fully developed and we might discover in us His purpose. Let me be clear here. I believe that God has created us to bring Him glory and praise. I/we are not created for ourselves (there is nothing unique in that). We are created with divine purpose to reflect the glory of Him who created us.

It was natural then that the Maji were seeking someone they could worship. In fact, the reason for their quest was this central theme. Matthew 2:2 asks, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."

Here are some qualities of seekers:

1. They were looking. If you and I are to be seekers, we need to look beyond ourselves and seek God where we can find Him. The reality of this is, that when we seek God, He reveals Himself. It’s His promise: those who seek me will find me.
2. They were willing to take a risk. They decided to journey to a place which they had not been before. How true that is for us. If we are going to discover God perhaps we need to look in other places than where we have been looking.
3. They noticed the sign. Road maps are not good unless we rightly read where they lead us. The star went before them as a marker to where they should go. If we are not looking for the sign, well guess what, we will more than not miss it.
4. When they did find Jesus, they knew it. Seekers can know when they have found the answer they seek. It brings about a sense of purpose and direction like never before experienced. It will change life.

Who are you seeking today? Where are you looking? May I suggest looking toward Jesus and seeking Him. You might just find what you are looking for.

Dec. 10th. Righteous People

I have decided to change the focus of my BLOG's over the next week until Christmas. What I hope to accomplish is insight into the Birth narratives in the Gospels and the truths held for us in this season. Join with me each weekday to walk the Jesus walk.

Righteous people.

I think it is amazing how much we read into the story of Christmas and therefore lose the central message. I must admit that there is not much about Christmas that I don't like, but one thing is perhaps the crowds of people. However, that is not just a Christmas thing. I am just not that much into crowds. I love, however, the pageantry, the Nativity settings, the stories of Christmas, and yes even the movies both secular and sacred. They have become for me a part of the celebration and mystery of the season.

However, when you consider the Biblical text in Matthew, we find something completely different. What we have here is the story of family and struggle and even death. Yes, there are some amazing external events with the Maji, but beyond that we have a family in crisis. The beauty of this passage for me is how and why they survived. What made the difference? I know families that break up over less and so do you. In the midst of this beautiful story lies some deep truth for us as well.

The first truth is righteousness. Joseph had this. His struggle was about doing the "right" thing. Legally, he could just say the marriage to Mary was off, and he would have been justified to do so. But righteousness most often does not work that way. Righteousness makes decisions not based upon just the law, but upon what is the right thing to do—the compassionate thing to meet another’s need.

I like the fact that Joseph was already considered a righteous man. I can imagine that the pressure Joseph felt at this point was huge. Public opinion is hard to live down. Family expectations and long-range goals needed to be considered. His head told him to divorce Mary, but his heart was another matter. Righteousness is also about relationship. Broken trust and promise are not the marks of a righteous person. Belief, in times like these, is hard to come by. Who can I trust? Who can I turn too?

Joseph did the right thing because he was righteous. Righteous people have God experiences. They have ears that can hear what God is saying, and God speaks to them in astonishing ways. In a dream, Joseph came to a point in his life where he could trust that what was happening was from God. That was the difference maker. Sometimes the answers to our most difficult struggles come to us in the most unusual ways. I think righteous people are the ones who can discern the difference and make decisions that make a difference.

Day 30: Jesus Always Provides

Jesus Always Provides

I am touched by the fact that in these closing chapters of John we find Jesus ministering to the needs of specific people--people with heartfelt needs who were wondering if all that they had been involved in with Jesus these past three years was over, and if there was anything worth moving forward for.

That is a typical question in times of distress--a question I often ask myself when faced with an uncertain future and difficult decisions. I have often wondered why John put so much emphasis on these closing stories: the woman at the tomb, the appearing to the disciples in hiding, the presentation of Himself to Thomas, and this beautiful interaction between Peter and Jesus with those searching questions. I am convinced that these stories are told to show us again that Jesus always provides what we need.

The last sentence of chapter 20:30-31puts it into perspective, “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

Did you catch that? “By believing you may have life.” Jesus always provides. He provides hope for our fear, truth for our doubt, touch for our unbelief and forgiveness for our sin. Jesus always provides.

What is it that Jesus is providing for you today?

Day 29: Spoken Words

Spoken Words

The ending of the story of Jesus in the book of John is one of final statements spoken by Jesus especially here in chapters 17 – 19. It is important to note that it is only after Jesus speaks that things happen. Nothing is going to be out of His control; nothing is going to detour the process; nothing is going to be out of place. In fact, Jesus says in the last part of Chapter 19:28, “After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said to fulfill the Scripture, ‘I thirst.’”

Here is some truth for us today: Nothing is going to happen to Jesus unless He allows it to happen. His ability to command the seas, His ability to speak into existence all that is, His ability to even speak these final words are evidence of His divine nature and powerful presence.

This is a powerful reminder for us personally. Nothing is going to happen to us unless it is in the will and plan of God to do it. I can go along believing that I can make my way alone and that I have control of who I am and what I do. Then when I mess up or find myself in places I did not want to go, I run to God asking for Him to fix the wrong that I created. OR I can live my life with the knowledge that God is in control and follow His lead knowing His way is best because God has always been in control. Nothing has changed unless God changes.

What a wonderful thought to take with us today. Even as Jesus faced the cross and His death, nothing was going to happen unless He allowed it to. All things were going to be accomplished, and His plan for the redemption of the world would be fulfilled through Him. In fact, Jesus concludes His words in chapter 19:29 with this statement: “It is finished.”

All Jesus came to do is finished and available for us. What are we waiting for? We just need to faithfully read His word and walk in His ways. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Day 28: Troubled Hearts

Troubled Hearts.

I was thinking of the song by Simon and Garfunkel “Bridge over Troubled Water” after reading today’s passages. The words of the first verse are these:

When you're weary, feeling small,

When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all;

I'm on your side. When times get rough

And friends just can't be found,

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down.

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down.

Certainly in life, troubles will come. It’s what happens because of the brokenness of our world through sin. We are in constant trouble and distress. I am sure that many of us could make a list of our problems which could be posted here. Each of us might be able to say, “Hey, that is my list; I have that problem.” Problems are not unique. Everyone is plagued with them. That is our sin nature.

In the midst of this, however, Jesus offers some amazing words of comfort.

John14:1, "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”

WOW, there it is, the promise contained in a simple act of belief. Jesus offers a cure to our worry, and it is called belief. How easy it is for us to be consumed by our worry and fear of the things surrounding us. The trials and tribulations face us each day, and in the midst of those we forget just how great God is. Twice in today’s readings, Jesus commands us with these words, “Let not your heart be troubled, but believe.”

What might happen in us if we took this command and put it into practice?

Day 26: Who Is Jesus?

Who is Jesus?

Chapters 8, 9, and 10 are some of the most thought provoking chapters in the book of John. There is this common idea contained within these passages dealing with who Jesus is. Here in chapter 8 Jesus sets down the central theme. Who are you going to follow?

The three chapters are divided into at least four parts.

Part one deals with Jesus the Light. Here Jesus teaches us that he is the light of the world, sent from God to call people out of the darkness of sin. It is always true that we can see much better in the light than in the darkness. What Jesus does in our lives is illuminate our darkness so we can see our sin and turn toward Him.

Part two deals with Jesus as the Truth. Jesus teaches that when we sin we become slaves to sin. Yet, when we know the truth we will be set free. Sin enslaves. His truth sets us free. Here is the beauty of this part. Jesus says of Himself, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Part three states that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. We are reminded that those who know His voice He calls by name and leads them out. What a wonderful picture of Jesus caring for each of us individually and as a total flock. He knows us each by name, because we are in relationship with him, we know His voice. He leads us because He is the Shepherd and in Him we are safe.

Part four is my favorite. Jesus and the Father are one. Jesus is clear about this. He has come to do the will of His Father. In fact, He says that He and the Father are one--0ne in purpose, one in eternity, and one in love. Everything about Jesus is also about God. What does this mean for us? Jesus answers that in Chapter 10:28, 29. “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

Day 25: The Food that Endures

The Food that Endures

What is it that Jesus wants to do in your life? Great question; however, I think when we examine it deeply there are three things that stand out in the Christian walk which Jesus calls us to.

The first is dependency. We are called not to go it on our own but to learn a life of total dependency upon God. This has been one of the most difficult lessons for me to learn. I am a can-do-type-of-guy. I think I have the ability and capacity, yet more often than not I fall short. Learning to be dependent upon God has been a challenge; yet the value of Him in me has and continues to be worth the journey.

The second is discipline--another area, which I don’t do well. Most of my life is un-disciplined. All I have to do is look at my desk. Discipline is a lifelong journey to be conformed into the image of Christ so that I might show forth the beauty of Christ in me. Disciplines are learned and practiced over and over again. It’s like working out at the club. The first week my muscles are sore, but eventually the soreness goes away and muscle grows. In my daily walk with Christ, I have found it to be difficult at first but as I continue to walk with Jesus that discipline is growing strong.

The third is surrender. My will is my will. It contains all I am and all I want to be. The problem with my will is that God does not control it. I control it. That’s the problem with the will. It needs to be controlled. Control is a choice. I can choose to live according to the law of God and live life full and free, or I can choose to live outside God’s will and live life empty. Each day I must choose to be controlled by Christ, so that I might live a life that is filled with His grace and love.

Jesus in His teaching today invites us not to labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life. His food is worth the effort of all that we are so that we may become children of Him who has called us to follow.

Let’s eat that food today.