Hear voices in your head? Your eyes? Proverbs 1

Proverbs 1:20 - Wisdom shouts in the street, She lifts her voice in the square;

We have so many messages calling out to us today.   We have to remember that when Solomon wrote these Proverbs there was no "mass" media, no billboards, no texting, no internet, no newspaper, no 280 channels on a dish, no magazines,  no words on t-shirts, hats or boxers.   However, in Solomon's day folly called out  with as much vengeance as today in her endeavor to drown out Wisdom.   But, wisdom is not to be undone.   She calls out with the necessary intensity so that "all" hear her.  She is in the plain open street ... in the square (a reference to where all business and community activities took place).  Wisdom, however, do not look like folly.  The eye of man is attracted to folly.   The attraction of Wisdom is only seen through the eye of the Spirit.   So, to see wisdom  you have to exercise the eye of the Spirit and your sensitivity to the Spirit.  The Spirit sees wisdom in the noise of the world.   The Spirit can sort through the mass voices of evil and calls out to all. Heed the call. 

Who always has deeds that match their words? Psalm 63-65

We've all heard that deeds speak louder than words.   We often want others to "show" us not "tell" us about their love, forgiveness or support.   It goes without saying that hypocrisy is a common cause of mistrust.   So, it is not surprising that David tells us in Psalm 65:5 that God doesn't just speak His truth to us in Words (although if He did it would be truth none-the-less), He also speaks to us in great deeds of righteousness.  God follows through with what He says.  He provides us with great benefits and with sustaining blessings.  When we see the rain bow in the sky we see a great promise of a great deed to never to destroy the mankind again by a flood.   When we see the cross we are reminded of God's greatest deed when the Godhead worked in concert to provide salvation to us.   God is the God of Deeds.  He does what He says.  He follows through.  He fulfills His promises.   God is the God of deeds.  Thank Him today for His faithful deeds to the Children of God.  

Should you serve God for material reasons? 1 Kings 1-4

When we make the commitment to follow God in service, He will not leave us lacking.   We should never serve God, believe in God or come to God because of what He can provide us or give us, outside our salvation.   We should, however, know and believe that when we decide to serve Him, He will not leave us lacking of any good thing.   In 1 Kings 3 God asks Solomon to "make a wish." Solomon picks wisdom as the "one thing" God can give him. God gives him wisdom and then blesses him beyond that with material goods. Solomon will make many mistakes as he moves forward.  Especially in the area of women.   But, God will bless him with material goods (more than he needs) because Solomon made the commitment to follow God's way - without having the material blessings.   Again, this is motive of the heart.   Solomon knew he should follow God.   He did so in pure belief that God would care for him but with no knowledge "how" God would care for him.   We see the "rest of the story." But, at the time, Solomon only knew what he knew - obey God and things go right with you.  Disobey God and things go poorly for you. Let's make sure we understand the value of knowing God's methods.   He may keep us poor (think Jeremiah, Hosea, Isaiah).  He may cause us to be beaten and put in prison (see Peter and Paul).   He may bless us with position (see Daniel).   Or, he may bless us materially like Solomon.   We are to obey God.  God does with us what he wants.

Quit trying to do it all youself ... take the hand offered - Exodus 33-36

"I will do it for you."   We grow up hearing those words.  When we first have to tie our shoes we hear, "I will do it for you."   When we can't zipper our coat someone will say, "I will do it for you."   When we can't reach the Frosted Flakes on the shelf we hear, "I will get it for you."   What wonderful words to hear.   When we get old and can't do some things they are even more soothing and settling.   When we can't shovel the driveway or the sidewalk we would love to hear, "I will do it for you."   When our car is covered with snow and frost and it needs to be cleared off we want to hear, "I will do it for you."   So, with all that help, why do we still resist it and try to do things ourselves.   In Exodus 33:2 God speaks to the nation of Israel and says, "I will do it for you" in regard to driving out the evil nations that currently occupied their land.   God had promised Abraham and his descendants the land of Canaan.  But, nations currently lived there.   In God's plan they were simply caretakers of the land while the nation was formed and delivered from Egypt.  Now it was time to take possession of the land.   Here is where God tells them He will send an Angel (Christ) to deliver the land into their hand by conquering the nations.   Yet, Israel, as we know didn't take advantage of that promise and that aide ... not to the end.   Yes, Joshua, as we will soon read, used that Angel (or, was used by that Angel) to conquer nations.   But, the nation of Israel soon wants to become self reliant.   Do we not do the same thing in our Christian walk.  God promises to sanctify us through the Spirit and we still try to conquer sin ourselves.  Rather than fight sin with the shield of the Faith and the Sword of the Spirit, we attempt to do so in our own flesh.   Let's let God, "do it for us."   Let's let God conquer our sin after He has sent His son to pay for our sin.  Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God as the risen Savior and Conqueror and is saying, "I will do it for you."  

Do you worry about your church when you are not there? 1 Corinthians 11-13

Today I am writing this devotional in Chicago.  It is a Sunday.  That means I am not with the church I have the privilege to teach over and minister with.  I have taken the day off!!   That just doesn't even sound right in light of the passage here in this letter to the Church at Corinth.   Paul is confronting some false teacher that had wandered into the church and he is telling them that even though the false teachers claim of great sacrifice, he too could foolishly boast about sacrifice.   His argument is, "If what you have gone through makes you valuable to hear and be listened to (and it doesn't) than he trumps anyone else in his experiences of torture, mayhem and struggle.   But, the Paul says something that makes me understand my being away from the church today.   On top of all that Paul has struggled with he adds, "his concern for the churches."   He even describes that concern as, "when someone is weak, Paul, himself feels that same weakness and when someone is being drawn into sin, Paul feels that drawing and is concerned for them."   Today I am bodily in Chicago but mentality and spiritually in our small fellowship.  I love that fellowship.  We only have a handful.  But, when I am not there I worry about them, I pray over them.   I want to be with them.    Paul did that for "all" the churches.  What a burden for others he carried.  After all the struggles he listed (and he listed many) the care for the churches was his crowning evidence of his authority and apostleship.   Do we care about our churches?  Do we worry when we are not there?   Are we "part" of a church or "partners" with a church?  

Prayer before decisions prevents pain after decisions - Luke 5-6

Before we make a decision it is important to gather all the facts, look at the big picture, be analytical in our process and think of others to the extent of balance and implementation.  However, we often do these things (or, we focus on one of them because that "one" thing is our favorite way to make decisions), and miss the most important step in the process.  We often forget to talk it over with God.  When we consider facts we are considered "good" decision makers.  We make our decision with "data."   Yet, when we make decisions without talking with God through prayer we miss out on the very sovereign power of God.  In 6:12 we read that Jesus went away to pray (again ... 5:16).   THEN, He returned to make the decision about who His disciples would be.   Prayer should always follow selection or decision.   Prayer should always be a part of the important steps of life.  In 5:16 we see the Jesus would often slip away in prayer.  Prayer here was not an exception it was the rule.   Communion with God is the way we know God's communion.  Talking with God is the way His Spirit bears witness with our Spirit (Romans 8).   Before we make a decision about life we need to talk to the Ruler of Life - Yahweh.  Call upon God before a decision and their will be less of a need to cry out to God in pain after a decision.  

Does God answer prayer like you answer emails? Jeremiah 42-46

Sometimes when we ask God something we don't get the answer right away.  Remember, the same thing happened to Daniel, when Satan hinder the angel from delivering the message.  We sometimes think that God should be answering our prayers like we answer the emails of others.  We fail to realize that God is not on our time frame.   Waiting on the Lord is a portion of believing on the Lord.   So, we must learn to wait.   The other part of this is that God is making Jeremiah wait.  He made Daniel wait.  These are great men of faith and of prayer.   If they are waiting on God to answer their prayers what does that mean about our carnal attempts to implore God.   God doesn't owe us anything.  But, as we read the "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11 we see that all of them acted in faith and hope.  They realized that the "prize" wasn't immediate.   Perhaps this is why we live in a society to bent on the "immediate."  Satan has devised a system that rewards us with something quickly so we don't learn to wait.  God is teaching us to wait on Him.   Great men of God had to wait on answers to prayer.  They did not stop praying or living for God just because they answer didn't come with a tone, beep, or audible voice saying, "You've god mail ... answers!"  

Can you quit talking and just listen? Job 40-42

How many times does God's Word tell us to be silent and know God?  IF not stated a number of times, it is implied all the more.  Job, after all these chapters of countless chatter, has come to the end of his voice.  He has decided to be silent.  Perhaps in the midst of pain and suffering, silence is a good thing.  Perhaps in the midst of suffering and pain, when we are lost for words to say, we shouldn't say anything.   In these first 30-35 chapters Job and his friends have tried to speak truth and silence each other.   There inability to keep their defenses down from the verbal jabs and talking punches has caused them all to miss what God had for them.  Finally Job decides to no longer speak.  He will now sit in silence as God talks.   Perhaps if he had done that earlier in the story he would have had God's response sooner.  Who knows?  Now God can tell him about God.  Job will now see the majesty of God.  That is what we have to learn here.   God wants to speak to us if we will just keep quiet.   

Is your "refuge" a person, place or thing? Psalm 60-62

Where do you go for refuge?  For a break and a place to hide and recover?  Is it a place?  Do you find yourself saying, "I have to get away, let's go to ______!"    Or, for you is it an experience?  It is something to do!   You might say, "I can't stand it anymore I am going to ______________!"   But, maybe your "refuge" is a person.   You have had a tough go of it and you stand up and say, "I can't take this, I need to see __________!"    What is your place, event, person of refuge?   David, twice in Psalm 62, gives us his source for refuge:

Psalm 62:1-2  "My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.>br />
David finds refuge "only" in God.   Earlier in this section he lets us know that he has already realized that the help of man is useless (60:11).   David knows that, although he must wait patiently, God gives us the only salvation, hope and security we need.   He is our "stronghold."  That word alone conjures up a great sense of peace and security.   When attacked we need a place to hide behind.   When weak we need a strong place to hold on to.   When feeling out of control we need some place that won't move and that will be there all the time.   All those are summed up in God, our Stronghold.   Turn to a city, an activity or a person all you want and you will eventually realize the city will change the activity will grow boring and the person will fail.    But, God will be there day after day, moment after moment.   Rejoice in God.  He is our place of refuge.   ALWAYS there.  

Do we really have any leaders this humble? 2 Samuel 20-24

You can tell a lot about a man (a leader) when they are under distress.  In fact, some would say that is the only real time you know a man or leader).   In this section David is put under a microscope in several ways.   Although he was a typical man and was full of the depravity of sin, we see a few instances where he stood tall in a slouching world - in a place other leaders would not stand.

In 23:17 we read that when three of David's mighty men risk their own lives to retrieve a bottle of water from Jerusalem, rather than drink it, David poured it out on the ground.   Most men would count it an honor and drink it.  David knew he was not worthy of their devotion.  Humility always trumps Honor.

In 24:17 we read that when David had sinned via ego in the counting of his "people" God sent a pestilence to punish the "people."   God began killing the people for David's sin.   But, we see David, rather than resolved to let it happen, stood in the place and pleaded for the people, offering his own life.    Other kings were never that willing to sacrifice themselves for their people.

Finally, in 24:24 we see that when David was about to resurrect a place for the ark on that very spot God stopped the pestilence he once again shows his character.  As king he could have just taken the property he wanted.  In fact the owner of the property offered it to him.   But, David's true character wouldn't let him do that.  He offered to buy it and did.  A leader full of power would have just taken it when offered.   But, David was a man of character.  We don't have many leaders like that today.   We need to make sure have a great character if we want to a great leader.  

People do more stupid stuff based upon lack of knowledge! Exodus 30-32

People do more stupid stuff based upon lack of knowledge!  How many times have we gone off and made a poor decision before we had all the facts.  Or, how many times have we "willingly" ignored the facts, or not sought them out simply because we didn't want to have them "change our mind" so we could do what we wanted?  When we fail to have knowledge or get knowledge or believe the knowledge we have we can make some incredibly foolish decisions.   We can buy things, do things, go places, engage in friendships and all the time if we had one or two pieces of knowledge we would not.  The story in Exodus 32 is one of those times.  When Moses went up to the mountain to get the 10 commandments the people in the valley forgot what he was doing.  Aaron, Moses' brother, was in charge.  But, as the leader he failed to continue to remind the people of Moses' holy purpose.   Instead of waiting they wanted to move forward without knowledge.  In 32:1 we see that they openly admitted to "not knowing what had become of this man, Moses."   How can that be?  Moses said he was going up to the mountain.  They saw him go.  He said he was going to talk to God.  The mountain had lighting and thunder and they originally feared the mountain.   But, Aaron failed in his leadership to keep them focused each of the 40 days on what Moses purpose was.   So, they forgot it and that motivated them to look for other sources of security and mindless worship.   As a leader in your home, business, church, or college, or organization sometimes it is simply your job to remind everyone what they are there for.   Aaron needed no knew teaching.  He needed no great insight into human behavior.  He didn't need to know psychology 101 on human behavior.   He simply needed to remind the people of their purpose.   When Christ ascended to heaven He said He would be back.  He gave us a job to do while He was gone "with the Father."  Have we forgotten His mission and started to make our own golden calves because we forgot what we once knew?  Are we ignoring the knowledge and acting out of ignorance as we build homes and wealth and educational endeavors and we forget the our only reason on this earth is to preach the gospel to all peoples?  What does your golden calf look like?  

Who has the power? ... In a church? 1 Corinthians 9-10

In our society we "Jockey" for positions.   In a union shop position is rather easy to define.   Your "hire in" date either gives you "position" or it doesn't.  If you are voted by the members to hold office, you have position.   In government we see position in a similar way.  The elder statesmen has some position over the novice.   In business it is well defined as well.  The guy who signs the checks calls the shots.   In sports position is also given to the veteran and the rookie takes a seat on the proverbial bench.   But, what about position in the church.   Does the "pastor" have the "power?" Or, does the "board" hold the power?  Does the member who pays the most tithe hold the keys to the kingdom or does the women who runs the kitchen.   Power struggles in churches is about as common as an old hymn book.  In this section we see Paul talking to the Corinth church about "who has da power."  Paul is not a weak leader here.  He believes Christ appointed him as an apostle and apostleship is the trump card in the early church.  But, Paul is careful how he inserts this power.   What he wants the believes in Corinth to realize is that it is a privilege and responsibility in the church to hold power.  That is what chapter 10 is all about.   He wants them to understand that power to the authority in the church is a chance to inspire, serve and encourage others.   It is not the "worlds" definition of power.  Power in the church is the opportunity to show more love to others.  The real person in the church is that old guy showing the younger generation how to serve when your legs fail and your back hurts.  The real person in the church is that teen who forgives his fellow teen because he comes to the knowledge that if Christ forgives he needs to forgive.   Power in the church is an action verb of service not an adverb to describe our station in life.   Paul tells us that whatever position we have we are to "boast" in the Lord.  That is real power.   Those who can praise God more with their actions and with their position.   Don't be like the world and "do" power.  Be like the church is supposed to be.  Use "power" to boast in the Lord. 

God keeps track of the "red ink" in your ledger! Luke 3-4

In Luke 3 we have the account of John the Baptist. In our modern day terms we would call him, "odd."  He dressed "odd," he ate "odd," he lived in an "odd" place.  But, he was God's voice to prepare the people for God's Son, Jesus.   John the Baptist might have been odd, but he was not a recluse.   He did not hide out in his own shadow and avoid the interaction, curiosity or, even rage and ridicule of others.  He called the religious leaders of the day, "A broad of vipers!"   He even called out to the highest political figure in the land (King Herod) and told him he was a sinful man who deserved the punishment of God for killing his own brother to sleep with his own sister-in-law.  That, of course, didn't sit well with Herod.   So, Herod put him in jail for speaking the truth.  Luke's account of this is remarkable because in 3:19 we have a list of some of the "bad" Herod had done.  Then in 3:20 we read that "added to the list of his offenses" was this tossing of John into prison.   Make no mistake about it, man's thought process about having a good account with God and a bad account with God is at least half right.   We, through our works, can earn our way to heaven and bliss because we have done more good than bad.  We need Christ to pay for the pad and give us good to make us worthy of God.  However, God does see the red side of the ledger.  He does bring into account all the things the unbeliever does.  If we fail to bring that list to God, repent of it and ask Christ's forgiveness, we are responsible, ourselves, for the payment of the "red ink."  Herod "added" to his list the locking of John in prison.   Herod may of thought he was the big shot king and "no one" could tell him what to do.  Yet, that one act was recorded by a faithful God and payment would be demanded.   Irony? Herod condemns himself one more time by locking up the very voice and message that could have cleared the red ink in his entire ledger.   

Believers know they have to suffer but that doesn't reduce the pain - Jeremiahs 37-41

Believers know they must suffer but that doesn't change the pain of it.   Anyone who has put their faith in Christ and has grown, even a small amount, eventually comes to the knowledge about believers and suffering.   We know that, like Christ, we are to suffer in this present world.   You don't have to read too far into the New Testament epistles to realize this was taught by the Apostles or read too in Acts and realize it was lived by the Apostles and the early church.   We sometimes, when the pain of suffering comes so strong, might feel ashamed or "tiny" in our faith.    In reality, our flesh will always cry out against pain no matter the size of our faith.  David's cries bellow from the Psalms.   Nehemiah's pain was seen by the king.   In this chapter of Jeremiah we finally see the old prophet look human for the first time.   In Jeremiah 37:20 we read:

But now, please listen, O my lord the king; please let my petition come before you and do not make me return to the house of Jonathan the scribe, that I may not die there.”

Although this won't be the last pain he feels, Jeremiah didn't want to have a desire to go back to this experience.   God had put him directly in this place.  God had given him his message.  God was directing his life.    It would have been easy for the prophet to wonder, "What on earth is going on.  I'm doing exactly as God told me and now I  am in prison!  That doesn't make sense to me!"  But, that is the point of our reference.   God did not promise if we walked in His will we would have freedom from suffering, pain, sorrow, persecution.  In fact, if you read the stories of the Bible, most of those who followed God suffered much.  Those who followed Him harder suffered it more.   Let's not forget that our "Light afflictions are but for a moment" (Romans 8).  However, let us also remember that God is there in the midst and He is conforming us, through these sufferings, to look more and more like His Son.  The Spirit uses these "sufferings" as His pen to write "Love the Lord and love others" on our hearts (the Law).   Rejoice in what God is doing.  Learn to love God and others through them.  

Can you beat God in Trivia Pursuit? Job 38-39

Can you beat God in Trivia Pursuit?   In Job 38-39 we have two of the most dynamic chapters in the Bible that put man in his place in regard to understanding the created things on this earth.  In these two chapters God asks Job a series of questions about two or three aspects of his creation: Weather and Animals primarily, and then a few questions about space.  God is out to show Job that with all his learning he is still a created being not the Creator.  God asks Job these things to show Job that despite what he thinks he knows he really knows very little about why animals and weather act the way they do.   Man has filled himself with such knowledge that he has exalted himself above all.   Yet, God, in just a few questions lets Job know he really doesn't know much at all.   In Job 39 we read about the Ostrich.   God has so made this remarkable animal that man can at all understand it.   God tells us in 39:17 the following:

Because God has made her forget wisdom, And has not given her a share of understanding.

God has purposely made the ostrich in such a way to withhold from it wisdom and understanding about her eggs and young.  Why?  Do you know?  No, you don't.   And that is God's point!  He gives to one animal a certain aspect of wisdom and understanding and to another some other type of wisdom and understanding.   That is what chapter 39 is about.   God's point?  He also gives man, a creation of His, a type of wisdom and understanding.   God designed it all and forms it all and makes it all work.   We might understand parts, but, like the ostrich, we only understand the parts God gives us to understand.  When we are in the midst of a breakdown in the proportion of Job we need to go no further than to understand the sovereign power and creation of God.  

The Cobra with earbuds in its ear - Psalms 57-59

What is your response to God and His message?   In Psalm 58 and 59 we have a contrast between two types of people:  Believers and unbelievers.   In Psalms 58:4 we read the following about the unbeliever:

They have venom like the venom of a serpent; Like a deaf cobra that stops up its ear,

The unbeliever stops their ears from hearing the message of God; about the death of His Son and the redemption we have in Christ.   The unbeliever refuses to hear the words of truth and rather will not only believe lies but will create imaginations of their own and create idols of their own to worship and to adore and praise.   The unbeliever turns a deaf ear to God's Word and His Holy Character and, as a result, will be punished as such.  However, in Psalms 59:16 we read the following about the believer:

But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, For You have been my stronghold And a refuge in the day of my distress.

The believer doesn't just listen and hear but actually employs the mouth in praise and worship of God's truth.   The believer, those who truly have their faith in Him, shout for joy at who God is and seek a refuge in Him.   Two types of people and two types of response to truth.  And, regretfully for the one, two results.  One is honored and brought into a permanent relationship with God and the other is cast forever away.   Two people - two responses.  

God's People can some times be the worst!! 2 Samuel 15-19

God's people can some times be the worst!!!   In this section of 2 Samuel we have what may be the best example of the worst behavior in the time of crisis for a group of believers.   David's son, Absalom, doesn't like his position in life as the King's son but instead wants to be the king.   So, he revolts but silently stealing away the hearts of the people.   It wasn't hard because David's pride had made him a distant leader to his followers.   So, the revolt happens and here is where the worst in people ... and these people were supposedly believers ... comes out.  Plots are thickened in these chapters, people jockey for position in these chapters, ego, envy and ignorance rule in these chapters.   One man curses David when he leaves Jerusalem in shame and then bows down to him and asks forgiveness when David is returned.  One servant deceives David about his master and in the end David doesn't know who to believe and splits his property in two.  One general thinks he is doing good by disobeying David's direct order and killing the son.  Another soldier knows better and is shamed in the process.   Who said believers can be wicked?   This is a great example of the all encompassing depravity of man.   Unless the grace of God ruled in this world we would all be like these chapters in God's Word.   But, David humbles himself and restores order to the kingdom through the grace of God.   Humility is always the way back to God.  Humility allows repentance and repentance is the avenue to God.  It is when men refuse to repent that they are in a continual state of loss.  In this chapter we see order turned to disorder and their return to order.   The reason is because their is repentance, grace, mercy, forgiveness and humility demonstrated on the part of David.   Let's make no mistake about it:  Believers can be just as bad as unbelievers in the midst of a power struggle.  The difference is that believers have the grace of God to enable mercy, forgiveness and humility to find their way back.  

Bells on our Blue Jeans? Exodus 25-29

We no longer need the bell tied to our worship garments! In Exodus 28:35 we read that Aaron (or, his garment makers) were to secure a bell to the bottom of his worship garments. The purpose of the bell was to indicate that Aaron was moving in and around the Holy of Holies ... the Most Holy Place in the Tabernacle. God dwelt in the Holy of Holies. Once a year the High Priest (the first High Priest was Aaron) would enter the Most Holy Place and make an offering for the people.  If he had unconfessed sin in his life or God did not accept the sacrifice God would, or could, strike him dead. The bell was there to alert others (outside the Holy Place) that the priest was no longer moving.  Eventually they would tie a rope to this High Priest so that if he did die they could drag him out of the Holy Place. This all shows the fear and the awe they had for God.   Regretfully, today, we are so cavalier about our worship we don't ever worry about bells, ropes and holiness.  Perhaps that is the issue here for us to learn. God so demands holiness He had to provide it Himself through His son.   He provides within us the Holy Spirit to live and make us holy.   We no longer need the bell but the holiness is still required. We no longer have to worry about the rope but the awe is still demanded. In Acts 5 we have the story of a believing couple who came to church and offered an offering they lied about.  They failed to offering it in true holiness, but rather in deception and pride. God struck them dead. No bell but still holiness.   Perhaps we should put bells on the bottom of our blue jeans and see what happens.   God is a holy God.  No matter the worship He still demands holiness!!

Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow - 2 Corinthians 6-8

Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly sorrow - Every person will go through this life and experience some kind of sorrow.  We will lose something, be afflicted by something or someone, and/or be hurt by both those we love and those who despise us.   Sorrow in this life is as inevitable as the air we breath.   However, it should be noted that God draws a sharp distinction between sorrow He brings into our lives and the sorrow that comes from the fact that sin and hardship are in the world.   Note the following two verses our of 2 Corinthians 7:10-11:

"For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter."

Note the difference between the sorrow God brings or allows to come into our lives and the sorrow the world endures as a result of the sin in the world.   God's sorrow is designed to produced "repentance" while sorrow that comes from the world (shame, guilt and despair) produces "death."   I would suggest that the world's sorrow produces "death" in many forms.   It might produce final death, of course.  We know that sin results in death.   But, death along the way takes on many forms.   In many ways "death" from worldly sorrow manifests itself as bitterness.   Those who are in despair from sorrow, who have to context of God's love, will end up with a root of bitterness.  However, those who understand God's Love realize that any circumstances He brings into their lives is there to move us closer to Him.   When we allow Godly sorrow to fill our hearts it will produce a form of repentance that produces Godly fruit in our lives.   God uses sorrow to move us.  The World's sorrow is to crush us.   In the midst of the difficult times of life, when we begin to reach the point of sorrow, remember, that God is using that to produce long lasting fruit in our lives and that fruit is produced by repentance.  

Are they telling us the truth? Luke 1-2

The world is so suspicious and skeptical.   We are this way for very good reasons.   We have been lied to repeatedly by our leaders.  We have been defrauded frequently by those in authority.   The establishment has changed the rules to suit itself so many times that we have come to realize that when they talk about us they are really meaning them.  So, it shouldn't be a surprise that when someone wants them to believe the "truth" they stand back with a smirk on their face.   We might assume that our skepticism is unique to cultures as compared through the ages.  However, such is not the case.   Authority lying to their followers is not a new found problem.   Throughout cultures skepticism has ruled.   As a result, even the New Testament writers had to make sure their readers grasped the definitiveness of the material they were presenting.  In Luke 1:4 we read that Luke was writing his gospel to make sure his reader (Theophilius) knew the truth of what he was taught.   Maybe Theo was a little slow or maybe he had lots of questions. Maybe he was just worried that he was going to take a stand on some doctrine that was really just based upon a few myths.   Whatever the reason Luke sets out to give him a "more accurate" account of the Gospel story.  This is somewhat a condemnation on Matthew, Mark and John's gospels since they were already written at the time.   Luke, the physician, is going to lay out the material in a fashion for Theophilius in a way Theo can grasp it.  Whatever the reason Luke tells him he is about to get "truth" so he an have some assurance about what he is being taught.   John did the same thing in 1 John (see repeatedly his words ... "I have written so that ...").  It is tough to believe in something as truth.  But, Christ said He was the truth (Jn 14:6).   We deceive ourselves if we think everything is a deception.  Truth exist and it exists with God.   We can read Luke's gospel and know that it is truth and rejoice in each story he tells. 

Who's fault is this trial I'm in? Jeremiah 32-26

Jerusalem was surrounded and being besieged (shut-up) by the Babylonians. Inside Jerusalem, Jeremiah was "shut-up" in a prison because he prophesied to everyone not to resist the Babylonians and give up. What would you do if someone marginalized you because of your message? What would you do because someone thought your testimony was out of tune with the main stream norms of the culture you were in? What would you do if someone thought you ought to keep your mouth shut in meetings and in the break room at work because they didn't like your comments and thought they were to "religious" or off base for the conversation? Jeremiah did what we all need to do when it comes to speaking for God - his change of venue didn't change the vocalization of message. God had sent Jeremiah to speak for Him, so it didn't matter where they put him, where they locked him up or how they treated him. When you have a message from God your bones burn inside you if you don't say it. Jeremiah wasn't concerned about creature comforts - he was concerned about creature responsibility. God sent him to do a job not seek personal space and ease. We seem to think that our responsibility for personal space and comfort are more important than delivering the message God gave us to deliver. People quit attending church because they are uncomfortable. They can't teach in Sunday School because they are uncomfortable. Let's be more like Jeremiah - less worried about venue and more worried about voice.

Global warming would mean that God quit breathing!!! Job 37

In Job 37:10 we read the following: "From the breath of God ice is made, and the expanse of the waters is frozen." In the verse just prior to this the speaker states, "Out of the south comes the storm, and out of the north the cold" (37:9). These two verses indicate that Elihu, as he is speaking to Job during Job's pain and suffering, that God is responsible for the polar icecaps. According to Holy Scripture, God keeps the cold in the north, freezes the "expanse of water" and makes the ice. I have no doubt there is a bad effect on earth due to man's destructive nature.   In fact, we read in Romans 8:22 that the earth actually "groans" in pain, looking for redemption because of the stress put on it due to man's sin ... yes, sin effects the condition of the earth.   We must also agree that the atmosphere is not immune to the folly's of man's desire for riches and power.   We can also agree that the bad use of what God has given us in creation is not honoring or glorifying to God.    But, we must be careful when taking the leap some would want us to take. The reason the north pole is cold (frozen) is because God designed it that way and keeps it that way!!! Until He quits breathing cold air and making ice we will not see the destruction of that particular part of the planet.   But, that doesn't mean we won't see the signs of our global sin.   If you are a believer you should be ashamed of how we treat God's creation and be active in glorifying God with it.   But, you should also realize and continue to believe that ice and cold are from the breath of God.  And, until He quits breathing it on the north pole we will have a north pole.   He will, someday, quit making ice, of course ... someday He is going to destroy the entire earth with fire!!  Now, that will be global warming.  

When your "Friend" stabs you in the back ... Psalm 54-56

We have all come across people who either don't like us, don't get us, or, even worse, who want our downfall to be today.   It is a fact of life and a result of sin in the world that we will have confusion and conflict with others.   In some sense, most of us have resolved our souls to this fact.  We even use quotes like, "You can't please everyone ... so why try to please anyone."  We know that strangers will not always be on our side.  However, in Psalm 55:12-13 we have a more potent source of frustration for David.   He was being hunted, not only by strangers (see Psalm 54) but also from his friend ... and he doesn't get that.  Read again what he said:

Psalms 55:12-13; For it is not an enemy who reproaches me, Then I could bear it; Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me, Then I could hide myself from him. But it is you, a man my equal, My companion and my familiar friend;

Think those two verses through.   Conflict with a stranger is almost to be expected.  But, when it was with a friend it simply tears your heart out.   This is why David is pleading his case to God.  In the midst of such difficult times he finds his source of true friendship in his friend, God!    When others leave us (and they all will) we can find strength, solace and conversation with our God.  David outlines God's omnipresence in the next few verses and stresses that even though this friend(s) is now hunting him God is there morning, noon and night.   If you want to get past a bad friendship find your friend in God.   He is always there and always our protection.  

Slouthfulness leads to Sinfulness - 2 Samuel 10-14

When we are in the wrong place and fail to do what we should be doing, sin comes knocking at our door.   Much has been written about David and his sin with Bathsheba.  Many lessons have been learned, taught, and, regretfully, repeated in regard to his adultery, cover-up, and subsequent difficulty.  His wandering eyes, his abuse of power, his false humility, his exploitation of other people are all snap shots from the family photo album he would rather not see.   Yet, in 11:1 of this section we have a key insight for how all this came down and why it may repeat numerous times.   In this first verse of the story we see that when others went to do their responsibility (in this case: War) David choose to stay home and do nothing.   Perhaps this is where we get the phrase: Idle hands are the devil's work shop!   David sat idle.  Others were going to fulfill their responsibility to war against their enemy.  Uriah, Bathsheba's husband, was at war.  Joab was a war.   Others were at war.   But, David lingered behind, saw Bathsheba, sinned and the rest is tragedy.  It is when we  are failing to fulfill responsibility that we are most susceptible to sin.   It has often been said by preacher and priest, "If we just did what we are required to do we wouldn't have enough time to do what we are forbidden to do."  When we don't do what is our responsibility we put ourselves in positions like David.  Perhaps his wandering on the roof that night was because he was bored or couldn't sleep.  That lead to a walk.  That lead to a vision.  That lead to sin.   Let's realize that slothfulness leads to sinfulness for many reasons.   When we fail to labor we fall to leisure and leisure most certainly can, and often does, lead to licentiousness.  Let's be about doing what God wants us to do.  It will not only avoid occasion for the flesh it will accomplish the purposes of God. 

Don't follow the masses!!! Exodus 21-24

Some say "THE Law" is old and out of date.   "God's way of doing things by 4,000 years ago isn't valuable or practical for 2012," would be the world's mantra.   However, take a look at this portion of Exodus 23 and note how practical, timely and essential this law is for us to follow:

You shall not follow the masses in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after a multitude in order to pervert justice; (Exodus 23:2)

This verse ought to be tattooed on every politician's forehead.  We only have to read the daily paper or watch the daily news to see how many times a "ruler" of the day "turns aside" to the masses, or bends their testimony to agree with the multitude in order to pervert justice.   The same is true with many rulers in many industries and organizations.   "Group-think" has replaced "God-think".   "Group Feel" has replaced "Godly Wisdom."   This is a law of God that has no time limit.  It is based upon the character of God, not the whim of the populace.   This is a law based upon principle not passion.    Let's make sure we understand that God's laws are never out-of-date and they never lack a place to be applied.   Don't bend your path to follow the broad way.  The narrow road leads to life.   Don't seek the common ground, seek the Godly ground.    

Our Mission and Message is not what we are doing! 2 Corinthians 4-5

What is the believer's mission in life?  What is the believer's message for life?  When we think of a mission or message we think of a military or a marketing campaign.  We think about what we want others to do, buy, vote, or some action they normally might not do were it not for our mission/message.   In the following two verses we see the Christian faith's mission and message listed quite clearly:

2 Corinthians 5:20-21:  Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

In verse 20 we have our mission: God is making His appeal to the world "through us."   We are to by His voice box, or conduit, to the world.   That is why in 3:18 and 4:1 of this section talks so much about "reflecting" the "glory of the Lord."  We are more like "mirrors" for Him than a voice.   Like the moon reflects the sun we are His reflection to the world.    However, in verse 21 we have the message we are to reflect:  On our behalf God made Christ to "be sin" in our stead while at the same time made us to "be righteous" in Him.   That is the message of the believer, via the church.  Although famine, health and adoption are great acts of love, they are not the message of the church.   Although mission trips to feed the lost are worth while and great "righteous" acts, they are not the message of the church/believer.  We are placed on this earth (left here) to reflect the reconciliation of God.  We are not here to build buildings or steer governments or raise funds or corral our youth.  We are here to mimic the message of reconciliation.  

What ever happened to Barabbas? Mark 15-16

Whatever happened to Barabbas?    Barabbas, as you will remember, was the prisoner Pilate released to the crowd for their ceremony.   Pilate (and the entire Roman judicial system) was corrupt and would often make deals with individuals and with the citizenship in regard to the guilty.  Pilate was a political beast and would have had no problem wanting to "position" himself with this gathered crowd of "influencers."   His tradition, according to the the tradition, was, at the Passover, to release a prisoner (no doubt a symbolic gesture by the Roman surrogate to obtain political capital).  But, whatever happened to Barabbas once he was released?  Where did he go?  What did he do?    Scripture is completely silent on the man.  We have no knowledge that he went on to be a pauper or a priest. We do not know if he continue his life of robbery and insurrection, or if he went on to lead a church filled with saints and sinners.  Perhaps that is the problem here.   Barabbas is a picture of us.  We were "released from the prison of sin" when Christ took our penalty for us.   It is a shame that Barabbas doesn't have a glowing testimony in the Church and in Scripture.  Here he had the opportunity to make a difference with a second chance.   Like the Word of the Lord coming to Jonah a "second time" Barabbas experienced grace.   But, unlike Jonah, nothing significant happened in Barabbas' life for history to take note of it.   Is that true of our lives, as well?   We have the opportunity to have "new life" - set free from death and condemnation and we do nothing significant for our Savior and King.   Let's realize that we are all Barabbas in our sins but we don't have to be in our legacy.  Living for God after we are saved and making history for Christ is the reason we are saved.  

The New Covenant fulfilled the Old - so what? Jeremiah 27-31

The new covenant was and is God's plan to restore Israel and all those of faith to Himself. The new covenant was intended to make us fulfill all requirements of the law (Romans 8:1-4). The new covenant was established by God, performed by God and blesses us with God's presence.   We are not able to fulfill the requirements of the law and quench the wrath of God.   We are hopeless without the new covenant. Most people live their lives in complete oblivion to the requirements of the law and the fulfillment of the law through Christ (the new covenant).  The don't realize they need a "new" covenant because they are not cognizant of the requirements of the "old" covenant. God's requirement is that we keep the law.   That requirement of the old covenant was not done away with with the new covenant but was fulfilled for us. Christ came and fulfilled the old covenant for us and that fulfillment became the new covenant. The new covenant was God's plan to fulfill for us His righteous demands.   Let's rejoice we live in the era of the new covenant. He fulfills the law in us by His Son fulfilling the law for us.

Who is God's Pitch-man? Job 35-36

Job 36:2 - "Wait for me a little, and I will show you That there is yet more to be said in God’s behalf."  Elihu is a spokesperson for God. What a great gig.   Our society today is familiar with the concept of a "pitch-man."   From underwear to outwear and from how to grow grass to how to ride in comfort we are to believe these "credible" pitch-men who entice us to buy their employers products.  Odds are that up to that point the pitch-man him/herself has never really used the product, or, at the least, preferred the product over the competitor's merchandise.  It is purely a "money" thing.   You pay a celebrity enough money to pitch something and they suddenly believe it in.  Move the decimal point in the money they are getting a few spots to the left and eliminate some zeros and they will be less incline to believe the product is worth pitching.   Here in our text we see that Elihu is a great pitch-man for God.   He believes in his "product" and believes what he is saying about God is not only true, but also only half the story.  There is "more" to be said on God's behalf.  God has so much we can talk about that we seldom really exhaust the limits of His character.   Yet, with all that power and presence in the universe God has chosen us to be his pitch-man.   WE are HIs chosen voice box.   OUR credibility is based upon what He has done for us and in us.   He is our voice.   We are his conduit.    Let's be the perfect pitch-man.   In our society we see every day when someone like Buick drops the pitch-man Tiger Woods for credibility issues.  God will never drop us.  He work simply improve us until our "pitch" is heard.   Let's commit to being better pitch-men for God.  There is more to say on His behalf.  

True Worship Matters - Psalm 51-53

True worship happens not to "obtain" God's favor but because God has already shown us His favor.  We don't worship to "get forgiveness" or "obtain God's grace".  We worship because we God has already given us His favor and already forgiven us. In Psalm 51 we see David asking for forgiveness (and receiving it). This entire Psalm is about David being restored "by" God and yet ends with David realizing that His public worship is ONLY restored when God has shown him favor and mercy.   In our society today we have all this backward. In most "religious" groups today we see a desire to gather to "obtain" God's favor.   So, church is a place to go to gain God's grace and favor.   Certainly it would not be wrong to confess and ask forgiveness in Church.   But, our "worship" is only possible because God "has already" given us mercy and we rejoice over it.  Earlier David said he would "sing" because God showed him mercy.  We don't go to Church and worship to get it good with God.  We are able to worship because God has already made us good with Him, by His grace.   

Motive Does Matter - 2 Samuel 5-9

We aren't much for people's motives in regard to interpreting their behaviors.  In fact, we told not to question anyone's motive.  However, motive is key to understanding behavior.  In 1 Thess. 5:14 Paul specifically tells us to consider motive and to change our discipline or response toward people accordingly.   In 6:21 of this section we see the Michael, Saul's daughter and David's first wife (earned for killing the enemy) judges David's motive for dancing before the "maids" of Jerusalem as evil and as foolish.  But, David let's her know that his dancing around the Ark's return was "before the Lord" or, as to the Lord.  Others judged his motives wrong and that would lead to accusation and false judgements.  But, God knows our motives.  In fact, in Hebrews 4:12 we read that His Word judges and discerns our motives.   Yes, it is tough for us to judge the motives of others.   But, that shouldn't stop us from inquiry and diligence in our understanding of their behaviors.  We typically view "poor motives" for behaviors "we don't like."   Michael was envious of David's joy and how that joy was contagious to others.   She was not part of that joy so, instead of judging her own motives, she judged David's.   Let's consider the motives of others.   What you see as selfish or inappropriate others might be doing "as to the Lord."