In the world of Faith, do we need checks and balances? 1 Kings 21-25

Do all men need to be held accountable?  Or, are there times, when some men are just simply faithful and you can trust them to do their work and fulfill God's mission in their lives? These questions would be answered quite differently by a multitude of people.   We can certainly hear some tell us that all men are evil and all men need to be held accountable.   It was the philosopher Francis Scheffer who said, "Absolute power corrupts absolutely."  His thought would be that "unchecked" power completely corrupts.    That is one view point for our question.   Another view point is that God is the ultimate Person to hold people accountable and He does a pretty good job at it.  We are limited in our knowledge of others and therefore limited in our ability to hold someone accountable.   In our reading today we have an interesting story about a young king (Josiah) who wanted the temple rebuilt.   He instructed his leadership to count the money the people had given and then deliver the money over to the tradesmen who would do the work.   He then makes a profound statement to his leadership about the workers who would do the work:

2 Kings 22:7 - "Only no accounting shall be made with them for the money delivered into their hands, for they deal faithfully.”

Josiah was a man of The Book and of history so he might have grabbed that philosophy from King Jehoash, who was eight kings previous to him.   Jehoash did the same thing with his workers.  Both men felt that the workers were faithful men and therefore were to be trusted.  Their work would stand as a testimony to that faithfulness.   In the world of faith we have to come to the point where we are not so paranoid that we only trust when we have verification.  We live in a very suspicious world today.   We may think that Josiah today would be quite naive.  However, perhaps Josiah understood the principle that God is the ultimate one who holds people accountable with checks and balances.   We are to live by faith and accept that God will reveal the hidden things of darkness and let us know when others are faithless.  It seems in our age today we have come to the point we can't trust anyone.   Let's realize to some that is called prudence and wise.   But, let's also realize that God is the One who ultimately holds others accountable and sometimes we have to trust the faithfulness before our eyes.  

Does God accept a 90% effort? Leviticus 22-24

We are not to present anything to God that is less than the best.   That is what God told Moses to write for us in this book of Leviticus.   Of course, the problem with that is that we are all less than perfect and anything we offer would be less than perfect, since all things are sinful. The "demand" for a perfect sacrifice does not get voided because there is no perfect offering to present. This is why we need to look to Christ to be our perfect sacrifice.   He fulfills the Law's requirement and takes our place. His sinless body hung on the cross to fulfill Leviticus 22:20 which tells us to present a sacrifice with "defect."  This passage is a picture of Christ in the Old Testament.   Only Christ can fulfill the requirements. However, there is something else we can see here. When we, through Christ, present ourselves to God, we have an obligation to present our bodies as a "living sacrifice, holy and acceptable" before God (Romans 12:1-2).   We must never present ourselves to Him in a half-hearted and "defect" manner.   Everything we do for Him ought to follow this pattern of holiness and perfection.  We will fail, but that does not void the requirement.   We should never jump into something half-way or to get-by and call that an acceptable sacrifice to God.   We should plan and prepare and present a living sacrifice, holy to God.   Everything we do carries that mandate.   Just getting by is not a holy sacrifice.   God requires and "all in" manner to our worship and service ... He showed us that by the example of His Son who gave everything for us to His Father. 

How big of a noise do you make ... for Christ? 1 Thessalonians 1-3

1 Thessalonians 1:8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.

Has God's Word ever "sounded forth" from you?   Paul is writing to the churches in the area of Thessalonica, Greece.   They had a great testimony and a great faith that didn't just sit there in the four walls of their churches.   It "sounded forth".   The word in the Greek is, exēcheō ... the word literally means to "make a loud noise from."   The closes I can get to explaining that concept comes from a recent trip to watch a Detroit Tiger baseball game.   As we were sitting in great seats along the third base line we heard a loud noise from the fans along the first base line, deep into the corner.   We all stopped to see what the noise was about.   That is the thought behind the word "execheo."  The Thessolonians sounded out from their own place to the surrounding regions.   They sounded out so much that Paul had no need to say anything.  Think of that, Paul, an apostle and preacher, had "no need to say anything."   Is that not great.   Because the body of Christ was so loud the messenger for Christ had no need to preach.   So, if you want the preacher to stop talking, start making your own noise.  Sound out!!! Execheo!!

The world wants a miracle ... to impress them - Luke 23, 24

The world wants a show from Jesus.  The world, like Herod who wanted to see Jesus in hopes that he might see a miracle performed by Him, wants to see water turned to wine, water come out of a rock, or someone walking on water.   The world, especially if they come to a church service, wants a show.  And, why not.  Doesn't God - or at least the image of the name God - demand and/or invite a show?   He did make the stars didn't He?  He did create lighting didn't He?   He made huge mountains and deep valleys; certainly a "show" is within His capabilities ... isn't it?   Herod, like the world today, wants to see something special from God.   Yet, they have to look only as far as their hands to see a miracle.  Wiggle your fingers and there is a miracle.   Do some research on the character and power of lighting and the next time you see it you will stand in awe of the God who created it,   We have traveled east and west in this country and stood on the highest peaks and in the lowest valleys.  They are majestic and miraculous in their formation.   God did that.   Yes, we all want to see someone healed.  We want to see a leg restored, or sight repaired.  Yet, when God takes a drug addict or a simple sinner and gives him/her righteousness and changes their life, we simply let that slip by.  Herod wanted a miracle ... God provides them every day.   We don't have to look any farther than the amazing body He created and give breath everyday.  

God disciplines in open public sometimes - Ezekiel 37-42

Ezekiel 39:23 The nations will know that the house of Israel went into exile for their iniquity because they acted treacherously against Me, and I hid My face from them; so I gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and all of them fell by the sword.

Suppose God were to post a sign over our heads every time we sinned and every time He disciplined us for that sinning?  Wouldn't that be a hoot?  Instead "people watching" we could create a new game at the mall called, "sign checking."   We could simply walk around the mall and read peoples signs over their heads.   In one sense, that is what God is doing when He disciplines Israel and Judah in the midst of the other nations. He wants the other nations to know that His people have turned against His word and have sinned against Him.  He wants the world to know that when we do that we offend a Holy and Righteous God and deserve punishment.  We take sin so lightly that we stand in shock and awe at such a thought.   But, that is what God is saying in this passage in the middle of Ezekiel's prophecy. God has come to the end of the line in regard to their sin and His patience.   He has used the surrounding nations to punish them and to show the surrounding nations what it means to be God's people.   As God's people we need to realize how jealous God is for us and for our love.  He takes our commitment to follow Him seriously.   He takes our obedience to His Word seriously.   When we disobey God does not put a sign over our heads.   But, that doesn't mean He ignores our sin and fails to discipline.   

Do you mirror your friends character? Proverbs 13

Proverbs 13:20 - He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Our modern day proverb states this same proverb, this way: "Birds of a feather flock together!"   The thought, however, in Solomon's truth is not how the company of people gather, but on what happens in the gathering.   Yes, like minds hang together.   However, that truth isn't productive.  The real question is, "What happens to us when we hang around with other people?"  According to Solomon we tend to become like them.   So, if you want to know what you will become look at your friends.   It is interesting how many people will point out with their spouse the little things that other couples do or say, that annoy them.   However, when you realize that truth you have to grasp what Solomon is saying ... we tend to mirror our friends.   So, if you want to be wise and spiritual and faithful, don't go to the movies with the foolish and carnal and faithless!   We can and should pick our friends wisely.   Because, when we do ... we will be like them.  

Have you ever been overwhelmed and felt alone? Psalm 87-89

When we fall into sin and therefore fall into discipline, who is in control?  Who is "doing" the discipline.   You can't help but read Psalm 88 and see who the Sons of Korah are appealing to in regard to their current state of being disciplined by God. In just 18 verses the writer uses the pronoun, "you" or "your" to refer to God's work in his life because of disobedience and faithlessness.  In 88:6-8 we read a remarkable set of statements about how God sometimes conducts discipline in our lives:

Psalms 88:6-8 You have put me in the lowest pit, In dark places, in the depths. 7 Your wrath has rested upon me, And You have afflicted me with all Your waves. Selah. 8 You have removed my acquaintances far from me; You have made me an object of loathing to them; I am shut up and cannot go out.

Have you ever been in this place?  Have you ever felt low and in a pit and in a place were we feel like we are overwhelmed with waves of grief? Perhaps verse eight is the worse where it says our friends have turned from us; they "loath" us! (The writer ends the Psalm with that thought by saying lover and friend have turned away ... 88:18.)   Being disciplined by God is not a good place to be.  Yet, throughout the Psalm we see the writer turning back to God and crying out to God.   We can think of Jonah ... in his running he cried out to God and God delivered him.   We can think of David ... in his running he cried out to God and God delivered him.  We can think of Paul on the Damascus Road ... in his running he cried out to God and God delivered him.   When God disciplines us it is HE who removes friendships, puts us in a dark place, and causes feelings that overwhelm us.   Like the writer in this Psalm the only relief we can hope for is to return to God and seek His mercy ... it is He who can save ... cry out to Him

Psalms 88:13 But I, O Lord, have cried out to You for help, And in the morning my prayer comes before You.

Can God use faithless behavior? 2 Kings 16-20

Does God use acts of faithlessness to bring about discipline and difficulty in our lives? Does that then affect others? In 2 Kings 16 we see the King of Judah (a wicked king named Ahaz) call for help from the Assyrians (2 Kings 16:8-9). When being attacked by his brothers to the north (Israel), instead of going by faith to God in a time of trouble, he turned to the non-believing world, the wicked Assyrians. As a result, a short time later, the Assyrians lay siege against Israel's major city and take Israel captive ... Israel is no more! Fast forward now to King Hezekiah, the new King of Judah, and who comes to lay siege against Judah? ... the Assyrians! So, God uses the faithlessness of a king to bring out discipline for a nation and that allows the same nation to be used for further discipline against Judah ... the remaining tribe of Israel in God's promise land. When we see unfaithful behavior we need to stand back to see what God is actually doing. We think God is asleep at the wheel when people express unfaithfulness and turn to the world's solution (anger and fight rather love and forgive). Yet, that is the very time God is using that unfaithfulness to accomplish His greater purpose. In this case, discipline. In the case of Joseph back in Genesis God used the faithlessness of Joseph's brothers to get Joseph into the land of Egypt to save the nation from famine. God uses faithlessness as much as faithfulness. I think He prefers faithful followers. But, God is not asleep at the wheel. He uses faithless and carnal people to accomplish His ends. Which one do you offer God in your walk with Him? He is going to use you do you offer Him faithfulness and trust or faithless carnality?  By the way, latter in our reading for today Hezekiah, in an act of pride and faithlessness, invites the Babylonians into his home ... they will eventually be used by God to destroy Judah.   God uses unfaithful choices for His purpose.  

Did you take a bath today? Leviticus 19-21

Our society rewards itself and prides itself on the simplest of acts: Cleanliness.  We spend more money on lotions than any industrial nation.  The "Toiletry Industry" has an annual revenue of $35 billion.   We love our soap.  Add to that the plumbing industry for showers and tubs, the non-soap products and you get the sense we like to be clean.  As I was writing this devotional my wife just informed me I can get in the shower now.   Apparently I need a bath.   Getting clean after a hard days work is a habit.  Taking a shower after a great work out is refreshing.   Washing the filth off after an episode in the dirt is necessary.   That is way Leviticus 20:8 is such a great passage for us:
You shall keep My statutes and practice them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you.

The word "sanctifies" in this passage means that God "cleans" us.  God is in the business of bringing the entire cosmos to our aide in the cleansing process.  Christ's death, burial and resurrection was for the purpose of cleaning us ... from sin.  We are filthy.  Despite all of our cosmetics and soaps and lotions and plumbing, we are in filth ... in sin.  His Son cleanses us from all unrighteousness and then His Word washes us further (Ephesians 5:26).   In this verse in Leviticus we see the same thing Paul was telling us in Ephesians ... God has provided His statues and wants us to practice them so that through them, He can sanctify us ... or, cleanse us.  If you took time today to read God's Word that was a bath for you.   I have bumped into people who don't take a daily bath.   It is not a pleasant site ...or, smell I should see.   I have watched others not wash their hands after using the rest room.  It is not a pleasant thought.  We would not allow our children to go days without washing hands, limbs and bodies.   But, we will go without the Washing of the Word ...sometimes for days.   We here people all the time say they don't have time to read God's Word.   They "can't" get into the habit.   Yet, that is like not taking a bath.  And, you don't have to tell us you didn't have time to read the Word (take a proverbial bath), we will all be able to tell quite easily.   I hope you enjoyed your bath this morning in Leviticus ... I know the rest of us are glad you took one.  

Does your tongue sprinkle salt? Colossians 3-4

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

If you have ever wondered how to respond to someone who is angry at you, or who is threatening you, or is just angry and hurt and in pain; here is the answer.   Paul tells the church in the City of Colossi to have their speech be gracious ... seasoned like salt.   It is so hard to be gracious when another is shouting.  It is so hard to be gracious when another is accusing.  It is so hard to be gracious when your flesh wants to defend.   But, that is the imperative given by Paul.   He is telling us to be prepared for someone and when they ask us something we ought to be prepared to "season" the conversation ... as with salt.  There is some significance about using the word salt. Paul wants us to "add" seasoning to a conversation and thus the relationship ... not seek to destroy the relationship or the conversation.  Instead we are to make it tasty.  We ought to have our speech gracious because grace is a seasoner.  Grace deflates anger.  Grace heals hurt.  Grace removes the need to defend because it first seeks to listen and understand and promote.  Grace gives when the flesh wants to take and circle the wagons.   Grace is a seasoning in conversations.   Like salt it entices others to want more and to enjoy the conversation.   Sprinkle a little grace with your tongue today!

Have you ever "intentionally" not prepared yourself? Luke 21-22

I spend my time making presentations on a variety of subjects.   Although I often don't know the exact words I am going to say before I make those presentations, I know the thoughts in my head that I have prepared ahead of time.  I typically know my outline.  I typically know my persuasive language.  I typically know, most of the time, one or two illustrations I am going to use.   I have been taught to be prepared to know what I am to say.  Every speech class I have ever taken told me to "prepare" the speech in this way or that way.   We grade our students on their preparation in speech class as much as delivery.   Politicians use tella-promters to make sure the "exact" words are being stated.    So, when I read the following verse about the end times and how believers will be treated and what they should do, I stand somewhat amazed and recoil just a bit:

Luke 21:14,15 - So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.

When God's Word tells us that the "just shall 'LIVE' by faith," this is exactly what that means.  Yes, we are saved by faith, but when it comes to living after our salvation nothing changes.   Jesus tells His disciples to "SET YOUR MINDS NOT TO PREPARE" before you have to defend yourself because, when the time comes, He will fill our minds and hearts with the proper words.   Think about that in our society.  I recently had to be a witness in a death case.   The lawyer prepared me on what he would ask and what the other attorney would ask.   They were over prepared.   I have, at times, gone into meetings to make a presentation without knowing what I was supposed to be talking about.   But, even then, I had some preparation in that I relied upon my own knowledge.  Here, Jesus is telling us that to live by faith for Him is to cast yourself into His care and allow Him to defend you by allowing Him to give you the exact words you will need.   This is an extreme act of faith.   This is "living by faith."   This is why we read God's Word.  God's Word strengthens our faith.   We need more faith - not more preparation for defense.  I wonder if we read God's Word more and memorized it if that would add to what God will give us to say when we need it?  

Do you see someone about to get hit by a truck? Ezekiel 31-36

Have you ever had to tell someone they are standing in the street and about to get hit by a truck?  Not literally, but figuratively?  We all have friends, family or associates who make mistakes and find themselves in the middle of the road ... in a place that certain danger is about to take place.   To better understand our responsibility to those we see "standing in the road" we could take a look at the Prophet Ezekiel.   In Ezekiel 33 we read instructions from God to the prophet about the "watchmen."     A "watchmen" in ancient words was as important as a guard post along the nations boarders.    The watchmen would take their position along the walls of the city and alert those in the city to dangers that might be approaching.   If the watchmen saw something he would blow a trumpet as an alarm.   God tells the prophet that if the watchmen blows a trumpet and no one listens it will be their problem that they didn't take heed to the watchmen's alarm.  God states He will not hold the watchmen accountable.  If, on the other hand, the watchmen neglects to sound the alarm and fails to warn the people. If the people are injured than God tells the prophet He will hold the watchmen accountable.   The message is clear: If we see someone in the middle of a road and about to get hit by a truck, our job is to shout a warning.   We are not to worry if they don't move.  That is painful for them.   But, if we, out of fear, or pride, or anger, or ignorance, or whatever, fail to sound an "alarm", God will hold us responsible.   So, we are not to worry if they yell back at us to "mind our own business" or to "stay out of it" or "who do you think you are."   We are to sound the alarm.  God will hold us responsible if we don't.  

Are you greedy for rigtheousness? - Proverbs 11-12

Proverbs 11:6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, But the treacherous will be caught by their own greed.

If you have ever been accused of falsehood or bad motives or had someone question your credibility, this proverb is a refreshing and comforting thought.   If you approach something with falsehood, bad motives and poor credibility, you are acting with treacherous thoughts.  You will be caught in your own greed ... the desire for something you should not have ... power, position, honor.   However, if you are seeking God's truth and desiring God's Ways for whatever the situation you face, than that "righteousness" will deliver you from false acquisitions and the traps others set for you.  A person who desires righteous outcomes let's God worry about their reputation.  Think of Daniel here!   Daniel was a righteous man and loved by the kings he served.   However, those who had greed in their hearts and wanted to have Daniel's power and position sought evil for Daniel.   They were eventually thrown in the lion's den while Daniel lived, even the lions had their chance with him first.   His three friends had the same possible fate with the hot fire.  However, their righteousness delivered them and fried their treacherous accusers.   If you are in a struggle make sure you are seeking and have greed for righteousness and not greed for something for yourself.  

Who's words do you listen to first in the morning? Psalm 84-86

Today I came to God's Word with a heavy heart.  I have been asked to mediate a conflict between a group of brothers and sisters in Christ.   It has taken its toll on me.   I made a mistake this morning to engage in this mediation before I had read my appointed reading with God's Word.  Big Mistake!!   After "listening" to someone complain about their brothers and sisters in Christ and even complain about my "mediation attempt," I was overwhelmed.   I simply was to the point I couldn't hear one more voice of anger and voice of complaint.   That is when I thought I should do what I promised God ... start the day in His Word.   So, after reading Psalm 84 and Psalm 85 and being blessed, I came to Psalm 86.   It ends as follows (which says it all about what order we should start our day ... if I would have started my day with God's Word, I would not have felt overwhelmed with man's words ... note the following:

Psalms 86:14-17 O God, arrogant men have risen up against me, And a band of violent men have sought my life, And they have not set You before them. 15 But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth. 16 Turn to me, and be gracious to me; Oh grant Your strength to Your servant, And save the son of Your handmaid. 17 Show me a sign for good, That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, Because You, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

That is the way to start to the day ... 

Standing tall in a slouching world ... 2 Kings 11-15

Who will step up to talk sense and bring people back to the right place in life?   We all know what needs to be said to society.  We all know what the "right" thing to do looks like.   But, who will lead the charge?  Who will turn us back to God?  Who is expected to be the "guy" or "girl"?   In 2 Kings 11 we have a little glimpse of an answer to that question.  In this chapter the king was still a young boy when he was put in charge of the kingdom.  He needed mentoring and the nation needed someone to fill the gap.  That is where the Priest Jehoiada steps up.  The position of the priest in the nation of Israel was very important to the moral, legal and in the case of leprosy, medical aspects of life.  The priest was to make sure that the nation did not sway from the path God had outlined for them.  The laws were given to Aaron, the first priest.   The priest was to make sure those laws are followed.   In our society today the man of God is every believer.   Believers are now a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter) and we are to be God's spokesperson.   This does not mean, only pastors, priest and ordained men of God should be speak out for God.  They should, but it is not limited to them.   In today's society God has placed "His People" to be His Speakers.  Jehoiada stepped up at the right time and in the right way.   At the cost of personal injury to himself, Jehoiada stood in the gap.  You and I have the same responsibility.  Yes, our neighbors, our family, our friends, and sometimes, even our church, may reject our words.  But, if our words are God's Words than we have stood in the gap in the right way. Be a Jehoiada today.  Stand in the gap.  

Do you treat God's Word like a daily aspirin? Leviticus 16-18

Most people read God's Word or treat God's Word like and aspirin ... it is only necessary to read it if they have a spiritual headache. They believe the Word is only important and necessary to turn to when we are in trouble or in need. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing like the Word of God for when something is hurting you.  But, in this section of Leviticus we see a further and more complete need for God's Word.  In 18:3 the nation of Israel was instructed to "be different" than the world.   That alone is a great principle and thought to dwell on.  But, God doesn't just give us a command and leave it there.   In 18:5 we see Him tell the nation that all these instructions He is giving them is to show them how and to give them the principles to be different.  Most people; most believers, spend little time each day in God's Word.   In 18:5 we are told that if we "keep" these commandments we will "live."  Not just live differently, but live.   God's Word is not an vitamin for daily deficiencies (although it will do that); God's Word is an instruction manual on  how to live for God and like God and different from the World.   Quit trying to do things the way the World does them.  We are to be different based upon God's guidelines and principles:

Leviticus 18:5 So you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, by which a man may live if he does them; I am the Lord.

Are you finally growing up? Colossians 1-2

We would be very much concerned if we saw a child who was not developing according to the medical community.  If, after years, they can't talk or walk, we would seek help.   If a student in school never applied themselves and didn't improve in learning with their class they are typically held back and then identified by the educational community as needing special attention.   If an athlete doesn't progress in development it is much tougher: He/she is simply cut from the team.  In the work-a-day world an employee that doesn't "get it" is, perhaps, offered training and then finally, let go.  If a farmer has a plant and it doesn't grow and bear fruit he plows it under.  Development of who we are as human beings is a necessary part of maturity.  We expect it in every walk of life.   Why then is it permissible for believers to take the gospel in belief and never produce anymore fruit?  That is the subject we see Paul addressing in this book.  He doesn't want his listeners to believe that stagnant living in Christ was not the design or the plan of God.   In 1:6 he tells them they ought to be bearing more and more fruit.   In 1:10 he repeats the statement and adds that we are to be "increasing" in our knowledge of God.   In 1:23 he adds that we are to "continue" in the faith ... when you continue in something you are growing and moving ... not stagnant.  In 1:28 Paul tells us that we are to be moving to the final completeness in Christ. He continues the theme in chapter two and later in three and four.  We see it as abnormal when something, created to grow, doesn't.  So, too, our being in Christ. We should see the lack of spiritual growth as "abnormal."  We should not accept it in ourselves or in our midst.   Christ came to "fill" us. That filling is an ongoing process of submitting to God's Word and yielding to the Holy Spirit.  Are you growing in Christ each day?  Is there an "increase of fruit" today over last year?  If God were a farmer would he prune you for more fruit or would He uproot you for no fruit?  

Would you lay your coat over a mud puddle? Luke 19-20

The fable story of the gentlemen who throws his coat over a mud puddle for the women he loves to walk across it has become an example of chivalry and respect.  Laying your garment down to honor another, however, has even a bigger meaning in our reading today.  When Jesus rode into the city of Jerusalem the disciples and others put their coats on the donkey for Jesus to sit upon and laid them on the ground for the donkey to walk across.   To really understand this act of honor we need to recognize the poverty of the day and practical use of the coat.   I own numerous coats.  I own some just for riding the Harley.  I own some for when I dress up.  I own some coats because I like the color. Some I like the logo on it.  Some I just like the way it fits.  I have coats in my closet, my car, my bike and in storage.  I can afford to toss a coat on the ground for someone to step on ... even a donkey.   Yet, these people didn't even have a storage unit, much less a winter coat and summer coat.  Yet, in their poverty they were willing to lay what they did have down on the ground.   Another aspect is that in this part of the world the nights can get very cold.  The coat was a blanket.  To simply toss it on the ground was to take a very important possession and discard it.  The coat was also used as a pillow.   The coat was so important to these people that in Deuteronomy 24 God made a law that if someone gives you his cloak in a pledge you are to give it back to him at night to his warmth.   These men, by laying their coats down, we making more than a gentlemanly act of kindness.  They were giving up a prize possession for their Lord.   In our modern day Christian movements we argue if God should get a 10th of our gross or net pay, while we walk away with 90% of the rest.  Are you willing to give a prize possession to the Lord?  Would you cast it as his feet? 

Do you doubt God keeps His promises ... read this! Ezekiel 25-30

When God prophesies something it comes true.   God is a God of promise.  So, when He promises something (good or bad) He comes through on his promise.  In Ezekiel 26 we have one of the best and foremost claims as to God's veracity: He is complete true to His Word!!   He prophesied that the great city Tyre would be not only destroyed but it would never be seen again or occupied again.   The story of Tyre in History is an interesting story but also one that demonstrates God's faithfulness to His word.  God prophecies the Babylon would destroy it.  The facts of history show that Tyre was besieged by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, for 13 years.  When the king finally marched into the city everyone was gone.   They in fact, had escaped to the Island of Tyre, just a few miles off the coast of the great city.   Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the city and left it in ruins ... however, technically some of the people were still surviving on the island. However, God was not done.   Later, under Alexander the Great the island came under siege.   But, because Alexander the Great had no ready naval fleet, he took the remains of the City of Tyre and built a causeway to the island some 60 feet wide and just under a mile long.   Not only did he destroy the island and its occupants, but by using the old city as material he furthered fulfilled God's prophecy by leaving no remains of Tyre visible.   When God promises something He uses a variety of means to accomplish His Word.   God keeps His word.   All of it!   You can bank on His promises today.  

When a storm comes do you worry about your ... Proverbs 10

When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.

There is nothing more revealing to man than a storm in life.   We know very little about people until they are tossed into adversity, or a storm of trouble comes there way.   Like a real storm the winds and torrents of life tear apart all that is weak, useless and fake.   The beauty of a home made out of aluminum, wood and mortar can be flattened by the wind.   What people trusted in and prided themselves around can be gone in just a few seconds.   This proverb is telling us the same thing about life.   A trouble in life will destroy the wicked because they can only trust in temporal things.   But, the righteous, who trusts in God, has a sure and steadfast foundation.  No storm of life can remove God as our foundation.   Because the wicked trust in themselves and their own possessions they  can't survive a violent storm.  This is where believers have an advantage in life and where we should excel.  Instead of fretting over difficulty the righteous should show that they are resilient and measured in trials.  We ought not to panic and act in shock disbelief.   We have an everlasting foundation.   Let's live our life the same in the storm as we do in the sunshine.   We have an anchor and foundation that can't be moved.  

Go suck on a rock!! Psalm 81-84

Have you ever watched an infant being feed food it didn't want?  As hard as dad and mom try the little face darts left and right with lips tight as tupperware.   The little girl or guy doesn't realize that the food the parent wants to provide is necessary for growth and sustenance.  They simple don't like the smell, test, or are void of the growth process and the real love of the parent.  In Psalm 81 we have a similar vision as Israel is in need of food for growth, sustenance and, even, pleasure.   Read verse ten and sixteen again and note that God says to them through the writer Asaph:

Psalms 81:10 & 16 “ I, the Lord, am your God, Who brought you up from the land of Egypt;  Open your mouth wide and I will fill it. 16 “ But I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, And with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

God has to ask them to open their mouth so He can fill it!   That is amazing in and of itself.  God wants to fill us with fine wheat and with sweet honey.   He wants to "satisfy" us.   All we have to do is open our mouths to eat.   Yet, like a little infant who doesn't want to cooperate, we sit at the table with our mouths closed turning to the left and the right at the sight of anything shinny.  God can and will fill us and satisfy us if, by faith, if we let Him.   He can bring honey out of a rock.  HONEY OUT OF A ROCK!!!  I have sucked on a few stones in my day (another story for another blog for another day), but never tasted anything sweet from them.   Look what God can do!  If you are in the proverbial place of a "rock and a hard place" this verse tells us to choose the rock ... God can produce hone out of it.  Don't be childish and sit in your high chair with your lips closed tightly.  Instead, go suck on a rock.  

Do you think God is a 3 gallon bucket working on a 7 gallon job? 2 Kings 6-10

Here is a good lesson and principle to live by: You might doubt that God "will" do something for you but you should NEVER doubt that God "can" do something for you.   When a king sent an entire army to come to fetch Elisha, to subsequently kill him, Elisha's servant came to warn him.   The servant, looking through the eyes of the flesh, saw the army surround their little town and came to warn Elisha.  In response to his servant Elisha states the following, now famous words,:

2 Kings 6:16 - So he answered, “ Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

After saying this the eyes of the servant were opened to see thousands of angels on horses and chariots, surrounding the army that had surrounded Elisha.  The servant only saw through the flesh while Elisha lived in the spirit.

In the following verse the King of Israel saw the devastation of his kingdom and saw two women fighting about cooking and eating their babies because the enemies siege and the lack of food and water.  He was devastated and wanted to kill Elisha.   The king was a man of flesh and could only see with the eyes of the flesh.   Elisha tells one of the kings servant that within 24-hours the siege will be over and the food supply will be so abundant there will be a waste of food.  The kings servant can figure that out and says the following:

2 Kings 7:2 - The royal officer on whose hand the king was leaning answered the man of God and said, “Behold, if the Lord should make windows in heaven, could this thing be?” Then he said, “Behold, you will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat of it.”

We might doubt that God will do some of the things we would like but we should never doubt that God can do the things we need.  God's capability and power should never be in question.  Yes, there are times God chooses not to move, or chooses His timing different than we would like.   But, doubt in our hearts about His ability is a sin and wrong for believers.   Take things to God in prayer in belief that He can do what you ask.   

Would you take your sick child to your pastor for medical advice? Leviticust 13-15

When God calls us for service He equips us for that service.  Observe: In chapter 13 of Leviticus we are given the procedures for those who develop  leprosy from a skin problem.   This alone shows us God's love and concern for the physical welfare of His children. Today, when we develop a skin condition, we have specialist that we are referred to. We might start with our general practice doctor but eventually, depending on the seriousness of the issue, we will end up with a specialist.  This specialist has spent years studying this particular field of medicine and sees countless cases like ours. Imagine the million people or so coming out of Egypt by God's deliverance and contracting a cold, the flu, a broken leg, a serious fever, or, a rash on their skin.   Who do they turn to?  Moses?   This is an incredible story of God's grace in these chapters.  God called the tribe of Levite to be the priests for the nation.   However, would you take your red rash on your skin to your priest?  Would you ask your pastor what to do with a fever?   Here we see what happens when God calls a man to serve for Him and to serve His people.  God doesn't leave them untrained. God, in this chapter, is giving the priest a lesson in medicine.   The reason we find these chapters hard to read is because we have no practical call for its use.  But, the Levite did.  He would eventually have someone outside his tent with this condition.  This was his manual on how to deal with a very dangerous disease within their camp.  God equipped them with the knowledge to deal with it.   God provides knowledge and wisdom when and how we need it.  It should be noted that this also called for them to "learn" the information.   They weren't endowed with some special "zapping" of their frontal lobe.  No, they had to study the material. They had to apply the brain God gave them to learn the procedures.   We sometimes think that ministers of God are "given" special tools to do their job.  They are not.  They must study like others. Paul told young Timothy to "study" to show himself worthy of his ministry.   Those called to service might have a special call but they still have to study like others. Here we see the Levites having to learn. Don't take your Christianity lightly.  You are responsible to learn and to study. We are all called to do that.

How to beat Worrying! Philippians 3-4

Is there a better formula ever written that helps to keep a quiet mind bathed in peace than Philippians 4:8-9?   Paul gives us the exact thought process we have to have when we tend to worry, imagine and dwell on things that disrupt our spirit.   To have a peace that only God can provide he tells us to think only about things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, good repute and worthy of praise.  If we fill our mind with these things we can be assured of a peace that only God can provide.   In the midst of trial and tribulation if I think about these things I can rest assured that God is in control.    What Paul has described for us to "think" about is the character and mind of Christ.   We are to dwell on His majesty and that will enable us to fight of our fear and our discontent and our worry.  It is when we allow our minds to think about untruth; when we dwell on imagination rather fact; when we consider false reports or unverified reports and not good reports - this is when we lose our peace.  We worry and fret over things we know little about.  But, when we, by faith, dwell on what we do know (the character of Christ) we can rest in our spirits.   If your spirit is a flair right now, calm it by changing what you are thinking about.   Worrying is a sin that attacks what we think about.  We worry because we are not doing what Philippians 4:8-9 tells us to do.    

I deserve a pay check! Luke 17-18

Have you ever received a pay check from an employer or client that you KNOWINGLY did not deserve?  It would be assumed that most people think they not only "deserve" their income, but deserve more.  That is just part of our human nature.   We like to be noticed for what we do and we want to "earn" those "rewards" - typically believing we deserve more.    However, Jesus had some different thoughts on our "work" for Him; the fruit we produce to demonstrate our love toward Him.   Note the following

Luke 17:10- So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'

When God commands us to do things for Him and in HIs name we might be lead to follow the world's philosophy and mind-set ... to believe we are owed something from God.  There are plenty of believers who think if they obey they will in turn be worthy to receive God's blessings and even deserve those blessings.   How many believers have ever uttered or thought, "God, I have been doing what you asked, why did you allow this to happen?"   That is the attitude of "payment for work" that we have preached and practiced in our society.   What Jesus says in Luke 17:10 is that if we obey God we should not look at it as though we are "owed" something but rather that we are "unworthy slaves and we have done what we ought to have done."   It is tough for us to change our mindset since the world's philosophy is so permeating in our day-to-day norms.   Let's realize that, by faith, we are to obey God.   We are to show our love for Him for HIs saving us as acts of obedience.   We don't "deserve" anything.   We are unworthy of what we have.   The next time you get a check from you employer approach it as though you "don't deserve" it but that you are getting something you don't deserve.  That is the mindset that Jesus is talking about in relationship to Him.   

Have you ever loathed "yourself?" Ezekiel 19-24

How do you feel after you commit a sin against a holy God?  I immediately jump to Romans 8:1 that states there is "no condemnation" to those in Christ.  That means "no one" can condemn me.  I then jump to 1 John 1:9 that says if we confess our sins, "He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us" in regard to our sins.   Those are two great passages of scripture to jump to.    I doubt if any of us jump to Ezekiel 20:43 - "There you will remember your ways and all your deeds with which you have defiled yourselves; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight for all the evil things that you have done."  In this single verse God tells the nation of Israel that He is going to discipline them and when he does the discipline will cause them to "loathe" themselves.   God says the same thing in Ezekiel 36:31.   Other prophets echo these words.   The point of God's discipline is to get us to see our sin for what it is in the light of God.  In life we tend to get familiar with sin.  We get comfortable with it.  God, through Ezekiel's message was going to put them in a spot where they loathed sin like God loathes sin.   When we get to that spot we will know two things:  1) What holiness is  2) What grace is ... that God doesn't completely destroy us for our sinful acts. His grace is so amazing.   

What do you hate? Proverbs 8:13

Proverbs 8:13 - “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverted mouth, I hate.

What do you do if you hate something?   Do you embrace it?  Do you fellowship with it?  Do you hang with it?  Do you have secret rendezvous with it?   I am beginning to realize that in my battle with sin (pride, arrogance,  the evil way and the perverted mouth) I am less incline to treat sin as a hated thing.  Growing up I hated carrots.  You couldn't force me to eat a cooked carrot.   I would get physically sick at the smell of them.  I would often use the statement, "I hate carrots."   I would even take being sent to my room to avoid eating them.  My mom was an English teacher and she would tell me to either eat the cooked carrots or diagram a sentence she gave me.   I would choose to diagram a sentence.   That is what you do when you hate something.    So, too, we should feel about pride and arrogance.  However, in my walk in life I find I embrace my accomplishments as my own.   I tend to hide and embrace the evil way in the darkness of my heart.    If we really, really "fear the Lord," we will find that we avoid and hate sin.  So, where do you stand with it all?

What are the qualifications for a great leader? Psalm 78-80

What are the qualities of a good leader?   That is a question I have been asked so many, many times.   As an executive leadership coach and someone who works with organizations in regard to leadership, it would be good for me to have an answer to the question rather than a blank stare.   Today, in our reading I think I found a very good answer to the question - one that actually fits appropriately in today's world, even though it was written years and  years ago.  In Psalm 78 the writer is outlining for us the salvation and then the fall of Israel.   The writer let's us know that God did not abandon them. In fact, God sent them the best leader He could find and here is what God states were that leader's (David) qualifications:

Psalms 78:72 -So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them with his skillful hands.

God tells us that David had two things that made him the appropriate and qualified leader for Israel, His chosen people:  Integrity on the inside and skill-sets on the outside.  That may sound to general for some but think about the implications of what God is telling us.  Great leadership begins on the inside and then develops the necessary skills on the outside.   God uses our circumstances in life and our early development to develop those skill sets.  God is not looking for degreed people.  He is looking for obedient people.   In the preceding verses we read that God took David from the sheepherding union (v. 71).   We are so caught up in the formal education people have to have to be a qualification of great leadership.   God shows that He can train someone to have the skill sets from any walk of life (see Amos' story).   But, when we have integrity in our hearts we can do anything with our minds and our bodies.   God had David's heart.  That is the only piece He needed.   He gave David all the leadership training he needed with those "few" sheep.   If you are not yet a great leader realize that God is making you one with the sheep He gives you to tend.   He only needs your heart to make you a great leader.  

102 Soldiers die because of pride - 2 Kings 1-5

God respects humility and the Fear of the Lord.  In the story in 2 Kings 1: 10-15 we see that the king sent down a Captain of Fifty and his fifty soldiers with him to "retrieve" the prophet Elijah.  Because of the Kings presumption and the Captains arrogance God destroyed them with fire.   So, the King sent down a second Captain of Fifty.  But, that Captain didn't learn anything from the first, approach the prophet with equal strength and pride and met the same fate.   It wasn't until the third Captain of Fifty came that we see what humility and the Fear of the Lord can do for you.   Not only was this Captain of Fifty spared, he was also able to complete his task.  When we approach life with this attitude God promises many good things.   The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and when we have wisdom we make great choices to honor God in our lives.   Like the third captain of fifty we ought to learn from others when they approach God in arrogance and in their own strength.  This is a lesson for all of us as we maneuver through life.    God rewards humility and destroys arrogance.  God hates pride and the evil way.   

Should I use a question mark or an exclamation point?! Levitiicus 10-12

Questions seek to clarify, while statements seem to condemn.   In this story (Leviticus) of misunderstanding between Moses and his brother Aaron we have a great example of how to avoid further conflict in a conflicting moment.   The principle we should follow in a problem is to never let how we handle a problem, become a new problem and more predominant problem.  When Moses "thought" his brother Aaron should have offered a sacrifice in a different manner he could have immediately "condemned" Aaron.  After all we just read the story of Aaron's two sons offering an improper offering and both of the were immediately consumed by fire (see last years devotional).   So, everyone was rather sensitive about "doing the sacrifice" in the proper manner.   If Moses would have made a condemning statement, not only would the situation escalate, he would have been wrong.   But, instead of "confronting" Moses sought to "clarify."   Instead of using an "!", Moses used a "?" at the end of his sentence.  That difference between a straight line and a bent line can make the difference between a bent conversations and a straight solution.    Once Moses asked a question and Aaron answer it, the thing "seemed" right to Moses.   We do so much poor work in the conflict world when we used periods and exclamation points behind our sentences rather than question marks.   In the next conflict you have make sure you seek to clarify with questions rather than condemn with statements ... hard statements!

BPGINFWM! Philippians 1-2

If you ever want a prayer to pray over your children or over your loved ones or over yourself, Paul gives it to us in Philippians 1:6

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

The doctrine of God's completing HIs work in us is not just a tremendous doctrine to acknowledge, learn and know, it is one of the most reassuring doctrines in Theology.    What God started He will finish.   You and I may struggle with that thought because of our life experiences (which tends to trump doctrine in the struggle in our mind).   In life we see so, so many people who don't finish what they started.  It has become vogue in our society to start big and finish little, if not at all.  We see sports contracts based upon a reputation and the "beginning of life" and don't see them finish in the same manner.   We see it, at times in ourselves.   But, in God there is not that tendency to start and fail to finish.  In this one verse He introduces a doctrine we can rest our souls upon.   God will finish the salvation He started in us.  It may not look like He will when other see how we "perform" in front of them.   But, God is still working on us.   Long before the Live Strong bracelets became vogue there was a movement in Christian circles for this phrase:  BPGINFWM!    It didn't take on as a popular movement but the letters stood for: Be Patient, God Is Not Finish With Me!   Realize and rest in the doctrine of God sustaining work.   He is NOT finished with you and me, as of yet.  You can pray that prayer over you children today.  They may not look like they are moving in the direction "you" want them, but if God began something in them, He will finish.  He will finish it in a wayward spouse; He will finish it in a wayward church; He will finish it in a wayward teen.  God is not finished so don't count Him out.