Matthew 5:48

I got started late because of a snow storm, no school, a new baby in the house...the list goes on and on, but I did finally get started reading the Bible as I had posted in December. Now at least once a week I want to comment on something in the readings for the week that jumped out at me. I started in the New Testament with the Gospel of Matthew and here is what jumped out at me in chapters 1-7...

"You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:48 ESV 

I  have no problems proclaiming God is perfect. In fact, I would argue against anyone who would say God is less than perfect, however, I have never before noticed that I too am to be perfect. I know all about sanctification and how we are on a journey to being sanctified or complete or perfect as different versions interpret the text. And I buy into that...I am to be more Christ like...more perfect even daily as I follow after Jesus. It takes work, it is a discipline, it is my spiritual maturity I am speaking of. Just as any normal person matures physically as they grow older, we ought also mature spiritually as we age. What really jumped out at me in the text was that I MUST be perfect as God is perfect. That's the requirement to get to heaven...talk about setting the bar high! If we were to attain that we would never lie, slander, speak or think evil, lust and we would easily love both friends and enemies.

In context Jesus is not telling us we must work harder to achieve perfection in this life...he is telling us we cannot reach it in conjunction with the Law. What we really  need is a righteousness that is apart from the Law. We need Jesus!

"The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ is for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith."        Romans 3:22-25

Now as I re-read Matthew 5:48, in God's eyes I AM perfect. Thank you, Lord!

Re-start...with a Purpose!

I have been absent for over a year...busy, distractions, more important things to do...I've got many excuses, but I guess that really doesn't matter. Bottom line is I am planning to post again starting in January. I thought I would do something a bit different though...I am attempting a new discipline for  reading the Bible beginning Jan 5. My plan is to read 7 chapters each day for a week (that's the same 7 chapters for seven days) in an attempt to let the Word speak to me. This is not a plan to simply read thru the Bible in a year, but rather a plan to become intimately familiar with scripture...more familiar than I am now...perhaps to the point of memorizing large blocks of scripture. I will start with the New Testament, specifically Matthew and I intend to post at least weekly, maybe more often, on what I am seeing, hearing, learning from my study. So plan to check in each week, my hope is that we will grow in both knowledge and devotion to our Lord.

Labor Day 2012

So it’s Labor Day, and Anna and I have been ‘laboring’ over her homework since she missed a week of school due to her tonsillectomy. For some reason it really doesn’t seem right, but I don’t want her to know that because she is certain it isn’t right! Regardless, Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house the builders labor in vain.” I wonder how much laboring we have done in vain…I wonder how much vain laboring we are even aware of?! Too often I have found myself running ahead of God, working at a frenzied pace, only to find that God was busy on another project. Frustrating yes, but also an exhausting and humbling experience…one I don’t care to repeat. So how does one make sure you do not labor with the Lord? Never take your eyes off of Him. Stay in constant communication with Him…that is not only talking to God, but more importantly, listening to God. It is only then that I can rest assured that I am working in His power. Now, back to studies…math, history, reading, & spelling done…language and science to go. I pray our work is not in vain…Happy Labor Day!

Complaints Become Prayer

Concerning Habakkuk’s Complaint (see yesterday’s blog)…I’ve got to tell you that when I first read it I was upset that the translator’s had titled it a complaint. I mean, wasn’t he just crying out to God and others to make them aware of the injustices around them? Well, after I re-read it a few times I realized he was just complaining to God. Whenever we repeatedly see the word “I” in reference to a person’s will and not to God’s will it is often a complaint…or soon turns into one. However in Habakkuk’s case the complaint turns into a prayer in chapter 3. That is key, I think, to our complaining to God. I am not sure there is anything inherently wrong with complaining to God…at least we are in conversation with God rather than turning from or ignoring God. But far too many people get stuck in the complaint mode and never listen to God. That is a problem! And as a result, they never move to prayer. We’ve got plenty to complain about with America in the shape it’s in, perhaps more than Habakkuk had…and we seem to be gifted at complaining, perhaps better than any generation before us. But in our day there are few who seem to move to a state of prayer…fervent prayer. I am not sure the reason, I suspect it varies greatly for each person, but unless and until we do, God continues to move but we never see His hand at work…and are robbed of joy.

Habakkuk's Complaint

Today I read the book of Habakkuk (it's a short, powerful book and you should try it!) and I must tell you it hit me between the eyes…here’s how it starts out in chapter 1, verse 2-4 from the NLT:

How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save. Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted.

Sounds like it could have been written for the first time yesterday doesn’t it! Goes to prove human nature does not change…however the part that hit me between the eyes was verse 5: The Lord replied, “Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it."

Now there’s our hope! God is at work, even today, in ways that we cannot, or would not believe. Praise His name for His work and for His faithfulness.

Lean In

Here is the best church video I have ever seen...bar none! It is also oozing with truth...what do you think?

Warning!

So, I am back and in the office now, but there is so much to do after you’ve been gone a week or two…add to that some other distractions and I am just now getting back to posting. I had a great time with the youth and did some reading while gone, studying ahead our Bible study lessons, and I must tell you Matthew 7:21—23 hit me between the eyes. First of all my Bible titles the subsection “Warning”…now that got my attention, but my ears really perked up when I realized (again) that Jesus was speaking about (us) believers in this passage. “Not everyone who calls me their Lord will get into the Kingdom of Heaven.” Got your attention?! He is speaking to us…and they respond by saying, “We preached in your name, and in your name we forced out demons and worked many miracles.” Have you read the passage yet? These gospel-preaching, demon-exorcising, miracle-working followers will NOT get into the kingdom of heaven! Anyone else feeling worried? Well, you shouldn’t! Jesus goes on to give us the criteria for making it to heaven: “Only the ones who obey my Father in heaven will get in.” Gives surrender a new meaning doesn’t it? No wonder Jesus taught us to pray, “Thy will be done…” I'm thinking we ought to give this some attention, and my prayer is that each of us might take our eyes off the things we want do for God (our will) and focus on what he wants us to do (His will) with our lives…no matter how small or insignificant they might seem.

We Have Arrived!

I just want to drop a line and let everyone know we made it to Sager Brown Depot at Baldwin, LA this afternoon. It was a 12+ hour drive and the kids did a great job putting up with us adults! It was a rather boring drive until we got into the swampy areas of Louisiana, and then the excitement ran high as every floating piece of driftwood looked like a threatening alligator! If you are not familiar with Sager Brown, it is the original UMCOR Depot Warehouse that distributes items such as flood buckets, sewing kits, & medicine kits, along with many other items around the world (mostly after natural disasters such as floods). Pray for the youth as we work this coming week…pray that we might truly be the hands and feet of Jesus as we do our small part in meeting the needs of hurting and suffering people all around the world. Hopefully, I will be able to post more thru the week.

Too Old or Too Weak?

I am feeling old today. Not because I recently celebrated my birthday, but because of something I just read. The most common human being on the earth today is 28 years old…that makes me doubly common! Did you hear that? There are more 28 year-olds living in the world than any other age. Sound young? Even the medium age in the U.S. is 35 years-old. Now, aside from making me feel much too old, it also causes me to wonder how do we reach these 28 year-olds with the ancient and true message of eternal life? Think just a minute…these (young) folks grew up on television, came of age with computers, and today expect to know what is going on around the world in an instant. I am not sure doing church as we did in the 50’s…or 60’s or even 70’s will work...at all! Still, the power of the Holy Spirit transcends time…even our times. I think the biggest problem we face today is choosing to work in our power and not in the power of the Spirit. If Jesus Christ truly is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), which I understand to include our today, then He still has the power and desire to do the miraculous…including healing, feeding, teaching, and saving. So, what’s really the Church's problem? I am not sure we can blame the times in which we live as much as the power in which we (try to) operate.

Which Race Will You Run?

So the Olympics are going on in London and those who know me will know my reaction…big deal. However, the other day I happened to catch the gymnasts (I am not even sure which country they were from) as they ran and flipped and twisted and landed perfectly. And I must confess my reaction was, “I want to do that!” Not physically of course…that would be the end of me. But spiritually…I want to do that spiritually. I want to diligently train and discipline my life in order that I might repeatedly perform spiritually in a manner worthy of receiving a medal. That is what Paul was speaking of when he wrote to the Philippians in chapter 3. “¹⁴ I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” The race we run in this life, if run properly, is worth more than any medal…bronze, silver, or gold. But it's up to us. Will we run the race of life with earthly goals in mind, or will we fix our eyes on the Author and Perfecter of our faith and the prize he holds for us?

Preposterous

Check it out...this is not your momma's Bible study!

Back Home!

Just returned from annual conference where we spent three days listening to some of the best preaching in the country! I tried to embed this video, but my mind is too fried to figure it out, so here's a link for the first session that Jorge Acevedo, lead pastor of Grace Church in Cape Coral, FL gave about building healthy teams. Watch the video and if you want more info go to their website at http://www.egracechurch.com/. I've also included a link to Bishop Palmer's presentation on risk taking missions with the poor. Enjoy!

Jorge Acevedo 1st presentation

Risk-Taking Missions: Poverty

Peoria or bust!

As I write today I am only half here…the other half is continually going thru a mental check list of what I need and what will be going on at Annual Conference later this week. We meet annually to conduct the business of the conference but more important, at least for me, is the opportunity to worship. There will be a memorial service, a service of ordination, a service for those retiring, and finally, a service of appointments. It is great to meet with several of my colleagues and friends that, because of geographical distances, I no longer see routinely…it is even better to meet God there! If you haven’t started yet, begin praying for the conference today…for the business meetings, for the services, for traveling mercies for all those attending. If you want you can follow the conference online at http://www.igrc.org/annualsession, where you can even watch a live stream of the business sessions and services. I am not sure exactly what my schedule will be for the rest of the week, but I will try to post some from Peoria between activities. If that doesn’t happen, know this: God is still on the throne!

Fear of What?!

The second chapter of Francis Chan’s book, “Forgotten God” asks believers what I think is the most relevant question before us concerning the Holy Spirit or God for that matter: “What are you afraid of?” It seems that fear drives may people in our day…both outside the church and inside. We’ve even got a scientific name for it…is anyone really surprised by that? Theophobia is the fear of religion or of God…this is not the healthy fear of the Lord that we read about in Scripture, which by the way is the beginning of understanding (Proverbs 1:7)…this is an irrational fear that grips us and refuses to let go. That’s what I think Chan is speaking of…fear that God might be right and I might be wrong. Fear that God wants to do something in my life and I am not sure I want to go there. Fear that I might be seen as a radical or a “religious” person, I mean, what would others think? Fears like these cripple disciples (I use the term loosely), causing their lives to be spent worrying and wondering what might have been, rendering their witness virtually useless for Kingdom purposes. It’s a sad day when satan can render someone useless because of what might be. The Holy Spirit offers us assurance, boldness, confidence and power. No fear here!

Being Fruitful

In John 15 Jesus talks about being the true vine and we are the branches…I am not sure many understand the gravity of this chapter. It is full of words like “you will” and “you can”…I don’t find any “if you want to’s” in the text. Jesus says we will bear fruit (not to be confused with being fruitful in Gen. 1:27!) if we are his branches. Actually, it says those branches who do not bear fruit will be pruned! And so many people believe they are bearing fruit for Christ by doing those nice little things that they enjoy doing for the Kingdom. However, a branch does not decide what fruit it will bear, the vine dictates that. The branches on a grapevine will not produce peaches. A branch on a cherry tree will not produce apples. The vine and/or tree decide that. If we are in Christ we will produce the fruit HE produced. Being religious or holding an attendance record at Sunday school is not Jesus’ idea of fruit. Jesus’ fruit is loving the unlovable, having compassion on the brokenhearted, and healing the hurting. Kind of makes that perfect attendance pin look like the cheap costume jewelry it really is! So rather than doing the things we want to do and claiming it as fruit, we are to “produce fruit that will last” (verse 16). Then Jesus goes on to broadly define exactly what fruit that will last is in verse 17, “So I command you to love each other.” Any questions?

Memorial Day

Coming Soon!

I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you something that is coming to the area later this summer. It is the Museum of Earth History Mobile Museum. The Mobile Museum will be at the Latona Church of Christ in Wheeler, IL on June 24 thru 29 from 6—8:30 each evening. For someone who believes in the relevance of science in our lives and the truth of Scripture, organizations like the Creation Truth Foundation help those of us who are much less than scientific to integrate science with the truth of Scripture. Thanks to the Latona Church of Christ for bringing the museum to the area! For more information on the Museum you can go to the Creation Truth Foundation homepage at http://www.creationtruth.com/. Go to the “Ministries” tab on the top left of the page and drop down to “Mobile Museum” link...you can also call the church at (618) 783-3718.

Technology vs. Prayer

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. ⁸For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”     Matthew 7:7-8

As I write I am watching and listening to a live stream of the Kansas West Annual Conference. I watch it because in two weeks I will be attending our own annual conference and even though theirs is two states away, we do have several issues in common. I’ll be honest, I am also listening because, like during General Conference 2012, of the wonders of technology. With the ability to watch a live stream from wherever and to see tweets or posts from others who are interested in the event, if not there, truly brings our worlds closer together…technology is enabling us to become the Body of Christ in real time! I mention this because as instant and wonderful as today’s technology is, it is old school when compared to our ability to connect with God thru prayer. Not only do we have instant access to the throne room of God, we have His ear. That is not always the guaranteed answer we want to hear, but better than that it is a promise from our Lord and Savior that the Creator of the universe, the Great Physician, the Eternal Heavenly Father, that God Almighty responds to our cries and questions.

Choose This Day

"But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”    Joshua 24:15

I want to share with you from The Fire of the Word, by Chris Webb. He writes, “Being ‘holy’ doesn’t seem very desirable to many people in our contemporary society. Those who speak up for virtue are often derided as moralistic, sanctimonious or holier-than-thou. The media reacts sharply against ‘preachy’ public figures who presume to tell us how to order our private lives. And those who appear to be living lives of moral rectitude are treated with suspicion: can they really be so pure?” (pg. 163). Sad but accurate commentary on today’s world isn’t it? So many have abandoned the way and will of God that it is no longer the goal we seek. Instead we have placed self on the throne and anything that might even suggest a better way to live is dismissed as foolishness. Could that be because many who talk of holiness do not live it? Too often church people are the reason others don’t attend church…it’s not that they’ve gotten into an argument or dispute with God, but with one of His children! Admit it, at times we are witness not to the goodness and power of the Risen Lord, but to the lord of this fallen world. Remember the saying, “You might be the only Jesus someone will ever see?” It’s true. Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 1:27, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise…” Sounds like a second chance for many of us! Let’s allow God to use us to show the world (or that specific person) what being ‘holy’ really is…not perfect but surrendered and set apart for the glory of God regardless of what our society says.

What Would You Do?

“Those who say that they live in Him must live the same way He lived” - 1 John 2:6 GWT

I’ve taken a few weeks off from blogging to mostly do some reading. I had already planned to start sharing again today and I had a supposedly profound thought to give you (but perhaps God thought not so much)…however I felt the Spirit of God really wants me to share this: I had a car wreck last week and it was my fault. Not really a big deal…no one was hurt; both our cars received damage; and I made a mistake that caused the accident. Now, here’s what is bugging me. There were no witnesses to this accident and I am not sure why that matters, but I continue to run into people who, when they find this out, say they are surprised that I would so freely admit to being wrong. Forgetting it is the truth, either this is a statement on my credibility (could they be so surprised that I would admit fault…I mean do I appear to be the lying thief type?) or it is an indictment on society’s inability to stand for truth and be held accountable. I pray you are not still dwelling on my credibility and have moved on…on to the sad fact that people have told me I should not have admitted fault. Two of these are supposed Christians (thank God not from Beulah)! HELLO! Does anyone else see the red flags waving? Why is it we resist being held accountable? If it is acceptable practice, at least by some both in and outside the church to justify our every action…even when we know it’s wrong, it is no wonder people will not confess sin. And if we are willing to lie about something as insignificant as this, will we not lie about things with greater consequences? I ran across 1 John 2:6 the following day and when someone questioned me I shared it with them. They just looked at me as if I were crazy. God help us!