Thursday, March 31, 2011

SOLO: Job 42:7-13 (Be careful throwing God's name around)

You can read today's passage by clicking here

I referenced this in yesterday's blog, but I wanted to dive into it a little bit more...

Let's focus on the third commandment, of “the Ten Commandments. The third one is easily misunderstood. If you don't know it, here it is: "No using the name of God, your God, in curses or silly banter; God won't put up with the irreverent use of his name." Exodus 20:7, The Message In the King James version I learned as a child it says "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain..."

As a child I learned that the third commandment meant that if you hit your thumb with a hammer, be sure to not say Jesus' name, or God with any curse word attached to it. While I think this a good rule of thumb (rule of thumb...haha...I kill myself) it's not the heart of the third commandment.

Job's buddies are in deep with God! Why? Because they've failed to be honest about God-about who he is and what he's about. They've taken God's name in vain. They've associated him with something he's not or had nothing to do with.

This is a biggie, because you and I can be guilty of this without giving it much thought. "God wants me to...", "God said I should...", "If you want to please God...". I don't think it was Job's pals' intentions to point him in the wrong direction. I don't think they maliciously set out to torture him with their words. I just think they had an opinion, felt they were right, and tied God to it. By the way, that's a very bad idea!

Be very careful what you tie God to. Too many people are guilty of manipulating others in the name of God. This is very upsetting to the Most High, as shown in Job 42. Be careful when you speak for God. Be careful you're not affiliating with your opinion so you can be right or have leverage!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

SOLO: Job 9:2-23

You can read the passage by clicking here

Couple of thoughts as I read this: Am I willing to be so honest as to assume my own innocence in the presence of God? I love that Job was willing to be so raw. Personally, I know I've never been able to stand before God and plead innocent. And while I know that Job wasn't sinless, I believe he understood that his circumstances weren't the outcome of his actions. In other words, I think Job had some real insight into his situation. I feel he was onto something.

That said, I also think Job was amiss. He was disillusioned by his circumstances. He wasn't completely innocent. He wasn't just and didn't even deserve to be in the room with the Almighty Judge.

I feel like everyone relates to job's story; we're all a little double-minded. Some good theology - some understanding, but still only seeing a piece of the picture. Most of us feel we're innocent when bad things start happening to us, but we're quick to forget our failures and shortcomings. It's only when our lives are exposed to the light of Christ that we're able to see the truth of who we are! May we be willing to be raw and vulnerable in the presence of God, but may we always remember our own frailty and may we choose to humble ourselves. If God is forced to humble us, it becomes humiliation!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

SOLO: Job 1:1-21

You can read today's passage by clicking here.

Do you ever wonder if your life is the kind that would show up in the Bible, or is that just me? I've always thought it would be so cool to be in the scriptures-to live a life worthy of being written about.

That's probably a little arrogant and has a lot to do with my ego, but I can assure you my intentions are good. I really do want to be that consistent. That's why I think Job's such a stud! He's not only written about, but God even points out his faithfulness to Satan. How crazy is that?

I wonder if God were going to make a case for us in front of Satan, would he have a leg to stand on (if God even has legs – I digress)? Would it be an open and shut case? Would there be any reason that Satan would fear our success? I'm afraid I'm much too inconsistent, emotional, and even hypocritical to be able to stand up against the stuff Job did. Yet he remained consistent.

How 'bout you? Could God bring your name up as a model of righteousness and consistency? Why or why not? Is this even feasible? Just a couple of questions to get you thinking...

Solo: Esther 7:3-10

You can read the passage by clicking here

I have a confession to make: there are times when I struggle to give grace and mercy. As a pastor, I should be the one out front, setting the tone, being generous and reckless in forgiveness. Often I wrestle with thoughts of judgment. I battle thoughts of "you reap what you sow" or "I knew this would happen" as I sit on my high horse of piety. In a turn of twisted irony, I will judge and evaluate other people for being arrogant and judgmental. This is a glimpse into my sometimes dark soul.

I think a lot of folks wrestle with this too. I know several who wage this war. Strangely, those far from Christ often have a better grasp on not being judgmental than those who are His followers. Somehow our being saved by His amazing grace brings thoughts of superiority and entitlement. Hopefully I'm the only person that thinks this way, but I somehow doubt it.

Reading a passage like this is tough. I have to be mindful of my emotions. My challenge in reading a passage like this is clear: Do not become a cheerleader for what's happening to Haman!

Yes, Haman did terrible things. Yes, I think Haman is getting what he deserved. No, he probably wouldn't have shown mercy in reverse. But I have to remember that justice suits me just fine when I feel like I'm the one who's been wronged or I care about the one who's been wronged. When I stand before the judge, I cry out for mercy, deserved or not!

The truth is, if we got what we deserve, we would all be eternally separated from God in Hell. Praise be to God, that he is liberal in grace, mercy, and forgiveness and that we don't have to get what we deserve. Instead, he lavishes love on us and calls us children.

Be careful not to be a cheerleader when judgment happens. Know that it is by grace you are saved, and that every step you take and every breath you breathe is granted by the Gracious God.

Monday, March 21, 2011

SOLO Bible Study - Esther 5:9-13

You can read the passage by clicking here

It's amazing how selfish, bitter, and naive I can become when I focus only on what I don't have rather than what I do have. It seems I'm predisposed to begin looking for more and better than what I already have. How ungrateful and egotistical I can become when I look only at what I don't have. How narcissiistic!

Paul wrote to the church in Phillipi,
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." (NIV) Paul learned the secret of being content.

He learned it.

This is not natural behavior. It's unreasonable for us to assume we will have feelings of contentment. We must learn why we're to be content and how we're to be content.

A couple of things that have helped me and would've helped Haman:

1) Count your blessings! Thank God for what you do have. Are you healthy? Do you have people that you love and love you back? DO you have any change in your pocket? DO you have any food in the fridge? Do you have clean water to drink? Do you use an indoor toilet? These are a few things that help keep me grounded, because the majority of people in the world are missing many of these things we take for granted.

2) Pray James tells us "You do not have, because you do not ask God." I regularly share my passions and wants with others, but don't commit them to prayer. How much am I trusting God in all this? When I make it a focus of prayer, I put it in GOd's hands. After all, he's good! He sets everything before me. He is the one in control. If he thinks it would be good for me to have it, then I can trust that.

3) Ask yourself, "Why do I want this?" James continues, "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." If your motive is simply for you, maybe your heart isn't where it needs to be. Maybe you're putting your treasure in things rather than God. What's your motivation?

These are just a few of my thoughts. What are some ways you can learn to be content?

Saturday, March 19, 2011

SOLO Day 55 - Esther 4:7-14

You can read today's passage by clicking here

The Holocaust is one of the darkest periods of modern history. Many historians believe more than 6 million Jews died at the hands of the Nazi regime. One charismatic leader with enormous power was able to hijack a nation's moral compass, and they chose to follow blindly down a devastating path. By the time men and women attempted to stand up to Hitler's regime and speak out, it was too late. Listen to Martin Niemoller, a German theologian and Lutheran Pastor:

"First they came for the Communists but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out; Then they came for the Socialists and Trade Unionists but I was not one of them, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Jews but I was not Jewish, so I did not speak out. And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me."

Martin Niemöller stood up against the Nazi regime. He was imprisoned in Sachsenhausen and Dachau concentration camps from 1937 to 1945. Martin Niemöller is a celebrated pacifist, and even after his death in 1984, is fondly remembered as a bright light in a dark time. But Martin Niemöller's own confession leads me to ask several questions.

Why didn't people speak out? Why didn't Christ-followers take a stand. Where were the courageous? Where were those with a spine? Why didn't we stand up sooner? I wonder if Martin Niemöller felt like he missed the opportunity to do what was right sooner?

2400+ years before the Holocaust the Jews were on the verge of being wiped out. A young Jewish woman sat on the throne as Queen of Persia when her surrogate father came to her, pleading for her to stand up! "Who knows? Maybe you were made queen for just such a time as this," he begged. Queen Esther did, and God saved his people, because one voice chose to speak up.

What opportunities and decisions are facing you right now? Is there anyone you need to stand up for? What is a God-sized risk that you need to take?

Who knows? Maybe you were made for just such a time as this.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Prayer for Japan

PRAYER FOR JAPAN

Written by Fr. Richard Rohr

Mysterious God,
Creator of atoms, earth, fire, water, and air,
We do not understand all that surrounds us,
We are only a part and a moment,
You are the All in All.

Surround, protect, and give ground
To our sisters and brothers in Japan.
They feel so afraid and so abandoned.
Yet we know You abandon nothing
That you have created,
Nor will you abandon them.

Love us all into the Larger Life
That Jesus revealed while being crucified.

With him and for them,
We pray in hope.
Amen.

SOLO Day 54 - Nehemiah 13:7-13

You can read the passage by clicking here

Isn't it amazing how easy it is to forget? I'm not sure if it's just human nature or what, but it's shocking how quickly we lose sight when things are good. We're so quick to forget what it was like for us when things were a wasteland.

Bill Hybels defines character as "who you are when no one's looking." Once Nehemiah returns to service for the king, those left in charge begin to slack on their responsibilities. The priests aren't taken care of, idol worship takes root, and leadership is scarce. Nehemiah's initial response is anger and frustration, but then he makes a great leadership decision. He places men that are trustworthy and hard-working in positions of leadership.

So here's my thought: what do you do when no one's around? What would you do if you knew you could "get away" with it? Just a couple of questions I need to ask myself. May you be diligent and not grow tired of doing good and may you succeed in doing well when no one is looking!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

SOLO Day 53 - Nehemiah 5:6-11

Let me tell you a story that has meant a lot to me. Seven years ago I was a young youth pastor, anxious to make a difference. I took a group of students to a church camp in Glorieta, New Mexico called Centrifuge. The camp was life changing, led to Carrie and I becoming FUGE staffers ourselves, and has had a tremendous impact on our lives. It's truly a story in-and-of itself.

But while I was at that camp, I met a youth pastor that has had a profound impact on my life and ministry. I've forgotten his name, but I'll never forget the 10 minutes he spent sharing with me. He had close to 70 students, which for me was monstrous. I was so envious. I wanted to have that many kids! So I asked him how he did it? His story went something like this: he was a youth pastor, had been successful in ministry, but had nearly killed himself trying to change the culture of the church he was in. He had done everything to try and make the church's youth program grow. But every program and every gimmick seemed to fail. The student ministry continued to be apathetic and small.

One night before church, his little boy asked him if he could accompany his father to "noof gwoop." His dad tried to correct him, hoping to help his son's speech. "UUUUUUUTTTTHHHHHHH," he sounded out. His son responded, "Yeth daddy! Noof gwoop, Noof gwoop! I need noof gwoop!" This youth leader shared with me that God began to speak to his heart about needing a NOOF group: a group focused on the Needs Of Others First. He looked at me and said, "only when you look to the needs of others will you be able to accomplish what God desires! I stopped focusing on growing and started focusing on the needs of students first!" That one statement was his secret to success. Kids were attracted to a group that looked for opportunities to serve. People naturally want to be aligned with something bigger than themselves. A NOOF group provided that.

Nehemiah calls people out on the carpet because they're only focused on themselves. This is hardly the only place this happens in scripture. God is very concerned with how we love others. Are you a "me" person or a NOOF person? Your answer is a strong indicator of your intimacy with God. God is a NOOF God! May we choose to be NOOF people!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

SOLO Day 52 - Ezra 9:10-15

You can read the passage by clicking here

Tell the truth: do you know anything about Ezra, except that he can pray an amazing confession for the people? Do you know his story at all? Is he one of the heroes of the Old Testament you've heard stories about?

Probably not.

Ezra was a different kind of leader. I envision him as more of a behind the scenes kind of guy. Studious and intelligent, maybe a little quiet and hard to get to know. But don't underestimate the importance of a leader like Ezra. They may not have the flash of a Moses or an Elijah, but they are incredibly important. Ezra was a student of God's word and Ezra knew God. When Ezra taught his words held power and significance-not simply because he was charismatic or intelligent, but because he taught out of what was in him.

There are plenty of razzle-dazzle type-A personalities out there who captivate us with their clever lyrics or impressive persona. But Ezra was true blue. He led out of who he was. He was consistent. His life was God's, and no one else's. He was the perfect leader for a time when the people of God needed a man with character. He led the people to repentance, reminded the people of their calling, interceded on their behalf, and spoke truth into their lives. It's no wonder that many believe Ezra is the author of Psalm 119, one of the most revered passages in all of scripture.

Perhaps you are called to be an Ezra. A leader who is all character and little pizazz! A person who walks with God rather than a speaker for Him. People who are willing to get in the trenches and be light in a dark world. Individuals who are willing to walk with God through the good and bad, stand in the gap for others, and lead by example. People whose actions are louder than their words. We need more Ezras. Will you be like him?

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

SOLO Day 51 - 2 Chronicles 30:1-9

You can read today's passage by clicking here

I'm so grateful that God welcomes me back with open arms. Being open-armed is a statement of major commitment. Allow me to elaborate.

If you think about it, being open-armed leaves you quite vulnerable. The area of the body that must be protected most is left completely vulnerable. The major organs are protected only by the thin skin, while the most important of organs, the heart, is protected only by a series of small bones. Stop and think about a God who is willing to leave himself wide open like that. A God that only does this for one thing: us!

It's more than ironic that Jesus would die on a cross with arms spread wide-open. Perhaps he died with arms spread so that we could remember his nature. An open-armed, open-hearted God who will do whatever it takes for us to be willing to accept his embrace!

SOLO Day 50 - 1 Chronicles 16:23-29

You can read the passage by clicking here.

This may be coming out of left field, but it's hard for me to serve a God more humble than I am.

I expect him to be more than me in all areas of life. I expect him to be more powerful, more knowledgeable, more spectacular. He should be bigger. Who wants to follow a god that's smaller than themselves? My God needs to be big, strong, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound type of stuff. He's got to be big, because I expect a bigger-than-life God.

Maybe "more" humility isn't an appropriate thought. Maybe less pride is a better description. Which seems a little oxymoronic: all powerful God = very little pride? Verses like this passage are interesting because I love words of praise. I'm sure God loves to hear it too. But while I long for them for reasons less than holy (boost my ego, encourage self-worth, feel important...) God wants it because he longs for us to love him. He's not needy-he knows we need him, and our confessions of praise are simply our acknowledging the need in our souls. He has less pride than we do because he's not self-serving, something I can't wrap my head around. Maybe that's just one more reason why he's good!

May we come to resemble the God who's more humble than we are, and may we sing his praise with our very lives!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

SOLO Day 48 - 1 Chronicles 11:10-11

You can read today's passage by clicking here

Who do you link arms with? Who in your life is worth going to battle for? Who in your life are you willing to follow into battle? Who do you cling to when life gets really hard? Who really knows you, your deepest secrets, your flaws and fears, and has your back anyway?

Do you have that person or persons in mind?

Do they know you feel this way?

Will you tell them today?

Friday, March 11, 2011

SOLO Day 47 - 2 Kings 22:11-17

You can read today's passage by clicking here

I think a couple things are clear after reading today's scriptures

1. God takes sin very seriously
2. Life is cause and effect. There are consequences to our actions.
3. God is patient, but unchecked habitual sin leads down a road no one wants to take.
4. At some stage in the process, there will be a tipping point when God responds. Be prepared for it.

My hope and prayer for you and I is that we take a long, hard look at our lives and ask ourselves, "Is there anything I'm holding onto, anything unconfessed, anything that's standing in the way of my relationship with God? If so, deal with it, before God has to!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

SOLO Day 46 - 2 Kings 11:17-12:2

You can read today's passage by clicking here

I don't know your thoughts on Jehoida, but I think it's clear he's not a man who reads his own press clippings!

Jehoida was at the top of the world. Under his command, he'd just led the people to return to what God had set in motion from the get go. "No other gods before me" was where the ten commandments begin, and Jehoida was putting that into play. He killed the false prophet and tore down the false gods and their shrines. He was riding a wave of public emotion. He easily could have implied that if were ruler, life would be different. he could've performed another coup and possibly gained the throne. Instead, he chose to serve as high priest, and Joash's council. Don't miss this!

He turned the throne over to a seven year old kid and chose to serve him!

Pretty significant. While I may have mixed emotions about how Jehoida went about things, I'm thoroughly impressed when it comes to his knowing his role!

May we never thrust ourselves into an opportunity simply because it looks good. And may we always be willing to give up what was never ours to begin with!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

SOLO Day 45 - 2 Kings 4:20, 24-29

You can read today's passage by clicking here

It is so hard to trust when life is full of disappointment, frustration, and unmet expectations. Things let us down. Circumstances don't go our way. The easy thing to do is pull back. Don't make yourself vulnerable. Don't get too close, so no one gets hurt-especially me.

Which is harder: trusting God or trusting others? I've wrestled with trusting people. But is my overall view of humanity jaded because I don't look at others the way God looks at them? And what about trusting God? Does it really come down to placing the responsibility on me rather than him for "justice" to be served? If so, have I been trustworthy enough to trust myself?

These are more thoughts into my head than the typical devotion generally contained here. I'd love to hear your thoughts...

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

SOLO Day 44 - 1 Kings 21:20-29

Here's today's passage...

Some quick questions to ponder...

Does it upset you to see God forgive so quickly regarding others?

When do you wish God would judge more quickly or harshly? Does it ever involve you? If so, is that selfish?

Why does God seem to be so long-suffering at times, yet short-tempered at others?

Is there anything that seems unfair about God's justice?

If I were given the opportunity to ask one question that God would have to answer, I feel confident it would be regarding his justice. The great news is intimacy with God is not hidden from us, so we can come to him honestly and openly with our questions and concerns. May you do just that as you look at the questions regarding this passage!

SOLO Day 43 - 1 Kings 17:7-16

Here's today's passage

What a great story! It's such a challenging passage, because I know if I only had enough to care for Carrie and myself one meal, I can't imagine making for someone else first. God is so clear-he desires for us to look to the needs of other people. I firmly believe this story represents the heart of the gospel: Trust God and serve others. It's incredibly hard. That's why this woman is amazing. It could have been so easy for her to trust in her common sense, or look at her circumstances and try to make it happen some other way. But she trusted God. Don't overlook verse 9: God instructed the woman. He gave her direction. I don't know when or how, but he directed her. So some big principles: she listened, she trusted, she acted. Am I? Are you?

SOLO Day 41 - 1 Kings 12:27-33

After reading today's passage, a thought came to mind: a Godly king never again sat on the throne in Israel after Jeroboam's sin. Now Im not implying that this was the reason. Each king had the chance to choose to follow God. But I do think it's interesting that from the time of the Israelites in the Exodus, God constantly warns against other gods. He repeatedly promises demise and destruction if this command is disobeyed. Jeroboam has just been given the kingdom by God, yet he can't seem to trust that his people won't desert him if they go back to worship in Jerusalem. So he sets up golden calves, just as Aaron did for the Israelites during the exodus, and God does what he says he'll do.

The worst part about this whole thing: the entire country suffers, because they follow their leader into worshiping false gods, and God brings judgment. Like I said before, not another Godly king will sit on the throne in Israel. It could have been different, if Jeroboam had just trusted what God had already given.

Use your influence wisely. Trust God completely. He has entrusted to you everything you are and have. You're decisions have the potential of impacting eternity. Who knows how many people are counting on you!

SOLO Day 40 - 1 Kings 8:22-30

Here is today's passage!

When was the last time you were this open and honest before God? Have you ever been?

I remember being told as a child that prayer was simply talking to God. But even now I find it can be uncomfortable to make myself so vulnerable to share my true thoughts. The sad reality is that I'd much rather act like everything is hunky-dory, just so I won't have to be honest about my thoughts and fears. If I'm honest, even with God, it means I have to think about the things I'd like to forget, the things I'm most scared of, the things that I can't control-though I desperately want to. Prayer can be incredibly uncomfortable.

But something that I thought was really interesting in this passage: Solomon did this, not just before God, but also in front of the entire congregation of Israel. In other words, in front of everyone.

Oswald Chambers once wrote, "Who we are in public is who we are in private". Solomon was able to be open and honest in public because he was transparent with God in private. It spilled out into his everyday life.

If you long to be more transparent & authentic, you have to start with who you are in private. Who are you when no one's looking? When there's no accountability present, what do you choose to do? This is a clear indication of the condition of your heart.

When it comes to your relationship with Christ, never "fake it 'til you make it!" Always stop and look inside. Look at who you are in private. Solomon forgot this later in life, and his relationship with God went south. Learn from his mistake. Who you are in public is who you are in private, or as Jesus said, "out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks."

SOLO Day 39 - 1 Kings 5:1-5

Click here for today's passage.

Coincidentally, I've been thinking about writing this post for weeks. What are you dreaming that's God-sized? The kind of stuff you could never accomplish on your own. the kind of aspirations that can only be achieved with divine intervention. As is mentioned in SOLO, your dreams need not be realized today or tomorrow. The question is are you still dreaming? If not, how come? Life is nothing but existence without dreams. Humans need hope, and much hope comes from dreaming.

What are you dreaming that's God-sized? Perhaps you need to be a little more childlike and forget limitations. I know I do.

“All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible.” -T.E. Lawrence

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

SOLO Day 38 - 2 Samuel 24:13-25

I extended the passage to include the final 13 verses of the chapter.

I did this because of my own conviction found in the last few verses of chapter 24. David has sinned against God and thousands of people have died due to his error. God has called off the angel delivering the destruction but then tells David to build an alter to him at a specific location. The man who owns the location is Araunah, and he offers to give the land and the sacrifice to David for free. David's response: No way! I'm not going to sacrifice anything that hasn't cost something.

It isn't just the thought that counts-it's the action.

Personally, I probably would have accepted what was offered freely and then chalked it up to God's provision. "God is favoring me because I'm doing what he asked!" But not David. He demands to pay a "good price"-he doesn't even demand a discount. In short, he refuses to give the minimum, because he understands that this represents what he's willing to give to God.

I wonder how this would change our world if we acted the same way. It's not that hard to give something we have plenty of. Ad truthfully, it's pretty easy to give leftovers rather than our best.

Maybe you remember the story of Cain and Abel. Cain killed his brother Abel because God accepted Abel's offering, but rejected his own. But do you know why Cain's offering was rejected? Cain's offering wasn't his best, or his first. His gift didn't honor God and exposed the true nature of his heart! He offered a sacrifice, but it cost him so little. God judged the heart of the offering, and it was rejected. Cain's response was intense bitterness and hatred, when the solution was to simply confess he didn't give his best.

God needs nothing from us and he's not interested in our half-hearted offerings. Our generosity and sacrifice show him our gratitude and the condition of our heart. David understood this, and demanded to give an offering that cost him something-it was important to give God his best!

By the way, this is in no way exclusive to money! What about our time? What about our talents and abilities? What about our very lives? Are we being generous with those things?

Is there any area where you're being stingy with God? Are you withholding your best or what's right in order to get by with the minimum of what's asked of you? May you see that God wants you, wholeheartedly. And may you see that when you give the minimum, it exposes the true condition of your heart.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

SOLO Day 37 - 2 Samuel 19:1-8

Take some time and read the passage here

Nothing but questions today: I regularly hear people talking about "balance" in their lives-Is this a biblical principle? Was Jesus balanced? Was Joab out of line with his request? Was David out of line with his emotions? When are we to care for our own emotions and when are we to look to the needs of others? Can they be independent from each other? Do they have to coincide? Are they synonymous?

Wrestling with these questions and more today!