March 31, 2009 - Exodus 40 & Acts 1

I would not normally have seen any connection between Exodus 40 and Acts 1, but today I did. Exodus 40 records the final set-up of the tabernacle. After all the preparation and construction, Moses leads the people in the arrangement of the tabernacle. They were obedient to all the instructions that God had given them. When the tabernacle is complete, a cloud moves in and fills the tabernacle. This, of course, is the glory of God. For the rest of their time in the desert, the cloud by day and fire by night, directs the children of Israel when to go and when to stay, by its presence in, or absence from, the tabernacle. Then I read Acts 1 and was reminded of the story of Jesus' ascension into heaven. There Luke records that Jesus was hidden from their sight by a cloud. I don't think that is a coincidence. I think this was a sign to the apostles that Jesus was now going back to God and would no longer be going in and out among them as He had for the last 40 days. I wouldn't think that the apostles missed the symbolism either. I did, however, until today.

March 30, 2009 - Proverbs 30

Proverbs 30:7-9 reduces our life to two requests of God: one, to "keep falsehood and lies far from me" and two, give me neither poverty not riches, but give me only my daily bread." The author of this proverb does not elaborate on the first so he must think that it speaks clearly for itself. He does, however, give us an explanation of the second. His explanation goes something like this, if I have too much I may disown and forget God altogether, basically relying only upon myself. If I have too little I may steal and therefore, dishonor the name of God. I think these are still valid thoughts for us. I don't think it is any coincidence that the most affluent nation in history is also one that generally worships at the idol of personal independence. Americans, probably above all, love the idea of the 'self-made man', who answers only to himself. Think about our heroes from movies, business, or politics. Very seldom are they the men who quietly and humbly work with others to accomplish great things. We love the guys who lay forth a vision and against all odds make it happen, no matter what it costs financially, physically, emotionally, or in terms of relationships. The writer of this proverb shows us the danger in that way of thinking, we can become fooled into thinking that we did it by ourselves and don't even need God, the grandest delusion of all. Let the words of this proverb ring in your mind and heart every time you catch yourself wanting a little bit more.

March 27, 2009 - John 17

I read Jesus’ prayer for unity yesterday (John 17) and thought all day about what I might be able to write about it that would do it justice. It is such a beautiful prayer and to think that is what was on Jesus’ mind just before going to meet his betrayer makes it even more remarkable to me. Anyway, I am in Chicago for a conference that has been planned a long time. I got a text yesterday morning that Phyllis’ brother’s wife went into labor with their first child and that they would be delivering in the hospital right across the street from my hotel. Needless to say, I was anxious to finish the conference for the day and get to the hospital. There I spent the evening with my brother-in-law’s in-laws, people I have met only 2-3 times over the last 3-4 years. As the evening passed, and the baby, a lovely baby girl with her father’s dimpled chin, was born, it became apparent to me that we, a loosely-bound family, had tremendous unity regarding this blessed event. There was so much unity in fact, that the nurses had to ask us more than once to wait in the Waiting Room rather than hover in the hallway outside the closed door where the family was being enlarged. I pray, with Jesus, that we as believers experience that same kind of unity, through joy and struggle. It certainly will let the world know and draw them toward belief.

March 25, 2009 - Exodus 34

Moses had some very special encounters with God, maybe more than any other man. Exodus 34 records another one of those instances. The Lord comes down in the cloud and it says that He “stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord.” To stand in the very presence of God and hear God proclaim His name to you would certainly qualify as very special encounter in my book. But God goes on from there and uses the next two verses to proclaim more about Himself. It is almost as if God is introducing Himself to Moses. So what was Moses response? Like all of us will do one day, he “bowed to the ground at once and worshiped.” Is it any wonder that, later in this chapter we see that when Moses went down from the mountain, Aaron and the children of Israel noticed that Moses’ face was radiant? Coming near to God rubs off on you!

March 24, 2009 - John 15

Are we supposed to be hated and persecuted by the world or was Jesus saying that would be a natural consequence of our standing strong for him? I don't know about you, but I don't often feel hated or persecuted. Should that be something about which I should be concerned? Does it mean that I am not doing everything that I should or that I am not living like I have been called? Jesus' words in John 15 don't leave doubt. He says that if the world hated and persecuted Him, and we know that it did, then it will hate and persecute us. He didn't say they may, He said they would. So, if we aren't feeling that is it because something is lacking in us?

March 23, 2009 - Exodus 32

How could they? We have a tendency to ask how the Children of Israel could be a part of worshipping an idol so soon after all they had witnessed God doing for them. How could Aaron betray his leadership responsibilities so quickly and so thoroughly? While Moses was on the mountain discussing God's plan for Aaron's priesthood, Aaron was succumbing to the temptation to follow the pack and provide an idol for them to worship. This incident serves as a vivid reminder that none of us is ever very far from sin. As Paul wrote several hundred years later in I Corinthians 10:12, "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall." It is easy to think that we could never fall so far, so fast. But don't we really know ourselves better than that?

March 21, 2009 - John 12

What would we do if Jesus were right here with us? If He were having dinner with us in our home, at our table? John 12 records that Mary gave extravagantly, taking a whole pint of an expensive perfume and pouring it on His feet, so much so that the smell filled the whole house. She gave without reservation. Or would we be more like Judas, who criticized this extravagance and suggested that the wealth could have been given to others? But John gives us insight and says that Judas wasn't really concerned for the poor, but himself. Which would we be more like if we were entertaining Jesus? Well, you may not have thought about it, but you are entertaining Jesus right now. He is with you in your home, at your meals, in your car, in your office, everywhere. Are you spending your life extravagantly on Him or are you holding back for yourself? Do you want to be more like Mary or Judas?

March 20, 2009 - John 11

I have been struggling with the ideas and actions that are coming from our new President and his leadership team. I am finding it difficult to effectively pray for him and these others who seem so determined to step as far away from morally right decisions and policies as possible. In times like this, the only comfort I have found is the fact that God is still on the throne and that He is still in control. The prophet tells us that His thoughts are higher than our thoughts and his ways higher than our ways, for which I am very grateful. I don't want a God that my puny little mind can comprehend! We see a small example of this in John 11 when Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. Jesus knew that Lazarus was dead and that he would raise him when He discussed him with His disciples, but they didn't get it. Even when Jesus arrived and told Martha that her brother would live again, she didn't get it, assuming Jesus was talking about the resurrection of all. Sometimes God just has a bigger plan in mind and we have to trust Him. That is certainly OK with me. His plans are always best.

March 18, 2009 - John 9

Ever get into a religious, philosophical, or doctrinal discussion or argument with someone you are trying to influence for Christ? It doesn't do much good, does it? It is a very rare person who is truly open and will be convinced by any points that you will make. Like the old saying, "Those convinced against their will, are of the same opinion still." We see a little bit of this is John 9. Jesus has healed a man born blind. The Pharisees are investigating the healing, especially because it took place on the Sabbath. They bring the former blind man before them a second time and question him regarding whether or not Jesus is a 'sinner'. The man's reply is one that serves as an example for us. He says, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!" They could argue all day about whether or not Jesus was a sinner and not make any progress. The man says this is what he did for me. He is the proof. He is standing before them. It is indisputable. That is what we should focus on as well when trying to influence. Share what Jesus has done for you!

March 17, 2009 - Exodus 26

In Exodus 26, God gives Moses some very specific directions on the construction of the tabernacle. In fact, verse 30 says that Moses should "Set up the tabernacle according to the plan shown you on the mountain." It appears that this was so important to God that He gave Moses a list of materials to use, the pieces to construct, directions on how to construct them, directions on how to assemble them, the furniture to make to go inside, where the furniture should be place inside, and then showed him how to do it while Moses was on the mountain. Talk about laying out a blueprint! We are grateful for directions when we are constructing or assembling something and follow them without fail when we want it to be 'just right'. When it comes to how to live our lives, aren't we a little more cavalier? God has given us a detailed 'blueprint' for that as well, in His Word, the Bible. Do we even take the time to read it and try to understand it, much less try to follow it?

March 16, 2009 - John 7

There is a current commercial series with the tagline, "Timing is everything". From reading John 7, we see that time played a role in Jesus' life and ministry as well. Twice in this chapter it is said things didn't happen because the right time had not yet come. First, Jesus delayed going up to the Feast of Tabernacles in a very public way, apparently so that His arrival would draw less attention. Later, some tried to seize Jesus because of some things He was teaching in the temple courts, but they were unable to lay a hand on him 'because his time had not yet come.' This talk of timing makes it clear that there was a definite plan to Jesus' life and ministry. A special way in which the details were to be orchestrated and fulfilled. For that to happen sometimes required discipline by Jesus and sometimes required supernatural protection.

March 14, 2009 - John 5

Does it seem odd to you that a man who was healed miraculously, did not know who provided that healing? That is the case in John 5. Jesus asks the man if he wants to get well and then tells him to get up, pick up his mat and walk. The man does so and, according to verse 13, doesn't even know who has given him these directions and performed this miracle. It certainly seems odd to me. Most of the time when Jesus heals, He makes some mention of the person's faith contributing to the healing. Here it seems that faith plays no part, because the man doesn't even know that it is Jesus. I don't pretend to know or understand why this is the case, but it makes me wonder. How about you?

March 13, 2009 - John 4

Jesus initiated a conversation with a woman. His disciples found Him talking with a woman and were surprised. Surely they were surprised because they didn't know Him very well, yet. Jesus told her that He was the Messiah. She believed Him and immediately started telling the whole town. They believed because of her testimony and eventually came to believe because of their own experience. No miracles necessary. All this took place in a land where they were supposed to be pre-disposed against Jews, and therefore, God. Jesus then went to a land filled with 'good Jews', who should have been pre-disposed toward belief in His coming. His experience there was very different, causing Him to say, "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders, you will never believe." Which kind of people are we?

March 12, 2009 - Exodus 21

Ever wonder where the price for Jesus' betrayal came from. I wonder if I found a clue today. It may come from the Old Testament law, which would make sense. Exodus 21 says that if a bull gores a person, the owner of the bull must pay thirty pieces of silver. Sounds familiar doesn't it. What I left out was that the person who was gored by the bull was a slave. Thirty pieces of silver was the price set for the life of a slave. So we see no inflation for the hundreds of years from the giving of the law until Jesus' time. We see no premium or up charge because He claimed to be the Messiah. The price was the same. But doesn't that fit our Lord. He who washed the feet of His disciples and Paul described in Philippians as having taken "the very nature of a servant". That is the extent to which He would go to save us. Every detail of His life fits together perfectly to show us His love. Even down to the price paid for His betrayal.

March 11, 2009 - John 2

I have often wondered about Jesus' first miracle and the circumstances surrounding it. Seems rather odd to me, but then who am I, that His first miracle would be something like this. Something that did not effect someone's health or life, but seems to only 'save face' for the bride, groom, and their families. What was Mary's role in this situation? Why would she feel so compelled to involve her son? Jesus' first answer to her seems to go along with what our minds would expect. "My time has not yet come." Almost as if to say, I don't think this is something in which I should involve myself. But then, like all mothers, Mary knows how to get what she needs from her son. At this Jesus does intercede and we have His first miracle. Did He act primarily out of respect and honor for His mother? If He had not acted, would He have been guilty of dishonoring her? It is a very interesting situation to me and one for which I guess we won't have answers in this life.

March 10, 2009 - Exodus 19 & John 1

The Children of Israel prepare to come close to God. They must consecrate themselves, wash their clothes, and not cross certain lines. God is great, awesome, and powerful! They have witnessed this in the plagues on Egypt leading up to their escape from the land of their bondage. They have seen it in their crossing of the Red Sea and the Egyptians drowning. They have enjoyed water, manna, and quail in the desert from God's hand and they have been victorious in battle over the Amalekites. They followed instructions and came near God. Fast forward several hundred years to the first chapter of the Gospel of John. That same God, with all the same power, now comes near us. No special instructions, just His desire to be near us. Not so much for the short years of His life on earth, but for all eternity. He makes that possible. The same all-powerful God allows life to be taken from His body, so that true life may come. Let the miracle of incarnation overwhelm you.

March 9, 2009 - Luke 24

In Luke 24 we see the disciples progress from disbelief to fear to joy. We see the description of the empty tomb, but there is no picture of understanding that goes with it. The disciples don't have the benefit of our two thousand years of emotional removal and perspective. In fact, Luke writes that they don't even believe the women who have reported that the tomb is empty! We also see fear. Luke says when Jesus comes into their midst they think He is a ghost. His first order of business is to try to calm them and prove to them that He is real, not a ghost. Finally, after many days, we see the joy of the disciples. Jesus ascends into heaven and Luke records their joy. I guess they knew that He was not coming back for a long time this time, so why the joy? He had made a promise. The promise was that someone else was coming from the Father. How much do you think they understood about who was coming?

March 6, 2009 - Psalm 86

Like every morning, this morning I read a Psalm and tried to use the words as my words in a prayer. Today I was to Psalm 86 and it fit perfectly. In fact, in my Bible the heading even says "A prayer of David". (Not me, of course.) This is a beautiful prayer of David, with many meaningful phrases. I especially appreciated the last half of verse 11 and verse 12, "give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart." That certainly is a large part of my daily prayer. To be whole devoted and to praise whole-heartedly.

March 5, 2009 - Exodus 14

Exodus 14 is a good reminder for all of us that we never really see the whole picture that God sees, so we should never doubt that He has everything in His control. In the first 4 verses God basically tells Moses that He is going to lay a trap for Pharoah and all his army. The story proceeds according to God's plan and Pharoah and his army pursue the Children of Israel into the desert. Israel sees the army and starts to panic. One of my favorite lines of panic is "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?" Yeah, that's right. God, Pharaoh, and Moses conspired to get rid of the Children of Israel so they concocted this plan, including those 10 plagues and the killing of the firstborn of every Egyptian, so that they could get the Children of Israel into the desert when killed just so they wouldn't take up all the cemetery plots in Egypt?!! That is a good example of how we think when we are panicked. Anyway, Moses tells them not to be afraid and that they need only be still. Sounds like a good Psalm, huh? Then the Lord tells Moses to stop crying out to Him and move on. There's a lesson for us in there, too. Anyway, I think we know the 'rest of the story'. It was a good reminder for me today.

March 4, 2009 - Luke 19

I can't tell you how many times I have read, or heard, the description of what we call Jesus' Triumphal Entry. I read Luke's version again this morning and saw something different. I guess I always thought that the disciples gathered there alongside the road praised Jesus because they had some small glimpse of who He was and what He had come to do. I knew that they most likely thought that He had come to assume an earthly kingdom, overthrowing Rome and putting Israel in power again, so I was surprised when I noticed something new to me in Luke 19:37. There Luke records the reason the crowds were praising Jesus. He writes, they "began to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen." I thought, that sure is shallow. They were praising Jesus because they saw some unique sights, some works of power they had never seen, some 'magic tricks' that mystified them. Jesus had spent time and energy teaching them the through the Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes, and many parables, and living almost three years with them, and they give him praise for the miracles. Then it hit me, that we are just like them. We often go for the 'show' and not the 'substance'.