Saturday, April 7: Galatians 3- The amazing presence of the Holy Spirit.

When I think about New Testament books that speak about the Holy Spirit, Galatians is not a book that comes to mind. I think that is why all the talk about the Spirit in this chapter surprised me.

Arguing for faith in Jesus rather than works of the law as the saving event, Paul appeals to the presence of the Spirit in their lives. He probes:

I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? So also Abraham "believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness" (2-6).

I read and re-read these verses. The Holy Spirit and miracles –Paul's language indicates that the Spirit is responsible for the miracles –are proof that faith (believing) is our connection to God, not the law!

As I pondered this I am convicted by the state of the church today. I don't know any pastor who would point to the presence of the Spirit and miracles as proof that faith is the doorway to life in God. This pierces my heart, largely because I, as a pastor, would not think to use this argument. Uugh.

What has happened?

Where has the wonder of the Spirit gone? Where is His power? Where is the expectation that God will do what only God can do?

My heart is wondering and lamenting at the same time…

Lord, is there something in me blocking the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit's work seems so matter of fact in Paul's writings. I am wondering why that isn't the case in my life or the life of the church I know in my country and throughout much of the world.

Lord, open me more fully to the work of the Spirit. If there are any blocks in me, remove them, I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

 

Friday, April 6: Galatians 2- Wise mature Christ-honoring counsel.

Given the wonder of having the Bible in my language, and deep desire to spend time in the Word, there is a potential problem that I begin to read it as a 'loner' or individual. This can be multiplied when in addition to Scripture we consider those things God speaks to us personally.

What is a check and balance that I am not running off in a wrong direction, deceived –even sincerely deceived –by my best thinking? The body of Christ, wise sisters and brothers, in the present and throughout history… this is my safety net.

I was impressed as Paul continued giving his testimony. In verse 1-2, he writes: Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain.

It was the words I bolded that caught my attention. Paul was a man of the word, steeped in the OT as a student of Gamaliel would be. He also knew what it was to speak directly with the risen Lord and to be directed by dreams and visions. Still God directed him (notice the words, I went in response to a revelation) to seek out other esteemed leaders.

Ahh, the wisdom of trusted brothers and sisters. Over and over again in my life I have benefited from the counsel and wisdom of other believers… checking a thought, processing what seems like a word from the Lord, and keeping my theology within the bounds of orthodoxy. Like Paul I want to be sure that I am not running my race in vain.  However, let me say, I need mature men and women of the word who will give me truth not just what I want to hear!

So you have people you trust, esteemed friends with whom you can seek the Lord together or at least discern things together. This is a gift…

Think about it…

Lord, thank You for men and women in the body who have counseled me, and helped me, hear, discern and live out my faith in You. Thank You for the wisdom of the church of the ages and esteemed leaders who keep me on track with You. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

 

Thursday, April 5: Galatians 1- The present evil age.

Many chapters in the New Testament have numerous touchstones, places that call out for deeper contemplation. I never quite know what verses the Lord will highlight and have me return to contemplate. Today it was an element in a description that I cannot recall pondering before. The thought that grabbed me was in verse 4 but I will include the immediate context of verses 3-5.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

While every day the news' feeds blare about this bad thing and that tragedy, wars and terrorist bombings, school mass-shootings, the opioid crisis and yet, I never really consider our present age evil. Oh, evil things happen but to paint that age as evil is a different view of things than I would normally have.

But as I consider this Paul is far more accurate and right than I truly want to believe. And part of the reason I am not inclined to use Paul's language is that it indicts me. When evil things happen, I can point to them and think, those 'bad' people did 'xyz'.  At the same time I can kind of absolve myself from the evil. However, if I consider the 'present age evil' I have to point at myself because I am part of this 'evil age.'

It is natural that people of the world want to be positive and upbeat about the direction of humanity. That is, after all, all they have. But the church with its eternal perspective should have a clearer view and God's Word says Jesus gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age. I don't think the Lord is saying everything is evil, but at our root we are evil –opposed to God largely because we are selfish putting self above all things. Consider Eve and Adam's sin in the garden. I could mull on this for hours…

My take away, I am part of an evil age. I, and my human, cohorts are in rebellion against the Lord and we all desperately need the redemption of Jesus, without which we cannot live in relationship with our creator, God and Lord.

Lord, the human heart, my human heart, is in need or reformation, which can only happen when it is surrendered to Jesus. I surrender to You, Jesus. I bow and acknowledge you, Lord of the world and Lord of my life. In your name I pray. Amen.

 

 

Wednesday, April 4: Romans 16- So many people.

I love this chapter of the Bible. I know that is quirky, but I love the list of all the names. If my count is correct there are 35 people named in this chapter. Of those 35 I recognize 3 of them from other NT passages. So we meet 32 new people in this chapter, all of whom have helped or touched Paul's life and ministry in some way.

Often reading the NT I get the impression, except for a helper here and there, Paul was a lone ranger, sharing Jesus around the world as a one-man evangelism tour de force. Reading this chapter reminds me that none of us are lone rangers, not even Paul. We all need others. In big ways and small ways we all need other people to help us manage the way of life.

We don't know how all these brothers and sisters worked with Paul or what they did, but Paul's words make it clear how hard they worked for the Lord God.

We may not know anything other than their name listed here, but God knows. And the Gospel message would likely not have reached my ears and heart without thousands of men and women who faithfully lived for the Lord.

And this is part of my love for this chapter. Beyond the headlines and headliners of the New Testament are hundreds and thousands of faithful people serving Jesus here and there and everywhere. The sum of their efforts is what propels the Gospel around the globe.

When my life is over, no one will write a book about me. My memory will fade into the ether. But by God's grace, the Gospel will have been advanced and people will have been loved and pointed to Jesus. That is what truly matters.

It takes all hands faithfully working at the tasks God assigns to advance the Gospel and fulfill God's commission to take the name of Jesus to the ends of the earth. And every Christ follower gets to play her or his God ordained role.

What will God have you do for Him, His glory, will and kingdom today?

Oh, Lord, may I put my heart and soul into every task You send my way today. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

 

Tuesday, April 3: Romans 15- Considering my motivations.

There were phrases in the opening 2 sentences that surprised me. This is one of the joys and benefits of reading a passage slowly. We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.

I have never considered that I might bear with the failings of others to please myself or that I might do good to my neighbor in a manner other than to build them up. The wheels of thought began churning…

Serving others in order to please myself. As I ponder that I see how it is very possible. I could serve others to

Show my goodness to others

Fulfill a vow to the Lord or self

Earn a hearing before God so that God might 'have' to do something for me. (I think of people who give to God so that God 'has' to give them 10 times more).

The more I think about this there are many reasons why I might serve others for reasons that please myself. In fact I am sure I do this…

Ouch, the prick of God, the Holy Spirit, stings.

Likewise, I can have many motivations to serve others that ultimately are not based on the simple desire to build them up! Many of the reasons above could play here as well.

And again I am guilty of this as well.

Ouch, the prick of God, the Holy Spirit, stings.

I am left to consider my motivations… as I seek to live this seemingly simple word from the Lord. We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.

Oh, God, as I look at my motivations I am realizing how sin-filled to the core I am. Continue, Lord, to bring my sins forward that I might see them, realizing all the more how much I need a savior… how much I need Jesus. I pray in His name. Amen.

 

Monday, April 2: Romans 14- Disputable matters.

My take away for chapter 14 is simply stated, 'don't judge other believers or quarrel with them over disputable matters'. Easier written than lived.

To live this I need to first define what a 'disputable matter' is and this is where I ponder today. As I consider this phrase I would say a disputable matter is…

First, we have to consider what are 'non-critical faith matters'.  I flip this considering what are indisputable matters… like the saving work of Jesus Christ, the Trinity and the like. They remain indisputable matters. They are not something over which Christ followers can disagree. They are essential… the matters which define the Christian faith. Therefore, disputable matters are secondary matters. Paul mentions two, what we can and cannot eat and sacredness of special days. Clearly these are non-salvific matters, thus they would be considered disputable.

A second case of disputable matters could be something over which true students of God's Word can disagree. There are other non-salvific matters over which the church has been divided for centuries. I think of the mode or baptism or how to describe Christ's presence in the sacrament of Communion. Rather than judging one another, allow people to hold their biblical positions and treat them as sisters and brothers in the faith. (Please note:  I spoke about true students of God's Word. God's Word is the source of our faith. I am not speaking about concocting things that I want to believe because I want to believe them. We are bound to God's Word and there are issues of interpretation where faith-filled believers might differ.)

Across the span of the church there are any number of disputable matters which divide. So be it. I don't anticipate being given the ability to bring the various sides together so that they have one view. However, I can work to remind sisters and brothers of different strips that Christ died for all and He alone is our center and source.

I guess another way I could live this chapter is to work toward living as sisters and brothers in Christ remembering we are all on Jesus' team and the disputable matter differences we have are not worth destroying fellowship.

Lord, on this Monday after Resurrection Sunday, how can I live as a unifier rather than divider of Your Church? I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

 

Saturday, March 31: Romans 13- .

Paul continues the practicalities of how we should live as redeemed Christ followers. Again today Paul's plain spoken wisdom is apparent.

As I read about how a Jesus person should act toward one's government I couldn't help thinking about how people live in repressive regimes. When do we submit and when do we stand up for what is right in God's eyes? I have no answer, just some thoughts; there are other Scriptures which will need to be weighed. Scriptures like, 'we must obey God rather than men' (Acts 5:29). These are never easy situations to live in.

But the primary verse which caught my attention this morning was verse 10. In his practical word on love, Paul under the Spirit's guidance, wrote: Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Love does no harm to a neighbor… I realize that this is a 'what not to do' statement, but I find it helpful as I was weighing how love calls me to act. Considering this statement, harm can be direct or indirect. Obviously I can harm someone by hurting them (direct) but I can also harm someone by not confronting a destructive behavior (indirect). Sometimes in my 'nicenes's I don't want to confront people with difficult issues. (I am speaking about people I have the right or authority to speak into their lives, not sticking my nose in where it doesn't belong.) But my 'niceness' may actually not be loving… hmmm.

I don't normally think this way so I have to continue to let this steep more deeply into my life.

Love does no harm to a neighbor. A far deeper thought and way of life than I realized initially…

Lord, guide me into being a truly loving person is all aspects of the word. As I ponder and pray this into my life, may Jesus, whose resurrection we celebrate tomorrow and whose crucifixion we celebrated yesterday, be my guide. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

 

Friday, March 30: Romans 12- So what should I do?.

Romans chapter 12 may be the single most practical chapter in the Bible answering the question, 'So what should I do now that I am a Christ follower?'

After explaining the Gospel in detail in chapters 1-11 Paul begins an exposition of how the Gospel informs our living. If you want the 'so what of' Christianity here it is.

Verse one drew me in. Often I find myself lingering on verse 1 & 2 but today only verse 1. Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. I found myself pondering it systematically.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy… in view of everything Paul has taught about the Gospel… Understanding all God has done for you, here is how you should respond…

Offer… our life as believers is an offering, a free will offering to the Lord. We live this way not out of compulsion or threat of punishment but out of love, love for God. So we willingly offer…

Our bodies… the whole of ourselves. Heart, mind, soul, strength are all bound up in our bodies…

Living sacrifice, holy and pleasing… the imagery is stark and compelling. Sacrifices were killed and laid on an altar but in our case we are a living sacrifice. Blood is still coursing through our veins; we are living sacrifices. Holy (righteous) and pleasing to God because as Paul has taught us we are righteous because of Christ's gift to us. I also suspect that holy is to be understood as 'wholly' as well… we offer all of ourselves… as in our whole body.

To God… our offering is to God who has done all we need for salvation for us in Christ.

This is your true and proper worship… offering ourselves to God is worship. Worship isn't just Sunday at 10am, it is every day as we give ourselves wholly, holy to the Lord.

Such a rich chapter and this is just the first sentence. From this BIG picture description Paul moves to some facets of how we can and should live this out practically as we live our lives in Jesus' name.

Oh, God, I can never repay You for what You have given me in Christ Jesus, my Lord. But just because I can't ever repay You doesn't mean I shouldn't live for You hour by hour. So I offer You my today… I pray it is a holy and pleasing sacrifice to You. Through the name of my Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen.

 

Thursday, March 29: Romans 11- Don't get cocky & pray for all.

Theologically much has been written about the place of Israel in the heart of God now that Jesus has come and the Gentiles are invited into God's family. My personal devotions will not solve these issues. Instead they sustain me day after day as a Christ follower.

Reading this chapter two three word statements seemed to resound from the throne of grace. Don't get cocky. Pray for all.

They issued forth most clearly from verses 22-24:

Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!

Don't get cocky… but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. Israel got cocky, uppity. God would always come through, no matter how faithlessly they lived. But one thing we have heard over and over again in Romans is that we live by faith not by works. And we Gentile believers are just as susceptible to slipping into a works understanding as our Jewish forbearers were. God brought this to my attention two days ago and He is reminding me again with an added warning that if God cut off Israel for lack of faith He could do that to us as well. Continue in his kindness…  in other words continue in faith, believe Jesus and follow Him.

Pray for all… how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree! Pray with Paul that all Israel is saved. That God's first family is drawn back to Him even as Gentiles from around the world are coming to Him. There is lots of room in God's house, let's pray it is filled up!!! Jews and Gentiles. Males and females. Young and old. Slave and free. Capitalist and socialists. White and black and yellow and red…. Pray that all people everywhere will find their way home to the Lord.

Oh, Lord, may it be so… Alleluia. Amen.

 

Wednesday, March 28: Romans 10- The essence of the Christian Faith.

There are times Paul writes in complex sentences. Other times he can distill the faith into concise statements. Chapter 10 includes one of his best concise statements.

If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, "Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (9-13).

The message of Christianity… it is not a matter of race, or bloodline, or any other human distinction. It is faith in Jesus, declaring 'Jesus is Lord' and believing God raised him –shorthand for believing in the life, death, resurrection and saving work of Jesus. Christianity is not a matter of keeping rules and regulations… it is faith in Jesus and living accordingly.

As I noted yesterday, I do things due to my faith in Jesus (like attend weekly worship) but I do these out of love not duty. So there is effort in my faith but it is effort because I am loved not trying to earn God's love…

I pull myself back to the main point. The message of Christianity… is faith in Jesus, declaring 'Jesus is Lord' and believing God raised Him. And this I believe with all my heart and soul and mind and strength.

How about you???

I declare that Jesus is my Lord!

Help me, Jesus, to live that declaration constantly and for Your glory. In Your name I pray. Amen.

 

Tuesday, March 27: Romans 9- Stumbling over the stumbling stone.

Faith or works? Earn or gift? My effort or God's effort? It is so easy to blur these lines and stumble over this stumbling stone. Israel stumbled.

What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone (30-32).

Abraham and the patriarchs launched the people of God 'in faith'. From the very beginning there were temptations to run after other gods. Faith is never easy and it does take effort but over time, as the faith got codified, a new enemy slipped in. The enemy… my effort, my work, my keeping of the rules/law, me, my…

The focus shifted from faith or trust… to rule keeping. Outwardly these opposites can look similar, but internally they are polar opposites.

Growing up my family went to church every week. It is what we did. For me God was going to get me if I didn't go to church. I didn't attend out of love; I attended out of fear and was checking off worship a thing 'to do'. And while at church I was rarely mentally present, I was just putting in my time earning my church credit for the week.

Now in my life attendance at worship is a drive for me because I want to be with others worshiping my Lord. I am present and engaged. Love not duty motivates my attending.

From the outside these two behaviors looks similar but internally there is a radical difference… faith and love vs. duty and work.

Israel stumbled over this work/faith stumbling block but they are not alone. As my own life shows, Christians & churchgoers can stumble over this very same stumbling stone…

Right now God is calling me to a gut check.  My faith actions…are they motivated by faith or duty, love or personal effort?

How about you???

Oh, Lord, help me to keep my eyes up, on You, looking ahead so that I don't stumble over the stumbling stone. I pray this is Jesus, my Lord's name. Amen.

 

Monday, March 26: Romans 8- Safe, secure, warm, comfortable and at peace .

For me, Romans 8 is one of the great chapters of the Bible. I could spend a lifetime in this chapter and never mine all its wonder and truth.

First, I am simply sitting as the entirety of the chapter continues to wash over me. It opens with no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, the Lord, and it concludes with nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, the Lord. What a faith-encouraging journey!

The source of all good things is Jesus! From beginning to end it is Jesus! It is all about Jesus! And if we have Christ then we have the Spirit (8). And the Spirit is God within constantly interceding for us and reminding us of our adoption. Through the Spirit we cry to God, the Father, as Abba… Daddy (15).

On a recent vacation I soaked in a natural hot spring. Depending upon my proximity to the source I could choose water from 85 to 100⁺. I bobbed for over an hour, my body relaxing and being refreshed by the warmth of the water. At one point, supported by a couple of pool noodles, I actually fell asleep as I floated in luxury, safe, secure, warm, comfortable and at peace. This is how I feel reading this chapter… safe, secure, warm, comfortable and at peace in the care and protection of Jesus.

Thank You, God, for Jesus. My Rock and Protector. My Savior and Lord. His love protects me. The Spirit in me, because of faith in Jesus, leads and guides me. Today I am basking in God, in Jesus, in the Spirit.

Thank You, God. Thank You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

 

Saturday, March 24: Romans 7- Alleluia.

 

     Yesterday I recognized that I continue to sin, even though I no longer live under the power of sin. Paul battles a similarly in chapter 7 coming to the recognition, What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? (24)

I live there, too… what a wretched person I am!  Who will rescue me?

It is that sentiment that drew me to Jesus and that sentiment that continues to draw me to Jesu?. I need help. I need someone to save me. I need Jesus!

On this eve of Palm Sunday my heart cries with the crowds, 'Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is Jesus my Savior!

Oh, Jesus, I am nothing without You. You loved me and saved me. You redeemed me and gave me a family. You gave me a hope and a future. And You allow me to partner with You in helping others find life, faith and salvation in You. Alleluia. Amen.

 

 

Friday, March 23: Romans 6- No longer can we say, 'The devil made me do it.'.

      No longer can we say, 'The devil made me do it.'

Paul makes it clear as a redeemed Christ-follower, 'I am no longer under the power of sin. I am now free to say 'No' to the sin impulses in my life'. This message rings out of the chapter constantly and strongly.

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace (11-14).

Even as I read and consider these words, I recognize that I –a Spirit-filled Christ follower for more than 40 years still sins. Ugh! And if I am reading this correctly, I can blame no one but myself.

In Christ I am dead to sin and alive to God and yet much of my time I live as if sin still has a grip on me. I allow sin to reign in my mortal body. I must own this. Because in owning it, I can now give it to the Lord and pray for strength and the power of the Holy Spirit within me to stop living for sin but instead live for God.

Excuses only allow me to continue to allow sin to reign in my life.

There are enough scriptures in the New Testament to remind me that I will never succeed in living a perfectly sinless life this side of eternity. BUT to not reckon myself dead to sin and live into the life I now have in Christ is a failure to grasp the power of Jesus' redemption in my life.

So as I sit at the beginning of my day I grab hold of Paul's admonition to offer myself to God, to offer every part of myself to Him as an instrument of righteousness… right living.

So Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I bow my head to You and offer to You my day, my life, my body, my will, my thoughts, my hopes, my dreams, my all. I avail myself to You. May my living spread Your righteousness in my world. May I do deeds that honor You.

Holy Spirit, may I follow Your lead and promptings and live in Your power… the power of a resurrected life… a life alive to my God –Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit. Through Jesus Christ, my Lord, I pray. Amen.

 

Monday, March 19: Romans 2- Ominous Words.

 

Paul begins this chapter with the words, You, therefore, have no excuse… ominous words!

None of us have any excuse when we stand before God. None of us can say, 'I didn't know' or 'I did my best' or 'the devil made me do it'. We have no excuse… as Paul goes on to say, All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law (12). And if it isn't clear already Paul will say in Romans 3:23 that all have sinned…  Since we have sinned we are guilty and we are without excuse.

I shudder at the thought of standing before the Lord and being pronounced guilty! Thankfully Jesus came and took the guilt and shame and punishment of everyone who puts their faith and trust in Him. There is no other way to find peace with God because we all are without excuse…

Have you put your trust in Jesus?...

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. I bow to You, my Lord and my God. Amen.

 

Friday, March 16: 2Chronicles 36- We all need a savior.

 

And the end for Judah comes… with a rapid fire narrative Judah moves from the faithful days of Josiah to the punishment of its captivity.

The Lord will be avenged and He will punish the faithless. Writing those words can make the Lord sound harsh. But sin will be judged.

Judah knew better but continued to sin over and over again. Finally the Lord determined it was time to punish. Sin will be punished.

The situation of Judah causes me to appreciate all the more Jesus and the forgiveness and righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus. Judah needed a savior. I need a savior and God provided what was needed when He sent Jesus in the incarnation.

I sit ever thankful for Jesus and the gift faith in Jesus brings…

Have you put your faith in Jesus? Tomorrow we begin reading Romans which is possibly the best explanation of the wonders faith in Jesus brings…

Thank You, Lord God for Jesus and the gift of faith, forgiveness, righteousness and all the blessings that come through knowing, believing and following Jesus as Lord. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

 

Tuesday, March 13: 2Chronicles 33- A prodigal comes home.

 

Manasseh is a bad dude and uber-unfaithful king of Judah. In 2Kings 21 his reign is painted as one of the worst of Judah's kings.

As I was reading today I was going to write about verse 10, The LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention and how Manasseh wouldn't listen to the Lord. But then the Lord brought an army against Manasseh. In his distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed to him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God. Afterward he rebuilt the outer wall of the City of David, west of the Gihon spring in the valley, as far as the entrance of the Fish Gate and encircling the hill of Ophel; he also made it much higher. He stationed military commanders in all the fortified cities in Judah (12-14). This account of Manasseh's repentance is not told in 2Kings.

What a tremendous story it is because it offers hope for every wayward son, daughter, father or mother. No matter how far from the Lord one may stray, God is standing there waiting with arms open wider for you to turn for home. Manasseh is the poster child for Jesus' prodigal son (Luke 11) parable.

I sat and thought of all the prodigals I know, men and women who have walked away from Christ and their faith. And I began to pray for them, that they would turn for home and discover the embrace of the Lord!

Oh, God, bring Your prodigals home, please. Send whatever is necessary to draw them back to You. And if I can be a witness to them, a link in the chain pulling them back to You place me there. I pray this for the spiritual sake of every prodigal I know and I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

 

Thursday, March 22: Romans 5- Glory in suffering???

 

As my eyes lit onto the page it seemed so natural to meditate on the peace we have with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (1). Yet as I continued to read it was in verse 3 that I found the impulse to meditate. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us (3-5).

The counter cultural sense of verse 3's opening –Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings –forced me to stop and wonder, marvel even.

I would never have written those words. I live in a world where I grow upset if I get in a traffic situation that costs me 5 minutes. At the beginning of a headache I have a choice of multiple types of pain meds. Where have I ever suffered, in life or for faith?  Where?

So I am trying to wrap my head around Paul's base line thought, we also glory in our sufferings… To glory in suffering first means you have to have endured suffering? And it seems reasonable that Paul is referring to suffering for his faith in Jesus. He offers quite a list of sufferings in 2Corinthians 13.

I have no such list. So I am struggling. I don't know what to do with this statement. My faith in Jesus hasn't cost me in this way. Oh, there are likely some costs.  But honestly I cannot kid myself… what costs, what suffering have I faced in my Jesus-following life?

So I sit here wondering, 'how do I process these words'?

I am sure God isn't saying, "Bill, look for suffering"… or inflict suffering upon myself as some ascetics once did. I trust these words are true.  If God ever asks me to suffer for Him I guess I will learn the depth and truth of these words in a way that a non-faith-sufferer can ever know.

Lord, I live for You.  However, if Your road for my life includes suffering for my faith, I pray for the strength to suffer well in the name of my Savior Jesus who suffered for me. Amen and amen.

 

Wednesday, March 21: Romans 4- God my savior.

 

Like an artisan hammering gold until it is so thin it can cover and overlay a chest, Paul is hammering away on the Gospel spreading its radiance as it covers all people who believe. He sums up in the last two sentences of the chapter: The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him [Abraham] alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification (23-25).

There it is… belief in God, in Jesus the Savior who died for our sins and was raised for our justification, is our credit of righteousness. We cannot earn our own righteousness, we destroyed that opportunity the moment we first sinned. The only way righteousness can be restored to us is through the work of Jesus –His death and resurrection. And we 'appropriate' that work by faith in Jesus. This is a gift offered to anyone and everyone whether Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. Faith in Jesus is the only way of salvation.

As I sit and ponder this, I am awed and relieved.

Awed that God would do this for sinful people like me. Awed that God would pay my (our) ransom price. Awed that God would reveal the beauty of this truth to me… little old nobody like me. AWED!

I am also relieved. I don't have to try to earn my way back into God's good graces. I could never do that and the weight of trying was killing me. I am relieved of that burden by believing in Jesus. RELIEVED… Alleluia!

So I revel this morning in God my Savior!

Praise to the Lord my Redeemer… He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood. He carried me across the threshold of salvation when I couldn't walk myself. Thank You, Savior. Thank You, Lord. Thank You, Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

 

Tuesday, March 20: Romans 3- Law breakers we are.

 

I had a friend who thought that Romans 2:14-15 - (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) –indicated that Gentiles who didn't hear about Christ had a chance of salvation if they kept the law of themselves. While theoretically true, Paul reminds us that keeping the law is something no human does.

[This is a great reminder for me that we must be careful to keep texts in context. Isolating a verse from its context leads to problems. We always need to read the surrounding verses and sometimes surrounding chapters.]

Back to my musings… verse 20 makes our human situation clear: Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin (20).

Whether we follow the law of God or the law written on our hearts, we will do so imperfectly.  Therefore will break our law and fall short of the glory and will of God, thus we all need a savior. We cannot save ourselves because breaking any element of the law breaks the entire law.

But there is good news to balance the bad news of our lawbreaker status. Romans 3:23 states the problem: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. And the next verse states God's solution: and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

We are justified through Jesus… through faith in Jesus. Alleluia. Now that is a verse I can sing about.

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, my Savior and Redeemer. I lift Your name and sing Your praise for saving me and all who believe. Thank You, Father. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You, Holy Spirit. In Your name I pray. Amen.

 

Saturday, March 17: Romans 1- The sad exchange people have made.

 

It feels so good to have my eyes read and my heart listen to Romans. I understand 2Chronicles is God's Word and therefore is profitable to read and study. However, some books of the Bible breathe spiritual life into me better than others. However, after spending almost 2 months in 1&2Chronicles Romans is a breath of life for my soul.

Paul paints a sad picture of much of humanity. We have looked every way for spiritual value except to the Lord. Verse 25 sums up the situation: They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

They exchanged… this suggests that they made a willful decision not to follow the ways of God. Consciously or unconsciously most people choose to go their own way rather than the Lord's way.

As the popular Frank Sinatra song put it, "I did it my way…" This sentiment sounds good, but when we stop to parse what is being said, it is a lyric about captaining ones' own ship… no need for God and potentially no need for others. It is the lack of need for God that is the real problem spiritually because the message of the Bible is that no one can save themselves. We need a savior, who is Jesus Christ the Lord.

Looking back to verse 25, Paul notes people maintained a spirituality but they choose to follow any number of gods but not the Lord.  That remains so true today… 'self help' books, gurus of this and that offer people a path, but it is not the Lord's path they are following. Ultimately this will lead to their destruction… (We will read about this in coming chapters.)

For today, I am thankful for the Lord and His way and I pray that I live faithfully before the Lord day by day.

Thanks be to God for Jesus… the way of salvation. With Paul I say, I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes… (16). Lord, You brought salvation to me and for that I am eternally grateful. I pray this and all my prayers in my Savior Jesus' name. Amen.

 

Thursday, March 15: 2Chronicles 35- Are you leaving a faith-filled legacy.

 

Death comes to everyone, even great and faithful kings like Josiah or great spiritual leaders like Billy Graham. It is hard to tell from the account whether Josiah died for a good cause or out of ego. It seems he didn't have to fight Necho, king of Egypt but there may have been extenuating circumstances that we don't know about. For example, maybe Necho was after someone else, but after winning that battle was coming back after Judah and Josiah thought he had the best advantage to fight now. Anyway the text is silent on Josiah's motive.

Whatever the case, Josiah dies as a result of an archer's arrow. We all die. The good, the bad and the ugly all die.

While Josiah may have had hopes and dreams unfulfilled, he had lived a good and meaningful life honoring the Lord and living faithfully. His life touched many others for good and for God.

Sitting here I am wondering if the same could be said about me and my life. How about you and your life? Since our lives are not yet over, we can work at touching others for Jesus… We may not have a famous poet write a lament upon our death, but if we live faithfully then we will hear the words 'well done good and faithful servant' when we enter eternity. And that will be worth much more!

Think about it…

May the words of my mouth and the deeds of my life be pleasing in Your sight, Oh God, my Rock and my Redeemer. Amen.

 

Wednesday, March 14: 2Chronicles 34- Children in service for the Lord.

 

Josiah is one of the great kings of Israel and Judah. He was crowned king at age 8 and began to make notable changes by his 8^th year at 16 years old! In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David. In his twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles and idols (3).

Too often today we write off children, youth and teens as members of our churches and impact creators for the kingdom of God. Josiah's example should bring us to a halt the next time we are tempted to write off younger people.

A couple of years ago my wife and I attended a church outside of Denver. They offered prayer ministry and my wife went for prayer. What she didn't realize was it was children's week and her prayer team was made up of 3 or 4 elementary age children with one adult supervisor, but it was the children who prayed and prayed powerfully. Apparently the children in this church are trained in prayer ministry and one Sunday a month the children are the prayer teams. POWERFUL!

Children and teens can have significant ministry if we will only trust them and train them! Josiah began to reign at 8 and by 16 was leading spiritual reforms throughout all of Judah and beyond.

What is your view of children/youth and ministry? Has this story challenged your thinking at all? It has mine…

Oh, God, thank You and bless You for every person who is part of your family, young, old and everywhere in between… May we serve You and the world by living for Jesus every day and using the gifts and training You provide. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

 

Saturday, March 24: Romans 7- Alleluia.

     Yesterday I recognized that I continue to sin, even though I no longer live under the power of sin. Paul battles a similarly in chapter 7 coming to the recognition, What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? (24)

I live there, too… what a wretched person I am!  Who will rescue me?

It is that sentiment that drew me to Jesus and that sentiment that continues to draw me to Jesu?. I need help. I need someone to save me. I need Jesus!

On this eve of Palm Sunday my heart cries with the crowds, ‘Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is Jesus my Savior!

Oh, Jesus, I am nothing without You. You loved me and saved me. You redeemed me and gave me a family. You gave me a hope and a future. And You allow me to partner with You in helping others find life, faith and salvation in You. Alleluia. Amen.

 

 

Friday, March 23: Romans 6- No longer can we say, 'The devil made me do it.'.

No longer can we say, ‘The devil made me do it.’

Paul makes it clear as a redeemed Christ-follower, ‘I am no longer under the power of sin. I am now free to say ‘No’ to the sin impulses in my life’. This message rings out of the chapter constantly and strongly.

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace (11-14).

Even as I read and consider these words, I recognize that I –a Spirit-filled Christ follower for more than 40 years still sins. Ugh! And if I am reading this correctly, I can blame no one but myself.

In Christ I am dead to sin and alive to God and yet much of my time I live as if sin still has a grip on me. I allow sin to reign in my mortal body. I must own this. Because in owning it, I can now give it to the Lord and pray for strength and the power of the Holy Spirit within me to stop living for sin but instead live for God.

Excuses only allow me to continue to allow sin to reign in my life.

There are enough scriptures in the New Testament to remind me that I will never succeed in living a perfectly sinless life this side of eternity. BUT to not reckon myself dead to sin and live into the life I now have in Christ is a failure to grasp the power of Jesus’ redemption in my life.

So as I sit at the beginning of my day I grab hold of Paul’s admonition to offer myself to God, to offer every part of myself to Him as an instrument of righteousness… right living.

So Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I bow my head to You and offer to You my day, my life, my body, my will, my thoughts, my hopes, my dreams, my all. I avail myself to You. May my living spread Your righteousness in my world. May I do deeds that honor You.

Holy Spirit, may I follow Your lead and promptings and live in Your power… the power of a resurrected life… a life alive to my God –Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit. Through Jesus Christ, my Lord, I pray. Amen.

 

Monday, March 19: Romans 2- Ominous Words.

Paul begins this chapter with the words, You, therefore, have no excuse… ominous words!

None of us have any excuse when we stand before God. None of us can say, ‘I didn’t know’ or ‘I did my best’ or ‘the devil made me do it’. We have no excuse… as Paul goes on to say, All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law (12). And if it isn’t clear already Paul will say in Romans 3:23 that all have sinned…  Since we have sinned we are guilty and we are without excuse.

I shudder at the thought of standing before the Lord and being pronounced guilty! Thankfully Jesus came and took the guilt and shame and punishment of everyone who puts their faith and trust in Him. There is no other way to find peace with God because we all are without excuse…

Have you put your trust in Jesus?...

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. I bow to You, my Lord and my God. Amen.

 

Monday, March 12: 2Chronicles 32- Faith and wisdom.

Hezekiah showed an incredible balance of faith and wisdom. When an enemy advanced Hezekiah kept his faith but he also sought counsel and employed wisdom against the enemy.

When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come and that he intended to wage war against Jerusalem, he consulted with his officials and military staff about blocking off the water from the springs outside the city, and they helped him. They gathered a large group of people who blocked all the springs and the stream that flowed through the land. “Why should the kings of Assyria come and find plenty of water?” they said. Then he worked hard repairing all the broken sections of the wall and building towers on it. He built another wall outside that one and reinforced the terraces of the City of David. He also made large numbers of weapons and shields (2-5).

I love the balance of Hezekiah. He never boasted or let his preparations go to his head. Instead he applied all his wisdom and counsel to preparing for the coming attack. When the attack came his defenses held off the attackers from immediate victory. And when Assyria resorted to intimidation Hezekiah kept the faith and encouraged the people. Eventually the Lord came to Judah’s rescue.

Faith and wisdom are a dynamic duo!

It is important to maintain faith. God is our ultimate defense and protector. But the Lord also gave us minds to use in conjunction with our faith and King Hezekiah is a great example of these two qualities molded into one person.

Lord, thank You for people like Hezekiah, who are examples for me…. May I follow in his example to be ever faithful and to use the gifts, intelligence, wisdom and godly counsel as I live life and face issues of life. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Saturday, March 10: 2Chronicles 31- Lives changes and generosity increased.

Yesterday we read about the great Passover that Hezekiah prepared and how people came from all across Israel. It was a revival!

When all this had ended, the Israelites who were there went out to the towns of Judah, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. They destroyed the high places and the altars throughout Judah and Benjamin and in Ephraim and Manasseh. After they had destroyed all of them, the Israelites returned to their own towns and to their own property. True revivals bear fruit and we witnessed the blossoming of the fruit in today’s chapter (1). Beyond this the freewill offerings were enormous.

The revival sparked by faithfulness of Hezekiah bore real fruit. Lives changes and generosity increased. People destroyed the counterfeit worship of the Baals and other false gods. The people did this, not the priests or the king. It is very probable that people destroyed the false gods THEY had been worshiping! That is life changing!

Hmmm… that sounds like a sentence to ponder; Lives changed and generosity increased.

Have I seen that in my life? Do you see this in your life as you press into Jesus?

Life change… where has my love for the Lord and following of the Lord changed my life (your life)?

Generosity… can you point to increased generosity toward the Lord and His work in the world, in your life (in my life,) as a result of following Jesus? 

Hmmm… things to ponder on this eve of worship.

Lord, may my life be a blessing to You and Your people… I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Friday, March 9: 2Chronicles 30.

Earlier this week I had discussion with a friend on the parable of the sower. We talked about it being our job to sow the seed of God’s Gospel, but that many times people will not accept it. Hezekiah discovered this truth as well. In his zeal for the Lord and reinstituting the Passover he sent word throughout Judah and Israel. This is a bold move that certainly could have angered the king of Israel. Despite that Hezekiah sent out the invitation. We are told, The couriers went from town to town in Ephraim and Manasseh, as far as Zebulun, but people scorned and ridiculed them. Nevertheless, some from Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem (10-11).

If you were counting numbers it seems like Hezekiah’s invitation was a bust. My sense of the account is that most paid the invitation ‘no, never mind.’ It occurred to me that we could read history another way… some who would never have returned to the Lord on their own did humble themselves and attend the Passover. And this is a great victory for God.

Reflecting on this account, too often I think about those who will not accept and therefore reject me (and yes, the Gospel) rather than on those who will accept it. This hampers me from sowing God’s seed widely. I am realizing that it is my being rejected personally, more than people rejecting the Lord and His Gospel, that causes me to be timid and not sow God’s seed widely.  How sad…

Oh, Lord, I confess my fears of rejection that hold me back from liberally sowing the seed of Your Gospel as widely as I could. Forgive me, Lord. And even more, embolden me, Lord, to be a bold and adventurous sower of Your seed, the word of God and the Gospel of Your salvation. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

 

Thursday, March 8: 2Chronicles 29- .

 

I read yesterday that Ahaz chained the temple closed, but it didn’t hit me until today the literal extent of his sin.

Hezekiah understood that first things had to come first, so he purified the temple so that sacrifices and worship of the Lord could be reestablished. After consecrating themselves priests and Levites took 16 days to move methodically through the temple removing all the defilement and returning the Lord’s articles. I couldn’t get over the fact that it took this horde of workers 16 days to do the necessary work of consecrating. That’s a lot of work!

Certainly God could have cleansed it in an instant, but instead He choose to have his workers do it and that took time and effort.

As I think about this it occurred to me the same is true for our lives. God does remove our sin instantly when we confess it. However the lingering effects of the sin often remain and it generally takes time to remove the traces and effects of life long sin. Yes, God can cleanse and purify us in an instant. I know one brother who was instantly freed from drug addiction, but most I know take years of counseling, AA and the like, to conquer the addictions. The same goes for inappropriate language, regular use of lies to keep out of trouble, greed, sex outside of marriage, bitter thoughts, gossip and the like.

It takes time to rid our ‘sanctuary’ of sin.

God calls us to purity and holiness.  Will we put in the effort, with God’s help and following His lead, to do what we need to do to honor our Lord and put our house in order?

Maybe it is better to put the question in the present tense.  Am I (are you) putting in the effort, with God’s help and following His lead, to do what is necessary put our house in order thereby to honoring the Lord?

Lord, reveal to me the work –or at least some of the work –I still need to do to become the man You want me to be. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

 

 

Wednesday, March 7: 2Chronicles 28- .

It seem so unpredictable whether the next generation will be faithful to the Lord or not. Ahaz was 4 when his father began his reign as king. Jothom reigned faithfully for the next 16 years until Ahaz became king. Still Ahaz turned his back on the Lord and pursued other gods… the gods of Israel and later other gods.

As sad and disappointing it was that Ahaz chose the wrong faith-path, the story grew even darker as Ahaz rejected the Lord’s beckoning. Verse 22 tells the story. In his time of trouble King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the LORD.

The Lord sent Ahaz indicators that He wasn’t pleased. All Ahaz needed to do was humble himself and turn back to the Lord and God would have forgiven him.

As people can turn away from the Lord in later in life so they can turn to the Lord and be forgiven.

But Ahaz didn’t turn to the Lord… In time of trouble he turned everyway but to the Lord even turning to Damascus and prostrating himself to their gods!

Where or to whom do you turn in times of trouble?

God’s arms are always open wide to those who turn to Him. I think of the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15). God, the Father, gladly welcomed the prodigal home. One important ingredient in this story is that the son turned and came toward home.

No matter where you have been God will greet you when you turn for home. He greeted me, he greeted Martin Luther, Chuck Colson, and the apostle Paul. God will greet you too. Just come home…

If you haven’t come home, I pray you do. Jesus’ arms are open wide when you do.

Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, praise You that Your open arms have enveloped me. I am forever grateful… Thank you and bless you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

 

Tuesday, March 6: 2Chronicles 27- .

After reading about the last few kings who started off well with the Lord but didn’t end well, it was refreshing to read about Jotham. I wish there was more info about him. I would love to know how he lived out his faithfulness.

One verse summed up his life for me, verse 6: Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God.

The word ‘because’ was telling for me.

People can grow powerful through many avenues. Some use political savvy. Others amass wealth and that is their ticket to power. Some have a particular skill. Jotham kept his eyes on the Lord and because of this God increased his power.

In our world of “I did it my way…” I found Jotham refreshing. As the text says, he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God.

What would/should that look like for me? Ahh, the Lord has a way of looking deeply into my life. As I sit, here are some thoughts that come to mind…

Maintaining a devotional life… Bible reading, contemplation and prayer. And keeping this time practical and real, not just Bible facts. Instead it needs to me ‘Bible living’.

Looking at my character… am I growing to act instinctively more and more like Jesus would have me act?

Examine how I treat people… those close to me, like my wife and those I happen upon, like a checkout line person.

Thought life… what goes on in the recesses of my interior life, particularly reactions to people who annoy me. How do I handle that???

Lord, it never ceases to amaze me how You take me places during my time with You. Thank You, Lord, for caring enough to show me places for growth. I am continually blessed to be Your son. Praise be to You, Lord God. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

 

Monday, March 5: 2Chronicles 26- .

The writer of Proverbs reminds us; Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18). Uzziah is a poster child for this proverb. His pride led to his downfall (16). But interestingly his pride led him to offer incense before the Lord, a task only priests were to do.

I pondered Uzziah’s actions.

At the outset I absolutely understand that sin is sin, good motives or not. And Uzziah sinned. He did something that was forbidden to non-priests. We cannot truly comment on his motives, but the chronicler suggests it was built on pride, which is not good or honorable. What I found so interesting is that his pride shows itself with regard to worship. Uzziah’s pride didn’t cause him to worship other gods, but rather to worship God but in a manner reserved only for priests.

I am trying to wrap my thoughts around this…

Our pride can cause us to worship God inappropriately. What a fascinating idea.

I don’t believe we have an inner sanctuary today, as Israel did, that is forbidden for the average person to enter. But possibly pride could cause me to think I have gifts I do not have, thus using them might be wrong. As I thought about this, I was reminded of Paul’s word in 1Timothy about elders that they must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited [prideful] and fall under the same judgment as the devil (1Timothy 3:6).

I have never really pondered worshipping or serving God in a prideful manner because it can be wrong and lead to dire consequences.

As with most times with the Lord, a shift happens when God begins to probe me in my areas of mediation and pondering. Am I somehow serving or worshipping in a prideful manner…

Oh, God, I pray not. But if in any way I am guilty of this please show me so that I may repent and be forgiven. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

 

Saturday, March 3: 2Chronicles 25.

Another tragic chapter in the life of God’s people. Another king sitting on the throne of David walks away from the Lord to serve other gods!

It is as if God is giving readers of Chronicles a long lesson in all the things in life that can draw and push us away from faithfulness.

Amaziah certainly is a strange case.  He begins to worship and serve the gods of a people he just defeated in battle. I mean, go figure? Human beings are a strange lot. The Lord even sends a prophet to confront him with this reality. The anger of the LORD burned against Amaziah, and he sent a prophet to him, who said, “Why do you consult this people’s gods, which could not save their own people from your hand?” (15). Amaziah, enamored with his new ‘god’, threatens to kill the prophet if he keeps speaking. Wow, Amaziah has certainly converted away from the Lord!

I can at least understand the impulse to follow the god of a victorious army, but to follow the god of an annihilated army. This one baffles me.

The human heart beats in strange rhythms.

Again today, my take-a-way is to sit and examine my heart. Are there things, issues, responses, inclinations that are drawing me away from the Lord… even ones that ‘defy’ logic?

What woos my heart, for their lies spiritual danger? Only regular confession and self examination, plumbing myself against the pure and perfect Word of God, can put up an adequate defense against the wiles of the enemy.

This message, Lord, comes through loud and clear.

Father, search me. Search me to the depth of my being. Root out sin in all its forms. Call me to purity and holiness and pour out Your Spirit that I might have His empowerment to defeat the sin within me and live solely for You. I Pray this Jesus’ in Your name. Amen

 

Friday, March 2: 2Chronicles 24- A bad about face.

There is an ominous comment at the start of the chapter. Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the years of Jehoiada the priest (2). Certainly this statement proved true by the end of the chapter. After Jehoiada’s death Joash goes off the rails leaving the Lord and seeking after other gods (see 17-27).

I know this happens. I think of Jim Jones, who started out as an orthodox preacher but drifted so far from the Lord and the Bible that he orchestrated a mass suicide in Jonestown, Guyana in 1978. Many others in less dramatic fashion slide away from the Lord into heresy.

As I thought about the influence Jehoiada had upon Joash two trails emerged. One was the positive effect Jehoiada had on Joash and I wondered who has positive effects like that on me? Then I wondered if there is anyone I affect positively. Secondly, I wondered why Jehoiada’s influence never took root in Joash. And if he didn’t truly believe what Jehoiada was saying, why did he follow? After all Joash was king.

Honestly, I am struggling with Joash’s complete about face.

I guess if people can convert to God, they can ‘convert’ away from God, too. But how does that happen? And more importantly, what can I do to keep that from happening in me, and people I love and people I pastor???

The text doesn’t have any answers, only raises questions, which drive me to my knees.

Oh, God, protect me. Protect those I love and those I pastor. Show me how I might live so that I can be a Jehoiada to others. But, Lord, show me also how to help people bring love and devotion of You deeply into their hearts.

Lord, not for people to simply follow me, but that they and I would be truly transformed by You in our inner most being. I pray this, Lord, in Jesus my Savior’s name. Amen.

 

Thursday, March 1: 2Chronicles 23- How do we know the time is 'right?'.

 

The chapter opens, In the seventh year Jehoiada showed his strength. He made a covenant with the commanders of units of a hundred… They went throughout Judah and gathered the Levites and the heads of Israelite families from all the towns. When they came to Jerusalem, the whole assembly made a covenant with the king at the temple of God. Jehoiada said to them, “The king’s son shall reign, as the LORD promised concerning the descendants of David (1-3).

I found myself wondering, how did Jehoiada knows the time was right to make Joash king? This is more of a springboard question than one the text itself answers. And yet I pondered.

So much in life is about timing. Plant a seed in the spring and it will grow, plant the same seed in the winter and it will likely die.

Yes, so much in life is about timing and this is true in our walk with the Lord as well. To understand God’s timing, is to know when God is leading us to do something rather than simply venturing out on our own.

Scripture sometimes uses the phrase, ‘when the time was fulfilled’.

How can we know when the time is fulfilled? I wish there was a straightforward 4 step process. If there is I haven’t found it.

What I do know is that it comes with a prompting of the Lord. Maybe Jehoiada was in prayer. Maybe as priest he sensed the queen was losing power. Maybe God gave him a dream. Maybe Joash’s maturity was showing. We don’t know. However, God alerted Jehoiada that the time was fulfilled.  He knew it and He showed his strength. He put a plan into action to put Joash, the rightful king, on the throne.

What I am realizing, as I ponder and write, is that I need to cultivate my relationship with the Lord so that I know when the time is right and God is calling me to do this, that or another thing. I must develop my ability to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit within.

God has given to each Christ-follower the gift of the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and empower. Learning to follow, that is part of my growth and maturing in the Lord.

Oh, Lord, school me in understanding the leading of Your voice. Train me in rightly discerning the time, Your time, to step out in Your strength and execute Your actions. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.