God's Selfless Heart

Scripture: But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum? ” When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” 

Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” (Mark 2:16, 17, 27, 28 NLT)

Observation: Jesus is all about us. Everything He did, everything He chose, all of His planning and provision, has been with an eye on the salvation and happiness of mankind. 

Application: What an amazing God He is. The only One out of all of the earth's religions that came to His people, asking nothing for Himself. (Interesting that the rest--all imaginings of the minds of men--all require various forms of self-aggrandizement.) How can I, as a parent, follow Jesus' walk more closely in my life?

Prayer: Father, I want to be a good mother--to give generously to my children that which is most vital to their healthy development and wholeness spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Show me, Lord. Teach me. Walk with me and tutor me in my calling as mother to this often-overwhelming family You have so generously given me. (Your trust in me astounds me on a regular basis, Lord. Wow.) Multiply my strength, make my back strong and my energy overflow, so in You (and ONLY in You) I might be equal to the journey You have in store for us. I praise You so loudly, Lord, for Your generous love. I lift Your name high in my life. I love you, and long to be more fully Yours, and to see Your will manifested through my life and in my family. In Jesus' most beautiful name, amen!

Paul: One gutsy guy

Scripture: Acts 24-26 NKJV

Observation: Paul stood before one and all . . . and witnessed of Jesus. In a time and place where Jesus wasn't recognized or revered, to people that he had worshipped God with nearly all his life. How hard must that have been? To be called apostate? Blasphemer? And yet, he was ready to ditch it all--even his life--to testify of his visitation, of his knowledge, of his joy.

Application: I wonder how we would do, in our day, if faced with something similar? We're surrounded by unbelievers . . . so there are plenty of chances for God to put us in the way of someone who needs our testimony. The specific nature of John's speaking up to the Sanhedrin is what really got my attention, though. I wonder if there will come a day when the humble followers of Christ will face something similar.

Prayer: Lord, grant me strength. Grant me courage. Fill me with You such that that's all others can see, feel, or hear. I will let go of all of the petty, mortal things, and hold only to You.  Please, Lord, so me how to better do so every day. In Jesus' name, amen.

Fire Follows Water

Scripture: Acts 19:4-6 NKJV

Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
Observation: When these believers were baptized & Paul laid his hands on them, something amazing happened.

Application: Amazing things happen to believers. Amazing things should happen to believers. If they're not happening--if they're the stuff of urban legend and family folklore--then there's something wrong:

But, behold, faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe.  Yea, signs come by faith, not by the will of men, nor as they please, but by the will of God. Yea, signs come by faith, unto mighty works, for without faith no man pleaseth God; and with whom God is angry he is not well pleased; wherefore, unto such he showeth no signs, only in wrath unto their condemnation. (D&C 63:9-11)

Prayer: Most Beloved Father of mine, teach me to walk in greater faith. Teach me, show me, open my mind and heart to Your way, Your path, Your wonders all around me. I just want to know You better, to be close to You. And, more than anything, I just want to do Your will. Show me, please, in Jesus' glorious name, so be it.

Job Had A Midlife Crisis

Scripture: Job 13-14 NLT

“Look, I have seen all this with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears, and now I understand. I know as much as you do. You are no better than I am. As for me, I would speak directly to the Almighty. I want to argue my case with God himself. As for you, you smear me with lies. As physicians, you are worthless quacks. If only you could be silent! That’s the wisest thing you could do. Listen to my charge; pay attention to my arguments. “Are you defending God with lies? Do you make your dishonest arguments for his sake? Will you slant your testimony in his favor? Will you argue God’s case for him? What will happen when he finds out what you are doing? Can you fool him as easily as you fool people? No, you will be in trouble with him if you secretly slant your testimony in his favor. Doesn’t his majesty terrify you? Doesn’t your fear of him overwhelm you? Your platitudes are as valuable as ashes. Your defense is as fragile as a clay pot. “Be silent now and leave me alone. Let me speak, and I will face the consequences. Yes, I will take my life in my hands and say what I really think. God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him. But this is what will save me—I am not godless. If I were, I could not stand before him. “Listen closely to what I am about to say. Hear me out. I have prepared my case; I will be proved innocent. Who can argue with me over this? And if you prove me wrong, I will remain silent and die. “O God, grant me these two things, and then I will be able to face you. Remove your heavy hand from me, and don’t terrify me with your awesome presence. Now summon me, and I will answer! Or let me speak to you, and you reply. Tell me, what have I done wrong? Show me my rebellion and my sin. Why do you turn away from me? Why do you treat me as your enemy? Would you terrify a leaf blown by the wind? Would you chase dry straw? “You write bitter accusations against me and bring up all the sins of my youth. You put my feet in stocks. You examine all my paths. You trace all my footprints. I waste away like rotting wood, like a moth-eaten coat.

“How frail is humanity! How short is life, how full of trouble! We blossom like a flower and then wither. Like a passing shadow, we quickly disappear. Must you keep an eye on such a frail creature and demand an accounting from me? Who can bring purity out of an impure person? No one! You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer. So leave us alone and let us rest! We are like hired hands, so let us finish our work in peace. “Even a tree has more hope! If it is cut down, it will sprout again and grow new branches. Though its roots have grown old in the earth and its stump decays, at the scent of water it will bud and sprout again like a new seedling. “But when people die, their strength is gone. They breathe their last, and then where are they? As water evaporates from a lake and a river disappears in drought, people are laid to rest and do not rise again. Until the heavens are no more, they will not wake up nor be roused from their sleep. “I wish you would hide me in the grave and forget me there until your anger has passed. But mark your calendar to think of me again! Can the dead live again? If so, this would give me hope through all my years of struggle, and I would eagerly await the release of death. You would call and I would answer, and you would yearn for me, your handiwork. For then you would guard my steps, instead of watching for my sins. My sins would be sealed in a pouch, and you would cover my guilt. “But instead, as mountains fall and crumble and as rocks fall from a cliff, as water wears away the stones and floods wash away the soil, so you destroy people’s hope. You always overpower them, and they pass from the scene. You disfigure them in death and send them away. They never know if their children grow up in honor or sink to insignificance. They suffer painfully; their life is full of trouble.”

Observation: I know that's a LOT of scripture, but honestly, it's important. Thanks for sticking it out. ;o)

In yesterday's reading, I saw hope in   words to Job in chapter eleven.  He was urging his friend to do what he had done in his own life, what had worked for him. "Stop worrying and defending yourself, trust God, and worship Him. Then He will pour blessings out on your life, and you can be happy again!"

But today, I heard Job's inability to grasp what his friend was offering. His misunderstanding of his friend's intentions, or the words he chose.  Job rejected that hope, and then went and ranted at God, feeling a healthy dose of self-righteous pity from his fleshly perspective.

The story of Job might be more like a midlife crisis.  His thinking may have been topsy-turvy with the whole "This is NOT what I signed up for!" that comes when life takes a turn that you really, really weren't expecting, did your best to avoid, and don't feel you deserve.  His friends, who love him, (Hello! They sat on the ground, silent, for a WEEK, people!), were offering hope and help as best they could, from their own perspective and experiences . . . but none of it reached Job, other than to prick and poke him enough to get him off of his rear and onto his knees.  Then he rants. He complains. He whines.*  And God starts doing cartwheels because His son is FINALLY opening up to Him, and is getting ready to listen.

*(I especially like 14:21, where Job complains about how when God strikes people down, they don't get to live to see their children grow up, and to see if they do well for themselves in life; I find it pretty hilarious Job would complain that way, when all of his own children were dead. It's like he was running out of things to complain about, and was repeating things he had heard others say, the way my children will when they're out of ideas, but their angst isn't yet spent.)

Application: This story of Job's is so much more complex than I ever thought before.  Up until yesterday, I thought the story arc went something like this: "Good man is tried with horrible, undeserved trials. His friends come to lord it over him, and judge him. He is humble, bears testimony of God's goodness, and God restores to him all he lost and more. The end."  But with the really difficult things adulthood has thrown at me, the way God has taken my life up, shaken it hard so I had to hold on to my marriage, my family and my faith, letting everything else fall away, has shown me a totally different story.  One where these trials bring out a weakness in Job that he learns to overcome. One where he is all tangled in his situation and despite the best efforts of the imperfect people that love him, can't "just get it right" or "get over it".

I also love how this new take on Job shows (again!) how, truly, God is big. So powerful. So forgiving. So purely patient. He has big shoulders. He can take our ranting, our raving, our complaining.  We can pound on Him until our strength is spent, and we can't hurt Him in doing it. He sees what we're going through, understands it perfectly, and has total mercy for us as we flail and thrash through it. And he LOVES it when we come and rant, rave, and complain to Him, because it means that we're paying attention to Him!

Prayer: Lord of Heaven and Earth, I love you. I just want to sing and shout to the skies my gratitude and my rejoicing when I stop and think about who You are, what You are, and how that makes everything perfectly and completely okay. Thank you for all You have done for me. For the way You love me without any reserve, without any failing. Because it changes everything. And I will never be the same. :o)

Let go already!

Scripture: Job 11:4-20 NLT

You claim, ‘My beliefs are pure,’ and ‘I am clean in the sight of God.’ If only God would speak; if only he would tell you what he thinks! If only he would tell you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom is not a simple matter. Listen! God is doubtless punishing you far less than you deserve! “Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty? Such knowledge is higher than the heavens— and who are you? It is deeper than the underworld — what do you know? It is broader than the earth and wider than the sea. If God comes and puts a person in prison or calls the court to order, who can stop him? For he knows those who are false, and he takes note of all their sins. An empty-headed person won’t become wise any more than a wild donkey can bear a human child. “If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you. Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away. Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning. Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety. You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help. But the wicked will be blinded. They will have no escape. Their only hope is death.”

Observation: Zophar isn't trying to give Job the smackdown here . . . despite the fact that I've read it that way my whole life, and some Bible translators saw it that way. Today, I read in these words hope. So much hope. Zophar is telling Job to stop complaining and whining "poor me" (even though he had tremendous reason to do so!), and to trust that God knows what He's doing, let go of whatever is past, look forward, and get back to giving the Highest His due. 

Application: How often do I handwring and analyze and latch on to what is past . . . worrying more about why I got into the mess I'm in, instead of getting down to business and humbling myself before my Maker, listening carefully--for He will tell me (is crazy to tell me!) what I need to be to get out of it. 

Prayer: Father, help me to let go of what's behind me. Show me the peaceful path of submission, for I'm so incredibly glad  I know I can trust Your judgement fully, for You are faithful! :-) So show me the next step into freedom! In Jesus' most amazing name, amen. :-)

Stephen.

Scripture: Acts 7:54-60 ESV

Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Observation: The people were frightened, outraged at the idea that Stephen could be doing what he was doing....might be close to God. 

Application: I will not be afraid of, or threatened by, another's closeness to God or power in the Holy Spirit. It's all more of what we as believers want to see. And if I think someone is in the wrong, I will take to my knees--not to the streets with a rock in each fist. 

Prayer: Dear Father, please strip all insecurity from me. I give it up to You--for You are my all-sufficient supply. In You I rejoice in other's successes, glorify Your Name for the beauties I see, and see Your miracles and Mercy all around me. Let me be Yours. Let me be part of Your church; and do Your will. Always. In Jesus' name! Amen!

He Upbraideth Not

“Now, therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love, let not all the hardship seem little to you that has come upon us, upon our kings, our princes, our priests, our prophets, our fathers, and all your people, since the time of the kings of Assyria until this day. (Nehemiah 9:32 ESV)

And it shall be that whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord [invoking, adoring, and worshiping the Lord–Christ] shall be saved. [see Joel 2:28-32.] (Acts 2:21 AMP)

Constantly praising God and being in favor and goodwill with all the people; and the Lord kept adding [to their number] daily those who were being saved [from spiritual death]. (Acts 2:47 AMP)

God wants to save us--literally. To bring us back into His presence, out of the effects of the Fall. He has made it so straightforward for us . .  . all He asks is something every one of us has: our hearts' utter and complete loving trust. 

The verse in Nehemiah showed so beautifully the simplicity of that trust and love--- trust that seeks to hide nothing, love that reserves nothing for itself. 

Our God is the God of love. All kinds of love. His love is total, complete, and all-sufficient. We stand before Him, clinging to our fears and the rags with which we strangely think we can cover our nakedness before Him. 

He knows us. Knows everything about us. And while He cannot save us in our sin, He offers no condemnation. (We are plenty good at flagellating ourselves thankyouverymuch.)

Come unto Christ, and be made whole and complete in Him. Please. He misses you. 

Father in Heaven, oh how holy is Your name. And how holy and good, how generous and kind are You and Your Son. In God there is no upbraiding--You do not punish or shame us, but are forever pleading, inviting, and commanding us to turn again to You. Father, show us our fears. Show us the traditions of our fathers that blind us to the fullness of Your joy. Set us free....set every captive free! In Jesus's most holy and beautiful name, so. be. it.  Amen. 

Be of Good Cheer!

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:9-12 NKJV

And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.

Observation: The people's natural/fleshly response to fully understanding the Law was to mourn for their transgressions of it.  But that's not what God has in mind for them, or us. They had just finished rebuilding Jerusalem's wall, and the city was once again secure.  God had work for them to do, and He wanted them to rejoice, to look ahead to the blessings to come, to firmly plant in their minds the fact that understanding the Law is a reason to celebrate, big time.

Application: How about me? Do I celebrate when I learn more of what God wants me to do, or do I fall prey to a spirit of helplessness and defeat? Do I take courage in Christ's loving victory (oh, how wonderful that is!!!), or do I turn from His love in betrayal of all He offers me?

Prayer: Oh God of Heaven and Earth and all that IS--how great and glorious and supreme you ARE. :o) You are above all things, in all things, through all things, by the shining might of your glory and Your Spirit. I praise You for Who You Are. There isn't anything good which isn't part of You--no love nor sweetness in all of creation that can't be traced back to You. And likewise, there is no dark thing in all of creation which comes from You. You are the King, the one who offers light and life to ALL. I want to walk in Your light, to reflect it, to noise it abroad in all the land. Lord, please show me where I still falter, where I harbor tares in the fields of my mind, body and soul. I rejoice that, in Your mercy, You will not require me to gather them faster than I can withstand their pulling, and that Your love heals and restores the disturbed ground left behind by the cleansing. Let me rejoice in Your plans for me, and all around me. Let me rejoice in Your word, Your law, Your love, in Jesus' name, so be it. :o)

Above all else, know God

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:10, 12, 13 NKJV

Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was a secret informer; and he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you; indeed, at night they will come to kill you.” Then I perceived that God had not sent him at all, but that he pronounced this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. For this reason he was hired, that I should be afraid and act that way and sin, so that they might have cause for an evil report, that they might reproach me.

Observation: Nehemiah knew God's voice. He followed God's will to go support the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall--and here, God gave him discernment.  The same kind of discernment Jesus showed in Mark 2 when He perceived the thoughts of the Pharisees' hearts.  That discernment protected Nehemiah because, knowing God, nothing dark could deceive him.

Application: If I know God, I cannot be deceived. Not even by what seems to be an angel. Knowing the goodness and brilliance of God, I will be able to understand and see the difference between true and false prophecy, true and false prompting. This passage couldn't have come at a better time.

Until nothing is left but You.

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:15-18 NKJV

And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work. So it was, from that time on, that half of my servants worked at construction, while the other half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and wore armor; and the leaders were behind all the house of Judah. Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon. Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me. 

Observation: It didn't matter what lengths had to be gone to--the work would go on. Can you imagine one-handed bricklaying or masonry work? Yeah.

Application: Our day and culture prizes optimization highly.  Highly. We want to do things in the easiest, most smooth, effortless ways.  There should be machines to do nearly everything we need, right? And then there's God's way. The way that gets so, soooo much messier before it gets cleaner. The way that strips everything away until nothing is left but Him, and He sets us free.

Prayer: Lord, let me work for You, in Your way. Not in mine. I'm pretty fond of my own ideas (as I'm sure You've noticed!), but Yours are so, so much better. Over and over lately, I've watched the wreckage of my plans for my day become the most perfect fulfillment of Yours--and I rejoice in it. :o) Glory to You, Father, and to Jesus . . . and let peace reign in my heart as I practice the exuberant art of loving You, and the peace-filled discipline of resting in your joy. In Jesus' most glorious and wonderful name, amen. :o)