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Young pastor, old people.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers. A widow who is put on the list for support must be a woman who is at least sixty years old and was faithful to her husband. She must be well respected by everyone because of the good she has done. Has she brought up her children well? Has she been kind to strangers and served other believers humbly? Has she helped those who are in trouble? Has she always been ready to do good?” ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Apostle Paul spends a lot of written real estate on how to treat each other – especially here in Timothy concerning elders and widows. Paul gets very specific, even detailing a special care list for those who qualify. The Jewish culture always had a strong family-oriented system of care even though some of the religious leaders created a loophole and were able to put money into a special temple account (Corban) rather than going towards their own elderly parents. Jesus shamed that idea in Matthew 15.

What does senior or widow care have to do with pastoring a church? It’s actually a huge part of pastoral responsibility, unless you’re dodgy as a startup church 😇. It is interesting that this area of specific ministry has exploded with the extraordinary extension of life expectancy over the past 50 years. Now, seniors are living well into their 90’s and beyond! Multi-generational churches are struggling to meet the tension of both geriatric pastoral care alongside early childhood care for couples in their thirties. Retirement and funerals along with baby deductions and birthdays are happening almost every month!

Back to widows – Paul has the hutzpah to write about the qualities and qualifications on getting on the widow list! And, it is obviously only for widows, not widowers. A widow has to be at least 60 (extreme life expectancy of that day). She had to seen as faithful to her husband. Well respected by everyone – because of the good she has done! Paul completely expected every godly widow to have a calling of serving, even through loss, grief and complete change of life status. Has had to raise her children well, kind to strangers and served believers in all humility. Helped those in trouble. And, always been ready to do good. This sounds like a full time job with no pay, but massive benefits from God! Paul writes to Timothy as though this was a widow’s, “job portfolio.” And you can bet that when Timothy was sent to pastor the Ephesian’s church, this was a huge part of his job and calling.

Timothy pastored that church until his death at 80 years old! Paul’s letters to Timothy are remarkable because he is writing about a young pastor’s own confidence in their calling as well as giving him the tools for leading a church that had gone through conflict, resulting in disunity. This idea of leading in a multigenerational church can and should happen. Yet, the caveat seems to be the willingness for the elderly to be led by a young pastor AND the willingness for the young pastor to be patient and caring for those who have experienced life and gone through trying times. Church plants are fantastic, but rarely have the elderly, the seniors or super-seniors in the body of Christ. Old churches, who were once a startup, have struggled to change and reinvent themselves to the point where they are purposely bridging and building into the lives of littles, youth and young families. Paul mentored Timothy when he was likely a young adult. That allowed Timothy to become a Bishop and to stay in one local church to give his life for the sake of the gospel in Ephesus.

Prayer

​Dad,
I believe in Your Church! I believe in life-long commitments in relationships within the local church. My heart has always been towards both loving and honoring the elderly as well as nurturing and mentoring young children, youth, singles and families. I believe that I am called to help bridge generational gaps that have become more divisive than they should be. As we see enormous change and uncertainty in the Church, help us keep our eyes on you, not on the past. Keep our hearts tender and our minds sharp, open and obedient to Your will, not our own. Amen.

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When we can’t see a solution.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“Abraham was now a very old man, and the Lord had blessed him in every way. One day Abraham said to his oldest servant, the man in charge of his household, “Take an oath by putting your hand under my thigh. Swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not allow my son to marry one of these local Canaanite women. Go instead to my homeland, to my relatives, and find a wife there for my son Isaac.” Genesis‬ ‭24‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Genesis 24 is the grand story of “a wife for Issac.” Genesis 23 closes with Sarah’s death at 127 years old and Abraham purchasing the perfect burial place for his beloved.

This chapter opens with two facts: One, Abraham is super old and God has blessed him immensely! But there is one major problem hanging over the patriarchal promise to Abraham – Issac.

Issac is not the actual problem, but the fact that he is now 37 years old, makes him a kind of “past his prime, bachelor. “ What happened? The relationship pool for Isaac was entirely and solely Canaanite women – a “no go” for the son of promise! Here’s the dilemma, Ab is old, now Isaac is aging quickly as well. There doesn’t seem to be a supernatural solution to a big human problem. Since Isaac is clearly the carrier of hope for the plan of God, wouldn’t you expect some kind of miraculous intervention? Why didn’t God send the woman of Issac’s dreams and the fulfillment of God’s promise to Canaan?

Abram marrying his own wife, Sarai seemed completely unexpected, if not just random. In Genesis 11, we find the that Abram married Sarai. We also find that Terah, was THEIR father. Abram’s wife Sarai was his half-sister, Terah’s daughter. When God called Abram to leave Haran to head towards Canaan, Sarai happily went with him. Abram and Sarai had experienced so many miracles to get them to this point in Genesis 24. The heaven fell silent.

Because Abraham realized his own age and that Isaac had not yet had been a successful suitor, he made a plan. He asks his most trusted servant and loyal friend to swear to finding a wife for Isaac. Abram makes him promise to not allow Isaac to marry one of the locals and sends him all the way back to distant Aram-naharaim. Abram’s servant asked a great question, “But what if I can’t find a young woman who is willing to travel so far from home? Should I then take Isaac there to live among your relatives in the land you came from?” Abraham was vehemently opposed to this; “He will send his angel ahead of you, and he will see to it that you find a wife there for my son. If she is unwilling to come back with you, then you are free from this oath of mine. But under no circumstances are you to take my son there.” The rest of the story is a beautiful, quite romantic miracle, that eventually leads Abraham’s servant to bring Rebekah home to meet Issac.

So what’s the point? There are many lessons to be learned here. I believe this is a great example of what happens when we know God has a plan and maybe even a promise, yet we see no movement, no answers out there. Abraham was in this same dilemma for a moment. But what happened? Abraham made a plan. And, he was very specific about what he wanted. A wife for his son, from his own tribe that is willing to leave her family and in faith come to marry someone she’s never met nor ever heard of. I love that Abraham even told his servant that there would be a supernatural assist in the process! “He (God) will send his angel ahead of you.” And that’s exactly what happened.

When I read this story, I see the fulfillment of one of my favorite Proverb – 16:9, ”The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Maybe not all promises are fulfilled through miracles from heaven. What if God is waiting for our faith and a solid plan? Have you heard a promise from God? Do you feel that He has called you to be something or do something, but you’ve seen no movement, no action? Do what Abraham did and so many others after him – make a godly plan and go for it. You’ll find that as your foot rises in faith, and returns, just before hitting the path of your destiny – that God has restructured your future to make your path straight.

Prayer

Dad,
Oh, what a wonder you are! You are not only the way maker, you are the path straightener. You are good. You are faithful to your Word and your promises are true and trustworthy. Thank you for your patient love towards us. Amen.

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With you it’s different.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world Lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭42‬-‭45‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus said, you know that those recognized to “archó,” to rule over the “ethnos,” a race, the nations (usually referring to unbelieving Gentiles, non-Jews), do so in two ways; they “katastrēniáō,” exercise lordship or dominion over, and they “eksousiázō,” exercise authority or wield power over. Using dominion and power to gain compliance. It’s a very common and effective way to force people to do things against their will. Jesus then told his disciples, “however, it should not be among you.”

Jesus noted that in this world there is a prevalent leadership model that uses hierarchy and power to achieve results. Sometimes it’s good results, sometimes it bad. James and John had asked Jesus to grant them this opportunity to lead with position and power by placing them at the right and left hand of his throne. They still expected Jesus to become the messianic king of Israel. Thus, James and John were asking for positions or titles of authority in this earthly kingdom.

In a very teachable moment, Jesus asked the brothers if they truly knew what they were asking. Then he asked them a rhetorical question (a rhetorical question is asked to make a point or emphasize something, not to get an actual answer), ”Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?” Still thinking Jesus was referring to the struggles of leading a revolution, the brothers replied “Oh yes, we are able!” Then completely reorienting their ideals of taking over Rome, Jesus said to them, that it’s not up to him, and they will indeed suffer. But, more importantly, Jesus makes his point – they are to be completely different kinds of leaders. Jesus strongly says, “It will NOT be with you!” Referring to how Rome governs people.

Jesus followers are not to lead from high status, but of low. They are not to wield power by controlling, but by serving. Is there such a thing as low, servanthood leadership? Jesus clarified that in His kingdom as the Son of man, he came to serve not to be served. He came to give His life as ransom-money to free slaves! Jesus modeled the leadership qualities he expected of his followers.

A simple observation, James and John felt comfortable enough to ask Jesus about the seating arrangements in his kingdom. The other disciples were incensed, but instead, Jesus engaged them with a question, not immediately giving an answer. Does the Holy Spirit still respond to our questions like this? Not immediately answering the question but sending us off on a journey of curiosity and discovery. A great question is a teacher’s delight because it means the student is hungry to learn!

As a Pastor/teacher I believe people should ask questions. And, I am sure they want answers. I have to refrain from thinking these questions come from places of doubt or manipulation. I get too defensive thinking it’s just a trap, like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. Even then Jesus enjoyed answering with one of his own questions! James and John may have been asking for positions of power, but Jesus was able to use it for a teachable moment – but for you it’s different.

Prayer

​Dad,
I should not be so surprised when I see Jesus using such powerful, patient words to cut through the pretense of the moment and engage people in truth. It’s like He knows us because He is the creator of all things! I get so defensive when I feel cornered, trapped or manipulated, it’s hard to think straight. Yet, Jesus was always looking for ways to engage our hearts and cause deep change within our soul and spirit. It is such a beautiful moment to read these real stories and watch the Master at work. Thank you for your grace and mercy, your patience and love in catching on to what you want us to see and do likewise. Amen.

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The listen promise.

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The Lord your God will soon bring you into the land he swore to give you when he made a vow to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is a land with large, prosperous cities that you did not build. The houses will be richly stocked with goods you did not produce. You will draw water from cisterns you did not dig, and you will eat from vineyards and olive trees you did not plant. When you have eaten your fill in this land, be careful not to forget the Lord, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. Deuteronomy‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Just before this promise passage in Deuteronomy, God declared the “Hear O Israel” or Shema – the listen command that is still spoken by millions of Jewish people today. God follows it up with announcing the fulfillment of a very long promise made to the Jewish patriarchs, Abram, Isaac & Jacob. That is 400 to 430 years from promise to fulfillment! In modern times, we have absolutely no concept of a time-span like that. It is currently November 4, 2024 (yes! the day before the big election between Donald Trump & Kamala Harris). America is only 248 years old! Most of us barely know our own country’s history let alone remember any promises that God may have made to someone that long ago.

Israel and God’s chosen people have a really long memory and an even longer story! When you’ve been through the struggles of being a nomadic people for a very long time and God promises their own land, and controlling their own destiny- it’s a very big deal. Oh, what joy must have swelled in the hearts of the people as they heard God’s promise of this new land. God said the land was basically “move in” ready, describing it as cities they didn’t need to build and housing fully stocked with food they did not work and toil over in the fields. The lifeline of water! The sweet delicacies of grapes and multipurpose olive oil. Ah, was it just a dream? No, God says it’s real and coming soon. What the catch? No catch really, just to remember the Lord that rescued them from slavery, delivering them from years of wandering and captivity. “Just remember me!” God says.

Dan and Chip Heath wrote a book back in 2007 called Made to Stick and writes about the idea of the curse of knowledge. The curse of knowledge is a cognitive bias that occurs when a person who has specialized knowledge assumes that others share in that knowledge. Once we know something, and we are familiar and comfortable not just knowing it, but talking about a subject, we begin to assume everyone listening already knows the subject as well. As we speak about it, we sort of take shortcuts instead of taking the time for people unfamiliar with topic to catch up.

The Jewish people and their leaders had lived through a really long and arduous journey. It was such an embedded cultural experience that outsiders could not relate to their story at all. One way the people fought against the curse of knowledge when it came to their children and grandchildren is they told the old stories in totality over and over again. Their family meal times and cultural celebrations were all dedicated to telling the story of who they were and how God rescued them. As modern parents and modern children we struggle to tell, and re-tell, and re-tell the stories of life, of faith and of God’s blessing or divine intervention because we fear sounding old, out-dated and out of touch. Our children may not help when they roll their eyes and say, “oh, here we go again… talking about the old days!” But when we don’t tell the stories and our children bristle at the slow-paced talks around dinners or celebrations, there is much to be lost! It’s more than just “back in my day…” when candy was a nickel and gas was a quarter! It’s stories of unbelievable hardship or overcoming years of cyclical dysfunction or addictions in families. It’s stories of being very poor, but never realizing it. But really the old stories remind us of the power of Christ to redeem and restore a life and be able to leave a legacy for the future. These stories contain opportunities for children or grandchildren to pickup the memory stones of their parents and use them to pave a whole new path to glorify God!

The people in these very old Bible stories, lived a difficult life, heard God’s promises and many were able to experience the fulfillment of those promises within their lifetime. What promises of God are we not talking about, not sharing with the next generation? What promises have we believed and course-corrected our life to be obedient to God REMEMBERING Him in all things? If we do not speak of these things, if we do not tell the stories of God’s grace and miracles, our children and grandchildren may never know why we are so passionate about our faith in Jesus! To quote God, “Repeat them again and again to your children.”

Prayer

Dad,
Oh, that it would not be said of me that I did not tell the amazing stories of your grace and power to change my life! I remember and I give thanks that you did rescue me from slavery, from son, from my stubborn determination to live my life my way. I can never forget what you save me from! With that, give me courage to continue to tell my story and others might know of your mercy. Amen.

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Is this is good enough?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭17‬-‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Mark lays out a scene that every Rabbi, teacher or pastor would love to have happen. A man RUNS to ask Jesus about eternal life! Whoa. Where do we start? What do we say? Jesus banters back with an odd response.

The running man opened with “good teacher.” Good. Good. Good. The man compliments Jesus. Jesus volleys and hits it back to the man with a question, “why do you call me good?” Then Jesus follows it with a strange, but 100% true statement, “only God is really good.”
Jesus continues with a good declaration. One that clearly the man was already doing – the man was living a good life! “You know the commandments,” Jesus said. Is that a question? No. Jesus knows this is a good guy, doing good things. Then Jesus lists the “good” standards of the law, all of which are horizontal, mano-e-mano, human to human measures of good.

No murder – ✅.
No adultery – ✅.
No stealing – ✅.
No lying – ✅.
No financial cheating – ✅.
Honor your parents – ✅.

This guy was a saint, an Eagle Scout, a really decent good man. Check. Check. Check. He’s good! He humbly told Jesus, “I’ve obeyed all these since I was a kid.” So, why was he asking Jesus how to get eternal life? What was missing? He was already good and we find out he was already living the good life! What’s not adding up here?

Mark writes that Jesus (emblepó) deeply stared, engaging into the man’s soul and truly loved him. Jesus saw what was missing in his life. And in that moment Jesus’ love for him caused him to reveal the truth. There was one thing keeping him from really knowing God, thus really loving God.

There was another love, another god in his life. Oh, he was a commandment keeper, but he was holding on to something else, something that would keep him earthbound verses heaven-bound. He was rich! Jesus peered into this man’s soul and saw his true love, his true hope, his true heart. It was stuff and things. It was possessions and wealth. He wouldn’t make it to eternity because his heart was chained to his riches. Jesus, now answers the question the man did not want to hear, but desperately needed to hear, “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” Jesus even offered him a chance to be a disciple, to experience God in flesh, here on earth. Jesus said it for AFTER you’ve sold everything, “come, follow me.” Jesus offered the man, not goodness, but greatness! If he wanted to be great in God’s Kingdom.

The man’s eager face, once filled with goodness, now fell to sadness because he was really really rich. Goodness is great until it replaces God. Well, how can anyone really be saved from themselves? Jesus told us, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” The miracle lies within complete surrender to God, giving all and not holding onto anything that gets between us and His love. With this good man it was his possessions. What about us? Is it pleasures, our plans? Hey! The guy likely believed that his wealth was a blessing from God. And, what if it was? But God did want him to amass wealth, he wanted him to give it away to bless others. But his wealth became what Christians call an idol. Rachel in the Old Testament stole and hid her father’s household idols. Michal helped David escape through a window and then took a large household idol and placed it in his bed to fool the guards. Idols are trinkets, statues or anything that becomes a secret hope, a secret faith, a secret life or pleasure. It’s a way for us to give “most” of our heart to God, but not all of it. God hates idols because they keep us appearing to be good, but in our hearts we’re not sold out for Him.

Prayer

​Dad,
What a story to help me get at the real issues in my own life. At first, it’s easy to just breeze through this as “rich man” issues – it is far more than that. It’s a story about being good vs great in Your Kingdom. Making you first and giving you every part of my heart, soul and strength should be a daily, hourly, priority in this life, in this world. Help me direct my passions towards you! Amen.

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Disciple see, disciple do.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor. About this time she became ill and died. Her body was washed for burial and laid in an upstairs room. But the believers had heard that Peter was nearby at Lydda, so they sent two men to beg him, “Please come as soon as possible!” So Peter returned with them; and as soon as he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. The room was filled with widows who were weeping and showing him the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them. But Peter asked them all to leave the room; then he knelt and prayed. Turning to the body he said, “Get up, Tabitha.” And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she sat up! He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and he presented her to them alive. ‭‭Acts ‭9‬:‭36‬-‭41‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When we read about the amazing outpouring of miracles God did through the apostle’s lives, we are immediately reminded that Jesus said this is what His disciples would do. Just the paragraph above this story is about a man who was “paralyzed and bedridden for eight years.” Peter, now filled with the Spirit of God, now more comfortable with the mantle of spirit-empowered miracles, does exactly what Jesus had shown him.

Here, we have Tabitha/Dorcas, which means a gentle gazelle. Tabitha was busy serving others, especially widows, when she became very sick and died. They got Peter to come over and pray for her. When Peter arrived, Tabitha had already been washed and prepared to be buried, she had been dead for hours. In an upper room, widows had packed in to honor a woman that showed them love by making coats and clothes for widows in town. There, in the middle of this solemn widow’s honoring moment, Peter does what Jesus had done with the little girl in Mark 5:41. Peter does what he had seen Jesus do!

This surreal moment surrounded by death and mourning, Peter remembered exactly what it felt like before. There’s something spectacular about experiencing something so overwhelming, but someone in the room knows what they are doing! And when you experience the tension, the emotional state of the people in that space, at first it’s so very very hard, so awkward. Yet, once you’ve experienced it, it gives you an opportunity to hear, see, smell, and feel these powerful sensations in a slightly safer state of mind the next time you are in that situation – especially when you are with that one person that knows what they are doing.

Jesus knew exactly what he was doing with the little girl and it marked Peter’s life simply by being in the room! Notice that Peter does exactly what Jesus had done in Mark 5:40, he asked everyone to leave the room. Jesus held the little girl’s hand. Peter simply knelt and prayed. Jesus spoke to the body, saying “koum” (Aramaic for arise). Peter turned towards the lifeless body and spoke directly to it, saying, “anistémi,” (Greek for arise)! Tabitha’s eyes opened and she sat up! Then Peter also extended his hand to help her up – an invitation to rejoin the living, just as Jesus had done. Peter called in Tabitha’s widow fan club and I am sure they all praised God together.

Discipleship is all about first BEING, but then also DOING. Jesus taught by BEING one who obeys God and also DOING the will of the Father. Jesus disciples, his followers, also learned by being obedient to his commands, his teachings. But, they had to also follow in doing what he said to do.

Disciple see, disciple do.

Peter watched Jesus raise the little girl’s back to life, then he did exactly what Jesus had shown him to do. Do we want to be a follower of Jesus? It hasn’t changed – we must see and do. If we only listen, if we only learn but never do anything with it, we aren’t really a follower – we are just an observer. And if we are just an observer, then there is no one to see and follow us as we follow Christ! If we say, “well, I can’t raise people from the dead!” Then, that sounds like the life of an observer, but not a disciple. For Tabitha’s sake, I’m glad Peter didn’t depend on his own abilities to raise the dead! Peter was just a doer of what he observed. Disciple see, disciple do.

Prayer

​Dad,
This life of faith goes so much deeper than I ever realized! No wonder it pleases you. This unusual, life-altering trust in you is WILD and untamed. It’s dangerous and mysterious. This follower’s faith is radically different from an observer’s faith. Believing and doing puts it all in perspective of setting aside my fears, comparisons and doubts and going straight to obedience. It’s not a blind faith, it’s a terrifying confrontation of my own abilities yet knowing that you are all powerful and do all the work, through miracles we need. Help me with my unbelief. Help me to be and do, to see and do! Amen.

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Unbelievable.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

But Moses protested again, “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The Lord never appeared to you’?” Then the Lord asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A shepherd’s staff,” Moses replied. “Throw it down on the ground,” the Lord told him. So Moses threw down the staff, and it turned into a snake! Moses jumped back. Exodus‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In our church, we’ve have been discussing God’s Grand Design through the idea of an individual’s calling. Old Testament patriarchs certainly come to mind. Moses calling is so extraordinary and filled with honest human emotions that come along with doubt. The creator of all things – God comes, makes himself known and speaks. But more than just revealing his plans, God chooses to include us in them. Why? We ask. From the beginning of time, God has invited us, even with all our faults and fears to be a part of our own redemption story. Amazing!

God tells Moses the what, the why and the who, but Moses throws up some protests, some reasons he believes that God has the wrong man.

Here’s Moses’ counter arguments:

First one; who am I – 3:11? The inference is, I am a nobody, an unknown, in fact a failure.

Second one; who am I to say sent me – 3:13? One can’t be a hero without the proper credentials, right?

The third protest; What if they don’t believe me – 4:1? I’m not sure why these sound a bit ridiculous, especially because no one is asking for a famous, royal ambassador who has made up a fanciful story about talking with God! Who’s asking these imaginary questions? Pharoah? The Jewish leaders? No, Moses is asking these questions in his own head because he does not want to do it and thinks he can convince God to move on to someone else! God helps Moses out by giving him a cool miracle – the stick/staff/snake! And the backup would be the miracle skin diseased hand healing. These are meant to bolster Moses’ faith, thus saying YES to God almighty. But Moses still persists in protesting – what patience God has! You get the feeling that God will not let Moses out of this.

Fourth protest; Moses throws out another idea – Oh… and I STUTTER! You can’t have a stutterer be your spokesperson – 4:10.

Four excellent reasons to choose someone else and four patient answers from God, all workarounds for Moses to be obedient. Talk about a super reluctant leader! In vs 13 Moses begged God, “please send someone else.” In vs 14 God is now angry with Moses. He concedes, not to let Moses off the hook, but to have his brother be the spokesperson for Moses! God tells Moses, Aaron will be your spokesman, he speaks just fine – but you are still my spokesman, God still chose Moses.

Moses was a reluctant leader, who constantly wavered with unbelief and never felt worthy of being the man God called to lead and free the Jewish people from the tyranny of Egypt’s enslavement and onto the promise land that God had in store for them. God calls whom He wills and His plans are always perfect. God still calls people to great things, and small things today!

If we say we believe God and we are followers of Jesus the we have a general call to obedience and most likely a specific call to ministry, to passion or to pursue our purpose with the gifts God has granted to each of us. Let me ask you, “what’s in your heart?” What is your purpose, calling and gift? What are you doing with it? Go ahead, run your own list of protests like Moses who tried to dissuade God, insinuating that God doesn’t know what He’s doing! After you run out of perfectly legitimate protests in your own head, you’ll be faced with the ultimate decision – to obey or not! And to not obey is disobedience! Flip your stubbornness into faithfulness and determination to obey instead of angering God and trying His patience.

Prayer

​Dad,
I put up a small resistance with tantrums and protests back in the day. And, still even today, question every one of my own beliefs, frailties and abilities. But through faith I will continue to believe you. With grace, I will continue to move forward to accomplish what you have called me to be and to do! I trust you far more than I trust my failures and doubts? Here I am Lord, send me again! Amen.

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Barriers to God.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them. Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬-‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Do you want to make God angry? Just create barriers to not allow people to experience Him! And most importantly, do not do anything, say anything or misrepresent God to CHILDREN. Jesus’ popularity as a Rabbi meant that parents (read mothers) were thrilled to just have Jesus smile at their kids, and speak a blessing over them.

Ya know, this is supposed to be a priority as a parent – getting your children to Jesus. This nonsense of letting children choose everything for themselves is awful. “Oh, we don’t teach religion, because we want them to choose for themselves.” “Oh, we let the children decide their morals, their choices for good or bad.” What a load of donkey-crock. Mark’s gospel points out that parents were doing what parents are supposed to do. They brought their children to Jesus for him to touch them, to physically bless them.

But the disciples strong-armed and scolded the parents for this. Did they think that Jesus was too busy? That there were more important people he should be spending time with? We don’t know. But Jesus wasn’t going to let it go. When he saw what the disciples were doing, he was (aganakteó) to grieved/indignant! Speaking to his disciples, Jesus said, release them to come (positive) and do not (kóluó) hinder (negative) them. Why? Because littles like these are the true owners of the Kingdom of God. In fact, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God in similar fashion as these children will never enter it!

Mark writes, “then Jesus (enagkalizomai) to take into one’s arms, to embrace them!” Jesus placed his hands on their heads and blessed them. There are basically two words for “bless” in the Greek. One is to make happy (makarios) the other to speak good words over (eulogeó: to speak well of, praise). Jesus spoke good words over the children that day.

Why would someone prevent a child or adult from coming to Jesus? I don’t think folks do it on purpose. The disciples thought they were being helpful to the busy Savior. They were not helpful. Some think that others might not be worthy enough, holy enough, or good enough to be in Jesus presence. Many thought this of the sex-worker woman who washed Jesus feet with her tears. The religious thought it improper for such a sinner to have contact with a holy representative of God. Lots of folks think others should clean themselves up or get their life together BEFORE approaching Jesus. The children weren’t unworthy, they were innocent.

As the Church, we have propagated so many barriers with our religious preferences, that we had a generation tag us with “Church hurts.” Church should not hurt! Of course it is bound to happen, because we are human, but we should also be ready to repent or say we’re sorry. For any and all the barriers we block those who simply want to come to Jesus and be blessed.

In another conversation, I brought up all the things we do as adults that cause barriers preventing children from really seeing Jesus. Because, to a child, we represent authority and a sense of what is supposed to be right. When adults misbehave or selfishly choose to follow their own will and ways, children are watching and it creates a fracture, a moral dilemma in their hearts. All they see is the hypocrisy and it takes a ton of grace to erase those episodes from their soul. We want to be people that let children get to Jesus! Even further, we can actually do what Jesus does – speak good words over a child!

Prayer

Dad,
I love this story, this scene so much. I am a huge fan of adults who see children as you do. Seeing them as innocent and open, curious and hopeful, playful and full of joy. And to know how quickly that season passes. Our challenge, my challenge is to foster those qualities in them as well as in our big-people, adult lives, to receive the Kingdom of God with wide-eyed wonder. Let it be so Oh Lord! Amen.

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Steady steps with God.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. Psalms 37:23-24

A psalm of David, inserted into the collection of psalms during the Babylonian captivity. This psalm is an acrostic poem, each stanza beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet, making it a Hebrew alphabet poem. It is a comparison psalm of the wicked and the just as well as of good and evil.

Not knowing how old David was when he wrote this, it’s most likely that he wrote it towards the end of his life, when one tends to reflect back on everything they have experienced. I love these couple of verses because I wholeheartedly agree! When I was young, about fifteen or sixteen, as a new believer in Jesus, I was digging deep into both Psalms and Proverbs. I decided to commit my ways to the Lord, just like Proverbs 16:3, “Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” As well as, Proverbs 16:9, “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” These verses became my personal “decision grid,” when making big life decisions. These mantras were both mystical but powerful to watch God lead and guide my life, as well as direct our lives (Robin) together as a married couple. It was much later, in my fifties, I matched these verses with Paul’s famous words in 1 Corinthians 16:9, “because a great door for effective work has opened to me, even though many oppose me.” My wild-brain plans + God’s promise to plant our feet exactly where they need to be + big blue-sky opportunities = a life well lived in the Kingdom of God.

David had to have lived similarly! His life was a thrill-ride, full throttle rollercoaster. He experienced unexpected highs as well as crushing, debilitating lows. Yet, here in Psalm 37 his confession becomes a roadmap for all who desire to follow God – the Lord directs the steps of the godly! Should I seek peace in my decisions? Of course. Should I take risks? Absolutely. Should I look for wild opportunities that require more faith than sense? Why not! It’s not arrogance, it’s confidence in our great God and His foresight and wisdom in leading us. Does it backfire and blow up in our face sometimes? Yes, most definitely. Should that deter me from getting up, dusting off my dumb decisions and keep moving forward? No way. God DELIGHTS in every DETAIL! Even our failures. Not mockingly, of course, but as a good father who picks up their child after skinning their knee and declares – that was an amazing feat of courage! Let’s try that again.

David’s admonition should solicit our soul, though they STUMBLE (because we 💯% will do so), they will never fall! It’s God’s hand that holds us and sustains us. Go and live the great adventure of faith, wonder and beauty of God, it is totally worth it. “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” C.T. Studd (1860-1931). “Where sky and water meet, Where the waves grow sweet, Doubt not, Reepicheep, To find all you seek, There is the utter East.” C.S. Lewis (The Voyage of the Dawn Treader).

Prayer

Dad,
Not only have you given me one life to live, you have reached down and pulled me out of the muck and mire, the dark sludge of sin! You have set my feet on solid ground and put a new song in my heart – a song of great praise to you Oh Lord, my God. So whom shall I fear, for you are my light and salvation! Amen.

Posted on

Keep moving forward.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don’t believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation. For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance. Hebrews‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The mysterious author of the Hebrews (Was it a woman? Was it Paul, breaking from his normal style?), hits hard in six. Seemingly, conversely, controversially telling us to stop messing around with the “basics,” and get on with maturing in Christ. The basics? Things like repentance, faith, baptism, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgement? WOW! That’s basics to our author? Afterwards, with THE sternest warning in the New Testament, “once enlightened, experiencing, tasting the good of the things of heaven and the Word of God – then TURNING from God,” the author states, “it is impossible to bring them back to repentance!” Whoa. That’s creepy.

The author then turns to a much more hope-filled admonishment. “Don’t let those things apply to you, KEEP MOVING FORWARD.” How should we do that? “Keep loving others for life!” That’s right. Simple? No. Soul sharpening? You bet. This is Hebrew’s antidote for slippery-sloping, back-sliding, corner-cutting Christianity. This makes “certain” (plérophoria: full assurance) our hope is sticky enough to last until all things are fulfilled. This, the author writes, keeps us sharp, preventing spiritual lethargy or dullness in our life and witness. Anyone that tells you that following Jesus is boring or dull, obviously is not doing Christianity right! God has capacity to do something new in you every second that you yield to Him. Faith and obedience is never dull, it leads us on and upward to fulfillment of Christ being formed in us.

Moving forward does not mean no rest, no reflection or pause in life either. Sabbath and rhythms of rest are a huge part of moving forward. May the fullness of God’s grace keep us moving forward, loving until life’s end!

Prayer

​Dad,
What a convicting consolation Hebrews has for us! Sober truth segwayed into sustainable love gives me a bright hope for us and the Church in which I serve. What a notion, to “love until life’s end!” Jesus did that and beyond. May your grace not only sustain us, but propel us onward. Amen.