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Stuff Christians are offended by.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT

It seems like it’s a lot more than just foody issues. This chapter is famous for the whole idea of Jewish vs Gentile food choices. It was a huge ordeal to the Jewish community because they were raised in a strict dietary culture obeying the commandments of God from the Old Testament. God’s food commandments were given for multiple reasons, primarily for their own health and safety. When God opened the door for the Gentiles (all non-Jews) to have access to salvation, He also let them drop most of the regulations and restrictions the Jews had practiced for thousands of years. It wasn’t just about eating pork and other foods formerly considered “unclean.” It was also this idea of where the food came from.

The Roman/Greek world worshipped multiple gods and they often connected that worship with a number of ritual practices. Some of those practices were sexual, which God forbid all followers of Jesus to participate in. Many practices involved the practice of bringing a food offering. The butcher business was booming in New Testament times! These meats and produce were often prepared for those rituals, then sold in the marketplace. Jewish believers only purchased their food from Jewish merchants. And, their food was prepared according to the rules of the Old Testament- especially the meat. Today, there are many groups of folks in our culture that still are required to only eat kosher foods. Foods properly prepared and blessed by priests or holy persons.

When Jewish believers started fellowshipping with Gentile believers, it usually meant there was food involved. The big concern was – where did the meat come from? Was it certified and approved or was it purchased from some street vendor who got it directly from a ritualistic offering to fake gods (idols)? You can see why this would cause problems for the Jewish believers! They could not even imagine anyone eating non-kosher, unclean meat, that had been used to worship idols. It was more than just offensive, it was repulsive!

Paul had been given the job of gently correcting both the Jewish and the Gentile folks, NOT in their preferences or their convictions, but in their behaviors and interactions with one another. This is never easy! How does one correct someone’s convictions? One holds deeply personal beliefs about their spiritual practices with God. The other does not have those internal convictions and came to Christ with little or no spiritual practices at all. Paul doesn’t go after the convictions, he goes after the attitudes and behaviors of those who believe differently than they do.

When it came to non-kosher meat, he appeals not to their sense of the law, but to their responsibility to grace. Wow – that’s tough. He implores the Jewish believers to accept the Gentile person, without needing to accept their preferences or lack of convictions. In other places, he refers to those who cling to the law over grace as the “weaker” faith! (Romans 14:1-2). Paul also deals with the brash, hubris behavior of the Gentile believers who felt free to flaunt their freedom, completely unconcerned about the convictions of their Jewish friends.

Paul writes this brilliant, Holy Spirit inspired word, “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.” (Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭17‬-‭19‬). This goes far beyond eating preferences! This speaks to much of our current crisis of church raised believers verses non-church raised believers. There are a massive amount of convictions and preferences that have come from those who were raised in church families. Not all of which were good or even Biblical. Then, along comes hundreds, thousands of those with zero spiritual practices coming from a godly heritage. Paul’s words are more than appropriate today, they are necessary reminders! The Kingdom of God is not about such things as bowling alleys, moving picture shows, wearing jeans or tattoos! It is about a life of goodness, peace and joy which is specifically expressed in how we behave towards one another. One position should not SHUN the other. And, one position shouldn’t flaunt their freedoms either. We need unity over preferences and care over convictions.

Prayer

Dad,
Help us behave like we are family, under the lordship of Jesus. Help us fulfill the prayer of Jesus to be one, even as you are one!

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Barrier crossing is a big deal!

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“Then Joshua told the people, “Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you.” In the morning Joshua said to the priests, “Lift up the Ark of the Covenant and lead the people across the river.” And so they started out and went ahead of the people. The Lord told Joshua, “Today I will begin to make you a great leader in the eyes of all the Israelites. They will know that I am with you, just as I was with Moses. Give this command to the priests who carry the Ark of the Covenant: ‘When you reach the banks of the Jordan River, take a few steps into the river and stop there.’”” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Moses was gone and now leadership rested fully on Joshua’s shoulders. Joshua had learned a lot in the time he was coached and mentored by Moses. God had also prepared the hearts of the people by directly dealing with those who complained, disobeyed or sowed discord. Joshua was ready to lead and the people were ready to follow. However, that did not mean there were not barriers and battles yet ahead!

The Jordan river crossing was a mini-reminder of the big Red Sea crossing. The Jordan river was huge, in the springtime of the year, when the river is in its flood stage, it was wider than its normal width of 90-100 feet and deeper than its average 3-10 feet. A 100+ feet wide and 10+ feet deep in a swift-water crossing meant guaranteed death for 2 million+ people. The Jordan river crossing has multiple applications for the Hebrew people (The word “Hebrew” is עברי (Ivrie) means “to cross over, or pass through”) and for us today.

One, God told the people to prepare beforehand, “purify yourselves.” This was a learned ritual of washing, praying, fasting and even refraining from marital relations! It was a way of putting the body, soul and spirit on high alert for what’s ahead.

Two, God made sure the people followed the Ark of the Covenant, which was symbolic of the presence of God. God didn’t live in the box, but He wanted them to understand that His covenant (the law) and specific memory items were represented as object lessons. At that time the ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. The priests carrying the ark went first and when their feet touched the river-water, the miracle of stopping tons of cubic feet of rushing water, began miles up, at the city of Adam.

Three, God had the priests, stand with the Ark of the Covenant in the middle of the river as yet another physical reminder of “passing by” in the safety of obedience to God’s leading, “Meanwhile, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant stood on dry ground in the middle of the riverbed as the people passed by. They waited there until the whole nation of Israel had crossed the Jordan on dry ground.”Vs. 17‬.

And fourth, after everyone safely crossed over God commanded them to stack memory stones at their campsite, marking the supernatural event and provision of God. Knowing one day the children would ask about the stones, “We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’” (4:6‬). Joshua even stacked 12 stones of his own in the middle of the Jordan river and the Bible says they still stood in that day as a reminder.

The Jordan river experience is a lasting example, a life lesson, that getting to God’s promises will normally mean crossing some kind of barrier. And, crossing those barriers in faith is not for the weak or faint of heart! But also, every barrier crossing should be celebrated and memorialized as praise to God and reminders that He is faithful to His promises.

I love the verse in 1 Corinthians 16:9 where the Apostle Paul reminds us of this Jordan river principle – “There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me.” With God’s help, barriers, like rivers and oppositions are meant to be met and crossed.

Prayer

Dad,
There are barriers and opposition everywhere I look! Yet, with faith, I can see beyond them and find opportunities that lie ahead of me. Great opportunities + opposition = faith in You. Jesus even said there’d be tribulation, but be of good cheer because He has overcome the world! I am up for the great adventures and opportunities ahead.

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Reconciling my frenemies.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The best friendships are also the most vulnerable to offense. Trust takes years to build and it can be destroyed in seconds with a purposeful or even accidental moment of betrayal. There is even something WORSE that happens when a friendship is threatened or demolished. It makes us very leery of trusting others. So great friends are not only hard to find, they are much harder to keep!

This wisdom saying holds the key to not just surviving an offense or even a betrayal, it gives hope to those who want to build and keep quality friendships. The first key is the word, “harder.” This is simple but rarely practiced. It’s not impossible to win back the friendship! In fact, once this kind of friendship has been able to navigate the tunnel of chaos or conflict, it becomes even stronger than before. As any wartime general would attest, there is no such thing as an impenetrable fortress. Hard, yes, but not impossible.

The second key is found in this idea of causality – THE argument. Every human relationship, no matter how good or how close, has its moments of impasse! The argument may exacerbate the opposing ideas, but that’s still not what brings down a relationship. When one, or the other, or both decide to LOCK THE GATE – now we have a problem. When we lock the gate of our heart, the defenses go up and access to our brain filled with thoughts, ideas, attitudes, hopes, dreams, sorrows and big emotions are no longer accessible to our friend. The argument is no longer a clashing of ideas it turns into an inaccessible, impenetrable locked gate. Both have allowed these volatile opinions to become weapons that pierce each other’s soul! Soon angry phrases emote out of deep anger, frustration or defense – phrases like, “you are dead to me,” or “never speak to me again.”

Friends banter, they even fight, but the tips of their swords are always rounded and the wounds are never kill-shots. Our stubborn pride buried beneath our wounds may never allow us to heal, restore or reconcile.

A few verses down there’s another friend proverb that helps us understand this predicament. There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭24‬.

Real friends move past the offended or betrayed friend stage, pulling each other in closer, rather than pushing away. Doesn’t the Bible both encourage and command us to reconcile and love one another? Wouldn’t it be wise to obey, even though it’s hard? One of Jesus’ friends betrayed him with a kiss, and Jesus called him out in the garden. Another friend betrayed him by disowning Jesus and declaring that “he did not know him.” Jesus gently restored him after sharing breakfast on the shores of the lake.

Great friendships are worth saving and savoring, persevering and protecting!

Prayer

Dad,
While I was still offending you… you forgave me. While I was still yet denying you…Jesus died for me. You made the impossible happen. You breached the walls of my heart, you stood at the entrance of my locked gate and asked me to let you in. I did so and I will forever be grateful. Now, you ask me to do the same for those who have offended me, betrayed me. How can I say no? Knowing how much it cost you and how far you went to reconcile me, how can I not do the same? Help me not be defined by the frenemies I hold onto, but the grace to forgive like you have done for me.

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Spiritual Superstition?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“After they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret. When the people recognized Jesus, the news of his arrival spread quickly throughout the whole area, and soon people were bringing all their sick to be healed. They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭34‬-‭36‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Matthew and Mark have this story in their gospel accounts. These miracles were one of 37 miracles of Jesus written. In chronological order, these come in at number 21.

What is interesting is Matthew and Mark both mention the immediate recognition of Jesus and this fascinating idea that people were clamoring to touch the “fringe” of Jesus robe. The touching of the fringe was first mentioned earlier in the gospels when a woman was seeking healing for her issue of blood. She had been suffering for 12 years. She had heard about Jesus’ healing ability as well, and thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭5‬:‭28‬.

The timeline Jesus’ miracles means that the gospels connect Jesus first visit to the shoreline of Galilee (healing of the mad naked man) and Jesus return to the other side of the shore of Galilee where he healed the woman’s physical condition. Jesus’ popularity had risen dramatically along with this idea that folks could touch his robe and be healed.

Here’s the shocker. Touching Jesus’ robe came out of a very old story, almost a “wives’ tale,” about the future Messiah. It wasn’t Jesus robe they were reaching for, it was wasn’t even the fringe of his garment. What they were reaching for was Jesus prayer tassels!

The tassels (Greek:kraspedon) of Jesus’ garments, which is mentioned in Numbers 15:38. A Jewish male wore these on each of the four extremities of his cloak. How did touching anyone’s prayer tassels lead people to believe they could be healed? Most likely that came from Malachi 4:2 where it says, “the Sun of justice shall arise, and health in his wings.” Malachi was speaking about the future, coming Messiah! Since no one really knew exactly how to interpret the word “wings,” in Hebrew it’s kanaph: wing, extremity. It can also be interpreted as “corner, edge, edges, ends, fold, or garment!” Thus, the belief began – the Messiah would have supernatural healing abilities in his “wings.” Mothers believed that their son one day, might actually be the Messiah, began making their young men these prayer tassels (which were a physical object lesson to remember to pray) These tassels were then made a little longer and over time a more vibrant blue. By the time of Christ, Mary would have made her son his own prayer tassels, and also made them a little longer and the blue a little more vibrant.

The woman with a desperate physical need wholeheartedly believed that the true Messiah would carry this healing with him and by touching his prayer tassels, would be healed. Veronica made her way through the crowd, violating the social health laws (she wasn’t allowed to be around anyone because of her bleeding), and snuck up behind Jesus. Jesus wasn’t even aware that she was there, nor did he feel her touch his tassel. He did, however feel power go out of him! Jesus declared her healed because of her faith and did not mention that the story, the superstition of the Messiah’s prayer tassel, had special properties on its own. It wasn’t Veronica’s faith in the tassel, it was her faith that Jesus was THE Messiah. He’s the one all the stories of God’s redemption were about. Her faith was in Christ!

The point, the story of being healed by touching Jesus robe, went out far and wide. By the time Jesus arrived on the shores of Gennesaret, months later, people were clamoring to touch his tassels! Here’s the surprise… “and all who touched him were healed.” Do I believe in superstitions and stories that may appear to have magical powers of healing? Not particularly. However, I am fully aware of God’s grace and mercy towards us. God can do what He wants. I’m not so quick to put down the wild ways God works to capture the hearts of humans.

Prayer

Dad,
Whether it’s Jesus’ pictures on toast, trees or clouds or prayer tassels, I believe you will do some crazy things to convince our stubborn, unbelieving hearts that you are real and that you love us. I am happy to serve a mysterious and supernatural God!

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The Exodus story lives on in us.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt.” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭12‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When one looks closely you can see the story of death, sacrifice and blood from Genesis to Revelation. God himself killed the first animal to clothe the couple in the garden, covering their nakedness (Gen 3:21). Some scholars disagree, but I believe it subtly showed up with Adam’s sons, Cain and Able. Able chose to give God the best of his flocks, the firstborn of his lambs. Cain just gave some of his crops (Gen 4:4). One was a blood sacrifice, one was not. God chose this object lesson about blood to span the eons of time for humans.

The Exodus is an eternal story of redemption and sacrifice that points to the Messiah, Jesus, and beyond. Yet, even after Jesus’ own innocent blood become the markings on a wooden cross for us, death did not pass over Christ. Jesus gave his life as the one and only perfect sacrifice for anyone who would believe and recognize his death, his blood, as payment for their sin. Remember, anyone who eats the fruit of the tree of knowledge will die! The couple ate and immediately, spiritually died and eventually physically died as well.

Every human being has also eaten of the forbidden fruit since! Every human being, ever born, has believed the lie, eaten the fruit, and disobeyed God. Thus, every human is destined to die both spiritually and physically. Jesus death, his blood becomes the “sign,” the covering, on the doorposts of our heart and our life. To believe means that through faith, we have applied that covering so the death angel will pass over us as well, because we are marked (the New Testament uses the phrase, sealed with the Holy Spirit).

In the final book, Revelation, the ending of all things, we see the same theme of the blood as an end-cap to God’s grand story of redemption, of exodus, of completion. A loud voice declares that believers in Jesus have conquered the slanderer by the blood of the lamb (Jesus) and the word of their testimony (they lived and spoke of – not their own truth, but of Christ’s truth). We actually “bear witness” through belief and telling of our own story of being rescued! The Exodus story still lives on, in and through our lives today. Once I was blind, but now I see. I was lost but now I am found. Amazing grace how sweet the sound.

Prayer

​Dad,
What a grand story we are living! I am so thankful to not just be alive today, but to be a part of Your very long story.

Bravo God 🙌🏼 🙌🏼 🙌🏼.

When I was young in faith and in understanding of who You are, I thought these themes of sin, death and blood were so dark and creepy. Now, as I have matured, I see them as marvelously mysterious! I am not a huge fan of blood, I get pretty queasy, but I am a huge fan of being rescued and restored to a full and amazing life. I see more clearly now than ever before. And, I am hundreds of times more grateful.

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When God feels distant.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“O God, do not be silent! Do not be deaf. Do not be quiet, O God. Don’t you hear the uproar of your enemies? Don’t you see that your arrogant enemies are rising up? They devise crafty schemes against your people; they conspire against your precious ones.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭83‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Asaph records this Psalm after the Assyrian army tore through the land, wiping out almost everything and everyone. Asaph’s basic prayer is “God do something!” The enemy is loud and arrogant, he says. Can’t you hear them… because we sure do! It is hard to watch wars and evil atrocities rise up then, in ancient times, and now in modern times. We face enemies within and enemies without. We are constantly fed news telling us – someone or something is always after us. Bombings in other countries and violence, either in weather or crazy mobs here at home.

I can hear myself asking God similar questions. “Don’t you hear the uproar?” There seems to be a basic baseline of irritability and incivility. News about levels of uncertainty are rising. Why would a woman, simply denied a refund at a clothing store, go home and return with a rifle? We are all desperate for someone to intervene. Politicians and police are not going to do it.

I agree with Asaph! God, we need you to not be silent, but to rise up. Isaiah prophesied in 59:19, “So shall they fear The name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.” God, we are flooded with evil all around and it’s overwhelming. Help us. Save us. Show up in your mighty mercy and grace to stop the rising tide of chaos, anarchy and instability. Asaph asked God to “scatter them [the enemy] like tumbleweed, like chaff before the wind!” in verse 13. Come near to us Oh God!

Prayer

Dad,
We are not better than anyone else in this country, but my concern is not just for those who walk with you. My heart breaks for the wickedness towards the innocent, our children our poor, our seniors and widows who struggle. There are insidious plans laid out for our littles one – destroy those plans! There are pressures and financial struggles for the poor and those on fixed income – rush to their aid! Give us wisdom and courage with effective plans to help them. Give us leaders who make wise decisions of justice and remove those who are in it for personal gain and selfish agendas. Rise up Oh God!

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Lessons from an introverted leader.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Moses, the man, the legend! Moses’ life is a great example of God’s calling on a person. His story is famous, but his journey to fulfill God’s call is often overshadowed by the amazing scenes of miracles God did through his frailty. Moses wasn’t a weak man, not in grit or girth, but in his self confidence he was weak. His view of himself was not at all what God saw in him.

At eighty years old, God catches Moses’ attention out in the middle of nowhere. And, God waited forty years to approach him. Forty years is plenty long for the death of one’s dreams. At forty, Moses’ anger had finally boiled over when he murdered an Egyptian foreman because the man was mercilessly beating one of his own people. Moses escaped and fled to Midian, the desert where people can disappear. Now at 80 years old, he curiously checks out this crazy fire-bush.

A casual conversation with God on the side of a mountain takes place. God tells Moses his plan. He says, “I’m getting my people out of Egypt, out of slavery and setting up a new place they will call their own. A beautiful place fill with plenty, but there are some folks already there, but I’ll move them out to make room for my people. I’ve heard their cry and I am ready to send someone to lead them out. I am sending you!

It was all a nice conversation until it came down to a command. It wasn’t a question, like with Isaiah, “Whom should I send?” No, it was an order. Moses protested! Moses asked the most telling question of anyone who has ever been called by God. “Who am I?” This wasn’t humility, this was truth. Moses saw himself as a nobody because he was a nobody! He was living a quiet, simple life with his whole new family. He was married, had a kid; Egypt and his former existence was a lifetime in the past. Yet, God would not take no for an answer, because it wasn’t a request, it was a command. God’s patience is sweet, but He would have his way. Moses protest goes on for a very long time, from 3:11 to 4:17, you’ll find every excuse presented and dismissed. But you’ll notice a shuttle shift in wording in verse 10. Moses changes his method from “protest” to “pleading.” Three specific protests and two pleas! The final one, “But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”” God relented and Moses thought he was off the hook, God said, “fine,” I’ll let your brother, Aaron do the talking, but YOU are still going! What an incredible exchange between the God of all creation and this broken, wash-up, now invisible man, living in the desert.

Who can tell God no? The fears and frailties are real. The common misconception is that God “prepares” those he calls. Ha! That’s funny. Yeah, God prepares alright! He says, “Here’s what you’re going to do… now obey me and get going!” That’s the prep! I don’t know who started this nonsense that somehow miraculously one slowly grows into what God sees in them, when they cannot see it themselves. I can tell you from my experience, I grew and learned through OBEDIENCE. There was no model, no template, no lectures on methodology and no practice test. There was only, “Here’s the plan, go and be obedient.” It required 100% faith to cut through the overwhelming fear that I was not enough. I was not old enough, experienced enough, nor knowledgeable enough. I learned about leadership through obedience. You can take dozens of classes. Listen to hundreds of podcasts about how others did it. Follow a more experienced person and try to emulate what you saw. NONE OF IT compares to obedience and faith. You just have to DO IT.

Moses obeyed and told his father-in-law, then Aaron, then the leaders of Israel, living in Egypt, then finally Pharaoh himself. He became an extraordinary leader, not perfect though. I still see the pattern in Moses’ life… God speaks, he obeys.

Prayer

Dad,
Obedience is better than sacrifice. Obedience is faith in action. Obedience is not in my beliefs, it’s in my behavior. I can imagine that I am obedient to your will, your way, all day long, but until my behavior follows through, it’s just a game, a pretense. Thank you your patience, grace and kindness as I get over myself and learn to just do what you say.

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We are what we speak.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince. Proverbs‬ ‭17‬:‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Proverbs is so good at comparing and contrasting concepts and character. ESV (English Standard Version) translation captures the punny play on words here, with the words “fine” and “false.” In this little proverb, there is a lot of truth packed into the words and rhythm of speaking it out loud. Just say the words, fine, fool and false out loud.

Words that describe us as humans, are a glimpse of our character, and become pretty sticky and consistent over time. In other words, people get to know us by our words. And, either the words we use match our behaviors, or they don’t – both outcomes are very telling!

The wisdom writers point out that you should not hear trash-talk coming from true royalty, or a leader for example. They use the comparison between a fool (nabel: wicked, stupidly evil – used 18 times in the Old Testament, only 3 of those in Proverbs), and a Prince. They juxtapose “nabel” with “nadib.” Nadib is used for nobility, a prince, a leader. The word Prince means one who generously incites to good. The noble lips drip with “yether,” abundant excellence, the evil fool with “sheqer,” lies and deception.

Does our character define our vocabulary or do our words define our character?

Rant warning! Is it just me or has there been a massive increase in public potty mouth? It’s not just F-bombs either. Folks used to apologize for potty-mouth words! My grandmother was a cusser. She would would go off with a Sailor’s string of profanity, but often end with “excuse my french.” I didn’t think those words sounded French, nor did I know if the French were constantly using swear words in their country. We have lost our “ability of civility” to control our potty mouths! It’s just not cute to hear a five year old drop F, S, or B words in casual kindergarten conversation! The only reason swearing isn’t on “public” television or “OTA” (over the air), is because the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) fortunately, still makes it illegal. Cable, satellite and streaming are not held to any standards even though the content is sent directly to homes with children watching! BTW, it’s ridiculous that somehow “Christian” freedom has been cited for believers to sound like trashy potty-mouths! End of rant.

Proverb’s wisdom still speaks today! The trust in leaders has been completely eroded away in our culture! We know that when a politician, media spokesperson or anyone defending themselves in the spotlight opens their mouth they are LYING. Do we want good character? Then we should should quit sounding like fools!

Prayer

Dad,
Oh my goodness, we’ve got ourselves is a mess! It’s a mess that only you can resolve. Help us O’ God. We ask for your forgiveness, your mercy. As we yield to you, renew and restore our sense of right vs wrong, truth vs lies, good words vs evil ones. We cry out to you. Lord, hear our prayer.

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Keys to the cypher.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, “Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field.” Jesus replied, “The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed. The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus told many parables, stories with hidden meaning. These stories were perplexing and mysterious. The curious, the learner would listen and think about these words and concepts for days, maybe even weeks. This is one of the ways Jesus revealed himself as God as well as shared the soon coming Kingdom of God, which he ushered in back then. The Kingdom is both here and still yet to be fulfilled, even today. This is also a mystery. Matthew writes, “Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables.” Vs. 34‬.

Privately, Jesus would sometimes pull his disciples aside to explain the parable, thus giving his followers the keys to the cypher. In this parable about the wheat and the tares, Jesus gives the key characters, unlocking the puzzle of who he was talking about. He describes himself as the planter of good seed. The field is the world in which we live. The seed itself, Jesus says is the people in the Kingdom. Many would suppose that the seed is the Word of God, but in this story Jesus says it is the people who believe and make up the residents of the Kingdom. The weeds are also described as people, but these are folks who belong to the evil one. Here, Jesus uses an interesting word for “evil one.” Sons of the evil one are the “ponéros: toilsome, bad,” derived from “pónos,” – pain, laborious trouble, pain-ridden, emphasizing the inevitable agonies (misery) that always go with evil. And finally, the weed planter is none other than satan, the “diabolos” – slanderer. Jesus goes on to describe, what many modern pho-theologians deny, as HELL. He says the weeds along with the weed-sower will be burned in the fire, thrown into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

There is a point to this entire chapter of parables. Those who want to find God, know God and have a relationship with him… will find and can KNOW, becoming a person of the Kingdom! Yes, it’s a narrow gate, a miracle, and it will cost one everything, but it is possible. God is not hiding so that one cannot find him. He wants us to seek, knock and pursue him. God is already waiting and already made a way!

Prayer

Dad,
I ache for those who are miserable and blame you for it. My heart breaks for those who have suffered or are suffering and see nothing but darkness and doom ahead. But, I also know that you are there for them, if they will turn and lean in to find you. Thank you for doggedly, constantly, consistently pursuing us by your grace. Come close to the broken, that they may be healed and find peace.

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Tonight’s BIGGEST nightlight show on earth!

Reading Time: 2 minutes

When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers— the moon and the stars you set in place— what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority— the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents. O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭8‬:‭3‬-‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

You have the opportunity of seeing Psalm 8 in the night sky. Tonight’s show (8-30-23) can be seen just before 8pm PST. There is another August Super-moon. From NPR – A perigean full moon, better known as a supermoon, happens when the moon is full during the closest point in its orbit around Earth. This means it’ll appear about 8% larger than a normal full moon and 15% brighter than a normal full moon. So it’s rare for us on Earth to see two full moons in the span of a single month. When we do, we call it a “blue moon.” Tonight, this Psalm will be spectacularly displayed in full color.

The Psalmist declares this intense moment when every human being on the planet can simply look up at the night sky and actually see the glory of God displayed in wonder! Saying, “when I look and see,” it’s all there. Then, as though the psalmist allows his gaze to drift downward, he also sees his friends, possibly standing with him, also looking up in the night sky. He writes about God’s care for “mere mortals,” mankind that God should attend to/care about. God made humans just slightly lower than the angels, yet he crowns us with his own glory and honor. God shares some of what he is with human beings! God charged us and gave us the authority over everything he made. God made us the caretakers of this planet. He entrusted us to keep the beauty and sustainability of this beautiful blue planet! How are we doing with that? God declared what he made was good and gave us the job of keeping it good. Believers in God, followers of Jesus, should be the absolute best caretakers on planet! We should be the smartest, most fierce environmentalists ever known. Not because of politics! Not to fall prey to the lies of the Slanderer in believing the earth is to be worshipped, therefore bowing to sun, moon and stars. NO! But to acknowledge that this is our responsibility to manage what God has clearly given us the authority to maintain. We don’t look at a gorgeous blue moon and see an object to worship. We don’t study the stars, the monkeys or the whales because we are just in awe of them. We are overwhelmed by the God who created all things and gave us charge over all of it! When I look up at night, I see God’s glory. When I look around in the daylight, I see God’s glory. And, when I look at you, I see God’s glory!

Prayer

Dad,
Let everything that has breath praise You! As I look upon the wonder of a super-moon moment tonight, I will lift my voice to the heavens and declare that you are worthy of praise and all glory and honor is due to you and your majestic name fills the earth.