Tag: Grace

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Promise Breakers

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“Remind the people of Judah and Jerusalem about the terms of my covenant with them. Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Cursed is anyone who does not obey the terms of my covenant! For I said to your ancestors when I brought them out of the iron-smelting furnace of Egypt, “If you obey me and do whatever I command you, then you will be my people, and I will be your God.” I said this so I could keep my promise to your ancestors to give you a land flowing with milk and honey—the land you live in today.’” Then I replied, “Amen, Lord! May it be so.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭11‬:‭2‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Growing up in an alcoholic, addicted home, my adopted father was consistent in two things: After every binge, he was always sorry and he promised to never do it again. He was sorry, but he was rarely able to keep his promises. Coming from a promise breaker’s home meant constant disappointment.

All the prophets brought warnings, pleadings and truth. The covenant: Blessed if kept, cursed if broke. And, the people would not, could not, keep their promises. The drive and cravings to wander away were just too strong – “they stubbornly followed their own evil desires” 11‬:‭8‬. Eve & Adam’s desires to override God’s command to not eat, are the key to understanding what drives us to sin. These desires appear to meet a basic need – we hunger for things. These desires look amazing, so obviously it will make us look amazing as well. And these desires make it feel like it will boost us above others.

Breaking the promise to keep the covenant would basically mean chasing after fake gods to fulfill these desires within us. The hunger to satisfy ourselves, to fit in with what others are into or give us the edge to rise above – to know more and be more. Whether it’s following a fake god or becoming your own god, both are a destiny of destruction.

God’s covenant is the path to the good life, the true life! God’s judgements on His own people is the discipline and correction to try to get folks to wake up, shake off the loser-loves that lead us away from God, and come home! God promised milk and honey, but His judgement was willing to feed them plagues and war to remind them of what they are giving up to go their own way. Interesting that God tells them, “I brought your kin out of the iron-smelting furnace of Egypt.” In other words, God brought them out of a hellish existence to give them the taste of heaven. Sadly, like dogs returning to our own vomit, we are continually being called back to our disordered desires.

Doing what is right, living right and keeping our promises to follow God is hard! Grace and mercy cover us because of the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus, makes it possible to live in forgiveness and God’s acceptance. Yet, living in the freedom of grace doesn’t mean we don’t experience consequences of our sin. Our desires to get our own way and step-out on our relationship with God, still have dangerous results. Our hearts can still be swayed or cooled, causing us to walk away from God’s presence. We are still capable of flirtatious affairs with fake gods, with voices that tell us we are our own god and control our own destiny! We still need help to be promise keepers with God.

Prayer

​Dad,
It took awhile to understand that ancient people worshipping and sacrificing to idols was much more than bowing to poles, statues and carvings. There are real beliefs attached to those human crafted creations. We still have idols, most are no longer hand-crafted, but they still cost something and are still worshipped. Maybe it’s an ideology, aliens or even technology, but it’s giving these things a place that only you deserve! We will worship something – even if that’s ourself. I owe you my life, you saved it, redeemed it and transformed it. You are God and I must resist any and all desires that draw me away from you. Thank you for Your grace!

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The truth about God’s prescience.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

”The Lord said to Moses, “Get going, you and the people you brought up from the land of Egypt. Go up to the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I told them, ‘I will give this land to your descendants.’ And I will send an angel before you to drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. Go up to this land that flows with milk and honey. But I will not travel among you, for you are a stubborn and rebellious people. If I did, I would surely destroy you along the way.” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭33‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Knowing what’s going to happen before it happens is almost impossible for humans to handle! It screws with our heads and makes us a little crazy. God does not get emotional, arrogant or narcissistic about power and prescience (foreknowledge). This makes truth rather harsh doesn’t it? When ya know ya know.

God told Moses plenty about His ways and His plans for the people of Israel. His promises are true but also trustworthy. We’re the ones that have hard time hearing about the future, especially when it comes to our own future. We ache to know, but do we really need to know? I think faith is far better than knowledge about the future. It is totally evident that humans crave, if not obsess with knowledge about their own future. Just look at the fascination with horoscopes, tarot cards, crystal balls, tea leaf readings, zodiac, astrological signs and palm readings. Most are all cheap tricks and cons, but it’s the ones that infused with lies from Satan that rattle me.

Here in Exodus, God tells Moses straight out… Go to the land I promised! I have given it to you. And, I will send an angel to clear out the wicked, ungodly cultures and people groups. Moses – get them to the land that flows with milk & honey (representing the joys of an easy life). You collect things like milk and honey, you don’t toil by planting and harvesting this stuff!

God drops in these words, “I’m not traveling with you.” Whoa. I won’t say that God needed some distance from the current and future nonsense the people would get themselves into – flirting with other gods, whining and complaining about how terrible life is as a FREE nation and constantly wanting more. God just lays out the prescience truth – you’re stubborn and rebellious! And the likelihood is that God would destroy them before reaching their promised destination. Ouch. You can’t tell me when we read this we’re not a little offended because Israel is US. Israel represents the best of humanity and it’s still awful. If you can’t see stubbornness and rebelliousness in your own heart, I’m sorry but you’re blind to the truth. Until humanity gets to the promised Messiah, when Jesus mitigates and eradicates sin on our behalf, we’d have to admit – THIS IS US! God in his wisdom told Moses it’s better that I don’t walk with you along the way. God doesn’t just know information about us, God KNOWS every detail of our heart and soul – nothing is hidden from him. Am I grateful that God now sees me through the work of Jesus on the cross, dying, paying for my sin? Of course I am! But there’s not a moment that goes by that I don’t see my little devious, sneaky little disordered desires trying to rule and ruin my life every single day. And that’s sans the Devil “making” me do stuff.

Personally I like God’s straightforward truth. I don’t like people lying to me or shading, bending or softening the truth. God knows because He sees all of time from beginning to end as forever NOW. It’s all current and present for God. So, the truth is, God knows our sin and still loves us! God knows our stubbornness and His mercy is extended to us. God even says our faith in the work of Jesus parlays into righteousness! Wow. I like God knowing and I like NOT knowing about the future. I trust completely trust Him with my life, whatever may come.

Prayer

​Dad,
Oh I’ve been curious about my future, especially when I was young. But now that I’m old and have made quite a few mistakes and missteps, I choose to just relax and trust you with your plans for my life. I’ll still make plans of my own, but it’s with full confidence that you will direct my foot to exactly the place on the path where I need to be. Thank for your grace and mercy, even in my past impatience.

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The theology of spiritual gifts.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true. Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬-‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Apostle Paul, in his second of thirteen letters to churches, wrote to the churches in Corinth around 53-54 AD. In his letter to the churches in Galatia, he writes about the “fruit of the Holy Spirit.” As we see here in Paul’s introductory remarks, he begins to lay out this understanding of spiritual gifts, given to individuals to advance the cause of Christ both in the “ecclesia,” the gathering of believers as well as the marketplace among nonbelievers.

Paul tells the church, “you’ve got every spiritual gift you need.” He also encourages them that these gifts and it will help as they eagerly wait for Jesus’ return, the “parousia,” his coming. It’s Paul’s last thought in his introduction that jumps out at me! Paul writes “for he has called or invited us into “koinónia” this deep, intimate fellowship and communal participation.” It always amazes me that God solely and supernaturally provides for us a way back to himself, through the sacrifice of his son.” And yet, God also asks us, calls us, to JOIN him in this process of salvation, of redemption both within the body of Christ (the church) and those who have not yet believed!

The spiritual gifts that Paul introduced to the church for the first time are THE ways God makes us abundantly rich, equipping us to both be disciples and make disciples. The beauty of this idea of spiritual gifts is that everyone who loves and follows Jesus has them and everyone can begin figuring out how, when and where to use them. This is what we do until Jesus returns! We lavish the love of Jesus on those around us, using the gifts he has given to love one another and be the light, mercy and grace to those who do not yet believe in him.

Paul led one of the wildness churches in the New Testament in this theology of Spiritual Gifts to prove that God can and will use anyone who humbles themselves in obedience and wonder. Do you know there are whole denominations that do not even believe these spiritual gifts are for us today? They won’t teach it, or they will spin it to mean something completely opposite of what Paul intended. These gifts are, and have always been for all believers. There were many years that church leaders and the people in the “pew” were taught that only the priests, pastors, bishops of elders could practice these gifts in the body of Christ. Sadly, there were also too many years that folks let it happen! Terms were used to separate the profession class of “clergy” and the “do as your told” class of “laity.” There are no such distinctions in the New Testament Church! We are all one body under Jesus. Those concepts of the separation of professional and common have caused great harm to Christ’s Church, His body. God help us to return to the Biblical theology of Spiritual gifts that Paul wrote about so long ago.

Prayer

​Dad,

What a joy it is to find purpose and charis, grace or gifts that you assign to us! I know the Church has had several resurgences over the past 50 years, but the average believer is still having difficulty understanding their gifts and using them in the Church and the marketplace. Why is that? Your guy Paul wrote this thousands of years ago! Is it still so controversial? Is it intimidating? Would followers of Jesus still rather leave it to “professionals” or “paid” staff to do it all? There is so much we could do if we all used these gifts you have given each of us. Help us Oh Lord! Let your Word come to life through all of Your body. Amen.

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Losing our footing.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen. ‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Peter’s warnings about such things that happen in the last days. He writes about folks who are carried away, using the Greek word, “sunapagó.” The New Testament description of being led away or carried along with others. Culture has always been a powerful force of influence on us! We are relational beings, so we are especially affected by social viruses that spread quickly through popularity, influencers and a strong desire to belong. As with any temptation to wander away, we see the flashy objects that look good, even desirable – sound familiar? When our eyes are fixated on what looks good to our eyes and makes us look wise, it should tip us off that there is normally an enemy whispering for us to eat it and share it others.

Peter matches this idea of being enamored and swept off our feet with another powerful word. He writes that these cultural icons we are so smitten with are actually “athesmos.” The term “athesmos” is used to describe individuals or actions that are contrary to divine law or moral order. It conveys a sense of being without regard for God’s commandments or ethical standards. In the New Testament, it is often used to highlight the moral corruption and rebellious nature of certain people (Biblehub).

These influencers can cause us to lose our own secure footing (New Living Translation), our own “stérigmos.” The word for being firmly established or having a stable foundation. It conveys the idea of spiritual steadfastness and the ability to remain unwavering in one’s faith and convictions. Can the lure of culture mixed with the corrupt morals of powerful carriers cause us to LOSE our own stability in Jesus? Peter says – YES, absolutely. Peter also says that we should know better. Of course we know with our head, but we allow our hearts to be swayed, longing to be in with the crowd.

The antidote to these powerful social viruses is to constantly grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. To “auxanó” grow or increase our spiritual and communal development! Staying curious, humble and continually learning and investing in our primary relationship with God. There is a lust of belonging or going along with the current trends of others. We often fear of standing out or standing up for what we believe. We must stand not shrink! We must lead not be led or swayed! Paul told the Corinthians, who faced a plethora of plurality and squishy morals – stand firm in the faith, be strong!

Prayer

​Dad,
There are so many flashy, lusty lures and shiny people to distract us from keeping our eyes on you. It is constant and consistently dangled in front of us. It’s like the scene of the forbidden fruit of good and evil playing on repeat over and over again. Except this fruit is not good! Sin is so powerful. Our disordered desires so subtle. We need the power of your grace to hold us fast, keeping our footing secure as we grow. Help us be strong. Amen.

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The call.

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The Lord gave me this message: “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” “O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, “Look, I have put my words in your mouth! Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow. Others you must build up and plant. ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jeremiah records the moment that he received the call to be a spokesperson for God. Jeremiah was about 17 years old and faced rejection, depression, and loneliness for 40 years. He was known as the “Weeping Prophet.” Interestingly enough, Jeremiah, like many others who tried protesting God’s call, said, “I can’t speak and I am too young.” God did not take “no” for an answer.

Oftentimes we wrestle over the idea of a “calling” from God, not just because of feeling ill equipped, but also having a little bit of understanding of the scope of what this calling would mean. Finding leaders is always hard, I have found the best of them are resident and uncertain of their abilities. There’s something suspicious of people who are overeager to say yes! This also means we struggle with the idea of “free will” and the ability to say NO to God. We’ve seen some examples of this, especially with our angry prophet, Jonah! Jeremiah gets his orders and God promises to give him the words to speak and somehow even the nerve to stand up to kings and nations. Scriptures leave no record of how he died. Church tradition suggests that Jeremiah was stoned to death in Egypt by the Jews. We do know that the grief he bore was because of the stubbornness and hard hearted response from Judah’s kings. Jeremiah delivered God’s words to five kings, Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. God even forewarned Jeremiah that he would be a part of dethroning, “tearing down,” and uprooting kings and kingdoms. He was faithful to deliver what God told him to say to the nation right up to the time they were captured and led to Babylon, to become slaves serving in a 70 year time out from God.

For the majority of prophets, they were given a tough assignment, speak God’s words and warnings. Kings rarely listened. I am reminded that Nathan had the courage to confront David about his heinous sin of adultery and murder. He cleverly delivered the correction in the form of a story of someone being taken advantage of, triggering David’s own sensitivity towards the underdog. The prophets are heralded as heroes, and they were. But they were not treated as such in their day. Jesus points out the ignored truth in Matthew and Luke’s gospels, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets.” As well as this also in Luke, “Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets, and it was your ancestors who killed them.” The religious leaders loved quoting and bantering over what the prophets said, blind to the fact that, in their day, their words were not received. So, when the prophets spoke explicitly about the messiah, detailing what this future deliverer would look like and act like, future religious leaders chose to twist the scriptures to fit their own projected desires of Israel once again rising to become a superpower on the global scene.

Who wants to recognize the call of God on their life? Who wants to acknowledge they are ill equipped and cannot speak? It is still difficult to accept today! Not as prophets to the nations, but simply acknowledging God’s hand on one’s life. As one who begrudgingly said yes to God’s calling, also at seventeen, it was a heavy decision. I really didn’t know exactly what I was saying yes to! I was learning both discipline and obedience at the time. God had to present the question several times before I gave in and said yes. Do I regret it? No. Is it hard to live up to and stick with it all these years later? Yes, it is often difficult, lonely and a struggle. Yet, I still carry the gratitude and responsibility of being obedient to God.

Prayer

​Dad,
Reflecting on Jeremiah’s calling and knowing his story, I am reminded of my own life. I am nowhere on the same level as the Old Testament prophets, it’s not even close. But still, I do carry the weight and responsibility of Your calling. It is a high and difficult honor! I still feel unworthy. I don’t stutter as much in my speech, but I still stutter in my soul! I feel your heartbreak when I am not obedient or see the anguish of those who will not listen to your words and obey you. You will make our paths straight only through submitting to Your will. Am thankful to walk in this path of the “called?” I am thankful for your grace, forgiveness and mercy to even begin to still hear your voice beckoning me to come and follow. Amen.

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Does God “gentle parent” us?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child. ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Gentle parenting is a current style used by many to positively, affirmingly, understand their child’s behavior and allows them to self-correct. “A parenting style that focuses on empathy, respect, and connection to help children develop strong social skills and emotional intelligence.” And, “Gentle parenting focuses on parenting children without shame, blame, and punishment. This style of parenting centers around collaboration between parents and children.”

The author of Hebrews leans on an ancient Proverb and gives us a practical interpretation, Proverbs 3:11-12. Proverbs ends with this, ”For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.” Proverbs uses the Hebrew word for discipline, “yakach,” to decide, adjudge, even to argue! Hebrews uses the Greek word, “paideia,” the rearing of a child, training, discipline, correcting and proving. The Greek has the idea of chastening or purifying. This shows up in verse 13, where the Greek word, “mastigoó,” to scourge, appears. There is just no way around this very strong use of physical pain to be used in training. Does God send “severe pain” in the best eternal interests of the believer?

Anyone who studies the idea of the discipline, even in the context of learning skills, especially in sports, knows that pain is critical in the development of our own muscles! Pain may not be literally delivered in physical whippings or beatings, but life itself frequently delivers warnings in the learning process. When we fall, touch fire or electricity we experience pain! It’s a really good reminder, even an educator, to not repeat the behavior. The focus of the verses, here or in Proverbs, is not really the pain of discipline, it’s the idea that correction, chastening and proving is an act of love! For a parent of a young child to withhold warning, correction, even proper, age appropriate physical pain, to train a child about authority and boundaries would not be love. Proverbs speaks of the reason it is so critical, “foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child! “ It is also bound up in the human heart. The Hebrew word for foolishness, “ivveleth,” is from the word, “evil.” Look, if we came out of our mother’s womb with a moral sense of goodness, purity and wisdom, then parenting would hardly be necessary. Ah, but we are not born with an internal sense of good, are we? We use the word for babies referring them as innocent, but that’s just because they are needy and defenseless. It doesn’t take long for any parent to realize they have a self determined will and most, not all, are excited to challenge you.

However, whether you believe in gentle parenting or hard boundaries with gentle, physical consequences for clear challenges from a child, the point is God does discipline us. And, God does so with physical corrections because he loves us. What does it look like? It’s different for every person. I believe that God uses circumstances and even people to deliver His discipline. What have you learned? Have you recognized correction from God? If you wonder what will happen when we purposely continue to choose sin, challenging God with his own loving boundaries, God will step in to keep us on His path.

Prayer

​Dad,
Not only do I believe your Word when you clearly discipline those you love. I have experienced your correction, and have learned to recognize it and respond with confession and repentance. I know it’s for my own good. I know it’s because you are watching, and are actively keeping me accountable because of your faithfulness, patience and love. Thank you for your boundaries, and your discipline! Amen.

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Too shy to tell?

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies. Psalms‬ ‭107‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Ezra takes a moment here in this Psalm to declare the goodness of God. They are returning from Babylonian captivity and are not only excited to be free and return to their own land, but they are grateful for the lessons learned!

Are you in a dark place, walking through the shadows of life? I have been there! Several years ago I was fired from a ministry position. The first thirty days were filled with anger, grief and sheer panic! I didn’t know if I was being punished or disciplined by God or just experiencing suffering through “church hurt.” I was sidelined, like a timeout for an entire year!

But also during those first few months, something extraordinary happened. I had friends and family checking in with me, taking me out to lunch and just sitting with me in my grief – it felt like such a Job season. God was closer than ever! God was present in mercy, encouraging me through His word and through the words of others. It was surreal to experience God going through it, not getting out of it quickly.

It is interesting to me that we don’t often share our sorrows with each other and even more mind-boggling that we don’t share the moments of victory! When the shadows lift, the clouds dissipate and the sun shines brightly once again. It’s wonderful to share grief – a burden shared is lighter. But it’s even more exciting to come out of exile and share with friends just how good God was the entire time.

His faithful love does ENDURE! And God still redeems our brokenness, our sins and sorrows. We should not be shy about telling others that God is real, He’s close and He cares. Give thanks then tell your story?

Prayer

​Dad,
Whew, those were really dark days. I remember spending a lot of time (because I had an abundance of time) in the Psalms, grieving, crying and searching for answers. But not once did I feel alone. You were with me. Your comfort and peace gave me strength and kept my mind from spinning off into thinking or acting foolishly. I will tell of Your goodness to me. You redeemed that year and brought me so many opportunities and blessings. Thank you for grace and mercy. Amen.

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How to return home.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Praise the Lord! I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people. How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in him should ponder them. Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. He causes us to remember his wonderful works. How gracious and merciful is our Lord! Psalms‬ ‭111‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Psalm 111 is a tribute, written by Ezra the high priest and scribe, AFTER returning from 70 years of captivity in Babylon. To be clear, everyone knew why Israel was taken into slavery. The citizens had not only walked away from God, disregarding His laws and warnings, they had given themselves wholly to other gods, foreign gods – FAKE gods! God’s prophets, His spokespersons had been warning both the leaders of Israel and the prominent families to turn their hearts back to God. Israel consistently chose to do their own thing. Now, after 70 years, their city, their temple was decimated. Their kings, dead. Their brothers and sisters in the ten tribes that had split off from the whole, lost forever. The only ones to return were the remnants, the “root of Jesse,” as they were called.

Yet, in all this loss and penitence. In their humility, they found their heart for God. In mass they repented and made the journey back to rebuild what had been destroyed. Even though their hope was a flickering flame, a smoldering wick, just barely showing light, they remembered their God. Ezra writes, “He causes us to remember his wonderful works.” In complete misery of loss they remembered God and their own hearts turned, once again, towards Him!

How does one come back from devastation? How does one return to rebuild their entire life? How does one find hope in their future? Israel recognized their sin and remembered their God! Captivity wasn’t God’s fault, it was His love and discipline, going to extremes to keep His people from complete and utter destruction. The human heart, left to its own desires, will crash and burn and destroy everyone and everything around them. We are desperately wicked and strive against God to have our own way and do our own thing. God intervened, putting the nation in timeout until they came to their senses.

Psalm 111 captures the results of them turning their hearts towards God as they make their final assent back up to the city of Jerusalem. Ezra, returning and reflecting on the years of loss, looked up the road to Jerusalem. Then his eyes continued to look up, high into the heavens and thank God. What do you do to return? You look back and see your own decisions that led to devastation. You look up the road to see the restoration of your own future. And, you look even higher, to see God and thank Him for His righteousness, grace and mercy. This is the lesson of Psalm 111. Don’t quit. Don’t wallow. Don’t wait! Come home.

Prayer

​Dad,
What awaits us when we return home? Is it judgment, shame and humiliation? No! What awaits us is exactly what awaited Ezra and Your people – righteousness, grace and mercy. You want us to win. You want us to be well. You want us to live! Thank you oh Lord, for the means of mercy to see our failures and poor decisions. Thank you for the gift of seeing our past with the ability to turn to you and see our future. Thank you for real and genuine hope in the plans you have for us, if we would just turn and return. Amen.

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When you know you know.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. ‭‭Acts ‭20‬:‭22‬-‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Remember Paul received a very specific call from God to go to Jerusalem (Acts‬ ‭23‬:‭11). But remember that Paul had earlier received a general call to the Gentiles (Acts ‭22‬:‭21). Also, remember that Paul received both general and specific callings under extreme circumstances! His words started a religious riot among the warring religious gangs of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

In these verses above, Paul says he doesn’t exactly know what it will look like. Except he knows there will be prison and suffering involved. All he knows is that he must go and is determined to finish what God had assigned him. What part does pure GRIT play in pursing God’s calling? We know it takes faith! Maybe grit is a synonym for faith?

Speaking of grit, Paul shares with the very wild and talented people in the churches of Corinth his most transparent expression of exasperation! The churches had been listening to fake preachers brag about their pedigrees and their “burden” to spread the manure of a false gospel! Paul writes of his own riotous, quite miraculous journey to fulfill the calling of God. Because, when you know, you know.

Paul writes about prison-time, beatings and left for dead. Five times he received the famous thirty-nine lashing (believing that 40 would kill a man, it was merciful to do 39) from religious leaders behaving as thugs. Three more beatings with rods. He lived after being stoned. He survived three shipwrecks, including a night and day drifting in the open sea. He faced dangers from rivers and from robbers, deserts and seas. He worked tirelessly, hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. He had been hungry and thirsty and often gone without food. He had shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep warm. Then, besides all that, he carried the daily burden of concern for all the churches (‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭23‬-‭28‬).

Doesn’t this sound like a great prep-talk or sermon about the wonderful “calling of the Lord?” Paul wasn’t complaining to the Corinthian community, he was bragging about God’s power, seen through one human life. Paul knew what he knew and with that grit, he did far more than just survive this life on a dark planet – he thrived and flourished! Paul made it to Jerusalem to share the gospel with Caesar himself. God’s blessing, His grace, mercy and protection would not be found in Paul’s fame, money or power. It would be found in a spectacular resilience and strength to accomplish His will.

What is your calling? Don’t be afraid to ask. And don’t be afraid to hear the answer. I am no Paul, but thankfully God has called me. I am called to the broken. I am called to restore hope in those who have been told they are worthless because of what they have done or what others have done to them. I desire to be a hopebroker to the very end!

Prayer

​Dad,
A full third of my life was a struggle! A struggle of value, identity and purpose. You gave me a life that I could not ever of dreamed. It has been above and beyond adventurous along with some adversity. I was and still am determined to fulfill the calling you have given. With the grit of your grace I will be faithful. I know that I know. Thank you. Amen.

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Urgency of Jesus return.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. ‭‭James‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The “parousia” (a presence, a coming), the snatching, the “rapture,” as we know it today. It was 100%, absolutely expected within the first century of the New Testament Church! Why? Because all the signs were there – namely unprecedented persecution. The world as they knew it was ending. The powerful Roman regime was falling apart and global chaos was at an all time high.

Of course Jesus was returning – SOON. But he didn’t. One hundred years has turned into two thousand years, and the world cyclically got WORSE, not better. Think of the wars, conflicts, pestilence and disasters over the years. Who would read the words and warnings of Jesus himself and NOT think of the end, the apocalypse?

The hard news is this, the Lord’s return was intended to inspire HOPE not escapism! God was at work, so that NONE would die without believing and committing their life back to himself. God’s mercy is extremely long suffering! His grace is abundantly patient. After all these years, do I still believe in the return of Jesus Christ in His second coming? Unequivocally YES. However, am I weary of all those who secretly figure out some formula promising the date Jesus will come? Do I want him to return? Of course I do. The “parousia,” still gives me hope that there is a finality, an end, when, like childbirth, we see the beginnings, the Braxton Hicks of pain, when we know delivery is soon. The second coming is just the beginnings of the end.

However, I am not looking to get out of this world. I am looking for God’s presence to sweep over our globe bringing many to himself, a last effort of mercy to flood the planet like the water that covers 70% of the earth! I can be patient, as James encourages, because God knows what he’s doing. I trust in God, His timing and His will for all our lives. Sure, I can pray, “come quickly Lord Jesus,” as Revelation 22:20 says. But I am looking for signs of renewal, not rejection. For signs of a last revolution, not the great rebellion. My rapture glass is half full, not half empty!

Prayer

​Dad,
Ever since I learned of the rapture and its resurgence in the late seventies, it was terrifying and ominous for sure. But my life in You was just getting started! And, there were still a lot of people I wanted to see come to faith. I had no problem with the idea of delaying justice or judgment when I knew that you had saved me and called me out of my own sin. I wanted so many others to experience similar. Everyone was looking for “the antichrist,” while I was just getting to know THE Christ, your Son. I wouldn’t dare ignore any of the signs you have given us in Your word, but I would much rather look for the stirrings and signs of miracles, wonder and folks turning their hearts towards You! I agree with Peter, that none would perish, but that all should come to repentance! Amen.