Not My Will

It's one of those ice-breaker questions we all get asked from time to time: would you want to know how and when you're going to die? Consider the question carefully. Would you live differently? Knowing that information, how would you live?

If I'm honest with myself, it's very likely I'd spend a good deal amount of time obsessing over my impending demise. I mean, yeah, I'd want to make sure my family would be provided for, that I'm spending as much time with them as possible, that I'm leaving a mark... blah, blah blah. The truth is, I'm a very selfish person. I hope I'd be more concerned with my family, but when your death is there, just staring you in the face? Even knowing the Glory to which I am headed when my time on earth is done... there's still that little bit of fear and uncertainty about what's coming. Will it hurt, for example? I hate pain, and I have to be honest, it's likely I'd fixate on that point.

Yet, Jesus knew exactly what He was in for. He understood the prophecies concerning Himself -- He inspired them, after all, and breathed them into the minds and hearts of the prophets. But His time on earth was spent serving His fellow man -- and more importantly, teaching us how to live once His part had been played. The very life of Christ was a lesson in how to walk with God. He taught us how, and then provided the way.

But even Jesus had that moment of doubt. Will it hurt? Oh, yes. So much so that we invented a new word just to describe the very unique pain of death on a cross: excruciating. And before the cross? Torture. Hours of it. Humiliation. Emotional and physical pain heaped upon more pain until finally the body would just give up out of sheer exhaustion. That's what Jesus was looking forward to, as He prayed in Gethsemane, literally bleeding in grief and emotional torment.

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”(Luke 22:42)

Consider that. Hebrews 12:2 tells us, "for the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
That joy was not His being at the right hand of God: that was already His seat. The joy of which Paul is speaking is that you and I would be given the chance to walk, once again, with the Creator of the Universe. His joy was to be reunited with His beloved creation. 

And for that joy, knowing the pain, the shame, and the torment that was coming, He willingly sacrificed not only His body, but His very will, to the cause of His Father. 

The Way To Get Ahead Is To Start At The Feet

I've always wondered what a "Maundy" is. Actually, that's not entirely true. For the first few years available to my memory, I thought today was called "Monday Thursday," which made even less sense to me than whatever a "Maundy" was, once I figured out that's what they were saying.

Though there is some uncertainty about the meaning of the phrase, it most likely is taken from an old English derivation of a French pronunciation of the first word in the Latin of John 13:34 - "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos."

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

This was a part of the teaching Jesus passed to His disciples, after He had washed their feet, after dinner and the departure of Judas. It was among His final set of instructions to the Twelve, as He let them know they were in for some dark days.

Today, we remember that Last Supper, but, rightly, we also remember Jesus washing His disciples feet. Jesus uses this event to teach a couple different lessons. The first is the value of being washed by the Master:

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. (John 13:8b-10a)

But His second point is one He had repeated to His disciples throughout His ministry: 

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.  Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (John 13:12-17)

A life following Christ is a life of service. If you want to love somebody, you serve to meet their needs. Consider Ephesians 5:25-28

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

How many marriages could be saved -- how many abusive relationships avoided -- if men could only understand the example of Christ? Men are not meant to dominate the household, but to serve in the role of leader?

Consider how the entire world could change, if that word, "leader" were properly understood in the context of Christ? If we knew -- really knew -- that to lead was to serve?

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28) 

We as followers of Christ are not called to think ourselves better than others. Time and time again, Christ humbles the self-righteous, and exalts the humble. He values service and love over man's vacuous (and frankly dubious) standards of leadership.

The true leaders -- be it in Church, in government, or in the household -- are those humble enough to serve.

Quiet Times With Friends

Holy Wednesday is often seen as a period of time in which Jesus and His disciples rested. The chronology of Holy Week looks something like this: Sunday, Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem; Monday, the clearing of the money changers from the Temple; Tuesday, teaching and controversy as Jesus answers challenge after challenge by Pharisees and Sadducees... on Thursday, Jesus meets a final time with His disciples, has His last supper with them, and will be arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. He knows this. It stands to reason, then, that by Wednesday, knowing what's coming next, He would simply want a time to rest with His friends and in the presence of God.

As a working parent of four, there are three things I value more than anything else on this earth: sleep, silence, and adult conversation. Sometimes, even though I love my job -- and my children -- there is simply nothing I want more than to come home, send the kids to bed, turn off the TV, and have a cup of coffee with my wife.

I'm part of a small group Bible Study, and one of the funniest things about this group is that, when we get together, it takes us forever to actually get started. Why? Well, for one thing, we're all parents, and many of us have jobs outside the home. We send the kids downstairs with the sitter, and we just spend those first several minutes (and occasionally, I confess, the entire night) simply laughing and relaxing and enjoying the presence of other adults.

This is called fellowship, and it's vital. Even Jesus had His three confidants, and even, scholars suggest, a single best friend, John -- the one to whom He entrusted the care of His mother.

So, today, we remember that even our Lord, in the midst of the mental and emotional turmoil, took some time to simply enjoy His friends. And if He needed that time, don't we?

Choose This Day

Of all the recently-invented holidays we celebrate, one of my favorites has to be Make Up Your Own Holiday Day. It's fun to think of all the random -- or not so random -- things we could celebrate (though it is odd it's so close to holidays like Easter and St. Patrick's Day... but I didn't invent it). It may be a day to simply decide what may amuse you (on other years, I've celebrated everything from a favorite candy bar to dryer lint), or a day to really see what's important in your life.

As Joshua lead Israel, he was worried about their continued straying to the false gods of the nations around them. So, he issued an ultimatum:

“Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:14-15)

We have a choice daily -- even now. Will we serve our sinful natures, or will we serve God? Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:24 (in a discourse also related in Luke 16:13): “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

What's important to you? What does your life say? Are you chasing the dollar? The "American Dream?" The next big thing? Or are you seeking the will of the Savior? 

Every day is a choice: Whom will I serve? And every day is a re-commitment:  As for me and my house, we will -- gladly, joyously, prayerfully -- serve the Lord!

Palm Branches to Pitchforks

 The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:

“Hosanna!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
The King of Israel!” (John 12:12-13)

An intrinsic part of the Easter celebration, Palm Sunday -- the story of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem -- has always bothered me a little. Here we have a picture of an entire community waving branches and shouting Hosanna! Blessing the name of God for the miracles they'd witnessed. Less than a week later, many in this same crowd would be shouting for His execution.

What happened?

Turns out, it's not so different from what happens today. We may start off welcoming Him, but ultimately we reject God, because He's not what we think we need. Israel believed she needed a worldly King; the people thought their own piety was enough to make them righteous before God, but what they really needed was a protector against their Roman invaders.

What God, in His eternal wisdom sent instead was a more eternal freedom. One for which many were unprepared. They were attracted to His miracles, but put off by the reality of His mission. He brought them what they needed, but they didn't know they needed it.

An acquaintance of mine recently walked away from the faith for what I believe were similar reasons. He had prayed over specific situations, and found those prayers unanswered. After a particularly personal and deep blow, his faith could no longer take it, and he simply left it behind. As heartbreaking a situation as this is, it happens all the time.

We get this idea that we know what's best for us and that, rather than Lord of our Lives, Jesus is some sort of cosmic genie. And once it turns out He has His own plans for us that -- though they are better -- may not coincide with our own, we walk away. How tragic!

Romans 8:28 tells us, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

The plans of men fail. Why not try it God's way and see what happens?

I Was Thirsty

Have you ever noticed that the vast majority of Christ's miracles involved helping people?

Had Jesus wanted to simply prove His godhood, He could have done any number of neat tricks. Transported somebody from one spot to another. Caused it to rain out of a blue sky. Made the Sun go dark. Instead, He chose simple, humble compassion. He healed the sick and fed the hungry. He cast out demons.

In short, He loved. And then, He told us to love, too.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

He expanded on this point, in Matthew 25, describing those who would sit at His right hand: 

‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;  I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ (vs34b-40)

Today is World Water Day. Water isn't a political issue, but an issue of compassion. We can help bring water to those who need it. We see Jesus thirsty, and have it in our power to give Him drink. 

Below are two of my favorite charities, both working to bring water to impoverished nations. Hit a link and see how you can help. 

Compassion International's Water of Life

Ryan's Well -- building wells, teaching hygiene and health, and more!

How Do You Smell?

For Fragrance Day, I thought I'd go back to a post from September...

Flowering Cadaver*

Bunga Bangkai. It is an Indonesian name for a particular plant. The first word is translated as "flower," and the second, as "corpse." The plant in question is large -- larger in many cases than a person -- and appears to be a kind of giant flower. In its own way, it is even beautiful, a red interior splashing color against the outer petal.

Unfortunately for anyone near enough to inspect it, however, it also smells a great deal similar to an animal carcass sitting out in the sun.

Similarly, somebody who is religious, but lacks the love of Christ, appears Holy,  but is in reality dead inside -- a truth all too evident for anyone who gets close enough to examine him.

"Woe to you, Teachers of the Law and Pharisees," said Jesus. "You Hypocrites!"

You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. (Matthew 23:27-28)

How do you smell? Do you appear religious on the outside, but have an inside full of death and uncleanliness? Have you forsaken the Love of Christ and replaced it with rigid religiosity? Or do you have the fragrance of Grace, a Spirit made clean by the blood of Jesus, and made generous by His love?

*The title and inspiration for this post came from the song of the same name, by Tourniquet, off their excellent recent album, "Antiseptic Bloodbath."

Dominion And Stewardship

Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1:28)

When God created the Heavens and the Earth, He spent three of the six days of Creation on our environment.  He crafted carefully the earth and the waters, and the separation between the two. He spent time on the forestation of the land. After the planet, the solar system, and indeed the Universe were right, He spent another day on the creatures who lived in the water. And another on the creatures who would dwell upon the land. On the sixth day, He created Man, and put him in charge of everything else He'd spent so much time building.

In particular, God charged man to subdue -- that is, to cultivate (defined as, among other things, to work to encourage growth) -- and to have dominion, meaning to be in authority over the land and everything in it.

Now imagine building a house for your children. You hand-select the wood and brick, the flooring and fixtures. You preside over the digging of the basement and the laying of the foundation. With your own hands, you raise the walls, lay the floor, install the lighting and the cabinetry. You, yourself, choose the best paint for the interior and highest quality siding for outside. You tell your children, "you and my grandchildren, stay in my house, which I have hand-crafted to best suit your needs. The kitchen appliances are of the highest quality, and I have spared no expense for safety or comfort. I ask only that you use it, love it, and maintain it so generations of my children and grandchildren may also have use of it."

Imagine your despair, your disappointment, in returning a year later to find the high-quality storm windows broken, the floors unswept and the walls full of unpatched holes. The unbroken windows are so filthy, the lights is barely filtered through into the dust-filled living space. The stairs are falling apart from abuse and lack of maintenance. The shingles are, somehow, falling off the building, and there is a scorching in the kitchen from an apparent fire. The drapes are torn, the wood flooring scuffed. The high-efficiency washer and dryer have been sold and replaced with cheap junk. It is, in short, as if your children had no concern for the work of your hands -- let alone for the fact that you did it all for them!

So what's my point?

The fact is, we're living in a planet uniquely -- you might say purposely -- suited for our use and enjoyment. As Christians -- as a people who recognize that we are children of God, and living in a home He created -- we ought to all be concerned about our environment. I'm not suggesting every Christian in the world become a tree-hugging hippie, protesting global warming and chaining ourselves to sequoias. I am saying we ought to be at the forefront of those who care what happens to this planet, and the creatures -- all the creatures -- living on it.

We needn't idolize our environment to be grateful for what we've been given, and to desire to take care of it. We need only understand it is a gift from our Creator, given for our use, and requiring our good stewardship. God worked hard to create this world for His children. His children ought to be, perhaps, a little more grateful than we have been.

The Spirit of God: The Cultivator of Perfection

"Fruit of the Spirit," by Amber Hadden
Available thru Fine Art America.

I talk a lot about the Fruit of the Spirit. Even though Scripture only lists these attributes in this manner once, their importance is undeniable.

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
 
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:18-23)

  
Part of the reason these things are, I believe, so important is because they are the attributes of God.  Right before Paul lists the forbidden acts of the flesh, Paul reminds us we are now under Grace, and living in the Spirit of God -- and are therefore not under the law. However, these two ideas are inseparable. You can't live outside the law -- that is you are still subject to punishment under it -- unless the Spirit dwells within you. How do you know the Spirit dwells within you? Because, through Him, you exhibit love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

These things are, if you like, the fruits of the seed the Holy Spirit plants in your life. God is a great farmer: if your soil -- your heart -- is prepared, He will cultivate His attitudes and attributes in your life. We have freedom in Christ -- that is, we are no longer penalized under the Law -- because these fleshly acts are no longer a part of who we are. The soil of our hearts has been stripped and churned and replanted with the Spirit. 

We are called, then, to "Be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48)." God not only saves us from the penalty of sin, he calls us out of our sinful lives, and gives His spirit to live and work within us to make us more like Him. To love as He loves; to be joyful as He is joyful and peaceful as He is peaceful. We are called to be kind, good, and faithful -- just as the God who holds back nothing good from His children, and who indeed gave even His own son as a sacrifice. To be as gentle as the Shepherd who leads us beside still waters and restores our souls (Psalm 23), and as self-controlled as the God who stays His hand and gives grace instead of wrath. 

I love reading about the fruits of the Spirit, not only because they remind me who I ought to be, but because they are a picture of who our God already is!

Dumbstruck

I confess, one thing I rarely am is speechless. Even from a young age, my inability to simply hold my tongue would often get me in trouble. If it popped into my head, I had to say it. This was especially true when somebody said something. I was often accused of "having an answer for everything." Teachers and parents referred to it as "talking back."

Of course, that's part of the reason I do what I do for a living.

But you know, there is something to be said for silence. Something more to being rendered speechless.

Yesterday's devotion was on the irrational, transcendent, unending love of God. Romans 5:7-8 says,

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Think of it! I don't have an answer to this sort of grace. No smart comeback or witty aside. For my deeds, I deserve Hell. For my rebellion against the laws of God, I should be separated from His presence forever. But, because He loves me, Jesus willingly died as a way to bridge the gap I created between myself and the Father. What can I do, but follow the path of David and tremble before His mercy?

Tremble and do not sin;
    when you are on your beds,
    search your hearts and be silent.
Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
    and trust in the Lord. (Psalm 4:4-5)

In today's culture, where we have an outlet for literally everything that pops in our heads, silence can be hard. We feel this need to fill the quiet moments with speech, no matter how inane. The truth is, there simply aren't any words. God Himself offered the sacrifice. I have nothing left but to search my heart in silent gratitude, realize I can't say or do anything to deserve what He has done, and trust in Him. 

Irrational, Transcendental, Unending

March 14 is Pi Day! It is on 3/14 (or 3.14) that we celebrate the number which makes possible the calculation of a circle's radius based upon the diameter. Mathematically, pi has three characteristics which can help remind us of something even greater: the love of God.

Pi is a transcendental number: in simplest terms, it can't be constructed using a compass or a straightedge, or expressed using any combination of rational numbers or square roots (thanks, Wikipedia for the description). It transcends algebraic expression.

I've always liked the word "transcend." It means to surpass or to exist beyond natural or common experience. Jesus expresses the transcendence of God's love often, comparing it to what we know: the love earthly parents have for their own children.

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:11-13)

You know how much you love your child, Jesus tells us. God loves you that much, and more!

Pi is also described as an "irrational" number, meaning we can't write it out as a common fraction. In other words, it is indescribable in the simple arithmetical terms of a ratio of two integers. It is irrational because it defies the definition of a "rational" number.

Scripture tells us God also defies what man considers "rational."

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
    the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. (1 Corinthians 1:18-21)

Romans 5:8 tells us God demonstrated His love for us in that "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." The Message puts it this way: "while we were of no use whatever to him." Objectivist Ayn Rand would suggest this is the very definition of irrational. And yet, so great is God's love for us, it is beyond our understanding, and beyond our earthly wisdom. God's love is beyond our very comprehension. 

Because Pi is irrational -- that is, it can't be expressed as a simple fraction -- it is also unending. To date, mathematicians have calculated Pi to more than 10 trillion decimal places -- and it's still going.

1 John 4:8 tells us God is Love. Scripture also tells us God is eternal, and grants eternal life to those who believe.

Think of it! If God is love, and God is eternal, that means this God, who irrationally sent his son to die while we were still in our sin -- a sacrifice to cover our own mistakes -- whose love transcends even the greatest and most powerful love we can know in this world, loves you eternally!

Superstistians

I read an article yesterday about a church that paid an extra dollar for its building permit fees, in order to avoid having to pay $666. The reasons, according to the church, were obvious. Of course, it is easily recognizable as the "number of the beast" in Revelation 13:18. But, does the designation of this number as the mark of the beast, and its association with the Anti-Christ, give it some sort of mystical power? Is the number, itself, to be avoided at all costs?

Or has this number, like much of our theology, and many of our symbols, been turned instead to a form of superstition, a Christianized black cat?

See, Christians have long been guilty of idolizing the trappings of religion, in essence behaving as pagans, with our own rituals and forms of magic (though we never call it that!). We'll kiss a cross necklace for luck, as though this piece of metal -- as significant a symbol as it is -- is also a talisman to ward off evil and misfortune.

I got a letter a few months back, a page colored like a "prayer rug," with the note attached that if I prayed for the names on the list, I could also add my own name and then be a party to the "wonderful things" God evidently has in store for credulous recipients of chain mail. Of course, they also offered to send me (for a fee) my very own prayer rug. "It works!" the letter declared.

Works? Works to do what? Bend the will of the creator of the Universe?

There is an historical explanation for this phenomena, of course. As Christianity spread, it was often co-mingled with the pagan religion of the day, or the superstitions in the region. Voodoo is a great example of what can happen with Christianity is allowed to mix with regional occult practices. But that's an extreme example.

Less extreme examples may include Christians who "pray" to their guardian angels, or who say "knock on wood," or engage in other acts of superstition. Even saying "God bless you" after a friend sneezes has its roots in superstition rather than the reality of faith in Christ.

Let's go back, for a minute, to 666.

The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.
This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666. (Rev. 13:15-18)

The number of man. It's not mystical or magical. It is significant, but it has no power over you. It is the number of man -- of us. It's the mark of the beast, because it's the mark of our own sin natures. We can avoid paying $6.66 all we like, but it's only through Christ that we can escape what the number actually means.  And it is Christ, by the way, who has the power. Not some number, or sign. 

We can walk under ladders all day long, while holding a black cat, and then go inside and open an umbrella. We can spill salt without having to toss a bit over our shoulders. Superstition is just that, and Christians need to understand our power is not in magic or ritual, but in Jesus Christ. 

More importantly, it's time to understand, you and I have no power over the angels. We cannot bend the will of almighty God. Not even if our lucky rabbit's foot happens to be a tiny, metal cross.

Planting Seeds

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” (Matthew 13:1-9)

Today is Plant A Flower Day. Although, if you're in Wisconsin, it may be a good idea to plant it inside for now. But another way to celebrate today is to remember we, as God's faithful, are sowers of another, more vital seed: that of God's word. Jesus explains the above parable in verses 19-23:

When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.  But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Now, when you and I sow God's word, we don't know what the soil looks like. We may not know the work the Spirit is doing in the heart of the one to whom we're speaking. But God asks us, nevertheless, to sow. Sometimes, we are prompted be direct about it: to come right out and talk to somebody about the love of God. But even with our lives, we sow. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 7:16, followers and false prophets alike are known by their fruit. This is a theme repeated throughout the New Testament, in fact. 

We are sowers, and the seed we scatter comes in many varieties. We can't know, always, the condition of the soil -- the hearts of the ones we reach. What we have to do is be certain of what we sow. Is it
love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness? Is it the word of Hope, and the Gospel of Christ?

If so, don't be discouraged! We won't reach everyone we want to reach right away, in the way we want to reach them. But in the hearts of some, there will be understanding. And where there is understanding, there is a crop -- a yield of many times what was sown.

It's our job to scatter the seed -- let God work with the soil.

NOTE: On another day, we'll talk about what happens next: the cultivation of a good crop. In faith, as in farming, scattering the seed is step one.

Just Another Day

Today is, evidently, Be Nasty Day. Or, as pretty much most of the world calls it, Friday. The thing of it is, there's so much vileness, meanness, wrongness, unpleasantness, disagreeableness, filth, obscenity, discourtesy, pain, and indecency already in the world, I hardly think we need a day to celebrate it. Just spend some time watching the news on any given day, and you'll get your fill.

Our God, of course, hates that stuff. Hates especially when His children are nasty to one another. Maybe that's why Paul instructed the church to concentrate on building one another up. We have, after all, an entire world to tear us down.

 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:29-32)

It's really easy to be a part of the problem. I should know: I've spent the better part of my life both professing Christianity and contributing to the negativity of the world around me. I confess I'm still better at sarcasm, cynicism, and insults than I ever was at building others up. So what's that say about me? And more importantly, what's that say about the church -- the body of Christ on earth?

Thank God, He has begun a good work, the renewing of my mind and the calming of my spirit. Through Him, I find joy in encouraging others, peace in finding whatever small ways are possible to strip away the film of negativity that surrounds our daily lives. 

In fact, it's God's desire that we look through all the junk this world throws at us; that we not be taken in and taken down by the nastiness we encounter on a daily basis. 

"Finally, brothers and sisters," Paul exhorts the church in Philippi, "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:8)."

There's a lot of negativity already in the world, and it can be tough to be a light. But when it's this dark, any light at all is a beacon -- a guidepost to the peace and goodness of Christ.

A God Who Hears

Today is Be Heard Day.

It's easy enough to say God hears our prayers. Anyone who prays believes, at least a little, that he or she is being heard -- Right? Well, as a matter of fact, listening is a deep part of who God is; it is an aspect of His very personality. Psalm 69 even gives Him the name Jehovah Shama: The Lord Who Hears.  

The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.
(Ps. 69:33)

And this isn't merely an incidental hearing. This isn't that passive hearing that's merely a consequence of having ears. God actually listens. It is an active, participatory end of the conversation.

Think of it! We are these tiny little beings, in the scheme of the universe; each of us one among 7 billion similarly tiny creatures. Each one of us seeks to carve out a special place in the world, we seek to be heard among the cacophony of others who also want to be heard.

I have four children. At any given time, there are at least two of them talking. Quite often, all four want to be heard, about four completely different topics, at exactly the same time. It's enough to drive a parent insane. Yet God sees and hears 7 billion people, each one clamoring for attention, all at once. The noise in heaven, I can't help but think, must be tremendous. But 1 John 5:14 tells us, 

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

Imagine! Every time you bow your head in submission to His will, you are given audience with the creator of the Universe! Praise God -- as small as I am, as insignificant as I feel, I can talk to my Lord, and know I am heard!

What's In A Name?

Today is Discover What Your Name Means Day. Most names have meanings -- unless you happen to have a Hollywood parent who named you something like Brick or Scooter or something. But in Scripture, names were inspired. The name could reveal something about somebody's personality ("Nabal," for example, means "fool" -- an apt description -- in 1 Samuel 25), or about his destiny. Sometimes, people were given a new name. Jacob became Israel because he wrestled with God. When Saul (of the New Testament) was confronted by Jesus and stripped of his pride, he was given the new name, "Paul," which means "little" or "small," a reminder, perhaps of his own weakness.

Names mean something to God. So when He sent His son to free the world of its sin, only the name Jesus - Savior - would do. God Himself picked the name and gave it to Joseph (who's own name, by the way, appropriately means "God Increases"). Matthew 1:21 tells of the Angel of the Lord appearing to Joseph, comforting him and telling him to stay with his wife. "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
  
Think about this from Joseph's perspective. An angel comes to tell you your wife did indeed conceive a child by supernatural means and that "You will name Him Savior!"  The name carries implications -- not only that this child would be a Savior, but that somebody needed saving. And sure enough, the Angel continued: He will save His people. Not from the Romans. Not from poverty. But "from their sins." 

There are those who believe they don't need salvation. Who revel in their own folly -- and then wonder why things don't seem to go right for them, or why they can't just be happy and content. As for me, I know I need Salvation. I know on my own, my sins would overtake my life and enslave me. I know because I feel in my heart where I would be without God, and where I in my humanness tend to fall when I forget Him. 

I need to be saved, and thank God I can turn to the one He named Savior.

Split Personality

It sure is easy to pile on the hypocrites, isn't it? Especially those self-righteous, supposedly-pious, super judgmental so-called Christians who dare to rail against what they think is wrong, all the while indulging in their own sins of pride or lust or gluttony.

It's so easy to feel superior, isn't it? To look on the hypocrite with something like a mix of pity and disgust and feel so good about our own piety? To feel, perhaps, pride?

Of course, even Paul had trouble with hypocrisy. "I do not understand what I do," he says in Romans 7:15. "For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do."

Another word for this in Scripture is double-mindedness. Like somebody with multiple personalities, we have two natures. One is an old, sinful nature. The other is the New Creation in Christ. These two selves can be at war with one another, even while the Spirit is at work in us, renewing our minds. 

The trouble with double-mindedness is that we miss out on the full blessing of God.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. (James 1:2-8)

Peter was double-minded when he stepped out of the boat to join Jesus on the stormy sea. Part of him saw Jesus walking on water, and knew that, in Christ's strength, he could do the same. The other part saw the waves and felt the wind. When we're double-minded, the human side wins.

Until we cry out to God and again give Him our whole selves -- just as Peter was drowning until the hand of Christ grasped his own.

When our eyes are on the world, we are double-minded. Split in our allegiances. When our eyes are on Christ, however, we allow renewal by he Spirit, and we become single-minded in purpose. Let the old, sinful self die. Don't feed it. Don't allow it any footing by taking your eyes off Jesus. Keep your eyes on the Savior, and your mind on what He has in store for you.

Taste & See

Today is Holy Experiment Day: we celebrate giving faith a try. Whether it's praying, or studying the word of God, or even joining a group bible study, today is a day where you're encouraged to "try it out."

While days like today are certainly open for both abuse and interpretation, Scripture itself suggests the same thing. "Taste and see that the Lord is good," invites the Psalmist (Psalm 34:8). "Blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him."

Of course, this is tricky. It's not as though God is a new car. You don't just hop into faith and take it for a spin to see how she handles. In fact, God has already proven Himself as trustworthy and good. Paul reminds us in Romans 5:8, "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." What we need to do, then, is to accept this great gift of Love. To recognize ourselves for who and what we are -- wayward children of God -- and to trust in Him to bring us home.

This trust isn't always easy, but then, nothing worthwhile ever is. If faith was as simple as deciding what we liked or didn't like -- like going to one of those pizza buffets -- it would be worse than useless. It would be about us, instead of about Him. But Scripture says, when we put our Faith -- our true, real faith -- in God, that trust will be rewarded.

So if it's not just a matter of "taking God for a spin," how do we taste and see? Romans 4 tells us we are, like Abraham, justified -- that is, made right by God -- through our faith in Him. Romans 5 reminds us that though we -- man -- brought Sin into the world, Jesus Christ bring Grace and healing.  Recognize the sin in your life. Give it over to Christ, who died for that sin. Willingly submit your life to the One who breathed it into you. And you will see that He is good.

World Day of Prayer

The first Friday of March -- which happens to be today -- is the World Day of Prayer. Because of this, I thought a repost might be in order. I originally posted the following just a few months ago, in October '12. But it fits well for today, and is, I believe, a good reminder for all of us.

Have You Prayed for Christians in Zimbabwe Today?

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Eph 6:17)

Prayer is a funny thing. We are often taught, as we grow up, to pray. We pray for our food. For our night's rest. We pray, at those times, for our families: our brothers and sisters,  grandparents,  aunts and uncles,  cousins and friends. But strangers? 

All over the world, new believers and old saints face daily struggles. Sometimes, those struggles are of the kind you and I face every day: temptation, frustration, doubt. And sometimes, these Brothers and Sisters in Christ are struggling for their very lives. For daily bread. For safety. 

Ephesians 6:10-20 reminds us that we are engaged in constant spiritual warfare. This battle doesn't happen in a bubble. It doesn't happen at your church alone, or end at the borders of our community. It is a war that encompasses the entire world. And it is one being fought on fronts from your back yard to the farthest reaches of the globe, by men and women just like you and I. And in this section of Ephesians, Paul reminds us of this fact, and reminds us that we fight, not for ourselves, but for each other. "Always keep on praying for all the Lord's people."

How often, in my prayers, do I remember to pray for my family? My friends? My church? What about believers throughout the world, and the ministry they have?

When Jesus prayed in the Garden, we remember he prayed for His disciples. But, He said:

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,  that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—  I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (John 17: 20-23)

Shouldn't we follow His example,  and be sure we, too,  are praying for our Brothers and Sisters around the world?