"Fuhgeddaboudit"

Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. Proverbs 10:12

Tomorrow night (tonight, for you morning readers) is my ten-year high school reunion. On the one hand, it doesn't seem real that I've been out of high school for over a decade now; and on the other, it seems like forever ago, and pulling out memories takes more effort than I'd expected. For some people, though, those memories are still very close to the surface. And for many of those, they are memories of hurts that are still there like fresh wounds. Now, I well know that teenagers can be a cruel, harsh lot; but if ten, fifteen, twenty years later you're still carrying around the hurts from high school...you need to let that go. We're called to be a people of love, and love looses the old offences. Let's not be the sort of persons who revels in dredging up past conflicts and fans the old pains into infernos of hatered and bitterness--that will hurt you far more than your antagonist. Let's be the ones who say, "Ya know what, forget about it," throws dirt on it, and moves on with life a happier and healthier person.

Getting It Straight

Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? John 21:23

It's amazing what people can come up with when they don't "rightly divide the Word", isn't it? I think we sometimes feel like misunderstanding God's Word is something new. It isn't. That's where the Pharisees went wrong--not in not believing God's Word, but in misconstruing it. The disciples did the same here. They heard what Christ said, believed it...and took it one step too far. Two lessons to take from this:
1) Don't be afraid to be wrong. Study the Word, try to understand it. Don't be afraid of it! You think it's too deep for you? Oh, it is, I guarantee it. But that's ok! You're in good company--it was too deep for the people who WROTE it! Don't let a lack of confidence keep you from growing. Be brave. Read, study, meditate.
2) Ready yourself to realize you had it wrong. Part of rightly dividing the Word of God is being willing to admit you didn't get it right the first time. And sometimes that so-and-so did, too. Remember, these men who totally messed up what Jesus said (and spread that mistake to everyone they taught) were men who were later used to pen various parts of Scripture. No one has a corner on understanding it all, not even you or I. So while you're being confident enough to try...be humble enough to be flexible.

His Reach

Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: Jeremiah 32:17

Life is hard. For most of us, not everything comes easily. Most things don't. And sometimes it is overwhelming. It's simply too hard for us. And some things, no matter how powerful we may become or how hard we try, are just out of our reach. But we're not here alone. We have a God Who promised to never leave us or forsake us, and for Him, nothing is too hard and nothing is out of His arm's reach. Your problems aren't too big for Him. Your trials aren't too overwhelming for Him. What you need and want isn't beyond His grasp. So when you feel like things are getting out of control and life is too hard, take a moment to look at the sky or the ocean...and know that the God Who created them is even bigger and more powerful than they are, and He's on YOUR side.

Stand Still

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. Exodus 14:13

It's amazing to me how often we say we're waiting for God to guide us...as we make moves. Where's the waiting? Have we gotten so used to moving that we don't even know what standing still and waiting MEANS anymore? Maybe. Learn it, friends! Learn what it is to wait on God; to be still. It means STOP. Stay where you are, be quiet, and wait. It's that thing you do in lines...yeah, I know you're familiar with those. Remember what happens when you're in line and you move? You lose your space. Depending on the situation, you can really mess things up. When you're in line for something, you stay put. When you're waiting for direction from God...STAY PUT! Imagine, if you will, the Israelites deciding to run when Pharaoh was closing in. The possible outcomes are:
1) they run directly into the army and are either killed or re-enslaved;
2) they run into the Red Sea and are drowned;
3) they run North or South along the sea and miss the opening God creates for them where they had just been.
Have you considered that third option? If they had decided to keep moving until God opened a way, they very well could have actually MISSED the opening! Do you need God to open a way for you? Stay still! Don't bounce around blindly saying, "Which way, Lord?" You're likely to look back and realize He sent the opportunity to you at your old address.

Let God Out!

He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30

There's too much of us in our faith. Too often we try to define God by our religion instead of the other way around. We don't get to define God! And we don't get to put Him in a box, tailor made to suit our ideas, desires and philosophies. God is the point; not us. Until we learn that, we're in this tug of war, trying to pull Him to where we want Him to be. That's what was wrong with the Pharisees: they tried to define God in their terms. They disbelieved Christ, not because they were insincere or didn't believe the Scriptures, but because they SINCERELY believed WRONGLY. They had their own ideas, passed down through generations of rabbis, as to what the Scriptures taught and meant...and Jesus and His teachings didn't fit what they thought the Messiah would be. They were trying to fit God into a box. Their faith was "me-centric". We need to stop trying to hem God in. He's big. Cut back on self some, and you'll be able see that.

For The Defense

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:1

Have you ever gotten yourself into a mess or an awkward situation, looked to the person with you (be they family, friend, co-worker, whatever) for support or backing, and gotten in response: "Hey, don't look at me; you're on your own with this one!"? It's great to know that, when we sin (and we will), we're not on our own. Christ doesn't look from the Father to us, back to the Father, back to us and say, "Don't look at me!" When we mess up, He's the first One there to defend us, to plead our case, and to support us. And what makes that even better is the fact that He has the clout to back it up--He's righteous! He is sinless and He is an equal part of the Godhead. What He says matters. It has weight. It's effectual. And all of that weight and clout Christ uses to defend US! We ought to strive not to sin. But when you do, don't beat yourself up--Jesus Himself has your back!

Under The Knife

And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. Genesis 22:10

Over and over in the scriptures we see God bring His children right to the brink of disaster before He intervenes. The Israelites trapped against the Red Sea, Daniel being cast into the den of lions, Shadrach & Co. being tossed into the fiery furnace, and the disciples (twice) buffeted by stormy seas all spring immediately to mind. But I think this may be the prime example: Abraham, his only son--his promised, miracle child--bound to the altar, knife at the boy's throat...and God steps in. The merest moment from the end, God finally provides an escape. You know, life can get ugly. Sometimes we see things hanging over us, held by the slightest thread, ready to crush us at any moment. We can feel the very prick of the knife at our throats. Sometimes God lets us sweat it out until the very last moment, not out of cruelty, but out of compassion. He wants us to see that He's still able, still in control, still aware of where we are and what's going on with us, every moment. And He wants us to know that no trap, no attack, no storm, no threat of any kind can keep Him from working on our behalf. Even when the knife is raised, it's not too late for Him...and He'll show up right on time.

In Him

In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:3

We seek answers in all the wrong places. We have direct access to the omniscient Creator of all, yet how often do we ask why? Some questions won't be answered in this life. Not saying they will. But all the answers we can hope to find about life can be found in Christ. Friends, let's stop searching everywhere except the real source of wisdom and knowledge and understanding, and make Him our first stop for answers instead of our last.

Predestined To Greatness

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:29

There's an incredible amount of confusion surrounding this verse. Just a thought: if Satan deems a verse important enough to cast this much doubt and controversy on a particular verse, it might be something special. And I believe it is. Two words are at the center of the debate--"foreknow" and "predestinate". The funny thing is we try to get too deep sometimes and miss the whole point. What does it mean to foreknow something or someone? Well, it means to know in advance. Who did God know in advance? Everyone! God knew each and every person who's ever been born on this earth before they were a proverbial twinkle in their father's eye. EVERY single one of us! So, then, this verse tells us that God predestinated every person ever born to be conformed to the image of Christ.

What about "predestinate"? The word used here means to purpose or ordain in advance. God ordained all mankind to be made like Christ--His plan is for ALL of us to be regenerated. Here's the catch: He also gave us the ability to choose to reject that. God did not choose in advance certain people who could be saved and others who cannot! He loved all. He died for all. He calls all. As a matter of fact, He's already forgiven all! But hell will be full of loved, called, forgiven people. People who God WILLED to be saved. People who's pre-intended destiny in God's mind was to be made like Him. They, for all intents and purposes, abdicated their royal destiny.

This is the amazing point all this makes, though: God knew who you were before you were ever born. He knew everything about you. And He determined then that you were worth giving His Son for; worthy of being conformed to the image of Christ; worthy to be made a son/daughter, a brother/sister, an equal heir to all He had. You were born to this incredible, wonderful, amazing destiny. I trust that you've accepted the adoption. But are you fully living up to your destiny?

Mystery

Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 1 Timothy 3:9

There's something very special about not having to understand everything, don't you think? People get hung up so easily on things too deep for their comprehension. The simple truth is, God's ways are higher than ours. We don't understand them sometimes. And that's ok! Because of that, our faith can always maintain a sense of mystery, there's always room for growth, there's always more to learn. To adopt the biblical analogy of the church as Christ's bride, it keeps the romance in our relationship with Him. Don't be frustrated when you feel lost in the depth of God's being and ways; embrace the mystery!

Be A Seer

Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city. Lamentations 3:51

Jeremiah looked at his city--the need, the desolation, the devastation--and was moved by what he saw. Jesus, looking at the multitude and their need, was "moved with compassion." Sometimes I think we, as Christians, walk around with our head down. How can our hearts ever be stirred if our eyes never see the need? And how can we see the need when all we're looking at is ourselves, our little circle, our "movements"? Lift your head! Open your eyes! Expand your line of sight! Christianity needs more believers who will open their eyes to the hurt and need around them, open their ears to the cries for help and hope...and let their hearts be affected.

But Also All

Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Romans 16:4

Priscilla and Aquila probably never even went to most of the cities Paul's referring to here. Yet they send their thanks to them. See, this couple helped Paul continue his ministry when it could very well have ended...and, as a result, he was able to establish and build churches that changed thousands of lives. Priscilla and Aquila most likely had no idea that these people knew who they were. They had no clue when they helped Paul that their efforts would be talked about around the known world in their time...and then across the globe 2,000 years later. Yet here are people who never met them thanking them. We never know how far-reaching our actions can be. We don't know who that person we helped is going to help because of our gesture. And who THAT person will help, and on down the line. And there's no way we can foretell when a seemingly simple decision could be the one that is talked about far and wide for years to come. So make them count every time. Maybe you'll be the one people will never meet, yet be thankful for and towards anyway.

Second Time's The Charm

And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us. Joshua 2:24

I'm kind of surprised Joshua sent spies into the land. Think about it: he, better than anyone, knew what happened the last time they did that. He was one of them, after all. Maybe that's why he only sent two...since only two got it right forty years prior. He probably wasn't very keen on waiting another forty years to enter. So he selected only two men, sent them in, and they brought back this report so very opposite from what his fellows had done four decades earlier. What had changed? Had the situation in Canaan changed? No, I doubt all the strong, valiant, warrior tribes had moved out in one generation. The task was just as daunting as it had been for their fathers. Had God changed? No, He was the same Yaweh who had delivered them from Pharaoh, guided them through the wilderness, and provided all along the way...and then taken care of them for the next forty years, too. He was just as powerful before as He was now. Yet these two men came back with a completely different spiel. The difference was that they looked for the possible, not the impossible. They realized what could be and recognized that their Lord was a God of "can", not of "cannot".

Circumstances in life are often daunting and intimidating. We run into walls that are too high to climb, too thick to breach, too wide to go around. But look a little harder--God just may have already delivered it into your hands. You just have to keep pressing along, and those walls will crumble before you.

Shooting Stars

I saw something last night I'd never seen before. Sitting outside, staring blankly into the night, I saw a brief light streak through the sky: a falling star. It was totally random and only lasted a second, maybe two. I wasn't looking for it...wasn't looking for anything. And I was reminded that almost nothing lasts forever. No matter how big or small, important or unimportant, thrilling or devastating, all this is merely a blip on the screen of eternity. "Heaven and earth shall pass away." Or as ancient proverbs say, "This, too, shall pass." Good or bad, it's good for us to remember that things and events are fleeting. Only God, people, and love last forever...otherwise, be ready to let it all go in an instant.

Held Back

...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1b

Have you ever walked around with some form of weight? Maybe it was a heavy backpack or purse or maybe training weights strapped to your wrists or ankles or maybe heavy boots or clothing. Alot of things could fall into that category, but the point is, any weight that you carry long enough becomes the norm. You forget you're carrying it...and you don't even realize anymore how much it's slowing you down and tiring you. In our Christian walk we encounter many things that can hinder us. There are sins that berate us and try to knock us off track, get us distracted and lost; and there are weights that slow us down and wear us out. Weights may not even be sins, in and of themselves. They might just be things that are holding us back from reaching our full potential. I challenge you, though, to examine your life honestly for both weights and sins that are hindering your running. And when you identify them, i challenge you to lay them aside. This is, I warn you, a process--you'll have to remind yourself every day to set it aside; and sometimes you'll fail. But when you realize you've picked it back up, don't keep carrying it. Lay it back down! I guarantee that if you lay some sins and weights aside, you'll notice the difference in your life.

No More A Servant

Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son: and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Galatians 4:7

Most people have the wrong view of Christianity. Many view Christianity as servanthood to God. Christ didn't come to enslave us, but to set us free! We were redeemed, our freedom purchased by blood, and we've been made equal heirs with Christ Himself. Christ came to give us a promotion! It's not wrong to have a servant's heart--to be humble and wanting to help others and put others first. Christians ought to live by that philosophy. But we need to stop thinking of ourselves as servants and realize that we are sons and daughters. A servant's heart is one thing; a servant's mindset is another. We are known and loved and cherished and important and valued by God, because we are no longer His servants, but His children. We are royalty!

The House

I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. Psalm 122:1

Some of you have picked up on the fact that calling a church building "the house of God" is a pet peeve of mine. As Paul demanded, "What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?" This is a serious matter. In the time of the Old Testament God's presence came to His people in the temple--God's House--and only there. But when Christ came that all changed. That's why He told the Samaritan woman at the well that "the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him." We don't have to go anywhere to find God's presence now--He came to us! He's with US! The house of God IS us! This should revolutionize our lives in every way. David was glad when he went to the house of the Lord. How much more excited ought we be that the house of God has come to us?