Trapped In The Rubble (5/21/13)

Posted on May 21, 2013 by

Read: 1Samuel 29:1-31:13, John 11:55-12:19, Psalm 118:1-18, Proverbs 15:24-26

In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered me and set me free. (Psalm 118:5)

Tornado hits school

Relate: There are certain times when we have to set aside the normal agenda and come together against devastating circumstances. Late yesterday a tornado that was over a mile wide hit down in areas near Oklahoma City for over 40 minutes. The picture above was posted about 8 hours ago near one of the two schools destroyed in its wake. According to a NY Times report just minutes old this tornado claimed the lives of at least 91 people, 20 children, and injured over 145 others, 70 of them children. What is worse, as I write this there are still children trapped under the wreckage that was Plaza Towers Elementary School.

React: Within minutes Convoy of Hope already had an assessment team in place to begin determining exactly where they can begin dealing with the overwhelming needs they will be facing. I am sure there are other organizations that are or will be responding as well. I only speak of CoH here because they have a proven track record, unlike the Red Cross, of quickly and efficiently putting your contributions to good use. You can know for certain that over 90% of what you give will go to exactly what you gave it for. You can give here. You can keep track of their work on the ground here. Beyond giving, if you have the opportunity, I would encourage you to seriously consider finding (or starting) a team to invest your time and gifts to help those who are there. We can give, we can go, but most of all we must pray.

Respond: 

God, have mercy. Sometimes we don’t even know how to pray… where to begin… but You know. Be with those children still trapped in the rubble. Give strength and endurance to those rescue workers on the scene risking their own safety to save others. Grant wisdom to those assessing when and how they will begin their relief efforts. Bring peace to the families and friends of those 91 who have had a part of their heart ripped away by the wind. Be a bedrock of surety for those that must build their lives and homes anew. Above all, Lord, have mercy. 

Posted in Daily Walk | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Fear Of Death (5/20/13)

Posted on May 20, 2013 by

Read: 1Samuel 26:1-28:25, John 11:1-54, Psalm 117:1-2, Proverbs 15:22-23

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. (John 11:25)

The 6th Day

Relate: On a lazy Sunday afternoon I decided to watch an old movie. The 6th Man caught my eye so I watched Arnold Schwarzenegger try to survive the evil henchmen trying to clean up a cloning mistake. The movie is a sci-fi action adventure supposedly about cloning but its really all about death. One of the villains was killed when he was run over by a car, then a few hours later dies again when he has his neck snapped. Shortly after this, he is complaining about a sore neck: “I’ve been killed twice in the last two hours.” His one partner isn’t impressed, “We’ve all been killed before.” The third in the trio quips, “Kinda takes the fun out of living, doesn’t it?”

The mastermind billionaire behind all this illegal cloning is giving a rationale for all his actions late in the movie, “Just think, we don’t have to lose out Mozarts. We don’t have to lose our Martin Luther Kings. We have finally conquered death.” At that point I’m sure the audience is supposed to be thinking, kill this guy and make him stay dead this time. But my mind instead was saying, Nope. That’s already been done. I was thinking back to this verse. Funny thing how it ends up being part of my devotional reading the very next day.

React: The thing is, because they knew they could be brought right back. The bad guy’s hitmen were very bold and reckless. They didn’t fear death. When one guy gets his leg shot off at the knee he yells, “That was a brand new pair of boots!” These guys firmly believed that no matter what happened, their boss would take care of them. My boss is a Jewish carpenter.

He said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Then he proved it by raising Lazarus from the dead. As if that wasn’t enough, he then raised himself from the dead a few days later. It wasn’t just bravado when Jesus said He was greater than death. He spoke the truth. No matter what happens in this life, my boss will take care of me. Do I truly believe it? If so, then why am I not living with a reckless confidence for him?

Respond: 

God, I know Your promises are true. I know Your word is sure. But sometimes I get so caught up in the mundane circumstances of life that I lose track of the bigger picture. You have defeated death. As Your follower I will live forever. Help me not to get so bogged down the trivialities of this mortal coil that I am not about my greatest task. Help me to passionately and fearlessly bring You to those who have not yet come alive.

Posted in Daily Walk | Tagged , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

King Of Bandits (5/18/13)

Posted on May 19, 2013 by

Read: 1Samuel 22:1-23:29, John 10:1-21, Psalm 115:1-18, Proverbs 15:18-19

Then others began coming—men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented—until David was the captain of about 400 men. (1 Samuel 22:2)

david's 400

Relate: Troublemakers, debtors, and malcontents. These were the guys David gathered around him. They weren’t the cream of the crop. The weren’t the best or the greatest. They weren’t mighty men… not yet. Those four hundred became 600 by the next chapter. Read down a few and he’s got 800. He had a growing army who, at its core, was a ragtag group of bandits.

These men became the most loyal of David’s companions. Many of them would later be listed as mighty men of valor. When David became king these men would be his captains and generals. How did so many great men come out of such humble beginnings?

During one battle three of David’s men heard him complain that he was thirsty. These guys broke through the enemy lines, fought their way to a well and drew some water. They then fought their way back to David with it. When David realized what they had done he poured out the water saying, “This water is as precious as the blood of the men who risked their lives to get it.” David refused to hold himself above his men. Over and over during his days of exile, the men are giving advice to him. Even though he doesn’t always take it, there are clear lines of communication. Most of all I think that David treated these bandits, even when they were still bandits, as the mighty men they would become.

React: How do I treat the people God has placed in my life? Do I look at the potential inside them and treat them as if it has already come out? Am I encouraging or belittling? When I lead, do I do it dictatorially or through example? Do I do everything I can to pull out the possibilities lying latent in their lives? Do I listen? Am I teachable? When I am talking with another person do I truly want to hear what they say or am I simply waiting for them to pause so that I can begin talking again? When I look around, do I see a bunch of troublemaking, malcontent, bandits or do I see might men (and women) of valor just waiting to be unleashed?

Respond: 

I was there and, God, You know it. I’ve been rightly called a troublemaker. I’ve made some stupid financial decisions in my past that put me deep in debt. I was a grumbling, whining, complaining malcontent. But somehow You kept on loving me. You knew that troublemaking energy could be harnessed into productive channels. You knew that my debt would teach me responsibility and humility. You knew that my malcontent could be turned toward a divine discontent that is always yearning for more of You. Most of all, You came and died for me in spite of all my sin. Help me to see in others what You see. Help me to see in others what You saw in me. Let me give of myself so that they might become great.

Posted in Daily Walk | Tagged , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

The Goliath Expedition (5/17/13)

Posted on May 17, 2013 by

Read: 1Samuel 20:1-21:15, John 9:1-41, Psalm 113:1-114:8, Proverbs 15:15-17

For the Lord is high above the nations; his glory is higher than the heavens. Who can be compared with the Lord our God,  who is enthroned on high? (Psalm 113:4-5)

The Goliath Expidition

Relate: I love to go for a walk. There’s something about a good hike, getting to the top of a mountain and looking out and seeing the beauty and the majesty of God’s creation. Walking also is a good way to keep in perspective how small we are and how big this world. I think that the longest I have ever walked in one setting was from Clay to Oswego NY. We’re talking just under 26 miles. I don’t remember how long it took but I do know how exhausted I was upon completion. I remember a cop stopping as I was passing through Fulton and offering me a ride. People walk around Fulton all the time, how bad must I have looked for him to spot me out and offer? How stupid was I not to say yes?

With that trip in mind, things like The Goliath Expedition simply blow my mind. In 1998 Karl Bushby began walking in Punta Arenas, Chile. He headed north through Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, the US, and Canada. In March, 8 years later, the crossed a frozen Bering Straight from Alaska into Russia. Weather, funding, and Visa issues have stalled them for extended periods of time. The original plan was to be done by 2012 but Russia has banned him from the country for 5 years because of numerous border violations. While serving this ban he plans to walk from LA to Washington to drum up support and to speak with Russian authorities.

React: How many people has Karl met on this journey? How many cultures? How many languages? How much of the beauty of God’s creation, how many of God’s treasures, His people, has he met? In a journey that would have taken fourteen years barring legal trouble, he has briefly passed through a tiny portion of the places on this small globe. Being omnipresent, God is at all these places and more… always. A very tiny portion of the 7+ billion people on this planet know of Karl Bushby and, deservedly, respect him for this Goliath endeavor. One day every one of those 7 billion, as well as all who have come before and who are yet to come will bow before our Lord. Who am I compared to our Lord who is enthroned on high?

Respond:

God, who can compare to You? Even all of us, with all our combined power, greatness, and wealth are nothing compared to You. The fact that You would set aside all Your greatness and splendor to come and walk with us, to come walk with me, is mind blowing. The fact that You would consider me worth giving Your all for… it is incomprehensible. I am awestruck. The only response I can have is to give my everything back to You. One day every knee will bow to You. I chose to do so now. For You alone are worthy.

Posted in Daily Walk | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

I AM (5/16/13)

Posted on May 16, 2013 by

Read: 1Samuel 18:5-19:24, John 8:31-59, Psalm 112:1-10, Proverbs 15:12-14

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I Am!” John 8:58

i-am

Relate: I’ve been taught over and over that there are 7 “I Am” statements in John. When Jesus is speaking about Himself he says:
1) I am the bread of life (6:35)
2) I am the light of the world (8:12)
3) I am the gate (10:9)
4) I am the Good Shepherd (10:11)
5) I am the resurrection and the life (11:25)
6) I am the way, truth, and life (14:6)
7) I am the Vine (15:5)

We like the number 7. In Revelation there are 7 churches, 7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 vials, etc. Seven represents completion. It represents divine perfection. But when we look at the “I am” statements in John, there are actually 8 of them and the one that gets overlooked is far and away the greatest of them all. Look at the confrontation here. Jesus implies they don’t know the truth, they’re slaves to sin, and they’re children of the devil. They jump back that Jesus himself is a Samaritan devil (maybe a different guy then the Jewish devil?) Jesus says, “Abraham was glad when he met me.” Them, “impossible.” Jesus, “Before Abraham was, I AM”

When I picture this conversation, I almost picture a confrontational shouting match. With each interaction the crowd grows more volatile. Jesus himself has to raise his voice to be heard over the red faced murmuring, but he doesn’t back down in the face of the hostility. No, he is directing this conversation to a point. Then, BOOM. Jesus says it. “I AM” and there is a stunned, shocked silence.

There is no beating around the bush with this one. With any other of Jesus statements about his divinity, a twisted enough mind can rationalize away the fact that Jesus knew He was God. Not here. When Moses was on the side of the mountain he asked God what His name was. God answered, “I AM”. Every time you see the word “Lord” all in caps in the Old Testament, that is “I AM”. Now Jesus takes the very name of God for Himself. The stunned crowd begins to pick up stones to throw at him, but Jesus, God, simply walks away. Jesus is “I AM”. End of discussion.

React: My head says “yes” to these I am statements of Jesus, but does my life really back that up? Is Jesus my bread of Life? Or do I look to other sources for my provision? Is he the light through which I see my world? Or is he merely a tack on, an afterthought to my life? Is he the gate, the starting and ending point for all my coming and going, or just a once a week destination? Is He my shepherd, protecting me and directing my steps, or do I refuse to “give him the wheel”? Is he the resurrection and the life, my hope for a better future as well as a better today? Is he my vine, the source for all good things in my life?  Is he my way, truth, and life? Is Jesus my God?

Respond: 

Jesus, You are God. End of discussion. Help me to step out of the way so that You might be “I AM” through me.

Posted in Daily Walk | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Who Dares To Defy My God? (5/15/13)

Posted on May 15, 2013 by

Read: 1Samuel 17:1-18:4, John 8:21-30, Psalm 111:1-10, Proverbs 15:11

Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?
(1 Samuel 17:26)

david and goliath

Relate: Growing up I loved numbers. That’s an understatement. I loved statistics to the point I was definitely a bit OCD about it. OK… more than a bit. I remember sitting there in science class and figuring out the ratio of vowels to consonants, of e’s to other vowels, and to other consonants for a particular page. I’m not joking. When I was done, I would move on to the next page and do it with a. Or maybe i. (even though o is more common than i in the science textbook, but not in English) It was bad.

I loved statistics. That is why I loved baseball. I was in first or second grade when I first flipped over a baseball card and figured out what each column meant. I figured out how they figured the average, slugging percentage, ERA, etc. And then I started making my own baseball cards. I would do this, with accuracy, without a calculator. For fun. Seriously. I was an all out, full fledged nerd.

Now lets pretend my love for baseball actually translated into skill. It didn’t. I was terrible. Soccer was my favorite sport to play. In baseball I would ride the bench most of the game then go out to right field for an inning or two because the coach was required to play everybody. But pretending I actually had talent, lets imagine that I was the starting pitcher for my high school team. I was good. Now imagine with me that I got the opportunity to watch a Pirates/Giants game from behind the Pirates dugout. In the bottom of the first inning Barry Bonds is up and they walk him. He’s up again in the third, and in the seventh and they walk him both times. Somehow the Pirates are up by one in the ninth. The Giants have a man on second, two outs and Barry steps up to the plate. So what if he’s on track to break the home run record? So what if they’re the mighty Giants and we’re the measly Pirates? Why is everybody so scared to pitch to this guy?

Imagine I start heckling the coach to give me the ball. Imagine that he hears me and steps out of the dugout. He turns to me and asks, “You think you can strike this guy out?” My answer, “Of course I can. I struck out nine against Gates-Chili, and ten against Spencerport. The same talent that helped me then will help me take out this chump.”

React: As unlikely as that scenario is, what we are reading in Samuel is even more unlikely. David is a young farmer’s boy from the back end of nowhere. His army is nothing compared to the enemy they face. The other team’s champion is the greatest warrior in all the land. Then David speaks out with a righteous indignation, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that dares to defy the armies of the living God?” He didn’t care what the circumstances looked like. He didn’t care if everyone thought he was being arrogant. Somebody dared to mock God and His people and David would not let that pass.

If you want to mock me, that is fine. If you want to try and dig up some mud to sling at me, have at it. But if you are going to sling ridicule or bring disgrace to my God and his bride, there will be a righteous indignation rising up. I can only pray that the fools who mock, like Chris Hitchins and Richard Dawkins, and the devils who bring disgrace, like Westboro Baptist, meet their judgment in this life where they have a chance to repent rather than in the life to come. God will not be mocked.

Respond: 

God, let me always bring honor to Your Name. Give me the faith and the courage to stand against the giants that stand in the way of Your will for Your people. Whether it is circumstances, finances, or people who stand against Your people, give me the courage to stand up against it and for You. Not just me, raise up Davids throughout the land who will pick up their sling and go to war for You.

Posted in Daily Walk | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Religiousness (5/14/13)

Posted on May 14, 2013 by

Read: 1Samuel 15:1-16:23, John 8:1-20, Psalm 110:1-7, Proverbs 15:8-10

“What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.” (1 Samuel 15:22-23)

sacrifice

Relate: I think it is quite possible that 1 Samuel 15:23 was the verse my dad quoted to me more than any other when I was a teenager. The thing is, I loved God. I was passionate for him, active in witnessing to my friends, and involved in some sort of church/youth function at least 5 days a week. When my grades weren’t good enough I was grounded from going to church. Yes, my dad was a pastor but this was the only thing that worked. At school and in the community, I was a saint. At home, I was a devil. When I was out in public I said and did all the right things. In my own, pentecostal “relationship not religion” way, I was very religious. But when I got home, it was like a switch was turned off and the darkness came in.

I think I was a lot like Saul. He wanted to be seen as religious and godly. When Samuel confronted him about his sin, first Saul said, “I didn’t do anything wrong.” When the lie was proven he then said, “Please don’t leave. Worship with me because everybody is watching.” Yes, he was acknowledging his sin, but he wasn’t repenting. He was merely trying to keep up appearances of being religious.

React: There’s that well meaning but misguided viral youtube video, “Why I hate religion but love Jesus.” Religion has received a bad rap over the past few decades, but even those of us who try our hardest to distance ourselves from being “religious” are still very religious. We may not light candles, burn incense, or some such but we have our own way of being religious. This isn’t a bad thing. We are rebelling against a liturgy and tradition that are very rich in depth and meaning if we are willing to dig into it. There is a beauty to a Latin Mass, to a Greek Orthodox service, or to a high church service that in my self righteousness I have called idolatry. There is also a beauty to a country church with folding chairs where the worship includes a guitar, a few tambourines, and a lot of dancing. How we offer up our sacrifices isn’t what is important. What is important is whether or not our religiousness is born in obedience, carried out with humility, and flowing out of love. Does my Sunday sacrifice find its fruit in Tuesday’s obedience? Or am I just a religious pastor on Sunday and a rebellious warlock the rest of the week?

Respond: 

God, help me to live in obedience. While not ignoring or downplaying my religious sacrifices, let my lifestyle be to You my greatest offering. I want to give to You a heart that is fully surrendered, not just a reputation that claims to be Yours. I want to give to You a love that is deep and rich and active, not just a life that is active only when others are looking. Let my obedience be more important than my reputation.

 

Posted in Daily Walk | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments