Losing Sight

Scripture:

Ezekiel 20

17 Nevertheless, I took pity on them and held back from destroying them in the wilderness. 18 “Then I warned their children not to follow in their parents’ footsteps, defiling themselves with their idols.19 `I am the Lord your God,’ I told them. `Follow my decrees, pay attention to my regulations,20 and keep my Sabbath days holy, for they are a sign to remind you that I am the Lord your God.’ 21 “But their children, too, rebelled against me. They refused to keep my decrees and follow my regulations, even though obedience would have given them life.

Luke 17

32 Remember what happened to Lot’s wife! 33 If you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it.

37 “Where will this happen, Lord?”s the disciples asked. Jesus replied, “Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near.”

Observations:

Why is it that we, as spiritual beings, tend towards entropy in our walk with God?

Applications:

Losing sight of the vision will cause us to become lame, confused, and lethargic.

Prayer:

Lord, please don’t let me become lethargic – or to lose sight of the vision.

Jesus Would be Hanging Out at Starbucks

Scripture:

Luke 15:1-2

1 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!

Observations:

Jesus associated with the unchurched, but why? Isn’t a pastor supposed to keep the flock?  And yet here he is, in the taverns, on the streets, hanging out at Starbucks.  So, that caused the Pharisees and other teachers of the Law to complain.

Applications:

I got heat for my time online – over 60% of Western Civilization is online.  I got heat for being in stores – and yet, what better place to find people?  I was given grief for being at Starbucks all the time – but that’s where the current culture gathers.  Bottom line is, they wanted me to take care of them.  But I saw my job as reaching out to the unchurched.  Those two views did not merge well.

Prayer:

Lord, may I never lose passion for those who don’t know you.

Wandering

Scripture:

Deuteronomy 9:1-3 “Listen, O Israel! Today you are about to cross the Jordan River to take over the land belonging to nations much greater and more powerful than you. They live in cities with walls that reach to the sky! ² The people are strong and tall—descendants of the famous Anakite giants. You’ve heard the saying, ‘Who can stand up to the Anakites?’ ³ But recognize today that the Lord your God is the one who will cross over ahead of you like a devouring fire to destroy them. He will subdue them so that you will quickly conquer them and drive them out, just as the Lord has promised.

Observations:

These three chapters in Deuteronomy are very powerful – and inspiring.  I particularly remember chapter 6 from before we planted a new church, from scratch, in Colorado Springs.  But these chapters are great reminders of how the Lord will go before us and how we don’t have to fear our enemies or obstacles.

What I see in these verses is a strong reminder to stay faithful, don’t fear, and to not look to other means (Golden Calves) to save us.  I see how the unity and character of the tribes is necessary for them to enter the promised land.

Applications:

The church wants to move forward, they want to do something!  They want to make things happen.  But the message I hear from God is that it isn’t our job to make something happen.  It’s not our job to push into the Promised Land.  It is our job to be faithful, obedient, humble, and strong – strong in the Lord.

Prayer:

Father God, I wonder how many and how often the Israelites complained during their 40 years of wandering in the desert?  Please give me the patience, compassion, and love for the people – like Moses had.

Glimpses of Truth

Scripture:

Luke 17:7-10, 20-21, 32-33 “When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? 8 No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ 9 And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. 10 In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”

20 One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, “When will the Kingdom of God come?”

Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs.^[d] 21 You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you.^[e]”

32 Remember what happened to Lot’s wife! 33 If you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it.

Observations:

I see several interesting things in this passage.  First, that we should serve like willing, but undeserving, servants.  Second, that the Kingdom of God is already here.  And third, that we should not hesitate to let go of our lives.

To put this in a different order; if I understand that the Kingdom is already here, I will gladly let go of my life and serve immediately.  However, if I don’t see the Kingdom, I won’t act because in my mind I will think I have a lot of time to change.  Also, I won’t see that I’m serving God, I will only feel the temporal pulls toward service.

Applications:

Paul tells us that “spiritual things are spiritually perceived.“  I see that all the time, in others.  I see how others don’t see the big picture, they don’t perceive the spiritual implications, and they don’t understand the implications.  But the real question is, do I? Just typing that, I’m impressed that I see through a “glass darkly.”  I get an imperfect vision of myself, the world, and the events of this great controversy between Christ and Satan.

All things are spiritual and have lasting spiritual implications.  We are at war.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, open my eyes that I may see, glimpses of truth, you have for me.

Pathology or Service?

Scripture:

Luke 15:1-7 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!

3 So Jesus told them this story: 4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!

Observations:

It seems that whenever we stray from our caste, clique, club, or group, we arouse suspicion in others.  Why is it that we are so afraid of those who are not like us?  Christians, within three years of becoming believers, usually have no friends outside of their faith.  Yet here, Jesus gives us the ultimate example of how we should be in the World, but not of the World.

Often I’m asked why I spend so little time with church members and so much time with those outside the church; the unchurched, if you will.  My short answer is: “Luke 15.”  But often I’m met with blank stares.  I think I probably need to explain this in more detail.  Just because a certain scriptural address resonates with me, that doesn’t mean that others will know where that address points to.  And, it also doesn’t mean they’ll be motivated to remember and look it up later.

This is why Jesus spoke in parables.  Though we may not totally understand the point, we will remember the story and later it may click for us.

Jesus had a habit of hanging out with the less-desirables of his community.  However, the religious leaders of the day complained that he shouldn’t do that.  They were probably thinking of the adage: “Birds of a feather flock together.” But Jesus knew why he was with those people.  It wasn’t to get affirmation, ideas, or camaraderie from them, instead, he was there to give affirmation, blessings, and fellowship to them.

It takes great strength to be in the World, without being of the World.  Alone, and on our own, we are unable to do this.  We are too weak and easily tempted.  But when our connection with God is strong, we are better able to withstand the fiery arrows of the enemy.  Most of us need to flee temptation at all costs – and that was my approach when I first was finding my relationship with the Lord.

This morning I was taking care of my Smiling (toddler) Son.  He is quite well behaved and compliant.  For instance, he knows that my phone is off limits and he generally leaves it alone.  Several times though he came up to me and as he turned away he saw my phone on the table.  He stopped and got stone sober.  He stared at the phone.  Just looking.

I watched him to see what he would do.  If he started to reach for it, I would gently remind him, “no,” I would say – and he would toddle off.  Once, I let him look and look.  It was as if he was trying to get the courage up to touch it or grab it.  It wasn’t a game, he wasn’t laughing, he didn’t appear to be trying to fool me, but he was curious.  That is to be expected, here is this ubiquitous object in his life, another gadget, and he has handled every gadget within 30 inches of the floor – but not these fancy, button-laden, shiny objects The Wife and I spend so much time cherishing.

God cautioned Adam and Eve to stay away from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.  Don’t even go near it He said.  Now, I don’t know about you, but that would make me curious.  “Hmmmm….I wanna go see what’s so special that I shouldn’t be near it.”

I suppose it’s about trust.  Do we trust our Father when He says it is dangerous?  Or do we have to find out on our own?  Does my son trust me when I say my BlackBerry is not for him to play with?

Applications:

More to the point of the above texts, do I trust that my Father will take care of me when I go places and meet with people who don’t share my values?  He says that we can drink poison or handle snakes without fear, why would I fear some fun people who are possibly going a different direction than I am.

Now I can’t enter into these relationships and situations with presumption, just assuming that I’ll be safe.  This can only come out of great strength which is only found in my relationship with God.  Also, I have to listen to Him regarding which people or situations are “safe.”  For instance, I would not be safe in adult entertainment venues, but though I’m a recovering alcoholic, I have no trouble being in a bar or club.  We have to know ourselves and listen to our God.  Stepping out in presumptuous arrogance is not just stupid, it’s scary.

The one two four things I get from this today are:

• First, I have to better explain myself to those who don’t understand the need to be “in the World.”
• Second, I have to balance my priorities between my inreach and outreach activities.
• Third, I have to know why I’m there…
  • Is it a pathological agenda, e.g. for my own needs?
  • Or is it service and evangelism, e.g. for the Kingdom?
• Fourth, all of this needs to be humbly covered by God’s direction – meekness must rule.

Prayer:

Lord, save me from my good intentions, my unfocused motives, and my self-confident ways.  Lead me in paths of righteousness and deliver me from my enemies.  Please give me strength to better articulate the principles you’ve placed in side of me, and forgive me for blurting out abstract concepts to those who are unprepared to hear these ideas.  Help me to be more concrete, patient, and intentional.

Thanks!

Letting Go of the Good too…

Scripture:

Luke 14: 12-14, 25-27, 34-35 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

 25Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple…

 34“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? 35It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. 
      ”He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Observations:

There are several things I see in these texts, through the whole chapter, that cause me to take pause.  Several things are not being done in today’s Church.  Several things we, as modern-day disciples, seem to ignore.

The first is the inviting of those who have nothing to offer.  Whether it be to after church dinners, membership, or community events.  We tend to invite those who have something to offer.  Not those who can’t repay us.

Second, we seem to think we should have the most honored position and we’re afraid to be left out in the cold – so, with a measure of insecurity, we jostle for position.  I’m not just talking about the banquet table – but for positions of leadership.

A third thing, from the intervening texts (not quoted above), are Jesus comments about “counting the costs.”  He concludes these two parables by indicating that we have to be willing to lose all, or we will gain nothing.  If we don’t take the time to count the costs, we won’t know what’s at stake.  This reminds me of of Socrates’ statement that ”The unexamined life is not worth living.“

Finally, Jesus makes it clear that salt without saltiness, is not worth anything.

Applications:

It is easy for me to read texts like this and apply it to others.  This is the safe approach.  This is the easy route.  This is the dysfunctional approach.  In fact, I need to look at myself and see how this applies.

First, I seem to look for friends, leaders, and disciples that will help the church (or me) succeed.  I want to pour my energy into those who will accomplish my goals – God’s goals – the church’s goals.  Instead, as was pointed out to me last Sunday (in a great exchange), I need to love those who need to be loved.  Period.  Without thinking about what I can get out of it.

Second, letting go of my own needs is the path to humility.  When I have no thought of what I need to get out of “this” – whatever “this” is, that’s when I will gain the greater blessings.  It is the “Good to Great” concept.  Good is having friends and being thought of as significant.  Great is serving God and letting Him use me to bless others.

Third, counting the cost.  This is never a one time proposition – though I often think it is and I begin to settle.  Counting the cost is always an ongoing concept.  Each step with the Lord involves letting go of something: a thought, a behavior, a possession, a relationship, …something.  When I let go of something, good or bad, I am doing so to gain something greater.

Finally, and this is an idea that is reoccurring in my time with God, is that if I want the church to grow, if I want the church to be “salty,” and if I want there to be radical disciples in the church, then I need to be a radical disciple.  My life, my actions, and my influence will best be realized through my transformation – not my words or teaching.

In addition, this is something I need my leadership team to understand.  This isn’t about maintenance, this is about transformation of our-selves, our church family, our community, and our world.  

H.M.S. Richards once said, “Be always preaching, and if necessary, use words.”  This is who I want to be.

Prayer:

Dear God… <pause….sigh….deep breath>

Enable me to absorb these important concepts.  It is so funny how when I first began reading this chapter in Luke’s Gospel that all I could think of was how it applied to the Laodecian Church.  But as I asked you into my heart, you helped me see how this applied to me.

This is what I was unable to communicate the other night.  This is why my QT3 is important to the church.  It isn’t about maintenance – it’s about growth.  Before the church will grow, I have to grow.  ”The speed of the leader determines the speed of the church.”  Enable me to grow.  Enable me to be transformed.

As I count the cost, I see how that will lead to greater loneliness, greater ostracization, and greater pressure to “do something” useful.  Some of this comes from the tapes in my head.  Being raised by a dysfunctional, (work) addicted family system, in a time where production meant value, I continue to try and shed those ideas.  But now, I have leaders who want me to produce – or at least that’s what I hear them saying.

At the same time, I’m fighting to go the other direction.  I’m fighting to let go of the production values.  I’m fighting to connect with a path of surrender and sacrifice.  I’m seeking to develop a life that is a constant conversation with God.  I’m seeking to let go of my “self;” my ego, my dreams, my heart, my selfish desires, my ornery old man, my wandering, my good – as well as my bad.  Often, the downfall of those who seek Christ is thinking that we have something good to bring to the table.  But we read that even our best efforts are worthless.

Father God – release me from the me, my, mine in my life.  Release me from the hopes, fears, dreams, and strengths that I think are so unique and powerful.  Reshape me into your image.  Redesign me.  Remake me.  Rebirth me.

I surrender to you today.

Peace

SCRIPTURE:

Luke 10:5-12  5“When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you.7Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

 8“When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you.9Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’ 10But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11‘Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.’ 12I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

 

OBSERVATIONS:

 

I wonder if this is where the hippies got the “Peace.”  It really is a great greeting.  When greeting someone, if they are willing to be a part of the peace, to receive the peace, and to live in peace – what more does one need.  But, as Jesus says, if they reject it, it comes right back.

Same with the town, if they reject the message, the messengers, or the methods – we can just leave.  We don’t have to carry the “baggage” of their rejection.  We just wipe it off and move on.

 

APPLICATIONS:

For me, one who has always suffered rejection, this has always been a poignant message.  I still need to understand this better, incorporate it better into my life, and learn to not take it personally.

 

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, please teach me to not absorb the heat of rejection.  Teach me to not take it personally.  Teach me to go where you tell me to go, speak where you tell me to speak, and say what you tell me to say.  I am your servant, your vessel, and your mouthpiece.