QT 19 Sep 13, Change occurs and change can be good

1 Sam 7:15-8:9 (ESV) Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. 16 And he went on a circuit year by year to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah. And he judged Israel in all these places. 17 Then he would return to Ramah, for his home was there, and there also he judged Israel. And he built there an altar to the Lord.

8:1 When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel. 2 The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. 3 Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice.

4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah 5 and said to him, "Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations." 6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." And Samuel prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. 8 According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. 9 Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them."

NOTE: Samuel brought about a great thing, and I believe good change in Israel. Later, when God says that "they have rejected me," I think he is referring to the last few hundred years, described in Judges, and not the immediate circumstances. Samuel gave them a taste of truth again, something that was solely missing during the time of the Judges. His circuit of teaching changed their ideas of what was right and wrong. And so, when Samuel's sons exhibit the same tendencies (although not quite as bad) as Eli's sons, the people reject it. God is right, they were not rejecting Samuel, they were rejecting his sons. And they had already rejected God as king as evidenced by the last few hundred years. It is time for something new, and the new is not bad, it is different. God had already given instruction regarding a king when the law was first given. So, this was not unexpected. A king represents an opportunity for tremendous good and also tremendous evil. The will experience few good kings, most will fail in the leadership role. The few that are good will have a tremendously positive impact. And in the end, the point will ring very clear, God is the only just king the people ever had. And Jesus as his son ruling in the millennial kingdom will be the greatest of all kings. Change isn't bad. It opens our eyes to new things. It teaches us. Lord, what is it that you are teaching me?

QT 9 Sep 13, Repentance is the first step toward healing

1 Sam 7:3-10 (ESV) And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, "If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines." 4 So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the Lord only.

5 Then Samuel said, "Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you." 6 So they gathered at Mizpah and drew water and poured it out before the Lord and fasted on that day and said there, "We have sinned against the Lord." And Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah. 7 Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. 8 And the people of Israel said to Samuel, "Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines." 9 So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. And Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. 10 As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the Lord thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were routed before Israel.

NOTE: Finally, after 20 years, for some reason, Samuel calls the people to meet at Mizpah. Why so long? We don't know. We do know that the real issue was their heart and maybe they needed some more time to realize that problem. I can't help but wonder today if our nation will ever realize that our problems are deep in our heart and not in political solutions. The people gather and after fasting, they repent "we have sinned against the Lord." The Philistines, who ruled the land, hear of the gathering, and probably out of fear decide to attack Israel, before Israel attacks them. Israel, also in fear, cries out to God. The result is a miraculous intervention by God that begins the decline of the Philistines. Samuel accomplishes as Judge what Samson never accomplished, relief from the oppression of the Philistines.

The key change is something Samson never pushed, repentance. Samson pushed acceptance and tolerance. He even lived among the Philistines and married, at one time, one of the women. Samson liked the lifestyle of the Philistines and their beliefs. Samuel instead, calls for people to repent and to throw away the idols of the world, and turned to serve God alone. That is the same message for us today. We need to repent of our sin, throw away the idols of our time, and serve God alone.

QT 5 Sep 13, Focus on the heart not the externals

1 Sam 7:1-4 (ESV) And the men of Kiriath-jearim came and took up the ark of the Lord and brought it to the house of Abinadab on the hill. And they consecrated his son Eleazar to have charge of the ark of the Lord. 2 From the day that the ark was lodged at Kiriath-jearim, a long time passed, some twenty years, and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord.

3 And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, "If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines." 4 So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the Lord only.

NOTE: The ark is back and Israel consecrates an individual to care for it, but Israel fails to consecrate itself. For 20 years they mourned (HEB nahah (OT:5091) for ESV lament) for the Lord. The problem is that they focused on the external and forgot the internal. Samuel's first official action is a call to repentance, to focus on the internal first. They were worshipping idols and wondering where God was. They stopped serving idols and began to serve God. Did Samuel cause that? No, but he raised the issue. Individuals needed to respond to God's call. And that is the way it usually works. God responds to those who seek to serve him. God does not serve those who expect him to respond to their whims. It starts with us, and it starts in our hearts. The idols must be put away. We must recommit to serving him. We must be follow through on our words. Then God can use us.

QT 3 Sep 13, Playing Both Sides

1 Sam 6:19-21 (ESV) And he struck some of the men of Beth-shemesh, because they looked upon the ark of the Lord. He struck seventy men of them, and the people mourned because the Lord had struck the people with a great blow. 20 Then the men of Beth-shemesh said, "Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God? And to whom shall he go up away from us?" 21 So they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath-jearim, saying, "The Philistines have returned the ark of the Lord. Come down and take it up to you."

NOTE: Apparently, no one knows how to handle the ark. The Philistines, to their credit, add a guilt offering (for having taken the ark) that cost them some gold. On the other hand, ten small gold images of tumors and rats was a cheap gift. Also, God hates images and God is not appeased by man's works. The Israelites, who know better, sacrifice thank offerings but then treat the ark as a curiosity, trying to peer into it. Both groups feared the ark, but neither understood holiness. If they had, they would have kept their distance and immediately called the priests to move the ark. Normally, the ark was hid behind a thick curtain in a very dark room in a dark tent. It was seen only once a year by the high priest, unless the tabernacle needed to be moved. The curtains and coverings were a protection for the people. God did not reside in the ark, but his name, and consequently, his glory did (not in totality, only in representation). The people clearly lack instruction, as all the people at the end of the period of Judges did. Samuel will be God's instrument to change that. Eli and his sons are dead now. Samuel's opportunity is just beginning. This story stands as a stark contrast to their forefathers handling of the ark and the people who stand at the end of the period of Judges.

We treat God similarly today. We fear him, in a sense, but we truly don't understand his holiness. And so we are curious but we really don't want to know him fully. We really don't want to be holy like him. We just don't want him to interfere in our lives, unless we are in trouble. Otherwise we live our lives with God at the side and pretend that he is at the center. But he is not, and only when disaster strikes do we realize our error and arrogance.

QT 23 Aug 13, God's Heavy Hand

1 Sam 5:6-12 (ESV) The hand of the Lord was heavy against the people of Ashdod, and he terrified and afflicted them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territory. 7 And when the men of Ashdod saw how things were, they said, "The ark of the God of Israel must not remain with us, for his hand is hard against us and against Dagon our god." 8 So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines and said, "What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?" They answered, "Let the ark of the God of Israel be brought around to Gath." So they brought the ark of the God of Israel there. 9 But after they had brought it around, the hand of the Lord was against the city, causing a very great panic, and he afflicted the men of the city, both young and old, so that tumors broke out on them. 10 So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. But as soon as the ark of God came to Ekron, the people of Ekron cried out, "They have brought around to us the ark of the God of Israel to kill us and our people." 11  They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines and said, "Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it return to its own place, that it may not kill us and our people." For there was a deathly panic throughout the whole city. The hand of God was very heavy there. 12 The men who did not die were struck with tumors, and the cry of the city went up to heaven.

NOTE: Four times the phrase or a facsimile, "the hand of the Lord was heavy against the people," appears in the passage. It was obvious to the Philistines that it was not good for them to have the ark in their midst. The ark was given to Israel to symbolize the presence of God with his people. At this point, which is also the end of the period of the Judges, Israel has lost its most important possession. The people God chose to place his name have foolishly brought the ark to a battle and lost it. They were using the ark for their own purpose and ignoring the Ark's true purpose. God judges Israel, but he also judges the Philistines. They did not have permission or privilege to have the Ark among them. They stood against Israel as an example of sin pestering our lives. And now sin has mixed itself with the holy. The result is the hand of the Lord heavy against them.

As I look at my own life, am I living as God intended or have I let sin mix in with holiness. Are some recent setbacks evidence of God's heavy hand or of a need to trust more? Clearly, hard times drive us to the Lord, and that more than anything else is needed in my life. I have let prayer become an occasion rather than a pattern of life. God knows I need prayer, and I know deep down that I need it too.

QT 13 Aug 13, Something we have forgotten--life is spiritual and we need to worship

1 Sam 5:2-4 (ESV) Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the house of Dagon and set it up beside Dagon. 3 And when the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and put him back in his place. 4 But when they rose early on the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the Lord, and the head of Dagon and both his hands were lying cut off on the threshold. Only the trunk of Dagon was left to him.

NOTE: The story is humorous to us today, but I wonder if we are really that perceptive. Our ancestors realized that there was more to life than the material. They recognized a spiritual aspect to life, which for the most part our culture has dismissed. They were right in that respect but wrong in not recognizing God, the one true God, as the author of life. Today, we give credence to the material for everything. And we believe that chaos, random interactions over time, achieved the ordered universe in which we now live. I suppose they would laugh at our arrogance. But the other humorous aspect of the story is what God does to the demon Dagon. God forces Dagon to fall facedown before the one true God. Secondly, God takes away his head and his hands, showing that Dagon can do nothing before God -- he can't think, nor can he act. He is literally powerless before God. The lessons are stark and true, and were probably realized by some among the Philistines. They may have done some stupid things, but they were not stupid. They probably could think better than we do today. We could learn a few things from our ancestors, maybe not their choices of worship but their realization of the importance of worship.

QT 12 Aug 13, Its our faith, not our symbols, that is of most importance

Monday, August 12, 2013

9:18 AM

1 Sam 4:12, 13a, 18, 19a, 21, 22 (ESV) A man of Benjamin ran from the battle line and came to Shiloh the same day, with his clothes torn and with dirt on his head. 13 When he arrived, Eli was sitting on his seat by the road watching, for his heart trembled for the ark of God. … 18 As soon as he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell over backward from his seat by the side of the gate, and his neck was broken and he died, for the man was old and heavy. He had judged Israel forty years.

19 Now his daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant, about to give birth. … 21 And she named the child Ichabod, saying, "The glory has departed from Israel!" because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband. 22 And she said, "The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured."

NOTE: I don't know much about Phinehas, although her husband was a wicked and unfaithful man. She dies giving birth and is heartbroken over the capture of the ark. Eli is also worried about the ark and dies when he hears of its capture. The problem is that they should have been more concerned about the sin in Israel, including the use of the ark in war, than the capture of a  physical symbol. God will take care of the ark in a surprising was, but Israel's need is to take care of her sin. We are a lot like that. We are concerned and get upset about issues in the world, in our community, and in our church. But our real concern needs to be about our own sin. While God is certainly concerned about the affairs in the world, he is far more concerned with the character of his representatives. He can take of the world and will someday extract justice on the world and its deceptions. But for us, the more immediate concern is being faithful to what God has called us to do and how to live. And I think we fail greatly, in terms of how we live.

QT 9 Aug 13, God is just, not just loving

Rev 16:3-7 (ESV) The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became like the blood of a corpse, and every living thing died that was in the sea.

4 The third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. 5 And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say,

"Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was,

for you brought these judgments.

6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets,

and you have given them blood to drink.

It is what they deserve!"

7 And I heard the altar saying,

"Yes, Lord God the Almighty,

 true and just are your judgments!"

NOTE: The second and third of the last seven judgments are turning water into blood. Clearly, they allude back to one of the early plagues in Egypt, but they were also signs that the Magicians could easily perform. And yet, there is a very serious reason for the choice. One, water is necessary for life. Two, the world has shed the blood of believers throughout its history because it believed the world would be better without their influence. In the tribulation, this atheistic argument will reach its pinnacle as the world tries to build a Utopian society by eliminating the influence of Christianity and of Christians. The result is that the world will drink the blood of its deeds. And unlike vampires, there is no nourishment or life sustainment from blood. In fact, in only a few days, many people will dies of thirst. It is possible that there are other sources of water or that people will figure out how to distill blood into something drinkable, but many will die drinking the blood of those that they killed. They probably laughed as they saw believers die -- I wonder what they will think as the stench of a blood-filled ocean and rivers fills the air.

I think our problem is that we don't believe in a God of justice, only a God of love. And we don't realize how far our actions have fallen from God's standard. But it is not just unbelievers, it is believers who must also remember the same truth. We may be saved, but we serve a God of justice.

QT 29 Jul 13, Trust God even when the answers seem amiss

1 Sam 4:3, 10-11 (NIV) When the soldiers returned to camp, the elders of Israel asked, "Why did the Lord bring defeat upon us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the Lord's covenant from Shiloh, so that it may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies."

. . .

10 So the Philistines fought, and the Israelites were defeated and every man fled to his tent. The slaughter was very great; Israel lost thirty thousand foot soldiers. 11 The ark of God was captured, and Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died.

NOTE: A couple of thoughts arise. One, why did Israel mistakenly view the ark as a good luck piece? Apparently, Samuel's teaching still had a long way to go. This sounds more like the thinking that was prevalent during Judges (which is when the event occurred). The Philistines are the enemy, much as they were the enemy during Samson's days, the last of the judges in the book of Judges.

Two, where is Samuel? Either this event is prior to his teaching, in which case 4:1a merely foreshadows his life, or he is out on circuit when the battle occurred. When Samuel does appear in the story, over 20 years later (7:2), Israel has changed. Israel repents of her sin, and Israel experiences a miraculous victory over the Philistines.

APPLICATION: God doesn't answer our prayers according to our instructions. God does what is best for us, for his name, and with a bigger picture in view. We have to trust. Our anger over the lack of answers is a real emotion, but prolonged only reveals our lack of trust.

QT 23 Jul 13, God is revealed primarily through his word

1 Sam 3:21-4:1a (NIV) The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.

4:1a And Samuel's word came to all Israel.

NOTE: Samuel learned about God from the word. That is the primary means that God uses to reveal himself to his people. Samuel was a teacher, and the natural result of his growth in the Lord was his ability to teach Israel. This period of time is during the book of Judges. There are great errors in knowledge and application of God's word during this time. And, as the knowledge of God's word dwindles, the people descend further into sin, repeating the story of Romans 1:18-32. But Samuel's entrance stops the descent, but it is not Samuel, it is the teaching of the truth of God's word.

As my country travels farther away from the teachings of God's word, it is not surprisingly that the culture is collapsing. Actually, it is only collapsing from a spiritual perspective. It is morphing into something that is guaranteed to bring pain, sorrow, and great loss to its people. Life outside of God is empty. Real life is found in a relationship with God through the work of his son on the cross, and through obedience to his word. I have also been called to teach God's word. But my goal is not to fill up people with empty truths but truths that change. I want people to know and do God's word. That is my heart's desire.

QT 16 July 2013, Parents are responsible to train their children, but not for the results

1 Sam 3:11-14 (NIV) And the Lord said to Samuel: "See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle. 12 At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family — from beginning to end. 13 For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them. 14 Therefore, I swore to the house of Eli, 'The guilt of Eli's house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.'"

Note: This is a good verse for parents. We don't control the lives of our children and our parenting skills are not measured by our children. Samuel's children do not turn out much better than Eli's (1 Sam 8:1-5). But Eli is judged and not Samuel. There is a reason. We stand before God on what God requires of us, not on the results. We are to teach our children to walk before God, and generally speaking, they will--Proverbs 22:6 suggests as much. But Proverbs teaches general truths and wise sayings. They are not promises that God is held too (otherwise God would be condoning bribes, 17:8; 21:4). We are required to do the best we can with our children--nothing more, nothing less. Our children stand before God on their own cognizance. God judges us by our actions, not the results. Eli does rebuke his children, but apparently he could have done more. He could have restrained them, but he didn't. He should have removed them from their roles as priests. Samuel's sons are appointed as judges and perverted justice. Apparently Samuel is unaware. And while is not said, the appointment of a King does remove his sons from their roles. Eli is judged because he didn't take any action other than a rebuke. He failed to deal with sin. The same is not said about Samuel. We may not like the choices our children make. While they are young, we are to restrain them. But once they are adults, our responsibility for their sin ends. We hurt, we can pray, we can counsel and rebuke, but we can't control. Like God with Adam and Eve, or the Father with the prodigal son (and other son), the children, when adults, make their own choices. We, as Parents, need to do the best we can, nothing more and nothing less.

QT 28 Jun 13, Withdrawal from society is not an option

Luke 8:26-33 (NIV) They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. 27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don't torture me!" 29 For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places. 30 Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "Legion," he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31 And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. 32 A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into them, and he gave them permission. 33 When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

NOTE: As has been seen in other instances, there is no doubt in the demonic world about Jesus' identity or authority. Jesus is the Son of the Most High God. Jesus has authority over all things. The question and request of the demoniac are very enlightening: "what do you want with me" and "don't torture me." These statements tell us two things about the mindset of the demons. One, the demons are separated from God (by choice) and have no part in the kingdom. So they wonder, why does Jesus even confront them? Arguably, Satan is the prince of this world and they have freedom to act. But even though Satan is the ruler of the kingdom of the air, he can still be trumped by the King of Kings. Secondly, the request shows that they recognize they are deserving of punishment. But, they request for more time. Ultimately, they will be thrown into the lake of fire and receive eternal punishment. And the Abyss is a prison to hold them until the time of the tribulation. It is a place worth avoiding at all costs but deserving in all respects.

Another thought is that the demons drive the man into solitary places. While solitary places can be good for a time -- a retreat, time alone with God, etc., -- when the way of life is solitary and separated, this is a place demons prefer. Why? Because when we are away from people, we don't have to let their morals affect how we live (or revive guilt in our conscience). The town shackled the man and kept him in town, but demons don't like to be shackled by society, culture, or laws. So, the demons broke the shackles and went away from people. So, there is a danger when our actions or attitudes show rejection of rules or a desire to separate ourselves from people. Church and fellowship are actually for our good and when we withdraw, we do so to our own hurt. Likewise, while not all rules are good, rule-following is generally a good idea.

QT 25 Jun 13, Never forget to thank God for the blessings in life

1 Sam 2:3-5 (NIV) "Do not keep talking so proudly

or let your mouth speak such arrogance,

for the Lord is a God who knows,

and by him deeds are weighed.

4 "The bows of the warriors are broken,

but those who stumbled are armed with strength.

5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food,

but those who were hungry hunger no more.

She who was barren has borne seven children,

but she who has had many sons pines away.

NOTE: You never know what tomorrow brings is the basic message of this part of Hannah's prayer. It is also a warning to never think too highly of yourself or to take credit for accomplishments you have experienced. It can easily all be gone in a heartbeat. Instead of arrogance and proud talk, thanksgiving is the best course.

Lord, I have a lot that I need to give thanks. You have provided a wonderful job, and every year fun tasks. You have provided a home and a ministry, both of which I could never have dreamed of living. I thank you for my wife and children. I thank you for my lot in life. I thank you for the person that you have crafted. Having said that, I would like to grow more in humility and in holiness. I want to be bolder in sharing the gospel. I want to be a good witness to the people you have placed around me. Thank you, thank you, thank you -- I am undeserving of your goodness to me.

QT 13 Jun 13, Do you want to make an impact? Start with the small stuff

1 Sam 1:1-6 (NIV) There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. 2 He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.

3 Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the Lord Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the Lord. 4 Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb. 6 And because the Lord had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her.

NOTE: This forms a bridge between Judges and the introduction of a new period in Israel. Not only does it also introduce Samuel but it shows what life was like in those days. A number of negative things stand out. One, Elkanah had two wives (a common practice but still wrong). The other wife bullied and provoked Hannah, instead of showing love and mercy. Hophni and Phinehas, two wicked men, were the priests. They regularly stole from the offerings and used their position to bed women. Eli, while not mentioned here, was so fat that he died falling over. And in the midst of all this ugliness is one young women whose heart's desire is to have a child. It has a lot of similarity to Mary's story. God begins a work in a young lady with a heart to do what is right. While the rest of the nation is falling apart, God has slowly begun a work that will transform the nation.

The small things may not seem important, but how do we know if our obedience in the small things might not result in a major change years from now. God desires men and women with a heart to seek him and to do what is right. He can use what the world sees as weak in something incredibly strong.

QT 15 May 13, Unity seems lost today, but for the individual there are things we can do

John 17:20-23 (NIV) "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 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. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

NOTE: It is hard to understand what Jesus meant by unity. On one hand, there is a certain unity when I meet another person who believes in Jesus Christ as their savior. We do share a certain bond and attachment because of our savior. I can rejoice with that person and communicate to a certain degree which I cannot with others. On the other hand, there is multiplication of beliefs, denominations, and churches today. Some of the differences are in trivial matters but some are not. Some of the differences are in serious biblical issues, like universality, the application of the law to the Christian, and whether Christians should have to suffer in health. It actually is difficult to share deeply with these believers because their answers are so different. Additionally, their beliefs seem (to me) at odds with scripture. Most of the time, I don't really debate people. It doesn't seem helpful. And yet, Paul and the other apostles were very concerned about doctrinal deviations. Jesus seems very concerned about unity. How can unity exist with so much doctrinal deviation? And I don't mean worship styles, because I can have great fellowship with other believers when our differences are in style of worship. It is when our understanding of truth differs significantly that unity becomes very difficult.

One application, which doesn't solve the larger problem but does help at the individual level, is the need for individuals to be involved in a local church. If a church body is not important, then it is impossible to have any type of unity. The person is a lone ranger with no affiliation or support of the local body. That person is an ear hopping along the street while the local body lives on with an ear on only one side of the body. We have a role in the body and we need to address and embrace that role.

Random Thoughts, 14 May 13, Spend and be spent

This is in response to my Pastor's message on Sunday. It reminded me of something I felt I needed to put down on paper.

Isa 58:10 (NIV) … and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry //  and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, // then your light will rise in the darkness, // and your night will become like the noonday.

2 Cor 12:15 (RSV) I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you the more, am I to be loved the less?

Luke 16:9 (NIV) I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

Note: Years ago, God impressed on me the phrase "spend and be spent." It really is a great philosophy of life. It does not preclude wise handling of the money God has entrusted to me for old age and retirement. What it does is free me to spend on others. Yes, I might be "wealthy" if I did not give as much as I have or spent as much as I do on people, but I have more peace because it relieves the tension between frugality and indulgence. Both positions represents extremes which do not honor God. Frugality, while often extolled, communicates that "my" money is more important than people. Indulgence is an obnoxious abuse of the gift God has given. Somewhere between is a point of freedom. I can spend money that is helpful for others, whether that is providing a dinner for young adults who attend our Tuesday night bible study or upgrading the carpeting in our house so that it can stand traffic (people visiting) better. I suppose we can always justify our actions, and that part is difficult to determine, but ultimately I stand before God, and while I might benefit from the spending, if my heart is right, I can have peace. I want to spend and be spent for people. I don't want to end up rich at the end of my life and realize all the opportunities I missed to use money for another person's good. God doesn't give me the funds I have so that I save it all or spend it all on myself. God has given me funds to live on and to use for the kingdom's sake. If that means buying a person breakfast so that we can talk, so be it. If that means replacing something sooner than normal because it is worn out by people using it, so be it. If that means having less left for myself, most certainly so be it. 

QT 14 May 13, We are under attack!

John 17:13-19 (NIV) "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

NOTE: Jesus prayed this prayer in the disciple's hearing and for their benefit. I'm sure it was comforting to hear Jesus speak of them to his father. Also, to know that "you will see me soon" (last chapter) did not mean they were also going to die since he prayed that they would not be taken out of the world. But he clearly identifies them with himself to the point that he says that they also are not of the world. It is easy to see how Jesus is not of the world since he is "half" man (by Mary), and "half" God (by the Holy Spirit) -- (theologically, we say he is perfectly (I like better than fully) man and fully God). But the disciples are "all of this world." Apparently not, Jesus says they are not of this world. So, identification with Jesus separates us from this world (since they had not received the Spirit yet). They are different by being around Jesus and they no longer identify with the world but with Jesus. That doesn't mean that they need to leave the world (as Jesus prays). They are to be a witness for Jesus in the world and their greatest need is protection from the evil one. He is out to destroy them. Jesus' other prayer comes to mind on this point, "… lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil." I don't know if I think about this enough. The enemy is attacking me. It might be subtle but there is an attack ongoing. If it was obvious, it wouldn't be as successful. I need to remember this for myself and others, and pray for mine and their protection.

QT 8 May 13, Jesus clearly states his deity

John 17:1-5 (NIV) After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

"Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

NOTE: This is a pretty strong statement from Jesus about his deity and the trinity (or at least duality). Both Father and Son are glorified. Jesus has authority, from the Father, over all people. Eternal life is knowing God the Father and Jesus. Jesus had glory before the world even began. Clearly, they are separate, and yet they share many things (glory, authority, and eternality). These are not the statements of Paul, but Jesus' very words. Admittedly, John's gospel is likely written after all the other apostles are dead, although we are not sure. And the fact that the temple's destruction is not even mentioned suggests it may have been written before 70AD as opposed to the usual assumption of 90-100AD. The later date does not eliminate all the eyewitnesses, just the apostles. Still, even if it was the late date, of all people, John had no incentive to make up something that was not true. And least of all, to ascribe deity to Jesus. No, the logical argument leads us to accept these words as Jesus, and so forces us to face the fact of his deity and its implications on our own life.

QT 7 May 13, Have faith, God really does know what is best

John 16:5-11 (NIV) "Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' 6 Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. 7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

NOTE: Jesus' comment is a little hard to understand. Both Peter and Thomas had asked similar questions, and maybe Jesus expected a more fuller discussion. But I think his point is that their grief had overtaken their rationality. They were so focused on Jesus' leaving that they weren't thinking. Jesus tries to help them understand that his leaving is a good thing. Most people, in times of grief, do not recognize the good that can come out of a situation -- and rightly so. But faith tells us that God is working good for us in every situation that life presents. This of course is a special situation: Jesus' death, resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Still, the principle remains the same: God promises to bring good out of every situation. Now "good" can be subjective (at least to us, not to God). No one considers discipline a good thing in the midst of the discipline. But time shows us the value. The key is that God knows my situation and is at work for my best!

QT 6 May 13, Called to be faithful, not argumentative

John 16:1-4 (NIV) "All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. 2 They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. 3 They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. 4 I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you.

NOTE: Truth does not always look like it is successful. In fact, many times, truth will not look like truth but rather will be perceived as foolishness. We do not have to defend truth to the n-th degree. We are to have a defense for anyone who calls us to account for our hope, but that does not mean we will win the argument. But truth, and especially scripture has an internal effect on people that we can't see, and God will use it in the person's heart. Our job is to not despair as we see the  world turn away from truth but rather  to be faithful to employ truth even when it is unpopular.