No Place Before God - Part 3

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Thursday, February 25, 2016

VIDEO

Isaac said to Esau, “I have made Jacob your master and have declared that all his brothers will be his servants.  I have guaranteed him an abundance of grain and wine—what is left for me to give you, my son?”  Esau pleaded, “But do you have only one blessing?  Oh my father, bless me, too!”  Then Esau broke down and wept.  Finally, his father, Isaac, said to him, “You will live away from the richness of the earth, and away from the dew of the heaven above.  You will live by your sword, and you will serve your brother.  But when you decide to break free, you will shake his yoke from your neck.”  From that time on, Esau hated Jacob because their father had given Jacob the blessing.  And Esau began to scheme: “I will soon be mourning my father’s death. Then I will kill my brother, Jacob.” Genesis 27:37-41^(NLT)

We’ve been looking at the damage that can come from a lack of care for the spiritual side of life.  Esau was more interested in serving his appetites than his God, and wound-up selling his firstborn-right to be the spiritual leader of God’s people.  Later, when their father Isaac was near dying, the younger brother, Jacob, sealed the deal by not only having the birthright, he tricked his father into giving him the firstborn’s blessing.

Jacob’s deceiving ways, and Esau’s reactionary anger blossomed into a fractured family.

Hatred has killed more relationships.  We know from the story that Esau later mellowed.  But even today the inhabitants of Edom (modern Jordan) still fight the Esau and Jacob battle.  When you do a good job of breaking a family apart, it may take generations and many miracles to put it back together. 

When we act selfishly, doing our own thing, the consequences reach beyond our own circles of friends and daily experience.  We create ripples in our society and universe.  Esau's cavalier attitude towards his spiritual heritage, and his needed leadership in the kingdom brought shame on him, but it brought grief also on his parents, and the ripples of hatred still boil in that region today!

It is that way in churches, families and culture in general.  In the human family of 2016 we exist in a fractured collage of humanity caused by careless words spoken in anger, judging spirits and prideful, reactionary attitudes. 

In the 60's, Paul Simon wrote, I am a rock, I am an island, and a rock feels no pain, and an island never cries; famous lyrics, but flawed thinking!  Try as you might to insulate yourself against pain and heartache, this universe was created to respond to love and hate.  Esau responded to the losses he experienced by trashing the lives of those around him.  Esau and Jacob both chose the selfish path, and the whole family was broken on his island of rocks.

And the pain lasted for more than twenty years!

Jesus was despised by the generation he came to embrace.  He came to His own, and was hung, spread-eagle, on cross-beams.  But Jesus didn’t curse or revile those who crucified him; he didn't break up the family, break his loved-one's hearts. 

Instead, he forgave them. 

Jesus chose to love when he was wronged.  He was a descendant of Jacob’s, but he chose to break the cycle of hatred and honor the place before God.

For You Today

Honoring the God who sent His only son, the Prince of Peace, in a world gone mad with the violence of Al Qaeda, ISIS and every other angry, vengeance-driven neurosis, will never occur with more violence, hatred and vengeance. 

It will take humility and faith.

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road today…and have a blessed day!

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[1] Title Image:  By Bertram of Minden, via Wikimedia Commons

Blessed Syria?

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Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Devotion VIDEO here

In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth.  For the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will say, “Blessed be Egypt, my people.  Blessed be Assyria, the land I have made.  Blessed be Israel, my special possession!”   Isaiah 19:24-25^(NLT)

With all the heated debate going on in America concerning Syrian refugees, ISIS, and the rampage of mass shootings, I think it may be next to impossible to entertain what Isaiah suggests – that Assyria, (blessed Assyria according to Isaiah), along with Egypt and Israel are three parts of a blessing for the whole planet.  But I’m also wondering how many of us are thinking straight these days; you know – thinking with the mind of Christ[2]

Isaiah is obviously remembering, looking back to a time when there was more harmony between Israel, Egypt and Syria (in his day that was largely due to the influence of an expanded Assyrian empire during the 9^th – 7^th centuries B.C.).  But Isaiah also points to the future; after all his predictions of judgment, there is always a window left open towards restoration and reconciliation.

Look at the map showing where Syria and Egypt are located; notice particularly that Israel stands right between the two – the position of the intercessor!  If ever there was an image of the ministry of Christ, it is this.  Egypt had held Israel in bondage before there was an “official” Israel.  Later Syria held Israel AND Egypt under its empirical thumb.  In Isaiah’s future the pathway to Syria and Egypt flow through Jerusalem!

And, who knows, perhaps ours is a time that is ripe for change.  The question haunts me; is America and the west positioned and ready for just such a time as this?

Whatever God’s plan is at this time for the middle-east (and the rest of the universe), it is certain for all times that we must be about the business of the Kingdom of God; we must be much more about open minds and hearts than borders and weapons.  Gun control issues aside – let the talking heads have ears – killing is birthed in the heart.

Christian people must remember that Christ gave up all of His rights to accomplish His ministry.  And that ministry has precious little to do with the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.  (Before the vitriolic cards and letters begin, please note:  I do own a handgun to protect our home, and I served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam).  I am not against the rights we enjoy, including the right to bear arms.  What I AM saying is, for Christians we make too much of those rights, and too little of the ministry of the Prince of Peace.  His coming divided households; his resurrection was to draw all people together. 

Having served in the military, and in the Lord’s army, I think I’ve earned an opinion on this issue.  I understand that peace-loving and peace-keeping can be almost antithetical concepts at times:  the former requiring conditions of settled souls enjoying calm freedom; the latter demanding raised weapons.  But I have more of a cautionary response toward my friends who want to raise the weapons first, foremost, and ever.  Gandhi wasn’t even a Christian and he understood that with war you create more war, which means death and devastation.  It is only with peace-making in our hearts, and on our minds that we may appropriately take up war with sadness and resolve.  Anger to retaliate never passes the bar of righteous anger, no matter whose flag you wave.

For You Today

Jesus’ friend, Peter has the right words for Christians worried about Syria (or anything):

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.  We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.  And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises.  These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.  In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises.  Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.  The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.   2 Peter 1:3-9^(NLT)

Think about that out on the Rocky Road today…and have a great day!

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[1] Title image:  By Empire_neo_assyrien.svg: *Middle_East_topographic, via Wikimedia Commons

[2] 1 Corinthians 2:16

Fear Factor - Part 2

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Devotion VIDEO here

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.  2 Timothy 1:7^(NLT)

We are exploring fear this week, following a week of fearful events in France and Mali.  Today we begin to see how Nehemiah handled the fear factor. 

As a Jew born in Babylonian captivity Nehemiah had received permission from King Artaxerxes to travel to Jerusalem to rebuild the city.  When he got there he found strong, political types posturing to undermine everything he did.  Their chief weapons were threatening intimidation…they were fear-mongers!

You have to Expect Fear

Problems never seem to come at a good time.  And often you're in the middle of trying to fix one problem when another problem comes.  When we are in a weakened condition because of the struggle enemies will try to make things even worse in hopes that we will give up.

It’s important to remember that our wrestling match in life is not with the bills, our health, the weather, or some English teacher that got up on the wrong side of the bed, but rather our battles are against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places ^{(Ephesians 6:12)}. 

Our fears do not come from facing the everyday cares of life – they come because there is a larger struggle going on in this fallen world. 

You can expect a struggle with fear because Satan’s main goal is to keep folks away from a relationship with our loving God.  He wants to keep you out of heaven. 

Now, if he has already failed at that because you’ve given your life to Jesus, and He has saved you…Satan’s next priority is to keep you from living a full life, a productive life.  In short, the devil wants to steal eternal life and the joy of abundant living here on earth. 

Expect fear to cross your pathway!  And, when it shows up…

You have to Expose Fear

Fear is contagious.  In Nehemiah’s case the job of rebuilding the walls seemed [and was] next to impossible.  The grumbling started when the long hours and hard work began to overwhelm some of the weaker builders.  That played right into the hand of the enemy.  They threatened constantly.  They began rumors; trash talkin’ was born! 

Dale Earnhardt was called “The Intimidator”.  With due apologies to race fans, Earnhardt isn’t even close…Satan is the original intimidator.

Stay alert!  Watch out for your great enemy, the devil.  He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.  Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.   1 Peter 5.8, 9a^(NLT)

Nehemiah dealt with the rumor mill in two ways. 

First, he prayed.  This is always priority and step #1 for a Christian who is serving his or her Lord.

In addition, Nehemiah gathered the people together for encouragement.  This exposes fear for what it is…unbelief that must be stopped. 

In your life there are fears that can cause you to come unglued.  That will not happen if you enlist your Christian family to pray.  One of the reasons you are encouraged to attend church often and to be involved in whatever happens there, is not to wear you out – it is to build you up! 

The terror events of the past several years are of the same source that Nehemiah faced - evil opposition to Godly mission.  Names, faces and dates change; Satan’s tactics haven’t changed since the Garden of Eden.

For You Today

If there are fear-provoking thoughts or circumstances going on in your life take time to pray and ask others to pray with you; that exposes fear for what it is – threat!  And, as Vance Havner used to say, when creepy crawly things are exposed to the light of day in prayer – they scatter like the bugs they are.

Think about that out on the Rocky Road today…and have a great day!

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[1] Title image:  By Spc. Megan Leuck, via Wikimedia Commons

Fear Factor

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Devotion VIDEO here

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.  2 Timothy 1:7^(NLT)

The reality TV show called “Fear Factor” displays people facing up to their fears.  Some things they have to do are really disgusting.  They eat worms, bugs, and parts of formerly living creatures!  I do not qualify [ever] as a contestant!

What is your greatest fear?  Is it sickness, the unexpected big bill, an accident, growing old?  Is it death, losing your good looks, spiders…really big spiders? 

What exactly IS fear?  There are many synonyms used to identify fear, like worry, nightmare, terror, and phobia.  New words are being coined all the time to name the different kinds of fear.  There is fear of closed-in places, claustrophobia.  There are people who are afraid to leave the familiar confines of their homes, agoraphobia.  I used to love to climb trees as a kid; now I can’t stand heights; there must be a word for it – perhaps oak-a-phobia…it’s a phobia, a fear!

We have all experienced what it feels like to fear.  Fear can rob you of your life.  That happens when you begin, because of fear, to play it safe.  Playing it safe is the ultimate result of intimidation which is the prime medium for fear. 

For the balance of this week we are going to focus on the pattern that emerges from the life and ministry of Nehemiah – how he handled fear in himself, and others. 

I want to do this because we are living in a fearful time of terrorists, like al Qaeda, ISIS and a host of other evils. 

Nehemiah faced the fear of terrorists in his day.  He had enemies who plotted to cause confusion and discouragement among those who were working with him to rebuild the Temple.

Had Nehemiah played it safe, he would have thrown-in with his enemies and the walls of Jerusalem would have remained in rubble.  He would have gotten an “A” for political-correctness, but God in heaven would have been shaking His head in disgust!

The thought came to mind recently that our culture today reeks of the same kind of mindset people had in Noah’s day:

 The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil.  So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth.  It broke his heart.  And the Lord said, “I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth.  Yes, and I will destroy every living thing—all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky.  I am sorry I ever made them.”  Genesis 6:5-7^(NLT)

Well, if playing it safe is so wrong, what’s the game plan, coach? 

In a word – faith! 

Faith was a good game plan for Nehemiah, and it will work even with the worst terrorists on the loose! 

The question we will deal with this week is:  How do we follow God in the face of our most overwhelming fears? 

For You Today

You’ve got homework, so get busy.  Read Exodus 33 and Nehemiah 4; the background will help make our time together more fruitful.

We’re working on hiding His precious word in our hearts; you need that today more than ever!

Think about that out on the Rocky Road today…and have a great day!

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[1] Title image:  By Spc. Megan Leuck, via Wikimedia Commons