As You Build for God, God Will Build for You!

This weekend’s Scripture Readings:

• OT: Ezra 5-6
• NT: Mark 14
• W&W: Psalm 38

Today’s Reflection:

The book of Ezra is the story of the exiles from Israel returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple of the Lord. The work of rebuilding the temple – once restarted – took four years. The people had previously begun the rebuilding but had been intimidated and compelled by force to stop the construction. In addition to becoming discouraged, during the intervening time, the people had become distracted by their own commercial interests and had neglected the house of God. (See Haggai 1.)

But Haggai and Zechariah called the people to return to the rebuilding project. These two prophets, knowing the history of the project and the tendency of the people to grow discouraged and distracted, purposefully preached to strengthen and encourage the people, who responded by carrying out their work with diligence.

Something interesting happened at this time: they built the house of God and prospered in their own houses at the same time. Neglecting the rebuilding in favor giving attention to their own houses had resulted in dire economic results. But when they gave their efforts to the rebuilding, God prospered their economy.

Men and women of God, Listen! Listen to the Spirit. Listen to the past. Listen to the situation at hand. Listen to the vision of the future. Listen to the promises of God and his Word. Then, tell the people – consistently, confidently, unapologetically, convincingly, powerfully – tell them: “The work is big, but God is bigger! As you build for God, he will build for you!”


This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Isaiah 53.1: Who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

Make Them Wait

Today’s Scripture Readings:

• OT: Ezra 4
• NT: Mark 13
• W&W: Psalm 37.23-40

Today’s Reflection:

Not only can waiting be your friend in knowing the will of God and in obtaining the help of God, waiting can also be your friend in discerning the character and intent of those around you. Today’s Old Testament scripture illustrates that. Some men came to Zerubbabel and offered to help rebuild the temple of God in Jerusalem. In coming, they asserted that they wanted the same thing as did the returning exiles and their leaders.

Along with this unexpected offer of help, some questions surely must have come to Zerubbabel’s mind:

• Why haven’t you begun this work of restoration before now? Why did you wait on us?
• Why didn’t you send for us? Why have we never even heard from you about your concern?
• If you truly seek the Lord, why haven’t you been worshipping him and following his Law all along?
• Why didn’t you help us rebuild the altar of worship and then make sacrifice with us?

Not knowing the character and intent (or perhaps knowing it all too well!) Zerubbabel declined their help. He did not want to jeopardize the project. He probably assumed that any help from these leading citizens would come with strings attached. It turned out that Zerubbabel was right; these who appeared so anxious to help turned against the work when they were told no. They thus showed their true character.

Here is a lesson in leadership. When you don’t know a person’s character and intent, don’t be hasty in accepting their help when thereby you would elevate them to positions of authority, power, and influence. Remember what the Apostle Paul told Timothy in the New Testament: “don’t be hasty in the laying on of hands…” (1 Timothy 5.22).

Make them wait. You will thus have opportunity to see their true character and intent.


This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Isaiah 53.1: Who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

Two Sources of Error

Today’s Scripture Readings:

• OT: Ezra 3
• NT: Mark 12
• W&W: Psalm 37.12-22

Today’s Reflection:

In Mark 12, Jesus was confronted by the Sadducees – who didn’t believe in the resurrection – about heaven. Jesus asked them, “Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures of the power of God?” (Mark 12.24) In this simple question, Jesus cites two sources of error:

1. You’re wrong because you don’t know the Bible.
2. You’re wrong because you don’t know the power of God.

Our errors often come from these two sources as well.

Error comes when we don’t know the Bible:

• It’s content
• The truth and principles it contains
• The supremacy of the Bible over our traditions and preferences
• The authority the Bible has over us
• The Bible’s inerrancy
• The Bible’s applicability (relevance) to all life
• That it serves as our judge not as a justification for our arguments and opinions
• The friendship we can have with the Word of God
• That it is a powerful force to change us

We err when we don’t know the power of God:

• We haven’t experienced God’s power, remaining strangers to its impact, so we reject its possibility.
• We don’t understand it, so we fear it.
• We don’t accept God’s authority over us, so we try to make his power fit into our agendas.
• We don’t recognize it, so we miss it.

Don’t make the mistake of the Sadducees! Know the Bible and be changed by that knowledge. Know (experience) God and be changed by the power that raised Jesus from the dead!

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Isaiah 53.1: Who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

Three Essential Ingredients to Rebuilding

Today’s Scripture Readings:

• OT: Ezra 1 & 2
• NT: Mark 11
• W&W: Psalm 37.1-11

Today’s Reflection:

Beginning today, I am adding two features to my blog: daily scripture readings (Old Testament, New Testament, and Worship & Wisdom) and weekly scripture memorization. I’m doing this for those of you who may wish to read along with me. Often my reflections are based on one of the daily scripture readings. I hope this is helpful to you in your journey with the Lord.

The book of Ezra is an account of the people of God returning to Jerusalem after a period of exile in Babylon. They returned to rebuild the altar and the temple and to restore the worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem. Nehemiah, the book that follows Ezra, is the story of rebuilding the walls of the city. Both books can serve as inspiration to God’s people today to rebuild and restore our faith.

As I read Ezra 1 and 2, I saw three ingredients that are important whenever we are attempting to rebuild our faith. We need to consider:

• The people who go: These are the leaders, the risk-takers, the entrepreneurs, the pioneers. They are the doers. Often they are family heads. They are people whose hearts God has moved. Whenever we are attempting to rebuild something for God, we need people like this to provide forward momentum, vision, faith, and energy for the work.
• The people who give: In Ezra’s case, these were people who stayed behind and could not be a part of the physical work of rebuilding. But, they were spiritually and emotionally present with the entrepreneurs. These people provide assistance, encouragement and resources. They are described as giving “freewill offerings,” indicating that their hearts were in the work as well. Again, when we undergo a “rebuilding campaign” in God’s work, we should give careful attention and appreciation to those who provide the stability and structure as well as much of the resources for the work.
• The people who ground: These people help us remember our past. Cyrus brought out the treasures remaining from the past that would help move the people toward a future of worship and service to God and his people. All successful rebuilding must be grounded on the past. Our history – our shared stories – provides the trajectory on which we travel into God’s preferred future. In the work of God, the past must be remembered and cherished and employed.

In our attempts at revival and renewal, we neglect these three ingredients to our own peril. As you make changes and move into your future, remember the people who go, the people who give, and the people who ground.

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:

During the season of Lent, I am challenging you to memorize Isaiah 53. We will need to memorize 1 or 2 verses each week. This week, memorize…

Isaiah 53.1: Who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

God Is Up to Something Big!

“We have left everything to follow you” (Mark 10.28) Thus was Peter’s response when Jesus told the disciples of the demands for entering the Kingdom of God.

As most of you reading this blog already know, Lana and I are in the midst of significant changes in our lives. I have been “between assignments” since November 2, 2008, when I resigned my position at Circleville Nazarene. Since that time I have been diligently seeking a place of ministry as pastor of a local church or in any other capacity as God would direct. I have entered into a considerable reading and self-education program. Even so, the right door to my next assignment has not yet opened. We have consistently felt impressed of the Lord to “Wait.” And, we are still waiting. On top of the that is the good news that it looks as though our house will be sold my mid-March, and we will have to be out by March 31.

But we are not worried! As I read Mark 10, I realize that Jesus recognizes that Lana and I have left everything to follow him. 20 years ago, we left our home and security to go where Jesus called us. But, true to his word, Jesus has given us homes of joy and peace and growth. In spite of the fact that our kids are spread across three states (We’re down to one time zone, though!), Jesus has given us a deepening relationship with our children and each other. He has given us the joy of seeing our daughters and sons-in-law love and serve him. Yet, also true to his word here in Mark 10, along with the blessings have come “persecutions” or perhaps better described as trials. Our current uncertainty is one such trial.

Still, we have great expectation as we wait upon the Lord! We have confidence that God will see us through this “tight” place into a broad and spacious place. May he grant us wisdom to do what is right. We know God will give us wisdom (James 1.5), so we ask with confidence that you, dear friends, pray with us for the right doors to open in the next 5 weeks. God is up to something big! For, he is a big God!

Pray, Church, Pray!

In Mark 9.14-32, there is a story about Jesus’ healing a boy with an evil spirit. Jesus and three of his disciples were just coming down from a great experience on the top of a mountain. The rest of the disciples had been asked to help the boy, but they were unable to do so. Jesus, of course, was able to deliver the boy. The disciples asked Jesus, “Why couldn’t we?” Jesus replied “This kind can come out only by prayer” (v. 29).

As I meditated on this incident, I realized that God has work for us to do. While he gives us much to do on the level of human endeavor, some of his work can only be done by prayer:

• We can organize and manage churches and ministries…
• We can build buildings for functional ministry…
• We can invite people to fill those buildings…
• We can plan and conduct inspiring worship services…
• We can lead people in the promises of God…
• We can feed and clothe and house the poor…
• We can visit and encourage the afflicted…
• We can teach and equip the saints…

But only God can dispel the darkness and drive away the demons, and only he can bring new life to a sin-imprisoned soul.

Never think that our work alone will bring about the kingdom of God. We must do our work, and he must do his work. Do the other, for we must, we ought, we can. But cry out to God to deliver the sin-trapped soul.

So, pray, Church, pray!

Manasseh's Prayer

Yesterday I wrote about the prayer that Jesus gives us permission to pray: forgiveness and mercy for our enemies. Today, I want to consider another prayer – the prayer of repentance from King Manasseh.

If you read Manasseh’s story in 2 Chronicles 33, you see his reign as a picture of how sin affects us:

• Manasseh forgot the Lord in his prosperity. Somehow his father, King Hezekiah, was not able to pass on the heritage of godliness.
• I saw no other mention of Hezekiah’s children in his biography. I wondered if perhaps Manasseh was spoiled as an only child – or at the very least pampered as one born in the last years of his father’s life.
• Regardless of how he got that way, it is obvious that Manasseh thought that his father’s God was not worth seeking, choosing rather the allure of sin.
• Manasseh spent great effort and resources rebuilding the trappings of idol worship that his father had destroyed.
• His sin resulted in great personal distress and even deportation!
• He called out to God who restored him in answer to his humility and repentance.
• Then Manasseh, however, had to spend great time, effort and money undoing what he had done as a young man. Resources that could have been put to better use in building up the nation had to be used to undo the imprint of sin.
• He restored the altar of the Lord, but only after those who had learned to follow him in sin were set in their ways.
• The people continued to use high places to worship, a practice that was displeasing to God.
• Most tragically, Amon, Manasseh’s son, opted for the sinful lifestyle of his father’s youth, and Amon never got away from his sin.

The good news is – God hears our genuine prayers of repentance and will grant us forgiveness and an opportunity to make things right. The hard truth is that the longer we wait to come to God the more it will cost us to undo the things we have done, and, the more likely it will be that those who follow our lead may never get on the right track.

Beloved, now is the acceptable time. Now is the day of renewal and recommitment. Don’t delay another day!

Permission to Pray

I remember a day of great relief mingled with humor. I was sitting in a spiritual formation class with a professor whom I greatly respected. He made a comment about getting God’s permission to pray. That was intriguing, I had never thought about having to get permission to pray. I soon understood what he was talking about. He said basically, have you ever wanted to pray something about someone who was "doing you dirty" but felt guilty about how you wnated to pray? He gave us his solution: “I pray the Psalms. I figure if it is good enough to be included in the Bible as a prayer it’s OK for me to pray.”

I know he was saying that tongue in cheek, but across the years, I have found more than a little solace in joining King David as I prayed for my enemies. Today’s Psalm (35) is an invitation to do that. You ought to read the whole thing, but I think you can get the flavor of what I am talking about in the first 8 verses:

1. Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.
2. Take up shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid.
3. Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me…
4. May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay.
5. May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away;
6. May their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.
7. Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me,
8. May ruin overtake them by surprise — may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.

As I read those verses, I thought about people who have hurt me or my family in the past. Then, my mind went to that classroom and that professor of many years ago. “Lord, I want to pray Psalm 35 along with King David!”

But, quite honestly, I didn’t get permission to pray that way. I seldom have. As a matter of fact, the prayer of another King – the King of kings! – was the prayer that I needed to pray: “Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.” And the instruction I needed to hear was not from a college professor, but from the Son of Man on the mountainside: “But I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.”

I am not trying to brag here. I am repenting. I was chastened by the Holy Spirit, as I received permission to pray: “Lord, you have forgiven me so much. I forgive them. I pray that those who have wronged me will find peace and love. Amen.”

Friend, you have permission to pray…

Seek, Work, Serve, and Live!

King Hezekiah is one of my favorite Old Testament characters. He is described in 2 Chronicles 31.21: “In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the Law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so, he prospered”

As I read that, I asked myself, “Scott, do you want to prosper?” Of course I answered, “Yes!” (I have these conversations with myself often…) I realized that I could prosper (I’ll leave the definition of prosper for another day.) if I followed the example of Hezekiah:

• Seek God wholeheartedly
• Work wholeheartedly
• Serve God’s “temple” – the people, the Church
• Live a holy life in obedience to God

I don't have time today to unpack this, but perhaps I will later. Let’s just work on those 4 things and leave the results of our prosperity in God’s hands!

The Dream Is Not Dead

There is a moving story in Mark chapter 5 about a synagogue leader whose daughter was very sick – at the point of death. He found Jesus, fell at his feet, and pleaded earnestly with him: “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.”

Before Jesus could get to the man’s daughter, some men came from the home of the synagogue leader: “Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?"

Ignoring them, Jesus told the girl’s father, “Don't be afraid; just believe.” Arriving at the home, Jesus saw all the family and friends wailing with grief. He said, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” Then, Jesus took the child's father and mother and some others who were there following Jesus, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” To everyone’s amazement, the girl stood up and walked around. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. (Excerpted from Mark 5)

Most of us, thankfully, have not faced what the synagogue leader faced that day. Having three daughters of my own, I can imagine the anguish he felt, but I can only imagine it because my daughters are all healthy and doing well, and they have enjoyed good health and strength all their lives.

But, as I read this passage, I thought that each of us face the death of dreams in our lives. People may have even told you, “Forget it! Your dream is dead.” But I tell you: let Jesus wake up your dreams! Others may laugh at you for believing that Jesus could do such a thing. They may think you are silly or perhaps vain for believing that Jesus even cares about your dreams. But I want to tell you that he does care! And he’s saying to you, “don’t be afraid; just believe.” Let him take you by the hand, and lead you to where your dreams lie shattered. Hear him tell you, “Your dream is not dead, but asleep.” Then let him whisper: “Little dream, get up!”

I am passing through a valley of “dream death” right now. As I read this passage, the Holy Spirit spoke to me: “Why all this commotion? The dream is not dead, but asleep.” I thank God that I serve a Savior who specializes in resurrecting dreams!

Believe with me! Believe for me! Let us join our faith together. Jesus awakes our dreams! Now, let’s go and give our dreams something to eat… Hmmm…

Power Failure

Did anybody miss my blog yesterday? We had a power failure here in Pickaway County on Wednesday night through Thursday morning. The furnace didn’t run all night, so I stayed in bed where it was warm! When it got light outside, I begrudgingly got up and put on enough clothes to stay warm. The power came back on shortly after that, but by then my morning was all messed up. I usually like to beat the sun up, so I was feeling behind before I ever got started. Though I did make it downstairs to read my Bible and pray, I completely forgot my blog. Don’t blame me: it was the power failure’s fault! (That’s my story and I’m sticking with it!) Blame the power failure.

Have you ever experienced a power failure? King Uzziah did. His story is found in 2 Chronicles 26 (the assigned scripture for yesterday!). Read what the Bible says about Uzziah:

“After Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God” (2 Chronicles 26.16).

Earlier in the chapter we read that as long as Uzziah sought the Lord, God gave him success. But, when Uzziah became powerful he forgot to seek the Lord. He depended upon himself and he experienced a power failure – a failure due to power that was not properly managed.

Like many successful workers and leaders in God’s kingdom, Uzziah became proud. God had helped him until he became powerful. His power went to his head and led to his downfall. He thought he was the focus of God’s blessing when actually God was blessing him for the benefit of the nation.

Thinking he could “break the rules,” Uzziah went into the temple to burn incense. We don’t know his motives to disobey. Curiosity about what the priests did? Passion for worship? Desire to consolidate power by usurping the priests’ role. Or perhaps just something practical like thinking the priests were taking too long to do it. We don’t know why he did it; we only know his disobedience which was described as unfaithfulness. His pride was behind it all.

As I read this I realized that all of us – especially yours truly – need to heed the message of Uzziah’s power failure. Seek the Lord all your days. Remain faithful to him even when you become “powerful” – whatever that may mean in your life. When God chooses to bless you - to give you strength in any form - remember it is a blessing for others through you. Keep your pride in check so you won’t experience a power failure.

Prayer and Fasting Day

Today is a prayer and fasting day for Lana and me. Lana and I are trusting in the Lord regarding our future, but it seems the more I personally go "on record" about resting and trusting that the more my resolve to wait on the Lord is put to the test. I am reminded of a couple emails I sent to friends this morning:

1. This morning I read how God left Hezekiah "to test him and to know everything that was in his heart" (2 Chron 32.31). I don't know if this is happening or not, but I do know that I must be faithful. Earlier, Hezekiah passed a different test when he saw Sennacherib coming (again, 2 Chron 32). How did he pass that test? He encouraged others and got together with the prophet Isaiah for a heaven-touching session of prayer! God intervened on his behalf and rewarded his faithfulness and his encouraging spirit. God sent Sennacherib back to Assyria before the battle was ever begun. But, later Hezekiah had to pass the test mentioned in v. 31. Thus, I ask you to join me in prayer. I don’t want to neglect my Source of strength in this time – nor do I want miss out on the help and encouragement that your prayers and friendship will bring today.
2. I want you to know that God is able to give total and complete victory. Let us pray for that miracle of grace in ______’s life. I know it is possible. With God all things are possible – even the healing of your family. The sun came out through the clouds and rain this morning, and I was reminded that God’s Son rises to shine upon us each day – through the darkness and/or gloom. And I realized this anew this morning: without the very real feelings of loss and hopelessness, our faith and trust and rest is all just the power of positive thinking. It’s all meaningless until it means something in the real battles and struggles and temptations of life.

Be encouraged, fellow pilgrims! Love in Christ Jesus to you all.

He Who Has an Ear

For Christmas, I received a new devotional book – Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening – from my daughter. I enjoyed the devotion from February 5, pm, and wanted to share it with you:

“At that time Jesus declared…” – Matthew 11:25

This is a pointed way in which to begin a verse – “At that time Jesus declared.” If you look at the context you will realize that no one had asked Him a question and that He was not in conversation with any human being. Yet it is written, “Jesus declared, I thank you, Father.”

When a man answers, he answers a person who has been speaking to him. Who, then, had been speaking to Christ? His Father. Yet there is no record of it; and this should teach us that Jesus had constant fellowship with His Father, and that God spoke into His heart so often, so continually, that it was not a circumstance peculiar enough to be recorded.

It was the habit and life of Jesus to talk with God. Let us then learn the lesson that this simple statement concerning Him teaches us. May we also enjoy silent fellowship with the Father, so that often we answer Him and although our friends don’t know to whom we speak, we will be responding to that secret voice that they do not hear but that our own ear, opened by the Spirit of God, recognizes with joy.

God has spoken to us; let us speak to God – either to affirm that God is true and faithful to His promise, or to confess the sin of which the Spirit of God has convinced us, or to acknowledge the mercy that God’s providence has given, or to express agreement with the great truths that God the Holy Spirit has revealed to us. Intimate communion with the Father of our spirit is a great privilege! It is a secret hidden from the world, a joy with which even the nearest friend does not interfere.

If we desire to hear the whispers of God’s love, our ear must be purged and fit to listen to His voice. This very evening may our heart be in such a condition, so that when God speaks to us, we, like Jesus, may be prepared at once to answer Him.

The Rolled Back Stone

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. (Matthew 28.2-4)

The angel of the Lord came down and rolled back the stone to reveal an empty grave. This was not done to let Jesus out. He was already gone! This was done to let the women – and later the men – in to see that Jesus was gone.

As the women approached the tomb, I’m sure they thought it was their good fortune that the stone had been moved so that they could tend to the dead body of their friend. They did not dream that it had been moved so that they might be the first to witness the greatest event in the history of the world.

How often do I choose one of these two lesser explanations when God moves stones in my life?
“This stone” has been moved so that Jesus can come out and be victorious over death.
“This stone” has been moved so that I can tend to the dead body of Jesus.

Option 1 is unsatisfactory because Jesus is already out! He has already been victorious over whatever stone I face. Option 2 is even worse! God doesn’t want us to deal in death. He doesn’t move stones so that I can dress the wounds of Jesus. Jesus is risen!

When faced with a stone in our lives, God wants us to choose the best option of all:
“This stone” has been rolled away for me, but not so that I can offer ineffective and futile ministrations to the dead body of Jesus. It has been rolled away so that I can see and by seeing believe and by believing participate in the miraculous power of the living Jesus – The Power of the Resurrection!

Why Move the Stone?

“Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how” (Matthew 27.65).

When Jesus was crucified and buried, the chief priests and Pharisees requested that Pilate – the Roman governor – seal the tomb. Their purpose was not to keep Jesus in – for neither Pilate nor the leaders of the Jews had any faith that Jesus would come out. Their purpose, rather, was to keep the disciples out.

Likewise, God removed the stone - not to let Jesus out, but to let the witnesses in!

And note this: they made it secure against men – to keep us out. But they didn’t know how to make it secure against God – to keep Jesus in. They were guarding the outside. God was working on the inside! No guard would be posted there where Jesus was raised from the dead. No guard could be posted that had the ability to prevent this miracle of God on the inside.

The Enemy of life, along with the skeptics and antagonists to resurrection power, tries to seal up the tomb from the outside to keep Jesus’ disciples from telling people of the hope and power of the gospel: Christ has indeed been raised from the dead! But, the miracle of God takes place on the inside. No seal, no guard, no security, no power, no law passed by congress, and no executive order can keep that life from bursting forth in glorious witness!

See what the disciples testified to on Pentecost: “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact” (Acts 2.38). See how the authorities could not coerce them to be silent: “Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men! The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him” Acts 5.29-32.

Do not try to prevent the seal on the outside. Let the power of God, the power of the resurrection, bring forth life from within you. The life of Jesus will come forth; it will not have to be dragged out. Then, God will remove the stone and all will see that death has lost its hold on your Savior. Death has lost its hold on you.

Put Your Sword Away

When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, one of his followers drew a sword to defend the Lord. Jesus told him, “Put your sword back in its place… for all who draw the sword will die by the sword” (Matthew 26.52).

In another place, Jesus said, “Do not judge or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7.1-2).

Elsewhere, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Do not be deceived; God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Gal 6.7). He also instructed the church, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil” (Romans 12.17).

From these verses and others, it would seem that we should be very careful about our “weapons of choice.” The weapons we use will be used against us. Some people act as though they have been given divine imperative to use ungodly means in the “defense” of the Christ and his church, justifying hateful and hurtful behavior by citing the “rightness” of their cause. To those, Christ would say: Put your sword away. I can take care of myself. If need be I can even call on the angels of heaven to come to my rescue (Matthew 26.53). I don’t need you to use “strange fire” to defend my cause.

I think I’ll choose:

• Love
• Prayer
• Kindness
• Forgiveness

How about you? Have you put your sword away? Commit today to do God’s work in his way: suffering, sacrifice, submission, and trust.

Two Talent Man

“Each according to his ability…” (Matthew 25.15)

The story Jesus tells here in Matthew is about the kingdom of heaven. He says the kingdom is like an investor who entrusts resources (“talents” or weights of money) to three different employees to see what they can and will make happen with these resources:

• There was a five-talent man, who earned five more talents.
• There was a two-talent man who earned two more talents.
• And finally there was a one-talent man who did nothing to utilize and multiply the resources.

Each man was at a specific place on the continuum of growth and commitment and responsibility: “each according to his ability…”

There is nothing disgraceful about being in any of those positions. We can grow from being a one-talent person to being a two-talent person to being a five-talent person in the work of the Kingdom. The two-talent man used it all and became a four-talent man. The five-talent man used it all and became a ten-talent man. He actually became an eleven-talent man because the investor decided to use him to “pick up the slack,” giving him the resources and responsibilities of the one-talent man. There is no doubt that the investor in this story thought that the one-talent man had the ability to become a two-talent man. But, the one-talent man looked at the others, grew jealous, and made bad decisions that lead to losing out entirely.

I was surprised by what came to my mind when I read that story: "I want to be a two-talent man!" I, obviously, don’t want to be a one-talent man who buries my talent, refusing to use it in the work of the Master. What was surprising, however, was that I didn’t immediately ask to be a five-talent man. That's kind of my nature. I guess I saw what happened to him: an already busy and productive man had to pick up the slack! So, what about two talents – if I could ask for those – seemed like a good goal. I prayed the following:

Today, Lord, help me to see and develop and plan to use my two talents according to my ability. May I use my talents for your glory and for the growth and encouragement of those around me.

You may wish to pray a similar prayer.

Are You Ready?

As I was reading Matthew 24, I saw something in a way that I had never seen it before. It is something worth further study and contemplation. In verses 39b-41, Jesus says, “That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.”

I always read this as a taking away of Christians at the rapture. But, if you look closely at the context, something interesting comes to light: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away” (Matthew 24. 37-39a, emphasis mine).

In this context, Jesus is speaking of the taking away in judgment and punishment. That is clear also by what follows through the end of chapter 24. Also, we see in the first part of chapter 24 that the church – the elect – has to go through great distress. The question I asked myself when I read this is this: “Am I counting on the rapture to remove me from great distress, or am I ready – as a part of the elect – to make it through great distress?” It is something to think about.

Are you ready?

Gold or Brass?

Today's question is more important that "Paper or plastic?" It is "Gold or brass?"

I’ve learned to pay attention when God repeats himself to me. In today’s Bible readings the Lord reinforced the idea of humility to me in two ways.

In addition to reading the 23^rd chapter from the gospel of Matthew, I also read 2 Chronicles 12 and the story of Judah’s King Rehoboam. God had abandoned the nation to King Shishak of Egypt because they had abandoned him. Shishak took the gold shields from the temple of God. Instead of crying out to God in humility and repentance, King Rehoboam made brass shields – cheap imitations of the real thing. They looked the same from a distance, but they were not pure gold. Rehoboam settled for appearances.

In the 23^rd chapter of Matthew, Jesus excoriates the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who loved the praise of men. Of them, Jesus said, “Everything they do is done for men to see.” They cared more about the appearance of godliness than the actual possession of it in their lives. The seven woes that follow in Matthew 23 are pronounced on the Pharisees and teachers of the law because they settled for brass instead of gold.

When I read Matthew 23, I ask myself, “Am I settling for brass shields when I could have gold?” Look closely at the seven woes in Matthew 23 and see if you are settling for…

• The brass of exclusion vs. the gold of inclusion?
• The brass of activity vs. the gold of integrity?
• The brass of formal rituals vs. the gold of God’s presence?
• The brass of the good vs. the gold of the best?
• The brass of exterior righteousness vs. the gold of interior righteousness?
• The brass of the cup vs. the gold of the contents?
• The brass of arrogance vs. the gold of repentance?

May you never settle for brass! May I never settle for brass! But, may we humble ourselves and allow God to be the shield of gold around us!

“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23.12).