Thursday, July 31, 2014

He is Able - July 31 Readings: 2 Chronicles 25-26, Acts 23:12–35, Psalm 89:21–27, Proverbs 19:5–6

Links to July 31 Readings: 2 Chronicles 25-26, Acts 23:12–35, Psalm 89:21–27, Proverbs 19:5–6

A man of God confronted Judah's King Amaziah as he was preparing for battle against the Philistines, in 2 Chronicles 25:9. Amaziah was a decent enough king, but in this instance, instead of trusting God he spent 7500 pounds of silver to hire 100,000 fierce warriors from Israel to help him in battle. The Israelites were not walking with God but were deeply involved with idolatry and sin.

The man of God let Amaziah know that he was making a mistake. God has the power to make one stumble or make one succeed, he said, and Amaziah should trust God alone, not the Israelite soldiers he had hired. Amaziah inquired about the tons of silver he had spent on the soldiers from the north, and the man of God gave him a powerful reply, in verse 9.
“The Lord is able to give you much more than this.”
Amaziah was called to place his complete and unstinting trust in Yahweh his God, who could protect him, deliver and provide for him well. That is what Amaziah did and the battle was won (though the story turns tragic as he turned to idolatry later). The point is that our God is worthy of our trust and obedience. 

So often, we trust God a little but we also seek to take matters into our own hands, as Amaziah did. He was ready to go to battle in Yahweh's name, but he wanted to get the help of sinners to accomplish the work. Sometimes, we rely on the power of the flesh to do the work of God. We manipulate, pressure, scheme and use worldly means in our efforts. 

We need to trust in God, walk in his ways and use the weapons of warfare he has given us! He is able to make his grace and power abound to us no matter what comes against us. 

If we trust in him!

Father, forgive me for when I have done your work by my flesh. Fill me with your Spirit and work through me for your glory. 


Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Faith of Our Fathers: NOT Enough! July 30 Readings: 2 Chronicles 23-24, Acts 22:22–23:11, Psalm 89:14–20, Proverbs 19:2–4

Links to July 30 Readings: 2 Chronicles 23-24, Acts 22:22–23:11, Psalm 89:14–20, Proverbs 19:2–4

I faced something of a spiritual crisis as I entered adulthood. I was raised by Christian parents; my dad was a Bible-preaching pastor who gave me a grounding in the Word that many people never get. I trusted Christ as a child but as I graduated high school and was ready to leave to go out on my own, I faced a challenge.

My faith was more my father's faith than my own.

I knew Jesus and I think I was saved, but in many ways I lived to please my dad and to do what he expected of me. But I had to come to the point where I was not serving my father's God, but where I was serving the God I loved.

I don't have the time, the space, nor do I imagine you have the interest, for me to recount the entire process of me coming to hold my own faith, not just my father's, but it was a turning point in my life. We talk about children abandoning the faith or "losing their faith" in college. But in reality, I think that many children never develop anything more than an appreciation for their parent's faith and when they get out on their own it is not real to them.

King Joash's father was dead, but he had a wise paternal figure, a mentor named Jehoiada. Jehoiada protect him from his evil grandmother who was attempting to kill the entire royal family so that she could usurp the throne for herself. Joash, as a baby, was taken into protective custody until he was seven years old. Then Jehoiada did away with the idolatrous usurper Athaliah and put Joash on the throne. And as long as Jehoiada lived, Joash was a faithful servant of Yahweh, a good king. 2 Chronicles 24:2 makes this point.
Throughout the time of Jehoiada the priest, Joash did what was right in the Lord’s sight.
But eventually, Jehoiada's life was over and Joash was left on his own. Unfortunately, the faith he practiced had never become his own. He respected his mentor and followed his ways, but when the mentor was gone, the faith dissipated. Look at verses 17-18.
However, after Jehoiada died, the rulers of Judah came and paid homage to the king. Then the king listened to them, and they abandoned the temple of Yahweh, the God of their ancestors and served the Asherah poles and the idols. So there was wrath against Judah and Jerusalem for this guilt of theirs.
Powerful men came and led Joash astray. He never developed an independent faith, a faith that was his. He lived by the convictions of other people and that was not enough. It is never enough to walk with someone who walks with God. A relationship with God is never secondhand.

Great suffering and pain came to Judah as a judgment on Joash's sin. They were defeated by an inferior army because of God's judgment. Joash himself died.

I am grateful for the faith of my parents, for the home I was raised in. We tried to provide a Christian home for our children. But it was not enough for me to experience the faith of my parents; it had to become my faith, my commitment. It is not enough for my children to respect my faith. God must be their God as well.

There is no such thing as secondhand faith. You cannot prosper spiritually on someone else's walk with God. Each of us must come to God through Jesus Christ on our own and experience the life of Christ personally and individually.
Father, I thank you that you brought me to faith - not just my dad's faith, but mine!

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

A Life that Counts - July 29 Readings: 2 Chronicles 21-22, Acts 21:37–22:21, Psalm 89:7–13, Proverbs 19:1

Links to July 29 Readings: 2 Chronicles 21-22, Acts 21:37–22:21, Psalm 89:7–13, Proverbs 19:1

Have you ever thought about what you want on your tombstone? Is there some brief, pity statement that encapsulates your life? Most reference

Ecclesiastes tells us that God has put eternity in our hearts. We have a deep, inborn, innate desire for our lives to matter, to do something that is significant, so that when we are gone we will be remembered and that the impact and effect our lives will continue.

But all too often our desire for eternal significance is squandered by our devotion to the things of this world - materialism, self-centeredness, lust, devotion to pleasure - or our lives of unholiness and sin. There are many, even among the redeemed, who fail to live their lives for the glory of God.

There is a troublesome verse in 2 Chronicles 21:20, concerning the death of King Jehoram of Judah, the son of Jehoshaphat. His father was a very good king who made an unfortunate alliance with evil King Ahab of Israel. He even allowed his son to marry Ahab's daughter. To no one's surprise, Jehoram followed the ways of the kings of Israel and did not serve Yahweh as his own father had. After 8 years as king he died. Here is what was said of him.

Jehoram was 32 years old when he became king; he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. He died to no one’s regret and was buried in the city of David but not in the tombs of the kings.
Wow. He died "to no one's regret." Jehoram was an evil king who did evil things and when he was gone it was to "no one's regret." No one cared. They were glad he was gone. His life was wasted. 

Jehoram was an extreme case, of course, and usually even the most pointless life is met with someone's regret. But we must invest our lives in eternal things so that they will leave a lasting legacy of spiritual effect. 

I was only a boy when my grandfather died. He was a pastor, seminary professor and Baptist leader. I remember at his funeral how person after person came up to my mom and dad and spoke of what a difference grandpa had made in their lives. He died in 1965 but his life did not end there. It went on in the lives of those he influenced. 

That is the kind of life I want. I don't much care what is on my tombstone, but I want my life to impact others who will carry on the work of Christ when I am gone. 
Father, may my life be used for your glory!

Monday, July 28, 2014

Faithful God - July 28 Readings: 2 Chronicles 19-20, Acts 21:17–36, Psalm 89:1–6, Proverbs 18:21–24

Links to July 28 Readings: 2 Chronicles 19-20, Acts 21:17–36, Psalm 89:1–6, Proverbs 18:21–24

If one phrase could summarize the dealings of God with Israel in the Old Testament, it would be, "God is faithful to unfaithful Israel." Time and again Israel turned from God to chase after idols and embrace sin, but every time they did God sought them out in grace and brought them back to himself. God was faithful.

In Psalm 86:1-2, Ethan the Ezrahite extolled that faithfulness.

I will sing about the Lord’s faithful love forever;
I will proclaim Your faithfulness to all generations with my mouth.
For I will declare,
“Faithful love is built up forever;
You establish Your faithfulness in the heavens.”
It is because of God's faithfulness that we are both saved and sustained. In my 50+ years as a Christian, I've given Israel a run for their money in terms of waywardness. But as with God's chosen people, this man has experienced the faithfulness of God's love. When I was ready to give up on myself, when I have despaired, God has worked to renew me and restore me. 

God's faithfulness must never be an excuse for our sin or carelessness, but it is a great comfort that God's faithfulness is greater than our sin. 

Father, every day and in every situation in life, you are faithful. Thank you for your constant love and grace. 

Sunday, July 27, 2014

"Safety First" Christianity? July 27 Readings: 2 Chronicles 17-18, Acts 21:1–16, Psalm 88:11–18, Proverbs 18:19–20

Links to July 27 Readings: 2 Chronicles 17-18, Acts 21:1–16, Psalm 88:11–18, Proverbs 18:19–20

It is a confusing exchange. Paul, based on a direct leading from God's Holy Spirit, was headed to Jerusalem to proclaim Christ, knowing that it was going to get difficult there. He knew that he would be arrested and taken to Rome.

But along the way, as Paul traveled back to Jerusalem from Asia Minor, the Spirit also sent two different people or groups of people to warn him about the trip. First, when he landed at Tyre, a group of disciples under the guidance of the Spirit warned Paul not to go to Jerusalem. Then, when his group debarked at Caesarea, a prophet named Agabus warned him he would be bound and made captive. The local believers tried every means they could think of to convince Paul to turn aside from his plans.

Paul ignored them all and went to Jerusalem, where everything the people warned him about came true. What a fool Paul was, right? Warned repeatedly that danger was ahead, he failed to turn aside and ended up in prison. If only he had listened to those who warned him!

Or, maybe Paul understood something important. Maybe he knew something that many have forgotten.
Following God's leading and doing God's work is no guarantee of ease, comfort or the freedom from trouble
Many Christians believe that being a faithful follower of Jesus ought to protect them from the kind of hardship into which the Spirit led Paul. God would never lead us to a place where we would come to harm, right? God would never ask us to suffer, would he?

The great servants of the Bible understood that the opposite is true. God often led his faithful followers into the greatest danger. Some came through it miraculously while others died for the name of Christ.

Paul understood this and he went where God sent him, even if it meant half a decade in Roman custody. His purpose was to preach Christ regardless of the response or the consequences. He did not agree to serve Christ as long as he was safe and secure. For Paul, living was Christ and if he died in the process, he counted that gain.
Father, may I follow you wherever you lead and do the work you have for me, regardless of the response of others or the sacrifice it requires. 



Saturday, July 26, 2014

Finishing the Race - July 26 Readings: 2 Chronicles 15-16, Acts 20, Psalm 88:4–10, Proverbs 18:16–18

Links to July 26 Readings: 2 Chronicles 15-16, Acts 20, Psalm 88:4–10, Proverbs 18:16–18

There is an interesting correlation between today's Old Testament reading (2 Chronicles 15-16) and the New Testament reading from Acts 20:24. In that passage, Paul declares his intentions to the elders of Ephesus as he says his farewells, knowing he will not see them again in this world.

But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.
His life was not about himself, but about running the race to the very end and completing the ministry God had laid before him. We remember what he said in 2 Timothy 4, that he actually did finish the race and keep the faith and that he expected a reward, a crown, when his life ended (as it was about to).

Perhaps he was concerned about running the race well, all the way to the finish, because of his familiarity with stories of Israel's kings. There were many of them who started well and did great things for God in their early years, but in their later years they fell by the wayside or shipwrecked their lives. 

Asa is one of those kings. He was a good king and could have been numbered among the truly great kings of Judah, but in the thirty-sixth year of his reign, his faith failed him (2 Chronicles 16:1-2). Baasha, King of Israel, decided to attack Judah. Asa, a man of faith and obedience, suddenly lost heart. Instead of calling out to God and trusting his provision, Asa turned to the king of Aram for help. 

Ben-Hadad did give aid to the king of Judah, but it came with a cost. The gold and silver from the treasury of the Temple was emptied out and given as a tribute to the pagan king. 

Sometimes we can get things done by trusting ourselves or trusting others, but there is always a cost. The blessings that God has brought into our lives is sacrificed when we fail to trust and believe in God. 

Father, may I never fail to trust in you and finish well the race you have set before me. May my eyes always be on Christ, the Author and Finisher of my faith. 

Friday, July 25, 2014

The Best of the Best - July 25 Readings: 2 Chronicles 13-14, Acts 19:21–41, Psalm 88:1–3, Proverbs 18:14–15

Links to July 25 Readings: 2 Chronicles 13-14, Acts 19:21–41, Psalm 88:1–3, Proverbs 18:14–15

In 1 and 2 Kings each of the kings of Israel and Judah were reviewed and graded. In 1 and 2 Chronicles only the kings of Judah receive a report on the character of their reign. In our passage today, judgments are made about both Abijah (13:21-14:1) and Asa (14:2).

There are four general categories of kings that will be encountered in the annals of Judean royalty.
  • There are the wicked kings. There are not many of those, but they are kings who give themselves over fully to the practice of idolatry. The common tread is that they engaged in a particularly vile form of worship - sacrificing children to the pagan gods. 
  • There are bad kings who do not follow the ways of God and do not obey the law. They are often idolatrous, but do not engage in the evil of child sacrifice. 
  • There are good kings of Judah. These are men who honor Yahweh and live in obedience to the law. However, the good kings often fail to get rid of the high places where idolatry took place. They were not involved in idolatry, but they did not destroy it either. 
  • Finally, there are the great kings of Judah, those like King David. These were very rare. They not only followed God, but they acted to destroy idolatry in Israel and purify the Temple of God for pure and holy worship to take place. 
There were a lot of good kings, like Abijah and Asa. But there were very few great kings, those who took an aggressive view of idolatry and worked to destroy it in the land.

But it was these kings that actually led the land to revival and restoration. The wicked kings brought judgment and destruction on the land. The bad kings led Judah into trouble and hardships - the consequences of their sin. The good kings led Judah toward some of God's blessings. But the great kings, the kings that not only served God but destroyed anything that would lead Judah into idolatry, those who would cleanse the Temple and worship God.

The question for us today is pretty simple. If you are reading this, it is not likely that you will live your life like the wicked or bad kings, ignore God and rejecting his word. But are you willing to settle for just being like the good kings or are you willing to go all the way to spiritual greatness?

Are you willing to allow the Spirit of God to chase every trace of idolatry and disobedience from your life? Are you willing to tear down the high places, those parts of your life that create temptation and lead you into sin? Are you willing to surrender yourself to radical obedience and faith and to live for the glory of God?

Would that none of us would be willing to settle for anything less than spiritual greatness!

Father, give me a heart for you, to love you with every fiber of my being. Remove all those high places from my heart that I might walk in complete and pure devotion to you. 

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Do Demons Know My Name? July 24 Readings: 2 Chronicles 11-12, Acts 19:1–20, Psalm 87, Proverbs 18:11–13

Links to July 24 Readings: 2 Chronicles 11-12, Acts 19:1–20, Psalm 87, Proverbs 18:11–13

Sometimes we can find humor even in tragic circumstances. But even more importantly, we can find life lessons. The story of the seven sons of Sceva in Acts 19:13-19 is one such story.

We know precious little about them, except that they were itinerant Jewish exorcists. Were they charlatans? Sincere but misguided? We will not know until heaven. But we do know that they saw something happening in Paul's ministry and were deeply impressed. In verses 11-12 we find that this time in Ephesus was a time of amazing miraculous works for Paul. He was teaching in the Hall of Tyrannus (no one knows for sure what that is) and he was performing miracles galore. He was also casting out demons for those who came to him. That impressed Sceva's seven sons.

So, when confronted with a man who was possessed of a demon, they decided to invoke the name of Jesus whom they had heard Paul preach.
"I command you by the Jesus that Paul preaches!" 
They thought that they could tap into that extraordinary power that was at work in Paul's ministry. It did not work out that way though. Instead, the demonic spirit turned on them and said something interesting.
"I know Jesus, and I recognize Paul - but who are you?" 
The rest of the story is sad, scary, but also intriguing. The man with the evil spirit attacked them, beat them up and they went running away naked from the scene. Demons are real and are not to be messed with. We have no power over them except that of our Savior and Lord. They did not realize this and it was a lesson painfully learned.

But return to the statement of the demon. What is amazing in the New Testament is how much truth demons speak! The clearest confessions of the person of Christ in the gospels are made by demons in the terror at coming face to face with the Son of God. But here, the demon gave us a thought we ought to remember.

He admitted that he knew Jesus. Demons are evil and awful and powerful and terrifying, but make no mistake about it, they know who Jesus is. Twice in my life I've encounters with the demonic and both times the power of Jesus Christ (certainly not my power) prevailed. Jesus reigns over demons and they know it. that is why they cried out when they saw him. They knew who he was and that they were no match for his truth and his power. Demons know Jesus and they are terrified of him. It is silly for Christians to live in fear of demons and the demonic. They fear the Jesus who dwells in us!

But the second part of that is what we need to hear. "I recognize Paul." The demons knew Jesus and they feared him. But they were also aware of Paul. Paul had been a pain in the neck to the forces of darkness! They knew he was a servant of the Jesus they feared so much.

I wonder if the demonic forces that hang out in Sioux City (and I have no doubt there are many!) know who I am. I am no Paul, but am I one of the seven sons of whom they had no knowledge? Has my life, my ministry, made enough of a difference in this city that the forces of darkness have been made aware of what Christ is doing through me? These are not questions only for preachers or church leaders, but for every one of us.

It ought to be our goal to walk so much in the power of Christ that the demons who know and fear him would take notice of us.

Father, may you work in my life in such power that the servants of the enemy in this sinful city know who I am - a servant of the Jesus who will one day destroy them and send them to the Lake of Fire!


Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Undivided, Undistracted - July 23 Readings: 2 Chronicles 9-10, Acts 18:18–28, Psalm 86:9–17, Proverbs 18:9–10

Links to July 23 Readings: 2 Chronicles 9-10, Acts 18:18–28, Psalm 86:9–17, Proverbs 18:9–10

Life in America in 2014 is a giant distraction. As I sit in my chair and do my work, I have the TV on in the background - just for the noise. My phone is with me almost all the time and I'm checking it for email and Facebook constantly. No matter where I am, people can call me, contact me - it is great for keeping in touch but terrible for concentration. That's just the way life it. Helter-skelter, face paced, break-neck, on-the-go, all the time.

I was thinking recently about how fun life used to be. I'm not trying to moan or complain here; I've got it pretty good. But I remember when I played sports, read books, hung out with friends and just generally enjoyed life. Now, there are bills to pay, business to take care of, people to see, projects to attend. Life just seems so complicated.

Perhaps it is because of this reality that a verse like Psalm 86:11 grabs my heart.
"Give me an undivided mind to fear your name."
My mind is so divided - worshiping God, working at the church, taking care of business, mowing the lawn (too often this wet summer!) and all the other things life demands. It is so hard to concentrate, to get alone and just focus my mind on God with a singular purpose.

I need to shut out the noise, get away from the electronics (yes, I realize the irony of typing that on my laptop!) and focus my mind and heart on the Lord Jesus Christ. Only. Focused.

Father, give me an undivided mind and heart, devoted to you and your kingdom. 

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

I Call Out to God - July 22 Readings: 2 Chronicles 7-8, Acts 18:1–17, Psalm 86:1–8, Proverbs 18:6–8

Links to July 22 Readings: 2 Chronicles 7-8, Acts 18:1–17, Psalm 86:1–8, Proverbs 18:6–8

The Psalms are so varied. They ascend the heights of God's glory and plumb the depths of human wickedness. There is hardly an emotion, a life issue or an aspect of a man's relationship with God that is not explored at some point.

But the most common of all of these topics is human pain and suffering. The Psalmist asks why. He rages and moans. He calls out to God for sustaining grace, provision and protection. In Psalm 86, David delves into many of these issues.

We don't know what the provocation was for this psalm. It could have been betrayal by one of his friends, or an attack from an enemy, or some other grief or hardship in life. It is good that we do not know what was troubling David. Our lives are troubled by as many things as came against the King of Israel. One of the readers here may be facing illness, another financial issues. Perhaps another is concerned for wayward children, or a loved one who is sick, or any of a myriad of things that life throws at us. David's approach can be a great reminder to us all.

First, David did the most important thing anyone can do - he took his problems to God. He came in humility, not as the exalted king (such a thing would be nonsense before the truly exalted God), but as one who is "poor and needy." He asked God for help, he did not demand it!

David called out to God for grace, for forgiveness, for the undeserved favor of God.
For you, Lord, are kind and ready to forgive,
rick in faithful love to all who call on you. 
While David laid claim to being a faithful servant of God, he realized that his own sin needed to be dealt with as he came to God for help.

David was persistent in prayer, call out to God "all day long." His prayers were constant, fervent and faithful. God knows our needs and desires, and he hears our prayers, but the Bible makes it clear that he responds to persistent prayer by his people.

When life was hard, David turned to God and called out to him. And every time, he found God faithful. God heard his prayers and forgave him, delivered him, provided for him and protected him.

Father, when I am in distress, may I do as David did and seek you. 


Monday, July 21, 2014

The Green-Eyed Monster - July 21 Readings: 2 Chronicles 5-6, Acts 17, Psalm 85:9–13, Proverbs 18:4–5

Links to July 21 Readings: 2 Chronicles 5-6, Acts 17, Psalm 85:9–13, Proverbs 18:4–5

The Green-Eyed Monster! That description comes from Shakespeare's "Othello" in which the villain Iago says:

O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;  It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock  The meat it feeds on; 
Jealousy is a work of the flesh, a true monster within our souls that feeds on our own hearts and brings destruction into lives, relationships and churches.

Jealousy was at the root of much of the opposition to Jesus and to the expansion of the early church. The religious leaders did not so much object to their teachings, their character or their actions. They opposed Jesus because their position was threatened. Acts 17:5 says,
But the Jews became jealous...
They were upset because people were no longer honoring them, following them or living under their authority and control. Instead, they were putting their faith in Jesus and proclaiming him as Lord. Suddenly, the green-eyed monster reared its ugly head amongst these religious leaders.

Jealousy is a product of our sinful nature and is a marker of selfishness. If I walk in Christ's love and servant spirit, I rejoice with other's blessings, I seek for people to follow Christ, not me, and I live for his glory, not my own. If these things are true, there is no place for jealousy in my life.

Father, rid my soul of the green-eyed monster that envies other's blessings, that seeks control over others and gathers glory for myself instead of for you.