Author: Jon Harris

I don’t know how people live without a close relationship with our creator.

Have you ever had someone you looked up to and respected, do something completely the opposite of what you would have ever dreamed of and opposite of what they were an expert in? For example, two fire fighters. They both fight fires and teach fire safety and prevention. Then one of them out of anger intentionally starts a fire that causes pain and destruction.

As you might imagine, I’m reflecting on a time where I was wronged by someone, metaphorically as the two firefighters. Don’t worry, I’m not talking about anyone in my family or a close friend, yet I pray that this person might read these words and come to understand true freedom.

The Journey

First, astonishment. It was surreal as my mind was saying “this is not actually happening”. As the thoughts processed, the physical reaction came in. My heart was pounding, hands shaking, and adrenaline flowing.

At the same time I observed another witness to this event with his nostrils flaring almost like a wild horse (I envisioned fire coming from his nose and thought that would be pretty cool), eyes wide open gazing straight at the offender.

Deep cleansing breaths.

Why should I fear in times of trouble,
   when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, (Psalm 49:5)

After the situation diffused there was pain and anger and a sleepless night. I confess to some very dark prayers as to what I thought God should do to this offender. Some of my anger manifested into feelings of hate. Yes I’m human, a sinner.

And this is why I opened with: “I don’t know how people live without a close relationship with our creator.” Without God’s wisdom, I would surely have let the hatred go further, resulting in more damage to myself and others such as my friends and family who are completely innocent in this.

Through prayer, meditation, and conversation with loved ones the healing process started. Multiple interactions with a friend brought so much laughter I had tears in my eyes and my abdominals hurt as we made fun of the preposterous situation. Sometimes if we don’t laugh, we cry! Thank you Jesus for putting friends in my life who know and love me, who help bring joy, peace, and my favorite medicine, laughter.

It was a struggle but I started to realize “the offender” (a human) was not the enemy. As my heart softened I wrote to another friend, “He is not the enemy. Fear, confusion, disorganization, miscommunication and deception are the enemies.” Thank you God for helping me understand.

My mouth shall speak wisdom;
    the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. (Psalm 49:3)

The painful event and the healing occurred this week, in parallel with my assigned reading and sharing on Psalm 49 which specifically describes such times of trouble and how God is with us, how he loves us and frees those of us who follow him.

But as for me, God will redeem my life.
    He will snatch me from the power of the grave. (Psalm 49:15)

This was another divine intervention, one more reason to believe. God is always on time, his word is always true.

Today’s scripture is Psalm 37 and the journal thoughts come from Rick Jebb when asked “Why do you believe?”. Our long time readers know Rick’s beautiful, thoughtful heart-felt writing and his heart for God. Also among these, I know him as a great friend, mentor, fellow traveler and dreamer.

Rick, why do you believe in God as Creator, Christ the Resurrected Son, and the Holy Spirit of truth?

One of the reasons I believe is because of the people who have been put in my life pointing me to a faith in Jesus. My mom prayed for years that I would have Christian friends and influencers in my life. Those prayers have been gloriously answered over and over.

Today I’m excited to share a narrative from an influencer and friend. His name is Jason Lippert and he is the third-generation CEO at Lippert. Lippert employs 9,000+ team members worldwide and generates over $2.5 billion in annual revenue.

While those numbers might be interesting to some, the best part is the company executing on the vision that business can be a “Force for Good”. Lippert employees come together to volunteer over 100,000 hours of community service each year and the organization influences other organizations to take a similar approach. There’s a “love God, love people” theme in all of this and in the company’s “everyone matters” mindset; leading by example, transforming lives while offering meaningful employment.

Here are some verses from Psalm 25 and what Jason shared when asked the question: Why do you believe?

At some point, I believe everyone hears God’s call to His purpose and the purpose he has for our lives. Unfortunately, until we create a space to hear Him and ask for Him, most people don’t ever hear the call over the noise in their lives.

There is so much noise these days.

For me, I knew God, trusted that he was the creator, but I put him on the shelf and never knew how, or maybe just didn’t work intently enough to develop a meaningful relationship. I know now that until you build the relationship with him, you will never take steps toward the greatness he has in store for us.

⁵ Lead me by your truth and teach me,
    for you are the God who saves me.
    All day long I put my hope in you.

I believe because at my worst, when all the personal things in my life were a disaster, I cried out for him regularly. I promised that if he’d carry me through the devastation and issues I had created myself that I would lean into whatever it was he wanted me to do.

⁷ Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.
    Remember me in the light of your unfailing love,
    for you are merciful, O Lord.

¹⁰ The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness
    all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.

I believe because I cannot deny that I feel and see God fulfilling his propose in my life because I am spending time in prayer and time diving into the word and his truth daily.

¹² Who are those who fear the Lord?
    He will show them the path they should choose.

I feel his nudging regularly but only when I’m in the word or worship. I’ve seen the miracles he’s worked in others lives and the transformation of people that come to know him and those who spend intentional time with him.

¹⁴ The Lord is a friend to those who fear him.
    He teaches them his covenant.

When there is true intention to be with him and grow, he will always respond!!!

²¹ May integrity and honesty protect me,
    for I put my hope in you.

Today’s reading: Psalm 25

Dear Reader,

I’m super excited to share today’s post as written by my sister Marne after being asked why she believes. You’ll see her love for Jesus and her tender heart on her sleeve with grace and beauty as perfectly described in Proverbs 31:25-26:

Strength and dignity are her clothing,
    and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
    and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

I believe because 

There is evil, trauma, innocence terrorized and brokenness in relationships. There are unanswered questions and paths unseen, outcomes unimagined and decisions that I have asked myself why for years.

And then comes a steady voice saying there is something much greater for me than what I have seen, heard and observed. There’s Grace. A love that I’ve personally inhaled and have been given by no efforts of my own. There’s been Healing. Hope. Redemption. Reconciliation. Love remains a steady current, humbling and satisfying me often in small doses, like liquid gold throughout my veins.

Despite the brokenness in this world, it is the power of ancient scriptures that offers me hope and keeps me looking, seeking, engaging in relationships to experience and share this power of grace and love that has been given freely to me.  – Marne

People keep talking about how bad 2020 was, but what does God say about that? Maybe he said something like: I WAS THERE WITH YOU ALL ALONG, YOU JUST HAD TO OPEN YOUR EYES!!! I USED THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DRAW NEARER TO YOU AND CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!!

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. (James 4:8 NLT)

As a start to the new year, the Bible Journal team will be sharing thoughts as to why we believe what we believe. I am praying in this very moment that what is shared here reaches the hearts, minds and souls of our readers for the sake of eternity.

Background

There was always the fear of death; not necessarily the act of dying but the question: What will happen to me when I die?

I grew up attending church and Sunday school regularly and had even made confessions of faith verbally and was voluntarily baptized. Those were outward actions but the life I was living made me look more like a fan of Jesus (at best) than a follower.

Tired of living on the fence, I decided it was time to truly challenge the topic once and for all. Is there a God? Was Jesus who he said he was? Why should I care about any of this? Is there such thing as eternity?

Who was Jesus: God, madman, or liar? We must all choose.

These words captivated me many years ago and still do to this day. Only one of these three things can be true.

Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to. (CS Lewis, Mere Christianity)

Foundation

The biography of Jesus found in The Gospels provides evidence of eye witness accounts of the life, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. From a firm research perspective (significantly based on reading “The Case for Christ” by Lee Strobel) I believe that the New Testament is an authentic document. There is legitimate evidence of the man Jesus of Nazareth and in his life he made claims as to who he was. He was a real person.

I also believe that there is no other book in the world where more people try to dispute what it says. I believe we (yes we) want to dispute it mainly because of our selfish nature. We don’t want to be told that sin is wrong or even that there is such a thing as sin.

Something happened.

There is significant evidence of early martyrdom and it continues still today around the world.

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. (John 15:18)

All but one of the twelve disciples are believed to have died as a martyr for Christ. After 50 AD, Christianity actually became illegal, punishable by death.

What did the early believers and proclaimers of the resurrection know and believe that they would never deny, even to the point of being burned alive, crucified, or sawed in half? There are a multitude of things I’d renounce (even great things) if I were threatened to be sawed in half. Why didn’t they renounce their religion? What would be in it for them to keep propagating something they believed was a lie?

Prophecy, an innocent man.

Isaiah 53 is a beacon, a summary of Christianity written ~700 years before Jesus. The more I read this chapter the more I see Jesus (as Isaiah talks about an innocent man being put to death). In the trial of Jesus, he was found innocent (Luke 23:13-16) yet put to death. This man who had served and healed many became the object of hate.

He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
    and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
    nor was any deceit in his mouth. (Isaiah 53:9)

Seeking

Seeking the real, authentic Jesus translates into a growth in faith. God promises it.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)

This verse is something that brings me to faith because the more I seek Him, the more I find Him in all things. Whether in relationships, nature, work, prayer, hearing songs of praise, reading scripture, or sensing him walking alongside me especially when I am at my worst.

Peace in a storm

Fifteen years ago on this very day (1/1/2006), my wife Amy and I found out she was pregnant. We began telling people the great news three months later when suddenly we thought she had a miscarriage. May I never hear her scream for help like that again. Blood everywhere, and other facts too gory to share in this moment. To our astonishment at the hospital we heard a heartbeat, but our worries were nowhere near over. That night we arrived home late, and with the little faith I had, I prayed. The moments before going to sleep that night were the most surreal in my entire life, even to this day: Never before had I gone so quickly from such deep sorrow and fear to such great peace which is difficult to explain.

There was almost the sound of a whisper, “Things are going to be ok“. It hit me like a wave, like being under water for too long then taking that first deep breath. While the medical condition remained, anxiety and fear had been replaced with peace, and I have no other explanation apart from this being a true miracle.

Those are just a few of the reasons I believe. How about you?

Today’s chapter is Psalm 1 which can be a great beginning to 2021 and great hope if we choose to turn from sin and meditate on the Lord.

Did your parents know your future upon your birth? Did they know your destiny? How about in your teenage years? Was your specific life calling presented to you in a clear way?

How about nearer term? Life can bring many expectations but Earthly plans are always subject to change, disruption and ultimately disappointment.

This week a wonderful young man had a hope and dream related to his destiny crushed; a very painful loss. The young man was prepared for victory and not prepared for a loss whatsoever. Beforehand there was great anticipation, preparation, and excitement. There was little doubt about the outcome; everything was going to be great! He was prayerful, pleading to God for a specific result. Of course God listened as he always listens, however the answer this time was “no”.

Worse than the dream being crushed, there are suspicions around the circumstances. False accusations and suspected manipulation which point to deception. We know that in this life there will be trouble, but when it hits home, it hurts badly.

We crave the truth, justice and a return to joy. And that’s life here on Earth. We seek after these things but as each of these Bible Journal posts convey, there is only one way to the truth and the life, and that’s a future with Jesus. We write to you in order to prepare you (and ourselves) for what is to come, for this future.

Today’s reading is the prophecy of Zechariah (Luke 1:67-80). Zechariah spoke of the future, the destiny of his son John (now known as John the Baptist). John would be the one to “prepare the way” for the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ.

 “And you, my little son,
    will be called the prophet of the Most High,
    because you will prepare the way for the Lord. (Luke 1:76)

The Advent season is about preparation; getting our hearts ready for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. We celebrate because he brings us salvation through forgiveness of our many sins.

   You will tell his people how to find salvation
    through forgiveness of their sins. (Luke 1:77)

No matter your circumstances today, perhaps in the darkness, take hope in the morning light as with each day we move closer to the celebration of His birth, we also move closer to our step into eternity.

Because of God’s tender mercy,
    the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,
  to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    and to guide us to the path of peace.” (Luke 1:78-79)

These days we spend a lot of time dreaming of the things we’d do, the plans we’d love to make “if only…” Most of these thoughts return to the same conclusion: Not right now. Can’t go there. Can’t do that. Can’t see them.

Sometimes it feels like we are just wasting away in the waiting.

If you’re struggling right now to find purpose and meaning, you’re definitely not alone. Confession: The times I’m most frustrated usually come from my own misalignment, with my wants prioritized first, with invalid expectations, thinking something is deserved or guaranteed. It is the realization that I want to do things I cannot do, but then: Do I want these things out of an incorrect view of my purpose or God’s purpose for me?

We were not created for our own purpose, we were created for God’s purpose, for him. He had a plan and you are part of it.

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. (Colossians 1:16)

Rick Warren eloquently states:

“God was thinking of you long before you ever thought about Him. His purpose for your life (to know Him, share Him with those that don’t know Him, become more like Him, and spend eternity with Him) predates your conception. He planned your purpose before you existed, without your input! …. The purpose of your life fits into a much larger purpose that God has designed for eternity.”

This same God who made you and me for a purpose, made everyone else for a purpose, for eternity’s sake. Thousands of years ago he made a promise to King David as to his purpose: King David was to be in the lineage of an eternal throne, for his offspring to be on the throne for all generations.

I will establish your offspring forever,
    and build your throne for all generations. (Psalms 89:4)

God promised this many years before the birth of Christ, but the amount of time between the promise and the realization of the promise is not the point. The point is God is faithful to keep his promises and in the fulfillment of this promise, we have another promise fulfilled regarding our purpose: Eternity with God. Eternity is a real word with real meaning.

And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” (Matthew 12:23)

Yes indeed, Son of David. The Christ. Son of the Living God. King. Redeemer. Restorer. Savior of the World. Living without him in this life is one thing, but there are no greater stakes than that of the next life. Free will, our choice.

To move forward, I pray that you take a step backward and read Jennifer’s post from yesterday titled “Hope“.

This week I had a confidential and important problem, and needed a friend to talk to. I didn’t need someone to SOLVE the problem, I needed to talk to someone with whom I TRUSTED completely. Bringing the problem to fruition didn’t need the smartest or most talented, or even my “favorite” person, it was purely a matter of trust.

Consider today:

1. Who do you trust the most and why? Consider telling this person, it will build more trust and will lift their spirit!
2. Is there a relationship where you could improve the level of trust? Consider some of the trust-builders: Being more trustworthy yourself, becoming more vulnerable, building the relationship with openness and taking a leap of faith to entrust the other person more.

In John 16 Jesus is preparing his disciples for his departure. It was time for him to go but he wasn’t going to leave them empty handed. He left them (and us) with the Holy Spirit, also known as the Friend (MSG), Helper (ESV), the Advocate (NLT), the Spirit of truth, among other names.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. (John 16:13)

Who can we trust more than our God who sent his son Jesus, and then after the Holy Spirit was sent? In our troubles we don’t need someone to just make us feel good. As humans we crave meaningful relationships based on trust and truth. Unfortunately these relationships in this life are often few and far between, susceptible to failure due to our sinful nature in a broken world.

What is our sin? How do we respond?

The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. (John 16:9)

What good is a doctor who says you are healthy when you’re dying? The Holy Spirit tells us we are dying (of our sin). The Spirit convicts and points to God the father and Jesus as savior. It is up to us to choose to believe (and follow) or to deny (and disobey) Him.

The world is full of scary stuff; pain, sorrow, confusion, lies and trouble. Do not rely on the world’s cures. The next vaccine may thankfully solve one problem but the next problem is right around the corner. The only vaccine for our real problem (sin) is repentance and forgiveness, and trusting in the name of Jesus Christ. He’s the vaccine. He’s the cure. He’s the only one worthy of all trust, the victor, undefeated, and champion of all time.

 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Where are your trials and tribulations today, and where is your trust? Don’t let these words from Jesus pass you by. They were written for you and me, for all situations. Give them over to the one who died with you in mind. He loves you and he seeks a relationship right now in this very moment.

A young man perhaps in his early 20s was standing outside a store in the city center. He was clearly not a native of this city nor country and wasn’t outside the store to do some shopping. While wearing a protective mask, he engaged the townspeople with his eyes. His gaze was warm and intriguing; it said so much: “Please help me, I won’t hurt you, I have nothing, I am willing to humble myself just for some small change, this is not the life I dreamed of, please, please, please…”

With his gaze, he held a baseball hat by the brim, upside down to make a nest for the money from passersby.

The young man is named Peter and he is from Nigeria (where the official language is English). He has lived in this country for three years, arriving here with the hope for a better life. Due to massive unemployment, he cannot find a job, so he takes to the streets each day, hoping for money and/or food.

Peter was wearing a necklace with a cross on it so I asked him, hoping to engage in some conversation about Jesus, “Why do you wear the cross?”. He said, “because I am a Christian, I believe that God is the same today as he has always been and always will be”. I was blown away by his faith.

He shared more about his belief and circumstances, and as he did, I truly felt that while I had it in mind to witness to him, he was witnessing to me. Our God is amazing! Can I get an amen?

As our conversation wound down, I was reminded of what a brother in Christ recently said about the supernatural power of reading scripture aloud as we witness. I quickly opened the Bible app where the “verse of the day” was front and center. It read (and I read aloud):

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” ‭‭(Hebrews‬ ‭13:8‬ ‭ESV)

With this, I can say to you readers: Jesus Christ truly is the Son of God. Only the living God, through his Holy Spirit could orchestrate such a divine appointment where one man proclaims, “God as being the same today as always”, and another man instantly sees and reads the matching words in the name of Jesus aloud in the streets.

Today’s chapter is John 4. As Jennifer pointed out yesterday in her post “Who is Jesus?“, “John uses the stories to make the case that Jesus is the Son of God and the only source of eternal life.” John 4 is no exception as it shares miracles and people coming faith in Jesus, as well as Jesus himself saying that he is the Messiah.

³⁹ Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” (John 4:39)

⁴¹ And many more believed because of his word. ⁴² They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.” (John 4:41-42)

⁵³ The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. (John 4:53)

They believed because of his word and his miracles. What reasons do you have to believe today? What is holding you back from sharing what you believe and why you believe? What can we learn from the faith of “Peter from Nigeria” and how should we respond?

Father God, you are the same yesterday, and today and forever! We repent once again for doubting you, for judging others, for our selfishness, for using resources for our pleasure rather than your glory. Thank you for your word, your truth, for being patient with us, for interceding, for the mercy and grace and forgiveness in the name of your son Jesus, the only source of life. Amen.

In 2016 our son Peyton had a two-night outdoor education trip scheduled with his entire fifth grade class at a camp in Illinois. In preparation for the retreat, the school asked dads to volunteer to stay in the cabins with the boys overnight. My first instinct was, I’m all in; I love being a dad, and I want to be there for my son.

Leading up to the event, negative comments were shared about this volunteer mission and people told me not to go. It would probably be cold, rainy, and muddy. The kids would likely be all wound up or over-tired, misbehave, and would stay up too late. The accommodations would be miserable, dirty, and uncomfortable. I’d actually heard this from more than one person.

Fortunately, I trusted my instincts and decided that no matter how bad the report was, the right thing to do was to volunteer – and it was amazing! Peyton looked me in the eyes and thanked me for being there. This made it all worthwhile and nearly brought me to tears. I got to observe my son and his peers having so much fun; there was a beautiful campfire, a night hike through the woods, s’mores, and giggling kids having a wonderful time. Priceless moments that can never be replicated in this lifetime with that little boy. What if I missed out because of a bad report? Now I am actually in tears.

Numbers 13 tells the story where Moses sent several men to spy out the land of Canaan. The spies went as instructed, but depending on their point of view, their reports and responses differed.

First the favorable view and response that reflected faith in God. Caleb saw the goodness that God had been promising all along and was eager to continue toward that goodness in obedience.

²⁷ And they told him, “We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. ³⁰ But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” (Numbers 13:27, 30)

Then the bad report. God had been promising he would take them to this land, and that he would be with them; they just needed to trust him. They shared an observation of adversity and ignored all that God had done thus far and chose to shrink in fear as a lack of trust in God’s plan.

Then the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.” (Numbers 13:31)

The same group of people witnessed the same events, but yet their individual responses varied greatly.

When the congregation heard the bad report, they decided that it would have been better to go back to Egypt to become slaves, or better to have died in Egypt rather than be there in the desert. On the opposite side, those who put their trust in God responded in in a faithful manner.

If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.” (Numbers 14:8-9)

Numbers 14 reflects how serious God is with regard to how he wants us to trust him in all things. Those who chose not to trust him were severely punished, and those who did trust him were greatly rewarded.

But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it. (Numbers 14:24)

After considering Numbers 13-14, this pattern shows for us as humans as we are tested in our faith:

1. We’re on a certain path, unsure as to what is ahead.
2. There are hardships and unknowns, and even some bad reports.
3. There is evidence of God’s faithfulness and goodness; a call to trust him.

We have free will and can choose to either listen to the bad reports, live in fear and give up, or we can trust and obey and live our lives! No matter what circumstances arise: Through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have eternal hope.

Lessons learned and questions to consider:

1. We need to be careful with how we share our observations. If we see something potentially negative, how much should we share this information?
2. Consider the source of the bad report. Did this person witness/experience the negative thing firsthand?
3. Even with a substantiated bad report, what are the opportunities that may be hidden within?

Today’s reading: Numbers 14; Psalm 50; Isaiah 3–4; Hebrews 11