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Worshiping in Spirit and in Truth

Today’s reading: Exodus 27; John 6; Proverbs 3; Galatians 2

March 16th, 2016

When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. – John 6:15

How would you react if a people wanted to make you a king? Would they have to force you?

Just as in the desert, Jesus here dismisses the lure power and status in this world as fake and not to be trusted. In the desert, the tempter showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world in all their glory. His offer? If Jesus would worship him, he would give Jesus all the world had to offer. Let us be prudent and ensure we follow Jesus in his response.

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. – Matthew 4:10

Worship is such an interesting topic to ponder and meditate on. I have come to believe that it is much more than singing God’s praises at church. I encourage you to consider that we are always worshiping. Do we not worship with our time and attention? Do we not worship with our thoughts and our hearts’ desires? Do we not worship with our money? If the answer is yes, the question then becomes; what are we worshiping? Are we engaging in the tempters value proposition? Are we taking him up on his offer of worshiping him for things of this world; worshiping false idols in return for illusions? A false idol can be anything that takes God’s place. As my good friend often says when it comes to worship, “God wants to be number one on a list of one.”

Pastor Phin Hall talks about some of the more common idols that we are tempted to put in God’s place. “Work offers to provide for us giving us purpose, value and status. Other people offer us intimacy and self-worth. Entertainment offers us escape from the stresses and worries of everyday life.” Yet, ask anyone who has put their trust in these promises and now knows the truth and they will tell you; these promises are empty. The true offer is full of real things. “[God] gives true purpose, value and status, real intimacy and self-worth, and frees us completely from the stresses and worries of everyday life.“

Pastor Phin encourages us all to ask ourselves these questions regularly:

What do I long to do each day?
What do I look forward to when I wake up in the morning?
What would I rather do than spend time with God?

I am Working

Today’s Reading: Exodus 26; John 5; Proverbs 2; Galatians 1

I’ve heard the idiom that “a mother’s work is never done.” I see this idiom lived out daily in our lives as our two energetic, imaginative, loving boys play from sun up to sun down and then some. Thank you to my wife, Jennifer, for being such a wonderful mother and a blessing to our children. I can also say this phrase is true when you have to raise a son like myself.(Sorry mom) The phrase, a parents work is never done, is also true. I’m sure all parents will agree with me. So when I read through today’s reading I paused on John 5:17 When Jesus says to the Jews after healing a paralyzed man, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” To me, I think how Jesus is always working in us and he commands us to do the same. Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

Recently I was listening to a series on Effective Parenting in a Defective World by Chip Ingram and heard about the parenting phases we can go through. I talked with some parents about these working stages of parenting and the different roles parents play throughout our children’s lives. In the beginning years we can identify with being the commander of our children. Parents have to physically provide, watch over every move, protect, and help them learn what they should and shouldn’t do. We are their lifeline of survival. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

As they get to around 4+ years we then transition into a teaching role where you are still telling and modeling what to do but often having to answer the “Why?” question. As you teach 3 John verse 4 says I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. There are also moments when you need the verse Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. In either case God is still working in our children and us.

As your children hit the middle school, high school, college years you turn into a coach who teaches specific skills and are able to call timeout when needed to focus on a skill, praise, or discipline. It’s an important time to influence their spiritual future. Provide them with experiences that help them see the reality of your faith and theirs. An important principle throughout parenting is to remember to only teach children what they are mentally and emotionally capable of learning. In addition to not habitually doing for your children what they can do for themselves. Allow our children to “fail forward” and turning their mistakes into stepping stones.

Our last phase of parenting falls into your children’s 20’s, 30’s, and beyond. Your role as a parent becomes a “consultant”. This is when your children refer back to you and share their situations with you to gain your expertise. This continuum of parenting phases can vary based on our situation. It is meaningful in the aspect of parenting as it is an opportunity to always be working in our children. Like our spiritual Father, He has and will always be working in us. God wants has told us to go and do work also. Through our work we serve others. We are on Mission all the time to share the Good News. In our children, family, work, and with people we meet. The opportunities are endless. God sent us a perfect example in Jesus and the Living Truth in the Bible. Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Through our work we can show love to God. One of God’s love languages is obedience. I’m amazed in Exodus the detail that goes into the building of the tabernacle. From the skillful making of a curtain to the placing of each acacia wood beam. I believe God is reminding us that we also need to pay attention to detail in our work. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

God continues to demonstrate His theme of work in us through Proverbs 2. Sharing the importance of spiritual work in us that helps gain wisdom of His Ways and understanding of His Word. God wants us to treasure up His commandments and walk with integrity. Incline our hearts to righteousness. Our work we put into the understanding of His Word will guard you and deliver us from evil. Proverbs 2:6-7 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; (7)he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity

So in the start to your Tuesday morning, what are you working on?

Who are you working for?

Does our work show the love of the Lord or love of men?

Dear Father,

You are always working in us and through us. I pray that as we work in our own lives, our children’s, and in others, we make our work about You and building Your Kingdom. Thank you for sending your own Son for us to have the perfect example. Thank you for showing us how to work at being a parent and living for You. I pray that in whatever calling you have put us in we work with integrity and have a genuine love for others. Lord I know I fall short many times in many areas. I’m grateful for the work you are always doing in me and pray for a consistent clear picture of a daily walk with You. Dear God I pray that the work I do focuses less on me and more about you. Thank you for being with us in our daily work in our family, homes, or other work places.God promises to never leave you.

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

The Woman at the Well

Wishing Well Today’s Readings: Exodus 25, John 4, Proverbs 1, 2 Corinthians 13

It’s Monday. As much as I wanted to bring it in a real Ark of the Covenant, Exodus changes your life two cubits at a time kind of way. I can’t. I can’t because today is woman at the well day! I am literally on fire for the woman at the well and I want you to be blazing too! Let’s just get to the best part:

“A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink” For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”

John 4:7-10

I grew up hearing this story from one of the greatest storytellers I know. Fr. Michael Kennedy was the pastor at my childhood Catholic church and elementary school. As a child I listened to his stories at Friday morning school mass and eventually studied with him in preparation for my first communion and confirmation. Father Michael has a special commitment to children and prisoners. In his book, the forwarding author states that Fr. Michael believes that our Father God lends a special ear to children and prisoners, as his Son was both. He spent his life sharing the good news of Jesus Christ through storytelling and song. One of his most convicting works is his re-telling of the woman at the well.

It starts at the well in Sychar, where Jesus sits to rest his feet in a bit of shade. The woman from Samaria comes to draw water and Jesus asks her for a drink. Immediately she asks how he a Jew could ask she a Samarian for a drink. Bible Gateway’s commentary for today’s reading discusses the history behind the tension between Jews and Samaritans. At this time the hatred between the two groups had grown so fierce, there was no opportunity for positive interaction between them.

Stop right there.

Did you hear it?

The hatred between these two groups had become so contentious and volatile that folks couldn’t be at the well together. Did you really hear that? We are living in a Jews versus Samaritans world. The democrats and republicans can’t come to the same well! Like the woman at the well, we invest in conversation about our differences rather than spending our energy on our eternity. The gospel is absolutely alive in our lives today and we are just dipping water from our own “wells” drinking it over murmurs of hostility and antagonism. Again and again Jesus sets an example for us, teaching us how we are to live as Christians. He reaches across the aisle here and offers this woman a drink of eternal salvation. He offers her living water. And still here, she has no idea who she’s dealing with. She asks him, “…where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock” (John 4:11-13). She is standing with Jesus, cup in hand, chatting him up about water quality when really, the man standing before her is not the enemy she perceives him to be. It is not until he proves himself to her by showing how much he knows about her, that she believes.

Do we need proof to believe what cannot be seen? If I were standing at the water cooler with Jesus would I recognize him? One of my favorite descriptions of faith is just that: believing in what cannot be seen. Can I go to the well in search of living water and trust that He has it for me? Is it possible for me to see God in the Samaritan at work or in the store and share living water with him?

As a young adult, the lesson I drew from this scripture was about seeking God first. It was about finding a path in my life that ran alongside that living water. A path to healing the sick, ministering to children and having a family that mirrors Him. Today, as I re-read the story of the woman at the well, it resonates in a whole different way. The woman says, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with and the well is deep.” The well is deep. Doesn’t it feel deep? Doesn’t it feel some days like the living water we need is unreachable? Then Jesus says to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again.” Yes. I am constantly thirsty again! I am always coming to the same well thirsty. I’m thirsty for more money, I’m thirsty for the next iPhone, I’m thirsty for a better job, I’m thirsty for the next best workout, I’m thirsty for more dark chocolate crunch pretzel crisps… Then Jesus seals the deal, he says, “but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:11-14) If you can’t feel him reaching through the page of your bible or the screen right now, close your eyes and feel harder!!! He’s here with us, this message for the woman at the well isn’t just for her. It’s a very real promise he makes to all of us.

Father Michael Kennedy passed away on January 23, 2010. An Irishman through and through he loved St. Patrick’s Day, and in fact he’d completed 14 years of service as pastor at St. Patrick’s Church when he died. I own a cassette recording of him telling the story of the woman at the well and still enjoy listening to it from time to time. He and I share a birthday this week. He would have been 75 and I will be 35. He began all of his stories with the following:

I wasn’t there but others were and they told others who told others,Who told still others, and down down the centuries and finally someone told me. Today I tell you. You may want to tell others…

Please share the message of the woman at the well with someone today. It is through you that Jesus can give living water.

You can see a photo of Fr. Michael Kennedy and read about his book here:

Fr. Michael Kennedy

Revelation

Link to Today’s reading: Exodus 24; John 3; Job 42; 2 Corinthians 12

Despite being a lukewarm, cultural Christian most of my adult life, I still had many great conversations about God, the Bible and truth. Conversations, that despite their assumed relevance, lacked something they seemed to beg for. Without a deeper personal commitment to my faith, and a constant connection to God, or without the relentless pursuit of spiritual transformation; my conversations lacked real power.

I wanted my words to be more engaging, more compelling, filled with power that came from authenticity. But ultimately, this power could only come from God, and without the presence of the Holy Spirit, my discussions were still constrained in every way possible by the limits of my flesh. Eventually, I found myself in more conversations where the Holy Spirit’s participation seemed present — and these were very different. They were conversations with people who were pursuing lives of demonstrative faith through action, conversations that spoke beyond our words, in silent power. Perhaps, someday, I too would learn how to communicate like that.

Sometimes, Christians view discussions of faith as contests of ideas. And while the competition of ideas can be a good thing; when it comes to matters of faith, and in particular, understanding God, sometimes it is best to plead, “no contest.” Yes, I believe reason is still important in the discussion about God, but it isn’t the main thing — God is! We communicate with each other through language and ideas, limited by our understanding and experience, also by our capacity for abstract thinking and logic; but God communicates with us in other ways. In addition to revelation through the lives of people, God reveals himself through nature, and also by the law laid down in scripture (Psalm 19, and Psalm 119). In each of these three forms of revelation, it is through the Holy Spirit that God speaks directly and miraculously to the hearts of those, who by faith, choose to listen. It is He, who gives us ears to hear and eyes to see, profoundly, if that is what we ask for and what we seek (Matthew 7:7-8). How we choose to respond to God’s revelation, however, is personal, and something we must decide.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my father as well. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” -John 14:6-7

In a conversation with a freind the other day I was presented with this question: aren’t all major religions worshipping the same God? My response was, “no.” Different religions worship different gods, that is the main point of them. However, if there is only one true God, a God above all gods, then it makes sense that anyone, in any religion, seeking God with all their hearts, minds and souls, will find Him. God is calling out through time and space to his whole creation. In a sense, all paths could lead to a God who is always next to us, always calling to us, waiting for our answer; but it seems that our answer, regardless of our religion, is often at best, a timid whisper, “maybe.” Then my freind challenged me with the history of Christianity, filled with abuses and hypocrisy. “If Christianity is the one true path to God, why then is there so much evidence of Christians behaving poorly?” Now I understood his point, much of my life offered evidence to support it; but I said this: “Christianity is a religion practiced by imperfect people, imperfectly. And not all who claim it are true followers.” There are people in all religions who profess a faith that they don’t live up to — Christianity is no different in that sense. This fact however, doesn’t prove that the Christian story is false, any more than the millions of changed lives through out history, prove that it is true. Either it is or it isn’t, and it remains for all to consider: is there a Divine Creator of everything, who is personal, who can be known, who desires to be known?

God has written a story on the hearts of men, and in history; by creating a nation through one family, then rescuing that nation from slavery, delivering them to “the Promised Land.” Finally, through that same nation, after generations of prophesy (that is eventually fulfilled in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus), God provides the means to rescue all humanity from their sin. God’s story is one of promises made and kept; deliverance and provision and restoration. God created the world, then intervened in its history to finish His work; the undeserved perfection of the Human soul. We need only to respond in faith to God’s overwhelming and constant revelation. How will you respond today?

Jesus said: While I am in the world, I am the light the world. -John 9:5

Choices

Exodus 23; John 2; Job 41; 2 Corinthians 11

Stack of cards with Question Marks on them

Today’s post is written by my friend Carol Snyder. Carol and I met about 6 years ago when I moved down the street from her. We were fast friends! Carol currently picks me up at 5am to go to the gym 2-3 days per week. It’s amazing what ground we can cover in 11 minutes to the gym and 11 minutes home! I love those conversations. Carol has encouraged me in a lot of ways over the past couple of years, including cheering me on as I accepted the challenge of writing a Biblejournal.net post each week during 2016. When Carol learned of my plans to be out of town for a few days this week, she was quick to volunteer as a guest writer. What a great friend!

Carol, I’m grateful for our friendship. I look forward to many more early morning conversations in the days to come!

———————-

As I start to write my first bible journal entry, I am nervous yet excited. How can I follow in the footsteps of this team of bloggers? Back on January 1^st when I heard the team was going to “read the bible in a year”, I was all in. Even after growing up the daughter of a Lutheran minister, I am sadly remiss in reading the bible. As I have been reading along, I am rereading many stories I know, but also working through hard chapters (such as Job), which I never spent much time with before. The daily blog entries are just as inspiring and enriching as the bible verses; they speak to me in an every day interpretation of the bible. Thank you for my daily enrichment!

On to our daily reading and the verses I chose for today’s journal entry. It was a tough choice between the almost fairy tale “Wedding at Cana” in John 2 which I love or the “Do this, not that” story line of Exodus. I chose the latter because it reflected the choices we are given on a daily basis.

Think back to the time when you were a little child and your parents told you:

“Don’t touch that stove, it’s hot.”
“Don’t put that toy in your mouth, you might choke.”
“Don’t wander off, a stranger might take you.”

Oftentimes, they did not give you an alternative. They just said, “Don’t do that”.

As we grew older, our friends started to weigh in:

“Don’t hang out with that person, they are different. Hang out with me!”
“Don’t dress like that, people will think you are weird. Wear this!”
(We were even bombarded in magazines by the DO/DON’T fashion police!)
“Don’t join that club, it’s for nerds. Play this sport.”

Sometimes we followed our friends but sometimes we made our own choices as we started to develop into adults.

As adults, we will hear the same “don’t do that, do this” messages:

“Don’t be a couch potato, exercise 30 minutes five days a week!!”
“Don’t eat bread or sugar, go paleo or do the 21-day fix.”
“Don’t vote for that candidate, they are corrupt. Vote for this guy or gal.”

We are faced with many mixed messages on a daily basis. How can we go through the day and not feel some pressure from our own choices? Do we make the best choices possible? Do we help others make good choices? Do we follow God? Most likely, we don’t make perfect choices, for we are sinners.

In Exodus 23, God is very clear on his expectations for what we should not do:

1You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness. ²You shall not fall in with the many to do evil, nor shall you bear witness in a lawsuit, siding with the many, so as to pervert justice, ³nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his lawsuit.

⁴“If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall bring it back to him. ⁵If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him.

If we are presented with gossip, do we spread it? Or if we are presented with helping someone in need who might have lost something, do we return it? We can make many parallels just to these verses. I sum it up as “Do the Right Thing” or as I tell my kids “Make Good Choices”.

God continues with his expectations, including taking a break from the daily pressures. He knows we aren’t perfect and we do have a lot on our shoulders. We have many mixed messages and as each week unwinds, he gives us time to refresh, renew and relax.

¹²“Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant woman, and the alien, may be refreshed.

He understands we need to start anew each week. He gives us a chance to improve and to make better choices. The best part is he sends an angel to help us. All we have to do is listen for the voice, the inner voice helping us through our daily choices.

²⁰“Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. ²¹Pay careful attention to him and obey his voice; do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgression, for my name is in him.

²²“But if you carefully obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.

As we get further into the New Testament, he references the Holy Spirit in John 14:26:

²⁶But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Lord, please help me to make the right choice in my daily life. Let me refresh and begin the week with a new outlook. Shine your Holy Spirit on me so that I might be a light for you. Amen.

Boast in the Lord

From the sermon at Eastview Christian Church on 6/15/14, I captured that 80% of the world’s population makes less than $2.50 per day. Interestingly enough, as this blog post and readings were permeating through my mind, one of my kids asked if we are “rich”. Compared to 80% of the world’s population, all of us in the USA are financially rich. Apart from financial riches, God also blesses us with the other “riches” such as spiritual, joy, health, and talents. Sadly, too often “riches” are thought of in the financial realm, and attributed to our own good works or success, and we use those riches for our own purposes instead of their Godly intent.

Today’s readings: Exodus 22; John 1; Job 40; 2 Corinthians 10

Recently, one of my contributions at work resulted in some kudos. As I was working on this contribution, I knew it was going to be good. I knew it would result in praise and the anticipation of the praise kept building in my heart and mind. I certainly believed I deserved it. The thing is that when I received the kudos and was under the limelight, it seemed like this millisecond in time, and poof, it was done and over. I was depressed in thinking, “that was nice, but that’s it?” I was then convicted.

No matter how cleverly I try to deny or justify my thinking, I had built up sinful pride and sought to do good so that ultimately I could attempt to save myself. I wanted the praise so that those who make decisions as to the future of my contract would be assured that their investment in me was worthwhile. I was acting under the lie that God has most things under control. It was as if my superiors miss out on something good that I’ve done, well that would be my fault, so it was up to me to be sure to let them know how good I am. What I fool I was. I was putting my trust in me almighty instead of God almighty. Consider God’s response to Job’s pride, a crushing blow to my own pride. God was challenging Job for questioning or doubting Him. God was describing some of his own attributes and basically saying that if Job had these God attributes he could save himself, however Job was a mere human fully dependent on God to save him.

All right, put on your glory and splendor,
your honor and majesty.
Give vent to your anger.
Let it overflow against the proud.
Humiliate the proud with a glance;
walk on the wicked where they stand.
Bury them in the dust.
Imprison them in the world of the dead.
Then even I would praise you,
for your own strength would save you. (Job 40:10-14; NLT)

Unfortunately I also gave into the temptation that my works were somehow the result that I might be better than I actually am. I was boasting in myself, perhaps not verbally but in my heart and mind. Maybe no human noticed, but God did, and he revealed this to me through his Holy Spirit. Every gift and talent we have is commended, originated, given by the Lord. It isn’t ours for our own gain.

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. (2 Corinthians 10:17-18)

For what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift? (1 Corinthians 4:7; NLT)

One of the wonderful things about daily Bible reading and daily prayer is that this keeps God’s word and truth close to our heart. I’m so thankful that God’s Holy Spirit and word was with me, to convict me of my selfish line of thinking – and this is what we can and should boast on: He is with us always, speaking, teaching, and correcting. As a result, repentance and redemption gave me far greater joy than any words or rewards from any human, and it will always be this way; this is God’s economy. This sort of joy is so counter to what the world thinks, and I believe it is one of the many reasons this place often seems so messed up, as well as one of the reasons so many people are depressed. We celebrate the wrong things, the fleeting moments instead of the repentant sinner, the prodigal son, the life changed through the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5)

Would you consider joining me in repentance today? Every time I humbly ask “God, please reveal my sins”, he certainly comes through on this prayer, and it hurts, but the pain is temporary. In our sin, we’re living in darkness. However, Jesus, the light of the world shines his light in that darkness and through Him, and only Him, are our sins forgiven, and we’re back under the only light that matters.

Undercover Boss

Exodus 21; Luke 24; Job 39; 2 Corinthians 9

Have you ever watched the show Undercover Boss? If you have, you know that business owners and CEO’s participate in the inner workings of their businesses, in disguise so that they get an accurate and unfiltered view of what people think and do. Jesus does something similar today in Luke 24 when he joins two of his followers on the road to Emmaus. Starting with yesterday’s reading, you will recall that we experienced Jesus’s crucifixion. While many people faithfully followed him there, there are two in particular that this story covers. After painfully witnessing his death these two patiently waited for further news. They both knew Jesus and trusted him. They spent enough time with him to easily recognize him. A few days after Jesus death, however, evidence was mounting that it was over. The time had come for them to re-engage in their old lives, reconnect with their families and get back to work. The hope that they so desperately followed was now a memory. Let’s go home, back to Emmaus.

Walking side by side, the conversation is passionate. The two men cannot help but discuss what had happened over the last several days. About a month ago, This man, Jesus, promised them a better life, offering them freedom and hope. They dropped everything to follow him; the greatest man they had ever met. And now, he was gone. Upon hearing the news that his body was no longer in the grave, they were literally, “amazed” (Luke 24:22). This report was so shocking that they were dumfounded and bewildered with no idea how to respond. In fact, the prophecy found in Psalm 88:8 describes the events as “a horror” to them. This is where our story turns and Jesus enters as the Undercover Boss. Joining them in their walk, Jesus wanted to remain anonymous. So, he “kept their eyes from recognizing him” (v16). For what its worth, I have a picture of Jesus in my head with pork chop sideburns and fake teeth (kind of like this guy), but that’s not part of scripture’s description.

Being undercover allows Jesus inside the conversation. He gets to hear their unfiltered accounting of past events as well as their thoughts about the future. What he discovers is disappointing. These two men were only focused on the past. They had quickly forgotten that the Scriptures promised more. My quick review of the prophecies clearly shows that “his chastisement brings us peace, we are healed because of his wounds, and that his death removes our iniquity, (Isaiah 53).” Surely, these men had this knowledge. But, they were anything but peaceful. They showed nothing of the freedom and healing that Jesus grants us. Instead, they lost hope (Luke 24:21). How does Jesus respond? Jesus leads them back to the Truth. He points to the promises of the scriptures and lovingly guides them back to himself. Not just who he was, but the discovery of his resurrection as his living self. This occurs with simple act of communion. Jesus took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him.” (Luke 24:30-31).

If Jesus showed up in your life today as an Undercover Boss, what would he find? Do you display evidence of the hope and life he promises from his resurrection or are you still floundering with doubt like the two walking toward Emmaus?

10 Commandments, 2 Tablets

Today’s reading: Exodus 20; Luke 23; Job 38; 2 Corinthians 8

March 9th, 2016

Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. -Psalm 119:33-35

When God gave Moses the ten commandments on Mount Sinai why did He give them by way of two tablets instead one, or three? Why two? I mean Moses was not exactly a spring chicken at the time. I could see him saying, “God, how about we reduce the font size and put this on one piece of rock? It will be a little easier on my back as I hike down this mountain.”

I heard a sermon once that said these 10 commandments were designed to guide a people and how they relate to others. That communities and cities that live by these principles are wonderful places to live, but on the other hand those that do not are not. Rather, they are quite the opposite. That the 10 commandments actually come from 5 principles with two examples for each. The first tablet held instructions for how the principles apply to relating to those above us. The second, instructions for how the principles apply to relating to those alongside us. Here is how it was explained to me:

The first principle: Others have the right to exist.

first tablet:	second tablet:
1. I am the Lord your God	6. Thou shalt not murder

I am not the center of the universe. There are others who exist. Their right to exist is real as mine. I am the LORD your God, is where their right to exist comes from. In general, the source of the power of the second tablet’s strength lies in the truth of the first tablet.

The second principle: Certain relationships are sacred.

first tablet:	second tablet:
2. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.	7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Throughout the old testament, when God’s chosen people worshiped false idols it was referred to, by Him, as prostitution. God wants us to have special relationships that are different from others and we are to uphold these relationships as sacred and special.

The third principle: Others, not you, have a right to their possessions.

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3. Thou shalt not take my name in vain	8. Thou shalt not steal

Property is a good thing. People own things that are theirs and you can not take them. God’s name is His just as your neighbor’s newspaper is theirs. Here we see the link between the two: “…or lest I be poor, and steal, And take the name of my God in vain.” – Proverbs 30:9

The fourth principle: Reputation is a form of property.

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4. Remember the Sabbath, to keep it holy	9. Thou shalt not bear false witness

Reputation made the top 5 list for how to get on with others in a productive society, it must be important. Just as we are called to uphold our peers reputation by not lying about them, God here calls His people to uphold His reputation as the Creator by keeping the Sabbath day. It does not say “remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.” It says “remember the Sabbath to keep it holy.” The act of keeping the Sabbath is how we uphold God’s reputation as the Creator.

The fifth principle: Our rights have limits

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5. Honor your father and mother	10. Thou shalt not covet

Covet seems to be ‘I want what I have not been given and I do not want you to have it.’ This seems to come from a feeling of “I do not want you to be better than me.”, but most, “I do not want you above me.” Coveting is stepping out of our place, it flies in the face of things like contentment and trust in God. Not honoring our parents is stepping out of the divine order with respect to those placed above us by God.

In closing here is some more scripture that points to the duel nature of the law pertaining to one’s relationship with those above us and their fellows:

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:36–40

Complete Confidence

Today’s Reading: Exodus 19; Luke 22; Job 37; 2 Corinthians 7

The more I’m around kids the more I realize growing up is difficult. There are so many things you think you have control of that you really don’t. Depending on your circumstances having confidence in God, yourself, or others can be slim or obsolete. Four years ago (while on vacation) I laid in a hospital bed with my wife sitting by my side and our 1 year old walking around the room touching everything possible that a baby probably shouldn’t be touching. As the doctor came in, she stood next to me and proceeds to tell me that they are going to need to have surgery and that with any kind of big stomach surgery there is a chance that I won’t make it. (wow) As I swallow the knot currently in my throat, I think about my wife breaking down in tears as I struggle to catch my breath while wiping tears grasping for air. I wished I never came in. I lacked faith. I lacked faith in many things but mainly God. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

In this moment I wish I could tell you I gave it all to God but I know I didn’t. God’s grace that I didn’t deserve poured over me and provided the strength to make it through the surgery. Another chance to live for Him and share His love with others. My stomach was healed but there was still more work for God to do. I lacked confidence in God and myself. In 2 Corinthians 7 Paul encourages the Corinthians to make room in their heart for him. He understood the importance of fellowship among believers. This also holds true with us today. God has divine appointments planned all the time if we keep our eyes open.

While recovering from surgery in Florida we got a call that our house we had put up on a whim had sold and we would need to find a place. Our frantic 2 day online search followed by a packed 1 day search around Bloomington landed us right across from a couple who were Christ followers and attended Eastview. They then invited us to small group one night. We had been to Eastview before but never allowed ourselves to get connected. Long story short this offer turned into us joining their group and getting to know some fellow believers that have helped change our lives. Thank you to the couples that open their hearts to us. They have helped build up our confidence in the Lord. Small group allows you to move from a surface level relationship into holding each other as accountability life partners. Living life together where we are in His Word, laughing, loving, have crucial conversations, holding each other accountable, raising children, and following Jesus together. We are blessed by our small groups and by the amazing other Christ followers we have met through Eastview. As I reflect on this weeks message I’m reminded how church has helped us to see His essential light, opened our ears, and shown us the path to “Follow Him”. I thank this biblejournal group of believers that share their daily insights into the Word and help others build the confidence that Jesus is all we need. “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

Like Paul who was sharing his joy with the Corinthians for opening their heart and repenting, I feel this same joy when as a group of believers we do the same repenting. Often in our small groups we allow our vulnerability to come out. We share our true selves asking for repentance in addition to encouraging and praying for each other to keep faith and confidence in God. If you currently are not in one please contact me and no matter the distance we can look to start one. It will help with personal discovery, smaller communities can be more effective, deeper friendships, and maximum participation.

– Francis Chan How to Have Real Community

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,²⁵not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

~ Thank from the bottom of my heart everyone has has shared scripture, love, and encouragement along the way. Without your genuine care I would not be here today. When your confidence comes from God, no matter how unstable things in the world may get, you will always remain rock solid and secure in faith.

I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you. 2 Corinthians 7:16

Dear Father,

I pray for complete confidence in you and your will every moment of my life. I turn it all over to you. Whenever I am at a loss and don’t understand why certain things happen let me close my eyes and turn it all over to God since I know that He knows everything and will guide my heart. Throughout my day fill me with your love and guidance so that when I start to rely on my own selfish ways I turn to you in prayer and repentance. Help me build confidence and show ridiculous love and be a dangerous witness to others for your Kingdom.

Amen

Too Heavy

Exodus 18, Luke 21, Job 36, 2 Corinthians 6

What’s different for me than the other Bible Journal authors (and readers, I suspect) is that I am reading most of these scriptures for the very FIRST time. Maybe this will be my last week of journaling now that my secret is out! My process for reading and responding really begins with developing an understanding of the historical context of the scripture and then reading a few commentaries to deepen my knowledge of the surrounding text. I spend a lot of time thinking about the people in the daily readings and try to relate to each of them. Although today’s New Testament readings are rich with symbolism and connection to our modern life, I can’t get seem to let go of the story of Jethro and Moses in Exodus 18. This is the first time I’ve read this story despite three decades of Catholic education! I’m so excited to share the big message I found in a short exchange. So, in Exodus 18, Jethro, Moses’ father in law comes to visit him where “he was encamped at the mountain of God” (Exodus 18:5). They go into that tent we heard about yesterday and Jethro counsels Moses. At this time Moses has been patiently settling disputes among the people of Israel from sunrise to sunset according to God’s Law. Jethro says to Moses:

“…Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening? And Moses said to his father in law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statues of God and his laws” Moses’ father in law said to him” What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone”” Exodus 18:14-18

Some commentaries compare Moses at this time after leading the Israelites out of Egypt as a “type of Christ” or the way I like to think of it, a “preview” of Christ. Not to say that he is in any way an embodiment of Christ, but instead that he acts as a law giver or judge among them. The scripture describes him as doing this duty in a tireless manor with great care and kindness to his people. The people come to him all day, every day, seeking advice and asking him to settle their disputes. Then Jethro arrives and throws him off his game a little bit. He reminds Moses that indeed he cannot do it alone. The task of leading all of the Israelites under God’s law is too much for one man. Of course, Moses doesn’t throw a tantrum when his father in law speaks truth to him (like I would!) Instead he considers the advice, sees his error and makes a change. Essentially he relinquishes his role as top educator and dispute settler and delegates to a team of men as honorable as he is. How often do I want to do it all? How often do I consider myself an authority on a given topic and give tireless advice to anyone that will listen? God is sending us a direct message here that His word and law is meant to be shared among all of his people and ultimately judged by Him.

How often do we as Christians make judgments of others without first judging ourselves? Bible Gateway commentary for today’s scripture states, “Great men should not only study to be useful themselves, but contrive to make others useful.” Am I seeking each day to strengthen my vertical relationship with God before counseling and making judgments in my horizontal or earthly relationships? In other words, am I in conversation with God first before correcting my spouse, friend or co-worker? The commentary goes on to say, “Those are not wise, who think themselves too wise to be counseled.” Moses had God’s law on his lips but he wasn’t too wise to look within and be counseled on how to best share it.

Later in today’s readings Luke tells us about Jesus foretelling wars and persecution. In Luke 21:13, Jesus says:

“This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.” Luke 21:13-15

Heavenly Father,

Help us not to meditate on our words and set our answers before you speak truth into our minds and hearts. Help us to be patient with our modern “Israelites” as you have been so patient with us. Lord, we know the weight of your law is too heavy for any one man or woman. Help us to strengthen our relationship with you and avoid temptation to hand out injustice. Instead, tune our ears to the sound of your voice through others’ and help us to remember that we are never too wise to be counseled. Speak to us Lord through your word and through your people.