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Faith in a Noisy World

 

Today’s Readings: Zechariah 9-11; 1 John 5

1 John chapter 5 contains amazing principles that can be applied to the challenges and dynamics of the world today.

  1. Faith in a Secular World:

In a world that often prioritizes secular values, maintaining faith in Jesus Christ can be a counter-cultural and transformative stance. Christians can draw strength from their faith while engaging with the broader society.  We should not succumb to the pressures of this world.

  1. Love in a Divided World:

The call to love one another is especially relevant in a world marked by divisions, conflicts, and diverse ideologies. Christians can model genuine love, compassion, and understanding, contributing to reconciliation and unity.  Love also means telling someone something they may not want to hear.

  1. Overcoming Worldly Pressures:

Our world is filled with pressures related to success, materialism, and societal expectations. The concept of overcoming the world in 1 John 5 encourages believers to prioritize spiritual values over transient worldly pursuits.

  1. Prayer in a Busy World:

In a fast-paced and busy world, the emphasis on prayer in 1 John 5 highlights the importance of maintaining a connection with God. Christians can find peace, guidance, and strength through consistent and intentional prayer.

  1. Confidence in Uncertain Times:

The confidence in approaching God with assurance in 1 John 5 is particularly relevant in times of uncertainty. Believers can find reassurance and stability in their relationship with God even when facing challenges, crises, or unknown futures. Our world is a mess, but God is in control.

  1. Eternal Perspective Amid Materialism:

In a world often driven by materialism and the pursuit of earthly success, maintaining an eternal perspective can shape priorities and attitudes. We can navigate the challenges of materialism by focusing on our spiritual values.

  1. Community and Encouragement:

The encouragement to love and support fellow believers is essential in building strong Christian communities. In a world marked by focus on oneself and isolation, Christians can create supportive communities that reflect the love of Christ.  Find a great Bible-based church where you can connect!

The “noise” in our daily life can be deafening.   We may not be able to clearly see the right path to follow due to the overwhelming messages we received daily from the news, social media, family, co-workers, etc.

What we can count on is the steadfast love and truth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  The certainty we are looking for is eternal life in Heaven, not seeking happiness and fulfillment on earth.  I pray that the Word of the Lord gives you peace and comfort in a “noisy” world.

Know Peace

It was a dark and stormy morning in Bloomington, Illinois as we boarded the plane for Chicago. Prior to takeoff, the pilot announced that we were going to go around the thunderstorms while en route to O’Hare. Good idea captain!

The small regional jet took off and at first, it was just a little bumpy, then not too long into the flight it got really, really bumpy. Surrounded by lightning, the jet shook and bounced like I’d never experienced before. If we were actually going “around” the storm, I’d hate to know what going through a storm was like.

I was stricken with fear and made eye contact with several other passengers who were nearly as terrified as I was. My hands are feeling a bit sweaty right now even as I type, recalling this event from nearly twenty years ago!

Next to me was a young lady reading the Bible. She looked at me and asked, “Is this bad?” I replied, “Bad?! Yes, this is very bad!” This really didn’t phase her at all and she went back to reading her Bible. She had peace. I did not.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. (1 John 4:18)

The experience on the flight was the trigger that finally influenced me to get serious about my faith. I had called myself a Christian for a long time but was lukewarm at best, and there were good reasons to be living in fear of punishment. All praise to God who uses people and situations to bring us closer to him, and I’m thankful for the faith of the young person who was sitting next to me. While turbulence and the storms of life can still be scary, it isn’t the same as it was twenty years ago because I know Jesus and I acknowledge him as The Son of God, and therefore I know peace.

This Sunday I’ll once again briefly recount this story in front of our local church body as I confess my faith in Jesus Christ as part of officially becoming a member of the church. That’s my story. What’s yours? Do you have peace?

Today’s reading: Zechariah 6-8; 1 John 4

Turning into your parents

Today’s reading:  Zechariah 2-5, Psalm 93, 1 John 3

Do you ever feel like you are turning into one of your parents?  B.J. and I were at the store last weekend debating which wheat flour to buy for the dessert he was making.  I picked up a 5# bag that was on sale for $3.99.  He promptly traded it for a 2# bag that was $6.99.  I called him Karen (his Mom’s name) and giggled as we headed toward the checkout.

Truth be known, being called Karen Armstrong isn’t really a bad thing.  She is a kind and compassionate Mom who loves her family and loves Jesus.  And…the Fig Newtons B.J. made with the expensive flower were fantastic. Nonetheless we had few good laughs.

In my Bible, the heading for 1 John 3 is Living as Children of God.  We are referred to as Children of God, or members of God’s family, several times in the New Testament.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:1-2

If we can’t help it, but naturally turn into our earthly parents as we age, can the same be said for turning into our Heavenly Father?  I think the answer is it depends.  As humans, our natural tendency is to act like those with whom we spend the most time.  So, if we want to look like Jesus, we need to spend a lot of time with him.

 

Greed and Fear

People will never change, according to Morgan Housel.  In his book, Same As Ever, he illustrates over and over that people are primarily driven by greed and fear.  They never change.  But, I am a Christian.  “I can change,” I think.  “I have been changed,” I demand.  These answer come without much thought.  Is it true, that we are changed?

Today, we are reading about Haggai. He enters the story some 60 years after the Israelites were released from Babylon.  Remember Babylon?  The city was known for its debauchery.  Under the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonians fought and “besieged Jerusalem.” “Nebuchadnezzar carried away all the treasures from the Lord’s Temple and the royal palace. He stripped away all the gold objects that King Solomon of Israel had placed in the Temple. King Nebuchadnezzar took all of Jerusalem captive, including all the commanders and the best of the soldiers, craftsmen, and artisans—10,000 in all. Only the poorest people were left in the land.”  (2 Kings 24:10-14). But, they would not be there forever.  The book of Ezra begins the next chapter, where King Cyress allows the Israelites to return to Jerusalem.  Specifically, he released them to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of the Lord.  Behind the scenes, God was stirring the hearts of the priests and Levites and the leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of the Lord. Ezra 1:5.  So they went.  But, they did not rebuild the temple.  Haggai has something to say about it.

Here’s what happened.  The Jews returned to Jerusalem so that they could rebuild the Temple, but the city was in ruins.  If they were going to do this work, they needed places to live.  God graciously gave them the gift of time.  And they took it.  They built lavish houses, planted bountiful fields, feasted together, and dressed themselves exquisitely (Haggai 1:4-6).  Now, 60ish years later, God reminds them that he would like his temple rebuilt.  “Not yet,” the people respond.  The time has not yet come (Haggai 1:2).  The people were greedy.  Some things never change.  Housel is right that people will always be greedy.  What about fear?

Rebuilding God’s temple was monumental work.  How could they ever build this temple the way Solomon did?  It would take forever! Plus, he was the wealthiest man that ever lived, and these were tough times for the Jews.  Remember, that they had been enslaved and their land destroyed? These reminders created fear for the Israelites. Fear told them they were unworthy. Fear said they are not capable.  But it was not true.  God stepped in.  He asked them to be strong.  Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not (Haggai 2:4-6).  Looks like Housel is right.  Well, partly right.

The Israelites made a choice.  They were able to defer their greed and overcome their fears through the power of the Lord.  Without God, we remain with our current thinking, we are not transformed by His power, and we are forever subject to our humanity of greed and fear.

The Righteous Palm

Today’s Readings: Ezra 3-4, Psalm 92, 1 John 1

12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
13 planted in the house of the Lord,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
15 proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;
he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”

In reading the verses for today, I paused when I got to Psalm 92. I started to think about the warm beach and loved the connections the writer of Psalm made to palm trees. Palm trees have a very distinct root system compared to other trees.  They have a fibrous root system.  Palm trees are known for their long life. Flourishing for a palm tree would mean to live long. Palm trees can even bend 40 to 50 degrees without snapping and withstand hurricane-force winds. The cedars of Lebanon grew to 120 feet and up to 30 feet in circumference.  Cedars are solid, strong, and immovable.  These verses let us know that as believers, we will stay upright, firm, and immovable despite the winds of our circumstances.

Jesus warns us that those without strong roots are easily shaken by trials and fall away (Matthew 13:5-6, 20-21). Without strong roots, a Christian cannot endure the storms of life.  The righteous, in contrast, are not easily shaken.

Where are your circumstances right now? Do you feel the breeze blowing? If you are going through your own storm right now, first know that God is with you. If you hold true to His promises, He wants us to come through stronger than before and ready to flourish. Stay strong, keep your faith firmly in God.

Lord, thank you for making me strong in You. I pray that whatever happens around us helps us remain strong.  We ask that in the storms that will come, we use them to help us grow.  You are working in and through our storms. Thank you, Lord, for keeping our mind and heart focused on You.  Amen

 

What about him?

Today’s Reading : Ezra 1-2; John 21

“Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!””

‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭20‬-‭22‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Being a dad, I’m often asked “what about him/what about her?”  The kids are always wondering if the other siblings are getting something more or better than the other.  As a manager, this question comes up constantly,  “what about this person?  Why don’t they have to do the same things that I have to do?”

In our world we have become so accustomed to comparing ourselves and situations with others. I have been here many times comparing myself to others, but as I have grown and matured, I have a better understanding that the world is big enough for everyone.  

In today’s passages in Ezra and John,  there are a lot of opportunities to push through your circumstances or dwell on the blessings of others.  In Ezra, the people of Israel are coming out of exile and are given their inheritance by rank and connection to their families.   There is a part in the second chapter where there is not a clear connection with the families and the people can be separated, but everyone is granted access to the reclaimed promise, but not all of the status as wanted. 

“The following were those who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, though they could not prove their fathers’ houses or their descent, whether they belonged to Israel: These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but they were not found there, and so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean.”

‭‭Ezra‬ ‭2‬:‭59‬, ‭62‬ ‭ESV‬‬

In John, this is the last recorded interaction with Jesus, Peter, and John.  This particular passage resonates so well with me and many times in my life.  Over the years, I have had awakenings and then I have reverted back to the old ways.  We can see this with the disciples.  They have had an amazing awakening and have seen the risen Christ and have decided to go back to their previous ways, fishing.   They have seen Christ several times before and have received their blessings, but returned to their previous lives and paths.  How many times have I had a revelation and returned to my previous path… too many times. 

In the last scene,  Jesus, Peter, and John are in the same vicinity.   Jesus has just given Peter his final assignment and action plan….

“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him,“Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!””

‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭ESV‬‬

But the one thing that is on Peter’s mind is “ what about him [John]?”  So we have been given these gifts, but at the end of the day, we are still wondering what about “him”? In our flesh we are always thinking about the other person and not about the awesome gift that we have been given.  We have to see with new eyes through the Spirit,  the beauty and joy that has been given directly to us.  We have to be able to lift up each other in spirit and be happy in the midst of our friends’ joy, then only can we be able to truly experience the journey that God has in store for us.  

Be blessed 

 

Where Do You Go?

Today’s readings are Daniel 7-9, Psalm 91, and John 19.

We read in John 19 where the people denied Jesus was their king, and they wanted Him to be crucified (John 19:6-7, John 19:15). Just one week earlier in John 12, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and the people shouted in John 12:13, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” What a difference one week can make! Even back then without traditional media or social media..the rise and fall from the top can happen quickly, and even for the Son of God. Today, we see this all the time. Coaches win a couple championships and are treated like a king until they have a couple bad years and suddenly everyone thinks he can’t coach anymore. A quarterback wins a Super Bowl or two, but then he has a tough year and everyone says he’s washed up and is calling for last year’s draft pick to take over. An actress makes a lot of great movies, but then has a bad one or two and suddenly she’s lost it and people are saying she has a troubled marriage and troubled kids, whether it’s true or not.

You and I may not be in the national or international public spotlight, but we can likely relate in some way. You were a top athlete in high school and then you go to college and you no longer play sports and you are just one of forty thousand other “regular students.” You were the rising young star in your company and now you seem to have peaked in your position, they’ve moved on the next possible future CEO, or worse yet were let go from the company. You had what you hoped would be the perfect marriage, but it didn’t work out and now the rumor mill is swirling with mistruths about what happened. Many will experience a time in the spotlight or a time when things were going well that changes in one way or another. It could just be from retirement. People either aren’t telling you how great you are any more, or even worse, they are turning against you and gossiping mistruths.

I love pairing these verses with the other part of our reading today, Psalm 91. Please take a few minutes to read this quick chapter.

Here are the first twelve verses.

91 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say[a] to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge[a]—
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.

My question for you today is, where do you go? Where is your shelter? If you are in your prime so to speak and things are going great, is your affirmation from the social media “likes” or the “atta boy” and “atta girls” you are getting in emails and at the last company meeting? Please take caution and prepare yourself that you won’t be at the top forever because things will change, if not due to unfortunate circumstances, then due to age or time. We must go to Him and His word now for affirmation, even before it seems necessary. If you are reading this and you have been at the top, but now you are not..where are you going for shelter and comfort from all the noise? Are you going to drugs or alcohol? Are you going to a bad relationship? Or are you still trying get affirmation from all the social media “likes” and followers? All of these medicines to treat or mask the pain will be temporary. Ephesians 6:12 tells us we are fighting against spiritual forces, not powers of this world. However, we read Psalm 91:11 tells us when we take shelter in Him, “He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” How cool is that?!

Let us seek our refuge in Him and Him alone. And let those of us who have children teach them to do the same.

When Everything Goes Wrong

Todays reading: Daniel 4-6 and John 18

When was the last time you had a day when everything went wrong? You missed your alarm, you didn’t have time to make your morning coffee, your car was on E, you got the call from the school nurse that your child is sick, and you had no plans for dinner. Those are the days when everything just seems to pile up and you just want to crawl back in bed and be done. Then there are days when these days that go wrong don’t even compare to the moments when we get that unimaginable diagnoses from our Dr, we get a call about a loved one passing, or we lose our job. We do not know what tomorrow holds.

In our reading today, John 18, we read about happenings that seem unimaginable. Jesus is betrayed by one of His closest friends. He is then arrested and bound by soldiers and officers. And, then He is interrogated and treated like a criminal. It seemed that everything had gone wrong.

The crazy thing is, nothing was out of control or surprising to Jesus. Everything was happening exactly according to plan. Jesus gave himself over to the officials knowing all that would happen to him.

Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?”
John 18:4

Then when He was being interrogated He said to Pilate,

For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world – to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.
John 18:37

Jesus knew all that would happen to him. He could submit to these situations only because He knew and trusted in God’s perfect plan. He trusted the Father’s plans despite the circumstances that surrounded him. What a demonstration for us to look to God and trust His faithfulness even when our days and circumstances are out of our control.

God has a perfect plan that we cannot see this side of Heaven.

Triggered

Daniel 1-3, Psalm 88, John 17

Triggered: an emotional/psychological reaction caused by something that somehow relates to an upsetting time or happening in someone’s life, often when someone gets offended, gets their feelings hurt or people with strong victimization.

There are lots of things that trigger us.  Just say the words “I love Donald Trump” in a crowded restaurant and you will see what I mean.  Heck, maybe you get triggered because other people get triggered.

We are most likely to be triggered when we are afraid.  Think of triggered as the “flight or fight” response.  It starts with adrenaline and cortisol.  Our breathing becomes rapid and our hearts beat faster.  This is when we begin to sweat and our eyes dilate to broaden our field of vision.  The effects of fear on the mind are a little harder to discern, but they are very real.  Our mind becomes singularly focused.  We can only see the threat.  All of our brain power is directed toward one thing, relief.  How do we get out of this, fast!  Unfortunately, that often leads to poor decisions.

It’s easy to see in hindsight.  My reactions and responses when I am triggered are less than Godly.  Fear eliminates my big picture view.  Thankfully, there is a better way.  Consider Daniel.  King Nebechadnezer’s men came in, ready to kill him.  Yet, Daniel did not respond in fear.  In the moment, he was given power.  Not super human strength or mystical pwers like we expect, no, Daniel was given the power of peace.  How do we know?  Daniel 2:14 says that “Daniel handled the situation with wisdom and discretion.”  Do you know what that means?  It means that he was not overcome with fear.  He did not respond with adrenaline, rapid breathing, sweating and a narrow focus.  Instead, he was broadly focused.  He immediately saw the bigger picture.

What is it that separates Daniel from the rest of us?  Why do we get triggered and he gets peace?  The answer is simple.  Daniel first set his heart upon God, then  he allowed his mind to be governed by the Holy Spirit, and finally, he submitted his will.

 

Israel, The Holy Spirit and God’s Prophecy

Today’s Readings: Ezekiel 46-48; John 16

Ezekiel 48 is the final chapter of the Book of Ezekiel in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). It describes the division of the land among the twelve tribes of Israel in a vision that Ezekiel receives. The chapter outlines the boundaries and allocations of land for each tribe. The main message of Ezekiel 48 can be understood in several key points: 

    1. Equitable Distribution: The division of the land is carried out in a fair and just manner, ensuring that each tribe receives an appropriate portion according to their inheritance.
    2. God’s Promise Fulfilled: This vision of the land being allocated to the tribes reinforces the idea that God is faithful to His promises. The return of the Israelites to their land and the allocation of territory is a testament to God’s faithfulness.
    3. Unity and Restoration: This division of land represents a return to a state of unity and prosperity for the nation of Israel. It is a symbol of restoration after a period of exile and hardship.
    4. Divine Sovereignty: The fact that this division of land comes through a vision to the prophet Ezekiel underscores the idea that God is in control and orchestrating the destiny of His people.
    5. Spiritual Significance: Some interpreters also see a deeper, spiritual meaning in the allocation of land. It may symbolize the ultimate inheritance and blessing that God’s people will receive in the eschatological (end times) kingdom.

In John 16, Jesus is speaking to His disciples, and He covers several important topics:

    1. The Promise of the Holy Spirit: Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit to His disciples after His departure. The Holy Spirit will guide, comfort, and empower them. This promise is significant because it marks the beginning of the era of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence in believers.
    2. Suffering and Persecution: Jesus tells His disciples that they will face persecution and suffering for their faith. He encourages them to remain steadfast and assures them that the Holy Spirit will help them in times of trouble.
    3. Jesus’ Departure and Return: Jesus speaks about His impending departure from the world, referring to His crucifixion and ascension into heaven. He tells the disciples that they will grieve for a time, but their sorrow will turn into joy when they see Him again.
    4. Prayer in Jesus’ Name: Jesus emphasizes the importance of praying in His name. He assures the disciples that whatever they ask the Father in His name will be granted, further strengthening their faith and encouraging them to seek God in prayer.
    5. The Disciples’ Future Testimony: Jesus instructs His disciples about their future role as witnesses for Him. They will testify about Jesus to the world, sharing his teachings and the message of salvation.
    6. The Victory of Christ: Jesus declares that He has overcome the world, and He encourages His disciples to have faith in Him, despite the challenges they will face.

In summary, John 16 is a chapter in the Gospel of John where Jesus provides important teachings to His disciples, emphasizing the promise of the Holy Spirit, the inevitability of suffering, the power of prayer in His name, the disciples’ role as witnesses, and the ultimate victory of Christ over the world. It is a chapter that conveys important messages about faith, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the disciples’ mission in spreading the gospel.