In Your Midst

Posted on August 9, 2023 by Pete

They were always firing questions at Him, either to try and prove their superiority or to undermine His credibility. But one day the Pharisees asked a question which, for those with ears to hear, would be a game-changer, revealing a whole new spiritual dynamic.

When [Jesus] was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming with something observable; no one will say, ‘See here!’ or ‘There!’ For you see, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

(Luke 17:20-21 CSB)

Whether they sought to test Him as a competing rabbi or mock Him as a self-identified Messiah, I’m not sure. But the bottom line is there was a vast difference in understanding of how God was going to establish His kingdom on earth.

The Pharisees wanted to know when heaven’s reign would begin. Their expectation was a Theocracy, a throne-based rule with God’s Anointed on that throne. They wanted to know when there would be a heaven-sent set of governing rules. When there would be governmental powers in place. When there would be a King presiding over His subjects. And when the enemies of the kingdom — oh, those stinking, Roman enemies — would be put down once forever. “When’s it gonna come, Jesus?” they asked, or perhaps taunted. “Since You’re proclaiming the kingdom of God, give us some more details . . . when’s it coming?”

And then . . . BAM!!!! Jesus responds in a manner that changes the whole ballgame. It’s here! The kingdom of God is in your midst.

It doesn’t come with observation. You won’t see an inauguration ceremony — at least not yet. But behold, even now it’s here, it’s in your midst. Established in hearts. Fueled by faith. Empowered by the unseen workings of the Spirit.

Looking for rules? They’re etched into the hearts of believers through the word of God. Want governmental powers? Behold the governing power of resurrection — able to convict of sin, provide redemption through an atoning death, and raise those once dead in trespass to newness of life, even life abundantly.

Where are the subjects? They are found in those born again, old creations made new, sinners saved by grace. The kingdom is found in those who, having been delivered from bondage, willingly sell themselves back into slavery to the One who loved them unto death. In those who gladly relinquish personal agendas in order to serve their reigning Redeemer.

And the enemies? Where are the defeated enemies?

Where, death, is your victory?
Where, death, is your sting?
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

(1Corinthians 15:55-57 CSB)

The penalty of sin? Paid in full. The power of sin? Broken completely as He has given us everything we need to participate in the divine nature (2Peter 1:3-4). The presence of sin? That too, will one day be crushed when the King who now patiently waits returns to put down the snake once and for all.

And yes, the kingdom in our midst has a King who is even now on the throne. Visible? Not at the moment. Reigning? Absolutely! Where? Within the hearts and lives of His people. It’s in your midst. It’s within. Defined and operating in those wooed by the meek and lowly Jesus. It’s power structure vibrantly alive in soul’s rescued from the pit. It’s force emanating from those who have decided to follow Jesus.

Will Jesus return one day as the visible Monarch over all? You can count on it!

For as the lightning flashes from horizon to horizon and lights up the sky, so the Son of Man will be in His day.

(Luke 17:24 CSB)

But until that time, let no one think that the throne is empty or that the Theocracy doesn’t exist. The kingdom of God is in our midst. The kingdom of God is within us.

As believers we are the structure, and we are the subjects. We are the definition and the demonstration. We are the building blocks, and we are the ambassadors. And we await that day when faith gives way to sight. When the kingdom embodied in us is the kingdom inhabited by us. When the King who lives in us is the King who stands face to face before us.

He who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

(Revelation 22:20 CSB)

By His grace. For His glory.

Posted in Luke | Tagged | Leave a comment

Unworthy Servants

Posted on August 8, 2023 by Pete

Good for nothing. Pretty harsh words when used of someone else. Considered by our culture to be especially inappropriate, self-harming words when used of ourselves.

Good for nothing. That’s the literal translation of the Greek word achreios — a word used only once in the New Testament; a word used by Jesus. And that’s what the CSB went with when it was first published, good for nothing. In the 2017 edition of the CSB, the edition I’m reading, the keepers of the translation “softened it” to worthless (not all that soft, really). In the current edition of the CSB, they’ve aligned to the ESV and NIV using the word unworthy. The NKJV may be the least offensive to the ear by using the word unprofitable. Pick any of those words you want, says Jesus through the Spirit this morning, and then own it.

“In the same way, when you have done all that you were commanded, you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we’ve only done our duty.’ ” ~ Jesus

(Luke 17:10 CSB)

We are unworthy servants. That, says Jesus to His disciples, is what His disciples should say about themselves.

Context? Doing what we are commanded to do? Context? The disciples asking for more faith to do what we are commanded to do (Lk. 17:5). Context? Jesus commanding His followers to forgive a brother who has repented after sinning against them. And to forgive again, even that same day, if he does it again and repents again. And again, in the same day. And again, in the same day. And again, in the same day. And again, in the same day. And again, in the same day.

“And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and comes back to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” ~ Jesus

(Luke 17:4 (CSB)

Really? Sounds kind of “enabling” to me. Yeah, really. Sounds kind of like kingdom living to Jesus.

Actually, it sounds like how our gracious Father through His loving Son has forgiven us (1Jn. 1:9). And we are commanded to “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ” (Eph. 4:32).

Then Lord, increase our faith.

Nah, says Jesus, even if all you got is a mustard seed’s worth, you have enough faith to uproot great trees and plant them in the sea if you have faith in Me (Lk. 17:6). It’s not the quantity of your faith but the quality — and I’m the quality. You simply (not easily, necessarily) need to exercise your faith. And faith that can uproot trees is sufficient to forgive a brother who has sinned against you again and again and has repented again and again. It’s even enough faith to overcome the pride and hardness of heart that would keep you from forgiving your brother. So do it. And when you’ve done all that you were commanded, you should say, “I’m just an unworthy servant doing my duty.”

Hmm . . . Chew on that.

Forgiving isn’t about how I feel, it’s about my faith. I forgive, not just so I will come out better, but because I believe it is commanded.

Should I expect a pat on the back afterward? Apparently not. I’m just doing my duty.

But forgiving is about how I see myself. Someone owed something by someone else? Or someone who owes Jesus everything? Justified to withhold forgiveness? Or, justified by the Lamb’s precious blood shed on a cruel cross — just like those who sin against me? A big deal in the church? Or, a bondservant of Jesus?

. . . you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we’ve only done our duty.’

Unworthy servants saved by grace.

Unworthy servants seeking to live by faith, in His power, for His glory.

Posted in Luke | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Rekindle It!

Posted on August 7, 2023 by Pete

In those early years of King James, I first learned it as “stir it up.” But in the many years of the NIV, and then the many more of the ESV I was exhorted to “fan it into flame”. What was it? It was “the gift of God in you.” An exhortation written to Timothy, but one that was also written for us.

So, since the early days of being a follower of Jesus I’ve known that I have a gift within me. Not one through the laying on of hands by an apostle, or by anyone else for that matter. But a gift produced within me by the Father (1Cor. 12:6), graced to me by the Son (Eph. 4:7-8), and manifested through me by the Spirit (1Cor. 12:7a). Each of us having such gifts, though they be different gifts. Gifts which we are called to steward (Rom. 12:3-8) for the common good of the church (1Cor. 12:7b). So, I’m to stir it up. I’m to fan it into flame.

But this morning, the wording of this well known exhortation in the translation I’m reading this year reminds me that sometimes what was once stirred up can settle down. That was once fanned into flamed can start to flame-out. And so, says Paul — this time in CSB-ese — “rekindle it.”

Therefore, I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands.

(2Timothy 1:6 CSB)

Paul’s not writing to novice Timothy. He’s not giving a pep talk to a rookie coming into the game for the first time. Rather, he’s exhorting trustworthy, long-serving Timothy. Someone who’s walked a few miles alongside the beloved apostle. Someone who has planted churches on missionary journeys. Someone who has been sent back to visit some of those churches to see how they were doing. Someone who has been dispatched to churches to set in order things still needing to be set in order. Someone who has been a faithful laborer for the gospel for a number of years. And sometimes, the flame of faithful laborers can encounter seasons and trials which try to reduce the flame to but a flicker.

So, says the Spirit through Paul, rekindle it.

What was once the driving force behind why you got out of bed in the morning is now only a series of seemingly sad memories that tempt you to cover your head with a pillow. Stir it up, again. What was once a raging fire is now but a smoldering ember. Fan it into flame, again. What was once a holy determination to be faithfully exercised has instead become a heavy weight of prevailing doubt. Kindle it, again.

To take something way out of context, when it comes to the gift of God given to a child of God, “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate” (Mt. 19:6). So, cling to it. Steward it. Renew it. Stir it. Fan it. Rekindle it.

For the sake of faithfulness. For the benefit of the body. By the power of the Spirit.

According to the grace of Christ in you.

All for the glory of God who has called you.

Posted in 2Timothy | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Radical Repentance. Normative Repentance?

Posted on August 3, 2023 by Pete

Honestly, I’m a little surprised I’ve never jotted down any thoughts on this chapter before. That’s because I know that in the past I’ve often chewed on it after reading the chapter’s final verse. Chewing on how hard true repentance can sometimes be and how costly it might sometimes be. Especially when it comes to what might seem to be just a “little bit” of sin.

Chapter in question? Ezra 10. Sin to be confessed? Intermarriage and mixing with “the surrounding peoples” (Ez. 9:2), people who have filled the land “from end to end with their uncleanness by their impurity and detestable practices” (Ez. 9:10-11). Repentance required? Send them away.

“We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the surrounding peoples, but there is still hope for Israel in spite of this. Therefore, let’s make a covenant before our God to send away all the foreign wives and their children . . . Let it be done according to the law.”

(Ezra 10:2-3 CSB)

Repentance. Making a 180-degree turnabout from doing what is wrong in the sight of God to doing what is right. Logical then that if the wrong was taking foreign wives, then repentance would mean sending away foreign wives. I get it. Costly? Yeah! Especially if they were “happy marriages.” But required? Yeah again! Especially if what you gotta do needs to be done according to the law.

But here’s the phrase that really hits me: and their children.

Send away their foreign wives and their children.

Some of these forbidden marriages had resulted in kids (Ez. 10:44). Innocent, little kids. And repentance meant they had to lose a dad. More than that, it meant those kids had to come to grips with being sent away by their dad. Oh, sin’s collateral damage can be so sad sometimes.

My takeaway? Sin is to be repented of, but repentance can be pretty costly.

But here’s the other thing. This sin in the camp; the sin that Ezra owned as his own and repented of on behalf of all the exiles who returned to rebuild the temple; the sin that Ezra said tainted the whole body of God’s people marking them collectively as those had abandoned God’s commands (Ez. 9:10); this sin of intermarriage was seemingly committed by only 113 individuals (Ez. 10:18-43).

So, here’s some quick math (if I’ve done it right). Take the approximately 50,000 people who returned initially after the exile (Ez. 2:64-65) and add the 1,500 or so who returned later with Ezra (Ez. 8:1-20) and that’s 113 who had sinned by intermixing with the surrounding peoples among the close to 52,000 who had not. That’s less than 1/4 of 1 percent. So, what’s the big deal? Sin’s a big deal. Even a little sin.

Don’t you know that a little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough? Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new unleavened batch, as indeed you are.

(1Corinthians 5:6-7 CSB)

A community that tolerates sin is a community which, it would seem, before God is collectively tainted by sin. What’s more, a community that doesn’t take action against sin may itself eventually be overtaken by sin — that’s how a little leaven works.

I can’t help but think that Ezra 10, while radical repentance, is meant to teach us something about normative repentance. While the penalty of sin has been paid in full by Christ on the cross, ceasing the practice of sin will come at some personal cost. And it’s gotta be dealt with, even if it seems like a small occurrence within a big group.

More to chew on in this chapter, I’m sure.

By His grace. For His glory.

Posted in Ezra | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Liars, and Murderers, and Family Fracturers, Oh My!

Posted on August 2, 2023 by Pete

I think I’ve said it before here, but I’ll say it again: life’s circumstance has a way of creating a filter for processing the word of God. You can read the same passage year after year and never have it hit you between the eyes. But then, one year, with different things going on, something you’ve skimmed over in the past with little thought suddenly jumps off the page and demands some meditation and thought. Such is the case with a familiar reading this morning in Proverbs 6.

The LORD hates six things;
in fact, seven are detestable to Him:
arrogant eyes, a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that plots wicked schemes,
feet eager to run to evil,
a lying witness who gives false testimony,
and one who stirs up trouble among brothers.

(Proverbs 6:16-19 CSB)

Six . . . no, seven things the LORD hates. Six . . . no, seven things the LORD is inclined to set Himself in opposition to. Six . . . no, seven things. And I take it that the seventh thing is a thing to be particularly noted.

So, what are these six . . . no, seven things? Pride and lying and murder. No surprise there. Hearts that plot evil, feet that run toward evil, and those who would perjure themselves to perpetuate evil. Yup. Get it. Check, check, and check. One who stirs up trouble among brothers. Huh?

Someone who sows discord among brothers (ESV)? That’s the seventh thing? That’s the emphasized thing? That’s the thing above the other things? The thing it looks like we are supposed to not miss. The LORD hates “a troublemaker in the family” (MSG)? Apparently.

Liars and murderers and perjurers, oh my! Now that has a logical ring to it. But liars and murderers and family fracturers, oh my? Honestly, it hits me as somewhat shocking. Like one-of-these-things-is-not-like-the-other shocking.

I know from Psalm 133 that, from the perspective of the Divine, it is “good and pleasant when brothers live together in harmony.” So good, in fact, that “there the LORD has appointed the blessing.” But that it would be odious to the LORD of heaven — just as pride, lying, murder, and perjury are repulsive — that someone would work to fracture that harmony within a family takes a bit of noodling to really grasp.

Something which seems to be too common within the family of God on earth is something so abhorrent before the eyes of the King of heaven. How we need to recognize and deal with our troublemaking within the family. It’s not just one of the six things God hates, it’s the seventh!

So whaddya’ supposed to do when you do something that the LORD hates?

We confess. We repent. And He forgives.

For, the debt of sin owed for the six things — no, the seven things the LORD hates — has been paid in full at the cross of Calvary. Our seventh thing can be the same thing that captures our hearts afresh with the great thing of God’s abounding grace. Recognizing the seventh thing becomes the latest thing that allows us to experience the faithful thing of the Savior’s love.

. . . and the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” ​— ​and I am the worst of them.

(1Timothy 1:14-15 CSB)

Christ Jesus saves and continues to save sinners. Even liars and murderers and family fracturers. Oh my!

By His infinite grace. For His eternal glory.

Posted in Proverbs | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Limited Time Offer

Posted on August 1, 2023 by Pete

Back at my desk after 10 days with the WHOLE family — first time we’ve all been together since February 2020. Fourteen of us then, seventeen of us now. I’m burnt, I’m water-logged, and my cup is full. Don’t know the last time I slept so well for so long for so many nights in a row. Grandkids all day long have a way of doing that to ya’. Enjoyed the adult time too. Eventually won a game of backgammon. And I was tutored in AI by one of my sons-in-law — I just might have to engage in that world. But while I managed to keep doing my morning readings (at night) throughout the week, a lot more difficult to find the time and energy to write. Did I mention I’m glad to be back at my desk?

This morning, I’m hovering over a story Jesus tells in Luke 14. Another of those stories Jesus tells while sitting around a table eating with a group of people. One of those people apparently looks at the feast before them, and the Teacher with them, and says, in effect, “Won’t it be great to do this one day in the kingdom of God?” Cue the story . . .

Then [Jesus] told him, “A man was giving a large banquet and invited many. At the time of the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who were invited, ‘Come, because everything is now ready.'”

“But without exception they all began to make excuses.”

(Luke 14:16-18a CSB)

A large banquet. Huge in scale. Plentiful in provision. A party to dwarf all other parties. A massive supper. A marvelous time. A momentous occasion. And many are invited. How’s that for a summary of the grace offered through the gospel?

But get this, without exception they all began to make excuses. One tapped out because of his pursuit of possessions, he had just bought a field and had to go and see it. (Wouldn’t he have done that before he bought it?) Another passed on the offer because of work, he had fields to plow, seed to sow, crops to harvest. And yet another decides that family is more important, so he too says no to the invitation.

And here’s the chilling part for me, these aren’t just rain checks. This isn’t a call to pass on an invitation now only to take advantage of it at some later, more convenient time. Each excuse turns out to be the refusal of a limited time offer.

“For I tell you, not one of those people who were invited will enjoy my banquet.”

(Luke 14:24 CSB)

I get e-mails regularly and frequently from a company offering “a limited time offer.” And after every “last chance, offer ends tomorrow” e-mail, it’s invariably soon followed with the next “limited time offer” which looks remarkably like the last “limited time offer.” But such is not the case with this large banquet offer.

Sure, this is an invitation to all. And it’s a free offer, everything’s been provided. Those who have been invited needed only to come. But each had an excuse. Each refused. Each had something more important to do, something more cherished to invest their time in. And eventually, the limited time offer expired. Not one of those people who were invited will enjoy my banquet.

Time ran out. Perhaps the time to respond ran out because a supple heart became a hardened heart. Perhaps the time to accept expired because a beating heart suddenly, unexpectedly stopped beating. Perhaps the time to enter the banqueting hall ran out because the Host from heaven returned and closed the doors so that those who had RSVP’d could finally sit at the table and enjoy the feast.

It’s a limited time offer. Don’t know how much time. But “Behold,” says the Scriptures, “now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2Cor. 6:2b). The day to be saved. The day to engage in being saved. And we’re all invited to do so. Today!

Today if you hear His voice,
do not harden your hearts.

(Hebrews 4:7b CSB)

An invitation to each of us. Not just to accept the offer but to actively pursue the offer. Not to wait for the kingdom someday but to live out the kingdom today. So, let’s pull up a chair and participate. Having entered through the doors opened to all by the finished work of the cross, let’s engage in the table already set before us. Let’s stop with the excuses. Let’s stop refusing the invitation.

By His grace. For His glory.

Posted in Luke | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Reform Is Not Necessarily Revival

Posted on July 24, 2023 by Pete

Thirty-one years. Not enough time.

Over three decades of legislated obedience and holiness. And, except for one king and perhaps a small remnant, it didn’t really make much of a difference. While there was over a quarter of a century of reform in Israel, there was really very little revival.

You see, morality is sourced in the heart, not fostered by religious ritual and rites. Holiness is the fruit of the Spirit, not the output of lawmakers. Godliness is a matter of faith, not a matter of following the rules — even when those rules come from the the LORD Himself.

My proof text? 2Chronicles 34 and 35.

Josiah was a kid king. He was eight years old when he became king and reigned for just over three decades (2Ch. 34:1). When he was sixteen years old he “began to seek the God of his ancestor David” (34:3). And it wasn’t long after that, that he began cleaning house. Literally! He began cleaning up the house of the LORD, getting rid of the idols that had been set up within the temple walls. After cleaning came repairing. And in the course of repairing and de-cluttering, a copy of “the law of the LORD written by the hand of Moses” was found. And read. And received. And then reform really kicked into high gear.

Reading the word led to prayer. Prayer led to confession. Confession to repentance. And the king whose heart was already set in the right direction sought to wrestle a 180 degree turn out of the rest of Judah. The word was read to the people and then the people’s response was mandated.

Then the king stood at his post and made a covenant in the LORD’s presence to follow the LORD and to keep His commands, His decrees, and His statutes with all his heart and with all his soul in order to carry out the words of the covenant written in this book.

He had all those present in Jerusalem and Benjamin agree to it. So all the inhabitants of Jerusalem carried out the covenant of God, the God of their ancestors.

(2Chronicles 34:31-32 CSB)

And carry out the covenant the inhabitants of Jerusalem did. Slicing and dicing and sacrificing became a daily activity so that the blood of atonement flowed plentifully. And that led to remembering their deliverance from bondage in a manner which had not been done for hundreds of years. In fact, “no Passover had been observed like it in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel” (35:18).

This was now an obedient people. This was a people who had removed the idols and followed the letter of the law to the t. But this was also a people whose hearts were as dead in sin as when Josiah’s rule began. For after Josiah, they returned to their wicked ways.

Righteousness can’t be legislated. Holiness can’t be imposed. Going through the actions does nothing for heart change. Reform doesn’t equal revival. Who’s on the throne, or in the White House, or in Parliament, doesn’t make a bit of difference without hearts ready for revival.

“Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and because you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I myself have heard” ​— ​this is the LORD’s declaration.

(2Chronicles 34:27 CSB)

Josiah HEARD the word of God with a tender HEART and HUMBLED himself. This it seems to me, at least in part, is the secret sauce of revival. Renewal can be legislated. Revival however is an act of God through the word of God within a heart prepared by God to humble itself before God.

O’ God. Make our hearts tender and open to Your word. Let us hear Your word. And let us humble ourselves according to Your word.

That there might be reform. That there might be revival.

For our good and for the good of the land.

By your grace. For Your glory.

Posted in 2Chronicles | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Blessed are the Awake (2018 Rerun)

Posted on July 20, 2023 by Pete

Another of my daughters and her kids arrived this week as we get ready for all the family to be together for the next 10 days back in B.C. First time we’ve all been together since before COVID! Looking forward to it. However, there is a direct correlation between number of grandkids present and amount of morning time available. I’ll be happy if I can get my reading plan done in the mornings for the next week and a half — getting in computer time as well will be a bonus. So, this morning I just flipped back 5 years and had a look at some thoughts from this day’s reading plan then. Be awake! Hmm. Needful 5 years ago. How much more today? A lot, I’m thinking . . .

Anticipation. The act of anticipating. Of regarding something as possible and taking action to be prepared. Of looking forward to something in the future with a present readiness.

The opposite of anticipation? Being unaware. Unengaged. Not ready. Asleep at the wheel.

Thinking about being ready this morning as I read in Luke’s gospel .

“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. . . . You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” ~ Jesus

(Luke 12:35-36, 40 ESV)

Jesus to His disciples: “You also must be ready.” The Master is coming back. The Bridegroom will soon call for His bride. The King is not long in claiming His kingdom. And ours, as His servants, His bride, and His people, is to live in anticipation of His return. To live in expectation. To be ready.

What’s more, says Jesus three times in this passage, “Blessed are the awake!”

“Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! . . . Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.” ~ Jesus again

(Luke 12:37-38, 43 ESV)

Repetition is exclamation in my books. A raising of the voice. Multiple flashing signs saying, “Don’t miss this!” And in this case, all fingers are pointing to a blessing.

Blessed are those dressed for action. Blessed are those who keep their lamps burning. Blessed are those who are doing what the Master has asked them to do.

Blessed are those living in anticipation. Blessed are those occupied, with whatever they do, in expectation that the Son of Man could come at any moment. Blessed are those ready for His return.

Blessed are the awake!

The awake are those who do whatever they do as for the Lord. Knowing that, when He comes, they will receive His inheritance as their reward (Col. 3:23-24). The awake are those who recognize they are stewards of the abilities and talents they’ve been graced with by the Master of the house and deploy them in service to His kingdom (Matt. 25:14-30). The awake are those focused not only on investing in their retirement plans but are also intentionally laying up treasure in heaven (Matt. 6:20, 1Tim. 6:18-19).

And the awake are those who are blessed.

Oh, to be found faithful. To be doing what I do with an eye towards pleasing my Master. To be mindful of the stewardship He’s given me. To be somewhat aware of the part He’s asked me to be in the Body. To intentionally use what I think are the gifts He’s graced me with in the area of service He’s called me to. All because I awake every morning–not that I do, but that I should–with the thought, “Perhaps today!”

Should the day come before the grave comes, might I be found in anticipation of His return. Might I be found awake. Then blessed will be this servant.

By His grace. For His glory.

Posted in Luke | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Write It Off

Posted on July 18, 2023 by Pete

Brief thought this morning on something I read in 2Chronicles 25.

Who about? Amaziah, king of Judah.

What about? Military ambition. Amaziah’s got an itch to stir things up with the nations around Judah. So, he counts his soldiers. Three hundred thousand “fit young men who could serve in the army, bearing spear and shield.” Good! But, what’s better is four hundred thousand! So, “for 7,500 pounds of silver he hired one hundred thousand valiant warriors from Israel” (25:5-6).

Wait a minute. From who? Israel? Once God-fearing now God-flaunting Israel? Israel who made golden calves to worship instead of the God of their deliverance? Israel who, since splitting from Judah, had never had a king who “did what was right in the sight of the Lord” but persisted “doing what was evil” as they prostituted themselves with not only the graven images of their own making but also with the gods of the nations? Yeah, that Israel. Hmmm . . .

That’s what God says too.

However, a man of God came to [Amaziah] and said, “King, do not let Israel’s army go with you, for the LORD is not with Israel ​— ​all the Ephraimites. But if you go with them, do it! Be strong for battle! But God will make you stumble before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to make one stumble.”

Then Amaziah said to the man of God, “What should I do about the 7,500 pounds of silver I gave to Israel’s division?”

The man of God replied, “The LORD is able to give you much more than this.“

So Amaziah released the division that came to Him from Ephraim to go home.

(2Chronicles 25:7-10a CSB)

Two truths about God catch my attention.

First, God can lead us in triumph when we depend on Him, and God can trip us up when we don’t. We can lean on our own power, whether it’s relying on what we have or what we can buy from an unbelieving world, but our plans and self-made provisions are ultimately subject to God’s purposes and His prevailing power. For God has the power to help or to make one stumble.

But it’s the second observation that’s got me thinking this morning. Sometimes, when you’ve headed down a path of your own making; when you’ve invested in a way that seems prudent according to your own thinking; when that happens and God, in His kindness, says, “Uh, uh”; then, you need to be prepared to write it off.

How often do we try to salvage something of our less-than-wise decisions? How prone are we to try and recoup something from bad investments we’ve made with our treasure, or our time, or our talents? Instead, we need to let it go. See it as a sunk cost. In repenting of our wayward ways, sometimes we’ll just need to write it off. And that, as an act of faith. Counting all things that we might have once held dear, and invested much in, as loss because we believe that the LORD is able to give you much more than this. (Paul knew what it was to write it off. Check out Philippians 3:7-8.)

Something I read in Psalm 147 kind of punctuates this lesson to be learned.

He is not impressed by the strength of a horse;
He does not value the power of a warrior.
The Lord values those who fear Him,
those who put their hope in His faithful love.

(Psalms 147:10-11 CSB)

Yeah, our mistakes may cost us. But He is able to give us much more than we lose. For our God has purposed to invest in those who fear Him, in those who put their trust in His faithful love. So, write it off!

By His grace. For His glory.

Posted in 2Chronicles | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Good News! Good Timing?

Posted on July 14, 2023 by Pete

They were born again amid persecution, and they lived amid persecution. They received, by faith, the good news from men who were constantly harassed and afflicted, and they followed Jesus, by faith, being harassed and afflicted themselves. Being saved, for these Thessalonian believers, was to suffer.

So, when Paul writes to them and tells them that God’s righteous judgment would repay their oppressors and provide relief from their suffering, that had to be good news. Right? But it’s the timing of God’s justice that I’m chewing on this morning.

It is clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment that you will be counted worthy of God’s kingdom, for which you also are suffering, since it is just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us.

(2Thessalonians 1:5-7a CSB)

You will be counted worthy. Vindication. Check! It is just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you. Compensation. Check. Relief to you. Alleviation. Check. All good news. So, when?

This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with His powerful angels.

(2Thessalonians 1:7b CSB)

When? At the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven!

Really? If we’re honest, aren’t we wanting something a bit sooner?

While some who suffer for the kingdom might see justice in their lifetime, seems to me that Paul’s saying we shouldn’t expect it. It’s gonna get better, says Paul, for sure! But that guarantee will only be certainly and fully known when Jesus comes again — “on that day when He comes to be glorified by His saints and to be marveled at by all those who have believed” (2Thess. 1:10). That’s the timing.

Good timing? It’s gotta be, it’s the timing of a good God. At just the right time, justice will prevail, wrongs will be set right, and suffering will cease. All when Jesus returns.

But what about until then?

In the meantime, sanctification occurs. The nature of Christ formed in us as we bear the cross of Christ. The people of God purified in the crucible. The bride made beautiful amidst the injustice of wrongs declared to be right and suffering which seems to simmer season after season. Faith flourishing in the church as together the church endures affliction (1Thess. 1:3-4).

The revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven. That’s the timing for an upside-down world to be set right-side-up.

Until then, His grace is sufficient. His presence is made known through His Spirit. His power is made manifest through our weakness.

Good news!

His perfect timing!

By His grace, for His glory.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Posted in 2Thessalonians | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment