The Promise

“After King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon exiled Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, to Babylon along with the officials of Judah and all the craftsmen and artisans, the Lord gave me this vision. I saw two baskets of figs placed in front of the Lord’s Temple in Jerusalem. One basket was filled with fresh, ripe figs, while the other was filled with bad figs that were too rotten to eat. Then the Lord said to me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” I replied, “Figs, some very good and some very bad, too rotten to eat.” “Then the Lord gave me this message:”

“This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: The good figs represent the exiles I sent from Judah to the land of the Babylonians. I will watch over and care for them, and I will bring them back here again. I will build them up and not tear them down. I will plant them and not uproot them. I will give them hearts that recognize me as the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me wholeheartedly.” Jeremiah 24:1-7 NLT

This vision of Jeremiah was about the people being captured and taken into exile. That was a horrible event. The city was burning, people were dying and they were being taken captive to live in a land of people that did not worship God.

When reading this I expected God to tell Jeremiah that the bad figs were the ones taken into captivity. It’s always better to be free right? You can live where you want to live, do what you want to do. But that was precisely the problem. The people of Israel were doing what they wanted to do and what they wanted to do was contrary to what God wanted for them.

God tells Jeremiah that the good figs are the ones being taken into captivity. He says these are the people He was going to look after. Sounds counter intuitive doesn’t it? We think and we say out loud that when bad things happen God can’t be controlling it. We express our disbelief when the events of the world don’t go the way we want them to go. We ask in our hearts, even if we don’t say it out loud, where is He?

But we are forgetting.....we are forgetting that God’s ways are different than ours. If we followed the logic that says when bad things happen God is not involved, then we would have to totally discount the birth of Jesus. Mary and Joseph went through quite a few unpleasant situations. How would you like to deliver your baby in a barn? How would you feel if the life of your child was threatened just because he was the right age? Not to mention the shame and humiliation they suffered because Mary “got pregnant” out of wedlock. They suffered to fulfill God’s promise of a Savior.

And fast forward to the cross. Before Jesus was crucified, the people welcomed him as the Messiah. There was a parade and crowds were honoring and worshipping him. How fast the tides turned. Pretty soon he was being arrested, his faithful followers fled and he was pronounced guilty. Then, he was crucified. To the human eye, this looked like a failure. Defeat.

But it wasn’t. It was our beginning. We can’t look at what is happening in the world, in our lives, and determine that God is not in control. We cannot assume He is not good and that He is not working because what we see doesn’t “look” right. The Promise is alive and well. That Promise is Jesus.

I suspect as humanity continues down this path of doing what we want, when we want, just like the Israelites did, there will be more tragedy, more sickness, more hate. Will you make decisions about God based on what’s happening all around you or will you stand firm because you know who God is? Will you hold on to the Promise and remember that God’s Plan is perfect?

God wants most of all is to be in a relationship with us. He wants to be our God and for us to be His people. Will you hold onto Him? Will you hold on to the Promise?

For I am about to do something new.
    See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
    I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. Isaiah 43:19

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

A New Day

So also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:28 (NLT)

A NEW SHEET,
He came to my desk with a quivering lip, the lesson was done.
“Have you a new sheet for me, dear teacher?
I’ve spoiled this one.”
I took his sheet, all soiled and blotted
and gave him a new one all unspotted.
And into his tired heart I cried,
“Do better now, my child.”

A NEW DAY,
I went/came to the throne with a trembling heart;
the day was done.
“Have you a new day for me, dear Master?
I’ve spoiled this one.”
He took my day, all soiled and blotted
and gave me a new one all unspotted.
And into my tired heart he cried,
“Do better now, my child.”

Author anonymous, “A New Leaf,” James G. Lawson, compiler, The Best Loved Religious Poems (Grand Rapids: Fleming H. Revell, 1961).

You are a God Story

But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.  Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. James 1:6-8 (NLT)

God showed up to Israel when they cried out to him because they were reduced to starvation by the Midianites. He showed up to Gideon. God called Gideon to be part of the story.

God led Gideon step by step through His plan. When Gideon was unsure, God reassured him with signs. When Gideon doubted, God showed up again. God worked many miracles and consistently showed up for Gideon and Israel. God won the battle for Israel with trumpets, glass jars and torches and chased away thousands of soldiers. But Gideon turned out to be wishy-washy.

After the battle, the people of Israel wanted to make Gideon king. To his credit, he said “No, only God is your King.” But then he flipped on this stance and said “But, if you want to pay me homage you can each give me a gold earring from your loot.” They did and Gideon amassed 43 pounds of gold. Which he promptly turned into a massive gold ephod that he and his family worshiped (along with the rest of the town.) So much for God being their King.

As I read this story and I shake my head at Gideon’s lack of trust in God, I realize that I too am a Gideon. God shows up in my life. I see it! Then, when something outside of my comfort zone comes up, I get scared. And I go to him and say “Will you please show me that this is you? I need a sign.” I go from being bold and moving forward to being scared and stuck.

And in the midst of it, I make mistakes and I do things I want to do instead of what I know God is calling me to do. I don’t craft a gold ephod, but I sometimes get distracted with money and things and pray more for that than I do for God’s Kingdom. So I too am a Gideon.

Where does that leave me? It leaves me thankful.

• Thankful that God is as patient with me as he was with Gideon. He shows up when we are weak and takes that weakness and does miraculous things with it. He doesn’t stop trying because we get scared.

• Thankful that Jesus lives in me. In this very frail, sometimes messed up body, is the power of Jesus Christ – living – helping – changing. As long as I keep looking at him and reaching for him, he will change me. He will take my ways and make them his ways. He will grow me to live like he would live.

• Thankful for a Savior. Jesus died for Gideon. And he died for me. He died to cover my sins, my mistakes, my misguided decisions.

There is another thought about Gideon. I am sad for him. He really missed out. When we turn from what God is calling us to and try to fill it with our own stuff – whether they be golden ephods or some other thing – we miss God. Gideon got to see first hand what God could do! He got to see his glory! He got to see him work amazing miracles. He got to write a story with God and know him personally. In the end, he chose a piece of metal, lots of wives and kids instead of a relationship with God. I can’t imagine they filled up his heart like the adventures he had when God was involved in his life.

I don’t want to do that. I don’t want to just hear stories about God. I want to be in a story with God. I want my life to be a God story! What about you? What are you choosing that is keeping you from your God story?

If You Could Have Anything....

Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. 47 When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 
“Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him.
But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”
So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” 50 Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.
 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.
“My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!” Mark 10:46-52 (NLT)

In this story, doesn't it seem odd that Jesus asked "What do you want me to do for you? Jesus asked this question multiple times. Once, when he asked it of the disciples, they said they wanted to be elevated in his kingdom. 

Maybe Jesus asks to draw out our true intentions. Do we want to receive material comforts? Do we want relief from stress and burdens? Do we want a miracle for ourselves or someone else? All of these things are not necessarily bad. We can definitely ask for them! But, then we have to ask ourselves another question.  If you don't receive what you ask for, will you still love Jesus? Will you still seek him?

Sadly, some of us would not. And that is the most important reason to reflect on the question He asks.

What is it that you really want?

Knock, Knock! Who's There?

Therefore, be shamelessly committed to Me, and turn back. Now pay attention; I am standing at the door and knocking. If any of you hear My voice and open the door, then I will come in to visit with you and to share a meal at your table, and you will be with Me.  Revelation 3:19b-20 (VOICE)

When you read today's text you have to ask yourself "Am I listening for the knock?" The Bible is pretty clear that God is the one who initiates the relationship with us. He's talking, knocking, and impressing (among other things). Do you think we get so wrapped up in ourselves we don't hear it?

And what does it look like when we do hear it and open the door? I imagine sometimes we say things like:

"Sure Jesus, please come in. It's Tuesday night and I am watching my shows. Do you want to sit here on the couch with me?" Or how about "Jesus, Nice of you to stop by. I want to invite you in but it's super messy in here. If you would just stand out there while I clean up I'll invite you in when I'm ready." Here's another. "Jesus! Oh, I wasn't expecting you to come now.  I am so busy and gosh, I just don't have time for a conversation. Can you come back in a week or two? I can clear my schedule." One more. "Jesus, I would invite you in but I'm a little anxious about that. I'm pretty sure you would ask me to change things and do some things for you that I am uncomfortable with."

And then we say things like, "I never hear God."

Jesus wants you to "Be shamelessly committed to Him." like it says in verse 19 but he will not force himself on you. Jesus is always knocking. He's always talking and believe it or not, when we offer these excuses he doesn't push open the door and barge in. He says "Let's take this one step at a time. I am here when you are ready." But at some point, if you want to have a relationship with him, you are going to have to stop making excuses and open the door.

Bowing Now Or Later?

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
    and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11 (NLT)

When I read this verse, my mind always goes to Jesus' second coming. I think about seeing him in the clouds and being overcome. Overcome with love and adoration. Overcome with the idea that I will get to be with him and talk to him. I imagine everyone bowing and everyone praising him.

But this text is not just a future event. This is a current event as well. We are supposed to grow closer and closer to Jesus every day so that at the mention of his names our hearts will be overcome with love and adoration. At the mention of his name we will bow.

What stops us from living the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven? What causes us to put off to the future what we should be doing now? And then, I can't help but wonder.....if I don't live like this now, will I get to in the future?

Whatever You Do.....

And be sure of this: I am with you always. Matthew 28:20 (NLT)

Happy Monday!

What plans do you have for today? Whether you are

• Working in an office
• Driving a cab
• Teaching at a school
• Managing a home
• Working construction
• Waiting tables
• Hiking trails or
• Taking a day off

No matter what you do or where you do it, Jesus is with you. You are not alone.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
    Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
    I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)

Have a Great Day!

What Do You Want For Christmas?

What do you want me to do for you? Luke 18:41 (NLT)

What would you respond if Jesus asked you this question?  What do you want?

To me, this is a hard question to answer. I want a lot of things.  Even if you take out the material things, the healing for other people I know, the desire for my loved ones to be whole or to have the pain taken away or to have them know Jesus, even if you take out all of those things, I still get stuck.

Just say I focus only on me.  What do I personally want from Jesus? Even there the list is long. There are so many things......I guess then I wonder what really matters?

And then, another question. If I don't know what I want from Jesus, how will I ever know if I got it?

Maybe, we don't have to break it down to one answer. Maybe, it's about just wanting Jesus, the whole package and all that that brings to my life. The fullness and completeness of a relationship with him that looks different every day and accomplishes so much throughout a lifetime. Maybe it's about starting with the wonderment of a stable through the glory of a second coming and not trying to put it all in one box - one size fits all. One size doesn't fit all....and Jesus knows that.

So for now, for today, that is my answer.  I want Jesus. All of him and every wonderful, difficult, challenging, amazing, joyful, messy scenario that comes with loving him.