Luke 22:13 Jesus had given the guys something to think about as they thought about what he just told them. They were to go and make preparations for the Passover meal. They were to go to a man and talk with him about the guest room for Jesus and them. We do not know if they were surprised at what they found but their faith in Jesus had to have been strengthened by the event. and we know that they did exactly what Jesus told them to do.
Why does having to know the why's and how's of what God is speaking to you and I about become such an important aspect to our doing what he is speaking to us about? When do we experience the joy? While we act on what Jesus has spoken to us about or when we see the result of our believing him? There is as much joy in the anticipation of what God is going to do as there is in the completion of it. And I believe God is more pleased in our acting on what we do not really understand than in our trying to talk him out of what he has just spoken to us about.
Sometimes I know we do not really believe God talks to us like this. Isn't this just reserved for pastors or those in the Bible? The reason we think like this is partly due to our not having an adventurous relationship with Jesus each day. When we take Jesus at his word, as someone said "life becomes a romance."
Maybe we are anticipating being disappointed in God's not coming through with what we believe he is speaking to us about. Whatever the reason, most people never experience the joy of responding to what God is saying.
When was the last time you were filled with joy at knowing God had spoken to you about something and you trusted him with no reservations?
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Have you seen Long's Peak lately?
I can see Long's Peak from my home window. At 14259 feet above sea level it is quite a sight to see anytime of year. As awesome as this sight is, it does not challenge my mind or heart as thinking about what God has done throughout the history of our world. Or does it inspire me more than what God has done because I have not personally seen or experienced who he is or what he has done? Do I really stand in awe of God's deeds?
Am I convinced that God is really who he says he is, that he has done what the Bible says he has done or that he is committed to working in my life? How do I know? Do I want to know? It becomes too easy to enter into a long journey of mediocrity in our Christian life. Conversations that focus on the insignificant, life that steals joy, relationships that never develop or mature all can cause me to move from an emptiness to hopelessness too easily.
I want God to be more real to me in everyday life so I can say with this ancient prophet " I stand in awe of your deeds, oh Lord." But what will it take to really mean this? What might God want to do in my life? I don't need him to make 5 more Long's Peaks but I would like to see some attitudes change in me. To see God make my heart tender to those who do not see things as I do would cause me to "stand in awe"of God's working in my life. How about you? How honest are you in wanting to see God work in your life? Don't settle for just talking about or wishing this could be true.
Am I convinced that God is really who he says he is, that he has done what the Bible says he has done or that he is committed to working in my life? How do I know? Do I want to know? It becomes too easy to enter into a long journey of mediocrity in our Christian life. Conversations that focus on the insignificant, life that steals joy, relationships that never develop or mature all can cause me to move from an emptiness to hopelessness too easily.
I want God to be more real to me in everyday life so I can say with this ancient prophet " I stand in awe of your deeds, oh Lord." But what will it take to really mean this? What might God want to do in my life? I don't need him to make 5 more Long's Peaks but I would like to see some attitudes change in me. To see God make my heart tender to those who do not see things as I do would cause me to "stand in awe"of God's working in my life. How about you? How honest are you in wanting to see God work in your life? Don't settle for just talking about or wishing this could be true.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Do you get it?
Zechariah 4:5 and 13 Zechariah was a prophet. He was supposed to understand what was going on. But position does not always guarantee understanding. When this angel showed up and asked a question, Zach told the angel what he saw but asked the angel what this was about. The angel seemed surprised that Zach did not know and at least twice asked "do you not know what these are?"
It isn't too surprising to identify with Zechariah is it? There are times when we should have learned something God has been trying to get us to understand but when we ask what is going on, God could easily reply just like this angel with "don't you know?"
Why does it take us so long to get it? Psalms 119:59 and 60 give a clue. Instant obedience is what God is after. If I delay doing what God wants, the learning curve is lengthened and it becomes easy to not understand what God is up to in my life.
I would like to blame anything but my lack of obedience, but God knows better and asks this question of us to get us to focus on the right issue.
Are you having a hard time understanding something going on in your life right now? There could be another reason but maybe you are delaying doing something God has spoken to you about.
It isn't too surprising to identify with Zechariah is it? There are times when we should have learned something God has been trying to get us to understand but when we ask what is going on, God could easily reply just like this angel with "don't you know?"
Why does it take us so long to get it? Psalms 119:59 and 60 give a clue. Instant obedience is what God is after. If I delay doing what God wants, the learning curve is lengthened and it becomes easy to not understand what God is up to in my life.
I would like to blame anything but my lack of obedience, but God knows better and asks this question of us to get us to focus on the right issue.
Are you having a hard time understanding something going on in your life right now? There could be another reason but maybe you are delaying doing something God has spoken to you about.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Blowing in the Wind
This is not a blog about Wyoming. It is connected to Haggai 1:9
There are always consequences to living like I want to and not like God has in mind. It was the same for these people. They neglected building God's temple because they were preoccupied with their own houses. As a result, their expectations were too high. It is not that they could not be achieved but rather their preoccupation with their own lifestyle adversely affected their expectations. What they earned and brought home, God diminished significantly. Having your gain blown away by God has to reveal how God sees this kind of lifestyle they were living. Too bad for them...right?
How easy to focus on what I want to do, what I am convinced is important for me or my family, or even what ministry I want to focus on. But what is on God's heart for you and I? It is not so much things to do but rather relationship to develop in order to know what we are to be giving our time, motivation and energy to. We easily justify so much of our stuff and neglect what God says is critical. There are consequences to this attitude or behavior. What do you think God will blow away in your life? God has a determined purpose for us and is focused on it beyond what we could imagine.
What are you thinking about buying this week? Doing next weekend or Thursday evening? To follow Jesus means we intentionally carve out time to do what he has said is critical and are involved in people's lives rather than spending more time than necessary on our computer or whatever we do for ourselves.
There are always consequences to living like I want to and not like God has in mind. It was the same for these people. They neglected building God's temple because they were preoccupied with their own houses. As a result, their expectations were too high. It is not that they could not be achieved but rather their preoccupation with their own lifestyle adversely affected their expectations. What they earned and brought home, God diminished significantly. Having your gain blown away by God has to reveal how God sees this kind of lifestyle they were living. Too bad for them...right?
How easy to focus on what I want to do, what I am convinced is important for me or my family, or even what ministry I want to focus on. But what is on God's heart for you and I? It is not so much things to do but rather relationship to develop in order to know what we are to be giving our time, motivation and energy to. We easily justify so much of our stuff and neglect what God says is critical. There are consequences to this attitude or behavior. What do you think God will blow away in your life? God has a determined purpose for us and is focused on it beyond what we could imagine.
What are you thinking about buying this week? Doing next weekend or Thursday evening? To follow Jesus means we intentionally carve out time to do what he has said is critical and are involved in people's lives rather than spending more time than necessary on our computer or whatever we do for ourselves.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
I'm not going to the doctor for an examination!
After a break to work on a document that I am still working on, I have decided to restart the blog. It will be shorter.
Haggai 1:7 is my first thought for the new start. "Give careful attention to your ways..." What does this mean, how do you begin to do it and what might result from doing this? The NLT says it this way "Look at what's happening to you."
First Stop "Careful" What does careful mean to you? Some of my thoughts-thinking through, taking my time and not rushing, not overlooking areas of my life I want to avoid, asking God to give me insight into how I am living my life. this is not a glance but rather is deliberate focusing on my life. It requires no distractions and perhaps a day away with God.
Second Stop "Thought" Is it difficult for you to think? I find it easy to rush through this and miss the heart of what God is wanting to say to me. Part of what this means is to think about what God's purpose is for me and think about how my life looks compared to it.
"Your" This word makes it personal. I do not need to think about how someone else is missing it but rather only look at my life. There is enough here that I will not have time to critique someone else. Look also at Romans 14:12,13
"Ways" How am I doing with Frannie, friends God has brought into my life, people in the small group I meet with, my disciplines, temptations, busyness, the church aspect of my life, following Jesus, being distinct from the culture I live in. I am sure you get it. Take some time to let God show you the areas of your life he wants you to "carefully" examine. I wonder how our summer would look if we did this now.
Haggai 1:7 is my first thought for the new start. "Give careful attention to your ways..." What does this mean, how do you begin to do it and what might result from doing this? The NLT says it this way "Look at what's happening to you."
First Stop "Careful" What does careful mean to you? Some of my thoughts-thinking through, taking my time and not rushing, not overlooking areas of my life I want to avoid, asking God to give me insight into how I am living my life. this is not a glance but rather is deliberate focusing on my life. It requires no distractions and perhaps a day away with God.
Second Stop "Thought" Is it difficult for you to think? I find it easy to rush through this and miss the heart of what God is wanting to say to me. Part of what this means is to think about what God's purpose is for me and think about how my life looks compared to it.
"Your" This word makes it personal. I do not need to think about how someone else is missing it but rather only look at my life. There is enough here that I will not have time to critique someone else. Look also at Romans 14:12,13
"Ways" How am I doing with Frannie, friends God has brought into my life, people in the small group I meet with, my disciplines, temptations, busyness, the church aspect of my life, following Jesus, being distinct from the culture I live in. I am sure you get it. Take some time to let God show you the areas of your life he wants you to "carefully" examine. I wonder how our summer would look if we did this now.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
What is the right color?
Earlier this week Frannie and I spent the day in Boulder. Many Christians might say "why would you spend a day in Boulder?" If I told them we hung out on Pearl Street, they might immediately leave if I told them this in person. What would cause them to respond this way?
Pearl Street is one of the most eclectic places I know. It probably rules in this category in Colorado. Monday was an amazing sight on the Pearl Street Mall. People were everywhere, wearing multi colored everything, playing about every musical instrument you could think of, laying on the grass and probably doing more than that with grass. There was quite a bit of affection being shown, dreadlocks were plentiful. It was a perfect time to be there unless...
I commented to Frannie that I believe this is exactly where Jesus would be today. Most of the people on the mall were looking for ways to enjoy the warm day and find something resembling meaning or maybe they were escaping the deadly boredom that they knew was coming the next day as they returned to work. Many of these people were definitely marginalized types. Most believers would at the worst stay as far away from them as possible and at the best look another way as they passed by.
All I can say is that I felt more energy being there than I had for some time. My heart went out to the people trying to grab something to make life have a point. Jesus came for people like this. In fact he was more comfortable with them than those who thought they had figured out what special place they would have with him later. He made all the colors.
This might take you out of your comfort but after a few conversations with some of these Jesus loves and died for, you would change your mind. How could you not love these people when Jesus does?
Check out Matthew 9:9-13 and John 2:1-11
Where are you engaging those people who are ignored or avoided? You can be certain that the places and people we want to avoid is exactly where Jesus would be and who he would be helping figure out life.
Pearl Street is one of the most eclectic places I know. It probably rules in this category in Colorado. Monday was an amazing sight on the Pearl Street Mall. People were everywhere, wearing multi colored everything, playing about every musical instrument you could think of, laying on the grass and probably doing more than that with grass. There was quite a bit of affection being shown, dreadlocks were plentiful. It was a perfect time to be there unless...
I commented to Frannie that I believe this is exactly where Jesus would be today. Most of the people on the mall were looking for ways to enjoy the warm day and find something resembling meaning or maybe they were escaping the deadly boredom that they knew was coming the next day as they returned to work. Many of these people were definitely marginalized types. Most believers would at the worst stay as far away from them as possible and at the best look another way as they passed by.
All I can say is that I felt more energy being there than I had for some time. My heart went out to the people trying to grab something to make life have a point. Jesus came for people like this. In fact he was more comfortable with them than those who thought they had figured out what special place they would have with him later. He made all the colors.
This might take you out of your comfort but after a few conversations with some of these Jesus loves and died for, you would change your mind. How could you not love these people when Jesus does?
Check out Matthew 9:9-13 and John 2:1-11
Where are you engaging those people who are ignored or avoided? You can be certain that the places and people we want to avoid is exactly where Jesus would be and who he would be helping figure out life.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Where are you having dinner today?
Seems like a common question we ask. We usually have some place in mind when someone asks us. Maybe Red Robin or Rasta Pasta or maybe at home or maybe...
Maybe it depends on who is asking the question. How about one of our friends who is not yet following Jesus? And what if it is at their house with several of their friends? And what if they serve something that is not on our acceptable religious list? Sound interesting or scary? What if it is with a religious person who we know we have disagreements with about what the Christian life is supposed to look like?
In Luke 11:37 Jesus is invited to have a meal with a religious type, but one who is not following Jesus. You didn't check your watch to see how long you had been there when you were invited to someone's house for a meal in Jesus' day. You planned to stay a while. Jesus goes but does not follow the rules-he didn't wash before the meal. This surprised the religious guy. It seems that Jesus got a kick out of surprising people who thought they knew what it was all about. He was not trying to draw attention to himself but knew there was something he wanted to say and this would definitely stir the pot.
It is easy to talk about the need for courageous change but when someone gets serious about it and we realize that this will disrupt our comfortable lifestyle or others' comfortable lifestyles, do we back away from it? At this dinner party, Jesus was about to say some things that would guarantee his not being invited to another of their dinner parties.
When God speaks to us about something that we know will probably not be accepted by other believers, we need to act on it anyway...not to cause trouble, but to help people see what are the critical issues in following Jesus. We need to be clear however on what God has said to us.
Maybe it depends on who is asking the question. How about one of our friends who is not yet following Jesus? And what if it is at their house with several of their friends? And what if they serve something that is not on our acceptable religious list? Sound interesting or scary? What if it is with a religious person who we know we have disagreements with about what the Christian life is supposed to look like?
In Luke 11:37 Jesus is invited to have a meal with a religious type, but one who is not following Jesus. You didn't check your watch to see how long you had been there when you were invited to someone's house for a meal in Jesus' day. You planned to stay a while. Jesus goes but does not follow the rules-he didn't wash before the meal. This surprised the religious guy. It seems that Jesus got a kick out of surprising people who thought they knew what it was all about. He was not trying to draw attention to himself but knew there was something he wanted to say and this would definitely stir the pot.
It is easy to talk about the need for courageous change but when someone gets serious about it and we realize that this will disrupt our comfortable lifestyle or others' comfortable lifestyles, do we back away from it? At this dinner party, Jesus was about to say some things that would guarantee his not being invited to another of their dinner parties.
When God speaks to us about something that we know will probably not be accepted by other believers, we need to act on it anyway...not to cause trouble, but to help people see what are the critical issues in following Jesus. We need to be clear however on what God has said to us.
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