Buzz Lightyear

On December 1, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

 

Proverb 18: 2            Tree of Life

A fool finds no delight in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

Two things about this strike my funny bone. First, people think they are coming up with a great piece of wisdom, and they are, but more often than not, I find that it was said in the Bible several thousand years ago. It is amazing how we have to keep discovering the same truths over and over again. You would think there would be a short cut for that.

Second, this cartoon and verse are just too true. Pastors beware! This is one of the hardest elements to overcome when trying to teach folks. The sermons that really resonate with them aren’t the ones which are full of revelation from God. They are the ones that agree with their own ideas. This reality makes it hard to teach people anything new. They are mired in the things they think they know. However, if you keep saying things long enough, sooner or later they come to the conclusion you have been propounding and think it their idea. If you don’t need to have the credit, you can lead them, eventually.

I have observed that people don’t want to be taught. Solomon calls that person a fool. Is it because we have such weak self-esteems or can it be because we do not believe that God is still teaching His people? I believe God is still pouring out His wisdom and leading us into understanding, but how shall we receive it? And, how shall we share what He teaches us if there is no one to hear? I suppose the answer is, “Don’t hang around with fools and if you find some people who are open to understanding, cherish them.” There is nothing so lonely as wisdom, but you and I must continue to share it and those with ears will hear. For the others, I guess we will adhere to the wisdom of Buzz Lightyear.

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Peculiar people

On November 30, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Deuteronomy 14: 2

For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for His personal possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

God chose the Israelites to be His chosen people. That choice has now been extended to us, the believers in Jesus as the Christ. This verse is important in a couple of ways. First, so that we understand that we are a chosen, holy people unto God. Second, that this selection means things are different for us than for others.

First, the key thing to understand about being a chosen people is that we have been set apart. God has opened the gates to all who will believe in Him and accept Him as their God. This confuses people because it sounds like everyone is part of His personal possession. God has determined that those who will come into relationship with Him shall be set apart as a Holy people for Him. We have some say in this determination when we give ourselves to His lordship. After that event, He sets us apart from other humans to be His special and chosen people. There is a clear delineation in god’s sight between those who have been set apart and those who have not. He sees His chosen as a distinct group, clearly different from others. We are a Holy People, a Royal Priesthood, serving the Lord God.

Second, the King James Bible’s translation for this verse calls us a “peculiar” people. Peculiar reflects the “set apart” status. It also shows a difference between God’s people and others. The Israelites looked different, ate differently and had other habits which were unique to them. God gave them a set of practices which improved their hygiene and kept them safe. He has done the same for us. The “rules” God gives us are meant to keep us safe and to aid us in being successful. These rules, when we follow them, tend to make us different too. We don’t look the same, act the same or speak the same as non-believers. So, if someone thinks you are odd, you might be right on track.

As a reminder, today is Giving Tuesday. Ivey Ministries has a charitable project going on that you can give to. We are raising money for Deneen and Mike. Please find the details Here. And don’t forget Ivey Ministries in your giving. Click Here to donate to Ivey Ministries. Thank you.
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The Good Silver

On November 29, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Proverb 26: 23      GW

Like a clay pot covered with cheap silver, so is smooth talk that covers up an evil heart.

There is a big difference between a silver vessel and silver plate, for real silver is refined in the fire to remove its impurities. The Bible talks about silver being exposed to the flames of the furnace seven times (Psalm 12: 6). Transformation is a refining process. As we go through the transformation process the dross is removed. Each time we allow ourselves to accept transformation, more and more of the impurities are removed until finally we are that lovely piece of silver ready to be polished and used for high purposes.

Silver is not for a fool. Earthenware is for those who do not care to aspire for the feast. The Lord’s table will be set with the finest crystal, the most elegant china, and silver polished to a glorious shine. Though God loves each vessel, He doesn’t intend that it stay in its raw form. He intends that it be molded and detailed by His loving and gifted hands until it becomes a thing of beauty, a vessel, truly, for honor.

Having just enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner served on china and crystal, I can say, crystal is finer than glass and china is more delicate and beautiful than stoneware. That is not to say that the stoneware is without use. It just means that the china is more fine. It makes a meal an occasion.

We all start this journey as earthenware vessels. Even china begins as clay. The difference in the finish of the vessel is the process it went through. That is transformation. Transformation doesn’t cover us with cheap silver plate so that we look good on the outside while remaining rough on the inside. Transformation is the refining of the raw material until it is a beautiful vessel through and through. Scratch the surface of a silver vessel and you will find purified silver below. Scratch the surface of silver plate and you will find unrefined, crude material. People are the same. For some of us, the refinement is only skin deep. Others of us, though, show the good stuff they are made of even when the cut goes deep. That is the kind of person most of us wish to be. And we can.

Romans 12: 2 reads, “[B]e transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The first thing, therefore, is to accept this mandate to “be transformed.” Second, once we are dedicated to embracing transformation, we must know how to go about it. This verse informs us that transformation is achieved through a change in the way we think and the things we think about. We need a “new” mind or at least a new way of using our faculties. Renewal is fueled by the Word. I love this verse from Malachi which describes Jesus’ coming and, I believe, demonstrates this transformative refinement process which I am attempting to illustrate, “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire, and like launderer’s soap” (Malachi 3: 2). The Word, Jesus, has the power to wash us clean. In fact, the soap mentioned above was actually a soap used for rough garments. This not your Woolite for delicates. It speaks to the reality that Jesus can take the roughest, dirtiest fabric and make it clean. Moreover, he can then take the raw material which is full of flaws and impurities and make it a vessel of honor. This is transformation.

If we are being honest, transformation is rarely easy, but it is always worth the temporary discomfort. Many people look at the cost of a thing, but I look at the benefit. I am willing to endure a great deal for the prize. Every good thing has a cost. Unfortunately, we forego many of the joys and pleasures of life for fear of pain. Do not let the fear of the transformation process frighten you. Sincerely, it is not worthy of your worry. Jesus is the author of transformation so, in my outdoor voice I shout, “YOU HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR!” Where there is the Lord, there is love and tenderness.

Be transformed. Allow Jesus to refine you into that beautiful vessel of honor that he sees within you. It’s time to get out the good silver!

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Happy Thanksgiving

On November 25, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Ephesians 5: 20

 Always thank God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

My prayer this year is that you have much to be thankful for.  According to Paul, we are to learn to be thankful in all things. Thankfulness is a healing balm.  Do you know that your digestion is actually better when a meal is consumed with a heaping serving of gratitude.

Our forefathers halted their labors to thank the Father of the Harvest for provision.  Although these last two years have been remarkably challenging, I find there is still much for which to be grateful.  I pray you have that same sense in your spirit.

May you be blessed with joy, merriment and every good thing.  God bless you!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

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Discipleship II

On November 24, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Colossians 3:9

Do not lie to one another, since you stripped off the old self with its evil practices.

This is in keeping with yesterday’s Word of the Day on discipleship. We said yesterday that discipleship has a great deal to do with transformation. Transformation is the process of letting Jesus reform us into versions of ourselves that reflect his image. We are still us, but a new and improved model, if you will.

If we have stripped off our old selves, then we have replaced them with our new selves. These new selves are not compatible with lies. Face it, we live in a culture which embraces lying. Frankly, I find that most people accept lying. At a minimum people think it is okay to lie on their tax forms. I don’t see how Christians are convincing themselves lies are acceptable in any form. One person I know claims to be born again, but even when he “tells the truth” he chooses words which taint the truth. That is not okay. His speech is colored in such a way as to mislead. Followers of Jesus are, of necessity, followers of the truth and, therefore, speakers of truth.

Another person I know lied about her health in order to qualify for her booster shot. She gave herself a malady so as to get the shot earlier. First, I doubt she truly had to lie. The truth is what sets free. She has a sick husband which would have likely qualified her, but to speak negative words about your health is to call Jesus a liar and a hypocrite because he is the healer. Never pronounce negativity about your health, even if there are facts which support it. In no case should you claim ill health when Jesus has blessed you with good health. That is just crazy, really, and an insult to the healer who is also the truth.

If we are disciples of Christ, then we shall have embraced transformation. Transformation strips us of our old selves in favor of a new self, redeemed in the blood of Christ. The redeemed self has put away evil practices. The author, Paul,, identifies lying as a symptom of the corrupt old man. We cannot be both renewed ambassadors of the Messiah and liars. Choose! If we are to be disciples of Christ, then we must allow ourselves to be transformed by the power of his grace. In this transformation Jesus helps us to strip away the deceiving old man and put on the glory of God’s goodness. As seen from today’s verse, Jesus does not do this work on his own. Transformation and true discipleship can only be accomplished through our will and God’s grace. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind and put aside the evil practice of lying.

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Discipleship

On November 23, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Matthew 16: 24

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.”

We discuss discipleship much in the church, but it can be a difficult idea to fully wrap your head around. The reason is that it is not a concept which is common in western culture. In fact, it kinda flies in the face of our individualistic approach to life.

We can begin to understand discipleship when we think about Jesus’ disciples. When he called them, they not only followed him, but they left their way of life and essentially took on a new way of life. When we talk about following Christ, we have a loose idea of “being Christian”. In other words, we have some pre-conceived, though esoteric, ideas about what it means to be a Christian and we overlay those nebulous ideas over the word discipleship. The result is that we do not have a clear idea of what it means to be a Christian much less a disciple. Looking back to Jesus’ followers may help us refine our picture of what a disciple is.

A good example of discipleship comes from when Jesus said, “Follow me,” and his soon to be disciples left what they were doing, left their businesses, arose and literally went with him (Matthew 4: 19 – 20). They literally walked in his footsteps, literally laying aside their old life in favor of the new life in him. The key here is that following Jesus radically changed these people’s lives. Ultimately discipleship means transformation. Being a disciple of Christ should change us. It should reform us in his image.

We sometimes hear people discuss discipleship in terms of being a student. That may work in other cultures but not in western culture. The word which I believe fits better is adherent. We are to adhere to the ways and teachings of the mentor. When I think in these terms, I find myself thinking of glue or some other adhesive. Adherents stick to their mentor so that the one is inseparable from the other. We are to be transformed or changed by our teacher. We are to follow them so closely that we walk in their footsteps. We do as we see them do. We leave our ways behind and adopt those of the teacher. This is not the western idea of a student. Thinking about movies about Asian Monks creates a closer model to Jesus’ experience with his disciples. And, just so you don’t freak – remember that Jesus did not live in a western culture. He lived in the middle east where Asian ideas were understood and lived.

In western culture, students learn, academically what the teacher gives. There is not a discipline involved nor is there a requirement that the student adhere to the teachers’ beliefs, only that he/she be able to regurgitate what has been taught. There is no assimilation required. The student does not have to agree with the teacher. The point I am trying to make is not that the western ideas of education and student/teacher relationships are wrong, but instead, that they are different. We cannot understand discipleship through a western paradigm because discipleship is a non-western concept. If we can shake ourselves free of our intellectual restrictions, we can see what it means to Jesus that he has called us to be disciples.

It is my hope that this will not so much answer questions for you as stimulate your own musings. We should perceive discipleship in its light as a transformative process. Discipleship implies leaving our ways and devoting our lives to obedience, discipline and following our Lord and teacher in surrendered subservience. Boy, that is a word we don’t like. However, discipleship means surrendering our will to that of the master and walking in the way he chooses. It means he gets to make the decisions and we respond, “Yes Lord.”

I hope today’s devotional blesses you, but also that it stimulates within you a desire to draw more closely to Jesus. I pray you find within you the ability to lay aside your “stuff” and follow him wherever he may lead.

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Weakness to Grace

On November 22, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Proverb 25: 21 – 22

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.

What do you think of this passage? Is this counsel about heaping guilt and shame on your enemy or is it about showing kindness because that is God’s way? I have always thought it was the latter and that the heaped coals are simply a by-product. Seeing what we now learn in the New Testament, seems to confirm this idea.

God saved vengeance for himself (Romans 12:19) and Jesus said to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5: 44). Today’s verse, then, is right in line with New Testament theology. Most of you know God calls us to be charitable towards those who persecute us, so that is not the revelation of the day. It is a good reminder, though, because none of us wants to pray for the person who is a thorn in our flesh. This is where the rubber meets the road, as they say. This is grown up Christianity.

Paul had the same problem. You see, he had a thorn in his flesh as well (2 Corinthians 12: 7). He asked God to remove the painful impediment, but God taught him that the solution to life’s challenges is God’s grace. “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12: 9 TLV). So, I am not trying to tell you, today, to do what you already know God has told you. I am trying to help you find the means to do the impossible because if you are like me, and many others, praying for your nemesis is a hard thing to do, especially when they continue to be a thorn in your flesh. God knows what He is asking of us and knows it is impossible in our strength, so He has blanketed us with His grace so that we may do all things. The theme, then, of this Word of the Day is more about God’s grace as He supports you than about feeding your enemy. I think it is timely too because I know many of you are more challenged during the holidays than any other time.

Here is my prayer for you: Father, cloth these, your beloved, in tapestries of grace and mercy. Comfort them and embrace their hearts with your love. Help us all, Father, to do as you direct us. Pour out your grace upon us and manifest your power through our surrender. Cause your strength and will to shine through our weakness so that your glory fills the visible spectrum. Help those who hinder us. Show them your grace and give us favor in your sight and in the eyes of all people.

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