Idol Plans

[From 3/31/11]

"You shall not make for yourselves an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth."

(Exodus 20:4)

The people have been through a lot.  Oppressive slavery in Egypt.  Signs & Wonders by God (aka "Ten Plagues!").  Passover & release.  Rejoicing turns to panic as the Egyptians attack.  God's salvation (again!) through the Red Sea.  And now God comes to speak to them as a group (cute thunder & lightning & earthquakes!).  God has set his indelible mark on this people, and now he's ready to lay down the ground rules for their relationships (with Him and with each other).

One of the early commandments God gives in Exodus 20 has come to be known as the "NO IDOLS" clause.  the people weren't to make any images, statues, carvings, etc. trying to re-present God.  No bulls, eagles, sheep, camels, etc.  Nothing to resemble any creature on, above or below the earth.

Author & pastor Rob Bell has an interesting insight on this.  He remarks that instead of images of wood or stone, God will use the lives of His people to show the world who He is.  I like that.  Of course, it adds a bit of pressure to us, too.  We must live in such a way that others come to see the Almighty.  And that's no idol plan!

The Trifecta

"Likewise, urge younger men to be self-controlled.  Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech that cannot be censured..."

(Titus 2:6-8)

I still think of myself as a "younger man."  Despite being 43, I don't' really feel "older."  So when I was reading the book of Titus today, and they list 5 groups of people (older men, older women, young women, younger men, & slaves), I identified with the "younger men" (I think the -er ending helps a lot!).

The author instructs us younger men to be self-controlled, to model good works, and to teach in such a way that one's opponents can't find any faults.  He gives 3 tenants of teaching as guidelines: INTEGRITY, GRAVITY, & SOUND SPEECH.  As a 'younger man' who teaches on a regular basis, this caused me to reflect...

• Integrity... May what I say reflect who I am, what I believe, and how I live...
• Gravity... May I speak about things that actually matter in people's lives... that have depth & relevance.
• Sound Speech... May my words be clear, grounded, easy to understand, and true.

Simple in concept. Difficult to live out.  Crucial for ministry.
May it be so with me.
AMEN.

Imagine!

"Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander."

(1 Peter 2:1)

Starbucks recently started selling john Lennon's new album.  Well, it's more like a "best of," since Mr. Lennon hasn't been with us for a while now.  Anyway, I was looking through the song list today and saw the track IMAGINE.  It's a song, of course, about people living in peace & harmony together.  "You may say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.  I hope someday you will join me, and the world will live as one."

That easily could be the soundtrack for what I was reading today from 1 Peter 2:1.  This single verse, if lived out, would go a LONG way towards this world "living as one."  Listen to these simple (yet evidently surprisingly difficult to actually live out) words: "Rid yourselves of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander."  Wouldn't it be refreshing if we ALL lived this way?  Especially now that we're in a political campaign season, we could use a lot less malice, guile, insincerity, envy, and slander!!!

But the true power of Scripture is not the passages I find for others to hear... it's the passages I find for me!  So how do I need to rid myself of these things?  May I endeavor today to be kind, gracious, sincere, content, and honest.  (Maybe even beyond today, too!)  Imagine!

Ministers

"...whoever walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me."

(Psalm 101:6b)

David is credited as the author of this Psalm. It's a psalm dedicated to a king's rule with justice & integrity. He pledges to "walk with integrity of heart" and keep his eyes away from the things he shouldn't be focusing on ("anything that is base"). He promises to uphold truth and goodness, and will root out anyone among his staff who does otherwise.

But in verse 6, sandwiched between all these pledges & promises of the king, is an interesting statement: "...whoever walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me." The king has an entire staff of people devoted to "ministering" to him. Whatever he needs, they'll take care of it. But David seems to be pointing to something greater here. Anyone in ALL the kingdom who walks with integrity (ie. "blameless") will positively impact the king's soul/spirit ("minister" to him). Anyone! Not only that, but it's as if David is looking for people like that to surround himself with.

Skills & aptitudes are important, indeed. We need people around us who are competent & professional. But could it be that David is recognizing the need for people who simply live right... are honest... full of integrity?

PRAYER: Help me to live right, oh God... and may I, too, LORD, be surrounded by such beloved people. AMEN.

God Forbid.

[From 2-26-09]

"And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He is revealed we may have ocnfidence and not be put to shame before Him at His coming."

(1 John 2:28)

Man... if you have a guilty conscience, 1 John is NOT the book to read! Actually, we all are sinful and fallen creatures. That's the ultimate reality of the human condition. But that's not how we were created. We were created in the image of God! We were called to be in relationship and fellowship with Him! Along the way, each of us have messed that up in one way or another.

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday - the beginning of the Christian season of Lent, the 6-week period of spiritual refocusing and preparation for Easter. On Ash Wednesday especially, we remember that all of us have fallen short of God's glory and are in need of a Savior. The quest of Lent... (actually, the quest of being a Disciple - a Christ Follower)... is to "abide in Him"... to put our lives in step with the Master... so He might guide and direct us along the way.

As a pastor, I have an even greater responsibilty to abide in Christ. By no means am I perfect. Not at all. But I have been called to shepherd a congregation... to be a leaderr in a denomination... and to represent Jesus to all of the world, as an ordained minister. Wow. That's a big burdne to bear. I know I will not always live up to it. But God does not call me to be perfect - God calls me to be faithful. God calls me to abide in Him... turn every aspect of my life over to His care (relationships, work, personal life, thoughts/feelings, actions, conversations, etc.). I do not want to be "put to shame" before Him (as the author of our text puts it. Because if I'm put to shame as a pastor, then so is my church... my denomination... and ultimately, my Lord. Will I be any differnt than the countless others in the river of faith that have stumbled and put God to shame over the centuries? I don't know. I pray that won't be the case. Give me strength, Lord, to abide in You... all the time! AMEN.

No One Like Him

"Before (Josiah), there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him."

(2 Kings 23:25)

I really like Josiah! Crowned at age 8, when he was 26 some workers discovered an ancient manuscript in the Temple (turns out it was the book of Deuteronomy!). Upon reading, he realized they hadn't been living the way God intended them to. So Josiah did two amazing things: 1) Called the whole nation to repent and change their ways... 2) Removed every obstacle that competed with worship of God. It was a powerful turn of events. In fact, the author of 2 Kings said there was never a king like him, before or since (which is saying a lot, remembering the great Kings David & Solomon!).

I know Josiah didn't do those things to be considered "The #1 King of All-Time"; he did them because of his love for God. He turned with "all his heart, soul, & might" (maybe that's where Jesus got this expression when asked years later about the greatest commandment?!). What about me? Can I say that I've given God all my heart, soul, & might? Sometimes, yes. All the time, no. 2 Kings 23 lists specific actions Josiah took to rid the nation of anything that got in the way of worshipping God (check out v.5-20!). Have I been able to do that in my life? I'm not too worried about needing to "cleanse the world" of anything and everything that I think competes with worship of God - just anything & everything in MY LIFE (ie. desire to watch Sunday morning football, being 'too busy' during weekday mornings to spend time in prayer, thoughts that focus more on my desires than on God's, etc.). I've got a long way to go. But then again, it's not about being recognized as "The #1 pastor of all-time." It's about being faithful. Thanks, Josiah, for that insight. AMEN.