Category Archives: The Bible

Impudent Prayer

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How often do you check your cell phone?  A recent study done by a screen locking app discovered an average of 110 times a day.  If you spread that evenly over 16 waking hours, that’s about every 8 minutes or so.  How do I know?  I checked it out on my cell phone.  I got thinking about that when I read this parable of Jesus about being persistent in prayer.  He told this right after teaching His disciples to pray “Give us this day our daily bread.”

5 And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.  (Luke 11:5-10)

The word translated, impudence, has an original meaning of shameless persistence.  Apparently Jesus encouraged us to pray as often as we ask our cell phones for things.  Not long, flowery prayers but simple, quick questions.  If you are skeptical, go back and read verse 9.

20-17 Vision

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Remember Y2K?  How much needless worry and panic was spilled over mostly nothing?  That’s my impression of 2016 – people got all stirred up over first one thing and then another, wasting countless hours watching “news” about what might happen and wasting a lot of energy shouting about it.  

Imagine what news channels would have done with the circumstances of Roman occupation and oppression in Jesus’ day.  Public whippings and crucifixions, unjust demands by soldiers imposed upon ordinary citizens.  And yet, Jesus largely ignored all that, focusing instead on more important aspects of reality.  Such as loving one’s neighbor.  Such as learning to see the world through His eyes, so “the truth will set your free.”  Such as learning not to worry but trusting your Heavenly Father.  What if, in 2017, we dared to follow His example?  What if we dared to stop defining reality by what the media says and instead asked God to show us what really matters?

20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.  (1 John 5:20)

18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  (2 Corinthians 4:18)

Grace and peace to you all this new year!

Christmas Lights – Part 3

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The next morning, it took Fred awhile to remember where he was.

 [This short story begins here]

When he looked around and remembered, he wasn’t sure just how much of what had happened had been a dream. Trying to get a better grip, he got up and splashed cold water on his face from the basin in the corner.  He quietly made his way down the stairs, thinking, “I’ll just leave a note of thanks and some money.” But Papa was just setting out a big breakfast of scrambled eggs and called him into the kitchen.

As they ate together, Papa said, “You are probably a bit confused just now about what has happened to you. It’s all right; don’t worry. That is the way it feels to most people when they come here. They wake up with a lot of questions, wondering if they have been dreaming or something. That is why I gave you the book. You are going to find a lot of answers in there. You will be amazed at how, the more you learn, the more questions you will have and the more you will want to know. Just keep that book handy.  Gradually, you’ll begin to get the hang of it.”

“What happened to me?” Fred asked.

“You had your heart fixed; you came to Life – real Life. That empty place in your heart has been filled with life and light. Jesus has come to live in your heart. You don’t have to protect yourself from being hurt anymore, you don’t have to be afraid to love and be loved. You don’t need to worry about being vulnerable. Now that He is alive in you, you will never be alone. You have been given a new kind of life and power – a new kind of light. It takes some getting used to, but as you will see, everything will be different. Oh, your car is still broken. It’s still cold and snowy outside. Your wife and kids are still gone. None of that has changed. Perhaps some of that will get fixed, in time – who knows? But you will discover as you leave here and go back out to your car, you will experience all these things with new peace, new power. But don’t worry: Trust Him, like He said. And, oh, by the way, let me be the first to say it to you: Merry Christmas!”

About an hour later, as Fred climbed up into the cab of the tow truck, he noticed how the snow, which had looked so menacing last night, now seemed to sparkle with beauty. The driver looked over at Fred, jammed the truck into gear, and growled, “Bummer to be stuck on Christmas, eh?”

Fred just smiled and said, “You know, the most amazing thing happened to me last night…”

The name of that story is, Christmas Lights. There are many kinds of light that we experience at Christmas.

  • There are Christmas lights on houses, for example. Some only see those lights from a distance, but others go over to get closer. The Wise Men did that.
  • Then there is the light that is an invitation, spilling out from God’s front door. Some see that light and walk on by, feeling a bit wistful but not going in. Others kick the snow off their boots, go in and accept a hot mug of cider and a seat by the fire. Mary did that.
  • Some are content to just sit in the glow of the firelight, and the lights on a Christmas tree – but others see a gift with their name written on it. As they open the gift to see what it is, they discover that the gift is Jesus, who offers to heal the wounds, take away the twistedness and sin, and light a lamp of life in the darkness in their heart.  Some say, “No thanks, I can do this by myself.” But others trust Him and receive the gift. Lots of times they wake up the next day, a bit bewildered. With amazement, they begin to learn what has happened, and how Jesus died to make it possible. They have heard these things before but now they begin to understand. It is like the dawning light of a new day – the thrill of watching the sunrise on Christmas morning – as they begin to see how it all fits together.

Of all the different kinds of Christmas light, that one is the absolute best. It is the light that Jesus lights in a heart that never goes out, the light of true life. Jesus said it like this: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

“Yet in the dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.”

Merry Christmas!  May you be blessed in 2017!

Tom

Christmas Lights – Part 2

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I must be dreaming, Fred thought.

[If you haven’t read it, this short story begins here.]

But with a sense of creeping wonder, he began to untie the ribbon and open the gift. He looked inside the box and saw a very old book. “A book?” he asked, “Is this really for me?”

The old man said, “Yes, but that book isn’t really the gift, it’s just the instruction manual.”

Now Fred was sure he was dreaming, but he said, “Where is the gift?”

A voice, behind him said, “Turn around, Fred.” Don’t ask how he knew, but he when turned around he was looking at Jesus. Holding up his hands, Fred said, “I don’t know how you knew my name, or how you pulled this deal off – and I want you to know that I really appreciate your kindness and offer of a place to stay for the night – but I’ll be honest with you, I’m not interested in religion right now. But thanks, anyway.”

Jesus smiled at him and said, “This isn’t about religion, Fred, this is a gift. Don’t you want to know what it is? This is about fixing that lonely, empty, dead hole in your heart.”

Fred said, “I’m going to be all right. I’ll find a new home, get a new job and turn my life around. I don’t need sympathy – I’m a “can-do” kind of guy and I want to fix this by myself.”

But Jesus said, “Fred, if you will simply trust me, I can fill up that empty place inside you. You have convinced yourself the only safe place in this world is to be all by yourself, with no one close enough to hurt you. But, no matter how much you fight to ignore it, no matter how much money you make, or how many fun things you find to do, deep inside, Fred, you know you are lonely. You are empty inside. Dead. But, if you will trust me, I can fix that. Not just for tonight, but forever.”

Fred started to work up a rebuttal. He told himself he wouldn’t let this guy get to him, that it wasn’t safe. He wanted to grab his coat and run back out into the night, where at least he knew what was going on. But despite all of those thoughts that were pulling on him, when he opened his mouth to reply, what came out surprised him. He said, “I’m not sure I know how to trust You. Can You help me with that?”

Before he had even finished saying the words, he felt a warm rush of something filling his heart. It was like a hot-spring had begun bubbling up inside him. It was like a candle had been lit in a dark corner of his heart and now the light was getting steadily brighter.” He tried to hold it back, but began to cry. All he could say was “Thank you, thank you.” For a long time he just closed his eyes and wept as the most amazing and confusing emotions swept through him. He felt as though he was coming to life in a way he couldn’t understand.

When he finally pulled himself together and opened his eyes, he was alone with Papa. With a smile, Papa said, “Let me show you where that bed is. You’ve had quite a night.” Bewildered, but grateful, Fred followed up the stairs and down the hall. Before long he was sleeping as he had not done in a very long time.

(To be continued…)

 

Night Light

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2 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
3 You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
4 For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. (Isaiah 9:2-7)

Merry Christmas!

Whose Life Matters?

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Shepherds were outcasts, considered subhuman lowlifes.  Not welcome in town, they lived and slept out in the fields with the animals.  According to the American Journal of Biblical Theology,  “…because of their vocation, shepherds were considered unclean and could not take part in temple worship without ritual cleansing.  They were despised by the people, considered untrustworthy, and unable to testify in a court of law.”  Interesting it was shepherds to whom God initially announced the birth of Jesus. 

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  (Luke 2:8-11)

People who could not readily enter the Temple were chosen by God to receive His most important message.  He chose people considered despicable and untrustworthy, unable to testify in court to be His first witnesses.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.  (Luke 2:20)

 Those marginalized and rejected by society were the very ones God chose!   But why?  Why not chose people more respected and trusted?  The answer is contained in verse 10 above.  One little word; can you see it?

It’s the word, “all.”  The good news of great joy would be for all the people.   Why all the people.  Because all the people mattered to God.  He loved all the people.  He sent His Son as a gift to all the people.

Even you.  You matter to God.  This good news is for you.

To slightly change what Tiny Tim said, “God blessed us, every one!”

Peace on Earth 4

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The “piece of cod that surpasses all understanding,” Swedes talk about is lutefisk.  It’s an apt description, but the whole thing is a pun from this bible verse:

 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:7)

Three questions:

  • What is the “peace of God?”
  • How does one attain it?
  • What does “surpasses all understanding” really mean?

The “peace of God” means a peace that is given to us by God, a kind of peace that is superior in all ways to what the world thinks of as peace.  It’s not an absence of conflict but a genuine wellness of soul which gives the wherewithal to go through seasons of strife without losing it.  That’s because it “guards our hearts” from going off into unproductive second guessing and “if only.”  Instead, it keeps our hearts and minds settled in Jesus.  That’s not some emotional trick.  We make our home in Christ, in His mindset and in His care.

This peace is given to us in response to our genuine prayers:

“…The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:5b-7)

Mixing prayer requests with thanksgiving – real thankfulness – is a key to this kind of prayer and that kind of peace.  When we turn computer problems over to an expert, knowing he has the knowledge and skill to take care of it, we don’t waste time futilely trying to figure out how to fix it ourselves.  Same thing when we turn problems over to Almighty God, only so much better.

The phrase, “surpasses all understanding” probably means it is impossible to understand the peace that comes, much less to explain it logically.  But I suspect it also means the peace we receive is better than the understanding we yearn for in tough circumstances.  We cannot explain why God would allow this tragedy to have occurred but as we pray and, as He blesses our souls with peace, we discover that understanding why it has happened is not so important.  We have peace that comes from God, comes from knowing the God of sovereignty and grace, knowing He is on the case and somehow that is enough.  More than enough, it’s better.  It surpasses the mere desire to understand.

Peace on Earth 3

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You are driving your rental through a city you have never been in.  The British lady on the GPS says, “Take the next right hand turn ” but you are pretty sure that where you are going is off to the left, somewhere.  You shut off the GPS and turn left.  Now what?  You think, “I guess I’m on my own here…”   If you have ever been there and done that, you know your stress escalates.  There is no peace at that moment.  It is much more peaceful to simply follow instructions than it is to find your own way.  Despite occasional glimpses of “deja vu,” your future is a place you have never been.

In this third post about finding peace, the kind of peace Jesus said He gives us (John 14:27 – scroll down to read the two previous posts), Jesus models peace that comes from following His GPS (God Positioning System).

30 I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, 31 but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.
“Come now; let us leave.  (John 14:30-31)

Faith in God does what He says.  So-called faith that does not obey God is not really faith. When you know for sure God has a plan (Peace on Earth 1), He knows what is going to happen and is in control (Peace on Earth 2) it really makes sense to obey Him.  And it brings peace.  Obedience to the instructions and commands of an expert is much more peaceful than guessing what to do on our own.   You want peace?  Act out your faith by doing exactly what God tells you to do.

Jesus taught this same principle:

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  (Matthew 11:28-30)

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me” means, let me tell you what to do “and you will find rest for your souls.”  You want peace?  Obey Jesus, obey God.  Sounds simplistic but sometimes the things that work best are simple.

Here’s a prayer for all you who read this, that you will enjoy real peace during this Christmas season, and all throughout your life – right here on earth.

Peace on Earth 2

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When Jesus offered His peace to His disciples (and by extension to all those who follow Him – John 14:27-31), He made it clear His peace was not what the world calls peace.  The world thinks of peace as a temporary state, free from conflict and strife.  Jesus’ peace is a thorough, unadulterated wellness of soul.  His peace does not protect us from trouble but gives us the equanimity and strength to go through it.

When we experience trouble, our tendency is to focus on “what is happening to me.”  The previous post (you can scroll down to see it below) was about how peace comes when we expand our focus, viewing troubling circumstances from God’s perspective.  Another tendency in times of trouble is to get all stressed out, wondering what will happen to me.   Jesus demonstrates a way around that by what He said next:

29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.  (John 14:29)

Knowing what is about to happen really helps.  One of the most helpful things about Hospice care is their careful and compassionate instruction about the normal progression of death – what will happen to the body at each stage, how it feels and what it means.  Birthing classes serve the same purpose, so a young couple is made aware of what is about to happen, enabling them to go through birth more peacefully.  When we cannot know what is about to happen, it is helpful to know that Someone does.  God knows.  He proved that repeatedly in the Old Testament, particularly with the specific prophecies about the coming of Jesus.  He knows what is coming in your time of trouble.  And He is in control.

16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.  (Psalm 139:16)

He not only know what will happen, but He also knows why.  He knows how He will use your circumstances as He accomplishes His purposes.  We may not completely understand how He knows but knowing that He knows is very helpful in finding peace.  His peace.  Now and here on earth.

Peace on Earth 1

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Peace would be easy if we weren’t on earth.  It’s the stuff that happens on earth that destroys our peace.  You are settled in for a “long winter’s nap” and at 2:00 am the phone rings.  There goes peace.  You are ready to go “over the river and through the woods” and you break a timing chain.  Your boss asks you to work overtime.  Your daughter gets strep throat.  And so on.

And yet, it was “on earth” where Jesus said.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  ( John 14:27)

He said those words about giving us peace as a gift, not being troubled or afraid, just moments before His arrest, hours before He was crucified.  He knew it was coming.  So, how did Jesus find peace in an “on earth” moment like that?  How did He have it to give?   How can we find it.  The next few things He said give us insight.  This time let’s look at what He said in verse 28:

 28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.  (John 14:28-29)

Instead of focusing on His impending pain and death, Jesus fixed His gaze on the big picture, on how His terrible suffering would be used by God to achieve His purposes.  Like a football player who eagerly runs onto the field, knowing he is about to be clobbered and possibly injured but fixes his mind on the possibility of helping his team win, Jesus suffered the cross “for the joy set before Him.”

And we can find peace through that attitude as well.  God uses our suffering to reveal the beauty and strength of having His life within us.  He does not waste any of it.  If we can consider our circumstances “on earth” from a heavenly perspective, like Jesus we can find peace in the midst of troubling events.

More, next time.