Daily Reflections on Acts 1:1-5

Theophilus? Who's Theophilus? Good question. No one knows for sure. But the name means, "friend of God" or "lover of God." Who is a friend or lover of God? I suppose anyone who seeks to put God first in their life, who pursues a relationship with God. A "Theophilus" us more than just a person who wants to know about God, the curious. A "Theophilus" wants to know God personally, intimately, thoroughly.

The only way to know God is through Jesus. Luke penned twenty-four chapters about the life of Jesus. In them he declared Jesus as God's one and only son who lived a perfect life, taught, healed, performed miracles, revealed the true nature of God, died a sacrificial death on a cross for the sins of all mankind for all time, and rose again on the third day.

Is Jesus for real? Did He really raise from the dead? Luke verifies it through numerous witnesses and notes Jesus remained on the earth for forty days before He ascended into heaven.

But becoming intimate with God is more than just knowing Jesus or believing Jesus is God's living son or accepting Jesus' substitutionary death as payment for my sin and making Him Lord of my life. God provided the means for truly knowing Him through the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit which He freely gives to every believer. You can know God through nature but limitedly. You can know God's standards through the Law of the 10 Commandments, but limitedly know God. You can catch a glimpse of God studying the life of Jesus. But you can only truly experience God, become intimate with God through the Holy Spirit. God, thank you for Your Holy Spirit living in me so that I can know you, experience you, understand your truths, sense your prodding and direction and correction and power.

Daily Reflections on Mt. 16:24-28

Following Jesus is definitely not the Simple Life. It's not for wimps, cowards or for those who want an easy life. Jesus says to follow Him it starts by denying ourselves, taking up our cross and going wherever He leads. Wherever He leads isn't a stroll in the park.

Denying self is willing to give up our agendas, personal desires, goals to follow His. That's literally the meaning of repentance, to change your thinking to God's way of thinking. Everything about you is surrendered to Him to be use according to His will. That means gifts, talents, resources, abilities, everything. The truth is because God created us and understands our dreams, thoughts, aspirations, ambitions, goals, abilities, etc., He will use those to accomplish His purpose through you.

The kicker is you have to yield those to Him. It's not about asking God to bless your dreams or wants. It's about want what God wants, pursuing what He's blessing. Personal gain in the end will mean nothing unless it is surrendered for Kingdom use.

Recently, because of my dad's failing health, my parents went from a 2 story, 4 bedroom house with a 2 car garaged filled with stuff compiled over the years to a 2 bedroom condo with a one car garage. Tools, toys, keepsakes, stuff had to be disposed of because there was no place for it or use for it. No longer can my dad work in his shop or play a round of golf or even drive a car. At the end of his life he is frail and weak. In the same way he came into this world, he's going out. As a friend of mine once said, "All this stuff is just gonna burn in the end."

Following Jesus is about surrendering. Not always easy, but the payoff is eternal. Someone once said, "Only one life will soon be passed. Only what's done for God will last." God, help me to keep my priorities straight and focused on what really matters. I want to be your vessel. Use me today for your purpose.

Daily Reflections on 1 Cor. 13:1; Heb. 11:1

Love and faith have to go together if a relationship is going to work. Without that sense of trust, there is a constant strain, or should I say drain, that empties the relationship. If I can't trust you, it makes it hard for me to love you. Many a marriage, partnership, and friendship have been lost due to violated trust. Usually it comes down to a "You hurt me" scenario.

At the same time, love can't prevail without faith. When I believe in you, it strengthens our bond. Many relationships struggle because one partner doesn't sense the other believes in them or one is constantly belittleling or nagging or berating the other. Paul says that love always protects, trusts, hopes and perserveres. You believe in your spouse, child, friend, partner. You inspire confidence. You help them evolve and bloom into the full person they can be.

Protection isn't necessarily prevention. Protection involves equipping so that they can handle whatever situation they face. It also doesn't necessarily mean defending. Sometimes you have to allow a person to face reality or consequences of their actions. But when all is said and done, you stand with them and help them back to their feet or back on the right path acknowledging lessons learned.

Since none of us are perfect, all of us need someone in our life to help us along, redirect us, stand by us, encourage us, believe in us, ride it through with us, love us. A critical spirit depresses us. A loving spirit motivates us. God help me have loving spirit to those around me.

Daily Reflections on Mt. 22:34-40

"War, Good God, What is it good for? Absolutely nothing. Say it again...." These opening lyrics to Edwin Star's protest song of the early '70's has a point. I know some could talk about principles, stemming the tide of facism or evil or oppression. I know the "fight for freedom" and democracy speeches. And I suppose I concur with those arguments.

But as I read today's passage, I wonder if in the long run, following God's law of loving Him and loving others ultimately wins out. How much tension and turmoil could be eliminated if we would abide by these 2 simple commands. Jesus said all the other laws of God and the prophets could be fullulled if we would just love God and love others with our total being.

Today on Memorial Day, I'm thinking of the countless young men and women who have given their lives for the cause of freedom. Thousands of white crosses and marble marrkers stretch out over the countryside. My mind wonders how many mass graves around the world are filled with enemy combatants and innocent lives. My heart breaks for those families, mothers, fathers, young wives, sons and daughters on both sides who lost their loved ones defending their cause.

If we could only learn to love God and love others. I mean really love. Suppose with all our energy we demonstrated love to the people around us, whether enemies or friends. What if we really did what Jesus called us to do? Would there be any tension? Would there be selfishness? Would there be terse words or arguments? Would there be divorce or rampant crime or people going hungry? Would there be war? What if ...? I may not be able to change the world, but I can make a difference in the world around me. God, I really want to love you and love others.

Daily Reflections of 1 Cor. 1:18-30

Foolishness or Wisdom? It always humors me to hear scholars, philosophers, scientists, experts of our day try to explain the universe, the world around us, or even the complexities of the human body and/or mind. They talk about the latest discoveries or insights that will revolutionize current thinking. I get tickled at psychologist and social workers and politicians who debate the human psyche and social ills or potential norms. I'm not down playing their intelligence or years of study and research. I muse not at their pursuit of understanding, but at their lack of awareness of God's understanding and stated truths. I confess, I find some of the latest discoveries and philosophies interesting, but I find the truths of God more captivating. I wonder if God chuckles to Himself or cynically remarks, "Wow, I never knew that. Thanks for the enlightenment."

The simple truth of God's Word, the Bible, seems foolish to many people today. Maybe because we've tried to spruce it up or tried to make it sound current or modern or we've even corrupted it to become appealing to today's generation. But the simple straightforward truth of God's Word is that we are all sinners in need of God's transforming grace. God provided that transforming grace through Jesus, God's one and only son, by His death on the cross. The blood shed at the cross covers our sin and cleanses us from all unrighteousness if we simply believe and accept Christ's lordship over our lives.

Truth is, we're all going to die, whether at 20 or 40 or 120 years and after that be judged by our creator. The world around us is going to continue to function just as God intends until He decides it's over. Oh the foolishness of God's simple truth. Yet, in them is the life-giving, life-changing power of God's Good News. In the end, we're all in the same boat, imperfect, carnal, finite, fallible beings, totally powerless as we stand before God, our universe or even in the mirror. Thanks God for His wisdom, love and sacrifice who reaches out to us in mercy.

Daily Reflections of 1 Cor. 1:10-17

Has Christ got to be disappointed when He looks at the Church today! What a shame. If the Apostle Paul were alive today I'm sure he'd have some scathing criticism for God's people. There are more denominations and Christian sects than, as my grandparents used to say, "Carter has liver pills." What has happened to the modern church?

Just drive through any town in America and you can see and hear the same quarrels, "I am of Calvin. I am of Luther. I am of Wesley. I am of the Pope. I am of Campbell. I am of Knox." No you don't hear or see those names in particular but you do hear and see, Baptist Church, Assemblies of God, Lutheran, Catholic, Presbyterian, Disciples of Christ, Christian, Church of Christ, Church of God, Methodist, Episcopal, etc., etc.

No wonder the image of the Christ on the cross has lost its power in today's world. It's just another religion. Not any different in the minds of many people from Buddhism, Islam, B'hai, Hinduism, Scientology, Mormonism, Judaism, etc.

Isn't it time we heeded Paul's advice and focus on harmony in Christ through His Spirit? Isn't it time we put Christ back at the head of our lives and churches? Isn't time we stop selling and promoting OUR church and started promoting the simple, but powerful message of the cross of Christ? Isn't time we stopped the quarrels over who's right or who has the better message or presentation? Isn't time we stop glorifying the messengers and simply hold to and up the message of Christ?

Churches, programs, pastors, denominations don't save me or change me. Only the blood of Jesus and the grace of God can do that. God, forgive me for my divisive and sectarian spirit. Not MY will but YOURS will be done.

Daily Reflections of 1 Cor. 1:7-9

Sometimes I feel so confident I could conquer the world. Yet other days I feel so weak, almost depressed, that it's hard to get anything accomplished. My guess is that I'm not alone. It's part of our human psyche, our make up. Most of us are inconsistent from time to time or should I say day to day.

Good News! God is always faithful. He's never inconsistent. When God called us to a holy and blameless life (Eph. 1:4), He also promised to empower us to be what He called us to be. In this passage today, God says that He has given us everything we need to be strong to the end so that He can present us blameless.

That means the Holy Spirit that God has placed inside every one of His followers/believers gives us the super natural ability to rise above our humanness and live to God's glory throughout our life. God is empowering us through His Spirit to live a holy and blameless life. God is faithful. He doesn't withdraw His Spirit or limit His Spirit at any time. No matter what we face both God and His Spirit remain steadfast with us and in us.

But according to Rom. 8 we have a choice to walk by the Spirit or by the flesh. Spiritual growth and maturity is about learning to walk by the Spirit of God living in us. God gives us everything necessary, but if you don't use it it's worthless. And if you have never accepted God's free gift of Jesus as your Lord and Savior, unfortunately you don't have the power of God's Holy Spirit working in you. Lord, help me today to keep my eyes on you and my ears, mind and heart focused on your Spirit that lives in me.

Daily Reflections on 1 Cor. 4:1-7

Motives are a funny thing. What causes us to do the things we do? Something or someone ultimately motivates us to action. Without motivation we'd do nothing. My hunger causes me to eat (so does boredom). My tiredness causes me to sleep. An urgency promotes my action. My paycheck stimulates me to work. An empty tank causes me to gas up. On and on we could go.

Virtually everything we do or say is motivated by something; whether an experience (good or bad) or circumstance or need or opportunity or greed or self-preservation. Sometimes our motivations are genuine, good, authentic. Sometimes our motivations are selfish or evil or stem from anger. Sometimes our motivations are innocuous. Sometimes our motivations are monumental, historic or come from a life changing challenge.

The trouble with motivations is that sometimes we don't know where they're coming from. We aren't always sure of someone else's motives for doing what they're doing. We're suspicious or we're fooled. But the truth is, we don't always know what our own motives are. They may appear to be genuine, even to ourselves, but maybe.... We don't always trust the motives of others and sometimes we need to question our own motives.

But God knows our motives. He sees into our hearts and minds. So if I'm honestly living to Him and open myself to His leading and scrutiny, He'll shape me, mold me and direct me. My life focus should be simply, humbly seeking to be His servant.

As long as I'm seeking to be His servant, under His guidance and direction, than I can live in confidence (not pride). More and more I'm trying to live out my life for an audience of one. It doesn't really matter what others think. What matters is what God thinks. Surrendering your life as His vessel and seeking to please Him is the only proper and pure motive.

ADDENDUM:

I'm indebted, to Jill and Stuart Briscoe for this last insight that helped me. In this passage Paul seems to enjoy His privilege of being a servant or messenger for God. A lot of Christians/followers of Christ, because of a bad experience or personal sin think that they've lost the privilege of being called as a representative of Christ. It becomes a de-motivation for living fully to Christ and steals their true joy of living. If that's where you're at, it's time for a new motivation. The only way to get that is to meditate on God's Word so that the gratefulness and sense of privilege will fill your heart and mind. You'll begin to sense the grace and nature of God again in your life. Faithfulness can be renewed.

Daily Reflections on Jonah 1:1-3

The first time these verses became personal to me was when I was in the process of transitioning ministry focus. For several years I focused my life and ministry on youth, children and Christian Education. I vowed that I'd never be a "preacher." I didn't like the position, the pressure, or the pulpit. Yet, in each of the ministries I had served, the "Preacher" resigned and I was left in an interim position. I got fill my role as Associate Pastor of Youth and Education and Temporary Senior Pastor.

After the third time of breaking in a new Senior Pastor and 13 frustrating years of not being able to give full attention to my youth/children/education ministry (not to mention the exhaustion of trying to fill both roles) I resigned my ministry and decided to finish my graduate degree and try to regain my bearings. I had firmly resisted any ministry other than Christian Education as I sought to get close enough to commute to a seminary. It was at that point that God was pressing me into the preaching ministry and placed the verses from Jonah before me.

My wife and I had been in agreement. She didn't want to be "Preacher's Wife." After all, she didn't know how to play the piano. Yet God put these verses on her heart too! We shared our Jonah Syndrome with one another. During this life transition phase we visited a church where a friend of mine served. As we sat down in a Sunday School Class the teacher announced, "We're going to start our study of the book of Jonah today. Open your Bible to Jonah chapter one. Dave (guest ministers always get to read or pray) would you read the first verses please?" My wife and I just looked at each other. By the end of class we had confessed our Jonah Syndrome and went home and prayerfully accepted a preaching ministry.

You'd think that I'd learn from that experience to yield to God's call, direction, plan for my life. Unfortunately, I guess I still Jonah Syndrome. I find myself sometimes wanting to run in the opposite direction of God's call. That's always a bad decision! Running from God always leads to a "whale" of an experience.

Reflections on Eccl. 12

Ah, impetuous youth. To be young again, full of life, energy, strength, and potential. As I reflect on today's passage my thoughts and mind are all over the place. As I read this chapter, my thoughts initially went to may ailing and aging father. The description of life waining, light going out, feebleness saddens me as I picture my once strong, virulent father slipping away in human frailty. It's hard to watch or imagine. It's like part of me is weakening and dying. I recognize my own depression as I witness his decline. Is this how strong, vibrant men die? As my brother noted, "It's pitiful."

It also reminds me that I'm not as young as I used to be. The days of endless strength, quick recovery and "the sky's the limit" seem to be passing me by as well. If I could go back and do it again knowing what I know now.... But a wide open life only really comes to you as you break into adulthood. Solomon is right. This is the time to carpe diem, seize the day. Not with reckless abandon or aimless folly, seize the day with intention and purpose. That's the day to gather as much wisdom from solid spiritual teachers and coaches and channel your energy into accomplishing God's calling for your life. Pursuing the worldly call as life closes demonstrates the utter meaninglessness of life without God.

In the end, Solomon's advice proves the ultimate. The richest, most powerful man of his day says, "Fear/respect/be enraptured by God and keep His commands, follow His teachings, live in His truths." So whether you're just bursting onto the scene of adult life, climbing your mountain, building your life, cresting the wave, costing downhill, or slowing to a stop, the best practice of life remains the same, pursue God with all you've got and live to Him each day.

Daily Reflections of Lk. 2:41-52

This had to be a weird scene. Mom and Dad discovering at the end of the first day's journey that their eldest son was missing. I can't imagine the panic, the discussion, the conversation (probably heated) between Joseph and Mary. What's also weird is that is still took them an extra day to find Jesus once they got back to Jerusalem. My guess is that they went to the Temple out of desperation. Can you imagine the thoughts that raced through Joe and Mary's minds about what might have happened to Jesus? Can you imagine how they must have felt losing God's One and Only Son? What were they going to say to God? Wow, what pressure!

Teenagers are tough. As parents, we're on the verge of losing our teens all the time. Hormones, impulses, spreading wings, worldly enticements, peer pressure, broken hearts, it's tough as a parent. Sometimes you want to throw up your hands, turn them loose or lock them in a trunk and ship them to who knows where. Truth is, however, parents of teens, those teens are God's son or daughter. Just like Mary and Joseph, we've been granted the privilege of guiding, protecting, teaching, raising God's child. God has placed that child in our care. If you lose them, what are you going to say to God? Teen parenting starts with my relationship with God. He doesn't expect perfection, but He does expect us to ask Him for wisdom.

The wisdom of Joseph and Mary led them to help Jesus grow (advance, progress - literally) in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and people around Him. That takes investment and wisdom that only God can give. Jesus, at 12, was becoming aware of Himself and His calling. That's what He was doing in the Temple. Parents should assist their teens in understanding their life purpose and calling, not dictate.

Fun Thoughts:
1.Where did Jesus eat and sleep for 3 days when separated from His parents?
2. How many days did it take Abraham to lead his only son to the sacrificial altar?
3. How long was Jesus in the tomb?

Any thoughts or insights?

Daily Reflections on Mk. 10:17-18

Good Job! That was a really good movie. Now that's a good steak. We throw around the word "good" in our culture to describe a satisfying effort or pleasurable experience. We tell people to have a good day or good time, etc. We tell our little ones to a be a good girl or good boy, referring to acceptable behavior. I even tell my dog, "good boy," when he cooperates taking his medicine or obeys on command.

But in this passage Jesus clearly teaches that only God is good. When in comparison to God's goodness everything else is less than good. Creation, God declared, was good because He did it. Although man without a suitable companion God said was not good. But He soon remedied that. Yet, because of the condition of man's heart and sin then entered the world through man, according to Rom. 8:18ff, even creation itself groans for redemption.

Most people I meet consider themselves to be good people, especially if they are church going people. Yet compared to God's nature we lack a great deal when it comes to goodness. What's interesting in today's passage, if we read on further in Mk. 10, the young man who came to Jesus was looking to justify himself and assure his standing with God. He was a law abiding, church going, wealthy, outstanding, well-respected citizen. Yet, Jesus revealed the young man's selfishness and pride and lack of true goodness when He told him to sell all he had, give it to the poor, and follow Him. Truth is he loved his wealth more than people or Jesus.

I guess I have to identify with Paul in Rom. 7. The good I try to do, I can't do. I'm really a mess. Just like Paul I need rescuing from myself. Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ. God thanks for freeing me sin and death, for cancelling my condemnation. Thanks for your Holy Spirit you put in me and your Word to mold me into the image of your son.

Daily Reflections of Phil. 2:1-4

Relationships! Why are thy so hard? Fights, quarrels, broken lives, turmoil, personal wars, political wars, national wars, divorce, it's all around us. Let's face it, we're a dysfunctional society. Christians and non-Christians alike are constantly in the throws of relational confrontation. Church splits, denominationalism, hurt feelings all point to the same thing. In the end, it's all about us; we can't get over ourselves.

It's about our agenda, our views, our, our, our, me, me, me. We're the final authority. We're the final word. It's a scary thought really. Us, me, I, the final anything. Someone offends me, hurts me, disagrees with me and I disassociate myself from them. We don't like to be challenged, corrected or countered. So we fight, cower, hold bitterness or resentment, or spew venom.

The antidote for brokeness, division, etc. is humble servanthood. The sign of true maturity is to think of others better than yourself and seek to serve them. No calculated manipulation. No hidden resentment, "I'll do it, but I don't like it." No pretension. Genuinely caring about the people, friend or foe, around us with an attitude of grace. I cannot control or change another person. How they react is up to them. I can only control or change me and my attitude through the power of God's Holy Spirit. Jesus said to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. When you focus on the well being of others and are genuinely interested in seeing them succeed, it's hard to have a combative attitude. Let's focus on how we can encourage and build up the people around us.

Daily Reflections of 1 Cor. 4:1; 1 Pet. 1:10-12

When I think of God's history long plan to bring us back into relationships with Him, I'm totally amazed. What's more incredible is the years it took to get mankind ready to receive His truth, promise and salvation. That probably says as much about us as humans as it does of God's plan, steadfastness and intent.

I'm also overwhelmed, touched, in awe of the prophets and messengers God used through the years to bring forth His truthes, challenges, promises, etc. All the suffering of the prophets throughout the generations, never to see the fruit of their faithfulness manifested in their lifetimes.Wow! Talk about disappointment. I'm guessing some of these guys must have felt like failures. What an incredible amount of intimacy with God to be able to to speak with confidence and boldness.

It convicts me. I'm on the backside of Christ's coming. I've seen the power of the resurrection and wow, what a wimp I am. I've got the full power of God's Holy Spirit living in me and I'm living a fire cracker life.

As a servant of God I want to proclaim the Good News with power. Lord, give me deeper insight as to how I can communicate this Good News in todays culture. I want to see lives changed through the discovery of your message and promise.

Daily Reflections of Rom. 5:6; 7:18-19

Power, helplessness, impotent describes the state of all of in regard to living a godly, righteous, holy life. The recognition of our impotence and sinful nature is the very vasis of pursuing a spirit-filled relationship with God.

The Good News is I'm a sinner! I'm not a product of my environment. I'm not demon possessed. I'm not just a victim of my genetic code. I'm a sinner, an imperfect human being who choses to sin. Sure, I'm capable to do good. Sure I want to be a good person. But in the end I'm a scuzball as I stand before God.

The Good News is God loves scuzballs like me and you. And because of that I can find redemption and forgiveness in God through Jesus Christ. I can find power to live up to God's standands through His Holy Spirit who lives within every follower of Christ. The Good News is Christ died for me to pay my sin penalty and allow me to live in God's forgiving love. My old sinful nature is now impotent. My new life in Christ is full of power through His Holy Spirit. I'm no longer a slave to sin. I'm a servant of the living God to live an abundant life.

Daily Reflections on Prov. 22:6; 29:15

Train up a child in the way he/she should go is a challenge more than ever today. How do you get a child to love the ways of the Lord instead of loving the ways of the world. That's a lot of pressure on parents as trainers. It seems to me it begins with a genuine passion for the ways of God as a parent ourselves. Pursuing God, His Word, His will with a genuine and consistent desire.

It's challenging enought as a parent/trainer to know the "should" today. Not only do parents/trainers have to learn to filter, limit exposure, protect and enlighten at the same time, they have to incorporate God's way, His truthes into the mix with love and personal consistency.

Discipline is obviously a part of it. You cannot let a child do whatever they want, whenever they want. Prov. 29:15 is clear, without the rod of correction your kid is going to be a problem child not only to you, but to those he/she intersects, in fact society as a whole. Truth is all of us need discipline. If we're not not taught self discipline, it leads to life out of control and self destruction.

The the way he/she should go of Prov. 22:6 is a deeper issue than just imposing a set of rules and regulations (that are sometimes confused by parents as "my rules"). Training a child in the way he/she should go is about understanding the child's giftedness and talents and helping them incorporate God's truthes, way, into their life path. It becomes helping them fulfill God's purpose and plan for their life with a desire to become completely His.