Daily Reflections on Lk. 2:8-14 (Where's the Peace?)

At the end of my tour of the Holy Land in 2000, the man who ran the tour company climbed onto our bus and shared a few words to us. He gave us all replica medallions of an early century cross. Then before departing our bus he asked us to pray for peace in the middle east. He lamented the strife and turmoil of his land. And told us the only hope for true peace was not a cessation of hostilities through governmental agreements. He said the only hope for true peace was through Jesus. I learned later that he was an Arab Christian living in Jerusalem. He had come to know Christ as His personal Lord and Savior.

I've been thinking a lot about the message the angel brought to the shepherds in light of all the conflict continuing in the middle east. There isn't a lot of joy. There isn't a lot of good news. And there certainly isn't a lot of peace. Efforts throughout the region to quell the fighting have only been temporary. Before long the hatred spills over into killing and it escalates all over again. I think my friend is right. Unless there is an inner change that only comes through Christ, the warring will continue.

The middle east could use some good news. I mean real good news. Jesus needs to return to the region. Despite all the relics and places and history of that sacred land that points to God, His presence seems so far away. Just like Jesus wept over Jerusalem while He was on earth, I'm sure His tears are uncontrollable today. God's heart has to be breaking.

As much as the middle east needs some good news that will bring true peace, I'm afraid we need it in our lives too. Everywhere I look around me I see strife and conflict and assassinations (of character) and warring. Relationships are struggling. Marriages are failing. Parents and children, siblings war with one another. We need Christ to come.

God, send the angel(s) with the good news. Send your messengers with the hope of Good News in Jesus. May hearts be open to His true message of peace.

Daily Reflections on Lk. 1:26-38 (Troubling News)

Troubled. That was Mary's initial response when the angel told her that she was highly favored among women. The angel comes to Mary and tells her that she's got God's personal attention, He's with her and she's troubled. I suppose that could be a natural response. After all Moses said, "God, I think you got the wrong guy. I can't speak," when God called him. Jonah went on cruise in the opposite direction when God called him and then ultimately went for a swim. Gideon said, "Lord, I'm a farmer not a military man, check out my new fleece."

So when God shows up out of nowhere and tells you you're favored, "troubled" just might be a natural reaction. When God put His finger on someone in the past to be His person, it wasn't always for an easy task. After all, a lot of the prophets in the past had a pretty rough go. Mary knew that at the least her life was about to change forever. Her plans for her own cozy life were headed for a major overall.

I'm sure that Mary had a ton more questions than are listed in Luke 1. No doubt all the ramifications of what the angel spelled out began to race through her mind, not the least of which was how am I gonna explain this one. Apparently, there aren't any witnesses to this angelic encounter and revolutionary message. Oh sure, everyone was expecting a Messiah, but not in the same way Mary was expecting.

As startling and potentially disturbing as this news was to Mary, she submitted to God. What if Mary would have said, "I don't think so." Who would have been on God's "B" list. Joseph and Francine just sounds odd to me. Ave Henrietta really throws off the meter. She consented. She conceived. She delivered.

For Mary to become the mother of Jesus, she had to surrender and be willing to sacrifice her own agenda. Mothering God couldn't have been easy. Talk about pressure. All of history is bearing down upon you. No one would be under greater scrutiny as a parent, a mother than Mary. Yet she agreed.

Throughout my years of ministry I've discovered that God picks all sorts of people for all sorts of jobs. Sometimes people say "yes" and sometimes they say "no." I can't imagine what would happen in our world, community, neighborhood, family if we all had the same attitude as Mary, "I'm the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."

God, I am your servant. Use me how you wish.

Daily Reflections on Lk. 19:1-10 (Can a Person Really Change?)

Transformation is an amazing thing, especially when it happens to a person. It's often been said that people don't change, that the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. It's probably true to some extent, yet I tend to be an optimist. People can change, well sort of. I don't mean a Jekyll and Hyde sort of change. I mean really change.

Obviously, people change their minds all the time. Politicians change their views from one stump to the next. I've always heard that changing your mind is a ladies prerogative. But that's not exactly what I was thinking. Changing your thinking, yes. Changing your mind, not really.

My observation is that people can't change by themselves. They need help. Self determination and accountability can help, but the moment we let go of the wheel or lose our accountability we have a tendency to steer out of control and fall back into the same old patterns.

Yet, I firmly believe that people can change. I read the story of Zacchaeus, and I see obvious transformation. What made the difference? How was he able to change. Not through self will, but through the power of Jesus. Jesus is able to create change in us by helping us change thought process. Not doubt little, tax collector Zac was a mess. Not a lot of real friends. People thought of him as a "sinner." We might think "crook." Yet through his encounter with Christ, he was changed.

It's really a great phrase, one of my favorite in the Bible. "He (Jesus) has gone to be a guest of a 'sinner.'" That's one of the most encouraging passages. It tells me that Jesus wants to connect with people like me and you and even those with a not so hot reputation. It tells me that there is hope for me. It tells me change is possible for me. When I see Zac's transformation, I'm excited about the possibilities for me and others.

Jesus' response to the life change of Zac, "Today salvation has come to this house." If it can come to that crook's, Zacchaeus, it certainly can come to mine. It reminds me that Jesus loves me so much that He's willing to come looking for me in my plight. When He finds me, He loves me for who I am. Yet, He loves me so deeply that He won't let me stay there.

Change is possible through Jesus. I don't have to stay the way I am. Even thought Jesus invited Himself to Zac's house, He prefers that we invite Him to our house.

Jesus, come hang out at my house. I need you. Change me. Change my heart. Change my thinking to your way of thinking.

Daily Reflections on Rev. 2:1-7 (Beware of Cheap Substitutes)

A friend of mine called me this morning talking about how people have taken Christ out of Christmas. My response, "Christmas? People have taken Christ out of everything." As I continued our brief discussion, I couldn't help but think of how much we substitute things, traditions, people, staff, church, programs, doctrine, job, family, education, accomplishments, football, houses, cars, clothes, prominence, popularity, electronics, fitness over Christ. It's not just Santa and elves and reindeer and gift giving (or getting) that gets in our way. That's only a sign that we've made the substitution.

Last night, I was watching the Christmas special "Shrek the Halls." Cute little story. Shrek, the ogre, has never celebrated Christmas and doesn't know anything about it. He wants to make their first Christmas special for his new bride and babies, but since he knows nothing of Christmas he gets a book on how to do Christmas. He follows it like a recipe book, doing all the steps. On Christmas eve he gathers his children around the fireplace to read them the Christmas story. The Christmas story he began to read was not the one I was expecting. He read, "Twas the night before Christmas..."

"Wait. That's not the Christmas story," I thought to myself. "Hang on just a minute. That's a substitute. The story of Christmas is Jesus coming to earth as a baby, being born in a stable. Where are the angels and shepherds and wisemen? Shrek, you got the wrong book."

I shouldn't be surprised. The substitution practice has been going on for quite sometime. Just read John's writing in Rev. 2. The church at Ephesus seems to be an active, Bible believing church. They stand up for strict doctrine. Work hard. Endured oppression. Exposed false teachers. Hated evil. Yet, they seem to have lost something along the way. They made hard work and doctrine the center of their worship. Substitution. John says they had forsaken their first love.

How the easy the substitution practice takes over. We get so side tracked on everything in life that we forsake what should be our first love. It's like a sports team that gets lulled into a certain aspect of play and forgets the fundamentals. John encourages us to get our thinking straight and go back to the things we did at first. When it comes down to it, it's about Lordship, putting Christ back at the center.

God, I'm probably just as guilt as the next person of substituting. You certainly deserve the center of my life. It's so easy to start putting other things first, including the urgency of the day. Reclaim your throne in my heart. I don't want to lose my lampstand.

Daily Reflections on Prov. 30:7-9 (Dear Santa, I Mean, God)

It happens at Christmas every year. Parents encourage their youngsters to make out their Christmas List. Sometimes kids are encouraged to write a letter to Santa enumerating the items they wish for Santa to bring them. I've been tickled through the years reading the fanciful yearnings of children's letters to Santa published in the local newspaper. Proclamation is often made of how good a person they had been in the past. Occasionally a child reports on the behavior of their siblings, good and bad. Of course there are always promises to do better next year and the inevitable bribe.

As children grow to adulthood, it seems to me that our approach to God is similar to our approach to Santa. We make a wish list that we present before God of things we want, need or desire. We make all sorts of promises about how we'll change if God comes through. And there's always the bribe technique, as if God could be bribed or manipulated.

I'm sure to God, many of our prayers are just as amusing to Him as letters to Santa are to me. I wonder if He records them and puts them on AngelTube for the residents of heaven to enjoy. Yet, there is one prayer that I'm sure God was glad to hear. It's found here in Proverbs 30. It's an honest, realistic, humble prayer. It has two basic components: 1) Keep lies and falsehoods away from me; and 2) Don't make me poor or rich.

Deception kills relationships. Since relationships are based on trust, when that trust is violated through lying, the relationship is undermined. Truth, honesty, and integrity are keys to a solid foundation in any relationship. That includes our relationship with God. If I'm trying to deceive God, it damages my relationship with Him.

I remember sitting in a class discussing Joseph Fletcher's proposal of "Situation Ethics." The question posed, "is it right to steal food or money for food when your family is starving?" The debate was intense. I don't remember the resolution the class came to, just the intensity of the debate. Solomon knew his nature. He asks God not to make him poor because he knew he'd steal to feed himself and his family and thus dishonor God.

Ironically, he also asked God not to make him rich so that he could maintain his dependency upon God. Yet, we know that Solomon did become the richest man who'd ever lived and that his riches led him away from God at the end of his life. He embraced other gods celebrated by his many wives. Evidently, Solomon relied so much on his own wisdom and wealth that he ended up, just as he predicted, walking away from God.

As I look at my own heart, it's probably no different than Solomon's. I need to pray the same prayer. I certainly don't have the wisdom of Solomon, but I know I have the same propensities.

God, I can't imagine disowning owning you. I definitely don't want to dishonor you. I'm making Solomon's prayer here my own. I want to live a life of integrity before you. All I ask is that you meet my needs. I know living in dependency upon you is actually living fully.

Daily Reflections on James 1:12-18 (Catching Stuff)

It is very similar to catching a cold. Put yourself in the wrong environment and within a couple of days you've got the sniffles or worse. I say environment but weather itself doesn't cause illness. Diseases, colds and flu in particular, are passed onto us by those with whom we associate. Family, friends, co-workers, etc. are the culprits. Hang out with them when they're sickly and before you know it you've got it too.

Those pesky little germs sometimes stays dormant for a while, but then they get you. They've multiplying unseen and unchecked for days. When they've gained enough strength to attack your body, your in for it. The battle is on. Viruses are the worst, since all you can do is relief symptoms. They just have to run their course.

Sin works the same way. We get infected hanging out in the wrong environments. More often than not the affects of others influence in our life allows the seed of sin to be planted, cultivated and developed. It's not others fault. Sin is always our choice. But the process that James describes in chapter 1 is enhanced by the environment with which we surround ourselves. Environment includes our surroundings, situations, and of course people.

In the same way all of us are vulnerable to sickness, colds, and flu, none of us are immune to the temptation of sin. No one is perfect. Only one was sinless, that's Jesus. Hanging out with Him gives us a fighting chance. He came to give us the ability to fight off sin that can destroy our lives or that makes us feel miserable. It's through the power of the cross and the resurrection that we can be healed. Paul says that it was by Jesus' stripes that we are healed.

The message of Christmas is a message of reprieve and relief and renewal. Jesus isn't Vitamin C or Zinc or Echinacea or even antibiotics. He's not some magic pill we take to help our body/mind heal ourselves. He is the cleansing agent. He is the antidote. He's the healing power.

God, I know I need my daily exposure to you to stay healthy personally, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Cleanse me. Eradicate the seeds of sin that begin to grow in me. Foster the growth of your Word in me.

Daily Reflections on Ezek. 3:1-9 (Hardheaded People)

I've been accused of being hardheaded ever since I was a kid. While sometimes others throw ugly sounding words my direction like "stubborn" or "arrogant," I prefer to think of my self as confident and determined. Pigheaded just doesn't sound very nice to me.

Surely all of us at times have be accused of something similar. It may not be our normal behavior, but on occasion, well let's just say we resemble that remark. Like me, during those moments, you think of yourself more as determined than stubborn. And even though nasty comments flow from the mouths of others, you remain steadfast.

Sometimes stubbornness isn't all bad. Sometimes one has to maintain a determined spirit to get something accomplished. We often use phrases like "hardheaded" or "pigheaded" in a negative tone, and probably rightfully so. However, there are times when it's essential to stand your ground or keep up the pursuit.

Here in this passage, God tells Ezekiel that He wants Zeke to be hardheaded. In fact, God says He's going to make Zeke hardheaded. Why? Somehow I didn't think obstinacy was one of the character traits of the Fruit of the Spirit. Doesn't seem like it goes along with love, peace, patience, etc.

But that depends on how you look at it. If a parent goes to no end to save their child, we consider that admirable, even necessary. They are bound and determined to do whatever it takes. In another situation we might call that hardheaded. But in this situation we would call that love.

The fact that God wants His children, really all people to hear and respond to His words of truth and hope, means that sometimes He and His prophets/messengers have to have a determined spirit. They have to be hardheaded at times. It's really an act of love. If you truly love someone, you won't let them destroy themselves.

It's interesting that God sends Ezekiel to people he knows really well. He speaks their language. He knows their culture and their ways. He's one of them. Maybe that's why hardheadedness is required. Going to people you you're not connected with, makes it easier to let them go. People you love, you never give up on. You may have to display some tough love, but you don't give up on them.

God, I know that I'm hardheaded about some things. But I want to be hardheaded about the right things, things of your Kingdom. Help me continue to proclaim your message, uphold your truth, hold out your grace, even when it seems like all ears are deaf. Give me the determination without the obstinacy that repels.

Daily Reflections on Ezek. 2:6-10 (Lions, Tigers and Scorpions at Work)

I've seen it happen thousands of times. People get really pumped up spiritually at a retreat or event or small group, or even a church service only to be deflated the moment the walked through the doors at work. It's like someone stuck a pin in their inflated balloon. High on life in Jesus on Sunday. Just trying to keep from drowning on Monday.

I've heard the drone again and again, "I hate my job. It's so depressing. It's impossible to be a Christian in that environment." Complaints abound. Factory workers used to expound upon the notorious vile atmosphere they experienced. But I've discovered, factories aren't the only place where sordid behavior resides. Virtually every form of employment is beleaguered with inappropriate expressions, sexual innuendos and contemptible practices.

When the drone begins, I know what's coming next. People always ask me to pray that they could get a job in a "Christian" environment. My response usually surprises them. I tell them I won't pray that. I tell them I'll pray for them to be a light. I'll pray for their protection. I'll pray for their testimony. I'll pray for strength, wisdom, insights and openings, but I won't pray for them to get a job in a "Christian" environment. God put you where you are to be witness, a light, an influence, His messenger. No matter how vile the environment, God needs you there to proclaim His Good News, to offer hope.

Throughout the Old Testament, prophet after prophet are sent to dangerous, rebellious, vile arenas to challenge, to speak truth, to show the way back to God. Some of them took a real beating. A lot of them felt really alone. Some of them saw results to their call or message. Some of them were imprisoned, ignored, or persecuted.

Here in this passage, God is really honest with Ezekiel. He tells him straight up what to expect from the people to whom he's directed to go. He said to expect briers, thorns, scorpions, and rebellion. Would that be good description of your workplace? He's saying expect to be cut up, stuck, stung, criticized and ostracized if you're speaking God's message. He's not suggesting you take an adversarial role. He's talking about what to expect when you humbly but confidently proclaim God's message.

It's pretty easy for most believers after they get batted around a bit by their coworkers to go into hiding, to drop their message, to try to blend in with crowd. Who wants to live in constant controversy or aggravation or even rejection? But God says, "Open up and feed on me, my words, my promises, my truth." Don't back down. Don't give in. Allow His Spirit to flow in you. God knows perfectly well what you're experiencing. His Son went through the same thing.

God, sometimes I feel all alone as your messenger. I sometimes just want to runaway and hide like Elijah. Just get me out of this situation. Put me in one that is easy. I like preaching to choir. Yet, Lord, I know that you came into a rebellious world that rejected you. I'm not alone. I have your message of hope. Without it, the world around me will only get darker. Help me crank up my little flashlight. Refresh my batteries. I want to shine for you.

Daily Reflections on Ezek. 2:1-5 (Is Anyone Coming to the Party?)

Have you ever thrown a party and no one came? Maybe a close friend or two showed up or some relatives, but everyone else stayed away. I wonder if God feels that way sometimes. He goes all out. The cost is no object. He pays it all willingly. Everything is free. Yet, you gotta ask, "where is everybody?"

Good question! What more could He do? Forgiveness of sins. Guilt free living. Tools for great relationships. Hope. Joy. Eternal life. Eternal rewards. Security. Protection. Insight. Assurance. Support. Encouragement. Power. Endless opportunity. Challenge. Significance. Value. Unconditional love. All free. Surprises me that people are standing in line around the block to get in on that action.

So what's the deal? What's wrong with us? Why aren't we clamoring for just a taste of what God has for us? Why aren't we like seagulls on the beach hovering, crowding, fighting over a french fry someone tossed into the air? Beats me. And those of us who have it and enjoy the blessings of God, why are we keeping it all to ourselves? There's plenty of God's blessings to go around. There's always room for one more.

Actually, I don't know what puzzles me more; the people who know about God but reject Him; the people that are so deaf to God they can't hear him; the people/churches that are more concerned about keeping things the way they like it; or the people/churches that are more concerned about making people feel comfortable with their internal programs. Hello, everyone.

As we continue down this road blatantly ignoring God, the world around continues to spiral downward. More chaos. More neglect. More abuse. More frustration. More emptiness. More hurt.

God is still speaking. He's not yelling trying to be heard above the fracas. He's just holding out His truth, His hope, His grace, His love, while others go whizzing by trying to knock it from His hand. I'm just glad that God, according to 2 Peter, is patient with us, longing for us to come to our senses and embrace Him.

God, it's pretty easy for us to ignore you. Yet at the same time it's pretty hard to deny your presence. We know you are there. Somehow we just know. No matter how hard we try to put you aside, we can't. Thanks for your patience with us, with me. As I grow to allow you to be the center of everything in my life, help me to be that prophet to others as described here in Ezek. 2.