Relationships are hard these days, especially with all the role confusion. The Equal Rights Movement has pushed us deeper into a selfish mentality. Every one demands "their" rights. It's about me, what I want, what I deserve.
Paul, in his instruction to Titus, has a different take on what makes for healthy relationship and a sound society. He list some characteristics that need to be apparent among the mature figures of our communities and families and churches. He says that mature men or older men should be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, sound in their faith, love and endurance. Grouchy, demanding, irreverent, selfish behavior is not appropriate. Mature men should be models for other men to follow. The should set the standard for younger men to mimic.
Too often older men think that as head of their home, everyone else should bow to their every wish and whim and serve their every need. They bark out orders, make demands that everyone else should follow. But that's not the image that Paul paints here. Respect is not gained through demand. Respect is gained through a servant mentality and appropriate behavior. Respect is gained when I demonstrate a consistency of faith, love and endurance; when my life matches our image of wholesomeness, grace and strength. Wives respect husbands who serve them and their families and others with a genuine love that comes from an inner strength and confidence.
Society tells wives today to demand equal status from their relationships. But equal status isn't gained through demands and selfishness. It's gained through servanthood. Once again, a serving heart will gain higher status in the eyes of their husbands than a demanding or argumentative one. To make a relationship work, both persons must relinquish their rights and seek the best interest of the other. Paying attention to family needs and serving those needs is the key to a healthy marital relationship, by both husband and wife.
Paul says that the responsibility of modeling and passing these concepts on is that of mature men and women. That means older men and women have to work harder at displaying these characteristics in their own lives and marriages and relationships. Older men ought to practice temperate behavior that gains the respect of younger men. Older women should demonstrate a graceful reverence that gets the attention and admiration of younger ladies.
But Paul doesn't stop there. He makes a point of older men and women assuming the role of instructor to their younger counterparts. It can't be in a demanding sort of way. The instruction should be in mentoring role. Wouldn't it be great if within our churches and neighborhoods and communities we would see mature men, women, couples who demonstrated these characteristics in their lives, taking younger men, women, couples under their wings to encourage, teach, mentor, and love them?
God, I still have a lot to learn about being the kind of husband that honors my wife and family. I still need a mentor in my life. But, Lord, help me find a younger man that I can pass on what I've learned. Fill me with your grace, strength, insights, patience, understanding and desire. Help me to model these characteristics to others.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Daily Reflections on Ps 90 and 91 (Is Anything Secure Anymore?)
Not doubt these are troubling times. Wars continue to plague us. Economic disaster appears imminent. Jobs are insecure. The housing market is tanking. Credit is hard to come by. The uncertainty of a presidential election. Medicare is in trouble. Social Security is headed for bankruptcy. The stock market is on life support. Banks are failing. Foreclosures are at an all time high. Global warming is threating our environment. Natural disasters are wreaking havoc everywhere. There's general unrest throughout the world. Terrorism remains a real threat.
It's no wonder many have a sense of anxiety. We are crying out for peace and security and things to be calm again in our lives. The basis of our anxiety is our perception of the circumstances which surround us. Things appear out of control which creates the feelings of insecurity and uncertainty.
When we base our feelings on the circumstances around us, we place ourselves in risky hands. As long as things go smooth, we're fine. But when things get a little out of kilter, the nervousness and anxiety begins to creep in and ultimately takes over.
The psalmist suggests that if we want to feel secure no matter the circumstances that arise around us, we should put our trust in God. The Bible uses terms like "refuge" and "fortress" to describe God's protection and solace. It's turning complete control over to Him of all aspects of our lives. Since we live in a society that promotes individualism and personal achievement, surrendering that complete control is a huge challenge for most of us. We're are good at saying it, just not good at doing it.
Dwelling in the shelter of the Most High sounds really cool, actually doing it is another story. We are so used to trusting in ourselves or the government or our employer or our wealth that it's hard to let go. Unfortunately all those things falter and eventually pass. Our skill and ability and health fades. Governments eventually fall. Wealth slips away. Employers shut their doors. But God remains steadfast.
Read these psalms again. Capture the essence of God's secure eternal nature and His readiness to cover us with His protective presence. Reflect on His power and awesome love. Choose then where you want to dwell, in the turmoil and pressure of the world or in the shelter of His presence.
God, I live most of my life wrestling with things over which I have no power. I often find myself in internal tension and worrying about things I can't change or impact. I struggle needlessly with the world and the things of this world resting in my own ability, ingenuity or strength. I'm worn out. My blood pressure is too high. It's sometimes hard to sleep. Cover me with your wings. I want to dwell in you. Teach me to number my days aright.
It's no wonder many have a sense of anxiety. We are crying out for peace and security and things to be calm again in our lives. The basis of our anxiety is our perception of the circumstances which surround us. Things appear out of control which creates the feelings of insecurity and uncertainty.
When we base our feelings on the circumstances around us, we place ourselves in risky hands. As long as things go smooth, we're fine. But when things get a little out of kilter, the nervousness and anxiety begins to creep in and ultimately takes over.
The psalmist suggests that if we want to feel secure no matter the circumstances that arise around us, we should put our trust in God. The Bible uses terms like "refuge" and "fortress" to describe God's protection and solace. It's turning complete control over to Him of all aspects of our lives. Since we live in a society that promotes individualism and personal achievement, surrendering that complete control is a huge challenge for most of us. We're are good at saying it, just not good at doing it.
Dwelling in the shelter of the Most High sounds really cool, actually doing it is another story. We are so used to trusting in ourselves or the government or our employer or our wealth that it's hard to let go. Unfortunately all those things falter and eventually pass. Our skill and ability and health fades. Governments eventually fall. Wealth slips away. Employers shut their doors. But God remains steadfast.
Read these psalms again. Capture the essence of God's secure eternal nature and His readiness to cover us with His protective presence. Reflect on His power and awesome love. Choose then where you want to dwell, in the turmoil and pressure of the world or in the shelter of His presence.
God, I live most of my life wrestling with things over which I have no power. I often find myself in internal tension and worrying about things I can't change or impact. I struggle needlessly with the world and the things of this world resting in my own ability, ingenuity or strength. I'm worn out. My blood pressure is too high. It's sometimes hard to sleep. Cover me with your wings. I want to dwell in you. Teach me to number my days aright.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Daily Reflections on 1 Tim. 6:7-19 (Money, Money, Money)
Money makes the world go round. If that's the case the world must be coming to a halt or even might be spinning backward. Government bail outs, foreclosures, bank failures, stock devaluation has the world economy in a precarious position. All I know is that my wife's 401k has plummeted nearly 40% in the last year. There's now less in the fund than what we've put into it. The value of my house has also dropped significantly in the past year. The interest on my saving accounts has virtually dropped to nothing. I'm thinking about transferring my investments to my mattress.
Economies are cyclical, or so I'm told. Markets fluctuate and occasionally self correct. But the truth is that nothing financial is certain in life. If we place all our focus and energy into getting and making money or material things, we may be investing in things that are fleeting or worse. Paul tells Timothy that the love of of money is the root of all evil. Let's be honest, much of the financial crisis that we're facing today has to do with major lending companies greed. The executives love of money has led to a major disaster worldwide.
Paul challenges us as followers of Christ to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness instead of money. He said to take hold of eternal life. He says those with wealth shouldn't put their hope in it. It's uncertain. That's been apparent recently. Putting your hope in God is a much more secure place. Riches are found in doing good deeds. By doing so, we lay up treasures in heaven.
I can tell you from personal experience that financial investment don't always pay lasting dividends. Sometimes you take a huge loss, even on things that appear to be safe. The only investments that you can count on being lasting and always paying dividends are the investments you make in the Kingdom of God. God's stock never crashes. His bank never fails. His rewards out pay any here on earth.
God, I want to be rich. Not in financial terms but in Kingdom terms. I'm laying up my treasures in heaven. Help me be wise in my earthly investment, but I'm placing my hope in you. I want to be rich in good deeds.
Economies are cyclical, or so I'm told. Markets fluctuate and occasionally self correct. But the truth is that nothing financial is certain in life. If we place all our focus and energy into getting and making money or material things, we may be investing in things that are fleeting or worse. Paul tells Timothy that the love of of money is the root of all evil. Let's be honest, much of the financial crisis that we're facing today has to do with major lending companies greed. The executives love of money has led to a major disaster worldwide.
Paul challenges us as followers of Christ to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness instead of money. He said to take hold of eternal life. He says those with wealth shouldn't put their hope in it. It's uncertain. That's been apparent recently. Putting your hope in God is a much more secure place. Riches are found in doing good deeds. By doing so, we lay up treasures in heaven.
I can tell you from personal experience that financial investment don't always pay lasting dividends. Sometimes you take a huge loss, even on things that appear to be safe. The only investments that you can count on being lasting and always paying dividends are the investments you make in the Kingdom of God. God's stock never crashes. His bank never fails. His rewards out pay any here on earth.
God, I want to be rich. Not in financial terms but in Kingdom terms. I'm laying up my treasures in heaven. Help me be wise in my earthly investment, but I'm placing my hope in you. I want to be rich in good deeds.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Daily Reflections on 2 Thes. 1:4-12 (Getting Vengeance)
Vengeance is mine says the Lord. I keep reminding myself of that promise. Last night I learned of the tragic murder of two of my friends and former church members. I confess my heart aches deeply today and my anger is brewing under the surface. Everything within me is crying out, "It's wrong. It's wrong, Lord." I find myself longing to be at the sides of family members. I want to get involved in the investigation. I want their killers hunted down. I want God to do something.
In my frustration, God brought me some comfort in today's reading from 2 Thessalonians. In the most severest of trials, faith is of the utmost importance. It's our steadfastness of faith that makes a difference and draws us to the presence of God. In these verses, Paul reassures us that God is just and will pay back those who cause us, His faithful, trouble. He also promises to give us relief from our trouble. In the end, God will punish those who don't know Him or obey His standards. He will bring on them everlasting destruction and ban them from His presence.
But for those of us who are faithful and remain in Him and trust Him, God promises to be glorified in us. We experience His majestic power. God will right things in the end. Evil will be punished. His faithful rewarded. I have no question in my mind of the eternal fate of my friends. Today they are in the very presence of God. I look forward to embracing them again because of Jesus.
Yet, my heart still aches for my loss, for the family of my friends and my former congregation. So what little comfort I'm able to bring to them, I'll offer it. Like Paul, my constant prayers will be for them; that not only that God brings them comfort but through them God will fulfill an even greater purpose because of their faith.
God, I need your comfort and reassurance today. I know the family of my friends need your comfort and reassurance today. I'm asking that you bring your punishment upon those who did this evil. Show your mighty power. Remove any vengeful spirit in me and the family. Pour out your grace on us.
In my frustration, God brought me some comfort in today's reading from 2 Thessalonians. In the most severest of trials, faith is of the utmost importance. It's our steadfastness of faith that makes a difference and draws us to the presence of God. In these verses, Paul reassures us that God is just and will pay back those who cause us, His faithful, trouble. He also promises to give us relief from our trouble. In the end, God will punish those who don't know Him or obey His standards. He will bring on them everlasting destruction and ban them from His presence.
But for those of us who are faithful and remain in Him and trust Him, God promises to be glorified in us. We experience His majestic power. God will right things in the end. Evil will be punished. His faithful rewarded. I have no question in my mind of the eternal fate of my friends. Today they are in the very presence of God. I look forward to embracing them again because of Jesus.
Yet, my heart still aches for my loss, for the family of my friends and my former congregation. So what little comfort I'm able to bring to them, I'll offer it. Like Paul, my constant prayers will be for them; that not only that God brings them comfort but through them God will fulfill an even greater purpose because of their faith.
God, I need your comfort and reassurance today. I know the family of my friends need your comfort and reassurance today. I'm asking that you bring your punishment upon those who did this evil. Show your mighty power. Remove any vengeful spirit in me and the family. Pour out your grace on us.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Daily Reflections on Col. 3:18-4:6 (A Key to Healthy Relationships)
We have encouraged our church to read through the Bible in a year and have prepared little booklets for them to help them keep track of their progress and record their thoughts and insights. In fact, part of the purpose of this devotional blog is help them them with their reading. This morning my wife came in early and woke me telling me that I needed to be sure do today's reading because it tells me to love my wife. I haven't called her at work yet to tell her that it also tells her to submit to her husband, a part that she obviously omitted to mention.
Actually, this text goes on to talk about several relationships such as parent/child and slave/master (employee/employer). In his discussion on these relationships, Paul talks about whatever we do, work at with all our heart as working for the Lord. He goes on to say that it is actually the Lord Christ we are serving. The context would imply that employees/slaves should work with a sincere and reverent heart toward the Lord in doing their job.
Yet, in the total context of this passage there appears to be more here in intent. A few verses later when he is talking about dealing with non-Christians, he says to let your conversation always be full of grace, seasoned with salt. He is talking about how we treat one another. Submitting, loving, obeying, not embittering, working, providing, speaking are attitudinal issue. It's not about self. It's about others. Relationships thrive and are healthiest when there is mutual trust and respect. But that has to start with me. I have to have a sincere, caring, respectful heart toward others including my wife, my kids, my parents, my boss, my employees, my neighbors, my co-workers, even strangers.
Bottom line is that I should treat others as if I was treating, serving Christ. That mean wives submit to/serve their husbands like they are serving Christ. Husbands are to love their wives like they are loving Christ. Children are to obey their parents like they were obeying Christ. Parents are to raise their children as they would Christ. Employees are to work for their bosses like they are working for Christ. Bosses should supervise their employees like they were supervising Christ. Sounds weird and almost awkward, yet that's what in fact we are doing.
God, help me remember to love and serve my wife and children and parents like I would you.
Actually, this text goes on to talk about several relationships such as parent/child and slave/master (employee/employer). In his discussion on these relationships, Paul talks about whatever we do, work at with all our heart as working for the Lord. He goes on to say that it is actually the Lord Christ we are serving. The context would imply that employees/slaves should work with a sincere and reverent heart toward the Lord in doing their job.
Yet, in the total context of this passage there appears to be more here in intent. A few verses later when he is talking about dealing with non-Christians, he says to let your conversation always be full of grace, seasoned with salt. He is talking about how we treat one another. Submitting, loving, obeying, not embittering, working, providing, speaking are attitudinal issue. It's not about self. It's about others. Relationships thrive and are healthiest when there is mutual trust and respect. But that has to start with me. I have to have a sincere, caring, respectful heart toward others including my wife, my kids, my parents, my boss, my employees, my neighbors, my co-workers, even strangers.
Bottom line is that I should treat others as if I was treating, serving Christ. That mean wives submit to/serve their husbands like they are serving Christ. Husbands are to love their wives like they are loving Christ. Children are to obey their parents like they were obeying Christ. Parents are to raise their children as they would Christ. Employees are to work for their bosses like they are working for Christ. Bosses should supervise their employees like they were supervising Christ. Sounds weird and almost awkward, yet that's what in fact we are doing.
God, help me remember to love and serve my wife and children and parents like I would you.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Daily Reflections on Phil. 4:8 (Winning the Battle Over Temptation)
My mind is the battlefield of sin. When we’re focused on the things of the Spirit, we’ll do what the Spirit wants. We’re new creations; the old self is gone. Have you ever found yourself in a situation that you knew that you shouldn’t be involved in and an alarm kind of goes off in your head? That alarm goes off in you because it’s not right, because it’s not your nature anymore. Your nature is now love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control.
The real battle is not the moment of temptation itself. Some think temptation comes at us and in that moment we’re going to decide whether we sin or not. That’s not where the battle is. The real battle is the mind, when we’re entertaining thoughts. When Satan puts that thought into our mind, we have a choice of what to do with that thought. We can reject it OR mull it over and over and over. The moment we start entertaining those thoughts, we’re sunk.
Satan’s not worried about time. He doesn’t toss out the temptation at the same time he gives you the thought. He’ll just toss the thought your way. He may do it several times. Then we have the choice of whether or not we’re going to entertain it. The moment we decide to think about it, Satan has us. He’s going to let it stew a little and let that thought grow. And then at the opportune moment, he’ll present the opportunity to us and we take it hook, line and sinker.
The choice was made the moment you decided to entertain the thought. You were done the moment you told the Holy Spirit to back off because you wanted to think about this one. That’s when the battle is being fought. And if we’re honest with ourselves, we know that that battle is being fought on a daily basis. We make decisions all day long.
I’m not saying that just because you have an evil thought you’re going to sin. But that’s how Satan works, by simply tossing thoughts your way. The more we entertain those thoughts, that’s when we’re sunk.
If we’re in a daily spiritual battle then we can’t put our mind into neutral. We must be ready to face those decisions. The mindset we come to things with is the mindset we’re going to perceive things through. If we think it’s going to be a great day, if we’re chipper, then our body language tells it all. And the same is true on how we deal with sin. We have to get our mind ready. This is a daily battle so get ready; prepare your mind in Christ. Set your mind on spiritual things.
Remember, the battle is in your mind, not at the moment of temptation. So if we’re focusing on these things mentioned in Philippians 4:8, then we’re able to resist sin, resist temptation when the opportunity presents itself. It’s amazing how many people tell me that they can watch all sorts of stuff or be around all sorts of stuff and it not have to worry about sinning themselves. And I can guarantee them that if they start entertaining those thoughts, it’s only a matter of time before they fall.
God, I don’t want to live a defeated spiritual life. I want a joy-filled, abundant life of victory in you. I know that I can’t overcome temptation and sin on my own power. I need your Spirit at work in me, empowering me. Thanks for forgiving my sin through Jesus and giving me the full measure of your Holy Spirit when I accepted you as Lord and Savior.
The real battle is not the moment of temptation itself. Some think temptation comes at us and in that moment we’re going to decide whether we sin or not. That’s not where the battle is. The real battle is the mind, when we’re entertaining thoughts. When Satan puts that thought into our mind, we have a choice of what to do with that thought. We can reject it OR mull it over and over and over. The moment we start entertaining those thoughts, we’re sunk.
Satan’s not worried about time. He doesn’t toss out the temptation at the same time he gives you the thought. He’ll just toss the thought your way. He may do it several times. Then we have the choice of whether or not we’re going to entertain it. The moment we decide to think about it, Satan has us. He’s going to let it stew a little and let that thought grow. And then at the opportune moment, he’ll present the opportunity to us and we take it hook, line and sinker.
The choice was made the moment you decided to entertain the thought. You were done the moment you told the Holy Spirit to back off because you wanted to think about this one. That’s when the battle is being fought. And if we’re honest with ourselves, we know that that battle is being fought on a daily basis. We make decisions all day long.
I’m not saying that just because you have an evil thought you’re going to sin. But that’s how Satan works, by simply tossing thoughts your way. The more we entertain those thoughts, that’s when we’re sunk.
If we’re in a daily spiritual battle then we can’t put our mind into neutral. We must be ready to face those decisions. The mindset we come to things with is the mindset we’re going to perceive things through. If we think it’s going to be a great day, if we’re chipper, then our body language tells it all. And the same is true on how we deal with sin. We have to get our mind ready. This is a daily battle so get ready; prepare your mind in Christ. Set your mind on spiritual things.
Remember, the battle is in your mind, not at the moment of temptation. So if we’re focusing on these things mentioned in Philippians 4:8, then we’re able to resist sin, resist temptation when the opportunity presents itself. It’s amazing how many people tell me that they can watch all sorts of stuff or be around all sorts of stuff and it not have to worry about sinning themselves. And I can guarantee them that if they start entertaining those thoughts, it’s only a matter of time before they fall.
God, I don’t want to live a defeated spiritual life. I want a joy-filled, abundant life of victory in you. I know that I can’t overcome temptation and sin on my own power. I need your Spirit at work in me, empowering me. Thanks for forgiving my sin through Jesus and giving me the full measure of your Holy Spirit when I accepted you as Lord and Savior.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Daily Reflections on Isa. 65:17-25 (Better Days Ahead)
The 2008 presidential election is about a month away. Media pundits have decried this to be the most important election of our time period. The hopes of many are that things will drastically improve in our economy, in our world situation, in stability of life. Yet, the truth is that nothing is going to change that drastically immediately following the election. Political changes may bring some minor changes, but honestly no one imagined how the world would change after 9/11 in the first year after George Bush's election. Elected officials had little impact. The tragedy of events would have happened whether Gore or Bush would have won.
The world we live in is a fallen world full of pain and tragedy and hardship. No matter the political changes, we will still face the same issues. No one has the power over hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes. No one can take away the tragedy of a fatal accident or illness. The cruelness of people will go on. Unnecessary words will still flow from lips, probably our own.
The world we live in is a mess and always will be. And that's what makes the promise of heaven even richer. Reading Isaiah 65 is a lot like reading Revelation 21. We get the picture of what heaven will be like. There will be no more weeping; no infant deaths; fullness of life; incredible dwelling places that won't wear out or need repair; no meaningless toil; no misfortune; peace on all sides; no separation from family; no temptations.
Heaven has a lot to be desired. But the best benefit of all is being in the presence of God Himself and seeing His full glory. It will be a time of rejoicing and delight. But the only way to enjoy what God has prepared for us is to surrender our life to Him, accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior of our life and living in Him. You cannot say, "I'll take the salvation thing," and then continue to live your life ignoring God. Reading through Isaiah, it's apparent that God will simply turn His back on those who turn their back on Him.
God, I'm putting my hope in you not politicians or governments. I'm looking forward to the rejoicing and delight of heaven. I'm fixing my eyes on Jesus and placing my trust into your hands.
The world we live in is a fallen world full of pain and tragedy and hardship. No matter the political changes, we will still face the same issues. No one has the power over hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes. No one can take away the tragedy of a fatal accident or illness. The cruelness of people will go on. Unnecessary words will still flow from lips, probably our own.
The world we live in is a mess and always will be. And that's what makes the promise of heaven even richer. Reading Isaiah 65 is a lot like reading Revelation 21. We get the picture of what heaven will be like. There will be no more weeping; no infant deaths; fullness of life; incredible dwelling places that won't wear out or need repair; no meaningless toil; no misfortune; peace on all sides; no separation from family; no temptations.
Heaven has a lot to be desired. But the best benefit of all is being in the presence of God Himself and seeing His full glory. It will be a time of rejoicing and delight. But the only way to enjoy what God has prepared for us is to surrender our life to Him, accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior of our life and living in Him. You cannot say, "I'll take the salvation thing," and then continue to live your life ignoring God. Reading through Isaiah, it's apparent that God will simply turn His back on those who turn their back on Him.
God, I'm putting my hope in you not politicians or governments. I'm looking forward to the rejoicing and delight of heaven. I'm fixing my eyes on Jesus and placing my trust into your hands.
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