Daily Reflections on Gen. 8-10 (When You Have to Stand Alone)

Whenever I read the story of Noah I can't help but think of Bill Cosby. Several years ago, Cosby did a comedy bit on Noah. God tells Noah to build an ark and Cosby responds, "Right!!! What's an ark?" After several interplays between Noah (Cosby) and God, God says to Noah, "How long can you tread water?" So Noah (Cosby) decides to build the ark.

It must have been quite a sight to see, an ark being built on the plains. No lake in sight. Apparently it had never rained so I'm sure the neighbors had plenty to laugh at. My guess is the tourist crowd grew everyday. I can see the vendors lined up around the ark selling food, drink and mementos, maybe ark replicas. I'm sure they were merciless on Noah.

Sometimes living by faith is really tough. It's literally you against the world. In Noah's case, the only people standing with him was his family. Living by faith requires a not just belief but discipline and fortitude. Going against the crowd or conventional thinking is like standing against a current. Everything is pulling you in the opposite direction.

Noah's faithfulness ended up not just saving he and his family, it saved the world as we know it. Just like sin always affects others, so does acting in faith. When God calls or commands us to do something, even if it's hard, is the right thing to do. Had Noah refused not only would he have been lost so would we.

God, give me the courage to act in faith.

Daily Reflections on 1 Jn. 5:13-15 (Security)

Assurance leads to security. When you absolutely know something you act in confidence. When you know your car's going to start, you don't a have second thought, you just jump in and go. When you now that your job is there, you work with assurance and confidence. When you know that your spouse or significant other loves you, you enjoy life and your relationship. It's when those things aren't so sure in your mind that the worry, fear, tension, suspicion, doubt, trepidation, and anxiety creeps into your mind and life.

It's amazing to me the people that go through life without the assurance of eternal life in Christ. Many so called "believers" are unsure of their salvation. While many non-Christians hope that their good works are enough to earn God's pleasure, but they're never really sure. Both are locked into the idea of proving themselves to God one way or the other.

How do I know if I have eternal life in heaven with God? John tries to give us that assurance. It starts with a personal relationship with God through Christ. It's not about joining some church or church membership. It's about accepting God's free gift of salvation through His son Jesus. That comes from believing and trusting in God; your confession or admission that you're not perfect and you need His forgiveness.

John also emphasizes how important it is to allow God's Spirit to work in you and through you. The best demonstration of that is the practical application of God's love to others. If we don't love like God, then we're simply not allowing God's Spirit to work. And if we refuse to allow God's Spirit to work, then John says that we don't belong to God or His family.

How do I know if I have eternal life? If I believe in Christ, have chosen to surrender my life to Him and allow God's Spirit to flow freely in my life. In other words, what's really going on in my heart? If I've truly allowed God to have my heart, it will be apparent in my behavior and prayers. My prayers will be about things of the Kingdom of God, things that are on God's heart.

God, I believe in you and your promises. You've shaped my heart with a passion for things of the Kingdom. Help me to be constantly aware of your Spirit. Help me to reflect and demonstrate your love and grace to others around me. Thanks for the assurance of eternal life in you.

Daily Reflections on Mk. 9:14-29 (IF)

If! It must have been a bizarre scene. Jesus comes off Mt. Transfiguration where He has just met with Moses and Elijah in an awe inspiring experience. Peter, James and John had to still be buzzing with excitement. Here at the base of the mountain were the other nine disciples in an argument with a crowd of people. What a spiritual high killer.

Turns out the other nine weren't able to cast out a demon possessing a boy. So, the argument ensued. The Bible doesn't say what the argument was about, but my guess is that there was some questioning of the nine's spiritual manhood. It's one of the those times in which Jesus smacks Himself on the forehead, rolls His eyes and shakes His head. My interpretation of verse 19, "Morons! Just bring me the boy and I'll show you pin heads how to do this." The text leaves no doubt that Jesus was exasperated with His disciples.

When they brought Him the boy and the evil spirit in the boy started throwing a temper tantrum, the father asked Jesus to heal him, "if He could." That's if He "could" not if He "would." I'd like to have seen the look on Jesus' face at that moment, "IF you can?" Jesus says, "Are you questioning me? You think I can't handle this? Do you believe in God and His power or don't you?"

There's a lot of times we approach God with the same mentality. We bring an issue, a problem, a request to God with the "if you can" attitude. God, please answer my prayer if you can. And God's response is, "If you can?" If we doubt Him, why would He respond? God doesn't have to prove anything to us. The issue is about our faith. God says, "Look around, dude. You think all this got here by accident? Some big bang and the universe just appeared out of gas clouds."

The disciples failed because of their lack of faith and trust in God's power over their own. The man's son might had never been healed because of his lack of faith. IF. Our football coaches used to tell us when we started using the "if" excuse, that "If means I Failed." In this case "if" means "incomplete faith."

Jesus said that everything is possible for him(her) who believes. The father's response was quick, "I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief." Do you believe that God can heal your sick or dead marriage? Do you believe that God can heal your financial woes? Do you believe that God can help you overcome that habit? Do you believe God can get you through this rough patch? Do you believe God can heal your physical issue? Your health issue? Your emotional distress? Your spiritual pain? Do you believe God can supply all your needs?

God, I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief.

Daily Reflections on Isa. 1:2-9 (Am I Nuts?)

I've watched it again and again. People with messed up lives choosing to continue to live messed up lives. They have life preserver in hand and purposely choose to toss it aside and continue to flail. To be honest, it doesn't make any sense to me. I've seen people addicted to alcohol and drugs, living in desperate situations, jump right back in fulll throttle even when given a sweet set up to escape, complete with plenty of friends and support.

Okay, I realize the addictive power of drugs and alcohol. But they aren't the only ones I've seen exhibit that kind of behavior. I've watched ladies being physically abused go back to live with their abuse. Surely you're not saying she's addicted to being beat up. I've seen people who spend themselves into financial ruin. They get help to get out and before you know it they're in over their head again; they've tossed the budget out the window.

It amazes me the number of people I see involved in various forms of self destructive behavior who choose to continue to wallow in their squaller. Why do people live like that? You have a way out. You know what to do. You've tasted of life above the fracas. So why in the world do you continue to purposely choose to bring calamity, hardship, pain, suffering, frustration on yourself? Does this make sense to anyone?

But to be honest, the thing that gets me the most is why would people refuse the love of God? Why do people refuse to accept God's grace and forgiveness? Why would anyone choose to reject Jesus, His truths and abundant life? Why would anyone purposely choose to live in darkness when they could live in the light? Why would anyone deny the power of God in their life or quench His Holy Spirit? Why would anyone kick aside eternal life for eternal punishment?

I must be nuts! God gives us a plan and a promise to really live, to experience the fullness of life, to avoid the pit falls and pain and we just ignore it. Doesn't that seem a little strange?

God, help me to hold out and up the Word of Life. Not only for others, but for myself. I don't know why I ignore your truths or fail to heed your warnings. I don't know why I sometimes bring pain on myself. Let your spirit flow in me. I want your guidance and your direction. Help me listen to your spirit today and tomorrow and the next day, all day.

Daily Reflections on Jn. 10:25-30 (Testing the Rope)

Trust and belief go together. If you don't trust something or someone, you'll be apprehensive about it or them. You're apprehension is based on your unfamiliararity. The more you believe in someone or something, the more carefree, confident you are. The first time you take off on a rope swing, you're a little tentative. You pull on the rope a few times to test its strength. You jump off gingerly preparing yourself for the fall in case the rope breaks. You get a little more energetic with each jump. After several successful attemps, you're running full steam trying to maimize the effect of your jump.

That's how faith works. Letting go initially is a real risk. Since you've never known what God can do in your life, you're tentative about letting Him have everything. That's why I always encourage people first coming to faith in Christ to trust God as much as they know how. Deeper trust comes from an expanded experience with God. The more you believe in Him and His ability to intercede in your life, the greater the trust. As your trust develops, your belief deepens.

When you don't know Christ very well, it sometimes causes hesitation to follow or even skepticism to what He teaches. But the more you know Him, the more you find His teachings and commands to be true, then the more your are willing to put your life in His hands. The more you release yourself into His hands, the more assured you become in life, the more content you are within yourself.

God wants you to test His rope. Give it a good tug. Take the leap. He fully expects you to jump gingerly at first. His rope won't break. The more you swing, the more enthusiasticly you'll want to jump. Where in your life do you need to get off the branch, the ledge and go for it with God? You'll never know what God can do until you grab the rope and give it run.

God, I'm listening for your voice. I want to go where you want to take me. I'm following you. I'm placing myself fully into your hands. I want to experience life in you to the fullest. I'm ready for the swing of my life. Here goes, God. I'm jumping!