April 16, 2020

Today is Thursday. In this pandemic, with so many people at home and no discernible rhythm to life people are losing track of time. This lack of rhythm to carry us through the week creates emotional pressure and worry. Worry leads to stress. Stress multiplies into anxiety. Anxiety “doubles down” to fear. Once the wave starts rolling, it sweeps us off our feet. Question: is this reasonable? Jesus asked, “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” [Matthew 6:27 NLT] 

The Bible has training on how to handle stress! Let’s take a look at one passage and the skill sets it teaches. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” [Philippians 4:6 – 7 NLT]

The first skill is to trust God. The evidence is, we go to God in prayer. I suspect most of our worries, anxieties, and fears trickle down from our inability to trust. Whether we like it or not, much of life is out of our control. When we drive, we trust the other drivers to behave in a reasonable manner. When we go to the bank, we expect the bank to behave in a predictable manner. These reasonable and predictable ways of conducting ourselves translate into trust. When someone or something does not behave as expected, we find trust difficult. When imaginations build a “computer model” and carries us to the “worst case scenario” our anxieties over-ride our faith, our ability to think straight, and our lives.

The next skill is thanksgiving. Some might see this time of isolation as a “bad” thing. Be careful of the labels you use. They are like frames on art work. They detract or draw attention to certain aspects of the work. Thankfulness during this time of isolation looks at life as an opportunity. Life becomes a blank canvas you get to put whatever you want on that canvas… maybe for the first time in your life. If we focus on not being in church, not working, not shopping, not going out with friends; maybe we will miss something. Maybe we will miss the chance to reconnect with our loved ones, learn a new skill, or be creative. Maybe we will miss the chance to connect (or reconnect) with God by reading the Bible. (Please read from a translation that you can easily understand.)

The last skill is being able to fix our minds on what is “excellent and worthy of praise.” In the early days of computers, the expression was “garbage in, garbage out.” Maybe we can flip that and say “excellence and praise worthy in, excellence and praise worthy out.”

This leads to peace, the kind beyond understanding. I doubt peace is like an elusive cat that doesn’t want to be found. Nor is peace like “flat box” furniture. You know the kind, it comes is a box with assorted pieces you have to assemble. Peace is not something we can find, assemble, or create. Notice Paul calls it “God’s peace” and “His peace.” In fact, Jesus said, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” [John 14:27 NLT] True peace is a byproduct of our relationship with Jesus. Peace is a gift of God.

Pandemic Tip #2

March 19, 2020

When I was growing up, I loved the nursery rhymes and children’s stories. When I grew older, I discovered that the original stories were meant to teach children (and parents) basic “common wisdom” lessons. Like Aesop’s Fables, only the “moral of the story” was left for the reader to figure out.

One such story is “Chicken Little.” The story I heard was the King solved Chicken Little’s problem at the end by giving her an umbrella so the falling acorns would not be a problem. However, this story has a very long and dark past.

The earliest recorded versions of the story had Chicken Little and the rest of her friends (all of them birds) meeting a fox and mindlessly going to the fox’s den, where they never came out. Some have declared the moral of the story is “don’t believe everything you hear.” While that might be part of the message of the story, I think there is also another point. Simply put, “don’t panic.” Basically panic created a situation where an event was interpreted in such a way that reason was lost. Once the emotional panic set in, it became a disease that spread to the other animals. It ended in a fox taking advantage of the panicked birds.

The line that maybe be the best known line in the story is “the sky is falling.” It comes from the version published in 1850. Students of history will recognize that the world was coming off, and in the middle of sicknesses that included Yellow fever, Influenza, and Cholera that did a lot of damage as far as death and fear was concerned.

Jesus warned us about worry when He said, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” [Matthew 6:24 NLT] Do you see it? What Jesus is saying is that when we worry we are thinking about things that may never happen. Energy is spent in “panic mode.” Once panic mode hits, we forget the things we have to deal with today. My suspicion is that once we start into panic mode; we essentially create the thing we fear BECAUSE we are not paying attention to what is important today.

I believe there is good news. Jesus gives peace. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” [Jesus, from John 14:27 NLT] I think the old meme is correct, “Know Jesus, know peace. No Jesus, no peace.”

So while attention is diverted to “am I going to have enough toilet paper tomorrow,” we are missing the real question. The real question you need to ask yourself, “am I on the path to heaven today?”

In with the good

Colossians 3:12 – 17

In with the good!

 

I.          High-caliber character. [v 12]

 

A.        “Compassion”

 

1.         This is a word picture, literally “spleen of mercy”

 

a.         Why “spleen?”  The Greeks believed the spleen was the seat of bad temper and the source of spite.  [Oxford]

 

b.         Direct contrast to “anger” [v 8]

 

2.         Jesus demonstrated compassion.

 

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. [37] Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. [38] Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” [Matthew 9:36 – 38]

 

B.        “Kindness”

 

1.         How does one be kind?

 

a.         The word used here conveys the idea of “usefulness.”

 

b.         Kindness shows up in our actions as well as our attitudes about others.

 

2.         We see a direct contrast with “malice” [v 8]

 

C.        “Humility”

 

1.         Problem: “Humility is an impish virtue.  Let it have enough reigns and it will think of itself god-like, tighten it down and it will gloat over its holiness.  Humility is a gift and desire but so often it comes gift-wrapped in the arrogance of its practice.” [Calvin Miller]

 

2.         Essentially humility is the contrast to “slander” [v 8].

 

a.         We “slander” people, tear others down, to build ourselves up.

 

b.         “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” [Romans 12:3]

 

D.        “Gentleness”

 

1.         Typically translated “meekness.”  One dictionary defined “gentle” as: mild or kind; not rough or violent.  2) not harsh or severe.  3) archaic noble or courteous. [Oxford]

 

2.         Contrast with “filthy language” [v 8].

 

E.         “Patience”

 

1.         The idea here is to be able to suffer/tolerate indignities, delay, or trouble.

 

[Ill.] Sign that says, “there are three virtues in life: patience, patience, and more patience.

 

2.         This is often contrary to our personalities.  Some are very judgmental with the ability to make quick judgements and are often unmovable.

 

II.        High-compliance conduct (Like Jesus).

 

A.        “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” [v 13d]

 

1.         Parable: Matthew 18:23 – 35

 

a.         Nothing anyone can do to you will ever come close to the debt you owe God.

 

b.         Holding something against someone is ultimately an act of arrogance

 

2.         Promise and Warning: “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. [15] But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” [Matthew 6:14 – 15]

 

3.         A story: Luke 7:36 – 50

 

B.        “Love”

 

1.         What do you have if you practice virtue without love?

 

a.         In speech you get noise, in smarts there is only nonsense, when sacrificing the is no gain.

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. [3] If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” [1 Corinthians 13:1 – 3]

 

b.         “Disorientation, fragmentation, and stagnation” [LAB]

 

2.         Love holds everything together.

 

III.       High-impact compass.

 

It is said we live life by the calendar (task) or the compass (direction)...  Problem is we think doing something is progress.  Fact is doing something without a plan/direction/purpose can exhaust us and become counter-productive.  What sort of compass does God give us?

 

A.        Peace.

 

1.         The word “rule” is a word that came from sports: “referee.”  Legally it meant an “arbitrator.”

 

2.         Things peace does not mean:

 

a.         Peace does not mean tolerating bad behavior.

 

b.         Peace does not mean eliminating differences.  Instead it means using differences in love and trust.

 

c.         Peace does not allow open conflict or mutual silence.

 

3.         How does peace work?

 

a.         When feelings and desires clash the tendency is to take “the path of least resistance” or the one with less pain.  THIS IS MENTAL ILLNESS NOT PEACE.

 

b.         Peace is something God gives:

 

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” [Philippians 4:7]

 

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

 

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” [Romans 5:1]

 

B.        God’s word. (“Word/message of Christ” v 16)

 

1.         The Bible is the only reliable life compass available.

 

2.         Walking in the ways of the Bible will lead us, eventually, to thankfulness.

 

C.        The name of Jesus.

 

1.         We are representatives of Jesus because what we do and say is in the name of Jesus.

 

a.         In America we do not understand group shame anymore... e.g. if a child behaved badly, it reflected poorly on the parents/family.

 

b.         It was motivation to not embarrass our family, group, or country.

 

[BTW, this is why terrorist do not distinguish between a military target and civilian target... if you are part of the whole you are guilty by extension.]

 

2.         “We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.” [2 Corinthians 5:20]

 

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The Making of a Man

Genesis 27:41, 28:10 – 22, 29:20 – 27, 31:38 – 42, 31:1 – 3, 31, 21 – 24, 31:48 – 50, 32:22 – 32

The Making of a Man

Medical technology has allowed us to see into the brain and is demonstrating that men and women do physically think in different ways. Of course, that’s just catching up with our observations of Scripture.

Jacob was one example of a man that God directly shaped through the use of some interesting tools.

 

I.         God uses disruptions.

 

            A.        Esau disrupted Jacob’s sense of peace an security. [Gen. 27:41]

 

                        1.         Jacob and Esau were in constant conflict.

 

                                    a.         Esau sold his “birthright” for soup. (The birthright was the legal standing given to the first born to be head of the family.)

 

                                    b.         Jacob stole Isaac’s blessing. (The blessing was the prayer/prophecy of what and who the person was to become.)

 

                        2.         Esau eventually developed an attitude.

 

                                    a.         Jacob ran for his life. [Gen. 28:10]

 

                                    b.         This became a 20 year voyage of discovering God.

 

            B.        God used this disruption to get Jacob’s attention. [Gen. 28:11 – 22]

 

                        1.         Finally God gets Jacob alone.

 

                                    a.         Men have the ability to think of absolutely nothing OR only themselves (sometimes that’s the same thing).

 

                                    b.         At Jacob’s “lowest” point (hey, he’s using a rock for a pillow) God reveals Himself.

 

                                                1.)       Notice God takes the initiative.

 

                                                2.)       Notice God promises to do the work.

***** Sometimes men are a bit slower to catch on. Sometimes men have to be brought to the point of utter helplessness before we will listen to God. *****

 

III.      God uses conflict.

 

            A.        Laban becomes a friendly enemy of Jacob.

 

                        1.         Laban steals 20 years of Jacob’s life and work.

 

                                    a.         Jacob wanted Rachel but got Leah. [Gen. 29:20 – 27, 31:38 – 42]

(CAUTION: Men, it is ALWAYS a bad thing when we allow lust to rule our actions.)

 

                                    b.         Question: can anyone be this stupid?

 

                                                1.)       How do you mistake the ugly sister for the “drop dead gorgeous” one on you wedding night?

 

                                                2.)       Somehow Jacob must have been out of control, either drunk or self-absorbed.

 

                        2.         God steps in to direct Jacob. [Gen. 31:1 – 3]

 

                                    a.         In the space of 20 years...

 

                                                1.)       There is no record of God contacting Jacob.

 

                                                2.)       There is no record of God at work in Jacob OTHER THAN blessing his work (which both Laben and Jacob recognized).

 

                                    b.         Men tend to define themselves by two things:

 

                                                1.)        Their work. “A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God. [Ecclesiastes 2:24] (BTW, I think this was meant to be a simple observation of a life without God, not a “truth statement.”)

 

                                                2.)       Their “wise” children. “A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.” [Proverbs 10:1b,c]

 

            B.        God steps in to protect Jacob. [Gen. 31:21 – 24]

 

                        1.         Somehow Jacob is still depending on himself.

 

                                    a.         He “deceive” his uncle and runs.

 

                                    b.         Laban catches him in 7 days, after a 3 day head start... (Suspicion, Laban was unhappy when he started and very cranky when he caught Jacob.)

 

                        2.         God reveals His will to Laban.

 

                                    a.         “Say nothing good or bad...”

 

                                                1.)       First we talk, then we fight... some of us equate “lets talk with lets fight.”

 

                                                2.)       In other words, God cautioned Laben to not escalate the conflict.

 

                                    b.         Laban behaves himself. [Gen. 31:48 – 50]

 

                                                1.)       “Mizpah” means “watch tower.”

 

                                                2.)       “God is a witness between you and me.” [v 50]

 

III.      God uses transformation.

 

            A.        Transformation is not a one time event.

 

                        1.         It happens in significant moments and in daily progression.

 

                                    a.         Esau’s murderous threats, Laben’s greed and anger, Esau’s army...

 

                                    b.         Daily life of work... subtle blessings and realization of God’s blessings.

 

                        2.         Examples:

 

                                    a.         Moses became Moses through a series of significant events: murder, burning bush, the Exodus, and meeting God on the mountain.

 

                                    b.         John became John through daily contact with Jesus: He was a “son of thunder” but became “the apostle of love.”

 

                                    c.         Joshua became Joshua when he served as Moses’ aid, when he stated in the “tent of meeting” to pray, and when God appeared to him... the first two prepared him for the appointment to lead.

 

            B.        How does this work? [Gen. 32:22 – 32]

 

                        1.         Transformation happens through persistence not physical strength or skill.

 

                                    a.         Jacob is no match for the stranger (God).

 

                                    b.         Jacob has an intense desire (reason, purpose): “bless me.”

 

                                                1.)       Jacob goes from stealing to wanting God to give him the blessing.

 

                                                2.)       At this defining he takes his place with Abraham in the “chain of faith.”

 

                        2.         Transformation touches the entire person.

 

                                    a.         His name is changed. Abram becomes Abraham, Saul becomes Paul, Cephas becomes Peter... Jacob becomes Israel.

 

                                    b.         Those who are in Christ Jesus have a new name!

 

                                                1.)       You are a new person: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” [2 Corinthians 5:17]

 

                                                2.)       You are given a new name: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” [Revelation 2:17]

 

                        3.         Transformation happens when we meet God face to face.

 

                                    a.         “Peniel” means “face of God.”

 

                                                1.)       It is here that a man honestly faces himself, his fears, and his pride.

 

                                                2.)       It is here that a man makes that choice – once and for all – that will define him for eternity.

 

                                    b.         Your turn is “today.”

 

                                                1.)       Absolute trust in the salvation provided by Jesus.

 

                                                2.)       Absolute submission to God’s transforming work and power.

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