Pandemic Tip #6

March 26, 2020

Kicking around the internet, I found a new website that I really like. I like it because it gives numbers and statistics to all sorts of things. It's called “worldometer.” Before I go any further, when I mention a website or source, or movie, or book, etc… I am not necessarily endorsing it.

According to worldometer the current world population is a little over 7.7 Billion people with around 237k (at the moment of my writing this) births… today. Yes, that is JUST today.

Infants need care. They need food, they need moved, and they need loved. Much like what the Bible does for us. Reading 1 Peter 2:2 – 3, we find, “Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.” [NLT]

This is contrasted with verse one, “So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech.” [NLT] Wow… that’s a laundry list of political behavior. It’s also a candid list of what we were born to do because that is what we are… Theologically we call this the “sinful nature.” That means we are born with the natural pull to commit sin. It also means that when we sin by doing something we are told by God that leads to death (or not doing something we are told by God that leads to life) we are acting according to our base sinful nature.

However, when we are “born again” (as Jesus painted it). We start a new life as “newborn babies” as Peter tells us. To grow we need food, we need to be moved forward, and we need loved. Where does that come from? I am so glad you asked!

The “spiritual milk” the will nourish us so we grow into a “full experience of salvation” is the Bible. The reality is there are people who START as spiritual newborn babies and END that way. My suspicion is that is a shame. Imagine all the wasted potential of people who refuse to grow up. Peter Pan anyone? And they wonder why there is no real joy or peace. Instead of peace there is panic. They do not fulfill their purpose or function on this earth. (The meaning of the Greek word "teleos," often translated "perfect" is closer to the modern English idea of fulfilling purpose or function.)

My suspicion is that your reaction to this pandemic, peace or panic, is conditioned on whether or not you have craved “pure spiritual milk.” If you have tasted the “Lord’s kindness” (or goodness) then I doubt much will disturb your balance in times like these. So take time today, tomorrow, and for the rest of your life to deliberately study the Bible… to deliberately grow up (be moved)… to deliberately enjoy the “full experience of salvation.” (be loved)

Pandemic Tip #5

March 25, 2020

I mentioned the idea of talking to God. Theologically it’s called “prayer.” However, I feel that prayer is one side of a conversation with the living one true God.

How are we to hear God’s voice? I’m glad you asked that question!

Let me direct your attention to 2 Timothy 3:16 – 17 [CEB] “Every scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character, so that the person who belongs to God can be equipped to do everything that is good.”

“Inspired” basically means that what you are reading comes from God to you. The Bible is good for four things that are useful for us in time of need. First, the Bible teaches us. There are multiple threads in the Bible such as “the scarlet thread” (the story of God’s redemptive plan). The thread I want to point out today is about God’s personal interaction with the individual. The Bible is full of examples of how the Almighty God not only communicates with His people, but WANTS to communicate with His people.  Think of it: God wants to communicate with you. For the most part this has nothing to do with the mystical, going into a trance, doing something strange, or any other descriptor. You will know when God speaks to you.

The second thing the Bible does is showing us mistakes. The Bible shows us what is wrong with our lives in the world. From personal experience I want to assure you, this is the healing touch of the physician. Maybe painful at first.

Number three is “correcting.” While number two shows us what is off course. Number three is the correction in direction. It is the guiding hand of the master craftsman on the apprentice. It is light and life to the wounded, the scared, and the needy soul.

The last thing is “training character.” I don’t know about you but I feel like the world is going “wild.” We give praise to impulses that are out of control. We empower those who want to exercise out of control impulses. “Training character” is considered unwanted (at best).

I was once in a “big box” store, in the checkout line behind a young mother struggling with a boy who was about 6 years old. The boy kept grabbing a candy bar and throwing it into the cart. The mom would calmly put it back on the shelf. This repeated itself several times until the mom said “no” to her son. The child’s response was priceless. He stated, very loudly, “You can’t tell me that. It’s illegal.”

There is a reason for all this, simply put, we will “be equipped to do EVERYTHING that is good.” You know “good” when you see it. It has nothing to do with politics or religion. Good is what reflects the character of God. Thus, the need to be taught, shown what needs correcting, how to correct it, and the character needed to do what is good.

Speaking of candy bars.... I want to give a shout out to my neighbors at this point. The kids made us card and they put a large chocolate bar in the mail box. It includes an offer to help, if help is needed (from the mom). Maybe it’s a small gesture, but it’s good.

Someone has said “the right tool for the right job.” Maybe, if you talk to God (pray) and read the Bible you will come to understand that you are the right tool for a job God intends to get done. It doesn't have to be a "big" job because "small" ones can make a big difference. Maybe you will find yourself in partnership with God, doing incredible good. No appearance on Shark Tank needed.

Psalm 19:7 – 14 “How to have devotions”

Psalm 19:7 – 14 “How to have devotions”

Devotions – time alone with God in prayer and reading the Bible.

***** Devotional Bible reading is different than Bible study.  It is looking for a “heart – word” from God.  It is relational in focus rather than “practical” or “intellectual.”

 1.        Ever struggle with devotions?

            a.         The “struggle:”

                        1.)        Some people struggle having devotions. 

                        2.)        Others struggle with the significance of devotions.

            b.         Reality:

                        1.)        “This book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book.”

[NOT exactly correct… Fact: your relationship with God is often reflected in the time and effort you put into the Bible.  When your relationship is weaker the struggle is greater.]

                        2.)        “Busy” Does it seem that life start early and fast?

[Fact: you have time for what you make time for BECAUSE that is your priority.]

2.         So how do we have devotional Bible reading?

[Note: Psalm 19:1 – 6 is about “general revelation”… it is what everyone can know by looking at creation.  Psalm 7 – 11 is about “special revelation”… what is known through the Bible.  Psalm 19:12 – 14 is our response to what we know.]

            a.         Understand exactly what the Bible is:

                        1.)        [v 7] It is “perfect.” Literally: “entire” or “whole” or “complete.” It is spotless and harmless, as being absolutely well-meaning, and altogether directed towards the well-being of man. [K&D]

                        2.)        [v 7] It is “trustworthy.” It carries the idea of “certain,” “permanent,” “to support,” and “to nourish.”

                        3.)        [v 8] It is “right.” Meaning they are straight, upright, correct.

                        4.)        [v 8] It is “radiant.”

                        5.)        [v 9] It is “pure.”

                        6.)        [v 9] It is “firm.”         

            b.         Understand exactly what the Bible does:

                        1.)        [v 7] It revives, restores, and refreshes the soul.

Discovering the nature and will of God, the duty of people, the belief and practice for happiness now and into eternity… is like a cold drink of water on a hot day (or in our present case a hot chocolate on a cold day).

It is the point were the damage done by sin is undone as we turn to God through the Bible.  Reason and enlightened philosophy do NOT work (as someone claimed this week).  It is the work of God, through the Bible that transforms us.

                        2.)        [v 7] It makes wise the simple.

Teachable disciples continuing to walk in the instruction of the Bible… we have the movement from simple to mature!

                        3.)        [v 8] It gives joy to the heart.

Revived (KJV “converted”) then made wise… now rejoicing in that progress!  Sin and guilt are the curse of sin but the redeemed of the Lord, freed from sins terrorism, has joy!

                        4.)        [v 8] It gives light to the eyes.

Many get bogged down in despair… depression can cause us to pursue unsheathing things…  but living in the freedom of God’s Word there is “light.”  We no longer are slaves to sin.  We are no longer blinded by the “god of this age.” 

“Long my imprisoned spirit lay, fast bound in sin and nature's night; thine eye diffused a quickening ray; I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; my chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed thee.” [Charles Wesley “And Can It Be?”]

                        5.)        [v 10” “They are more precious than gold… sweeter than honey.”

Gold is valuable… and shiny.  Honey is sweet… and some claim healing.  We desire the beauty of gold.  We desire the value of gold.  We enjoy the sweetness of honey.  Yet better than all that put together is found in the Bible.

                        6.)        [v 11] “By them your servant is warned.”

Ever notice that just about everything we purchase comes with a warning?  Certainly nobody is that stupid?  REALITY CHECK: when was the last time you complained or grumbled?  The Bible says that “unbelief” and cost a generation of Israel 40 years in the desert… dying.

If you had cancer, would you rather know about it and be able to do something about it?  Did you know that prostate cancer is the biggest risk to men… while colorectal is the third biggest cancer risk to men?  Both are easily treated if caught early enough… but mean don’t get checked… (obvious reason)

            c.         Understand that the Bible makes healthy demands on us.

                        1.)        [v 11] We are reminded that there is “great reward” in keeping the word of God.

So what’s the “reward?”  Eternal life, yes.  Joy now, yes.  But it also seems that we are spared all sorts of agony between here and there.

                        2.)        [v 12] We can be free from the darkness in our lives.

Errors, hidden faults, and the deceitfulness of our hearts all work to our downfall. We struggle in life and not know why. We argue with God and get no place.  Sometimes God gives us the desires of our heart but sends leanness into our soul.

                        3.)        [v 13] We can be free from the slavery of sin.

Willful sin is like an addiction.  It is presumptions BECAUSE we are expect God to forgive us afterwards… the problem is they rule over us and will harden our hearts to God.  They stuff up our ears and make us unwilling to listen.  They make us cover up and protect what ought to be brought out into the light and cleaned up.

3.         Why have devotions?

            a.         We need to deal with two things:

                        1.)        Our mouth.

Jesus said that it was out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks [Matthew 12:24].  James claimed that it corrupts the whole person and sets the whole course of life on fire [James 3:6].

                        2.)        Our heart. [The “will”]

Proverbs tells us “ABOVE ALL ELSE” to guard the heart BECAUSE everything in life comes from it.  Our choices, our attitudes, our emotional responses all come from the heart.

The heart is a picture of who we are… what we put into the heart will change it… and change our attitudes, our behavior, our words… everything.   

            b.         What words and thoughts (meditation) are you programming your heart with?

Are they pleasing and acceptable to the LORD?

4.         Final tips:

            a.         Set aside time… deliberately.  It’s an appointment to keep.

            b.         Pick a place… somewhere with no distractions.

            c.         Start the day with God, end the day with God.

            d.         If you have family make one of those times a family devotions.