Cross-cultural

And again He said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?"  Luke 13:20

I have lived in another country. When I moved I had to learn the rules and the ways of life there. They did things differently than we did in my country. They drove on the other side of the road, shook hands with everyone when they entered the room, and negotiated the price of every purchase. Their 'rules' were not the same as the rules I had always known.

Before I moved to that other place, and after I first arrived in the new land, I was taught how things are done there. I had to be shown the way things worked there. And even after living there for several years I kept learning that there was much I didn't yet understand.

The new ways in my new home didn't come to me naturally, and sometimes seemed very strange. But I would remind myself that this is how they do things here. What I used to do in my old country won't work here. My old approaches are out of place, or just plain wrong.

It seems to me that much of Jesus' teaching, and nearly all of Paul's writings, are trying to help us see that when we came to believe in Christ, we left our old country and now we live in a new country -- or in Bible words, in a new Kingdom. Jesus tells his disciples and the crowds what this new Kingdom is like. He tells us that in this Kingdom not only are children welcome, only those child-like in faith are allowed. He describes that the poor inherit this Kingdom while the rich have a very, very difficult time getting in. He warns us that in this Kingdom the last is first and the least is great.

Paul reminds us that in this new Kingdom we should put away our old currency, it won't buy you anything here. He says that in our old country we used to dress a certain way. But that's not appropriate attire here.

And in all their teachings, Jesus and his followers try to help us learn the new language of this new Kingdom. It includes unfamiliar concepts like, grace, forbearance, atonement -- as well as new meanings for words we did have in our old language -- words like, love, peace, forever.

As we learn our way our new country we begin to feel like we belong. Not because we do things right or have mastered the language, but because we are home.

Claims

With God’s help we will do mighty things,

    for he will trample down our foes. Psalms 108:13 (NLT)

In your strength I can crush an army;

    with my God I can scale any wall.  Psalms 18:29 (NLT)

When I read these verses I think of a toddler on his daddy's shoulders, shouting down to mommy, and claiming, "Look, I touched the ceiling!"  And daddy winks with a delighted grin.

Lost

For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.    Luke 19:10 (NLT) and Luke 15

In the parables that Jesus tells about lostness, he talks about sheep, coins, and sons.

The sheep lost its way.

The son lost his bearings.

But the coin just gets lost.

Some of people are separated not because of inattention, rebellion or ambition.
Sometimes they just get overlooked by others. But never by God.

Hopeless Hills

Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?”  So they rolled the stone aside.   John 11:40-41a (NLT)

It is a grave in the side of a hill. The stone is large and heavy. Surely not to keep the dead in, but to keep the living out.  The grave cries out, "Over. Gone. Ended. Done."  On the inside is death and eternity. On the outside is fear and sorrow.  

But in the midst of this hopelessness, Jesus - the resurrection and the life - comes in, and Lazarus - the dead man - comes out. 

Behind the stone, in the solitude and sanctuary of the tomb, God was at work. In a place no one could see. In a way no one imagined. He brought life to the dead.

There are tombs in my heart. Places where I have buried my hopeless things and sealed them with hard and heavy stones. Habits I can't change. Relationships I've given up on. Plans I've abandoned. Outside of their graves I grieve their loss and quietly respect their finality. 

However, in the cemetery of these graves, could it be that there are some buried places where God is still at work? That behind the stone doors, where no one can see, he is breathing life into dead things? Am I watching in case Jesus comes to stand by one of my hopeless hills?  At his bidding, am I willing to move the stone? Do I have the faith that is able see God's glory there? 

Voice Recognition

“Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”  "Who are you, lord?" Saul asked. 

Acts 9:4b-5 (NLT)

In Philippians Chapter 3, Paul tells us a part of his testimony:

• Raised in the religious community: "I was circumcised when I was eight days old". 
• Part of the most elite and prestigious inner circles: "I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one!"
• Learned and educated in the things of God: "I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law."
• Serious about doing the right things: "I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault."

Yes, Paul had been a deeply religious person. And he knew it. And was proud of it.

But when God (through the person of Jesus) twice called out his name, Paul didn't recognize Him.

Perhaps that is because knowing ABOUT someone, isn't the same as KNOWING someone. I've read lots of biographies, but I would never know the sound of the person's voice until I had actually met them. In the same way, studying the words of God helps me know about God, but it is in knowing Jesus, the Word of God made flesh, that I really come to know God and am able to recognize His voice.

From the inside out

God himself is in Jerusalem’s towers,  revealing himself as its defender. Psalm 48:3


Despite what I know to be true, I often think of God as being out there somewhere. Although I know better, I tend to act as though God is watching over me "at a distance." This mindset is particularly evident when I am feeling vulnerable and afraid. I cry out to God as though he is on a far away planet and I need to implore him to make the trip to enter my world and protect me from the things that press in from nearby.

But God is here. "God himself is IN Jerusalem's towers." God himself (not his emissary or underling, but he, himself) is in the place where his people live. He doesn't come from somewhere else to be there for me. He is in here. Inside my world, inside my life, inside me. And it is from the inside out that he defends and protects me. 

Eighty-nine Nine

Psalm 89:9 (NASB) 

You rule the swelling of the sea; When its waves rise, You still them.

Psalm 89:9 (cpd*) 

When the waves of life mount up with madness and chaos...

    You, O God of heaven and earth, who created the waters with the greatness of Your voice,

    You, O God, who has power, dominion and authority over the swelling pride and boastful arrogance of all that pretends to be mighty; 

    You, O God, with Your loud voice of authority (as the conquerer who booms out a victory cry with a dreadful shout) demand the tumult to stop its churning and fury and bluster. 

...You alone, O God, cause the swirling currents to relax, to rest, to be at peace.

*my own paraphrase

Teach me

Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray....” Luke 11:1 (NLT) 

I am not aware of other times recorded in the Gospels when the disciples actually asked Jesus to teach them something. They were obviously eager to learn. They followed Jesus, observed him in action, asked questions to understand better. But this time, as they watched him pray, they were moved to ask him to teach them.

Likewise, even as I follow Christ, as I watch his grace expressed around me, and as I study his word to know him better, I stay keenly aware that, "we do not know how to pray as we should" (Romans 8:26 NASB) and I find myself asking anew, "Lord, teach me to pray."

Auto-pilot world

Mark 4:35-41

We know the story. The disciples are in the boat, manning the sail. Jesus is in the boat, taking a nap. The disciples are seasoned fishermen, skilled in navigating the waters, the winds, the weather.  They are in their element, doing what they do best. Working within their strengths. Self-reliant. Self-assured. Self-sufficient.

And then, in the midst of their auto-pilot world, everything goes horribly wrong. All their experience isn't enough. All their knowledge isn't enough. All their self-confidence isn't enough. In the midst of what they have always done well, they need Jesus.

See also: A Lesson #5

Watchful Eye

The LORD watches over the foreigner… (Psalm 146:9)  See also Psalm 121.

When my children were young they would take little trips with my husband. They'd go to see grandma, or to an amusement park, or to the beach. When they were away I wouldn't worry about them. After all, they were under their father's loving care and watchful eye.

Recently, as my grown daughter moved to Africa I found myself fretting. About her safety. About her health. About her happiness. Gently and kindly, the Lord reminded me that just as I had not worried about her when she was away with her earthly father, so now, I could entrust her into the care of her Heavenly Father.  

Reminder

Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.' You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. And if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish.  Deuteronomy 8:17-19

Recently I was given some new responsibilities that are broad and big. It was tempting to feel that something I had done had earned for me this new opportunity. Until I came upon these verses from Deuteronomy.  A fit reminder. These words don't just give me a new way to think, or a formula for humility. These words are truth. And a "solemn warning." I am where I am by God's choosing. I have what I have by His blessing. Nothing to claim as my own, to feel superior about. And if I forget that truth, if I turn to the gods of power, and ambition, and pride, then I can be sure the God who gives will also take away.

Get up and pray

 "'Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.'" (Luke 22:46)

In his final hours, in his last private words to his intimate followers, Jesus instructs his disciples to pray.
Twice he urges them. Once as he walked away to his own private prayer spot, and again after he himself had prayed awhile.

In both instances he told them why they needed to pray: "so that you will not give in to temptation."

Even in his agony, Jesus is still teaching his disciples to pray. Even as he was praying his own prayer of submission, he plead with his followers to pray their prayers of submission. "Yet I want your will to be done, not mine," the Son says to the Father.

Isn't that the core struggle when we face temptations?  Whose will will be done?  The will of my flesh? The will of the world? The will of the devil?  Or the will of God?

How well did the disciples do?  Not so good. They fell asleep (Luke 22:39-47). They could not even overcome the temptation to not pray.

This Holy Week and beyond, how can we better learn to practice the prayer of submission that strengthens us against temptations? How can we guard ourselves from the slumber of a distracted heart?

Gather around

But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.  But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe. Acts 14:19-20 (NASB)

There's a lot of things to beat us down on any given day. Criticisms from without, worries from within. Some days the failures seem to overwhelm any victories, and the frailties of body and soul seem to sabotage any of our best intentions. We find that our fallen nature has ambushed us once again and we lie wounded in a pool of disappointment.

It is at those times when we can keenly understand the reason God made us to live in community. We need others who can pick us up, brush us off, and set us back on the path.  "It is not good for man to live alone," declared the Creator-God. "Two are better than one," explained the wise teacher in Ecclesiastes.

In the Book of Acts we see Paul, beaten to the point of death. "But while the disciples stood around him, he got up ..." and continued on his mission. I need those disciples to stand beside me when my heart is bruised, my thinking jumbled, my body weary.  I need them to gather around to pray, to speak truth, to love, to help.

And as a disciple myself,  I need to be available to others when they need the same.

It's a gift

"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) 

What do you do when offered a gift? In my upbringing, you accept it with profuse appreciation. Then you might tuck it away in the closet to later put into the 'goodwill' bin, or re-gift it to someone who might actually want it or make better use of it. In a few instances you might actually like it and use it. It is at those times that you actually receive the gift.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus tells us of many things God will give or has given those who follow Him: rest (Matthew 11:28); authority (Matthew 10:1); instructions (Matthew 11:1);  the life of Jesus as a ransom (Mark 10:45); the right to become children of God (John 1:12);  the Holy Spirit (John 14:16), and many more.

In John 14:27, Jesus offers his followers the gift of peace of mind and heart. What have I done with that gift? Put it away for a time when I really need it? Dismissed it as something I don't really want? Rejected it for the costly and impotent substitute the world offers?

Or have I received the peace of Christ (that passes understanding-that is not like what the world gives), so my troubled soul is calmed and my fearful heart is comforted?

Language Learning

 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Psalm 103:1 (NASB)

The Scriptures introduce us to a new language - the language we will use in heaven throughout all eternity. It is the language of worship. We see examples of what the Seraphim say when they stand around the throne of God (Isaiah 6:2,3). We get a peak at the praise language of heaven as the 24 elders fall down and sing a new song to the Lamb (Rev 5:8-10).

The Scriptures also instruct us on how to learn this new language of praise. Our private and corporate worship times give us opportunities to practice our new language.

One method the Bible employs to teach us to speak "worship" is mirrored in the language learning technique called "total physical response." An aspect of this process requires the learner to actually do with the body what the mouth is saying. So if the words I am practicing are "open the door," then I actually get up and open the door. I use my body to reinforce the words, and to learn the concepts behind the words.

In Scriptures we are told to lift our hands; bow; stand; kneel; dance; clap, etc. In all these things our bodies are assuming postures that reinforce what our words are saying and help us learn the language of worship.

Garden Hose

"... let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. " Matthew 5:16 (NLT) 

I doubt it has ever happened. At least I've never heard it.  When has anyone ever complimented the garden hose for the lovely flowers?  People might say, "What lovely roses!"  Or they might comment to one with a green thumb, "My, you are a terrific gardener." But they never say, "Wow, that is an awesome hose."

As conduits of God's love, our desire is for people to experience the flowers of God's grace and look to Him as the giver of all good gifts.  We are only a tool in the Gardener's hand.


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Random #8

 "...do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."
Philippians 2:4 (NASB)

"When it is all about me, the world becomes very small."
                                                                                                    - a thought expressed by a friend recently.




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Hoarding

So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.  James 1:21

Once or twice I've watched the TV show "Hoarders." It exposes the tragic lives of those with a psychological disorder which compels them to accumulate, and never eliminate, stuff. Their homes are so cluttered that they are often injured just navigating through the piles. Often they are unable to clear out garbage and trash. In extreme, their homes are unsanitary death traps.

In watching these shows I have two responses. One is to jump up and start clearing out closets. The other is to just gasp with bewilderment and the thought, "If they would just GET RID OF that stuff!"

The Scriptures tell me that I too am a hoarder. There are many things that clutter my heart and leave no room for Him, for others, for the good things they would add to my life, if I would only make space. A quick Bible search gives us a list of the putrid and dangerous things we may be hoarding in our hearts: pagan idols, foreign gods, sins, vile images, log in your own eye, evil behavior, bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, slander, malicious behavior, dirty language, filth, evil, deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, unkind speech.

In the TV show, loving, desperate family members initiate an "intervention." They hire a psychologist to work with the person to help them clean out the house. The counselor will pick up an item and ask, "Shall we get rid of this? Is there any reason to hang on to it?"  And the person will often have a very detailed and emotive explanation about why that thing - often broken and useless --must stay.

Perhaps I need to ask the Holy Spirit to counsel me as we walk through the tangled stockpiles in my heart and help me 'get rid of' these things.  Perhaps I should listen to my own excuses and justifications for why I keep this habit or why that hurt must stay.

And then I can make room to "humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls."

Interference

Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit began shouting, “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One sent from God!” Mark 1:23-24 (NLT)

My grandmother used to say, "now you've gone from preaching to meddling." That about sums up this passage. Jesus is preaching, with authority, with power.  The Word of God speaking the words of God. The people are amazed at the preaching.  But the demons are affronted by the meddling. In the presence of this Holy One, the unholy ones are restless, threatened, fearful. 

This is true of me. When God's word penetrates my heart, the sin-loving part of me often responds,  "Why are you interfering?" "I don't want to change." "Leave me alone."

But unlike the evil spirit, I have the love of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit at work in me, and so God woos me to respond with repentance and obedience.

(These thoughts are my reflections from Jay Wright's sermon at All Saints Dallas on "Power and Authority".  You can listen to it at: http://www.allsaintschurchdallas.org/sermons/sermon/power-and-authority).

Stop Signs

Like stop signs on a roadway, some words in Scriptures invite us to pause and ponder, to stop and give our minds to deeper contemplation.  Words like, all and every and always. Words like, nothing and never. These words are expansive or extreme. Totally inclusive or exclusive.

This practice can be very helpful in looking afresh at well-known passages. When I come upon them, I let the red light flash in my mind and I stop reading so I can consider carefully what is being said.

Do I praise God with all my heart, or just parts of it?  If he really will never leave me or forsake me, then I can be comforted when I feel alone.  Do I really worship no other gods, or are there a few I hide in my tent?

Others for meditation:
"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." Deuteronomy 6:5 (NASB)
 
"Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever." Psalm 145:2 (NASB)

"always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;" Ephesians 5:20 (NASB)
 
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."  Philippians 4:6 (NASB)

"The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail." Lamentations 3:22 (NASB)

Spirit sorrow

"But they rebelled against him and grieved his Holy Spirit." Isaiah 63:10

Our rebellion doesn't make the Holy Spirit mad. It makes Him sad. The compassion-heart of God responds to our self-determination and independence not with anger, but with the sorrow that comes with loss.

Obscurity

I was asked to give devotions for a missions recruitment event. I felt very honored to be asked. To be honest, I felt very important to be asked. When I arrived, the organizer was not there, but his assistant greeted me with a hurried, "Oh, you must be the devotional speaker. We'll be ready in a few minutes," and dashed off to take care of some other duty. When it was time for me to speak, the assistant introduced me by saying, "Our director arranged for this speaker, please welcome her."  There I stood, nameless and obscure, feeling no longer honored or important. Just a filled block on a schedule. 

Sometime later I received a note from a participant in the event. "What you said had a deep impact on me. It has changed how I listen to God's word and apply it to my life. Thank you." As I read this I recalled how I had felt as I stood before the group -- obscure (the condition of being unimportant or unknown). Yet God's word had been delivered in power and accomplished its work.

"Meanwhile, be content with obscurity like Christ" Colossians 3:4c (MSG)
 

Random #7

Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3

Jesus came to our world as a little child.
Makes sense that we need to become little children to enter his. 

Other "random" blogs:
#6,  #5,  #4  #3,  #2,  #1