Tough-love letter

TODAY'S SPECIAL: 2 Corinthians 7:2-16

TO CHEW ON: "For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing." 2 Corinthians 7:8,9

Paul speaks in today's reading  of feeling troubled, conflicted, downcast, sorry, and regretful. What brought on these feelings? It was a letter or letters that he had written to the Christians in Corinth.

It appears he wrote an earlier letter than 1 Corinthians, which has been lost to us (1 Corinthians 5:9-11). In the letter we do have—1 Corinthians—he speaks to them sharply about their sectarianism (1 Corinthians 3:1-4), a case of tolerated sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 5:1), their tendency to sue each other (1 Corinthians 6:1-11), their undisciplined commemoration of the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:17-22), and more.

Even though Paul wrote his letter in the context of a society accepting of authority, he felt stressed about how the Corinthians would perceive his rebuke. I think this shows the necessary soft underside of effective rebuke, correction and discipline. It comes from a heart of love. But it's tough love.

Paul expresses that tough love in today's focus verses. It's a love that dares to confront and hurt the sinner for his ultimate good. It takes risks, knowing that such expression may cause havoc in the relationship as the sinner works through the issue to repentance.

This is a challenge to us in our time when, if anything, the practice confronting people with their sin and enacting church discipline is rarer than ever. In our tolerant society rebuking someone is likely to be met with "Who are you to tell me what to do and how to live my life?" Churches and Christian organizations attempting to uphold standards of moral purity in the lives of members or employees by excommunication or firing are more likely to be met with litigation than repentance. Are we loving enough to risk that reaction for the sake of another person's eternal well-being?

Flip side—do we welcome rebuke and correction given in the spirit of tough love?

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for the example of Paul's tender heart toward the people he rebuked. Help me to give and accept rebuke with the right attitude. Amen.

MORE: Repentance

"Repentance always brings a man to this point; I have sinned. The surest sign that God is at work is when a man says that and means it. Anything less than this is a remorse for having made blunders, the reflex action of disgust at himself.

The entrance into the Kingdom is through the panging pains of repentance crashing into a man's respectable goodness; then the Holy Ghost, who produces these agonies, begins the formation of the Son of God in the life. The new life will manifest itself in conscious repentance and unconscious holiness, never the other way about." 

- Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest, December 7th reading.

Scripture Praying

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Luke 1:57-80

TO CHEW ON: "'And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, To give knowledge of salvation to His people …. To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.' So the child grew and became strong in spirit. Luke 1:76-77; 79-80

I love the prayers of prophetic blessing in the Bible, especially the ones that fathers prayed over their children. Our reading today is the powerful prayer / prophecy that Zacharias prayed the day he and his wife brought their eight-day-old baby to the temple to be named and circumcised. And isn't the outcome of Zacharias's prayer exactly what we want for our kids and grandkids - physical growth and spiritual strength?

So why not pray the same way for our kids? We may not have the original Holy Spirit inspiration that Zacharias did on the day he prayed this prayer (Luke 1:67), but we do have all of inspired scripture on which to base our prayers. Why not pray it for and over our kids?

Dick Eastman in his book The Hour That Changes the World gives a three-part plan for devising scripture prayers.

1. Listen to or read a passage from the Bible.

2. Stop listening or reading the moment you discover a verse or two that impress truth on your heart:
- Meditate on what the verse is saying to you.
- Ponder every aspect of the passage.
- Evaluate how the passage might be transformed into a specific petition.
Ask:

• Does this verse prompt me to pray for something specific?
•  How can this passage be directly applied to my petition?
• Can I use some of the words of the passage verbatim as I pray?

3. Using your meditation "form a personal prayer 'enriched' by that promise from God."

- Dick Eastman, The Hour That Changes the World, pp. 59-60.

Here are a couple of my favorite passages on which to base prayers for the babies and children in our lives:

"So Samuel grew and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground." 1 Samuel 3:19

"And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom and the grace of God was on Him." Luke 2:40

"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and man." Luke 2:52

PRAYER: Dear God, please bless (___insert names of loved ones) and keep them. May You make Your face shine upon them and be gracious to them. May You turn Your face toward them and give them peace. Amen (prayer based on Numbers 6:22-27).

MORE: Nativity of St. John the Baptist

Today the church celebrates the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.

Here is the collect that begins the day's liturgy:

"Almighty God, by whose providence your servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of your Son our Savior by preaching repentance: Make us so to follow his teaching and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and, following his example, constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth's sake; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."

"Birth of St.John the Baptist" by Luca Signorelli (1445-1523)

(From the archives.)

Times of trouble

Hohenzollern Castle - Stuttgart, Germany

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Psalm 9:1-20

TO CHEW ON: "The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed,
A refuge in times of trouble." Psalm 9:9

The young man we read about yesterday—the one who killed Goliath, gained popularity with the people, and roused King Saul's jealousy—wrote this psalm. I'm sure you know how our story continues. A short time later Saul, who could no longer contain his feelings went after David to kill him. It drove David into years of exile and hiding—one of those "times of trouble" he referred to here.

[Times - 'et  means a particular time or period of time. 'Et describes a small space of time. It can be a season such as Passover, the rainy or harvest season. It may refer to a portion of a lifetime, such as "time of old age" - Psalm 71:9. It is also used with "time or times of trouble" (as it occurs here), "time of love" and "evil time" - Psalm 37:39; Ezekiel 16:8; Amos 5:13. - Dick Mills, Word Wealth, New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, p. 911.]

But in this psalm David doesn't dwell on the trouble aspect, but rather that God is a refuge to him in that time. "Refuge" is literally a secure height. David pictures God as his secure height, like a castle-fort, perched on a mountain.

As I write this, I think of my cousin's wife who was plunged into such a time of trouble last Sunday when her husband died in his sleep (with no acute illness, no warning). Yesterday when talking with a mutual friend, the pain of widowhood came up. It is one of those "times of trouble" indeed.

Of course there are many other times of trouble—extended illness, family discord, financial stress, unemployment, wayward children... Whatever our time of trouble, we too can find a refuge in God. How?

Helen Lescheid in her book Prayer: When Answers Aren't Enough gives some ways:

1. By learning about God's character (through the Bible of course and other books. One great little volume for that is Knowing God by J. I. Packer).

2. By acting on what God tells us to do—obedience.

3. By being persistent in prayer.

4. By responding correctly to hardships (those "times" we've talked about). This includes clinging to God, reminding ourselves about what's true of Him (those things we've learned in #1, and in finding and reviewing things for which to be grateful  - Helen Lescheid, Prayer: When Answers Aren't Enough, paraphrased from pp. 147-149).

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for Your promise to help me in times of trouble. May I stay close to You in good times as well so that we will be well acquainted when the rough patches come. Amen.

MORE: The refuge of gratitude.

"When we give thanks to God in every situation, change happens. Perhaps the greatest change is inside of us. We begin to notice our blessings—even the small ones. Hope flourishes. Perspective sharpens. we can see more clearly what needs to be done. We give God an opportunity to work His miracles within us and through us" - Helen Lescheid, Prayer: When Answers Aren't Enough, p. 151.

Read my review of Helen Lescheid's book in Maranatha News. 

Kingdom vignettes

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Mark 4:21-41

TO CHEW ON: "And He said, 'The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow and he himself does not know how.'" Mark 4:26-27

I love the parable descriptions Jesus gives of the kingdom of God (also called the kingdom of heaven). There are many sprinkled throughout the gospels. Let's look at a few today to discover more about this realm which Jesus mentioned so often.

• Jesus described the kingdom of God as rooted in God's generosity and forgiveness (Matthew 18:23-35) with its own divine fairness - Matthew 20:1-16.

• He called it "hidden treasure" and a "pearl of great price." These descriptions imply a search (we dig for hidden treasure, dive deep for pearl-bearing oysters), and great value —"treasure," and "pearls" worth trading everything for - Matthew 13:44-46.

• This kingdom is available to all who will accept the invitation and fulfill the requirements for entry (put on the wedding garment—the free gift of salvation) - Matthew 22:2-14.

• Surprisingly, riches may prove to be a hindrance to entry (not on the part of God, but on our part) - Matthew 18:24-25.

• Our reading today talks about this kingdom's mysterious and inexplicable expansion. The man scattered kingdom seed and without him doing anything more, it took root and grew - Mark 4:26-27.

• We also read how from small beginnings (a mustard seed) it grows huge—tree-sized - Mark 4:30-32.

• The kingdom of heaven flourishes in the midst of other 'kingdoms' just like wheat and weeds grow together. Only "at the time of harvest" will the two be separated - Matthew 13:24-30.

• It's as subversive and pervasive as leaven. Just as yeast introduced to a lump of dough eventually disseminates to every part of the lump, so the kingdom of heaven will spread around the world - Matthew 13:33.

• God expects stewardship and accountability from His subjects - Matthew 25:14-29.

• He also expects us to live in a state of readiness, waiting for the return of the bridegroom (Jesus' second coming) - Matthew 25:1-13.

• To sum up, the kingdom of heaven is powerful - 1 Corinthians 4:20.

Some things to think of today in the light of what we've seen about the kingdom of God:

1. Are we a part of it?

2. Is it that valuable treasure to us that prompts us to give up everything else to gain it?

3. Are we involved in inviting others to be part of it, and helping it expand?

4. Are we behaving like stewards, realizing that someday we will need to give an account of how we have used our talents and opportunities?

5. Are we ready if our Bridegroom should return today?

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You for these wonderful parables of the kingdom of heaven. Help me to know how to transpose what I read in them into attitudes and actions that affect my everyday life. Amen.

MORE: Thank You for Giving to the Lord

The parable in our focus verse today reminds me of this song. It tells the story of someone arriving in heaven and discovering the impact of the life he or she has lived. May that be you and me someday!

A heritage of wisdom

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Proverbs 4:1-13

TO CHEW ON: "Hear my children, the instruction of a father

And give attention to know understanding." - Proverbs 4:1

Happy Father's Day to all fathers reading!

On this day when we celebrate fathers, we think of them in two ways: as children of fathers and as fathers of children. Solomon, the writer of Proverbs, has skilfully woven both viewpoints into our reading.

First he urges his kids to listen to his advice like he listened to his own father's words. His was a father who made a passionate case for his son's careful attention. Sample David's words as his son Solomon remembers them (New Living Translation):

“Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live.....Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!....If you prize wisdom, she will make you great....She will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown” (excerpts from Proverbs 4:1-9)

Following that in verses 10-13 Solomon urges his children to follow this advice themselves. He names three reasons why:

1. Their lives will be prolonged (Proverbs 4:10).

2. Their journey will be swifter and smoother (Proverbs 4:11-12).

3. This instruction will be their life (Proverbs 4:13).

"Instruction" is an interesting word and not completely pleasant.

[Instruction (muwcar) means correction, chastisement, instruction, discipline, an admonition, rebuke or warning. Muwcar comes from the word yacar - "to reform, chastise, discipline, instruct." It encompasses chastening both by words and punishments (Proverbs 1:1-3; 22:15). Muwcar includes all forms of discipline intended to lead to a transformed life. - New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, p. 809.]

Words of correction, rebuke, warning, or admonishment are harder for a child to take than words of praise, encouragement or affirmation. However, for fathers, they may be the easier, more natural words to give. Paul acknowledges this when he talks about fathers not discouraging their children:

"Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or fret your children [do not be hard on them or harass them], lest they become discouraged and sullen and morose and feel inferior and frustrated. [Do not break their spirit.]" - Colossians 3:21 - Amplified

And so fathers (and mothers) need a balance. For if correcting words are a child's life, a loving parent would not ever want to withhold them. But neither would that parent want to discourage, frustrate, or break the child's spirit.

In this every godly father and mother can be goaded and guided by the principal of love God applies when He scolds us. It's in Proverbs too - Proverbs 3:11-12

"My son, do not despise or shrink from the chastening of the Lord [His correction by punishment or by subjection to suffering or trial]; neither be weary of or impatient about or loathe or abhor His reproof, for whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights" - Amplified.

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for my godly father. Though he has been gone a long time, his example still lights my life. As the wife of a father, help me to support my husband's fathering of our children. Amen.

MORE: Words from a wise father

John Piper elaborated on Colossians 3:21 in a 1986 Father's Day sermon. Here is the takeaway from that sermon. Good perspective, wouldn't you say?

The Opposite of Discouragement

Now what is that? I would sum it up in three characteristics.

1. The opposite of being discouraged is being hopeful.
2. The opposite of being discouraged is being happy.
3. The opposite of being discouraged is being confident and courageous.

So I would say that the negative form of verse 21 really implies a positive command as well. It says, "Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged." But it means not only avoid one kind of fatherhood; it also means pursue another kind, namely, the kind of fatherhood which gives hope instead of discouragement; and gives happiness instead of discouragement; and gives confidence and courage.

Read all of "Fathers Who Give Hope"...

By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org


From the archives.

Does God like the look of your heart?

"The youngest one was out keeping the herd"
From "L'ancien testament",  Lucile Butel illustrator

TODAY'S SPECIAL: 1 Samuel 16:1-23


TO CHEW ON: "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'" 1 Samuel 16:7

Our society's fascination with award ceremonies for entertainers intrigues me. There is a huge media buzz around the Oscars, Tonys, Emmys, Grammys and, in Canada, the Junos. The list of winners tells us who has impressed the judges with performance. News reporting on such evenings is full of red carpet gossip about appearances--who made a splash, wearing what, on the arm of whom.  I'm sure God's evaluation of the people in these events would be quite different from what we read in the paper or online.

Actually, Samuel was himself prone to judge by appearances, thinking surely handsome Eliab must be God's choice, or Abinadab, or Shammah. But no. Each good-looking man was passed over until there were none left and Samuel had to get Jesse to call young David from sheep-herding.

What was the secret of David's heart that made it acceptable to God? Paul refers to this incident in Acts 13 where he says, "He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said 'I have found David the son of Jesse a man after my own heart, who will do all my will'" - Acts 13:22).

It was the willingness to do, the obedience factor, that God valued in David, and the disobedience in Saul that caused God to reject him (1 Samuel 15:20-23).

It is still an essential ingredient God looks for in people. Obeying God:

• is the key to prosperity and success (Joshua 1:8).
• is the basis on which we call God our God (Jeremiah 7:23).
• is our pass into the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 7:21).
• gives us the privilege of being part of God's family (Luke 8:21).
• trumps our loyalty and obedience to people (sometimes even the laws of the land) (Acts 5:29).
• demonstrates that we love God (2 John 1:6).

Every time I read this story, I come away asking, What would be God's verdict on my heart? What about yours?


PRAYER: Dear God, help me to see myself as You see me. Also, please give me insight into others and a heart that values the things that You value above outward appearances. Amen.


MORE: "To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice" - Keith Green




(From the archives)

Rejected

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 1 Samuel 15:10-23

TO CHEW ON: “’Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the Word of the Lord, he also has rejected you from being king.’” 1 Samuel 15:22-23

Some years have passed from when Samuel anointed the handsome Saul as Israel’s first king. The monarch has changed from a shy, humble young man to a confident ruler who is full of himself (1 Samuel 15:12), looks out for his own interests, and is agile with excuses.

When Samuel confronts him with the fact that he didn’t obey God in completely destroying the Amalekites, he takes a self-defense tack that is not unfamiliar to us:

1. "What sin?" He pretends he hasn't done anything wrong and acts like everything is as it should be.
Saul: “I have performed the commandment of the Lord.” vs. 13

2. He makes excuses for himself, blaming someone else.
Saul: “…the people spared the best of the sheep and the oxen …” vs. 15

3. He quibbles over definitions, changing the meaning of words to suit himself.
Samuel: “Why did you not obey the voice of the Lord?” vs. 19
Saul: “But I have obeyed the voice of the Lord.” vs. 20-21

4. He rationalizes his disobedience, and twists it into a good thing.
Saul: “The people took of the plunder…to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.” vs. 21

Samuel exposes the root of Saul’s actions and defenses. His opposition to God’s commands is really rebellion and stubbornness, equivalent to witchcraft and idolatry. It results in God rejecting him as king.

If there is a quality that characterizes our society today, it is rebellion. Note the second definition of rebel:  “a person who resists any authority, control, or tradition.”

Rebellion comes to us naturally. Our society admires defiant and rugged individualists. Criticism of authority and resistance to it is the very life-blood of the media. And though the success of a democracy depends on the ability of citizens to make wise choices about leadership (which includes critical thinking), we need to beware that such habits of critical thinking can morph into a rebellious attitude toward God.

What do I do when confronted by my disobedience? If I pretend there is no issue, make excuses, blame someone else, quibble over definitions, or rationalize my sin into a good thing, perhaps there is rebellion (witchcraft and idolatry) in my own heart.

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to obey you implicitly. Point out any rebellion in my heart, then help me to deal with it. I want no God but You. Amen.

MORE:  A symptom of disobedience

“Our insistence in proving that we are right (when confronted with some aspect of Jesus’ teaching) is nearly always an indication that there has been some point of disobedience.”

- Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest - June 30th reading

(From the archives)

The ministering listener

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Acts 12:20-13:12

TO CHEW ON: "As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, 'Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them'" Acts 13;2.

We can learn much about the Holy Spirit and His activity by studying Luke's stories of the early church. Here we discover that He spoke to the prophets and teachers of the Antioch church not only through their times of intentional religious practice (fasting), but also "as they ministered."

[Ministered (leitourgeo) means performing religious or charitable acts, fulfilling an office, discharging a function officiating as a priest, serving God with prayers and fasting (compare liturgy and liturgical) - Dick Mills, Word Wealth, New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, p. 1515. 

The Lexicon at StudyLight.org  says "It is used of Christians serving Christ, whether by prayer, or by instructing others concerning the way of salvation, or in some other way, as well as of those who aid others with their resources, and relieve their poverty."]

The word leitourgeo is used in two other places as well. In Hebrews 10:11 litourgeo ministry refers to the Old Testament priests ministering in the Levitical offerings. In Romans 15:27 it is used in connection with giving an offering, i.e. ministering to fellow Christians in material ways.

In other words, the disciples in today's reading were not only engaged in prayer and fasting, but were probably busy with practical ministering duties (which could have included working at the local food bank, or helping patch a widow's roof, or bringing a meal to a needy family) when the Holy Spirit communicated to them His special instructions for Barnabas and Saul.

It's a comfort to know that God speaks not only when we're sequestered in our prayer closets, but also when we're busy in practical ways. Let's be listening to hear Him through the din and clatter of our ministering today.

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to keep my ears tuned to hear You through and in the sounds of my day-to-day ministering duty. Amen.

MORE: The receiving worker

"...mission is not only to go and tell others about the risen Lord, but also to receive that witness from those to whom we are sent. Often mission is thought of exclusively in terms of giving, but true mission is also receiving. If it is true that the Spirit of Jesus blows where it wants, there is no person who cannot give that Spirit. In the long run, mission is possible only when it is as much receiving as giving, as much being cared for as caring. We are sent to the sick, the dying, the handicapped, the prisoners, and the refugees to bring them the good news of the Lord's resurrection. But we will soon be burned out if we cannot receive the Spirit of the Lord from those to whom we are sent" - Henri Nouwen, With Burning Hearts, pp. 115, 116.

Big cheese or Barnabas leadership?

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Acts 11:19-30

TO CHEW ON: "When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord." Acts 11:23

In a guest blog post on Michael Hyatt's blog, Jeremie Kubicek (author of Leadership is Dead: How Influence is Reviving It) says, "To be a true influencer in the lives of those you lead, you must understand a simple but powerful question. It is one your followers are asking. It goes like this: 'Are you for me, against me, or for yourself?'"

The early Christians who started a church in Antioch with Gentile members (Hellenists) would have said Barnabas was for them. For when the Jerusalem elders found out about this unheard-of thing (Gentiles coming to faith in Jesus in great numbers) and sent Barnabas to check it out he "was glad" and "encouraged them."

In fact after spending some time with this vital and growing body, he had an idea.  He fetched the relatively new Christian Saul (Paul) to help, and in this way encouraged the launch of another apostolic career.

The writer of Acts — Luke — was so impressed with Barnabas, he interjected his own author aside: "For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith" - Acts 11:24. His short description of Barnabas is a good standard for other-centered Christian leadership of all kinds. This noteworthy leader was:

- a good man.
I read this and think — man with a clear conscience, without obvious personality flaws, someone who, after you spent time with, you would feel better, cleaner, nobler than before. His goodness ruled out jealousy, envy, personal ambition allowing him to embody the quality of love that prefers others above oneself.

- full of the Holy Spirit.
The observable difference the Holy Spirit brought to the lives of the early Christians included authority, power, and a certain nonchalance when it came to being intimidated by lesser authorities. Barnabas's life must have had that sense of moving to the beat of a different drummer.

- full of faith.
Barnabas was a "yes" man. He believed in God and others. Full-of-faith people are positive, optimistic, aware that with God things are possible that could never happen without Him.

I ask myself, how would my followers respond to Mr. Kubicek's question about my leadership. What would your followers say about yours? If they would say that we are first and foremost for ourselves or worse, against them, perhaps Barnabas and his leadership model have something to teach us.

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for Barnabas's example of good leadership. Please give me insights into the way I lead others. Help me to be for them. Amen.

MORE: Feast of St. Barnabas
Today the church celebrates the Feast of St. Barnabas. The liturgy for today begins with this collect:

"Grant, O God, that we may follow the example of your faithful servant Barnabas, who, seeking not his own renown but the well­being of your Church, gave generously of his life and substance for the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."

(From the archives)

Saul—truly changed

TODAY'S SPECIAL: 1 Samuel 11:1-15


TO CHEW ON: "Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard this news and his anger was greatly roused." 1 Samuel 11:6

It's curious to see the newly acclaimed king of Israel out in the field behind a herd of animals. He seems a reluctant king not eager to establish a capital city or consolidate his power.

But God's anointing has truly changed him. For when he hears that the Ammonites are threatening his people he becomes outraged with a righteous anger: "Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard this news and his anger was greatly roused." Mimicking the actions of another riled citizen, he summons the men to war with bloody pieces of oxen.

Here again the Bible speaks of supernatural intervention: "And the fear of the Lord fell on the people and they came out with one consent" (1 Samuel 11:7).

With soldiers assembling, Saul reassures the attacked people of Jabesh, they are able to stall the enemy for another day, Saul mounts a surprise attack, and wins a decisive victory. Now there is a groundswell of support for the new king. With Samuel at his side, he establishes his headquarters at Gilgal and officially begins his reign.

This story gives us a picture of how the Holy Spirit works in and around us still.

• He empowers and equips us for His assignments. Even though in the natural we may feel inadequate, if God has given us a job to do, the Holy Spirit can anoint us with the drive and wherewithal to do it.

• We can also trust God to work on, in, and through the people around us, just as He brought the "fear of the Lord:" on Israel to obey Saul's summons to war.

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for this graphic picture of Your Spirit at work in the Old Testament. Help me to rely on the Holy Spirit's working, in me and others, to accomplish Your plans and purposes in my generation. Amen.

MORE: When the Spirit comes

"When the Spirit of the Lord comes upon men, it will make them expert even without experience. When zeal for the glory of God, and the love for the brethren urge men to earnest efforts, and when God is pleased to help, great effects may speedily be produced" - Matthew Henry.

Samuel's obedience

"Saul meets Samuel" - James Tissot

TODAY'S SPECIAL: 1 Samuel 9:1-27


TO CHEW ON: "And Samuel said to the cook, 'Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, "Set it apart."'" 1 Samuel 9:23

Consider all the incidents that had to dovetail in order for Saul and Samuel to come together: donkeys lost, Kish sends son Saul to look for them, no success, Saul and his servant decide to go see the prophet (Samuel), the servant finds payment for him, they come to the city just after Samuel has arrived. That's quite an impressive string of "coincidences."

However, one detail of the story at least is a matter of faith followed by obedience on Samuel's part. Our focus verse highlights it. Samuel has a special kingly portion of food ready for Saul because he has earlier instructed the cook to set aside a special cut of meat for the guest of honor, and this before he knows who that guest will be or has even met him. In fact, it appears the whole sacrificial banquet is arranged in anticipation of Samuel meeting Israel's first king before their paths ever cross (1 Samuel 9:22-24).

Such stories of the faith and obedience of biblical characters always sober me. I ask myself,

• Do I have ears attentive to hear God's voice and discern His instructions?

• Do I obey promptly, even when my obedient course of actions doesn't make sense?

PRAYER: Dear God, please tune my ears to Your voice and help me to respond with the faith and obedience that acts even when it does not see. Amen.

MORE: The importance of listening

"But the important thing in doing any ministry ... is to make certain that you are doing what you are supposed to do. And above all, you need to listen to the Shepherd. Never go where he does not lead, and never fail to go where he does lead" - Dr. Steven Stiles, Journey on the Hard Side of Miracles, p. 179.

Christian Carnival Edition 434

Welcome to the Christian Carnival Edition 434! Pour yourself a cool lemonade, or cup-of-whatever, and enjoy this week's great offerings!

 

Apologetics

• Jennifer Vaughn at à la mode de les Muses shares "Dear Professor." Jennifer writes: "Students need a more effective way to witness to professors."

• Paul Kuritz at Paul Kuritz: Opinions presents  "Life and Death in Black and White." He says: "Cormac Mccarthy's The Sunset Limited film is an unusual theological chess match."

• Jennifer Vaughn at à la mode de les Muses presents "Team Paul Versus Team Jesus." Jennifer writes: "As Christians, we strive to be “of Jesus” and not of anyone else. Well, I’ve got news, people. We’re most definitely “of Paul.”

Devotional

• Josh Wiley at What Christians Want to Know presents "How I was Set Free in Prison." Josh says: "Read this powerful testimony from Jack Wellman of how he turned his life over to Jesus while in prison and now serves as a Pastor."

• Dean at Working on the Mission presents "Real Christian Unity." Dean writes: "What does Christian Unity really mean? What impact does the fact all Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit have? How can this be both inspirational and challenging at the same time?"

• Steve Patterson presents The Resolution for Men Book Review posted at A Blog of a Courageous Father.

• Godlove presents The New Life In Christ!: Sickness: Not An Act Of God! posted at The New Life In Christ!. Godlove says: "The New Life In Christ. Teaching Christians about the NEW CREATION Jesus brought to us. Including a daily devotional, prayer and confessions."

• joshua presents My Testimony » Christian Truth Center posted at Christian Truth Center.

• Matt Zowada at Zowada Blog presents "Don't Waste Your Life with Good Things." Matt says: "Reject what is evil, enjoy what if good, but pursue above all else what is great."

• Lynn Mbugua presents Overcoming disappointment posted at bibleamateurs. 
  

• Violet N. (that's me) here at Other Food: daily devos presents "God is never shocked." By way of introduction: "On April 28th three families traveling on the highway between Fort McMurray to Edmonton (Alberta, Canada) were all but wiped out in a head-on collision. In an instant nine (and a half) dwindled to two .... To us the shattering of these families makes no sense. Predictable questions rise in our minds: Couldn't God have prevented the accident? Didn't evil triumph over good here?"

Finance

• Jason Price at the One Money Design blog presents "8 Ideas to Make the Most of Your Next Business Trip." Jason says: "Your next business trip doesn't have to be a downer. There are plenty of ways to make it a positive experience!"

•  Rob at One Money Design presents "Christian Financial Alliance: To Tithe or Not to Tithe." Teaser: "Christian personal finance bloggers share their thoughts on the tithe. What do you think?" 

Other

• Paul Kuritz at Paul Kuritz: Opinions presents "William Holman Hunt and the question of 'Christian Art.'" Paul says: "Does William Holman Hunt's painting The Light of the World clarify the features which constitute Christian Art?"

• Mike Shanta at Your Spirit Mind and Body presents "9 Qualities of a Great Leader." Mike says: "This post is about the qualities of a great leader. Jesus Christ is the model of great leadership which is why we should all strive to be leaders like Him."

• Russ at Thinking in Christ presents "Love first, Then Marriage." Russ says: "There was a time when people were married, then learned to love one another. Today, we place love first, and only in the case of love —'true love'— would we even consider marriage."

• Ridge Burns at Ridge's Blog presents "Torchbearers." Shannon, who submitted this post, says: "Ridge Burns, who taught at a Torchbearers' school this month, relates that organization's history to Olympic torchbearers and the Christian life."

• Kevin Bickel at InFaith's Mission Blog presents "Sharing the Cost." Submitter Shannon writes: "Kevin Bickel reevaluates his approach to sharing the gospel."

• Romi at In the Way Everlasting presents "Anniversary of Baptism." Romi says: "June 1st is my anniversary of baptism. I have written this article looking back on this happy day."

• Ridge Burns at Ridge's Blog presents "Sunny Days": "Sun, brightness, and light do something to the soul."

Theology

• Annette at Fish and Cans presents "Prayer .... when is it important." Annette says: "When is prayer important? in the little things or the big? Prayer is trusting God in everything."

• Russ at Thinking in Christ presents "The Deity of Christ: The Birth Announcements." Russ says: "There is a persistent modern myth that the deity of Christ was something added to the record of the Gospels long after Jesus actually lived and died —and that Jesus himself never claimed to be God. This series will destroy this myth in it’s entirety by showing how the story of Jesus doesn’t make sense without his claims to deity, that these claims could not have been added later, but had to have been part of the original record for the record to make any sense at all."
  

• Laura at Thank-You-Notes presents "Christian Thank You Quotes." Laura says, "Here is a collection of popular thank you quotes by Christian thinkers, poets, and from the Scriptures."
 

Though the Christian Carnival Guidelines request that participants limit themselves to one post per carnival, I included several submissions which were date-stamped May 26-29 but not included in last week's Carnival--thus the double entries by some bloggers.

•  Find out more about the Christian Carnival here.
• Add your submission via the Christian Carnival Submission Form.

Who is our real family?

"Mary seeks her son" - Max Furst

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Mark 3:20-35

TO CHEW ON: "And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him and said, 'Here are My Mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.'" Mark 3:34,35

Some of life's deepest hurts can come from people in our family. The people we're closest to genetically and in living arrangement, who we're supposed to love and who are supposed to love, us can really cut our souls with words, actions or non-actions.

Here Jesus is misunderstood by His family: "'His own people.' The Greek expression may well denote Jesus' immediately family (Mark 3:31" - J. Lyle Story in the notes on Mark, New Spirit Filled Life Bible, p. 1354.

One gets the sense that they were embarrassed by His publicity and the controversy He caused. Afraid that He had 'lost it,' they came to take Him in hand to preserve peace with the Jewish leaders and the family's reputation.

Jesus did not let them silence Him. Rather, He repudiated their claim on Him, saying to the disciples who surrounded Him, "For whoever does the will of God is My brother, and My sister and mother" - Mark 3:35.

The reality of spiritual family permeates the Bible.

• Jesus felt a kinship with His heavenly family from his early days. At twelve years of age, He stayed behind in the Jerusalem temple and said, when Mary and Joseph (his earthly dad) finally found Him: "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" - Luke 2:49.

• Paul, in his letters to the churches uses family terms like "brethren" (1 Corinthians 1:10; Galatians 1:2; Colossians 1:2 etc.), "children of God" (Romans 8:16,21), "sons of God" (Galatians 3:26). So does John (1 John 3:10; 5:2).

• The writer of Hebrews talks of believers, though imperfect ("those who are being sanctified") as Jesus' brothers (Hebrews 2:11) and explains that one reason Jesus came in the flesh was to be like us "His brethren" in order to understand us and aid us in overcoming temptation (Hebrews 2:17,18).

• Perhaps the most comforting Bible promise in this regard is expressed by David:

"When my father and my mother forsake me  / Then the Lord will take care of me." - Psalm 27:10

So let's remember, if our earthly family has shunned us, we are not family-less. Let's acknowledge and nurture our family-of-God relationships, finding in them what we never can in those relatives whose ties lack the spiritual gene.

PRAYER: Dear God, it hurts to be misunderstood by family members—those people from whom I expect to get sympathy, love, and understanding. When barriers come as a result of my allegiance to You, help me to find a family and be a family to other Christian brothers and sisters. Amen.

MORE: Brothers and sisters

"God takes very seriously the truth that all his children are brothers and sisters. They all have one Father, one homeland. And God says, there is a way that my children should feel about each other. Not just act toward each other, but feel about each other. They are to be tenderly affectionate toward each other. Why? Because this testifies to the reality of the family of God. To feel hard toward each other, to feel indifferent or narrow, not to mention bitter and resentful, toward each other, contradicts who God is and who we are. God is our father and we are his children and we are brothers and sisters in one family with the deepest common values in the universe." - By John Piper in ""Love One Another With Tender Affection," ©2012 Desiring God Foundation. Website: desiringGod.org

Called to Him

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Mark 3:7-19

TO CHEW ON: "And He went up on the mountain an called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him." Mark 3:13

Imagine being one of the chosen. After all the crowds from Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, behind Jordan, Tyre and Sidon had disbursed, to be left with Jesus. Imagine He calls you to join him on the mountainside because He Himself wants you as one of His band.

All through the Bible God we see God putting His hand of choice on the shoulders of specific people and groups of people.

• In the Old Testament He chose members of the tribe of Levi (Levites) as a substitute firstborn possession, to serve Him in worship (Numbers 3:12; 8:19).

• In Haggai's day He chose a Gentile king Zerubbabel to accomplish what He wanted done (Haggai 2:23).

• In Acts God told Ananias that the former murderer of Christians, Saul/Paul, was such a chosen one (Acts 9:15).

• And we, along with those who have read the Bible through the centuries find that He has chosen us. In the context of Jesus talking about Himself being the vine and those living in Him the branches, He says to disciples across the ages: "You did not choose Me but I chose you and appointed you..." John 15:16.

A little bit more about God's choosing:

• It is not on the basis of worldly wisdom, might or what is powerful and persuasive. Quite the opposite, according to 1 Corinthians 1:27, 28, 29.

• It is not so we can live an easy, charmed life. In our reading Jesus chose the disciples to prepare them to work as He did—preach, heal and cast out demons (Mark 3:14,15).

• In John 15:16 Jesus talks about bearing fruit and having prayer answered (implying we will have needs and lacks that require prayer).

Have you and I heard His call? Have we come to Him. Are we up on the mountain with Him, getting His instruction and power [exousia] for our assignments?


PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You for handpicking Your followers still. As Your word speaks to me, help me to be careful to listen so that I bear the fruit for which You called me. Amen.

MORE: Keeping work in balance

"Do we enjoy our work, love our work, virtually worship our work so that our devotion to Jesus is off-center? Do we put our emphasis on service, or usefulness, or being productive in working for God—at His expense? Do we strive to prove our own significance? To make a difference in the world? To carve our names in marble on the monuments of time?


The call of God blocks the path of all such deeply human tendencies. We are not primarily called to do something or go somewhere; we are called to Someone. We are not called first to special work but to God. The key to answering the call is to be devoted to no one and to nothing above God Himself. As (Oswald) Chambers said, 'The men and women Our Lord sends out on His enterprises are the ordinary human stuff, plus dominating devotion to Himself wrought by the Holy Spirit." The most frequent phrase in his writings: 'Be absolutely His'" - Os Guinness, The Call, pp. 41,42.

Creative Son

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Proverbs 8:20-36

TO CHEW ON: "Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman

And I was daily His delight

rejoicing always before Him

Rejoicing in His inhabited world

And my delight was with the sons of men." Proverbs 8:30-31

If you need proof of the wisdom necessary for the creation of planet Earth, you need only look at a few of the details. While other planets have atmospheres that range from non-existent on Mercury (with temperatures of 660 F. by day, -274 F by night) to Neptune with its methane-rich atmosphere that is liquid, then becomes metallic toward the center (with an average temperature of -369 F), earth's atmosphere is just right for life:

"The atmosphere is an envelope of air kept near the Earth by gravity. It absorbs energy from the Sun, recycles water and other chemicals, and works with electrical and magnetic forces to provide a moderate climate and so supports life on Earth. It also shields us from the high-energy radiation and the vacuum of space."  

Facts At Your Fingertips - Readers Digest Books, 2003, p. 46.

The ingredients of that atmosphere combined with Earth's distance from the sun, the angle of its axis and speed of rotation all work together to maintain these life-friendly conditions. If just one of these variables changed, life on our planet would be threatened. (Which is why those who hold to the theory of human-caused global warming are so adamant that no price is too high to pay to reverse what they fear human activity is doing.)

Proverbs 8: 22-31, where Wisdom speaks of her part in creation, changes in tone at verse 30. Suddenly it's as if someone human has grabbed the mike. The speaker describes Himself as a "Craftsman…I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him…and my delight was with the sons of men."

Do your thoughts go, as mine do, to Jesus and how He is described in John 1?

 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made…. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.  He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. John 1:1-3, 10-11

Other Bible passages also describe Jesus as Creator: 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:1-2.

Put it all together. Here we have ultimate, eternal Wisdom, who created the earth and all the intricacies of life on it, come to earth, offering Himself for us, so we can be reconciled to God. Then He defeats death and after He ascends to heaven, gives His followers the indwelling presence of His very Spirit. What wealth of creativity and wisdom is available to us!

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, I worship You for Your creative wisdom. Help me to demonstrate that worship by entrusting my life to You for Your purposes. Amen.

MORE: Mark Raborn's speculative fiction Journal of the Angelic, Odyssey of the Divine is an interesting read for anyone interested in an imaginative delve into the time before time. Here are the first paragraphs my review:

“Karmus…Karmus…

Hearing my name is my earliest memory, and my clearest...Like a whisper awakening me from a long, deep slumber, the call seemed ghostly, perhaps dreamlike, though I could see nothing.”

These earliest memories introduce us to Karmus, the last created angel, as he becomes conscious. He is our guide through events that take us, in Mark Raborn’s speculative fiction Journal of the Angelic, Odyssey of the Divine, from eternity past — when the angels were one glorious and united community — through the rebellion of Lucifer and a great heavenly war, to the heartbreak of a divided heaven, and the saga of earth and humanity.

Read the rest of the review here.