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Sea of Words

Before me lies a sea of words
which ones to choose, said I,
the words of a sweet lullaby
or words that would make you cry?
In these days, we’re tempted, true,
to turn away our gaze on you,
but let me be the one who stays,
who remembers the countless ways
you’ve saved us in trials before
and will always, forevermore.
May words I say, my thoughts and needs,
be overshadowed by some good deeds
that go unnoticed by many, except
the ones whose need was kindly met.
There is no law, no global decree
that prevents us from loving God so free
with all our heart, and strength within,
with Faith and Hope, let us begin
to love our neighbors as we’re told
and to our Savior bravely hold
as the world around us spins away
may we be wise in what we say.
So, as our thoughts become words we speak,
may we be kind, may we be meek,
and show the world what Christians do
when love includes our neighbors too.

I tried to write the thoughts I keep thinking as I go from meeting to meeting in an effort to serve our community. My most consistent thought is to say words that are useful, helpful, and kind. There are so many people talking nonstop about Covid-19 that my heart aches. May we be known as a people whose words are kind and overshadowed by things we do to serve others.

This is the day to learn how to love your neighbor. Begin by learning their names and praying for them. Ask them if they have a need. For the first time in your life, you’ve been given the mantle of ministry. You can’t invite them to a gathering, but you can show the kindness of Christ by showing them how to love God and love your neighbor.

Print the graphic above from the Art of Neighboring* and write the names of those 8 neighbors closest to you. Pray for them. Pray for wisdom. Show them the love of Christ.

One last note before I go. Here’s something that kept ringing in my ears yesterday:

I know you’re way ahead of me, but today I had the occasion to suggest that pastors take a look at those in their congregations that are first responders or medical staff and reach out to them to see if they need childcare, a meal, or simply a break. The burden of the current crisis is on their shoulders. The rest of use are merely inconvenienced. Wouldn’t it be amazing if every church reached out to these incredible people?

 

Your brother in Christ, Dave.

*https://www.artofneighboring.com/

 

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Not So With You

One of my favorite verses in Scripture is from Matthew’s incredible account of Jesus’ response to a mother’s request. The mother of the Zebedee sons (James and John), later identified as Salome*, has one favor to ask of Jesus:

Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor ‘What is it you want?’ he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.’ Matthew 20:20-21

If the NIVAC* is accurate, Salome’s request isn’t really out of the question. She’s part of the entourage that’s been with Jesus since the beginning of his ministry. We find another clue in the previous chapter where Jesus tells them, “you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (see: Matthew 19:28).

Mark’s account of the scene (Mark 10:35-45) has James and John making the request themselves. The point of the story is not to focus on the requestor, but to emphasize the origin of the misguided thought.

Jesus makes it clear,

“You don’t know what you are asking,’ Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?’ Matthew 20:22a

In my imagination, the room becomes awkwardly quiet. If we were there during times like these, I think we could feel the weight of the moment even as the words escape our lips, “we can” (Matthew 20:22b). What once seems plausible now meets the ridiculous. But Jesus continues to speak with kindness from a position of great authority. The heaviness gets the attention of the other disciples, and it doesn’t take long for them to catch wind of the discussion.

When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Matthew 20:24

The Teachable Moment

Jesus now has the attention of everyone in the group. All ears and eyes are focused on what he has to say.

You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:25-28

John would later capture a prime example of the Son of Man serving his disciples by washing their feet in John 13:4-6 before the Last Supper in the Upper Room. Jesus didn’t need to show another sign of his willingness to serve, but the significance put an exclamation point at the end of the statement.

The point of these examples and this discussion rests in just four words shown in bold above: Not so with you. Throughout the history of Israel, the people wanted to be like everyone else. “We want a king over us” (1 Samuel 8:18-20). From the days of Moses, God intended to raise a generation of people that were a distinct example for the world to follow.

I will make a distinction between my people and your people. Exodus 8:23

Standing in front of Pharaoh, Moses declared God’s intention that would follow the Israelites through history. We are to be different than the world around us. The world wants men to rule over them, but not so with you. Nations call us to accept standards imposed equally on everyone, but not so with you. Our society turns its back on the lost, the least, and the lonely, but not so with you. Not so with you.

We are to be a people that serve one another just as Christ came to serve. But the focus isn’t so much on serving as it is on not putting ourselves in the driver’s seat. Jesus’ example was to demonstrate how to honor God above everything else. Serving others is not meant to earn our way into heaven; we know this is not possible. Instead, serving others is our way of pointing people to Christ. Here I am serving you this plate of food, just like Jesus would do if he were here. Here we are washing your feet before supper, just like Jesus did in the Upper Room.

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. John 13:14-5

Whenever we serve with this in mind, we honor Christ. Our posture of serving gives God the glory, not man.

I have many thoughts to share on this subject, but for the sake of brevity, I’ll hold them for later discussion at this point. My prayer is you will see those four words and take them to heart as you go about your day. We are to be a people that are distinct and separate from the world to point people to Jesus.

Not so with you.

I leave you with the words of Psalm 67.

May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine on us—
so that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.

May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you.
May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you rule the peoples with equity
and guide the nations of the earth.
May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you.

The land yields its harvest;
God, our God, blesses us.
May God bless us still,
so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.

 

*Wilkins, Michael J. NIVAC Bundle 6: Gospels, Acts (The NIV Application Commentary). Zondervan Academic. Kindle Edition. Later identified as Salome, she is among the women who attends Jesus at the cross and witnesses the empty tomb (cf. 27:56; Mark 15:40; 16:1). The best clarification of the listings of the women identify Salome as the sister of Mary, Jesus’ mother (cf. John 19:25). So she is Jesus’ aunt, and her sons, James and John, are his cousins on his mother’s side.

 

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Greatest Love

When I look at the Bible, online or a printed edition, I’m one of those who like to see the words of Jesus in red. The red letters prompt me to read a bit slower, be more meticulous, and pay close attention to the terms. Those who first wrote the text we now call the Bible must have savored every word that Jesus spoke. Given their background in keeping a flawless oral history, I can imagine they tested each other after one of Jesus’ sermons to make sure they captured every word he said. They wanted to be accurate. It was their signature.

If you’re with me on the red-letter editions of the Bible, you may have noticed there aren’t that many entirely red chapters. I know the chapter and verse numbering scheme is somewhat mechanical, but it is a consistent division across translations, so it has some inherent value.

Today we’re reading from John 15. The main focus of this post centers on verse 13, but I couldn’t help but notice the red letters that surround the words. The entire text is one of those rare red-letter chapters. At the very least, this means we should be careful when examining only one verse, though it’s often quoted by itself.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13

Taken at face value, we probably don’t struggle with this idea. Coming from a military background, the thought is a bit more concrete for me than perhaps many who have not been challenged to consider this is a reality faced on a daily basis. Our law enforcement friends feel the same pressure. But it’s not limited to those in lethal occupations. There are many others who would willingly sacrifice their life in place of a child, spouse, or dear friend. The latter concept is the point of Jesus’ statement. A child or spouse is one thing, but a friend is a different matter altogether. You don’t become a true friend overnight. Let’s zoom out a bit and look at the context.

Jesus is preparing his beloved disciples for the events that are about to transpire in just a few hours. I think that’s one reason this is a red-letter chapter. They are carefully listening to what Jesus is saying. The scene I’m trying to depict is one of incredible compassion for those few who are about to come under immense pressure. Jesus begins by washing their feet (John 13:1-17), then warns them about Judas’ betrayal (John 13:18-30), and prepares Peter for his unthinkable denials (John 13:31-38). These words trouble the disciples, as we can imagine, so Jesus chooses words to assure them they will not be alone, even when he is gone.

As we begin chapter 15, Jesus changes the rich imagery to state that he is the true vine, the source of all life. Last year I got caught up in the “if” words included in this text when I wrote about the true vine. It’s a promise that will endure. Complete joy awaits those who land on the right side of the “if” statements.

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:11-12

Within this framework, Jesus ties the knot:

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13

Over the course of some three years prior to this gathering in the Upper Room, Jesus demonstrated what it means to be a loving person over and over again. Dallas Willard reminds us that “In the deepest sense, love is not something you choose to do; it is what you become—a loving person.“1 God wants a thriving relationship with each and every person regardless of status and Jesus is telling us plainly that he is willing to lay down his life for us — his friends.

Serving the Least

Let’s draw a line back to the theme of this series — serving the least, the lost, and the lonely. I think it’s safe to say that most Christians declare that they want to be like Jesus. The reason we read the Bible, worship with music, preach, teach, disciple, evangelize, etc., is to become more like Jesus. As we inch closer to this ideal state we come to the point where we have to love as Jesus loves. We must strive to be friends that are willing to die for one another. It’s this willingness that separates those on one side of the “if” statement.

You are my friends if you do what I command. John 15:14

Jesus, God incarnate, wants to be our friend. The Son of Man came to serve. He demonstrated this over and over again. He healed the lame, brought sight to the blind, and led by example for all to see.

The red letters continue through the rest of the chapter and mostly through chapter 17, the most amazing prayer recorded in the Bible. Take a few minutes and read the text. Imagine Jesus sitting in the room with you as he speaks these words for the first time. Slowly and deliberately, to make sure you hear and understand the significance.

The last song that Rich Mullins recorded was an attempt to capture the essence of these thoughts. As he sat in an old church building with his cassette recorder, pencil, and paper, he left us with this thought: “That where I am, there you may also be.” I particularly like the rough recording featured in this video.

Jesus’ greatest desire is to welcome all to his kingdom. Everyone is invited, but not all will accept. We don’t get to control that, but we do have the responsibility to provide the opportunity. That will look different for everyone, but that doesn’t let anyone off the hook.

How can we best serve the least, the lost, and the lonely? Do what Jesus commands. Love God. Love your neighbor as yourself. When we love others without reservation, we will make true friends. The kind of friends I would lay down my life for. How about you?

 

1Dallas Willard, Life Without Lack, p. 170.

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Why Serve?

The foundation of this series of posts rests on serving those in need. My assumption from the outset is we agree that serving is important, so it’s essential to stop and consider what it means to serve. Why serve? At its core, serving others is focused on giving up the scarce resource we all have in common. That resource is time. When we serve in any capacity, we give our time away.

Our current culture seems to be defined by a four-letter word: busy. If you ask someone how it’s going, their response will often include the phrase, “I’ve been really busy.” It’s almost a badge of honor these days.  The opposite of being busy makes us sound like we’re lazy, idle, or worse! These two states provide extremes along the continuum from idle to busy, or completely idle to extremely busy. Those who tend to the far right are those we often esteem and revere. If we’re supposed to gravitate toward busyness, how can we find time to serve? Why serve when we have so much to do just to keep up?

What would the world look like if we chose not to serve?

Years ago, I heard a sermon on the topic of hell. Imagine two scenes that depict heaven and hell. In both scenes, we see a banquet feast with an abundance of food. There are all kinds of meats, vegetables, fruits, drinks, amazing desserts, all overflowing. In hell, the people are bitter, and in deep anguish, but in heaven, there is much rejoicing. The odd thing about the scene, for some strange reason, the people in both scenes have no elbows. When we zoom in on hell, we see people holding forks and spoons, but they can’t eat because they can’t bend their arms. They have to bury there faces in the food and eat like wild animals. There is no joy. In heaven, by contrast, there is much joy and rejoicing. The people have all learned to feed each other. One person scoops up the food and helps the other one eat. Those in heaven are focused on serving one another; those in hell are entirely self-centered.

I remember this lesson when I was a youth. It’s no surprise that I have a deep-rooted need to serve others.

I think it’s safe to say that a world in which no one serves another would indeed be hell on earth. A country full of people that refuses to serve each other would be the most repugnant of nations. If you’re nodding your head with me at this point, keep going down the line from world to the country to state to city to community. The challenge in all of this writing is to foster a community that serves one another. It’s a hope that the desire to serve others would spread to the state then to the entire country. The dream is to become a people that serve one another with gladness.

My thesis is simple: when we serve others with the love of Christ, each in his or her particular way, we will find complete joy and contentment. We would be the body of Christ. Then, when we take time to gather as a body of Christ, we will worship with unbridled enthusiasm that would be so inviting that others would eagerly desire to join us, they would flock to churches to find out why these people are so loving and so filled with purpose. In these moments, we will find a bit of heaven on earth, quite the opposite of the image painted above.

While the Old Testament may be challenging to read and understand, there is one theme that stands out above all others: God’s people are a chosen nation, unlike any other.

For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. Deuteronomy 7:6

The Bible Project team does a great job covering a variety of topics. Here’s a link that dives into God’s chosen people. [The Bible Project]

There are many references to God’s plan to show others the distinction between those who reflect his love, his desire, and his compassion for others. Likewise, the Old Testament is filled with stories about those who chose to follow their selfish desires. Tragedy appears when Israel wants to be like everyone else. The more they chased the dream of being like other nations, the farther they wandered from a loving God who seeks reconciliation.

While my feeble mind can’t wrap itself around all history, it must have been necessary for us to appreciate God’s remedy. At just the right time in history, when anarchy reigned supreme and self-serving desires ruled the earth, God sent Jesus to enter time in the most unlikely of ways.

Those of us raised in Christian churches know the story, but we need to remember no one at the time every dreamed of how this would all play out. The prophets did their best to articulate the vision. Jesus was born from a humble family and grew up under the authority of a loving father and mother. He was patiently waiting for the right moment for his ministry to begin.

What did Jesus do at the beginning of His ministry?

From the very beginning, his ministry became known for his amazing teaching and his concern for the sick, the lame, the needy. Those steeped in Levitical Law would mark these outcasts as unclean and unwanted. The priests wanted nothing to do with them, but Jesus embraced them and healed many.

Why did the sick and lame seek Jesus? When Jesus called the disciples and began preaching about repentance, he didn’t tell them to set out a sign that said, “bring us your sick, your lame, your diseased…healing at 11.” If they didn’t put out a banner, why did they come?

Mark’s gospel account focuses on the things Jesus did. As he began teaching, Jesus cast out a demon from a man in the synagogue. (Side note: the man was “in” the synagogue, he was a part of the establishment and deeply possessed. Think about that for a minute.)

The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee. Mark 1:27-28

People heard about what Jesus could do, and they sought him out. He served others as an integral part of his ministry. Jesus demonstrated his love and compassion for others, then taught us to do the same.

Why serve? How can we not serve? It’s part of who we are as a people of God.

Lord, let us be known as a people that care for others, especially those who the world has ignored or cast aside. May we read the stories of the Bible and learn from your example. May we be a people of action that love you, Lord, with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. May we love our neighbor as ourselves, without boundaries. And may these acts of service draw people to you above all else. Amen.

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Moving from Spectator to Participant: How The LOT Project Changed Me

The shift from wanting to serve in the community to helping others find a place to serve was subtle, yet significant. A few short years ago, I met Andy Gibson and Cody Wright at The LOT Project (David Moore joined the team a year ago). The idea was simple, just show up and lend a hand.

Change can happen in a flash. A mere spark is often found to be the culprit for a fire that scorches hundreds of acres, but the spark is only a catalyst. We may talk about mitigating sparks and controlling open flames, as we should, but the forest wouldn’t have burned so quickly if it weren’t for the slow change over time. The imperceptible move from a rich and luscious grove of trees to a dry and barren environment ripe for destruction often goes unnoticed.

The opposite is true, as well. I like to say that I’m a “recovering Pharisee,” meaning that I once was the one who took pride in studying the Bible, attending all church events, praying before meals, etc. There’s nothing wrong with any of those activities except the part about pride. I didn’t notice. The people around me didn’t notice either because they were all drinking from the same fountain.

Here’s the catch: there wasn’t an “aha” moment. There wasn’t a particular time when it was clear I was on one side of the line or the other. Honestly, it’s not really a line; instead, it’s more like moving from dark gray to light gray. However, when I look back at the time I began to serve at The LOT Project, the change is now evident.

I’ve always been one who is drawn to serve others. Serving is part of my DNA. From the time I was a young child, we served in a local church and the community. I love the fact that churches, in general, promote serving the community. But if the motive for serving is only to spend some uncomfortable time around others who need to be served, we’ve missed the point of the lesson.

Peter sums up the idea beautifully here:

Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:7-10

Verse 10 captures the whole notion of serving at The LOT Project, use whatever gift you have received.

When you first serve on a Tuesday or Thursday night, you’ll hear a consistent message from Cody or whoever speaks as we circle up just before opening the doors. We’re here to provide free clothing, hygiene products, shoes, and a meal, but more than anything, we’re here to remind those we serve that they are God’s amazing creation. Each and everyone is a beautiful work of art handcrafted by the Master that created the entire universe. Take time to get to know some of the friends we serve.

The sign painted on the wall outside by a group of Middle School students, led by Josh Powell, captures the essence of this reminder: worthy, hope, and love.

As you look at this photo, reread Peter’s words. What a beautiful scene! These are faithful students. With each stroke of the brush, the wall beneath becomes a testimony to love and beauty. The cracks disappear, and the imperfections absorbed as your eye is now drawn to the giant letters that proclaim WORTHY. I’m thankful for Josh and his class, but they’re not the only ones.

On Mondays and Wednesdays, a faithful few show up to sort through donations and prepare the room for guests on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Each week the process is repeated. Drip, drip. Slowly, the bucket fills with water until its overflowing.

Kindness is contagious.

The core of The LOT Project is love for each and every person the way the perfect Father loves his child. You’re bound to change when you surround yourself with people with hearts set on loving the least of these, just like the most of these.

And that’s the point of this entire story.

Week after week, I moved from feeling awkward about sitting and talking to someone I’d never met to looking forward to Tuesdays and Thursdays to check in on Chris, Emmanuel, William, Kristi, Felicia, on and on. Suddenly, it’s normal to say, “I love you” to people a year ago I never knew.

Your experience serving at The LOT Project will be different than mine, or at least I hope it will. Honestly, I couldn’t think of anything more encouraging. It would be incredibly boring if we were all alike! What I know is I’ve been able to experience the joy of not just serving others, but loving people from all walks of life and on both sides of the serving line!

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

One last thought as I wrap up this post: get in the game. Go and serve as Peter reminds us all. Serve with joyful hearts. Look inside your heart for a place to be Jesus to someone that needs to hear the assurance that the Creator loves them. There is no more excellent form of evangelism, no stronger discipleship than serving others with the eyes and heart of Jesus Christ.

Go. Serve. Love.

And for goodness sake, smile!

 

 

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When Leaders Pray

In one way or another, we’re all leaders. People will choose to follow (or not) based on our actions, decisions we make, policies we support, or the goals we pursue. Leaders, in this case, suggest those who are leading well, i.e., they are respected and admired. The number of people following is not the point, but if we’re to spread the Gospel to the entire world, at some point, we need to bear the burden of leadership. One other important distinction before we dive in: our overarching strategy is to lead others to Christ, not ourselves. That’s where Christian leadership experiences the most tension. I don’t want you to follow my blog or read my book as a way of honoring me. I want you to read some words that point you to Christ, not me.

We have the incredible fortune to have the Bible at our disposal. I hope my description of The Reading Room made some sense and encouraged you to invest time hearing from God consistently. Throughout the Bible, we read stories of leaders that succeeded and those that failed. There are lessons to gain from both perspectives. Today, I’d like to consider the prayer life of a leader.

Have you ever wondered what effective leaders pray for? In this journey to become more Christ-like, we’re focused on how Jesus led, taught, prayed, slept, rested, etc. In this particular study, I’m biased toward understanding how God cares for those our society has discarded.  It’s my greatest desire to learn lessons from his life that I can put to use in spreading his kingdom on earth. This lofty goal leads me back to Scripture for advice.

In this instance, my mind is drawn to King Solomon. Take a moment and read Psalm 72. I’ll highlight a few verses here, but it’s important to remember that this began as a prayer by Solomon, perhaps the wisest and richest man the world will ever know, one who had everything any man could want. Let’s take a look at Solomon’s prayer.

Endow the king with your justice, O God,
the royal son with your righteousness.
Psalm 72:1

Solomon begins by praying for justice and righteousness, then explains why in the following verse:

May he judge your people in righteousness,
your afflicted ones with justice.
Psalm 72:2

Those under the king’s authority are not his own; they belong to God. These are “your” afflicted ones. Solomon continues this theme throughout the psalm. He recognizes that through justice and righteousness, people are drawn to God. All people.

May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy and may he crush the oppressor. Psalm 72:4

The beginning stanza of this prayer focuses on victory by caring for those who are troubled. Have no doubt, the king expects to honor for his efforts, but why would he mention the needy, the afflicted, the weak, and the oppressed? The reason is simple: God cares for the least, the lost, and the lonely. If he refuses to care for the least of these, can he expect prosperity? Will tribes bow before him and enemies lick the dust?

When a leader leads well, other leaders will follow. And more importantly, the needy are delivered.

For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.
He will take pity on the weak and the needy
and save the needy from death.
He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
for precious is their blood in his sight.
Psalm 72:12-14

When Solomon executes the list above, all will shout, “Long may he live!” He will have earned respect from all people by focusing on the least.

It’s a bit of a conundrum and a slippery slope for those with self-preservation in mind. We should all beware of our internal motivation.

Description of the Messiah

The prayer of Psalm 72 becomes a prophetic message about the coming Messiah and ends with this exclamation1:

Then all nations will be blessed through him,
and they will call him blessed.
Psalm 72:17

The NIV Study Bible notes include this insight:

Later Jewish tradition saw in this psalm a description of the Messiah, as did the early church.2

Many others agree that this psalm provides a beautiful example of Christ. When we look at his earthly ministry, we read about how Jesus was concerned for the needy.

Reread the psalm with Jesus in mind. Go ahead and substitute “Jesus” where you see references to “the king” or other places that refer to Solomon. Here’s an example:

For [Jesus] will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.
[Jesus] will take pity on the weak and the needy
and save the needy from death.
[Jesus] will rescue them from oppression and violence,
for precious is their blood in his sight.

For those who are waving the heresy flag, calm down. I’m not rewriting the Bible. Here’s the thought: if we are sincerely trying to be like Christ, our prayers should reflect his nature. If I pray for success in some effort today, I should be praying that Jesus succeeds. My goals, my desires, my motivation should match that of the Holy Spirit that lives inside me.

When our prayer life becomes like Jesus’ prayers, we will lead others to Christ. It might be from a platform, or it might be scooping some food on a plate. We might have a bestselling book or write a note that encourages someone. Large and small, the weight of the impact is disproportionate to heavenly rewards.

Pray Psalm 72 for yourself. Seek to be one that cares for the afflicted more than anyone else. I’m pretty sure the outcome will make Jesus smile.

 

1Psalm 72 ends at verse 17. Verses 18-20 conclude Book II of the Psalter.
2NIV Study Bible, p.936, note on Psalm 72, Zondervan, 2011.

 

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The Reading Room

Any Christian will tell you that the Bible is the inspired word of God. Some say the Bible was given to us as a guide, while others would assert that each word must be followed by the letter. Some demand that the only real Bible is the King James version of 1611, and therefore The Message translation is pure heresy! Find your spot on the spectrum and have a seat. Relax. I’m not going to support or defend any of the assertions above. What I hope to do is provide an ounce of inspiration that will enable you to enjoy the moments when you get to read the Bible. May each day be filled with opportunities to sit and hear from God, and may some of these be times that you read the Bible. I hope you got that concept.

Reading the Bible is just one way to hear from God–it’s not the only way. When we pause and think about it, the concept is simple. But it’s easier to rely on a checklist and ask some pointed questions about the time spent reading rather than hearing and learning.

The Bible is only a drop of words in an ocean of existence.

If we agree that God is omnipotent, omnipresent, omni____, and if He’s been around since the beginning of creation, the words He has spoken are like the stars in the sky: impossible to count. Here’s your math equation: Words in the Bible divided by the words God has spoken throughout eternity. Let’s agree that the number is very small.

The Bible is only the highlight reel to help us learn to hear God’s voice, to know His character, and understand His relentless pursuit of redemption for His creation.

It is NOT an idol to be placed prominently on the mantle above the fireplace. It’s a story to build us up, to encourage and equip, to rebuke and punish, to be shared from the heart.

Please don’t misunderstand my point. I’m grateful for the many ways the Bible has been published and made available to us. Adding chapter and verse numbers was an ingenious invention that helps to guide our discussion and builds uniformity. These are great features that improve understanding of the text, and I’m happy they exist.

I am authentically excited about the time I get to spend reading the Bible! I’m not trying to impress you, but I am trying to change your perspective from a duty that’s performed to a privilege that you anticipate. The idea extends beyond the Bible and can change the way you approach reading if you let it. Let me introduce you to the Reading Room.

The Reading Room

Imagine you’re walking in a hallway going from your bedroom to the kitchen. Place yourself in some luxurious manor, perhaps the Biltmore, or some such place. As you’re walking down the hall, you see a door open on the left. You glance in to see two chairs by the fireplace. One is empty. One is not. You pause for a moment and realize the one sitting in the adjacent chair is The One. Jesus is waiting for you to come and sit with Him by the fire for a few minutes as you begin your busy day. He wants to tell you a story, to speak to you, to remind you of mistakes His people have made in the past, of triumphs, of great faith, and even ridiculous failure. He’s waiting for you to come and sit and listen for a few minutes.

This is reading the Bible. This is learning to hear the very voice of God in our lives.

When you think about reading the Bible, consider Jesus sitting there with an empty chair asking you to join him. He won’t keep you long. After all, he’s given you work to do for his kingdom. But he does want to talk to you. He desires to teach you in many ways, one of which is through the stories in the Bible.

Here’s the thought: Will you continue walking down that hallway without stopping? Are you too busy to sit with Jesus for a few minutes?

Take the time to sit and listen as the words fill your mind. Imagine Jesus saying something like, “Do you remember the time when a shepherd boy confronted a giant?” or “Let me teach you about honor and dignity by telling you a story about Mephibosheth.”  In these moments, he is speaking those words for you, his only student at this moment. He wants what’s best for you.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10b

When you hear a verse quoted like the one above, ask Jesus to help you understand where that came from, i.e., back up a few verses and get the context for that quote.

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. John 10:3-6

Read the Bible, yes, but listen to his voice as you read. When the time comes, and he calls you by name, you’ll be glad to know you listened well and know his voice.

Lord, I love the fact that you are always there for us. Help us to take advantage of your presence in our lives today.

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Time to Grow Up

I listened to another sermon by Tim Keller today that caused me to stop and consider my current spiritual maturity. Our culture is pretty good about keeping track of progress during our formative years as humans on the planet. Soon after we’ve learned to walk and talk, we begin the assessment process from Pre-K all the way through Twelfth Grade or beyond. Each year forever etched in our memory like rings around a tree. We know we’re growing because we receive a report card from those who have gone before and have earned the position to stand in judgment. It’s funny that those we viewed as mature leaders don’t seem so old and wise as I get older, but that’s not the point and not where I’m going. For the sake of argument, let’s assume our teachers did an adequate job of grading us all those years. What’s next?

Once we get beyond the academic environment, we graduate into a society that grades us much differently. How we grow and mature is no longer monitored by tests and grades; instead, it’s much more difficult to assess.  Keller’s sermon, How We Can Grow1, caught my attention as he set the groundwork for his series on growing in Christ.  It seems fitting that we pause on New Year’s Eve to consider how we matured in the past year. Consider Peter’s concise beginning to chapter 2:

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:1-3

One of the key phrases in this passage is the notion that we can directly impact our growth by craving pure spiritual milk. The time we invest approaching God in complete surrender provides great strength for the coming days. The opposite holds as well. If we choose not to spend time with God, we become weaker and are unable to cope with the troubles of this world effectively.

Keller made some particularly interesting points in his sermon concerning growing up. When a baby cries because she’s hungry, her parents will feed her immediately. But if a 15-year old cries for the same reason, the reaction is much different. Think about that for a moment. I’m sure I’ve said something like this to one of our 15-year old daughters, “If you’re hungry, fix yourself a sandwich!” Right? As a parent, you’re helping the child by not doing everything for them as they mature. The moment we first come to Christ, when we truly open our hearts and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are just like the newborn baby. However, fifteen years down the road, we should not be acting like a newborn anymore. We should not expect God to treat us the same, but so many times, I catch myself wondering why I’m facing this difficulty or some test that seems to be out of my reach. I cry out to God, “Why did you do this?” Then I wonder, am I still an infant?

What does this have to do with the biblical mandate to serve the least, the lost, and the lonely? I’m delighted you asked. To be blunt, it has everything to do with serving others, with living out our faith. As we become more Christ-like, we will naturally seek to save the lost, to help the afflicted, to be unnaturally kind to the oppressed. We have come to expect that of Jesus; why would we not expect that of ourselves? We must grow in our salvation to effectively serve those who are struggling to survive.

Peter continues to offer encouragement.

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5

Pause for a moment and consider that these words are coming from Peter. Reflect on the spiritual growth that he’s undergone and consider how Jesus reinstated and supercharged his ministry. Peter would not have been able to say these words 30 years earlier as a young follower of Christ. No one would expect that of him. Likewise, we should not expect new believers to have such maturity, even if they express unquenchable passion, but we should all be growing in a positive direction.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10

Peter tells us we are a chosen people, God’s special possession. We are sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty — all of us. One of my favorite verses in the Bible exhorts us to behave in a way that draws people to Christ.

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:12

When we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and then love our neighbor as ourselves, we will live in such a way that others will want to join our family. There is no better evangelism, not stronger discipleship than living and loving the way that Christ lived.

Lord, we are amazed that you called us to be a chosen people. In our early days, you fed us like infants then watched us grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). May we choose to grow in the coming years. Help us mature to better serve your kingdom on earth. Challenge us when we need to be stretched and forgive our whining when the days are long. Help us to see progress, however small, to encourage us to take the next steps to bring as many people as possible into the fellowship, the true Koinonia.

 

1 This sermon was preached by Rev. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on October 1, 1989. Series “Growth in Christ, Part 1”. Scripture: 2 Peter 1:1-11. Sometimes it’s only as you begin to see what the Bible says is true of a Christian, what is in store for a Christian, the kind of growth that can happen in the Christian’s life, that you can come to see very clearly you’re not a believer. You’ve been in and out of churches. You’ve been in and out of different religious organizations. “How do you know?” Sometimes one of the best ways to know is to look and see what the characteristics of Christian growth are. Growth in grace is the very essence of the gospel; otherwise, you’re left with a “niceism” or a “moralism” instead of Christianity. Link to Sermon

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Seeing People with God’s Eyes

What if we could see people the way God sees them? Think about it for a moment. If Jesus were standing beside me when I had some interaction that comes to mind, and I could ask him for his insight, what would he say? In an instant, Jesus would see eternity in the eyes of the brother or sister standing there. From birth to death and onto glory. Snap! He would see it all. He might turn to me and patiently ask me why I’m so concerned about outward appearance, temporary affliction, a moment of rage or confusion.

I’m confident Jesus would be unconcerned about how they looked. That’s not to say he wouldn’t care; he just wouldn’t judge someone by the clothes they wear or last time they enjoyed simple pleasures like a private bath or shower.

Jesus would be able to look beyond their present circumstances and see their potential future when basic needs are met, and meaningful relationships establish. He would smile. On the other hand, a tear would appear when the opposite is true when poor decisions were made to alter his path and spiral out of control. Freedom of will is a dynamic and incredibly complex concept.

When I look at the large group of people vying for a pair of shoes, a sleeping bag, or limited resources, I can’t help but wonder how they would act if they didn’t have to ask for any of the above. How many days did they wander without decent shoes or lay cold without proper bedding? How many days would it take for me to want to fight for some simple commodity?

What am I supposed to do when someone asks for a pair of one-way bus tickets just to restart their life? As I sit in my warm home with no worries about any of these thoughts, I truly wonder how to see these people with God’s eyes. I get stuck in Matthew 5 through 7, otherwise known as the Sermon on the Mount. Flipping the pages back and forth, reading the words I’m trying to get my mind around the thought that Jesus spoke these words to people in all stages of life and all levels of society. Those who first heard the words were mothers and fathers, lonely and desperate, old and young, rich and poor.

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Matthew 5:3-4

The words apply equally across the spectrum. All I want is to hear the voice of Jesus so clearly in these moments that I might be moved to think as he would. When interactions are tense, I pray for an express ride to the balcony to view the scene from afar properly. I want to step out of time for an instant and see eternity in the eyes of those involved. I want to say to those we meet, “you are salt and light–your life matters!” The Father equally loves everyone. “Now serving number 1,” and everyone steps forward. The Father sees all.

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:3-4

I wonder what it’s like to see through God’s eyes, and then I remember the Holy Spirit is right here, deep inside my chest, always available, eager to answer. My humanity gets in the way too much of the time. Thoughts betray me and words that I regret slip from my lips. With a glance or glare, my eyes give away my inappropriate judgment, and I am revealed. There you have my confession. My heartfelt desire is for those moments to become fewer and farther between each day. The process takes time. I’m much better today than I was a year ago, but the hourly progress is difficult to appreciate.

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2

Yes, I’m still re-reading the sermon and remembering not to worry, not to judge. Instead, simply ask, seek, and knock. Heaven awaits all who choose. Our job, in many ways, is to remove the barriers that prevent people from seeing the narrow way.

I think it’s infinitely more natural when we see people with God’s eyes.

Now serving number 1.

 

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My Brother’s Keeper

Am I my brother’s keeper? The question keeps coming up, though mostly indirectly. At a men’s breakfast Bible study this past Saturday, the verse popped up again at the beginning of the session.

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Genesis 4:9

When looking at the biblical mandate for serving the poor, this verse is unlikely to make the list of Scripture references, but I hope you can make the connection. In the next few minutes, I hope to convince you we should include the text! Beyond that, I have no further goal. While I would like to claim these words might alter your desire to serve the least, the lost, and the lonely, how that looks in your life is between you and God.

Jesus summed up the entire Law in one rather simple statement: love God and love your neighbor as yourself. In my very biased opinion, this makes us our brother’s keeper.

The concept is simple, but how that looks in our lives is beautifully complex. Let me offer a musical example. Years ago, I was helping a youth group with a production that included a choreographed piece based on a popular song by Lecrae. It seemed simple enough: remove the vocal track from the mix to let the group fill in their part. I have professional software at my disposal, but I wasn’t able to lift the vocals without destroying the underlying music. My solution was to recreate the soundtrack, without the vocals. Mimicking a published song should be easy. The artist made all the decisions in his process of writing and recording the piece. All I had to do was listen and copy the parts.

What I discovered blew me away. I put in the essential rhythm parts and the central theme, but it sounded thin and hollow, so I listened closer to Lecrae’s masterpiece. I found layer after layer of nuances that had to be present to support the theme. Each part by itself was subtle, unnoticeable except for those who took the time to listen carefully to the song. Every element was precisely placed to complement the other. The more I zoomed in, the more I found. The beautiful thing was this: when I stepped back to listen to the original song from a distance, I had an entirely new perspective. And it was more beautiful than ever before.

Each of us plays a part in the dramatic life we’ve been given. It may be difficult for us to hear every little piece, but God sees it all. He is continually working to add an element here or there to make the song complete.

The idea works across all types of creative works. The painter creates her masterpiece one layer at a time, adding subtle hues and highlights. The symphonic composer considers how and when each instrument plays its part with a lot of rests in between. We might learn something in that concept alone.

Yes, my friend, I am my brother’s keeper, and so are you.

But just like the verse that followed Jesus’ summary of the Law, you might be tempted to ask, who is my brother? I’m posing this question much like the expert in the law that asked Jesus in Luke 10:25-37, the Parable of the Good Samaritan. I know the story that prompted Cain’s response was his attempt to coverup the murder of his brother Able, and I’m not elevating everything we do to murder. What I read in this story is that God cares about each of us; therefore, we should care too. Let me make this a bit more challenging.

Consider two brothers. One is wealthy. He is incredibly successful in business to the point that he has more money than he could spend, but has no relationship with Jesus. He’s kind enough, but his whole life is all about making money. The second brother either finds himself in jail, homeless shelters or on the street. He’s easy-going and the first to admit his mistakes. Like the first brother, you have no idea about his spiritual state. Both call you to meet for lunch. Who gets the appointment? 

The expert in the law wanted Jesus to define who his neighbor was so he could comply with a direct command, another rule. But Jesus’ answer paints a picture rather than provides a checklist. In other words, we must live a life based on loving as God demonstrates throughout the Bible.

When I read through the Bible today, I’m looking specifically for words that help me learn how to get better at loving God and loving neighbors as myself. I turned back to the beginning, and suddenly scripture that I had never associated with the Greatest Commandment jumps out at me. How about you? Do you see the connection now? The 4th chapter in the Bible asks the question in my mind, but it’s not even the first reference. Take a look at chapter 3 for yourself. Then continue forward through the history of our Jewish ancestors and see how God is adding notes, dabs of paint, moments of silence, and words of wisdom throughout history. It’s all right there in plain sight, yet so hard to see at times.

Lord, we need your eyes to see our brother the way you see him; to love our sister the way you love her. I pray that you reveal this kind of love as we read your word so that we would become men and women of action rather than scholars that teach. May we become our brother’s keeper.

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