Rest in the Soul Anchor; Hebrews 4-6

May the mumbling commence!

Twenty-four / seven, three-hundred sixty five just does not work.  24/7 and 365 is not sustainable.  In the United States, we are driven people.  The question is: What is it that drives us?  What drives us to push ourselves relentlessly and ignore our need for rest?

It is a complicated question.  No simple answer can be sufficient.  One might say that fear drives us onward – fear of many different things.  One might say that isolation drives us.  We are built with a need for relationship.  We are built with a need for rest.

What happens when someone gets their need for relationship filled with media?  There is Hollywood and television and the internet.  There is the video gaming world.  There is the violence being played out around the world – both those types of violence easy to detect and those that go undetected. 

The results are not always the same.  Sometimes the results are mundane.  Sometimes the results are horrific.

I cannot write this blog today without grieving for the tragedy that happened in Aurora, Colorado.  The violence is senseless – violence that happens in the summer movie theaters’ silver screen.  The violence played out at a midnight opening of the latest “Batman” movie is beyond senseless. 

I cannot fail to see the bitter irony of the violence on screen and in that theater.  I cannot fail to see the escapism of the theater and the irony of people giving up sleep to see a movie first.  It is insanity.

Listen to the call of the author of Hebrews to rest – to rest in faith in the Lord.  Leave fear behind.  Find a place to belong.  Find a place to understand and be understood.  Find a place where it is okay to stop and rest and glory in our wonderful Creator.  To do so is to fulfill a commandment of the Lord.  Read from Hebrews chapter four:

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.  Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. 

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Verses 9-13) 

There is a Sabbath rest for us.  Resting in the abundance of our Creator is being obedient.  Our own efforts are to no avail.  Depend upon the Word of God.  It will judge the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts.  I sit here and ask myself a question:  Do I spend more time in the Word of God than I do in all other social media combined? 

It is an important question to ask.  The things that we pour into our thoughts and attitudes will shape our hearts.  Shall I allow the world to shape me and be malformed?  Or shall I allow the Word of God to shape me? 

No, I will not be free floating in this world.  I need an anchor for my soul.  It is an anchor that the author of Hebrew talks about at the end of chapter six.  This passage of Scripture inspired contemporary Christian musical artist Michael Card to compose his CD called “Soul Anchor”.  Read the passage below:

Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.  Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.  God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.  We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.  (Verses 16-20)

Enough mumbling for now… 

Peace Out

Be a Jesus Fan; Hebrews 1-3

May the mumbling commence!

I don’t know about you, but I do not remember math lessons so fondly.  I fully recognize their importance.  I know I use simple math every day of my life.  The Scripture reading for today from Hebrews got me to thinking about those greater than and less than functions of math. 

With numbers, the ideas of “greater than” and “less than” are simple to figure out.  With spiritual matters and spiritual leaders, the answers are a little less than simple.  They can appear quite complex.  Which spiritual matter or leader is greater than or lesser than another? 

Discovering the answer to that question can lead to great argument and division.  For this reason, the unknown author of Hebrews spends much time at the beginning of the letter defining for us the greater than and less than problem of spiritual leaders.  Read from the beginning of Hebrews chapter three:

Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.  He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God's house.  Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself.  For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.  Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house, testifying to what would be said in the future.  But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast. (Verses 1-6)

Before this passage, the author of Hebrews talked about Jesus being greater than the holy angels.  Now, the author turns to Moses.  Jesus is greater than Moses.  Fix your eyes on Jesus – THE Apostle and High Priest.

You and I may read over that statement without pausing.  But, for Hebrews, to announce that someone was greater than Moses would have given them pause.  Hebrews know Moses as not only a servant of God but also as a friend of God.  God spoke face to face with Moses.  How could anyone possibly be greater than Moses?

To translate this surprise and pause, we must think of some of the great leaders of Christianity – those that are denominational or those that transcend denomination.  Jesus is greater than… the Apostle Peter, any Pope, Martin Luther, Menno Simons, Alexander Mack… the list can go on and on (fill in your own denominational leaders of the past).  Jesus is far greater than any of these people – combined!

If this translation of the surprise and pause does not touch you, then think of spiritual leaders that you have known.  Jesus is far greater than any current pastor or minister or priest.  Jesus is greater than Rick Warren or Billy Graham.  Jesus is greater than your pastor(s) at your church.

Do not think that when your favorite current pastor leaves that it is time to find another church with a pastor who can be your next favorite.  We come to worship and fellowship together someone far greater than any simple human being that ever walked the face of the earth.  (Yes, Jesus is far greater than the Beatles – or any other of your favorite entertainers!)

Fix your thoughts on Jesus.  Devote yourself to Jesus like a fan would.  And the word “fan” comes from the word fanatic.  Be a Jesus fanatic much more than a fanatic of anyone or anything else.

Well… that is our lesson about “greater than” and “less than” in the spiritual sense.  Choose your spiritual matters and spiritual leaders carefully.  Choose them in the light of Jesus, who is far greater than anything.

Enough mumbling for now… 

Peace Out

Encourage One Another; Titus & Philemon

May the mumbling commence!

This world can be a discouraging place.  Too often it feels easier to surrender to apathy.  But apathy is not the spirit that Christ Jesus calls us to.  We need to encourage one another.  How do we encourage one another?  I offer to you an excerpt from Titus and Philemon as two examples that Paul put forth.  Read the first one from Titus chapter two:

Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.  In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. (Verses 6-8)

We can encourage the godly life of self-control by setting an example with the way we live our lives.  Do what is good.  Show integrity.  Be serious and sound of speech to avoid condemnation and rebuke from other people. 

I strive for these things; but, those who know me, know that I am not serious all the time.  There is a time for comedy and lightheartedness, and there is a time for seriousness.  I always hope in the Lord that I know those times and act accordingly.

And there are other ways to encourage one another.  Read from Philemon:

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints. 

Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul – an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus – I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.  Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. 

I am sending him – who is my very heart – back to you.  I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel.  But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced.  Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good – no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord. (7-16)

We encourage one another by our love in action.  Love in action refreshes the hearts of the saints.  It was on this basis of mutual love that Paul pleaded with Philemon to accept his runaway slave back as a brother in the Lord. 

Paul knew that this acceptance of Onesimus (whose name means “useful” in Greek) would exact a price for Philemon.  So Paul acknowledged his own price for sending Onesimus back to him.  Paul wanted to keep Onesimus as a valuable fellow servant in Christ Jesus.  Yet Paul did not want to hold Onesimus without the approval of Philemon.

You and I may not fully understand the price that Philemon would need to pay – both to his other slaves and to the community that surrounded him.  I do not think that we have an equivalent example of this sacrifice – at least not in the States. 

But love calls us to sacrifice for other people – to encourage the saints.  Let us encourage our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus by living a life of integrity, by carefully choosing our words and actions, and by putting our love into action.

Enough mumbling for now… 

Peace Out

Call for Help; 2 Timothy 3-4

May the mumbling commence!

It is important to know when to call for help.  There are and will be times that we cannot handle the call of the Lord in our lives alone.  Indeed, to try and handle the call of the Lord on your life alone is laughable.  Paul knew this fact well.  Read from his closing remarks in Second Timothy chapter four:

Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.  Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.  I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.  When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments. (Verses 9-13)

Paul was stuck in a dank prison cell.  Many had deserted him – for different reasons.  Paul knew that he was somewhat at the mercy of his jailer.  Only Luke was with him.  Paul knew that he needed extra help.

Paul pleaded with Timothy to come to him.  Paul also asked Timothy to bring Mark with him.  It was the same Mark that he rejected as a good traveling companion earlier.  If you need any more proof of the healing that happened in that relationship, here it is.  Paul recognizes Mark as helpful to him in his ministry.

Yes, Christ Jesus is our lifeline.  Yet, sometimes, we need to call a friend to help us to cling to the promise of Jesus.  Paul reached out to Timothy and to Mark.

And Paul did not allow his predicament to drive his mission from his mind.  He thought of some useful tools that he left behind.  One of these tools was for his personal use.  Paul asked for his cloak that he left behind.  It must have been cool during the evenings and in the wee hours of the night in that cell.

The second thing that Paul requested that Timothy bring was scrolls and parchments.  Paul knew their value to his ministry.  I would guess some of these contained the messages that he had already sent to churches that he planted.  I would also guess some of these would be blank – so that he could continue his ministry to his beloved brothers and sisters while he was confined to prison.

Paul often thought of others – even when he was in the most uncomfortable and precarious positions.  He sent Tychicus to Ephesus, and he asked for the scrolls and parchments.  Paul knew that God had called him to minister to these people through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

May you and I be as conscious of our call when we are in the valleys of our lives.  May you and I think of others before ourselves.  It is the little warn path that Jesus trod and that Paul followed in.

There is no better way!

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out

Noble or Ignoble? 2 Timothy 1-2

May the mumbling commence!

What purpose is God going to use me for?  What purpose is God going to use you for?  The way we live our lives helps to define the use God will find us useful for.  Read from Second Timothy chapter two:

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble.  If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.  Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.  And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.  Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. (Verses 20-26)  

The way we live our lives is informed to the greatest extent upon what we pursue with passion and commitment.  If we pursue anything but God, we will eventually find ourselves doing some ignoble things.  Sometimes ignoble things must be done, but do you and I really want our lives being known and remembered for doing ignoble things.  God calls us to greater things.

Paul tells Timothy to flee the evil desires of youth.  He doesn’t list any of these evil desires, but we can identify them pretty easily.  Some of them come with “adult” rating and “adult only” signs.  Do not be fooled.  These are the definition of juvenile.  Some come with labels of “for mature audiences”.  Do not be fooled.  These are the definition of immaturity.

What are we to pursue so that we can be used for godly purposes – noble uses?  Paul does list some of these pursuits to Timothy.  They are: righteousness, faith, love and peace.  These things grow from calling upon the Lord with a pure heart.

And we have NOT reached spiritual maturity when we find ourselves embroiled in argument and controversy.  My conception of righteousness is incomplete.  I rely on God, and I realize that knowing God is enhanced greatly by being in community of other Christians – particularly other Christians who have different points of view…

Kindness is another tool that is important to use.  Seek to teach.  Before we get on our soap boxes, we must remember that a good teacher listens to and understands where students are coming from.  A good teacher learns just as much or possibly more than their students learn.

Teaching in this way takes a gentle hand.  Teaching in this way has the divine potential to help us come to our senses.  Yes, I need to come to my senses just as much as the next Christian.  We all do.  Thinking that we know it all is a trap from the devil – making us captive to his will.

If we are to be captive, let us be captive to the will of God.  It is pleasing and perfect for us.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out

Working on Spiritual Memory; 1 Timothy 3-5

May the mumbling commence!

Athletes submit their bodies and minds to intense training.  They form their bodies to perform and endure the rigors of their sports.  They form their minds so that thinking will be unnecessary during the contests they compete in.  The training comes down to muscle memory and recognition so that seconds and hundredths of seconds can be shaved from response times.

As Christians, we submit ourselves to intense training that includes not only body and mind but also spirit.  And we do not train for a temporary reward.  Our reward is eternal.  And it is a reward that becomes greater and greater as we share it, because the goal is not self glorification but glorification of God.  Read about this training from First Timothy chapter four:

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.  Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.  They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.  For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. 

If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.  Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.  For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.  This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. 

Command and teach these things.  Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.  Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.  Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. 

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.  Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.  

When we devote ourselves to God, we must carry an assumption of the goodness of all creation.  God created the universe and called it good – very good.  So we must reject godless myths and old wives’ tales that try to prove the inherent evil nature of what God has created. 

To follow such thoughts only lead to division and division is just what Satan would love to see us do.  Our God is a God of multiplication, but Satan constantly tries to convince us that God is a God of division.  Let us reject this lie.

Instead, let us train ourselves to be godly.  Physical prowess has some rewards, but godliness has value for all things – both now and into the future.  And, in godliness, we put our hope in the living God – for, in this, God is our only hope.  Paul calls this a trustworthy saying, so we should pay attention.

Let us command and teach these things.  Along with muscle memory and recognition, Christians add spiritual memory.  How do we hone our spiritual memory?  And, make no bones about it, remembering is crucial.  Here is the list of spiritual exercises that Paul lists for Timothy: public Scripture reading, preaching, and teaching. 

To these general exercises, Paul adds some more person specific exercises.  Share the gifts that God has given you through the Holy Spirit.  Be diligent.  Hold nothing back.  Watch your doctrine and your life closely.  Persevere and you will save both yourself and your hearers.  Let us join hands and train together for godliness.

Enough mumbling for now… 

Peace Out

A Trustworthy Saying; 1 Timothy 1-2

May the mumbling commence!

The grace of our Lord is abundant and evident.  Paul wrote to his spiritual son Timothy to underline this point.  He wrote to encourage Timothy in his ministry to some difficult people.  Surely, we do not have any difficult people in our church today…  Yeah, right.  Read Paul’s encouragement to Timothy from First Timothy chapter one:

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.  Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.  The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.  But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.  Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.  (Verses 12-17)

Paul was strengthened in faith to be appointed to service for Christ Jesus.  Just as Paul was strengthened for service, so would Timothy be strengthened… so would you and I be strengthened. 

We are strengthened to serve Christ Jesus – even though we were sinners in our ignorance and unbelief.  I pray along with Paul (and with the man with a demon-possessed son), “I do believe, remove my unbelief!”

How great is the grace that God lavishes upon you and me!  Let us accept the gift with tangible acts of faith and love that are rooted in Christ Jesus.  And let us not remain silent in our joy. 

Paul says, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.”  When we hear these words, we should pay close attention to the context.  In this case, the trustworthy saying follows the statement: Jesus came into the word to save sinners.

Jesus came to save sinners.  That leads me to a question: How do you perceive the church?  Do you see the church as a holding pen for the righteous or as a hospital for sinners?  The way that we answer that question will inform how we seek to manifest the church in our neighborhoods. 

Jesus came to save sinners… of whom I am the worst.  Those are the words of the Apostle Paul.  If Paul is the worst of sinners, where does that leave me or you?  I cannot fathom any other way to conceive the church but as a hospital for sinners. 

By the grace of God through the Holy Spirit, I am being healed and changed from a sinner into one that bears the likeness of Jesus more and more.  Everyone is invited to make that journey.  I need more company, so I will announce the Good News wherever I go. 

The example of the grace of God in me is meant for the benefit for those who have yet to believe in Jesus. It means caring for all people who come along my path… even those who may make me uncomfortable because they are different than me.  Read from First Timothy chapter two:

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men – the testimony given in its proper time.  And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle – I am telling the truth, I am not lying – and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles. (Verses 1-7)

Pray and be thankful for everyone – even those who may hold authority over you and abuse you.  Such prayer and thankfulness will transform us and our attitudes toward other people.  It is the road to peacefulness and godliness and holiness.  God wants all people to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth in Christ Jesus. 

Let us remember this especially in this season of political campaigning and as we seek to elect a president for the next four-year term.  Let us extend grace to all people of all political persuasions. 

Enough mumbling for now… 

Peace Out