Listen, Obey, Yield
Painting by Amos Sewell (1901-1983) | Rowdy Bus Ride
Troubling thoughts kept me awake in the wee hours of the morning, Father. But I found comfort in You. May You continue to shine brighter than anything that tries to stand between us. Amen.
Luke 9:28-36 (<<click to read the passage)
It was announced today, as we continue our battle against this pandemic, that K-12 students in Ohio will not be returning to the classroom this school year but will continue learning from home, the best they can, with teachers helping both students and parents however possible.
I am still delivering meals, to families requesting them, every day that school would be in session. But admittedly it is not the same. Reactions on Facebook have been everywhere from crying to rejoicing. I am not on either end of that spectrum, but I am definitely less joyful, and I do feel the loss a bit more poignantly. Truly, I enjoy my job and being that they interact with me more, I miss my elementary kids most of all.
No matter how much I enjoy my time with them, it has its challenges. The biggest challenge each day is just getting them to listen. Some, I am sure, clearly hear every word I say. For others, it depends on what they are doing or what others around them are doing.
One thing I do frequently to get their attention is to turn the interior lights of my bus on. When I do that, everyone is to stop talking (or yelling, as the case may be!). I am proud of the fact that, overall, my kids are pretty attentive to that visual and even if they don’t see it right away others around them are quick to point it out with lots of “shushes” going around.
Listening is one of the most important things they must do. Whether its commands to remain in their seats or making them aware of the inclement weather around us and the need for them to be quiet so I can concentrate more on the roads and less on them, listening is a must!
But listening is just part of what must happen. I can talk until I’m hoarse, but it is useless if they don’t obey my commands. I don’t just talk to talk; they have to do what I tell them – for their safety and mine.
Ultimately, though, it is their choice, but it truly is in their best interest to yield to me, their driver.
Today’s passage from Luke 9, has Peter, James, and John accompanying Jesus up a mountain to pray. Of course, they fell asleep (not that I have ever done that! Yeah, right!) and when they awoke there Jesus wasn’t alone – Moses and Elijah were speaking with Him! In moments those two were gone and a cloud enveloped them, and a voice boomed from out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, My Chosen One; listen and obey and yield to Him!” v35
That command wasn’t just for Peter, James, and John…it was for us, too. Listening to Jesus is one of the most important things we must do, but if we don’t obey, it’s useless. Ultimately it is our choice, but it is in our best interest to yield to His guidance for our lives. Amen! (And just a little FYI, “Amen” does mean, so be it!)
Apr 20th, 2020, Mon, 7:25 pm
Asserting Our Rights
I am amazed, Father, at how You are moving! Churches everywhere are reaching out in whole new ways. May Your Word be increased a hundred-fold and more! Amen!
Luke 9:26-27 (<<click to read the passage)
One of humanity’s biggest struggles is coming to the reality of who Jesus really is. A big part of the struggle is coming to the point in our lives where we make up our own minds as to who Jesus is. Many want to believe that Jesus is who He says He is but honestly, it can be difficult to see past the many things with which others have enshrouded Him.
Many want to believe that Jesus is all about love but too often those who claim to follow Him, are just about anything but loving. Hate-filled arguments, even when followers “believe” they are in the right, cloud the visage of who Jesus really is.
How many times do things we hold to be the “Gospel truth” have their basis more on traditional or cultural bias than actual Biblically-based truth?
How often in pushing things we hold to be of utmost importance in our belief system do we stop, with a good deal of sincere heart-searching, and ask ourselves, does this concept really reflect the heart and mind of Jesus?
Too often we are more intent on asserting our “rights.” How dare others tromp upon them!
I am reminded of Paul’s writings to the believers in the city of Corinth. One topic he addressed was the issue of eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols. Now Paul, believing in the One True God, put no stock in idols whatsoever. They were just crafted images that many of that time held in high regard, as they represented a deity of some importance in their society. God was God and there was no other – so meat was meat.
But, amongst them were individuals who struggled with that. Yes, they believed in the One True God, but their entire lives they had held these other “deities” in high regard. And doing things that went against that mindset was difficult. There was no reason they should do so, but we all realize adjustments in our own lives can be problematic.
Paul wasn’t so concerned with his “right” to not eat meat sacrificed to idols, but he was concerned with how asserting that right would “cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble.” (1 Corinthians 8:9 NLT)
His concern was that, as believers, we take great care in asserting our rights, for in doing so we might just cause “a weak believer for whom Christ died [to] be destroyed.” v11
He goes on to say in verse 12,
“And when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ.”
So, to bring this around to my original intent, my challenge for us as believers is to weigh what we say and do in the name of Jesus before we say and do.
In Luke 9:26 Jesus is recorded as saying,
“If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.”
…and, I for one, do not want to be found guilty of causing “a weak believer for whom Christ died [to] be destroyed” just because I felt it necessary to assert my “rights”.
Apr 19th, 2020, Sun, 5:55 pm
A Season for Everything
Thank You, Father, for watching over us on our little essential excursion to pick up something at the doctor’s office today, facemasks in tow. It was beautiful out and we enjoyed our time together. There are so many blessings, even in the little things!
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
We live in the beautiful state of Ohio, my adoptive home. I am proud to say that I was born and raised in West Virginia, a place of unequaled beauty, as well. Over the past several days, I have seen several posts from friends in higher elevations where they have had snow!
Yes, we are halfway through April and our grass is as green as green can be, but we have had snow – nothing measurable! – flying through the air, as well. Right now, it is beautiful outside. Karen mowed this afternoon and at the moment the sun is shining brightly casting long shadows across our lawn as our day is coming to an end.
Regardless of what it is like now, the weather app on my phone is calling for up to an inch of snow accumulation here tonight! As the saying goes, “If you don’t like the weather here, wait 5 minutes and it will change!” I love snow but I am surely ready for warmer temps and being outside a bit more!
In the midst of this transitional weather a memory popped into my head a couple of days ago and I wanted to share it.
Between my freshman and sophomore years in high school, my dad – a pastor, as well – accepted a church in Parsons, WV. It sits squarely in the Appalachian Mountains and is part of the great Monongahela National Forest. Parsons sat in the valley but with Canaan Valley Ski Resort in the county, we obviously got our fair share of snow!
One winter’s evening, as the snow began to fall steadily all around us, my sister Katrina and I decided to take our dog, Sugar, for a walk into the center of town. It was less than a mile and we were in no hurry. It was late enough that traffic was non-existent. No one was around and we just quietly walked through the falling snow, with nothing but the sound of crunching snow beneath our feet. Walking past the streetlights…it was just beautiful.
So much Has transpired in our lives since that simple time. We, each, have had our ups and our downs. The good and the bad we have shared, just as everyone does. There are times we wish we could erase and there are many, many other times that our heart’s desire would be for them to last forever. But, of course, that’s just not how it works.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 seems very appropriate.
1 For everything there is a season,
…. a time for every activity under heaven.
2 A time to be born and a time to die.
… .A time to plant and a time to harvest.
3 A time to kill and a time to heal.
…. A time to tear down and a time to build up.
4 A time to cry and a time to laugh.
…. A time to grieve and a time to dance.
5 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
…. A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
6 A time to search and a time to quit searching.
…. A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear and a time to mend.
…. A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
8 A time to love and a time to hate.
…. A time for war and a time for peace. (NLT)
The season in which we find ourselves is different from any other we have yet to experience. We may desire to wish our way out of it but…that’s just not how it works. Pray that the Lord will use this time to draw you closer to Him. For only in Him is the comfort we seek.
Apr 16th, 2020, Thurs, 7:09 pm
No Greater Love
Artist Austin Zucchini-Fowler’s new mural – Denver, Colorado / (Denver Post article)
Father, I am so glad that I can come before You every day. It makes no difference when…or where. Regardless of my circumstances, You join me. I call on You throughout the day and You are with me. What comfort You bring…
Luke 9:23-25 (<<click to read the passage)
As I sat to write yesterday, there was a lot more on my heart and mind that what I got together for Wednesday’s post. So, as everything moved along last night, I quickly realized that part of it would have to wait until today.
Through different eras, there are challenges thrust upon us. The last global challenge for our very existence was World War II. I was reading a friend’s post earlier and it shared the story of an 80+ year-old-man. He said, “You know, I was a little boy during WWII. Those were scary days. We didn’t know if we were going to be speaking English, German or Japanese at the end of the war. There was no certainty, no guarantees…”
Millions of lives were lost in that global conflict. Many had no choice – where they lived, what their heritage was – those were the determining factors in whether the lived…or died. But others selflessly gave of themselves. Men and women from every corner of the world joined forces to combat the evil that threatened to overtake the world.
Today, another evil of a whole different sort has been ravaging us for weeks and, really, there is no certain end in the foreseeable future. And our enemy seemingly lurks around every corner, ready to pounce and decimate and destroy.
But once more, in our time of need, there are those who are selflessly giving of themselves. Men and women of every race and creed from every corner of our world are diligently working to combat the evil that is threatening to overtake us.
The notes from my study Bible* spoke to me. I felt that it pointed to those who every day are laying down their lives to save as many as they can, many of them are followers of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And they sacrifice their safety and the safety of their families so that we might live.
If this present life is most important to you, you will do everything you can to protect it. You will not want to do anything that might endanger your safety, health, or comfort. By contrast, if following Jesus is most important, you may find yourself in unsafe, unhealthy, and uncomfortable places. You may risk death, but you will not fear it because you know that Jesus will raise you to eternal life. Nothing material can compensate for the loss of eternal life. Jesus’ disciples are not to use their lives on earth merely to please themselves; they should spend their lives serving God and others.
Lord Jesus, please place Your arms of love and care around those give of themselves in service to us. Yes, some may not know You, but, Lord, I would ask that you would embolden those, your children, to speak, to share. May the events in which we find ourselves draw our hearts to You. And whether we live or die our hope is in You, both now and for eternity. Amen.
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ~ Jesus (John 15:13 NLT)
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Apr 15th, 2020, Wed, 7:23 pm
One Small Fish in the Vast Oceans of Humanity
Father, tonight before I read and write I would ask for Your guiding hand as I try to maintain control over many aspects of my life. I am in a good place now and, because You have already been sustaining me, I am heading in the right direction. Thank You for the determination that You have placed in my heart!
Luke 9:23-25 (<<click to read the passage)
We are most definitely a society of opinions. And many are vocal about their own and equally vocal about those whose opinion differs from their own. I am going to share my opinion on something with whom some might not agree. But before writing me off, please hear me out.
First, read today’s passage. This is Jesus speaking,
“If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake, he is the one who will save it [from the consequences of sin and separation from God]. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success], and loses or forfeits himself? (AMP)
I truly feel that those who are choosing to defy guidelines set by those in authority over us and are still coming together as a group of people together to worship are in the wrong. (Hold on, don’t ditch me yet!)
When I read the phrase, “he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests]”, that doesn’t sound like the goal of those who are coming together. They feel that they must respond like Peter and the apostles did when told they had to stop teaching about Jesus at the temple. They responded by saying, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.” (Acts 5:29 NLT)
But we have been told no such thing. We have not been told to stop teaching about Jesus. All that we have been asked to refrain from is coming together in close proximity to each other.
I feel that the direction that I, and many other pastors, have chosen to go has opened so many other doors of opportunity to touch the world for Jesus! This past Sunday alone, I know of at least 58 different people that tuned in to what I had to share via the internet. It was viewed, at least in part, 200 times and stats tell that it passed in front of 644 people on their Facebook feed!
I pastor two small rural congregations. If I added both churches’ attendance on a good Sunday, I might have 40 people who come together for worship. We have struggled for years, to reach people. And now we are, and they don’t even have to step inside our buildings! But they are there! We are touching the world for Christ!
I wholeheartedly believe the passage of Scripture from Isaiah 55:10-11 that says,
“The rain and snow come down from the heavens
…and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
…producing seed for the farmer
…and bread for the hungry.
It is the same with my word.
…I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
…and it will prosper everywhere I send it. (NLT)
I am but one small fish in the vast oceans of humanity. And the stats I shared? Those are just for three days! Only God knows how many people His Word will reach, for we all know that what is put on the internet will be there for as long as the world wide web exists!
And let me ask one last question. How many people are those defiant churches touching for Jesus? How many regular Joes are they attracting to their gatherings? Yes, many are having people drive in from all over to gather in their buildings…but so what!
Jesus tells the story of a shepherd – representing Himself – that left the 99 sheep who were safely with Him to go and find the one sheep who had wandered away. Sounds to me like they are content to be amongst the 99 and, truth be told, the one really doesn’t matter.
Lord Jesus, may the scales drop from our eyes! May we see what You see – souls dying all around us because we don’t care enough to do what needs doing. May we swallow our pride and humbly follow Your lead. Amen.
Apr 14th, 2020, Tue, 7:49 pm