Love the Lord your God

Mt. 22:37-39

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Jesus is emphasizing love, especially love over works since He is conversing with those who are trying to test Him. He says that I must love God with all that I have, my heart, soul, and mind. When I think of my heart, I think of my desires, emotions, and longings, the center of all the things that I treasure. My soul would be my spiritual center where I would need to be aligned with the love of God and not a foolish and inept idol of man. Finally, my mind speaks to me of all that I think about, my dreams, my thoughts, and my understanding. All of these areas have a great potential for failure since my flesh is motivated by selfishness and not love. Jesus goes on to say that I should love my neighbor as myself which is even more impossible than the first commandment.

What I really think Jesus is saying is that this is not a task or something that I must tackle, it is a lifestyle that is made a reality through the power that dwells in me. Jesus gives the blueprint for life, and along with it comes the power to live out that plan. It is not presented as a huge to-do list, but as an opportunity for His grace to be made perfect in my weakness. In my flesh, these commandments are an impossibility, but in the power of God, all things are possible. If I am dependent on Him, He can transform my selfishness to love by making my heart's treasure be Him, by conforming my mind to the Truth, and by creating a burning passion in my soul that is fueled by His love. Once my heart, soul, and mind are dependent on Him, then I can love Him and others.

Father,

Take away my self-sufficiency and transform it to God dependency. Conform my heart, mind, and soul to Your love so that I might be obediently loving You and others.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Many are called but few are chosen.

Mt. 22:14

"For many are called, but few are chosen."

This verse was the conclusion of a parable that Jesus taught where He was comparing the kingdom of heaven to a wedding feast. Even with an invitation, the guests refused to come. In fact, "They paid no attention." How heart-breaking is that! Why would they respond like this? It says that one man had a farm to take care of and another a business. They were wrapped up in this world's priorities. Still another group seized the servants of the master, abusing them and eventually killing them. People today still respond to the gospel in a similar way. Many people are involved in their jobs, possessions, status, lifestyle, etc., and others outrightly hostile to the claims of Christ. Everything is more important than Jesus. They don't want to be bothered because the pride of life completely controls them. Sadly, in many parts of the world, the messenger of Jesus is met with hostility, abuse and even death.

But the king in the parable did not stop there. He sent out his servants into the main roads to invite guests whether they were good or bad. From outward appearance , the preceding group of people would have seemed more likely candidates. They were probably good, moral, well-to-do people, people who were educated and intelligent. In contrast, these ' road' people were poor with nothing to offer. Why would the king want them? That is the point! They had nothing! The king does not want anything that people think they have to offer, instead He wants us to come admitting our need and accepting his garment. Still in this second group there was one man not clothed in a wedding garment. The king had only one response: bind and cast him into outer darkness. The king's requirement was that everyone at the feast be clothed in a proper wedding garment.

The king called many, but only a few were chosen, only those who were clothed in the wedding garments, that is those who were clothed in the righteouness of Jesus and washed by His blood. Certainly, from this parable I can see that all people were invited, and the people had to make a choice to come or not. God does wish "that any should persih, but that all should reach repentance." But at the same time, God has to give the wedding garment to each one in order for them to attend the wedding feast. Salvation is a work of grace from a sovereign God. I wonder about that wedding guest who was not in the wedding garment. Did he know that his clothes were not right? Did he think that his good works would be enough, or did the entire situation take him by surprise? How strong is the will of man! It is amazing that we can decieve even ourselves.

Father,

Put within me a strong desire to share your gospel with others. I confess that I have judged on outward appearance. In essence, I have shared with those that I thought would be good candidates. But I see now that I need to trust You and let You guide me to those You have chosen, whether they are good or bad. I thank You for inviting me to Your feast and cleansing me in the blood of Jesus so that I could be clothed in His righteousness.

In Jesus name,

Anen

Prosperity or Adversity

Ecc. 7:14

"In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider:God has made the one as well as the others, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him."

God has made prosperity as well as adversity, but the difference in the two comes in my response. In the day of prosperity, I should be joyful because it has pleased God to bless me in this way. I need to remember that it has nothing to do with me or what I have accomplished. Not only does prosperity come from a sovereign God but adversity does as well. Though they both come from the hand of God, my response to adversity is to consider. Why would I consider in times of adversity and not prosperity? Certainly pausing to think would be a great response in either situation, but often in prosperity my life is centered on living and enjoying while in adversity my heart is drawing close to God seeking comfort and guidance. What exactly am I to consider? Am I to consider why my life is going down a rough patch, or am I to consider how God is there to be all that I need? From my perspective, I think the times of adversity are good because I am much more focused on God. Because of this focus, I grow in His grace whereas in prosperity my tendency is to be more focused on life and less on God. The neat thing is that both come from God. Since He knows what is best for my life, I can rest in what He sends. Whether it is prosperity or adversity, I know that it is for my good because "all things work together for good to those who love God and who are called according to His purpose."
God knows my end from my beginning. I do not! He sends exactly what I need and what is for my good. My response is to see His hand in all that is in my life, to surrender to His sovereign plan, and to be joyful and contemplative as He leads. I thank God that His grace is sufficient for my weakness in prosperity or in adversity.
Father,
As I live each day, let me see Your hand in all the haphazard details of my life. Teach me to love Your prosperity and Your adversity. Take my eyes off the uncomfortable times and put them on You, the Comforter.
In Jesus name,
Amen

They did not ask the Lord.

Josh. 9:14-15

"So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord. And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregations swore to them."

The Gibeonites were aware of the will of the Lord concerning their lives. They knew their future meant immediate destruction. So in an effort to save their lives, they crafted a deceptive plan to secure a covenant with Joshua to preserve their lives. After listening to their plea, Joshua did make this covenant, but Joshua "did not ask counsel from the Lord." Not only did Joshua not seek the Lord in this decision, but he disobeyed the previous command to destroy all the inhabitants of the land. It seemed an innocent enough situation so apparently Joshua felt he could make the decision on his own. Later, after he had discovered what had happened, he confronted the Gibeonites. The result was that they would be wood cutters and water drawers for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord. Was Joshua's decision justified? Was it enough to make the Gibeonites subservient, or was their subservience an ever present reminder of decision-making without the Lord's counsel?

It appears as if Joshua was trusting in his own superficial decision-making ability and not in the wisdom of God. He looked at what he thought were the facts and made a decision. What a warning to me! I think that I have made many 'Joshua' decisions. Like him, I mistakenly think I can figure out what to do. After the fact, it seems like such a foolish thing to do, but in the moment, it seems like the natural thing to do. Why would I opt for failure when I could ask God? I guess it comes down to my pride or my self-sufficiency. I think that I can handle those decisions in my own strength. And like Joshua, the effects of those decisions often have long-lasting effects. They become ever-present reminders of my foolishness.

Father,

Send Your Spirit to remind me always to ask You before I make a choice. I want to do Your will and be obedient to Your commands. Root out my selfish will and draw me ever closer to You and Your way.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Set Your Mind on Things of God

Mt. 16:23

"But He turned and said to Peter, Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the earth."

Jesus was sharing with the disciples what was to come, that is His suffering, death, and resurrection. When Peter heard these words, he was undone. Obviously, he could only think of the physical details of death and suffering. It was as if he could not comprehend the resurrection that was also to come. He countered Jesus by declaring that this could never be, as if there was anything that he could do to change what God had set in motion. With deep emotion, Jesus responded calling him Satan. Why would Jesus respond so strongly? Why wasn't He gentle with Peter? I think it was because Peter's response was doubting the very plan of God. Not only that but Peter was trying to interfere with the plan of God that was the reason for Jesus' entire earthly existence. Peter's focus was entirely temporal and not eternal. Even though he had been with Jesus on a daily basis, had been taught by Jesus, and had witnessed many miracles; he could not see beyond the physical details of life to see the hand of God at work in the life of Jesus.

This story makes me think of my response to events and details that God sends into my life. Can I see beyond the physical details of life to see the hand of God, or do I rail against these circumstances? Do I say that these events are unfair and should not be? Am I only focusing on the harsh realities or the seeming impossible turn of events, or am I looking for God's grace to live out His plan? When I think of Jesus calling Peter Satan, it brings so many thoughts to my mind. Have I ever doubted God or interfered with God's plan to the degree that Jesus would think that I am a 'Satan'? Somehow when I think of Jesus calling him Satan, it seems so much worse than Jesus saying that Peter was setting his mind on the things of man. Maybe if I would use the harsh approach with myself and realize that I am working with Satan to oppose Jesus, then I would not stubbornly want my own way, but would cry out for grace immediately and trust Him even in this.

What an amazing thought that Peter, a disciple who spent many hours with Jesus, who left all to follow Jesus, and who was a leader of other disciples, could still be called 'Satan' ! Such heavy words! How does Jesus speak to me? Does my life engender tenderness or harshness? Am I justifying my worldly mindset, or am I seeing life as Jesus does? What is my heart's desire in all the circumstances that God sends my way? Do I see them as the hand of a loving God forming me into a vessel that can be used for service and to bring glory to His name?

Father,

I am deeply touched by Jesus' response to Peter. Spirit, convict me when my mind is on the things of the earth. Strengthen me so my heart and mind will be obedient and submissive to Your will for my life. I cry out for Your gentle voice and Your tender mercy, but if I need the harsh word, bring down the hammer so that I will glorify Your name.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Hewed Out Cisterns

Jer. 2:13

"For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water."

What an situation! Not only did Israel forsake God, who is the fountain of living waters and who supplies all the water that anyone would ever need, but they engaged in self-serving cistern building. They chose to reject God's gracious offer of unlimited water flowing from an eternal fountain and preferred to hew out their own cisterns which held no water at all. Why would they chose dehydration over refreshment?

I think this verse reveals the true heart and mind of man. In the flesh, man would sacrifice his very existence to indulge his own self-will. His thinking is so blinded by his self-will that he would rather chose to die from lack of water than come to the fountain of living waters. How self-deceived man is! How blinded to the gracious offer of God!

Even though I have come to this fountain and have quenched my thirst, I think there are times that I am still in the business of cistern digging. In these times my self-will overrides my new-born spirit. It reminds me of Paul who experienced a similar struggle. In his heart, he desired to do right, but because of his flesh, he was often stymied. I have found that my flesh has a passion for digging cisterns, and if given a chance, will plunge in wholeheartedly. I need to be on the constant alert for my self-will that fuels my desire to dig new cisterns. I need to be constantly aware that these cisterns are evil, an evil that separates me from God.

Father,

I confess my penchant for cistern digging. Reveal this evil activity to me whenever I fall back into this pattern. Keep me ever hydrated at your fountains so that my spirit life may flourish and bring glory to Your name.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Rashness

Ecc. 5:2

"Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words by few."

What great words of wisdom! I agree that my mouth gets me into trouble when I speak without thinking. Either I am rash or speaking hastily without taking the necessary time to know all the facts. My hasty speaking often occurs in time of frustration, anger, and deep emotion. Because of the stress, I don't stop to find out all the facts; instead I just spout off. Then in humiliation I have to apologize. Solomon's advice could prevent all this from happening. It sounds so simple: don't be rash or hasty with words. Why is it so difficult?

Another thought is that even though I say these words on earth to people who are many times in the same 'mouthy boat' that I am, I am really saying these words before God. I need to remember that I must honor Him with all the words. My speaking in such ways is sin and dishonors God. When I sin with my mouth, I am not upholding God as holy before the people He has placed in my life.

The end of the matter is: Let my words be few. I need to listen to a matter, think, and remember Who I am to glorify. Venting is sin! Speaking rashly and hastily leads me down a path that never ends well.

Father,

Thank You for these great words. Help me to let my words be few. Change me from the inside out so that my heart will be godly and feed my mouth godly words so that I may glorify You.

In Jesus name,

Amen