Who Shall Serve?

But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave... (Matt 20:25-27)

We are preparing to elect the next president of the United States. As Christians, what kind of president do we want?

I watched part of the Republican Presidential Debate last night. Only part because I slept through most of it. Not because it was boring, I was tired. There are many good candidates; lots of good ideas and dreams; but, there are some pretty bad ideas, as well. History should remind us that some of those promises will not be fulfilled. They can promise all they want; but, we have a checks and balance system in our government. Just because someone who is running for president promises you something doesn't mean that it's going to happen. We need to ask ourselves, given that we have three branches to our government, not to mention a binding constitution, how realistic these promises really are. Which candidate can actually work with others best for the good of all people?

To tell you the truth, the egos of some of the Republican as well as the Democrat candidates put me off. Do we really want a narcissist as our next president? There has been at least one really good candidate who has stayed in the top of the polls; always near center stage during the debates. But, I don't hear much about him. He seems to get asked less questions during the debates and he gets a whole lot less press coverage. His name is not even usually mentioned as a front-runner by the press. The candidates in front of him and even behind him are mentioned quite often. I cannot help but wonder: what is up with that? I'm thinking it may be because he appears too gentle. He is not a bully. He actually appears, do I dare say it, "humble."

Humility in the Kingdom of God is a virtue. Narcissism is not. Pushing people around is not. Slander is not. Lying is not. Minimizing the harm done to others is not. Idolatry is not. I personally pray that God would call a humble man to this position. One who will serve, not according to his personal ambitions; but, for the sake of the country; even of the world. None are perfect. No one is. But, there are a few candidates who might fit this bill better than others. May God reveal the true natures and ideologies of all of these men and women so that voters might discern for the good of all people.

God's Peace - Pr. J
 

Ego Must Die

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you." (James 4:10 NRSV)

Let that ego die! Let it die, now!

Jesus did not exalt himself on earth. He humbled himself. He was willing to even suffer death on the cross for our sakes. Why should we think that we ought to be more exalted that the one who was willing to give his life that we might live?

St. James wrote:
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into dejection. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you." (James 4:8-10)

It is folly to attempt to exalt ourselves. "He (Jesus) sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, 'Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.'" (Mark 9:35)

In the end, all of our vain attempts to gain recognition for ourselves will fail us. It is only God who can lift us up. We will be lifted up by His own hand. Remember, too, that when Jesus was lifted up, he was lifted up on the cross. He was exalted through death.

Let that ego die so that you might live more fully in Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Philippians 3 Focus on the Goal

Philippians 3 NIV

Focus on the Goal; Stay on the Path

So much time and energy wasted striving after things of this world. Of course, we all need to work for basic necessities. St. Paul had written to the Thessalonians, “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” (2 Thess 3:10) But, often our focus is so centered on "stuff" that we forget that we are to focus on the Kingdom of God in Christ Jesus. We think that our worship and service can be relegated to one hour per week and the rest of the week is to strive after and, yes, even worship and glorify "stuff" of the world. We lift up powerful people and even sports heroes and musicians and other such celebrities. We envy and strive to be like those who have earned much in this world; after all, they have done so much for themselves and look how happy they aren't! In this world it is a sign of success to have earned much "stuff."


But, "stuff" that you've been striving after will not save you. "Stuff" will only drag you down. It will require your focus and energy to obtain and maintain. "Stuff" will not save you. The world will not save you. You cannot save yourselves by your own power and might. Only Jesus saves. Put, aside those things which have puffed up your ego and set a new course. Strive for the goal; life in Jesus' presence, in his Kingdom. Press on and take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of for us. Set aside egos and desires of this world. Set aside your confidence in your own flesh to earn anything worthwhile. Because, I can attest that lots of stuff is not worthwhile. It is a waste of time and energy. Trust Jesus and live life in him.

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 Corinthians 14 NIV Good Order

1 Corinthians 14 NIV
"But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way." (vs 40)

Although, it has not happened often, I have had people blurt out a question or a story during the middle of a worship service. The incidents have been rare and they really did not interrupt the service. Seemed a bit odd, but nothing that switched our focus from worshipping.

It appears though that St. Paul had to address too much talking in the church; too many interruptions. There were those who were gifted in speaking in tongues who appear to have been monopolizing the service. There also appears to have been women who were constantly interrupting.

Now there is probably nothing wrong with speaking in tongues during Worship if the service is designed to do that and if everyone is aware of it. However, if there is no one there to interpret so people can hear and understand what God has to say then they are just making noise; noise that switches the focus from God to self. As for asking questions; questions are good. But, often we will find that if we listen long enough and intently enough the question will be answered anyway. If not... you can write it down and ask the pastor or speaker or a friend or your spouse what they meant later.

Paul exhorts us to good order when we gather together to worship God. Worship is not about the individual. It's about God. Whenever we do or say something during worship it should glorify God, not us. Speaking out of turn in any language is distracting. It turns the focus away from God to the individual. That goes not just for talking out of turn; but, for things we would add to or take away from the service. I have actually had people question why we pray the Lord's prayer at every service instead of letting the Holy Spirit guide our prayers. They thought the Lord's Prayer was too rote. Some of you may get that question. Some may not. I frankly didn't understand why anyone who professed to be a Lutheran Christian would even ask the question. Not long ago, I worshipped with a mission congregation. The first words in the sermon reminded us to "not mess with the liturgy." The pastor said that we should not mess with the liturgy because even when the pastor totally messes up the sermon (and we surely can at times when our egos or certain personal agendas take over) the liturgy feeds the people because it is the word of God.

So, for us Lutherans, we (most of us, at least) stick with the liturgy. We stick with good order in the service of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 Corinthians 3 Try Meat! Milk Is For Infants!

1 Corinthians 3:1-23 NIV
I have no major objections to dairy products; but, personally, I prefer some meat and potatoes and maybe a few other vegetables appropriately seasoned. Something that I can sink my teeth into.

Paul addresses the Corinthians, not as mature Christians, but as mere infants in Christ who still need to be bottle fed. No meat for them, yet. Are you ready for meat? Not everyone wants it, you know. Some would prefer to be fed only milk. They are just not ready to sink their teeth into the full gospel of Christ because the full gospel of Christ reminds us that we are to deny ourselves and follow in his footsteps. Some would prefer to follow in the ways of the world. The ways of the world are usually contrary to the ways of God. They involve ego and greed. The ways of the world attempt to build man up. Even while having the pretense of worshipping God, it is often apparent that we are lifting up our own good works; building up our own egos. And... so it is desirous to continue being fed with milk. The stuff of God that you can sink your teeth into can be a bit more of a challenge than many would desire.

Try meat! Milk is for infants.

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Paul's Ego

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NIV
Paul was not an uneducated man. Yet, he resolved to know nothing when he was with the people except crucified. His focus, his thought, his talk was on nothing other than Jesus the Christ. He did not allow the fact that he was indeed a man of learning and of some status to get in the way of proclaiming the one thing that mattered: Jesus Christ and him crucified. Nothing else mattered. His utmost concern was proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus.

May it be that in all of God's church on earth that whatever we say and do, it is done by the power of God's Spirit and not because we think that we are so important that it is we who can accomplish these things. Paul set his ego aside so that the Spirit might work through him. May it be so with all of us, as well.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Romans 16:17-27 Itching Ears

Romans 16:17-27 
We've all heard them; those who with smooth talk teach a false gospel. It is not any different today than in what it was in St. Paul's day. There is one way to tell if something proclaimed to you is the truth; know the scriptures, read them and hear them. The message proclaimed to us through the prophets is found in them. The fulfillment is found in them. Do not let your itching ears lead you to believing  smooth talkers whose aim is not to glorify God; but their own egos. It is neither wise nor safe to accept any doctrine that cannot be supported by scripture; scripture supports scripture. Read your Bibles daily and have a blessed day; a blessed life in Christ Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Romans 13:8-10 Abide in Love

Romans 13:8-10 NIV
Love does no harm. So, then why are so many relationships in trouble?

I would submit that for the most part human beings simply have a difficult time loving others as they love themselves. The ego takes over and we put ourselves before others; before God. What we want is what we will have no matter who it hurts.

But, if we turn and abide in Christ and He in us then Christ' love; his light, will shine through us and relationships will be restored. Christ's love is love that does not harm others. It reconciles rather than divides.

May the love of Christ abide in and through us, now and forever. Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Romans 10 Faithful Zeal

Romans 10 NIV
Many years ago, I was in sitting in a "religious" class and I responded to a question with this: "Faith comes by hearing by the Word." The response from the Pastor/teacher was no it does not and he moved on. That was that!

Paul wrote to the Romans: "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." (vs 17) And... no, not everyone who hears the word will receive it and accept it. Not even everyone who claims to be a Christian accepts Christ. I know that's hard to believe. When taking instruction or receiving guidance from someone who does sit in a place of Christian authority, listen. Listen to whether they testify that Jesus is Lord or not. Discern whether their zeal is based on real knowledge of Christ or if there zeal comes from someplace else. It may be that their zeal comes purely from the fact that they feel they have been elevated to some high seat in the church or because they get to do "good works" for the world around them to see. There zeal could come purely from their own ego.

Maybe you noticed and wondered why I put "religious" in quote marks above. This word is used in many ways today. Often, I hear it used in a derogatory sense pertaining to all who would profess Jesus as Savior. Spiritual tends to be applied to those who do not know Jesus but have made contact with their inner selves. That is often presented as the preferable way to go. I believe the opposite is true. It appears to me that those who profess to be spiritual are actually "religious" as they tend to have all kinds of rules as to how to conduct ones life (a certain, personal, morality to keep some sort of balance in life) and those who profess Jesus as Lord are spiritual as they live with zeal in the knowledge that Jesus is Lord. They follow Him and not personal ego-made rules to live by.

Beware! Not everyone who would be self-described as Christian is Christian. Some are indeed "religious;" teaching things not found in scripture and denying things that would open hearts to the message of Jesus; denying the very truth that would save us.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Acts 5:1-10 Lying To God.

Acts 5:1-10 NIV
I have been lied to and about so many times that there is no way that I could even count the times. We all have. Frankly, it makes me a bit weary. Sometimes, the lies are used to make someone look like someone they are not; like they are in the right and are doing good for others; while they are in truth, not.

Ananias and his wife Sapphira attempted to make themselves look righteous. They wanted to look as generous as the others who had sold their property and gave the proceeds to the church for the good of all of the people. But, they withheld some. Their sin was not in keeping some for themselves. The sin was in attempting to lie to God the Holy Spirit. God knows everything we say and think and do. It is just a bad idea to try telling God lies. The humans that we might tell lies to; usually know that we are not telling the whole truth, as well. We may not be able to prove the lies; but, God knows the truth.

The rest of the story for Ananias and Sapphira was that when they lied to Peter and to God, they died. They died immediately. When we lie to protect ourselves and our own egos; a bit of us dies inside, as well. We are not who we were or who we can be in Christ Jesus. Make every effort then to speak and live in the truth with integrity.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 4:43-54 Signs and Wonders/Healing and Wholenss

John 4:43-54 NIV
"Unless you people see signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe." (vs 48)

How many signs and wonders have we seen and yet our faith is less than a mustard seed. It kind of amazes me that our services for healing at Zion are the least attended of all. Does no on want to be healed? Does no one believe that God will answer our prayers for health and wholeness?

Actually, I believe that maybe many of us are afraid to see the signs and wonders of God. That might mean our lives will change forever and we kind of like living in our sickness. We sort of like sin. We don't want to be made whole because if we're made whole we might stand up, walk, and follow Jesus.

In reality, we have all seen signs and wonders. We just fail to acknowledge them. We have seen the lame walk; the cancer victim live years after doctors predicted they would live. As we got to know Jesus more intimately, we have already seen radical changes in our lives and our lifestyles. But, does God the Father, through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit get any credit or glory for this new life; for the healing of our spirits? In some case, yes. In other cases, I am afraid that our egos step in and claim credit for our own goodness.

Miracles abound. They are all around us. Healing and wholeness occur. May the Holy Spirit open our ears and our eyes and our hearts to a greater understanding of all that God has done for us. He has granted us wholeness in Jesus Christ our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John:22-30 Ego or Joy in Christ?

John 3:22-30 NIV
John the Baptist has been a major player until now; until Jesus shows up on the scene. But, there is no jealousy between John and Jesus. John knows full well who the Messiah is and it is not John. John has come only to point the way to the Messiah. The Messiah has come and rather than jealousy, John is filled with joy. He is satisfied with becoming less as Jesus becomes known to all people.

And, so it is with us. In order for Christ to live more fully in and through us; we must become less. Our own egos must die so that the Christ may live and minister more fully in and through us.

Come, Lord Jesus, so that our joy in you might be complete.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 6:14-29 Love Not Lust

Love or rather lust can really lead one astray. Have you ever promised someone that you thought you were in love with something and then found yourself backed in a corner having to do something you know you ought not be doing?

That's Herod's story. He married his brother's wife, which he ought not have done in the first place. That man, John, whom Herod understands to be a holy man, lets him know that he has done wrong. Herod's wife is embarrassed by John and wants his head. So, she tricks King Herod into promising to have John beheaded by having her daughter dance for him. Isn't there inherently something wrong with having your daughter dance for your husband to please him? But, King Herod is pleased and has put himself into the position of being embarrassed by John or embarrassed by his wife. He follows through with his promise to his wife. John is killed and his head served up on a platter.

True love would not call a man to do something that goes against his conscience. But, lust will. Lust for his brother's wife; lust for his brother's wife daughter; lust will get us into all kinds of predicaments that we would have preferred to avoid.

Another famous biblical character that got himself into a whole lot of trouble over lust for a woman was Samson. He was to be a savior for his people; but, driven by lust, he ended up betrayed by the woman he thought he loved and who he thought loved him.

There is a definite difference between love and lust. Love does no harm to others. It certainly does not end in the death of our loved one's enemies to satisfy our loved one's egos.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Daniel 5 - The Handwriting Is On The Wall

You may have heard the saying: "the handwriting is on the wall." My mother use to use this expression whenever someone was heading in a direction that she and most other people could recognize would lead them on a path to destruction. She used this expression synonymously with this expression, "Their days are numbered." (Dan 5:26) Whenever she used one of these expressions, I knew that someone had messed up "big time!" She meant that she expected that soon and very soon everything would blow up in their face and they would lose everything. Often as she predicted someone's destruction, she would also warn: "What goes around comes around."

The expression "the handwriting is on the wall" comes from this fifth chapter of Daniel. In the midst of a party, King Belshazzar (son and successor of Nebuchadnezzar) leads the group in praising the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone as they drink from the gold goblets that had been stolen from the temple in Jerusalem. "Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote. His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his legs became weak and his knees were knocking." (Dan 5:5:6)

Daniel is called to interpret as no one else can figure out the meaning. Belshazzar was a hard-hearted and an arrogant king. He knew what consequences his father, Nebuchadnezzar, had suffered for his inflated ego, but Belshazzar learned nothing from his father's experience of being mad into the wilderness. Daniel tells him:

"“But you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways. Therefore he sent the hand that wrote the inscription.
“This is the inscription that was written: mene, mene, tekel, parsin

“Here is what these words mean:  Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting. Peres: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.” Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom. That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was slain, and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two.""  (Dan 5:22-31)

 

There is only one God. Put away your false gods and worship only Him.  Can you imagine the fear that one would experience seeing a hand come out of nowhere and write on the wall? If a simple hand can bring such fear, how would we react to seeing God face to face? The days of that meeting are indeed numbered for all of us. It will happen. The day is coming when every knee will bow before the LORD. Everyone will acknowledge that He is God. It is written:

"'As surely as I live,' says the Lord,
'every knee will bow before me;
    every tongue will acknowledge God.'"

So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God." (Rom 14:11-12)

 

The handwriting is on the wall. What does it say?

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

 

Daniel 4 - Babylonian King Glorifies God; Will We?

"At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.

His dominion is an eternal dominion;
    his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
All the peoples of the earth
    are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases
    with the powers of heaven
    and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand
    or say to him: “What have you done?”

At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble. (Dan 4:34-36 NIV)

King Nebuchadnezzar, mighty and powerful, had been brought to his knees and when he looked toward heaven, acknowledging that no one was before God, no one was more mighty or powerful than God, he was restored to his sanity.

Nebuchadnezzar had another one of those fantastic dreams which Daniel interpreted for him. Nebuchadnezzar, this powerful king, would be brought down to his knees. He would wander around in the wilderness, completely mad. It was as was predicted. He went through a horrible time of trial; but, in the end this great Babylonian king did not shake his fist at God. He thanked God. He praised Him!

What about us? Do we, who profess Jesus Christ, give thanks and praise to God for all things? Do we praise Him when we go through trying times? Think about it; King Nebuchadnezzar had gone totally mad; driven by God from the people to wander about in the wilderness with the wild animals, even eating the grass of the fields with the oxen.

When we are driven to wander aimlessly in the wilderness, what will we do? Will we turn quickly and give praise and thanksgiving to God?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Esther 6 - More Ego!

Haman's ego really busted him, now!  That gallows he put up for Mordecai doesn't look like it's going to be used.   Instead, Haman is going to make sure that Mordecai is honored.  This Jew is certainly going to be Haman's undoing.  All does not go well for thoe man who would persecute the people of God.  Playing games with God's people, I'm think is probably something we should all try to avoid.

I am going to try to do some manipulating of my own.  My granddaughter, Cassie, and I are leaving tomorrow to spend a few days kayaking and camping before school starts.  Here's the problem:  I've committed to reading one or two chapters and writing a blog daily so that those who are reading the Bible from cover to cover will not have any interruptions and there is no internet on Lake Superior!  So I will write them in advance and try to schedule them so they don't show up 'till the day...

God's Peace - Pr. J



 

Esther 5 - Ego

Oh my... Haman has some serious ego issues.  Invited to eat with the King Xerxes at Queen Esther's table he's so excited, he's running about bragging how important he is.  He does not even suspect that Queen Esther is dear and related to the man at the gate, Mordecai, whom Haman desires to be destroyed.  He does not suspect that he is walking into a trap.

Deluded..  Haman is pretty delusional.  He has been blinded by his own glory!  Haman thinks he can manipulate people for his own purposes (personal and political) and get away with it.  He will not. The tables are turning and Esther is playing the game.  She will use his ego to save her people.

Ego - will blind us to reality and prevent us from living lives in God's glory.

God's Peace - Pr. J

2 Chronicles 26 - Uzziah Sins

Again, today, we hear of a king who began by doing what was right and then did something that was not in accordance with the will of God.

Uzziah let his ego get the best of him.  Maybe he felt that the LORD favored him so much that he could do anything he wanted to and get away with it.  Or... maybe he just wanted to honor the LORD.  But, if that was the case, he would have honored Him, by having the priest burn the incense for him.  He did not.  He usurped the authority of the priests and did it himself, bringing upon his head the consequences of his actions.  He became leprous.

Seems God has some pretty hard and fast rules in the Old Testament.  I wonder how many we break everyday. I often wonder at the audacity of people who break them intentionally. It's not that I think God is going to inflict anyone with leprosy. It's more that I wonder how it is that when God is so willing to freely forgive us when we do break the law, when we do sin, that we ignore and cannot acknowledge His grace. Sin has become nothing or maybe something like a matter of opinion. Grace has become very cheap, indeed. The cost of our forgiveness was very great, indeed. Jesus died that we might be forgiven our sin.

Fact is: everyone sins. Uzziah did. We do. Our egos will get the upper hand at times (often), even our greed and self-centeredness will. But, the thing to do when that does happen is to acknowledge our sin and receive the forgiveness that is so freely given to us for the sake of Jesus Christ, our LORD.

May God, our Father, help us to follow in the way of His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, doing what is right and pleasing to the LORD, by the power of Holy Spirit.