Saturday, 31 August 2024

August 31 - Worthy is the Lamb

 Read today’s texts first: Ezekiel 12-14; Revelation 5

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY 
There is only one true God and He is awesome,
in the original and literal sense of the word!
 

It is shocking to see how far God’s people had drifted from Him. In yesterday’s reading we saw the leaders of Judah audaciously worshipping their man-made idols in God’s holy Temple, thinking He wasn’t watching (8:12). They had become so used to blind, dumb, powerless idols formed by their own hands, they’d forgotten about the omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent God who formed them with His hands.

If only they could have seen what Ezekiel was seeing, or John, the Revelator, for that matter. God gave them both a glimpse into heaven, and what they saw was unimaginable and indescribable. What they were able to put into words is as hard for us to comprehend as it was for them. But we know two things for sure after reading through both Ezekiel and the Revelation - there is only one true God and He is awesome, in the original sense of the word!

John saw a scroll in God’s hand and heard an angel calling for someone worthy to receive the scroll and pronounce its judgments. When his search finally ended with the only One proven worthy, the Lamb of God, the reaction in heaven and earth speaks volumes:

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and 
power, for ever and ever!” (5:11-13).

Yesterday we talked about the transition of Jan’s mom to glory. In that moment every ache in her body was healed, any doubt she ever had faded away, every sacrifice she gave up for her Saviour became suddenly and completely worthit!  “Lord, help me remember to live every day on this earth with the anticipation of standing before your throne and joining my voice with hers and the millions of others who are singing, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!’”

Friday, 30 August 2024

August 30 - Heavenly Glory

 Read today’s texts first:  Ezekiel 8-11; Revelation 4

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
The Foursquare Gospel is based on a perfect Gospel: balanced, solid, steadfast and facing squarely
in every direction.
 

On this day a few years ago we received news that Jan’s mom passed on to her reward in heaven. Helen McGaffin was saved and called to be a pastor, along with her husband, Bob, thanks to Bob’s sister, Ruby, who was influenced directly by Aimee Semple McPherson, the founder of the Foursquare Gospel Church. Many of their family members became ministers, pioneers in Foursquare, planting and pastoring churches in BC and Alberta.

 “Coincidentally,” both readings today feature similar visions by Ezekiel and John, who lived hundreds of years apart. They both beheld heaven’s glory, seeing “living creatures” with four distinct faces (10:14,15; 4:6-8). These images became the inspiration for the beginnings of the Foursquare movement. What follows is an excerpt from our history from the Foursquare website:

 The term “Foursquare Gospel” came about during an intense revival in the city of Oakland, Calif., in July 1922. To a crowd of thousands, Aimee Semple McPherson explained Ezekiel’s vision in the book of Ezekiel, chapter one. Ezekiel saw God revealed as a being with four different faces: a man, a lion, an ox and an eagle. To Sister Aimee, those four faces were like the four phases of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In the face of the man, she saw Jesus our Saviour. In the face of the lion, she saw Jesus the mighty Baptizer with the Holy Spirit and fire. In the face of the ox, she saw Jesus the Great Burden-Bearer, who took our infirmities and carried our sicknesses. In the face of the eagle, she saw Jesus the Coming King, who will return in power and victory for the church.”

“It was a perfect, complete Gospel. It was a Gospel that faces squarely in every direction; it was the “Foursquare Gospel.” The four symbols perhaps most identified with Foursquare today are the cross, cup, dove and crown which stand for Jesus the Savior, Jesus the Healer, Jesus the Baptizer with the Holy Spirit, and Jesus the Soon-Coming King, respectively.”

 The complete work of Jesus affects each one of us, as illustrated by the incredible life of my beautiful mother-in-law. She was dramatically rescued and turned around by her Saviour. The Great Physician kept her healthy and strong physically and spiritually for almost a century. I can still picture her bustling around Courtyard Terrace taking care of her family as we gathered to celebrate her 98th birthday. Her baptism in the Spirit led to her call into ministry late in life. My wife Jan was conveniently born on Easter break so Helen didn’t have to miss a class at LIFE Bible College. Now after 6 decades of devoted pastoral ministry, Helen has been born on eagle’s wings to be reunited with her husband, together with their King for eternity. “Lord, the inspiration of seeing You in Your glory continues on down to all of Helen’s family, including my own. Her hope is ours - and we can’t wait to join her and finally see You face to face!”

Thursday, 29 August 2024

August 29 - A Prophet’s Passion

 Read today’s texts first: Ezekiel 4-7; Revelation 3

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY
God’s passion for us calls for a passionate response! 

Ezekiel was one passionate prophet. I’ve been a Bible teacher for half a century, beginning as a teenager teaching children not much younger than myself at Hastings Foursquare Church. My dad was a Sunday School Superintendent so I learned how to make my lessons memorable by using visual aids. I would bring in simple props, draw pictures, or use a flannel graph (before computers, power point, and projectors). But the object lessons God asked Ezekiel to use required a whole other level of creativity and commitment!

From lying on his left side every night for more than a year, building a model city then destroying it, baking bread on a fire fueled by excrement, shaving his head and beard with a sharp sword and then burning the hair, to striking his hands and stamping his feet, Ezekiel took visual aids to an unprecedented extreme! To me, such devotion says a lot about Ezekiel, but even more about the God who inspired him.

This awe-inspiring God we’ve seen described in “glowing” terms these past few days, cares so passionately and personally about His people. The extremes He endured to redeem us show His unparalleled passion. The tender promises He offers to the seven churches of Revelation reveal His personal care. My favourite promise is one I memorized and taught the children at Hastings using the classroom door as my visual aid: Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me (3:20).

“Lord, I responded to that promise as a young boy. That door has always been open to You and always will be. Thank You for all the visual aids You’ve shown me as reminders of your passionate and personal love for me!”

Wednesday, 28 August 2024

August 28 - Falling Facedown

 Read today’s texts first:  Ezekiel 1-3; Revelation 2

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
When you fall facedown before God
get ready for a pick-me-up!
 

The awe-inspiring revelations of God’s glory we read yesterday from David and John continue today. The writer this time is Ezekiel and when he encountered the living God his reaction was the same - he hit the dirt facedown. A pattern is emerging!

It seems whenever we have a revelation of God in heaven it is more than we can handle. When faced with a glorious, powerful, and holy God, we suddenly become aware of how small, helpless, and sinful we are. Ezekiel demonstrates that reaction twice in the first three chapters.

Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking. He said to me, “Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you'” (1:28-2:1).

The hand of the Lord was upon me there, and he said to me, “Get up and go out to the plain, and there I will speak to you.” So I got up and went out to the plain. And the glory of the Lord was standing there, like the glory I had seen by the Kebar River, and I fell facedown (3:22-23).

When we experience that kind of holy fear, we know longer fear anything else. Our priorities are 
suddenly in the right order:  And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house. You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen (2:6,7).

When that happens, this incredible awe-inspiring God always reaches down and lifts us up (2:2; 3:12,14,24). Each time Ezekiel hit the dirt, God’s Spirit literally and spiritually picked him up. He promised the same to us: humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up (James 4:10).

“Lord, sometimes I am either too fearful or too enamoured with the world and its distractions. But when I fall facedown before Your glory, my priorities are realigned. Like You did for Ezekiel and John in my readings today, give me the courage to get up and speak boldly for You!”

 

August 27 - What is God?

 Read today’s texts first: Jeremiah 52; Revelation 1; Psalms 143,144

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY 
The correct position when seeing God in His glory
is not standing, sitting or kneeling - it’s flat on your face!
 

The verse that struck me this morning posed the question: “what is man?” The comparison between man and God might prompt that question - we seem so insignificant to warrant His attention, let alone His love. But the more I thought about that, another question came to my mind: “what is God?” (and no, we are not playing Jeopardy)!

Here’s the verse, with some context:
O Lord, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow. Part your heavens, O Lord, and come down; touch the mountains, so that they smoke. Send forth lightning and scatter [the enemies]; shoot your 
arrows and rout them. Reach down your hand from on high; deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters (144:3-7).

Combine that fearsome image of God with John’s vision of the glorified Christ and we shrink some more: Among the lampstands was someone “like a son of man,” dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead (1:13-17).

John had the right response to such a revelation of God’s glory - he fell flat on his face!  This did not look like the uncomely humble man he walked beside down the dusty roads of Galilee and Judea. This new dimension of glory was mind-blowing to a mere human. It should amaze us that this blazing, glowing, star-holding God loves us so personally and so intimately.

“Lord, when I read these descriptions of Your glory and power I can’t help but agree with David’s 
conclusion: Blessed are the people of whom this is true; blessed are the people whose God is the Lord” (144:15).

Monday, 26 August 2024

August 26 - Verdant Pastures

 Read today’s texts first: Jeremiah 50,51; 3 John

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
The world offers us astro-turf
but Jesus is our verdant pasture!
 

I remember when my grand kids were visiting their GG (great grandmother) at Buchanan and we took them into the beautiful courtyard. The kids stretched out on the lush grass and noticed it wasn’t grass at all – it’s astro turf. Clean, neat, uniform, no maintenance, no mowing, no life! I pointed out that problem, the “no life” thing, when they started asking me to install it in their yard. We had just finished laying down thick, rich sod. I wished I had used the word “verdant” at that moment, but I just learned it today from reading Jeremiah. It’s my word for today, and it’s a good one!

The Bible often refers to us, humankind, as sheep, and in most cases we are wandering around looking a little lost. Sometimes we are led astray by following the wrong shepherds, which is what had happened in Jeremiah’s day. To solve that problem we are invited to follow the Good Shepherd, also known as the Great Shepherd, Jesus. The world offers us astro turf, a man-made grass facsimile that looks appealing but lacks the qualities of life. The pastures Jesus leads us to are verdant - lush, beautiful, nurturing, satisfying - full of life.

I always thought those pastures mentioned in Scripture were actual places, like a good home, a friendly church, a fulfilling workplace. But in the following passage note that these pastures are not a “what” or a “where,” but a “who.”  My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains. They wandered over mountain and hill and forgot their own resting place. Whoever found them devoured them; their enemies said, “We are not guilty, for they sinned against the Lord , their verdant pasture, the Lord, the hope of their ancestors” (50:6,7).

Even our enemies know that the green pastures we need to really “live” on this planet and on into the next life, are found in a person - Jesus. It doesn’t matter where we live as long as we stay close to Him. I’ve been praying hymns lately so this is my prayer today:


Saviour, like a shepherd lead us

Much we need thy tender care

In thy pleasant pastures feed us

For our use thy folds prepare

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus

Thou hast bought us, thine we are.

August 25 - I Will Save You

 Read today’s texts first: Jeremiah 37-39; Psalms 79; 2 John

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY
Trust means making God’s plans for you your plans.
You may not know what they are but He does
and that’s good enough!
 

It seems like a distant memory, but that wonderful promise we read about a few days ago, Jeremiah 29:11, is still true:  “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Unfortunately, for those who didn’t embrace the condition of obedience to God, protection and prosperity would not be provided, at least not in the short term. But for Jeremiah, who remained faithful to God despite some challenging circumstances, the promise definitely came to pass.

This is the word Jeremiah received from God as Jerusalem was being overtaken by the Babylonians: This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “I am about to fulfill my words against this city through disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. But I will rescue you on that day,”  declares the Lord; “you will not be handed over to those you fear. I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me,” declares the Lord (39:16-18).

It seems that God’s plans for protection and prosperity can apply to nations and individuals. His promise to the nation of Israel (specifically Judah) will come to pass when they get their act together. In the meantime, while they are experiencing disastrous consequences for their collective sin, God is still caring for Jeremiah, and presumably other individuals who are still honouring Him. Even though he is thrown into prison and a deep, dark cistern, God is there, protecting him from harm.

This spoke to me. Our world today is facing disasters strikingly similar to the upheaval in Jeremiah’s day. Horrific terrorist attacks, wars, famines, plagues, earthquakes, persecution, false prophets - it almost sounds like the end times prophesied in Matthew 24:4-13 (which, in my opinion, is highly likely!). But the care for Jeremiah should encourage us that God can and will protect those who remain faithful to Him (v.13).

“Lord, when I make Your plans my plans I can trust in Your promise of protection and prosperity. There may be some dark cisterns along the way but there will be a light at the end when I am ‘lifted’ to safety.”

Saturday, 24 August 2024

August 24 - The Water and the Blood

 Read today’s texts first: Jeremiah 33,34; Psalms 74; 1 John 5

MAXIMize YOUR DAY 
Believing the virgin birth of Jesus is key to
believing He is the Messiah, the Christ.
 

Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. This is the one who came by water and blood - Jesus Christ (5:5,6). What is John, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, talking about? I believe he is again referring to the undeniable proof that Jesus was and is the Messiah, the promised Saviour of the world.

In our readings in Jeremiah today, God is promising through His prophet that there will be a Righteous Branch sprout from David’s line who will fulfill God’s covenant to restore His people (33:14,15). The same God who fixed the laws of heaven and earth will deliver on His promises (33:25).

As mentioned in the journal entry yesterday, John has made it clear how we must view Jesus if we are to be part of God’s family. If He is in fact the Son of God then His virgin birth is a foundational doctrine. It proves that He was born physically a man through Mary (came by water - see John’s conversation with Nicodemus in John 3:3-5). It also proves He was born spiritually from God’s seed, not Joseph’s. The blood that He shed on Calvary for us represented a life that was fully God and fully man. Like the first Adam, Jesus, the second Adam, was the only other person born on earth directly from God, 
uncontaminated by sin. He alone could battle Satan, the god of this world, and redeem what the first Adam lost.

John even wrote about the water and the blood that flowed from Jesus when He was pierced by the soldier’s spear (John 19:33-35). Dr. Stroud explained in his masterful book On the Physiological Cause of the Death of Christ how that physiological phenomenon proved Jesus died of a ruptured heart. But it also symbolized the spiritual heart of God breaking for us, and proved again that Jesus was the Son of God.

“Lord, my prayer today is in song:

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure
.”

 

 

August 23 - Test the Spirits

 Read today’s texts first: Jeremiah 31,32; 1 John 4 

MAXIMize YOUR DAY 
Any spirit or belief system that does not believe
Jesus is the Christ is quite obviously Anti-Christ!
 

This chapter in 1 John is the measuring stick for evaluating belief systems: Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist (4:1-3). The dividing line is their view of the virgin-born Son of God. If Jesus is not seen as fully God and fully man, then He cannot be our Saviour.

While I was a student in Bible College we learned how false religions, cults and even some fringe 
Christian sects can be identified by their faulty view of Christ. Though warned not to by the college president, I took a good friend into a spiritist church (oh, the foolishness of youth!). It seemed like a regular Christian service at first, complete with the sharing of “testimonies.” But though we heard about healings and miracles, there was no mention of sin, salvation or Jesus. When the congregation divided themselves into small rooms where they could join hands and experience spirit entities, we politely excused ourselves. When one of the leaders followed us out the front door, I explained we were students of the Bible and what he just saw in there did not measure up (young, foolish, and not very diplomatic!).

I learned many things that day (like obeying your elders), but foremost was the importance of sound doctrine.  We interpret experience based on Scripture, not the other way around. People get into serious trouble when they pursue experiences and then proof text Scripture to fit. Experiences, like encountering the genuine love of God, will follow behind a real relationship with the Son of God based on the truth of His Word: If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him (4:15,16).

“Lord, of all the tests in life, none is more important than testing and identifying the spirit of the antichrist. If only Your people had tested the false gods they served in Jeremiah’s day (32:29-35). As the false spirits of my day call out to me, give me the wisdom of Your Spirit to mark them with a failing grade!”

Thursday, 22 August 2024

August 22 - Plans to Prosper

 Read today’s texts first: Jeremiah 28-30; 1 John 3

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
Like the posters and plaques on our walls,
we tend to highlight what God will do for us
but edit out what we must do for Him.
 

Reading through Jeremiah is not always uplifting. No wonder he was called the “Weeping Prophet!” These were dark days for God’s people. But knowing we were heading into chapter 29 today, toward one of the most quoted verses of the entire Bible, I kept my eyes and heart open to the surrounding context.

First the verse
: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (29:11). Such an encouraging word - makes you warm and fuzzy! It certainly seems appropriate for a wall plaque or greeting card. But as Paul Harvey would say, we need to hear the rest of the story.

The context for this promise is not quite as warm or fuzzy - it is cold, harsh and crystal clear:  
“I will 
pursue them with the sword, famine and plague and will make them abhorrent to all the kingdoms of the earth and an object of cursing and horror, of scorn and reproach, among all the nations where I drive them. For they have not listened to my words,” declares the Lord, “words that I sent to them again and again by my servants the prophets. And you exiles have not listened either,” declares the Lord (28:17-19). There is an obvious condition to this promise - listen and obey. If you don’t, God’s plans for you may not be so prosperous; in fact, they just may be quite harmful, at least in the short term!

Like so many of the promises we post on our walls and magnetize to our fridges, we tend to highlight what God will do for us but edit out what we must do for Him. Our reading in 1 John confirms the conditions of God’s promises. Dear friends, if our conscience is clear, we can come to God with bold confidence. And we will receive whatever we request because we obey him and do the things that please him. And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us (3:21-23).

“Lord, what do you have planned for me to do today? Your plans are my plans today and every day - I like Your promise of a hope-filled future!”

August 21 - The Anointing Abides

 Read today’s texts first: Jeremiah 21, 24, 27; Psalms 118; 1 John 2

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY
God’s Master Plan for the whole world
includes a very personalized plan just for you!
 

Past journal entries have revealed my bias for free choice, that Jesus loves everyone, died for the whole world, and offers His free gift of salvation to anyone who will receive it. I also believe in apostasy, that it’s possible, though extremely difficult, to walk away from a very real faith in Jesus. Reform theology suggests that if God is sovereign then He chooses some to be saved (and by logical extension, some to be damned) and those He saves are eternally secure. In other words, God is the puppet master and we are His puppets, and that simply doesn’t describe a loving God.

I do believe in God’s sovereignty, that the choices we have are a result of His choice. Some who contend against reform theology lean too far toward man’s power to choose, to the point that they think of themselves as the puppet master and of God as their puppet. Word faith teachers can fall into that extreme by reducing faith and prayer into formulas for success. If you name it and claim it then God is obligated to help you attain it. Not so!

Another man-centred concept often found in that doctrinal package is God’s transient anointing. If you can generate enough faith and resulting favour with God, then His anointing will come upon you. This idea creates a demand for celebrity preachers, prophets and faith healers, known for their powerful anointing. Our reading today debunks this spurious doctrine. God’s anointing is the presence of His Spirit. He doesn’t come and go based on how spiritual you are or think you are - the “anointing” abides (2:17).

His abiding presence and power is available to every Spirit-filled believer, all the time, wherever you are. You cannot lose the anointing as long as you remain in Him. “Lord, I am grateful I do not have to chase after your anointing in my life or in someone else. All I need for my life or to help someone else is found in You, and You are right here with me!”

Tuesday, 20 August 2024

August 20 - Walk in the Light

 Read today’s texts first: Jeremiah 48,49; Psalms 67; 1 John 1

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
Putting on blinders and saying God doesn’t exist
is like an ostrich burying his head in the sand
(which they don’t actually do because it’s stupid!)
 

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin (1:5-7).

One of the residents at Buchanan I really enjoy spending time with is legally blind. I make it a point to escort her to the various chapel services because her positivity inspires me. When I see her, I often think of Fanny Crosby, one of the most prolific hymn writers of all time. She too was physically blind but her songs made it clear she could see just fine into the spiritual realm: Perfect submission, perfect delight, visions of rapture now burst on my sight, angels descending, bring from above, echoes of mercy, whispers of love. This is my story this is my song, praising my Saviour all the day long!

There is a blessed assurance we experience when we walk in the light. But there are those who can see physically yet choose to walk in spiritual darkness. I recall a news story about a fellow who calls himself a Pastafarian from the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. He insists on wearing a colander on his head for religious reasons, essentially to make fun of people who believe in God. His “church” was 
started to ridicule creationists, which if it wasn’t so sad would make me laugh. Mocking someone who sees creation and acknowledges a Creator is the same as mocking someone who acknowledges a painter when they see a painting or a builder when they see a building. To me it is common sense and the one who doesn’t see that is actually the fool (Ps. 14:1). He is stumbling his way through spiritual darkness, in this case with a pasta strainer on his head!

It is true that people tend to love the darkness more than the light because they don’t want their deeds to be exposed (John 3:19,20). Those who see the obvious evidence of God yet choose not to believe are putting on blinders, hoping by not recognizing God they are no longer accountable for their other choices. God says otherwise and the prophecies in today’s readings in Jeremiah are proof of that.

“Lord, I do want to walk in your light. I love what Your Word and Your Spirit has to say to me every day. This is my story this is my song, praising my Saviour all the day long!”

Monday, 19 August 2024

August 18 - Confirming Thomas

 Read today’s texts first: Jeremiah 26,35,36; John 20

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
When following Jesus, it’s not doubt but wisdom
to count the cost and confirm the evidence.
 

Thomas, the disciple of Jesus, has an undeserved reputation. He has been unfairly labeled for the past 2,000 years as “Doubting Thomas.” I see him more as “Confirming Thomas,” seeking to understand the cost of following Jesus and making sure he was ready to make the ultimate sacrifice. In some ways he was far ahead of his fellow disciples.

There are only three recorded conversations involving Thomas in the Bible and we’ve just read all three in John’s gospel. The first was after Jesus decided to return to Bethany to attend to His dying friend, Lazarus. The disciples reminded Jesus about the Jews who had tried to stone Him the last time they were in Judea (11:6-8). It seems they were more concerned about their own safety (guilt by association), but Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too – and die with Jesus” (11:16). He may have been saying it with some Jewish sarcasm in his voice, but he was at least aware that this road they were travelling may lead to their death.

The second occasion followed the promise Jesus made about going ahead to prepare a place for them (14:1-4). Then, Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”  That led to this wonderful statement, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (14:5,6). Again, Thomas was receiving personal assurance that following Jesus would lead to heaven.

His last interaction with Jesus became the source of his notorious nickname. After the resurrection, some of the other disciples said that they had seen the Lord. That’s when he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later Jesus Himself appears to them and says personally to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”  Then Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” (20:25,27,28).

Thomas doubted no longer. He knew he could lay down his life, he knew the way to heaven, and he knew there was clear evidence for resurrection power! In fact, Thomas went on to become a missionary who left a legacy like no other in history. This story of St. Thomas, missionary to Kerala, India, continues 2,000 years later where close to half of the population of that Indian province are believers today, including two of our own residents at Buchanan (this message and their testimonies were shared in one of our chapel services). After planting seven churches in 20 years, Thomas did indeed lay down his life, killed by the spears of four local soldiers. “Lord, sometimes I do ask questions like Thomas, but I have come to the place where I can make his same confession, You are my Lord and my God!”

August 17 - Shepherds Who Care

 Read today’s texts first: Jeremiah 23-25; John 19

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY
Jesus cares for everyone
but He also cares for every one!
 

Following up on yesterday’s thoughts on God’s love, today we read about His incredible care. First, in Jeremiah we hear from the Great Shepherd about His concerns for the flock. Then we see in John an example of the personal care He showed His widowed mother, while He is suffering the most excruciating pain imaginable.

In His warnings to careless undershepherds, you can sense tender care for His people: Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: “Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the Lord. “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord (23:2-4).

That passage reminded me of the Good Shepherd comparisons Jesus made in John 10. Then, in chapter 18, we see one of the most beautiful examples of His selfless, caring nature. Keep in mind this poignant moment happens while He is enduring unbearable torture:
When Jesus saw his mother there, and the 
disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.”  From that time on, this disciple took her into his home (19:26,27). Joseph, His earthly dad must have passed away by this time, and Jesus, as Mary’s eldest son, cared enough to make sure she was cared for after He was gone.

“Lord, Your selfless concern for one person while You were sacrificing Your life for all mankind, assures me of Your care for me, and inspires me to care that much for others.”

Saturday, 17 August 2024

August 16 - God is Love

 Read today’s texts first: 2 Kings 24; Jeremiah 22; Psalms 112; John 18

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
Follow the example of Jesus who showed us how
to love by laying down our lives and our picket signs!
 

A church that gets a lot of press across North America is Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas. I wish they agreed with Dorothy that “there’s no place like home” and just stayed right there in Kansas. Unfortunately, they get out and about a lot and they are not happy anywhere!

I remember them being in the news tweeting about Robin Williams, telling his grieving family that God hates Him and he is now rotting in hell for his life of debauchery. They picketed at his funeral, like they did for U.S. gay vets who sacrificed their lives for their country. The accompanying photo in the paper was a group of angry Christians, decrying sin and sinners alike, holding signs saying, “God hates adultery,” “God hates divorce,” and “God hates you!”

To be fair, they may draw some inspiration from the Old Testament prophets. Their messages carry strong words about God’s wrath and judgment. Clearly God does not like sin. But the Bible also clearly states: “God is love” (1 John 4:8). Not that God is loving sometimes; He is the personification of love! Our reading in John beautifully illustrates His compassion for the sinner as He surrenders His life to be tortured and killed in our place. Though not mentioned in John, we know He tenderly heals the soldier’s ear, injured in the scuffle when they came to arrest Him (18:10,11; Luke 22:50,51).

Can you imagine Jesus yelling at the crowds, “I hate you.” He certainly would have been entitled. Instead, we read of how He intercedes for both the self-righteous and sinner with these words,
Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing (Luke 23:34). God indeed loves everyone, sinner or saint, no matter how unlovable we are or think we are. His hatred of sin coincides with His love for us because sin keeps us from Him.

“Lord, may I never confuse Your hatred for sin with Your unconditional love for everyone. I choose to follow the example of Jesus who showed me how to love by laying down my life, and my picket signs!”

Thursday, 15 August 2024

August 15 - Potter’s Hand

 Read today’s texts first: Jeremiah 18-20; Psalms 93; John 17

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY
The Master Potter can even remold
a crackpot like me!
 

I love the song Potter’s Hand by Hillsong, partly because it was one of the first duets I heard my daughter sing with her new husband, Matt, but also because of the message:

I’m captured by your holy calling
Set me apart. I know you’re drawing me to yourself
Lead me, Lord, I pray
Oh take me, mold me, use me, fill me
I give my life to the potter’s hand
Oh call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me
I give my life to the potter’s hand


Jeremiah’s visit to the potter’s house gave him some insight into our Potter and His compassion. Some think our choices and final destination are predetermined (misinterpretation of Rom. 
9:21), but this 
particular potter/clay analogy proves differently. So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the Lord came to me: “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel” (18:3-6).

God then tells Jeremiah the meaning behind the analogy. If the potter’s clay is marred by imperfections the potter has an option: throw away the clay and start again or reform the clay into a new creation. His decision to redeem and reform the clay is based on the clay’s compliance to the potter (18:7-10). Repentance and obedience makes the clay soft and malleable.

“Lord, we were originally created from the dust so I’m okay being called clay in Your hands. I commit to keeping my life soft and mouldable in Your capable hands, and trusting You for what I will become.”

Wednesday, 14 August 2024

August 14 - Trouble with a Capital “T”

 Read today’s texts first: Jeremiah 16,17; Psalms 96; John 16

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

God doesn’t promise a trouble-free life,
but He does promise an overcoming one!

Harold Hill may have predicted Trouble with a capital “T” in River City, but we are facing a heap more trouble than a new pool hall in town. Jesus predicted trouble anywhere and everywhere, throughout all time, until He comes back again. Some of that trouble we bring on ourselves by disobeying God, but some of it actually comes by obeying God. Our readings today present both sides.

Jeremiah, like Professor Hill, warned Judah about the inevitable consequences for their disobedience: This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” (16:5-8).

Prosperity teachers are right some of the time. The choices we make often do determine how our lives unfold. There are inherent benefits from doing things God’s way. He invented life so when we live our lives according to His instructions, things tend to go better. But there are exceptions, and that’s where the hyper faith movement stalls.

Jesus found Himself in trouble a lot, and so did His disciples. In fact, Jesus knew their trouble meter would be off the charts after He left:
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33). They were about to face persecution so severe that all of them would be tortured to death, with one notable exception - the writer of this gospel miraculously survived being boiled in oil. Now that’s deep trouble.

“Lord, I am grateful for a relatively trouble-free life because of the reliability of Your Word. But when a world of trouble comes, I have peace in knowing the One who overcame the world is with me!”

August 13 - Remain In Me

 Read today’s texts first: Jeremiah 13-15; John 15

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY
While it takes time to be with Jesus, the time left
for work will actually have real impact in this life
and the life to come!
 

I must admit, it is difficult to read through Jeremiah. I’m glad I wasn’t a prophet at this time in Judah’s history. His messages are mostly negative to an extreme because God’s people needed extreme intervention. “Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil. I will scatter you like chaff driven by the desert wind. This is your lot, the portion I have decreed for you,” declares the Lord, “because you have forgotten me and trusted in false gods” (13:23-25).

The people of Judah at this time are like a case study for the warnings Jesus gives in John 15: I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned (15:5-7). Clearly, choice is involved, with dire consequences for those who choose to reject the vine instead of remaining in Him.

These past few years have been an eye opener. Since having this opportunity to reflect on my life, I 
realize that, before, I was simply too busy. I didn’t have the time to spend with God every day so some of what I had to do, I did in my own strength with my own wisdom. I was still very much attached to the Vine, but there was a lack of vitality. Knowing that apart from the Vine we accomplish nothing is sobering. While it takes time to be with Jesus, the time left for work will actually have real meaning in this life and eternal impact into the life to come!

“Lord, now more than ever, I desperately need You. I can do nothing of significance or lasting value unless I remain in You!”

Monday, 12 August 2024

August 12 - It’s Who You Know

 Read today’s texts first: Jeremiah 10-12; John 14

MAXIMize YOUR DAY 
God wants an intimate relationship with His bride, to walk and talk together like He did with Adam and Eve.

Yesterday we looked at sacrifices and circumcision, and how meaningless they are without a heart of devotion. Consider a marriage where the husband regularly sends flowers to his wife, maybe even jewelry and new shoes, but they arrive by UPS. He never comes home. He doesn’t talk to her, doesn’t listen to her, and they are no longer intimate. That’s what is happening with Judah, except the roles are reversed. God is the one initiating intimacy but His bride is heartless and unfaithful. She still tries to placate Him by giving things to Him, but her heart isn’t in it. She has other “men” (idols) on the side.

We sometimes think God, as described in the Old Testament, only wants things done, His laws obeyed. But seeing Jesus in John 14, constantly referring to knowing and loving us, gives us some insight. He represents the same God we read about in Isaiah and Jeremiah.

The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men” (Isaiah 29:13). The shepherds are senseless and do not inquire of the Lord, so they do not prosper and all their flock is scattered....I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps (10:21,23). The prophets are saying God wants an intimate relationship with His bride, to walk and talk together like He did with the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, in Eden (Gen. 3:8).

In John, Jesus is warning them about the persecution that awaits them all but He assures them with the promise of Heaven. When they ask where it is and how they will get there, Jesus explains it is all based on relationship. He says, “I am the way” and you already know me. Because of that you also know the Father and you will know the Holy Spirit when He shows up to help you on your way (14:4-11;16,17).

“Lord, thank You for the reminder that it’s not what I know but Who I know that matters. I want to know You more!”

Sunday, 11 August 2024

August 11 - Uncircumcised Hearts

 Read today’s texts first: Jeremiah 7-9; John 13

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY
God wants us to cut away any layers in our “heart”
(spirit) that block our spiritual sensitivity.

I don’t often blog about circumcision, or even think about it that much, for that matter! It’s a sensitive subject, literally, but because it comes up so often in the Bible it must be important. The outward act is apparently not nearly as important as the inward work it should represent. Just like the sacrifices being offered in the Temple in Jeremiah’s day, the physical action is meaningless without the spiritual motivation (8:21-23).

There was a serious disconnect at this time in Judah’s history between actions and attitudes, between ministry and motivation, between hands and heart. “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will punish all who are circumcised only in the flesh - Egypt, Judah, Edom, Ammon, Moab and all who live in the desert in distant places. For all these nations are really uncircumcised, and even the whole house of Israel is uncircumcised in heart” (9:25,26).

Circumcision, the physical act, cuts away the covering that shields the most sensitive part of our body. The surgery allows for even greater sensitivity, exposure, and depth of feeling. It was and is intended to represent something far greater than the physical part of our lives. Like water baptism and communion, it is a physical manifestation of an inward work. God wants us to cut away any layers in our “heart” (spirit) that block our spiritual sensitivity. The people of Judah were completely insensitive to God’s voice, as well as to conviction and remorse for their sin. They were going through the motions of worship, offering sacrifices to idols and to God, just to cover their bases. Despite the overt messages from His prophets, their hardened hearts were oblivious to God’s desire for an intimate relationship with a faithful bride.

Now if you think you can’t relate to the extremes of sin and punishment talked about in Jeremiah, how about the tender moment revealed in John’s gospel. John, who referred to himself in his books as the “disciple whom Jesus loved” includes some very intimate experiences between Jesus and His disciples. The heart of God is unveiled as Jesus provides an example of real love by washing the sandy feet of each of His disciples. If you can’t relate to the hard hearts of Judah in our Jeremiah reading or Judas in our John reading, how about Peter. He boldly asserts he will defend Jesus to the death but, as Jesus knows before (13:37,38) and we learn after (18:15-27), Peter soon denies even knowing Jesus. “Lord, when I think I’m far from being far from You, may I remember Peter, and all the disciples, and realize how quickly I can run. I pray if I should ever drift away that my heart will stay sensitive enough to hear You calling me back.”

Saturday, 10 August 2024

August 10 - Hearts of Stone

 Read today’s texts first: Jeremiah 5,6; John 12

MAXIMize YOUR DAY 
Judas kissed his dear friend, Jesus, on the cheek
while stabbing Him in the back!

It is shocking to see how far both Israel and Judah fell! They seldom did things perfectly, but for the first 1000 years as God’s chosen people (1300 years for Judah) they were always ready to turn things around with the right leadership. But in this moment, in the time of Jeremiah, there seems to be no collective conscience left. The words of the prophets fall on deaf ears.

Listen in on this conversation between Jeremiah and God: O Lord, do not your eyes look for truth? You struck them, but they felt no pain; you crushed them, but they refused correction. They made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent (5:3). “Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear: Should you not fear me?” declares the Lord. “Should you not tremble in my presence....these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts; they have turned aside and gone away” (5:21-23). God had no other choice than to allow their enemies to take them into captivity. The Israelites had come full circle from slavery in Egypt to bondage in Assyria and Babylon.

The condition of their stony hearts help illustrate what we see today in John’s gospel. Picture the meek and loving Jesus, miraculously healing the sick, delivering those in bondage, and even raising the dead. He has hurt no one, helped everyone who has come to Him, and yet He faced constant harassment from those who should be campaigning for Him. The so-called spiritual leaders were so angry with Jesus and the attention He was getting since raising Lazarus from the dead, there were plotting to kill either Jesus or Lazarus or both (12:10,11). Murder is not usually found on the job description of a priest!

Then we have Judas, one of His select disciples, embezzling offerings, criticizing those who give, and 
plotting to betray Jesus (12:4-6). How did he fall so far to eventually kiss His dear friend on the cheek while stabbing Him in the back (figuratively speaking) for 30 pieces of silver (roughly one half a typical year’s wages).  Who sells out the Son of God?

“Lord, thank You for this time of self-reflection and heart-correction. Help me to keep my heart like soft soil, ready to receive the seed of Your Word and the regular watering of Your Spirit!”