September 29 - Royal Priesthood

 Read today’s texts first: Zechariah 4-6; Luke 12

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

When we serve as a priest and a king we can reach up and out, loving God then our neighbour.

The calling to be a royal priesthood applied to both Israel (Ex. 19:6) and the church (I Peter 2:9).  It means we are to relate directly to God as priests (Jesus being our High Priest), ministering before Him daily.  It also means we are to rule with Him as kings (Jesus being the King of Kings), exercising His authority on earth as it is in heaven.  If Israel had lived up to that calling, there would have been no priestly tribe (the Levites took on the role by default – Ex. 32:26) or human king (Judges 8:23; 1 Samuel 8:6,7).

Zechariah’s lampstand is the perfect illustration of how those two roles blend together.  The two olive trees on either side represented Zerubbabel, the king, and Zechariah, the priest (4:12-14).  The branches of the trees blend together, holding up the bowl filled with the oil that flows to the seven lights.  The oil always represents the Holy Spirit.  The symbolism is clear – when we hold those two roles in balance we create a reservoir for the Holy Spirit to empower our lives and provide light to those around us.

With that context it’s easy to see the meaning behind this oft quoted verse: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit” says the Lord Almighty (4:5).  When we relate directly to Jesus as priest and king, and hold those two roles in proper balance (love God and our neighbour, reaching up and out), then God’s Spirit will enable us to fulfill that high calling in His strength.

“Lord, today I will serve you as both priest and king as Your Spirit alone enables me!”

September 28 - Wash Day

 Read today’s texts first: Zechariah 1-3; Luke 11

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

The “Accuser of the Brethren” likes to make us feel
like dirt, so he can drag us back to our old mud-hole. 

As a kid growing up, I looked forward to Wash Day!  Being slightly hyperactive and living on the edge of a forest meant I frequently looked like Linus on Peanuts, trailing a cloud of dust and dirty footprints behind me into the house.  Mom would make me take my clothes off in the laundry room and head straight to the bath. It was good to get cleaned up, but even better to put on freshly cleaned clothes, smelling good and feeling warm, right out of the dryer.

The book of Zechariah, with all of its Messianic prophecies, talks about a spiritual Wash Day.  Joshua, who represents Israel (and the church) is told to “take off his filthy clothes” (3:3) in exchange for “rich garments’ and a “clean turban”.  This is all made possible because of the coming Messiah who “will remove the sin of this land in a single day” (9), a reference to either the first or second coming of Jesus.  Thank You Jesus for making it possible for me to be completely forgiven and spiritually clean!  Unlike the Pharisees in the Luke 11 reading, we are to be clean inside and out.

This chapter opens up, though, with a rare direct reference to Satan.  We see him as the “accuser of the brethren” (Rev 12:20) standing at the right side of Joshua before the “angel of the Lord” (Jesus), ready to accuse him.  But the “Lord” (that’s how we know the angel is Jesus) rebukes him.  He says that Joshua (applies to Israel and us) has been chosen, snatched out of captivity, and is no longer subject to shame.  Satan’s favorite tactic is to remind us of our past, our failings.  And when we feel like dirt, he can drag us back to our old mud-hole.  But Jesus rebukes those thoughts, and reminds us of who we are now in Him.

“Lord, today and everyday is Wash Day.  You personally cleaned and placed these royal robes on me, so remind me to keep them clean.”

September 27 - One Thing

 Read today’s texts first: Haggai 1,2; Psalms 129; Luke 10

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

Never get so busy with the details of serving,
that you miss the one reason for serving. 

Curly, the aged and saged cowpoke, held up his crooked index finger to illustrate for his new friend, Mitch, the meaning of life – “it’s just one thing!”  Of course he died before Mitch could find out what it was – so the rest of his journey was the quest to discover the one thing (City Slickers).

Fortunately, the One who created us already told us the “one thing”.  Israel missed it and Haggai, the aged prophet (likely 70 at the time) was urging the Jews, who have returned from exile, to stop rebuilding their own houses and focus on the house of God (Haggai 1:7-9).  Jesus said the same thing to Martha who was busy with the details of serving, but missed the one reason for serving (10:41).  Mary got it right.  She chose the “one thing that is needed” which was simply sitting by the feet of Jesus and “listening to what he said” (10:30).

“Lord, may I remember the one thing in the busyness of the day ahead.  May I never stray from that place at Your feet where I can hear everything You say to me.”

September 26 - Lose/Win Proposition

 Read today’s texts first: Ezra 4; Psalms 113,127; Luke 9

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

God asks us to give up things to test us.  If we pass
the test, He knows He can trust us with more,
not to keep but to pass on to others.

I’m intrigued by the paradox principles of Scripture: love your enemies, turn the other cheek, give and it shall be given, die and you’ll live, serve and you’ll lead, get under authority to have authority, and today’s word for the day,  lose your life and you’ll find it.  They defy human logic, but tap into divine wisdom. 

While I was working at a Bible college, we rediscovered the powerful principles of giving.  We faced a $50,000 deficit, prayed and then felt God telling us to give more than we ever have.  So we did – in subsidies to students, curriculum to churches and resources to missions.  After a year of serendipitous donations and conference bookings, we closed our books with a $35,000 surplus.  Did the strategy make sense?  Not really.  Did it work? Without question.

We don’t obey the commands to gain anything for ourselves.  If so, we miss the whole point.  God asks us to give up things or ourselves to test us.  If we pass the test, He knows He can trust us with more, not to keep but to pass on to others.  We become a conduit of blessing.  What is true for the specifics of life is true for life in general.

The American dream is founded on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  There’s a movie by that name starring Will Smith and his son.  They are cute together and the story is heartwarming, but its bottom line is the pursuit of money and materialism at the cost of a marriage and a stable home.  The trouble is the American dream usually turns into a nightmare, and happiness, when pursued, will most often give you the slip.  Happiness, joy, contentment, fulfillment – all the things we want in life for ourselves, are only by-products.  They only come when we surrender our lives to the One who created us and knows us best.

“Lord, this day like the rest of my life is yours.  I give up control over my life because I know it’s a lose/win proposition.” 

September 25 - Sleep like a Baby

 Read today’s texts first: Ezra 2,3; Luke 8

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

Our faith may not still the storm,
but it should help us sleep through it! 

I love looking at my youngest granddaughter when she’s asleep, especially when she is cuddled in my arms while I’m stretched out on my favourite TV-watching sofa.  When a child is that dependent, that trusting, she can sleep through anything (even an action movie), without a care in the world.  Jesus illustrated that same kind of peace in Luke 8.

Usually when I read this story I’m impressed by the power of Jesus.  Everyone talks about the weather but nobody does anything about it – except Jesus. Well, there’s Storm, from the X Men, but she’s the cause of weather problems, not the cure (and she’s not a real person!).

I don’t know anyone who commands even the wind and the water and they obey him (Luke 8:25).  Who does that?  The only One who can – the One who created the weather patterns in the first place.

What’s even more amazing is how He seems to expect us to have the same effect on the storms of our lives.  After showing the disciples how it’s done, He asks, so, “where is your faith?”  Good question!  I don’t know if I’m ready to be a storm trooper.

What intrigues me more than the power of Jesus is the peace He had while the storm was raging.  He was so unaffected that He slept through the worst of it.  It seems like the only reason He stilled the storm was to appease His frightened disciples.  Perhaps that’s why He questioned their faith.  Storms aren’t the problem – they’re a natural part of life.  They help us exercise our faith to the point that our trust in God supersedes our fear of stormy circumstances.

“Lord, I want to find that level of trust in You today.  Rocking boats should be no more intimidating than Gracie’s cradle.  Her face when she’s sleeping is a picture of the kind of peace that only comes through complete trust.  Rock-a-bye baby!”

September 24 - Says You!

 Read today’s texts first: Ezra 1; Psalms 84, 85; Luke 7

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

Jesus always speaks with authority and integrity -
what He says He will do gets done!

I understand authority.  My dad wasn’t domineering, but he was clearly the head of our family.  His reputation as WW 2 flight leader over a squadron of B-24 pilots helped bolster our respect.  Mostly it was his integrity – what he said he would do, he did.

The Roman centurion in the Luke 7 reading understood authority too.  He commanded a “century” of soldiers (100 men) and expected them to obey.  Yet there was more to this man than his rank and armor.  Behind that tough exterior must have been the soft heart of a seeker.  Why else would he build the Jews, their subjects, a synagogue?  Why would he care so much for a sick servant?  How did he know about Jesus and why would he think this lowly Jew could and would heal his servant?

It takes a leader to spot another one.  The centurion had obviously noticed Jesus in action earlier.  He recognized that Jesus spoke with authority and integrity.  He saw a man of His Word.  For someone of such high rank to be so humble and so subservient to a Jew who was his subordinate, shows he knew exactly who he was dealing with.

So did Jesus, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel” (9).  “Lord, may I live this day with that kind of confidence in You and Your Word.  When the voices of doubt inside my head whisper, ‘says who?’ I want to respond like the centurion, ‘says You!’”

September 23 - Lord of the Sabbath

 Read today’s texts first: Daniel 11,12; Luke 6

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

Rules, works, comparisons, judgments and religious
pride are the antithesis of who God is
and who we should be.

The Pharisees missed it again.  Instead of focusing on their relationship with God, they reduced their faith to rules and regulations.  The Sabbath was made for man, to connect us with the Lord of the Sabbath.  But the legalists turned it around, implying that man was made for the Sabbath.  They became slaves to a system, turning a weekly opportunity for a faith lift into bondage to a repressive religion.

We do the same thing in the church today.  A relative of mine lost faith in the church because of the legalism, perceived or real, at his Christian school.  His friends were reprimanded and, at times, suspended for offenses like listening to secular music while shooting baskets after school in the gym, walking around with their shirt untucked, or having white markings on what should have been all-black shoes!  He connected what seemed like pharisaical legalism to the church in general.  How many others have done the same?  When North Americans are polled, the vast majority say they love the man Jesus but not His church.  We are perceived as hypocrites who focus more on rules that our relationship with a loving God.

The Jews today have elevators in Jerusalem (we rode them a few years ago) that automatically stop on every floor during “Shabbat” (sabbath).  When you aren’t supposed to lift a finger to touch an elevator button, Jesus was asking a man to raise his shriveled arm and then He healed him.  The purpose of the Sabbath is restorative (the day of rest).  Spending time with Jesus eating (v. 1) or being healed in His presence (v. 10) is exactly the spirit of the Sabbath.

“Lord of the Sabbath, help me interpret and live out Your Word in the Spirit it was written – the Holy Spirit.  Rules, works, comparisons, judgments and religious pride are the antithesis of who You are and who You’ve called me to be.”

September 22 - Living in the “Fast” Lane

 Read today’s texts first: Daniel 9,10; Psalm 123; Luke 5

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

Spiritual power comes through building up the spirit by denying the flesh and relying on the “Bread of Life.”

The title here may be a tad misleading – we’re not talking about living loosely here.  Quite the opposite.  Daniel was a man of incredible discipline, making time to pray every day, without fail.  The only time he broke from the routine was to pray more and add another discipline of fasting.

This is the way Daniel did battle.  Most soldiers, like athletes, eat a high protein diet, then build up the body to overpower the opposition.  But Daniel’s enemy, like ours, was not flesh and blood.  Spiritual power comes through building up the spirit by denying the flesh and relying solely on the “Bread of Life”.

After three weeks of prayer and fasting down by the river, Daniel heard from Gabriel about the effects of his warfare.  While he prayed, the armies of heaven, led by Michael, were mobilized to overcome the Prince of Persia, a demonic principality.  It was the beginning of the end of the Jewish captivity, leading ultimately to their release by Cyrus.  That one man, agonizing in prayer by the river, was the pivotal battle – a foreshadowing of Jesus at Gethsemane.

“Lord, may I never underestimate the power of prayer and the need to move forward today, on my knees.”

September 21 - The End In Sight

 Read today’s texts first: Daniel 7,8; Psalm 137; Luke 4

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

Live each day with the “End” in sight!

Anyone who doubts the Bible is God’s Word needs to read from the book of Daniel.  He had three separate visions, in chapters 2, 3 and 8, involving different images but the same interpretation.  Daniel, through God-given insight, predicted the rise and fall of four major world powers before they happened.

There is nothing more compelling than fulfilled prophecy - not the generalized mumbo jumbo of today’s astrologers, but the kind of striking details given in Scripture, with the historical documentation to prove they were written hundreds of years before they came to pass.  Coincidence?  The laws of probability say “impossible!”

With that sense of overwhelming confidence in God’s Word, consider the end result of the vision in chapter 7:17,18.  Yes, in the final conflict the saints will come under attack by the Antichrist and the god of this world who empowers him, but the end is inevitable:

But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever.  Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.  This is the end of the matter. (7:26-28)

“Lord, may I never doubt Your Word or Your promise.  I can’t fail when I’m partnered with the Ancient of Days (7:13, 22), the Beginning and the End.  Lord, may I live today with the End in sight!”

September 20 - “Hand”writing

 Read today’s texts first: Daniel 5,6; Psalm 130; Luke 3

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

Ask for God’s hand on your life
before He writes with it on your wall. 

I knew there was a spiritual reason why I prefer handwriting my journal entries rather than typing them.  It’s not just because I type painfully slow with two uncoordinated fingers. God Himself, though infinitely progressive, chooses to write by hand (actually with His finger) instead of creating “Word” documents (He could bring a whole new meaning to the term “power point”).

Whether it’s the ten commandments on stone, indiscretions of the Pharisees in the sand or Belshazzar’s judgment on the wall, God’s personal penmanship (without the pen) usually spells trouble with a capital “T”!  Why didn’t Belshazzar learn from his father Nebuchadnezzar.  Surely having a dad who grazed for grass alongside donkeys and cows was a lesson in humility you’d remember.

The problem is that absolute power corrupts absolutely.  We are built to function only under a theocracy and anything less, from tyranny to monarchy to, yes, gasp, even democracy creates an imbalance in power.  Belshazzar was willing to worship the gods he made with his hands, but not the one true God “who holds in his hands your life” (5:23).

“Lord, help me to recognize Your hand on my life before I actually see it writing a warning on my wall.”

September 19 - Over my Head

 Read today’s texts first: Ezekiel 47,48; Luke 2

MAXIMize YOUR DAY 

The River of Life flows from God’s throne
and it’s time to get in over your head!

The parallels between Ezekiel’s visions and John’s in the Revelation are too many to be coincidental.  One of the most specific is of the river that flows out from the Temple (Ezekiel 47 and Revelation 22).  In both accounts, the river flows out from God’s throne and waters life-giving trees along its banks.

The difference is Zeke’s dip in the river.  He starts slowly, just getting his feet wet.  But soon he’s up to his knees, past his waist and finally over his head.  The river of God always represents the Holy Spirit so Zeke’s gradual immersion is a picture of surrender to the Spirit.

One other distinction in the Ezekiel account is the river’s effect on the dead sea it flows into.  In this case, it actually revives the sea, freshening the water and creating an environment where fish flourish.  The picture is in stark contrast to what Ezekiel and his readers would be familiar with.  The Jordan River flows into the Dead Sea now as it always has, but instead of bringing life, the salty sea instantly deadens the river, killing its fish.  When I heard that from Daniel, our guide in Israel, I thought what a great location for a fish and chips stand - the fish conveniently float to the surface, pre-salted and ready for the deep fryer.

The application speaks of a growing dependence on the Spirit, where we learn to trust Him more and more, to the point of surrendering control.  When we become truly Spirit-led, the effect can be miraculous, bringing life to a dead world that at one time could have killed us.

“Lord, I’m ready for a swim today.  I’m starting to understand how much I can do if I’m over my head and completely reliant on You!”

September 18 - Turning Hearts

 Read today’s texts first: Ezekiel 45,46; Luke 1

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

Only a heart turned towards God
can turn other hearts the same way. 

Most people look for a leader that turns heads.  When Israel wanted a king, their first choice was Saul, because he stood head and shoulders above everyone else - literally.  But God’s choice was David, the runt of his family, because he was a man after His own heart.  The heart is more important to God than the head, or the face for that matter.  And history proves that only a heart turned towards God can turn other hearts the same way.

Zechariah was told by the angel, Gabriel, that his son would go before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous (Luke 1:17).  This is exactly what Malachi had prophesied 400 years earlier (Mal. 4:5).  John the Baptist would not be a head-turner.  His wardrobe of camel’s hair and diet of locusts may have turned a few stomachs, but he would not win people over with his charm and good looks.  Yet he did turn hearts and you can only do that in God’s Spirit and power - the same way Elijah did. 

The other day I glanced in the rear-view mirror while driving and noticed a patch of whiskers under my nose that somehow I missed while shaving in the shower the past few days.  Obviously I need to look in the mirror a little more often, but I’m actually glad that my physical appearance is not high on my list of priorities.  “Lord, I want to spend more time developing a heart for You and the lost than I spend in looking good on the outside.  Turning hearts is more important than turning heads, and for that I need Your Spirit and power.” 

September 17 - Come On Up!

 Read today’s texts first: Ezekiel 42-44; Revelation 22

MAXIMize YOUR DAY 

When we think about our hope of heaven
remember to tell others, “come on up!” 

If you want to find out the meaning of life, skip to the end of God's manual for life!  The final chapter of His master plan describes His eternal family, adopted from every nation on earth, in a setting more beautiful than our human minds can imagine. If you get excited about winning the things of this world with Bob Barker’s “come on down” just think how you’ll feel when God says, “come on up!”

As someone with a deep appreciation for the intricacies of God’s creation (I taught Science and the Bible at PLBC for years), I think this earth, despite human sabotage, is awe-inspiring.  But the new earth and new heaven, without the contaminants of sin, will be beyond spectacular.

How can we even picture with our limited imaginations a river of life, trees offering eternal youth, golden streets, bejeweled gates and the glory of our Saviour so bright a sun is no longer necessary.

But it was the closing words of this final chapter that caught my attention: the Spirit and the Bride say “Come!” (22:17).  We have the opportunity as the Bride of Christ to partner with the Holy Spirit and invite those who have not yet heard of the hope of heaven to join us.  By knowing the outcome before it happens, we also know what we must do now.  We have this window of time to tell the world what we know and invite them to “come on up!”

“Lord, I pray that my tendency to be conservative will not contain my anticipation of heaven.  And I pray that my natural shyness will not constrain me from sharing that hope with everyone you put in my path today.”

September 16 - God the Builder

 Read today’s texts first: Ezekiel 40,41; Psalms 128; Revelation 21

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

The first earth is astounding; imagine how wonderful
the new and improved version will be. 

It’s another day of “coincidences”: both readings feature angelic beings pulling out their measuring tapes (rods actually) and giving us perspective on God’s future rebuilding projects.  Ezekiel’s vision focuses just on the temple, while John’s encompasses the whole city of Jerusalem.  Both visions include minute details of the building plans.  Why are the dimensions of the temple and the New Jerusalem significant?

Having built a few houses, I appreciate how important detailed plans and accurate measurements can be.  One of my projects was renovating a 20 year-old house and while doing so, I learned this about myself – I don’t like building on another man’s foundation.  When a house isn’t square or level, installing tile, countertops and crown moldings becomes frustrating to say the least.  I much prefer starting from scratch and doing it right the first time.  Apparently God does too!

No doubt that’s why He’s going to build a new heaven and a new earth.  We get a glimpse of how radically different this new creation will be by the cubed shape of the new city of Jerusalem (the K.J. version calls it “foursquare” which means I’m in!).  Whoever heard of a city 1500 miles high?  The first earth is astounding; I can’t begin to imagine how wonderful the new and improved version will be.

As I thought about God’s re-creation, I realized how He does the same with our lives.  We often think that when we come to Christ we are stuck with the imperfect foundations laid by our family circumstances and that all God can do with us is renovate.  The Bible disagrees with that idea, reminding us that we are brand new creations; the old has gone and all things have become new (2 Cor. 5:17),  Any baggage we deal with from our past life is there because we have trouble letting go of the familiar.

“Lord, I want to trust Your ability to completely remake me.  Pull out Your measuring tape and redesign me for the next heaven and earth.”

September 15 - The Ultimate Endurance Test

 Read today’s texts first: Ezekiel 38,39; Psalms 145; Revelation 20

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

The secret to staying within God’s Kingdom and
enduring with Him to the end is submission to the King. 

This morning is one where we can say with Hannibal Smith (head of the A-Team), “I love it when a plan comes together!”  All the assigned passages dovetail perfectly.  In fact, the prophecies concerning Gog and Magog in Ezekiel connect seamlessly to John’s prophecy in Revelation.  They were written over 600 years apart about an event yet to happen more than 2000 years later.  And the reason these powers will fall is conveniently explained in the hinge-pin Psalm: Your Kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations…The Lord…lifts up all who are bowed down…The Lord watches over all who love Him, but the wicked He will destroy (145:13,14,20).

History is an anthology of great kingdoms rising and falling.  They seem so powerful and unstoppable while they are in power, but they all come crashing down eventually.  The same will be true for the one world-wide superpower that attempts to mess with God and His people in the end time.  I love the Tshirt I saw in Jerusalem of a map of Israel filled with intimidating cactus thorns under which reads, “Don’t Mess With Israel.”   While funny and somewhat true, it misses the point.  Israel’s pride has been its downfall, just like every other kingdom  around them.  The only constant is God’s promise and it’s that promise alone that has sustained His people Israel under the old covenant and His people the church under the new.

The secret to staying within His Kingdom and enduring with Him to the end is submission to the King.  Bowing down to Him and loving Him keeps us within the protective boundaries of His eternal Kingdom, but pride will always lead us outside the walls into the line of fire.  “Lord, keep me humble today and every day of my life so I can pass the ultimate endurance test!”

September 14 - Skin and Bones

 Read today’s texts first: Ezekiel 36,37; Psalms 110; Revelation 19

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

When we stop feeding our souls
we suffer from spiritual anorexia. 

The Jews had a fatal case of spiritual anorexia. When you trust in the flesh, you soon find out there’s not much there – and what little substance you find is only temporary.  Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones is an accurate analogy of Israel’s self-destruction through spiritual starvation.

But this picture of seemingly irrevocable death is suddenly infused with hope: “dry bones, hear the word of the Lord” (37:4).  If Israel had only heard and heeded God’s life-giving Word before, they would never have come to this ignominious end.  Still, with God, His judgment may be swift, but His mercy is everlasting.  Ultimately, His grace is powerful enough to even revive the dead.

While Ezekiel prophesied, the flesh began to re-form on the bones, but still there was no life.  They were back where they started, just before getting carried away to Babylon – flesh and bones with no spiritual vitality.  But just as He did with Adam and with the disciples after the resurrection, God breathed on the lifeless bodies and they became living souls, an unstoppable army ready for battle.  The promise that follows, that Israel would one day return to their homeland, was finally fulfilled. I got to witness the result of that miracle first-hand in Israel a few years ago.  Our guide, Daniel, related one amazing story after another of the War of Independence in ’48 and the 6 Day War in ’67 when Israel overcame impossible odds to reclaim their promised land.

“Lord, thank You that Your mercy never fails. Breathe on me today so that all that I do is in Your strength alone.”

September 13 - Response-ability

 Read today’s texts first: Ezekiel 33-35; Revelation 18

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

When we fail to tell others about Jesus,
their blood is on our hands; when we do,
the responsibility shifts to them.

I never planned on doing this!  If I had my way, I’d have spent the last 50 plus years running a business and the only people I’d be responsible for would be my staff and customers.  But instead I became the overseer of 100s of students and parishioners at a college and various churches for most of those years.  It was exciting and terrifying at the same time, knowing that each of those lives represented 100s or perhaps 1000s more they in turn could eventually influence!

That weight of responsibility hit me during my reading this morning.  In Ezekiel 33 I was reminded of how accountable I am as a minister to tell others about Jesus.  If they reject the message then that responsibility shifts to them; if I fail to tell them when God asks me to, their blood is on my hands.  In chapter 34, I stand with the shepherds who are obligated to care for their sheep before seeking their own comforts.  Sometimes I just want to watch TV.  Sometimes I just want to be one of the sheep and have someone worry about me for a change.

But when I hear the life-changing exploits of these same church members, students and graduates, all those second thoughts disappear.  It’s the cycle of real life, and I wouldn’t have traded it for the most profitable business imaginable!

“Thank you Lord that You had a better plan for my life than I did.  Remind me of this joy in serving You the next time I have second thoughts!”

September 12 - Four’s a Crowd

 Read today’s texts first: Daniel 3-4; Psalm 81; Revelation 17 

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
Three’s company but when Jesus joins us
four feels like a comforting crowd of support. 

I’ve heard the story from Daniel 3 countless times growing up and read it even more as an adult, but I never connected the experiences of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to their friendship. The clearest theme emerging from these prophetic books is the importance of our dependence on God, but an underlying theme is our interdependence on each other. We see that relationship illustrated in the body of Christ, where Christ is the head, the source of all we do, but we are also vitally connected to each other.

While I think about my upbringing as close to ideal, there was one downside to the way I was raised. My Dad instilled in me the values of a strong work ethic and a sense of self-sufficiency. While it is good to work hard to support yourself and your family, it is not good to exclude others from helping you. I remember a time working on the set-up team at church when several people offered to help me carry things. My first and almost instinctive response is “no thanks, I’ve got it!” But God reminded me then and since that when I respond like that, I am depriving others of the joy in working together.

Daniel and his friends were able to fast from the royal food and not bow to peer pressure, even when their lives depended on it, because of their individual trust in God and also the support they gained from one another.  Three is company, but I love how their friendship was honoured by Jesus Himself joining their fraternity, and in all places – a fiery furnace.  With good Christian friends and the friendship of God Himself, we have a crowd of support behind us.

“Lord, I pray that among the things You are doing to humble me will be a renewed desire to let others join me in my work, especially when things get too hot for me to handle on my own!”

September 11 - Just Another Terrorist

 Read today’s texts first: Daniel 1-2; Revelation 16

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

When terrorism threatens, remember we are on
the winning side and that Jesus will be standing
with us in any fiery trial we face. 

It’s September 11 and coincidentally the passages from both testaments focus on terrorism from the Middle East – Iraq to be exact, known then as Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar was the Saddam Hussein or Osama bin Laden of Daniel’s day – a megalomaniac bent on world domination. He was so petulant and self-absorbed that he was ready to execute all of his “wise” men until Daniel intervenes.

What amazes me from this account and the next few chapters is how even a terrorist/world dictator is subject to God. The dream Neb had, which Daniel both described and interpreted for him, showed how fragile even a world power is in comparison to the “Rock”. The rock that destroys the four world powers represents God’s Kingdom, and the passage in Revelation describes that final showdown at Armageddon.

Every once in a while Neb got a clue as to who was really in control, telling Daniel, your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings (2:47). But it would take several more miraculous demonstrations by Daniel and his friends, plus a personal crisis (a complete mental breakdown) before Neb would actually submit to this one true God.

Daniel and his buddies, however, knew from the start they were on the winning side. They sacrificed privileges (like eating from the king’s table) and refused to bow to other gods when “everyone else was doing it!”  Even though they worked for a terrorist who threatened them with hungry lions and blazing furnaces, they were as steady as the Rock who stood with them (I love it that Jesus Himself hung out with them at the barbeque when they were supposed to be the main course). Daniel had the inside scoop on who would win in the end, seeing the very same things described in Revelation hundreds of years before John would write about it and thousands of years before it would actually take place.

We are living in those days now.

“Lord give me the faith of Daniel in the threat of terrorism today, knowing I’m on the winning side and that You will be standing with me in any fiery trial I may face.”

September 10 - I Still Dare to Hope!

 Read today’s texts first: Lamentations 3-5; Revelation 15

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

Worship isn’t about feeding God’s pride
(He doesn’t have any); it’s about losing ours! 

In the middle of a seemingly hopeless lament is this hope-filled song of praise. This is why we worship. God doesn’t need His ego stroked. We worship Him to remind ourselves of Who He is and why we need Him. It’s not about feeding God’s pride (He doesn’t have any); it’s about losing ours!

Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The unfailing love of the Lord never ends!  By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”  The Lord is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him. (3:21-25)

I sang this portion of Scripture in the early 70’s, when psalters were popular. When you combine music, which is the language of the soul, with God’s Word, hope becomes readily recognizable and accessible, even in the darkest night.

Fast forward to our reading in Revelation and you gain a glimpse into the future of the remnant who survived the toughest battle in history standing by the glassy sea singing the song of Moses: 

Great and marvelous are your actions, Lord God Almighty.  Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations.  Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name?  For you alone are holy.  All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous deeds have been revealed. (15:3-4) 

“Lord, You said You will never leave us, even when we mess up.  Thank You that we can always dare to hope!”

 

September 9 - God Resists the Proud

 Read today’s texts first: Lamentations 1-2; Obadiah; Revelation 14

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

God cares more about disciplining and restoring His people than what the world thinks about Him. 

I’ve read it many times, preached it on a few occasions, but not until this last month reading through Jeremiah, Ezekiel and now Lamentations have I noticed how true this statement is: God opposes the proud and yet is so willing to give grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5).

Israel and Judah continually struggled with pride, wanting to do things their way.  Ironically, they tended to be just like the nations around them.  They had been commissioned to make a difference in their world by introducing God’s Kingdom on planet Earth.  But representing His Kingdom requires absolute submission to the King.  When they chose to have one of their own as king they were never able to fully regain their reliance on the King of kings.

The pride problem was pervasive among the neighbouring nations too (Obadiah 3).  What amazed me most was how God used these corrupt neighbours to deliver judgment on His own people.   I’ve never thought about this before but surely God was concerned about how He was being represented.  He has a reputation to maintain.  When His people followed Him, the other nations feared them and their God.  But at this time in their history, the Jews’ enemies were laughing at both God and His people.  That would bother me if I were God and I may be tempted to bail the gang out one more time, just to protect my own rep.

God cares more about disciplining and restoring His people than what the world thinks about Him.  “Lord, I know that at times I still care too much about what people think of me.  Forgive me for my pride and help me care more about what You think.”

September 8 - Tell Me What I Want to Hear!

 Read today’s texts first: Jeremiah 42-44; Psalm 48; Revelation 13

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

When hearing from God, avoid selective listening
and responding with, “tell me anything but that!” 

No wonder Jeremiah is called the weeping prophet – no one listened to him. This passage started off as a possible exception, with the people promising to do whatever Jeremiah said. They were finally ready to do God’s will, no matter what. Ten days later Jerry returned with a surprisingly upbeat message: God promised to be their defense if they didn’t return to Egypt. Egypt represented their former life – a life of bondage to foreign rulers and false gods.

It seemed like a reasonable request to me, exactly like the one they were offered 900 years earlier right after they had escaped Pharaoh’s armies and were poised to enter their promised land. But that same fear of the unknown and comfort with their old life (how soon they forgot what it was really like) produced the same response. We’ll do anything You want Lord, except that. Tell us what we want to hear.

It seems like such a stupid response. Hadn’t they learned by now how trustworthy God is? Why didn’t they get it? While I was shaking my head at their faithlessness, I began thinking about my own. I remembered my own fear of the unknown when God first called me into ministry – “anything but that Lord! I want to be a successful businessman and have the gift of giving. I can do more by supporting others who are better suited for full-time ministry. Tell me what I want to hear.”

“Lord, I know that was a long time ago and I’ve grown up a little since then, but I still struggle with selective listening. Forgive my sporadic faith. I really do want to listen to everything You have to say to me, and I really do want to obey. May what is said of the die-hard remnant in Revelation be true for me: this calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints” (10).