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!”

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.”

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!”

August 9 - Martha, Martha, Martha!

 Read today’s texts first: Jeremiah 3,4; John 11

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY
In the Mary, Martha sequel - “Sister Act 2”-
Martha is the hero in this story!

Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus (11:5). We tend to think Jesus favoured Mary over her sister Martha because of the complaining incident. You remember what happened: Jesus came to their house and, while Mary sat at His feet, Martha was busy getting dinner ready. She naturally was a tad perturbed by her sister’s laziness and asked Jesus to convince Mary to help. That led to this famous response: “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better” (Luke 10:41,42). Hence the suspicion that Jesus favoured Mary. Certainly a lot of preachers side with Mary over Martha and I’ve been one of them.

But this story starts with Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Martha is mentioned first; Mary isn’t mentioned at all in this verse. Martha is the one who runs out to greet Jesus while Mary is moping back at the house. Martha is the one who says this when Jesus arrives too late to heal Lazarus: If you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask (11:21,22). After Jesus explains about His resurrection power Martha makes this statement: “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world” (11:27).

No one else among the family and friends gathered at the wake of Lazarus makes these amazing faith statements. Her brother is dead, he has been for four days, but there is an expectancy that compels Martha to bring Jesus to Bethany, to run out to greet Him while the others are mourning, and to affirm Him as the Messiah, capable of performing a miracle no one else can even imagine, except Jesus.

“Lord, sometimes I’m a lot like Martha in the complaining incident, too busy with the little details of life to focus on the one thing, spending time with You. But Lord I want to be like the Martha in this story, who has incredible, faith-expanding, life-giving conversations with You.”

August 8 - The Good Shepherd

 Read today’s texts first: Jeremiah 1,2; John 10

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

It’s true - sheep are stupid, they’re followers,
they can’t fend for themselves. Okay - compared
to the Good Shepherd, that’s me!

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me - just as the Father knows me and I know the Father - and I lay down my life for the sheep (10:14,15).

Jesus often compared Himself to a shepherd, and to us as sheep. People who don’t know Jesus don’t like that comparison. Sheep are stupid, they’re followers, they can’t fend for themselves. Compare me to a lion, king of the jungle, top of the food chain! The trouble is, when it comes to really understanding life here and the life to come, compared to God, we are pretty stupid and pretty much helpless. We were created to be dependent on God, our Good Shepherd. In fact, humbling ourselves and admitting our need for God is the first step toward real life, eternal life.

The next step is to know the Shepherd personally, to entrust our life to His care. When we get to know Jesus, we will learn to recognize His voice, and can follow His leading. There are a lot of voices calling out to us, trying to distract us, mislead us, draw us to the edge of some cliff or isolate us so we are attacked by predators. We are to beware of the sheep thief, who comes only to steal and kill and destroy. By way of illustration, Jeremiah is telling the Israelites, that’s exactly what they’ve done: they followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves (2:5b). Jesus, in contrast, comes that we may have life, and have it to the full (10:10).

How do we know we can trust this Shepherd, how do you know He is the “Good” Shepherd? It’s pretty simple. He’s not a hireling; it’s not just a job (10:12,13). He doesn’t look at His sheep as a paycheck, or worse, a future dinner, a rack of lamb with some nice mint sauce on the side! We can entrust our lives to Him because He laid down His life for us.

“Lord, I'm okay being called a sheep knowing You are my Good Shepherd.”

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 7 - Blind Guides

 Read today’s texts first: Zephaniah 1-3; John 9

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

Stay humble  - you don’t want God to humble you!

The zingers keep coming. The story of Jesus healing the man born blind has so many wonderful layers, it almost seems too good to be true. But the fact that it is true makes it even more spectacular. Here’s my list of favourite moments:

• The disciples see a blind man and start the blame game; Jesus sees Him and feels compassion (9:2,3).
• Jesus chooses a little dirt and some spit to heal the man (9:6). It may not be the most sanitary technique but every miracle requires a fresh approach. Yesterday’s manna is full of maggots. Jesus reminds us to always ask: "what is the Father saying now?" (You’ll notice the same thing with God’s military strategies in the O.T.).
• Jesus required the blind man to take a step of faith by washing his muddy eyes in the pool (9:7).
• People couldn’t quite recognize the man now that he could see (9:8,9). An encounter with Jesus changes you.
• Jesus healed him on the Sabbath. He did that a lot and it makes you wonder if He just liked to tick off the Pharisees (9:14).
• The Pharisees see a man who was born blind who can now see and their first thought is to call Jesus a sinner for healing on the Sabbath (9:15,16). How hard were their hearts?!
• They didn’t believe the man so they asked his parents. His parents said, “He’s a grown man, ask him!” (9:20,21).
• When they tried to get the blind man to agree Jesus was a sinner he counters with, Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see! (9:25).
• When the Pharisees kept asking him how Jesus did it, he gets exasperated, I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too? You gotta love Jewish sarcasm!
• After they got mad and threw the poor man out of the synagogue, Jesus stepped in with this great line: For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind (9:39).
• When the Pharisees picked up on the slam, they asked Jesus “What? Are we blind too?”  Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains (9:40,41).

 Zing! There are a whole lot of reasons to love Jesus but I personally love these moments when he brings down the arrogant Pharisees. Whether it’s the rebellious Israelites being redressed by Zephaniah or the hard-hearted religious rulers being slammed by Jesus, you don’t want to stand against God! “Lord, help me to stay humble because I would never want to be humbled by You!”

August 6 - The Great I Am

 Read today’s texts first: Habakkuk 1-3; John 8

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

The Bible is filled with grand stories, unexpected plot twists, and heroes who deliver the perfect line
at the perfect moment.

I love a good book, but there is nothing like The Good Book! For enjoyment or relaxation I tend to read fiction, mostly because the stories are larger than life. They are exciting, stirring up my imagination in ways real life typically can’t. But God’s Word is real, it’s absolutely true, and yet it excites like no work of fiction could. The Bible is filled with grand stories, unexpected plot twists, and heroes who deliver the perfect line at the perfect moment. The end of John 8 is one of those moments; I’ve read it countless times, and it still brings me to the edge of my seat.

First, I read through Habakkuk, wondering how this prophet can be so bold in questioning God’s ways. If God wants to use an enemy nation to bring judgment and correction to Israel, how dare you second guess Him. But Habakkuk’s heart is right, He does love God, and he qualifies his questions with a resolve to accept whatever God chooses to do: Yet, I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour. The Sovereign Lord is my strength (3:18,19a). It seems God is very patient with those who love Him, cutting Habakkuk a lot of slack for what could be construed as insolence.

Not so with the self-righteous Jews in John 8. They too are questioning Jesus, but with a whole different agenda. They may have been the same people Jesus embarrassed when some religious leaders challenged Him to stone the woman caught in adultery. When He countered with, If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her, they knew they were in trouble. The only one worthy to throw that stone was Jesus and He was busy writing on the ground with His finger, probably each of their names beside their latest sin!

The rest of the chapter is this beautiful banter: the Jews trying to trap Jesus into blasphemy, and Jesus deliberately baiting them. When it came down to “my father/your father,” Jesus set up His clincher by mentioning He had hung out with their father Abraham. When they responded with You are not yet fifty years old...and you have seen Abraham? Jesus came back with this zinger - wait for it, I tell you the truth...before Abraham was born, I am (8:57,58).  I love that line!

“Lord, I’ve questioned You before and You have always been patient with me. But I do trust You, knowing You are the Great I Am, the eternal One who knows all, sees all, from beginning to end!”