June 16 - The Peace of Christ Rules

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Kings 17-19; Colossians 2

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

God’s still, small voice is better
than a concert with Earth, Wind & Fire! 

Again we see our NT reading illustrated by our OT reading. Paul is warning the Colossian church to ignore “unspiritual” false teachers who try to change behaviour from the outside in, rather than from the inside out (2:16-23). Adding human rules, or enforcing external disciplines, may modify our actions for the short term, but for the long-term, we must change the heart (parents often learn this the hard way). It’s the difference between being “conformed” and being “transformed” (Rom. 12:1). 

Paul is clear: Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence (2:23). If we sneak ahead to tomorrow’s reading (sorry, I’ve read ahead in the past so I know what’s coming), we’ll discover what does work: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts .... Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (3:15,16). Tuning in to God’s Spirit brings about transformation and lasting change.

Elijah learned this, even before it was possible for God’s Spirit to live inside of us. I love these stories of Elijah, the power prophet. He specialized in the spectacular, endless food during droughts, raising a widow’s son from the dead, taking on and taunting the 450 prophets of Baal, calling down fire from heaven, then making rain fall on command.

But when things didn’t go his way, Elijah, like Moses, was given to extremes, “Kill me now!” (Actually Moses said that; Elijah said “take my life” - 19:4). So because Elijah was like Moses (they have since become buddies - check out the transfiguration - Matt. 17:3), God told him to climb Mt. Horeb, which is the same as Mt. Sinai, where Moses had his power encounter with God.

But in this moment, God decides to give us a foreshadowing of the way He will eventually lead His people, from the inside out, through His still, small voice. For contrast, He starts with a concert of “Earth, Wind, and Fire:” the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice (19:11,12).

"Lord, while I sometimes wish for a power encounter with You, I know that I learn more about intimacy, trust, and lasting change by listening to Your still, small voice, whispering within my spirit.”

June 15 - If We Continue

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Kings 16; 2 Chronicles 15,16; Colossians 1

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

“The Lord is with you when you are with Him.” 

As we begin Paul’s letter to the church of Colossae, we are reminded of the power of Christ’s completed work, but also of the importance of our free will. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation - if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel (1:21-23). The words “if you continue” are determinative.

Our parallel readings in the Old Testament vividly illustrate this dichotomy. The Kings account gives us insight into Israel’s history with all its instability, king after king, each worse than the one before, from Basha, to Elah, to Zimri, to Omri, to Ahab, all within one chapter, just 12 years (from the end of Basha’s reign to the beginning of Ahab’s, with some overlap).  The catch phrase we see after each one is he did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him did (16:30).

Meanwhile, in 2 Chronicles, we read about Judah’s history during this upheaval in Israel. One king, Asa, who followed God closely for most of his life, ruled peacefully for 36 years. Azariah the prophet told Asa, The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you (15:2). True to his promise, God blessed Asa and all of Judah for the full 36 years he sought God’s will.

But for the last five years of his reign he ignored God, turning instead to a heathen king for protection (16:7,8). He didn’t even turn back to God when he contracted a severe foot disease (16:12). Asa is a classic example of a man who was godly for most of his life, but in the later stages did not finish well. 

“Lord, Your Word says that the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him (16:9). I want that to be said of me right up to the end of my life here on earth!”

June 14 - I Can Do It!

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Kings 15; 2 Chronicles 13,14; Philippians 4

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

The true sign of maturity is not self-sufficiency
but realizing our sufficiency is in God. 

We try to teach our children and their children how to be self-sufficient. That’s a good thing, right? Well it is to a point. I remember cleaning the house, top to bottom, with three young grand kids who were trying to help. Now that’s a classic case of counter-productivity, or more accurately, an exercise in futility! We followed behind them as they cleaned, removing their fingerprints from everything they touched. We also reminded ourselves, although it is more work for us, they are learning to do things for themselves.

The problem is, we also need to teach them how to be dependent on God, at least for the important things in life. They will still have to clean their own bedrooms and eventually their own houses, but for cleaning up their neighbourhoods and their own hearts, they will always need God’s help. It’s good to teach our kids and grand kids to work, pay and play, but even better to pray. And to read their Bibles. Philippians 4:13 is worth teaching them. It has that important “I can do all things” theme that we see in so many kid’s books and TV shows, but with an important addendum: “through Christ who strengthens me!”

Someone should have taught this to Jeroboam. He was such an accomplished military commander that he thought he no longer needed God’s help. When Abijah came at him with half the troops he had and less than half his experience, he was confident they would prevail. In fact, he even threw in the tried and true pincer movement. He must have been laughing at Abijah’s incompetence, allowing his meager army to be surrounded. But he forgot to account for the “God who strengthens them” part.

And when Judah looked around, to their surprise the battle line was at both front and rear; and they cried out to the Lord, and the priests sounded the trumpets. Then the men of Judah gave a shout; and as the men of Judah shouted, it happened that God struck Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah (13:14,15).

“Lord, I can do it, but only with Your help. The true sign of maturity is not self-sufficiency but realizing my sufficiency is in You.”

June 13 - Those Who Are Mature

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Kings 13,14; 2 Chronicles 12; Philippians 3

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

The world thinks of maturity as realizing our
independence and self-sufficiency.
The opposite is true in God’s Kingdom. 

The mark of maturity is humility. Younger, or older but immature, leaders tend to overcompensate for their insecurities.  Like Rehoboam and Jeroboam, they proudly assert themselves without regard or respect for their followers. We see the same negative traits in the false teachers Paul exposes in his letter to the Philippians (3:2,18-20). But the example of Paul in chapter 3 (4-17), and, better yet, the example of Jesus in chapter 2 (1-11), shows us how mature leaders will model genuine humility. The more we mature, the more humble dependence on God will define our life and our leadership.

Unfortunately, an immature, self-centered leader will hurt more than themselves. We can see how Jeroboam brought his entire kingdom, the ten northern tribes of Israel, under oppression because of his rash decision to create idols: And He will give Israel up because of the sins Jeroboam has committed and has caused Israel to commit (14:16).

The same happened to Judah under Rehoboam: This is what the Lord says, “You have abandoned me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak”. The one difference was repentance. Rehoboam and his leaders realized their mistakes: The leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, “The Lord is just.” When the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, this word of the Lord came to Shemaiah: “Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance.” (12:6,7).

The world thinks of maturity as realizing our independence and self-sufficiency. The opposite is true in God’s Kingdom. Real maturity isn’t evident until there is complete dependence on God and an unwavering reliance on God’s sufficiency. “Lord, I have finally learned how insufficient I am on my own. As an official senior citizen, I may be finally growing up!”

June 12 - Selfish Ambition

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10,11; Philippians 2

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 History will only stop repeating itself

when we learn from the mistakes of others. 

If only Rehoboam could have read Philippians 2, or at least had seen the example of Jesus, before splitting God’s chosen people into two competing nations. But wait, we have the completed Bible today and we do the same thing as Rehoboam, over and over again. Pastors, exercising selfish ambition to grow bigger and better ministries, are splitting churches on a daily basis around the world. The solution is so simple, and yet it seems so difficult for immature leaders.

Rehoboam’s first mistake was choosing to listen to the younger leaders instead of experienced elders. We now have a culture that embraces young leaders, with their new ideas and fresh approaches for reaching a changing world. That is a good thing! What is bad is marginalizing the past generation of leaders, dismissing their experience as irrelevant. Old guys like me have learned some invaluable lessons, usually the hard way. History will only stop repeating itself when we learn from the mistakes of others.

His second mistake was exacting sacrifice from his subjects without leading by example. It’s like politicians who promise fiscal restraint and then vote themselves a pay raise as soon as they are elected. And they wonder why they can’t get re-elected! Imagine how people would respond to a politician or pastor who leads the way in reducing spending by taking a personal cut in pay. Leaders who are willing to sacrifice and serve will earn the undying loyalty of their followers.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus (2:3-5).

“Lord, You led us all by Your example of humble service. You, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made [Yourself] nothing, taking the very nature of a servant (2:6,7). I should do no less.”

June 11 - Love Songs

 Read today’s texts first: Song of Solomon 5-8; Philippians 1

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

God created sex, made it pleasurable
and called the marriage bed undefiled. 

I’m not naturally inclined towards poetry. I do like words, so I can rip a rhyme when called upon, but I have trouble understanding or appreciating modern prose with no rhythm or rhyme. The poetry of Solomon’s day is even farther outside my comfort zone. The images seem strange, as you can see from the attached drawing based on Solomon’s descriptions of his “beautiful wife,” Abishag. I don’t think I’ll include any of these verses in my anniversary card to Jan. It’s hard to believe Solomon was a smooth-talking ladies’ man!

But what is worthwhile noting from Song of Solomon is its unique theme. This book’s inclusion in the biblical canon brings spiritual support to the beauty and purity of married love. Some think that Christianity condemns sex and sees it as a necessary evil only for the purposes of procreation. But God created sex, He made it pleasurable, and He called the marriage bed undefiled (Heb. 13:4). Solomon’s graphic description of his lover and their love-making helps us appreciate our spouses and the deep intimacy that can only be found in a godly marriage. Now that’s something I can write in my wife’s card.

“Lord, thank You for the gift of marriage in general and, in particular, my wonderful marriage to Jan.

 I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine” (6:3).

June 10 - Serving the Lord

 Read today’s texts first: Songs of Solomon 1-4; Ephesians 6

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

When what we do is for the Lord,
every task in our day takes on significance. 

The closing words of Ephesians summarizes our calling as believers:  Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men (6:7). The word “vocation” (4:1 KJV) refers to a calling (same root as “vocal”). It can apply to any career, from presidents to pastors to party planners to pipe-fitters. Because you are working for God, not just men, your duties go far beyond planning parties or fitting pipes. You are on assignment as a representative of God and His Kingdom wherever and with whomever you work!

When we choose to live a life worthy of the calling you’ve received (4:1 NIV) we will experience the promises that fill this God-inspired letter. We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing, chosen to be holy and blameless, predestined to be adopted, redeemed by His blood, forgiven, lavished with grace, given wisdom and understanding, made aware of the mystery of his will, chosen according to his plan, and marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit - and that’s just the first half of chapter one.

I love my job. It’s very different from my work during the previous 40 years, but it feels as meaningful as anything I’ve ever done. When what we do is for the Lord, every task in our day takes on significance. Our life stands in stark contrast to the meaninglessness of a life lived without God, described by Solomon in the book we just finished. When we serve God instead of men, He gets involved in our daily routine. The ordinary takes on extraordinary proportions.

Recently we had one of those moments. A woman was sent to our facility from a hospital without any family history that we could confirm. While her words sounded coherent, her medical condition made it difficult for her and for us to separate the truth from her imagination. After prayer with her and each other, a random person walked in, for a completely unrelated reason. “Coincidentally” while touring our facility, she saw the woman and exclaimed, “that's my sister!” These miraculous moments happen often when we work for God!

“Lord, I love working for You. You are my Lord, my God, and my Boss!”