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” (17:5-8).

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!”

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.