January 9 - Say it Again!

 Read today’s texts first: Genesis 23-24; Luke 9

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

Even when you can’t bear saying or hearing the
same thing, God’s Word bears repeating!

Sometimes I’m amazed at what God chose to include in His Word.  Why inspire such a long chapter (24) on finding Isaac a wife?  What stood out to me was how Abraham’s servant repeated everything Abraham had said to him back to Rebekah’s family in minute detail.  Part of those instructions suggested that Isaac’s future wife would distinguish herself by her ready response to return with him.  This would be an unusual response.  What girl in her right mind would leave the security of her family to go to a strange land with a strange man to be married to someone she has never met.

If I were the servant, I would know from the onset that such an unnatural response would have to be inspired by God alone.  On several occasions when God has asked me to do things beyond my abilities, I have intentionally maintained a low profile so as not to interfere with His work or steal the glory when His work is done.  During the course of the college capital campaign I learned that sometimes God requires more of me.  Now that I’ve matured enough to realize that I can do nothing of eternal significance without God, I just may be ready to take a more active role in partnering with Him in the process.

I’m discovering the importance of repeating to others what God has shown me.  In the past, I used to keep these things to myself, not wanting to be a young Joseph who found himself sold into slavery by some jealous brothers.  Sometimes I get tired of listening to myself, but I’ve come to realize that if I don’t keep on telling the story, people may miss out on what God wants to do through them.  This same leadership principle applies to evangelism.  May I never tire of telling others the good news.  It’s worth saying again and again.

“Lord, today I ask for the strength and creativity to keep telling others what You are telling me.  And when I’m not supposed to talk, can You let me know, just as You did with Your disciples during uniquely sensitive times (9:21).”

January 8 - “Wo-Man!”

 Read today’s texts first: Genesis 20-22; Luke 8

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

A good “woman” can keep her man healthy and happy
by saying at the right time: “Whoa-man!”

The obvious stories in these chapters (ie. Abe’s ultimate test of obedience) have always drawn my attention away from some of the subplots.  One of those underlying themes is the influence women have in the lives of two dominant men: Abraham and Jesus.  Sarai, true to the meaning of her name, had her spats with Abe.  But even though God changed her name from Sarai to Sarah, from “quarrelsome” to “princess,” you don’t see a clear shift in her character.  I used to think Abe gave in because Sarah was a looker, even at 90 (at least Abimilech thought so!).  But I noticed that God often took her side even when, what seemed to be a jealous and mean-spirited request, Sarah asked Abe to “cast out” Hagar and her son Ishmael (21:12).  It seemed like Sarah, at key times, actually spoke for God and helped balance Abe’s one-sided perspective.

Jesus also gave extraordinary attention to the women in His life.  Luke 8 mentions Mary Magdalene, His mother Mary, and the woman who interrupted Him on the way to heal Jairus’s daughter.  In each case, and throughout His ministry, Jesus always honoured women, even when the culture and the training He grew up with devalued their status.

My own wife has brought balance to my life and ministry.  There have been many times I’ve questioned her requests, quite prepared to dismiss them as unreasonable and overemotional.  You know what I’m talking about guys – typical women stuff!  But right now, I’m reflecting on how grateful I am to God for giving me such an insightful, thoughtful woman.  Recently I advised a seasoned pastor’s wife to make sure her husband, in his recently added ministry assignment, doesn’t become a workaholic.  This is exactly what Jan has done for me.  I know I could easily become consumed with the ministry if it wasn’t for her perspective.  She keeps me feeling healthy and enjoying life by telling me to “Whoa-man!”

“Lord, thank you for finding me a wife and other peer mentors who balance my life.  Help me to stay attentive to them and honour them.  If I do, I just may last longer and finish stronger.”

January 7 - God Always Has the Last Laugh

 Read today’s texts first: Genesis 18 &19; Psalms 3; Luke 7

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

God’s got our back, even if He’s laughing behind it! 

God does have a sense of humour.  We know it because we love to laugh, and we are created in His image.  We also know it because of the subtle, sly comments Jesus exchanges with the characters in the Bible.  Like Abe and Sarah, for example.  When Sarah heard the last version of the promise that she and Abe would bear a child, she was pushing 90 and even back then that was well beyond possible.  She knew it was Jesus Himself (we know this is a Christophony because He is called “Lord”) who showed up at her tent flap with the news, but she still laughed, if only to herself.  Jesus, who hears everything, even if it’s unspoken, asked Abe on the side “why did Sarah laugh?”  After Sarah denied it, He came back with a “did too!”  When Isaac was born, God had the last laugh – the name Isaac means “laughter!”

No wonder David in Psalm 3 could include the God-scoffing comments of his adversaries – he had enough experience with lions and giants and bears (oh my!) to know God would be the last one laughing!   The same theme comes out in the encounters Jesus has with the skeptical Pharisees in Luke 7.

We really don’t have to worry about the response of people around us when we represent Jesus to them.  He’s got our back even if He’s laughing behind it.  The only thing we’ve got to worry about is when we don’t take God’s Word or promises seriously.  The things He’s told us may border on the ridiculous, in terms of believability, but we need to trust and obey – no kidding!

“Lord, forgive me for laughing when I’m faced with absurd challenges and help me to remember that as You help me through them, you deserve the last laugh!”

January 6 - Finishing Sentences

 Read today’s texts first: Genesis 15-17; Luke 6

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

God may be slower than we think He should be,
but He’s always right on time! 

While attending a Leadership Conference in Bend, Oregon, I stayed with a fascinating retired surgeon named Carl.  He told me the story of when he went to pick up his Swiss Mountain Dog in Switzerland. The dog’s breeder, who had no knowledge of Carl’s last name, guessed he was related to the Swiss “Berner” family because he was a slow talker.  Apparently, it was a long-term family trait, and sure enough, Carl’s last name is Berner.  He told us that people typically tend to finish his sentences, and, to my chagrin, I realized that’s exactly what I had been doing the whole time he was talking.

I do the same thing with God.  Sometimes I think God doesn’t talk to me as often or as fast as He should.  So, I finish His sentences or guess what He might say to me next, just to keep things moving. 

Abe had the same problem, but he had better reason than I ever have.  God had lapses of ten, then fourteen years between His promises to Abe of a future family.  Abe and Sarai were old already and getting older every day.  The Winnie-the-pooh wallpaper in their nursery was peeling off the walls.  No wonder Abe tried to help God out by suggesting that his servant Eliezer could be his heir (15:2,3).  When God reminded him that his son would be biological, he tried to speed things up with Sarai’s handmaid, Hagar (16:3&4).  What disasters happen when we finish God’s sentences!

Fast forward to Luke and we read Christ’s Sermon on the Mount.  The bottom line for getting this incredible message is found in the last three verses (47-49).  If we hear and act on His words, our lives will be rock solid.  No storms we face in the future can shake us off that solid foundation.  But if we give up on His promises, try to renegotiate or rewrite them, we will have a bad fall.  Our winter, spring and summer won’t be that great either, until we climb back on that rock.  God may be slower than we think he should be, but He’s always right on time (test His prophetic knowledge of future events – 15:13). 

“Lord, build in me the kind of patient faith that settles on Your word and Your will, before, after and between Your promises. You don’t need me to finish Your sentences.”

January 5 - Rest Stops on the Road of Life

 Read today’s texts first: Genesis 12-14; Luke 5

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

• If we never step outside our comfort zones we’ll never learn to live by faith!
• The only true “Comfort Zone” is in the center of “the Comforter’s” will.  Are you “in the zone?”

I’ve often travelled across the U.S. on tour with my students.  Eventually we would get around to a discussion about washrooms (Canadian) vs. restrooms (American).  My arguments defend the Canadian expression for its dignity (better to point out the washing part than the activity preceding) and accuracy (you don’t go to a washroom to rest!).  On the highways, though, “rest stops” do include the resting component.  Interestingly enough, today’s readings in both the Old and New Testaments include references to following God’s call and resting periodically along the way.

Abe took a big step into the unknown, packing up his family and friends and heading to the “promised land.”  Jesus and His disciples made a similar sized commitment.  They all left comfortable stations in life to venture where no man had gone before.  What drove their decision was simple obedience to God’s call.  From most everyone I talk to, this seems to be God’s modus operandi – He likes to challenge us to live outside of our own resources.  Something about faith, I presume.

The other common theme from these two accounts, though less obvious, is the need to rest, remember, and recharge our faith – rest stops along the road of life.  For Abraham it was Bethel (12:8; 13:3,4), where he built an altar to God.  This is where he often returned to rest and remember what God had said to bring him to this place in life.  Jesus did the same thing, though not always to the same place because of His itinerate ministry.  It’s a passing comment in Luke 5 (16), but this theme is often repeated in the gospels.  We tend to overlook its importance, in the Bible stories as well as in our own life.  Let’s face it, resting isn’t very glamorous – there are no sermons, miracles, or testimonies to report.  The subtle truth is, though, you won’t hang in there long enough nor have enough power to preach the sermons, perform the miracles, or hear any testimonies without those essential times of renewal!

“Lord, I often like to take risks and stay busy for you.  I think I’m speeding down the road of life, covering a lot of ground, and performing great exploits along the way.  The truth is I’m actually moving quite slow, operating well below the faith limit.  Please remind me this year to take advantage of rest stops along the way, to renew my call and tap into your power.  If Abe and even Jesus needed it, I do too!”

January 4 - Truth is in the Details!

                      Read today’s texts first: Genesis 9-11; Luke 4

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

• Those who believe in “relative truth” are not in the family, therefore their truth is not “relative,” relevant or real.
• Politicians can’t say it, but I can – Jesus is the only way! 

I remember visiting with a retired couple from a liberal church background and listening to their collection of favourite sayings.  One stayed with me because it captures a prevailing philosophy of our day: “whatever you believe is true is true!”  So many people today are combining their fascination of religious syncretism with the current craze of politically correct tolerance.  The end result is relative truth.

Today our Bible reading measures that concept.  Genesis 9-11 includes the Table of Nations – not exactly page turning stuff!  One wonders why God included these tedious details so early in His Book.  Most writers typically throw in their best stories near the beginning to hook readers.  But not so with God.  When I encourage students to start a Bible reading plan each new year, this is usually where I lose them.  What I say to them is – God is into details.  This history of the nations has been 99% verified through extrabiblical sources.  That is remarkable!  The accounts we just read of creation and the flood also have their parallels in almost every ancient culture.  The details are incredibly similar, and where different, the Bible shines as the most credible.

Why is it important that God’s Word be so full of historical detail?  The answer is - so it can be examined and substantiated as true.  It’s this credibility that makes it possible for Jesus, in Luke 4, to dismiss the artful lies of His enemy with the powerful words, “It is written…”!  There is a source of absolute Truth.  It’s Jesus and His Word.   And while our politicians can’t say it, I can – Jesus is the only way.  Buddha, Confucius, the Dali Lama, and Mohammed may claim to speak truth, but they’re not in the Family.  Their “truth” is therefore not “relative,” relevant, or real!  The Truth is in the details.

“Lord, so often we embrace Your general truth, but let the bundle of day-to-day specifics slip from our grasp.  This year I need to major in the minors, care for the details, and discover how real Truth is lived in the everyday decisions of my life.  It is written!”

January 3 - Hanging for a Hundred Years

 Read today’s texts first: Genesis 6-8; Luke 3

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

• Living in a microwave-popcorn, instant-pudding world, we’ve lost perspective on true patience & faithfulness.
• We are a generation of the spiritually A.D.H.D.

Noah was 500 years old (5:32) when the Lord decided he had passed the faithfulness test.  He obviously knew it would take a while yet for Noah to finish the ark, because He numbered man’s time left on earth at 120 years (6:3).  Noah finished ahead of schedule in only 100 years and was ready for the rain when he turned 600 (7:6).  Bill Cosby described this eon of confusion well: “rain, sure God – what’s rain!”  It’s hard to imagine building a 450 ft. ark for 100 years without knowing why or worse yet, what’s rain, what’s a flood, and what’s an ark!  Then there’s the nosy neighbours asking the same questions and poor Noah still not knowing all the answers.

I’m sure the same doubts swirled around the prophecies of the Messiah, from Isaiah (Luke 3:4-6) to John the Baptist, with all the scoffers in between.  Yet, you can see the generations of faithful believers, who believed without knowing everything, leading up to the moment Jesus arrived on the scene to bring sense to it all (23-38).

With examples like this, how can we get discouraged if we haven’t heard from God in a week!  Living in a microwave-popcorn instant-pudding world, we’ve lost perspective on true patience and faithfulness. We are a generation of the spiritually A.D.H.D., easily distracted from the narrow path of obedience if there aren’t road signs every few feet.

“Lord, may I have the patience of Job, or better yet, Noah, today, this week, and the rest of my life (even if I live to 100!) to do what You ask, even if I don’t fully understand what I’m doing or why, and even if the people around me think I’m all wet.  I want to press on knowing that someday the gumboot may be on the other foot!”