This is proving to be one of my most active weeks in recent months. I had  a breakfast meeting this morning and then came home and took a nap. That was actually my first one in three days, which is a little unusual. I find myself evaluating any remaining Myasthenia Gravis affects on my body. This is the nuro-muscular disorder that can impact my level of energy and create fatigue. I was able to get back to work in my home office and then get a good work out in this afternoon at the fitness center.

Tomorrow I plan on attending an event in the morning and then traveling to Denver for an appointment. I’m glad the weather has continued to cooperate.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Those who are sure of themselves do not talk all the time. People who stay calm have real insight. After all, even fools may be thought wise and intelligent if they stay quiet and keep their mouths shut.” Proverbs 17:27

I like this Proverb. Perhaps it is because of my political background. Perhaps it is because I do enjoy conversation. (It seems these words relate more to using words in relationship, than just in conversation.) It is interesting to survey number of verses of Proverbs scattered throughout the book that have to do with “words.” You will find reference to thoughtful, kind, wicked, wise, friendly, pleasant, misleading, seductive…words. Proverbs talks about the “words of the wise” and the “words of the fool.” We find Proverbs about the impact and importance of words.

I believe what you find is that “words reveal.” How we use our words, in quantity and quality can say something about our lives. Is our focus on others or ourselves? Do our words attempt to constantly impress, or are our words designed to show that, ” I am right and you are wrong.”

Consider Proverbs 18:1,2, “People who do not get along with others are interested only in themselves; they will disagree with what everyone else knows is right.A fool does not care whether he understands a thing or not; all he wants to do is show how smart he is.”

We find the New Testament contains several admonitions about our words as well. For example, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:6)  “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” (Ephesians 4:29) The Book of James contains some straight forward comments about the irony and importance of the “tongue.” (James 3:1-12) James says, “the tongue must be tamed” because it sets the direction of our life and reveals the inward nature of the heart.

Jesus Himself spoke of how words reveal when He said, “…For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”  (Luke 6:45) All of this calls us to the daily challenge to evaluate how we use our words. Do they hurt or heal? Do they tear down, or build up? Do they show wisdom or foolishness? That is why our constant prayer needs to be,  “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14)

Yesterday was a busy day for me without any rest time. I felt fatigued this morning, but I seemed to recover as I moved through my day. I did have some appointments today as well and did go to the fitness center for my weekly meeting with my trainer. I enjoyed another day of warmer than normal temps for this time of the year. It is great to live in Colorado.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…   Satan replied, “Would Job worship you if he got nothing out of it? … The Lord gave, and now he has taken away. May his name be praised!” Job 1:9,21

Pastor Park Sutton reviewed the response of Job to the losses of his life during our Tuesday morning devotional. I found his words most challenging. One of the issues he pointed out was the timing of dealing with the loss of everything about his life. Before being able to handle the grief of the magnitude of his loss of possession and family, he faces the physical attack that creates unbearable pain.

The test of these attacks is to prove whether Job serves God because of what he has or in spite of what he has. The bottom line everyone must deal with at some point is, “why do I serve God?” What would it take for you to “walk away from your faith?” I recall meeting a man during my years as a pastor who felt that “God wasn’t delivering.” For him, Christ’s death on the cross for our sins was nice, but not enough to keep his devotion. Unfortunately, there are many who take that attitude when the expectations and circumstances of life don’t materialize.

In Job we learn that it is not just a matter of faith and trust, but one of integrity and our view of  God. Job’s wife taunted him with the words, “are you still holding on to your integrity?” Concerning Job’s response we read, “In spite of everything that had happened, Job did not sin by blaming God….Even in all this suffering Job said nothing against God.” (Job. 1:22;2:10)

I reminded of the words of Habakkuk 3:17,18  “Even though the fig trees have no fruit and no grapes grow on the vines, even though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no grain, even though the sheep all die and the cattle stalls are empty,I will still be joyful and glad, because the Lord God is my savior.” How many “even thoughs” could happen in your life and your response be “I will still be joyful and glad, because God is my savior.”

I like the words of Romans 12:1 in the Living Bible, “I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living sacrifice, holy—the kind he can accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?”

Our response to the Lord is to be based on what He has done for us and not what we get in return. I am thankful for the provisions of God’s blessings and His promise to provide for our needs and to care for us in all situations. But when the times come when those benefits are tested, our heart is revealed as to our true motives and expectations.

What a beautiful January day here in Colorado with temperatures in the high 50’s. Debbie and I attended the 11:30 a.m. service this morning at Timberline Church. Today was the annual “U-Count” focus, which brings awareness and support to combat sex trafficking in our community and around the world. Congratulations to Bonnie Northrop for her vision and Beth Bruno for her efforts (along with a host of volunteers) to bring focused support to what is becoming a growing awareness of need in our state and local communities. (www.ucountcampaign.org/)

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  “He [the Priest] shall take some of the oil that is in the palm of his hand and some of the blood of the lamb and put them on the lobe of the right ear, on the thumb of the right hand, and on the big toe of the right foot of the one of you to be declared ritually clean.He shall put the rest of the oil that is in the palm of his hand on your head. In this way he shall perform the ritual of purification.” (Leviticus 14:14,17,18)

The Book of Leviticus is not the source of a lot of sermons. I recall a missionary friend who said he, “loved preaching Leviticus.” He is the only minister that I have heard say that. Often Leviticus is a Book the many stumble over in their commitment to read through the Bible.

But it is an important Book in understanding God’s holiness and rituals that would form acceptable worship and relationship to God; as well as practical guidelines to protect the health and well being of the people. The verses above come from instructions on how an individual with a “skin disease”, who has been excluded from the temple and isolated from others, becomes recognized as clean and prepared to enter back into the community.

In the past of my reading through the Bible I recall, but glossed over the reference to the blood and oil being applied to the right ear, thumb and toe. But this time it caught my attention. What is the significance?

What is of interest is that this is not a common form of “ritual cleansing” for violating other laws or for ritualistic cleansing. It is, interestingly, mentioned as part of the ordination of Aaron and his sons as Priests.

 ^“Then he [Moses] brought Aaron’s sons forward and put some of the blood on the lobes of their right ears, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet.” Leviticus 8:24

I did find one commentary source that confirmed my thoughts on why these three parts of the body were of significance. The brief summary was, “These actions symbolize the consecration of the priests’ hearing from God, the work (of their hands) for God, and their walk with God.”

Leprosy was viewed as a judgment from God. We see that when Miriam opposed Moses she was struck with Leprosy. When Elisha’s servant lied to Naaman and took gifts he was not suppose to, he was stricken with leprosy.  Leprosy resulted in people being outcasts and came to represent the outward evidence of the inward mark of sin in a person’s life.

As a result, when the “curse” was removed the individual went through a ritualistic cleansing that involved the blood the the sacrifice and anointing oil being applied to the right ear, thumb and toe. This person was not only acceptable to God and received back into the congregation, but it seems that they were commissioned with a special call for their life. What they heard and allowed into their mind, what they did and how they lived was to honor God. From this day on they were dedicated to the Lord.

That application to the life of follower of Christ is significant. Peter put it in these words, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

Paul admonished those who follow Christ, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light..” (Eph. 5:) The command and practical words of Paul’s that show true change in a life are these, “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” (Eph. 4:28)

The blood of the lamb represented cleansing and the oil represented consecration. That is what our life represents when our sins are forgiven and we follow Christ in a new life. Forgiven and consecrated. Clean and filled with purpose. “The old is gone and the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

May what is graphically and ritualistically pictured in the Old Testament, become the reality in your life today. A new life; incorporated into the community of faith all because of the sacrifice of Christ (the Lamb of God) and the mark of the Holy Spirit      (symbolized by the oil of consecration). Remember,

“… he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” (2 Corinthians 5:15)

I arrived home later last night, after a lengthy, put productive HOA Board Meeting.  This morning I was able to get in a morning workout at the fitness center before an appointment this afternoon about some health care legislation the impacts rural and under-served areas.

It was good to connect with my friend Glenn Vaad. Glenn is a former State Representative. He has one of the greatest resumes of public service of anyone that I know. He currently serves on the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Confidence placed in riches comes to nothing.”  (Proverbs 11:7)  “I have confidence in your strength; you are my refuge, O God.”  (Psalm 59:9)

What gives you confidence in life? Is it your abilities, money, health, connections or something else? Confidence in life can be one of the most important attributes that we have for a fulfilling life. But where we place our confidence is all important. There are so many areas that are faulty when it comes to a foundation of confidence. One that Solomon points to is “riches.” It has been observed that “money is a good servant, but a harsh taskmaster.”  Paul the Apostle told Timothy that a misplaced affection for money can bring about all kinds of evil and be hazardous to faith.

“…the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

Jesus was very clear in stating that, “you cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24) He also asked, “what does it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, yet loses his soul?” (Mark 8:36)

The Lord calls us to place our full confidence for living in Him. That is why David could declare, “I have confidence in your strength…” and “I am confident I will see the LORD’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.” (Psalm 27:13) It is out of faith and trust in the Lord that Paul could state, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

Solomon sums it up well when he says, “…you can put confidence in someone who is trustworthy.” (Proverbs 11:13) There is no one more trustworthy than the Lord. He never changes, He is always the same. That is why the song writer of old could declare, “my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus Christ and righteousness…on Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand…”

Today I attend the memorial service for Pastor Bill Beard. Bill grew up in Loveland and spent some of his key years of pastoral ministry at the Loveland Assembly of God. It was good to hear the eulogies of his children and the difference that he made in his primary task, that of being a Godly father. I must admit it is always disconcerting when you attend a funeral of someone who is not that far from your own age.

When I was at Liberty Commons High School Tuesday night Bob Schaffer told me how people contacted him when I was in the hospital and said, “you better go see Ken, he may not make!” He went on to say,  “before I knew it you were getting better.” I told his students, “I was more popular when I was near death.”

By the way, yesterday day during my therapy, I walked about 280 feet with my walker without stopping. That is in contrast to last year at this time last year at this time, when I took my first fledgling, baby steps with a walker.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Lord, will you at this time give the Kingdom back to Israel?”Jesus said to them, “The times and occasions are set by my Father’s own authority, and it is not for you to know when they will be. But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  Acts 1:6-8 (GNB)

As I read these verses of Acts chapter 1, my attention was drawn to the contrast between the disciples question and Jesus priority for them. Their question was not bad. I’m sure it was on the front of everyone’s mind. They wanted to know “what next” or “now what?”

Jesus responded by telling them what would happen next, what their priority should be. As He promised He would send the Holy Spirit to be with them forever and to empower them to share the good news with the whole word. That charge remains to this day, even amidst the same question the disciples ask two thousand years ago, “Lord when are you coming back?” “Is now the time?”

Questions about the return of Christ have been asked since the day of Jesus. Jesus on one occasion told His disciples, in speaking of His return, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matthew 24:36)

But I want to challenge you to consider what we “want to know” versus “what we are given to know.” We want to know, “will our kids turn out “alright”? The Bible gives parents instructions on how to love, train and raise Godly children. (Sometimes that question about our children isn’t answered until they have children of their own.)

We want to know “what does the future hold?” And the Lord just assures us the He “holds tomorrow” and if we will trust in Him He will guide and direct our lives. He gives us insight into His Word about His plan, even though all the “what ifs, hows and whens” are not addressed.

We want to know “is my financial future secure?” And the Lord reminds us that “He is our provider.” He is the One who “knows how to take care of His own.”

Perhaps there are other “want to know” questions you can think of. The bottom line is, we believe that “if we know” we can handle it. That is why the “why” question is so common in times of grief and tragedy. But our seeking after knowledge undermines faith and trust. Also, it is important to remember that so much of our personal lives and future is impacted by our decisions and by that which is out of our control.

The bottom line is don’t worry, obsess or be filled with anxiety about your life, God’s plan for the world and the future. Instead focus on what the Lord does want you to know. Stay focused on His Word, your daily trust in Him and “He will direct your steps” and give you a “peace that passes all understanding.”