This morning I spoke at Glad Tidings Church in Greeley. It was another opportunity to share my story and encourage people in the challenges of life that they may be experiencing. It was a special treat for Debbie and me to reconnect with our friends John and Linda Harris. We have known John and Linda and their family for years and they served with us for a time when were at Dakota Ridge Church in Littleton.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Behold, the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your salvation comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.” And they shall be called The Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord; and you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.” Isaiah 62:11,12 ESV

When many read the Old Testament, they just see the harshness and judgment of a Holy God. The more I read the Old Testament, I see the mercy and longsuffering of a God who works in behalf of His people.

God could have been much more severe with His people than what we see. Instead, what we observe in the ages past is what we see in the present; God allows us to experience the natural consequences of our own actions. When God’s people rejected the Lord, they lost their way and would be over-run by their enemies. When they sought the Lord and put Him first they would be victorious and secure. It is unfortunate that they failed to understand the connection and were so easily drawn away in times of peace and prosperity.

Isaiah is a prophecy about salvation. We not only see the reference to the salvation of God’s people as a nation, but we see the promise of salvation from the “sin that wars against the soul” through a coming Messiah and Savior.

We see it in verses like, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6 ESV)

Verses like, “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live…” (Isaiah 55:1-3 ESV)

Then we see the promise of the Lord’s salvation in Chapter 62. The Lord taking action to show Himself faithful to His unfaithful people. We see the promise of restoration. The Lord is coming not with a sword to destroy, but as a triumph King who rewards. He turns the condition and destiny of His people on its head. From captivity and a loss of home and identity, the Lord declares His people as a “…Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord…Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.”

As the Apostle Paul declared salvation available to those who “call on the name of the Lord” he quotes several Old Testament verses including Isaiah’s words,  “I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.” (Romans 10:20 NIV)

We can read in Revelation words that echo back to Isaiah of old, “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me…..” (Revelation 22:12 NIV) Revelation 19 reveals the resurrected Christ as the “rider on the white horse” coming in the clouds with the “armies of heaven” to bring about His final salvation to the earth.

Regardless of what is taking place in our world today. Regardless of what we see, it does not negate the plan and purposes of God that are taking place and will be fulfilled in their proper time.

Paul declared of Jesus birth, “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law…” (Galatians 4:4 NIV) We can have confidence that at the “right time” God will signal His  Son to return to bring a final salvation to the world. Those who acknowledge Him like God’s people of old will be know as, “…Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord…[those] Not Forsaken.”

Prayer for today….. Lord thank You that You do act in response to the cries of Your people. But allow us to remember that You act as well by Your sovereign will and plan. Allow that to encourage us to be faithful to You regardless of what we see, knowing that You are a God of personal salvation and the One who is working out all things according to Your good purposes. 

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor;  he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord‘s favor…” Isaiah 61:1-2 ESV

These verses are familiar because they are the ones that Jesus read in the Temple at the beginning of His ministry. They are verses of hope and promise fulfilled. When Jesus read them they stirred controversy because after reading the scripture the first words of His “sermon” were, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21 NIV)

Instead of bringing celebration, those words brought scorn. The religious of Jesus’ day had their own ideas of how God would intervene and when. But not only that, it seems they were stuck in such a state of perpetual longing and anticipation that they couldn’t accept any good news or recognize the intervention of God in their midst.

God’s Spirit brings life, changes life, delivers, heals and fulfills hope. In these verses we see God’s Spirit is not for nice sounding words, it is action. Look at those who are the objects of God’s intervention. The poor, the brokenhearted, the captives and those who are bound. Those who are confronted with the most challenging circumstances of life can take hope and receive the Lord’s attention when God’s Spirit is alive and active through His “anointed” ones.

As New Testament believers, we have the opportunity to “follow in Jesus’ footsteps” and to do and make a priority His call and work. Those who are in need are the recipients of the Lord’s favor.

As we look at the verses of Isaiah 61, we see that the Lord’s favor restores and makes whole. It lifts up and rejuvenates. God’s Spirit and favor brings….comfort all who mourn; [it] grant[s]….a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;”

This takes place so that those who are poor, in prison, brokenhearted and bound “may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified…” (Isaiah 61:3 ESV) 

Talk about a reversal, a restoration, a divine intervention. From isolated and in need to having all needs met. From being despised and weak to “oaks of righteousness.” 

The result is that the Lord “may be glorified.” When restoration takes place in the lives of the needy it is for God’s glory. What happens is not by happenstance it is a result of God’s intervention that He might be glorified.

Prayer for today…. Lord thank You for the work of Your Spirit through Your “anointed ones” and in the lives of those who are in the greatest of need. We ask that You work in us and through us for Your glory. 

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, as you have said. Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.” Amos 5:14-15 ESV

The words of the prophet  Amos are powerful and compelling. They seem to strike at the heart of those who don’t know God or His ways. However, that is not the case. His words are to God’s people. They are to God’s people who had lost their way.

Over the course of time, compromise and complacency in obedience to the ways of the Lord, lead to being overtaken by the ways of the “world around.” The idolatry of the nations God’s people did not conquer, began to conquer them.  The clock of impending judgment was clicking.

The Lord calls an unlikely prophet named Amos. Amos was from Judah, but spoke to the northern tribes. He told King Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees.” (Amos 7:14 NIV) Once again we see God using an unlikely object of His mercy, grace and will.

Like Jonah of old preaching to Nineveh, Amos calls for a return to the Lord manifested in righteous living and justice in order to stay the hand of God.

Amos spoke to the evil of God’s people, “For I know how many are your transgressions and how great are your sins—you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and turn aside the needy in the gate.” (Amos 5:12 ESV)

The remedy to their situation was to STOP! It was a call to repent. To change the way they were acting. They were to seek good to hate evil to establish justice for all.

The assurance we have in the history of God’s people and in the whole of scripture is that the Lord is more willing to forgive and relent, then were are to seek Him, turn to Him and change our ways.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 ESV)

“God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.”  (2 Peter 3:9 CEV)

The Lord is seeking action, not empty words, or shallow worship. One of Amos’ final pleas is, “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (Amos 5:24 ESV)

We at times may “lose our way” but there is a path back, if we are willing to turn and return to the Lord and His ways.

Prayer for today…. Lord, thank you for your compassion and mercy. You call the wandering home and provide the path back to You. When we wander, help us to see the error of our ways and be quick to make the corrections that are needed.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.”   Luke 18:1 ESV

Perseverance is an important Christian virtue. We see it in Peter’s list of Christian virtues. “…make every effort to add to your faith, goodness….and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness….”  (2 Peter 2:5-6 NIV)

Hebrews declares, “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:36 NIV)

Jesus modeled consistency and persistence in prayer, He instructed His disciples in prayer and he tells them a parable about the importance of always praying and not “losing heart.”

Prayer can be a challenge for many. Consistency in prayer can be a challenge and being persistent in prayer and not becoming discouraged is all part of our life of prayer.

In the parable that Jesus tells he uses a story of human persistence. A widow who demanded justice from an unjust ruler. The woman’s persistence finally results in turning the heart of this insensitive ruler.

Jesus uses the parable to contrast how persistence  moved the heart of an unjust human ruler to help them understand that they need to continue to seek the their heavenly Father who is a willing and just God. One one occasion Jesus said, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11 NIV)

When it came to meeting their needs Jesus said, “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:31,32 NIV)

We need not be afraid to ask and we must not be afraid that our heavenly Father will treat us in an unjust manner. He will make sure that all of our needs are met as we trust in Him and seek Him.

So Jesus tells His disciples to “always” pray. It is important to pray about everything. That can often be a challenge in a rush to get things done, take action and be the one who controls our life and destiny. Paul’s advice, “Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything.” (Philippians 4:6 CEV)

Then we need to keep praying, yes even about the same thing. We can pray until the issue is resolved or the answer we seek is given. We see this in Jesus prayer in the garden, as He faced the cross. His simple repeated prayer was, “Let this cup pass from me, nevertheless they will be done.” (Matthew 26:39)

It is in this commitment to persistent prayer that it is easy to “lose heart.” That is what Jesus recognizes and that is what He is addressing in this parable. We don’t know the reason for the timing of answers to prayer. That is outside of our understanding, rationale or comprehension. We do know that we are to keep on praying and to resist the temptation to become discouraged and give up.

Keep mind this acrostic for the word, “PUSH” – Pray Until Something Happens.

Prayer for today….. Lord help us to pray consistently. Help us to prayer with perseverance. Help us to pray and not to give up or lose heart. May we be reminded that when we do our part, you are more than willing and faithful to do Your part.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?” Luke 16:10,11 ESV

The parable of the “Dishonest Manager” can be a difficult one to understand. This is because Jesus seems to commend the manager who was wasting his master’s possessions. The manager when he knew he would lose his job quickly had those who owed the landlord money reduce their bills in order to gain friends when he was without his job and on the “street.”

But what I notice in Jesus’ words is the value of consistency and establishing a “track record” that provides credibility and trust. In other words, you don’t change your character or your responsibility based on the level or the importance of the job or position.

Paul said, “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2 NIV) He did not put any parameters on the level of responsibility or the degree of trust given. The one who is faithful in little, will be faithful in much. If you can be faithful as a busboy you will be faithful as the restaurant manager.

I have seen this concept come up in one way or another over my life.

When I served on the education committee in the State House, it seemed the complaint was that teachers were not effective because they didn’t get paid enough. Once I asked (tongue-in-cheek) my fellow committee member, now US Senator, Cory Gardner, “How much do you need to pay a bad teacher to turn them into a good teacher?”

As I have worked on issues of poverty and homelessness, I have pointed out that giving more money to someone who is not responsible does not solve their financial problems. Just recently a friend told me of working with an individual who was experiencing financial problems and had to move from her home. He confided that it seemed, “she was her own worst enemy.” He went on and told me that at one point she had inherited $100,000 and a house, but that was “all gone.”

I remember the somewhat poetic words of my old high school baseball coach. Toward the end of his career he found himself working with a far different group of students than he had in the past. They seemed to have athletic talent, but their personal discipline was challenged and it showed up under the pressure of competition. The coach quipped, “I have found if a student can’t ‘bear down’ in the classroom, he won’t ‘bear down’ on the field.”

It has to do with reputation. It has to do with character. Does a person have a track record of consistency? If you are looking for someone to manage your finances you look for someone who has a track record of being faithful and successful in handling the finances of others. Do they treat the one with little the same as the one with much? Are they consistent, are they diligent?

If we look for faithfulness and consistency why wouldn’t we expect the same from the Lord? That is why we see in the parable of the talents the one who was unfaithful had his one talent given to the man who produced the greatest return.

I like the challenge of Solomon, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…” (Ecclesiastes 9:10 NIV)

Prayer for today…. Lord help us in our lives to be consistent and persistent in what we “take on.” May our love for You be demonstrated by doing all the we do for your glory and in a way that reflects Your excellence.

Yesterday afternoon, I attend a surprise retirement party for Rudy Zitti, who has served a number of years as the State Director for American’s for Prosperity. Rudy lives in my neighborhood and has been a long time political activist in Colorado.

This morning it was delight to speak at Eagle Bend Community Church. I appreciate my aunt, Paula Baer for facilitating this, and the gracious reception of Pastor Bruce and Betty Minor and the entire congregation. It was special to have several family members and friends attend this service. This church was praying for me during my health crisis, so it was a connection of special significance. My message can be found on their website

https://www.eaglebendcc.org/

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “…when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” Luke 12:1 ESV

It is interesting how the concept of hypocrisy has become identified with “religion” or simply going to church. If there is one generalization people tend to make of those who are faithful to Christ, it is this “accusation.” What is of interest is that Jesus was the one who used this term to describe some of the “religious” elite of His day, the Scribes and Pharisees.

The irony I would observe is that Jesus used the term for those who were right in their own eyes and refused to acknowledge and follow His Words. Today it is used to disparage those who acknowledge Jesus and desire to follow His Word and His ways, by those who are righteous in their own eyes.

To His disciples, Jesus said hypocrisy is the “leaven of the Pharisees.” That is an interesting metaphor. Because leaven is yeast. It is that small ingredient in dough, that causes it to swell in the process of making bread. It only takes a very small amount to have a big impact.

That is what happens with hypocrisy or duplicity in life. Compromise begins in small areas, but it seems to never remain small. It tends to grow and have a disproportionate impact on our lives.

But notice the context in which Jesus speaks these words. In the previous chapter we read of Jesus sending out His disciples. They return joyful over miracles and demons that were subject to them. And then we read, of thousands of people gathering to see Jesus and His disciples. It is at this point, Jesus turns to His disciples and warns them of the “leaven of the Pharisees.”

Why is this? It is because the Pharisees had the admiration and respect of the masses. They used their position and status to tell others how to live, but they exempted themselves from the same “laws.” I believe Jesus wanted His disciples to know that regardless of how “popular” they were and how great a following they gathered, they were still under obligation to obey and seek the Lord and not to call others to a standard of righteous that they were not willing to follow themselves. In other words, they were to live by example.

Politically, the concept of a “citizen’s legislature” is built on the concept that those who make the laws, spend the majority of their time living under the laws they make. Conversely, the greatest criticism directed toward national politicians (whether it is true or not) is they make laws for others, but exempt themselves from those laws. That is what the Pharisees did.

One another occasion Jesus told His disciples of the Pharisees teaching, “…do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.” (Matthew 23:3 ESV)

The challenge for leaders and those who desire to make an impact on others is the “lead by example.” Be on guard and don’t be one person in public and another in private. Remember that the downward path of compromise begins small but it soon grows to greater proportions than you ever anticipate or intend.

Prayer for today…. Lord, “keep us true” to You and to ourselves. Allow us to be on guard against duplicity in our lives and to keep our hearts open and humble before You and others.

This Sunday, I am speaking at my aunt’s church in Aurora. This has caused me to be in a reflective mood about my health crisis coming up on its fourth anniversary in about two months. The timing of this opportunity and my reading in Isaiah seemed to merge conveniently.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;  and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” Isaiah 43:2 ESV

Pastor/author Mark Batterson wrote a book entitled, “If.” If there was another one word that carries great significance in scripture it is the word, “when.”

When the prophet speaks to God’s people, he does not say, “if you pass through the waters…” Instead he said, “when!” Someone once observed, “you can count on it, you are either in a trial, coming out of a trial or getting ready for a trial.”  That sounds like a rather pessimistic view of life, but one that speaks of reality more than not.

For years I lived life with the “if” approach. I had seen enough people go through the challenges, the surprises, the unexpected turns of life. It just seemed to me to be like winning the lottery. It could happen, but the chances are slim to none. Then as I tell people, “I ‘won’ the health crisis lottery.”

So, when “life happens” we can live with confidence that we are not a people forgotten, but those whose ways are known to the Lord and that He is attentive to our need and hears even the silent cry of our heart. For many weeks that is all that I could offer to the Lord, a “silent cry.” Unable to speak, a respirator ensuring that I would have the oxygen needed to sustain life, all I could do was to focus my mind and heart on the Lord and to look to Him for strength and courage needed to face each day.

Then I take note that the prophet says, “through the waters” “through the river” “through fire.” My mother-in-law liked the phrase in the Bible, “it came to pass.” The waters may come, the rivers may rise, the fire may burn, but they don’t come to last, they come to pass.

Then, in the context of Isaiah 43, we see the promise of a better future. A future filled with hope and restoration.

“Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you. I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar  and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” (Isaiah 43:5-7 ESV)

While God’s people were in captivity, far removed from their homeland and the Lord’s Temple, the Lord speaks words that give assurance of a “hope and a future.” He promises that their offspring will come from the “four corners” of the world and will be regathered once again in the promised land.

So, we not only see the inevitability of times of difficulty, not only do we see the Lord’s presence and strength, we not only see that they will not be our permanent state, they will not define us or our life, but we see that their is restoration and a future that emerges, like a seed from fertile soil coming forth to a new life.

Prayer for today…. Lord, thank you for bringing us through that which come into our life. You not only restore us, you transform us to be stronger and more faithful.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “…fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 ESV

Isaiah was God’s voice of warning, judgment and call to repentance. It is interesting that in this chapter where the shallowness of idols and false god and human efforts are laid out, that there is in contrast the assurance of help that is found alone in the Lord.

When troubles arise and difficulties come, just encouraging someone to “be strong” is not enough. We see this in the words of the prophet, “Everyone helps his neighbor and says to his brother, “Be strong!” (Isaiah 41:6 ESV)

But true comfort, courage and strength comes from the Lord who is with us as we seek Him and call on His name. His assurance is, “if you call, I will answer…” (Psalm 91:15)

This assurance is not just given once, but is found in three verses. In addition to the words of verse 10 we read,

True strength, courage and victory comes from the Lord. He is our steadfast and ever-present help. He doesn’t ask us to carry our burdens and trails and times of testing alone. Contrary to some statements, God is not using the difficulties of life to “test our strength.”

We need to remember,  “he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.” (Psalm 103:14) The Lord’s desire is for us to be quick to turn to Him and to find in Him the courage, strength and help that He stands ready to provide.

I am reminded of the words of the old hymn, “O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”

Prayer for today…. Lord thank You that You stand ready to replace our fears with courage, strength and help. May we be quick to trust, quick to call on Your name and receive the help in our time of need.