BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”  2 Corinthians 1:3,4 NIV

The Christian life does not create immunity from the troubles and difficulties of life. The psalmist declares, “The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.” (Psalm 34:19 NIV) Jesus said, “…He [God] causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:45 NIV) Paul simply refers to “all troubles.”

The hope and courage to face the difficulties in life is found in God’s compassion and comfort. When the disciples feared for their lives on the stormy sea, they asked Jesus, “Don’t you care that we perish?” (Mark 4:38) Peter called saints to “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV) When difficulties arise it is almost natural to questions God’s care.

The Lord not only has compassion for the challenges of life that we face, but all true compassion can be found in Him. Human compassion, may be out of sympathy or guilt. God’s compassion flows from His nature. It is also found in Jesus Christ who took on human form and suffered in ways that pale to the sufferings of others.

God’s compassion and comfort can be found in all the troubles we face. He understands broken hearts, wounded relationships, the challenges of illness and health and economic woes. We can confident that He understands and that He does deliver.

Then Paul says that God’s compassion and comfort is to flow through our lives to others. Those who have faced difficulties and can testify of the Lord’s faithfulness serve as an encouragement to those who find themselves in various types of troubles. The Lord works in sovereign ways that are beyond our understanding, but He also works through us in the lives of others. A “testimony” comes from those who have emerged from the “test” of life.

This verse was the motivation for my book on my health challenge. As I experienced the Lord’s faithfulness, the answers to prayer and God’s love through others, I wanted my story to be source of encouragement to others facing their own “crisis.”

Prayer for today…. Lord, thank You for Your care, compassion and comfort. Allow what we have received from You to be a source of encouragement and strength to others.

I returned home late last night from my week in Dallas. I was greeted by snow in Denver, our first of the season. Today I made a trip to the fitness center before my IV infusion at McKee Medical Center. I am pleased the with my busy schedule, I have not experienced some of the normal fatigue that has been part of my life in recent years.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV

These final words of challenge from Paul to the Corinthians are compelling. Paul had much of his life, tied to this church. We know he spent at least eighteen months ministering in Corinth, and made return trips. This was a church he cared about. He cared enough to confront.

Proverbs tells us, “Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.” (Proverbs 27:6 NLT) Paul saw the progress and the potential in this church and he wanted them to address the issues that threatened their effectiveness.

He begins by affirming them and recognizing their spiritual gifts and devotion to the Lord. It is easy to view an individual or a group based on their faults and failures. But Paul from the beginning, before he spoke of word of correction, saw in this church, their future strength and stability As he reminded them of God’s work of grace he said, “He [Jesus] will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 1:8 NIV)

Paul saw them as “blameless” in the end, even though they faced critical challenges in the present. They were divided, coddling blatant sin, suing each other before civil courts, messed up about marriage and personal conduct and responsibility; they were giving into temptation and failing to remember the lessons of God’s people in the past. They were not being considerate of the Body of Christ both in their lack of self-discipline and self-sacrifice, as well as in the practice of “The Lord’s Supper.”

It would be easy to view this group as “unredeemable.” But Paul as he comes to the end of the letter calls them to action. Plan, prepare and practice meeting the needs of others. Paul gives instructions about gifts for the poor in Jerusalem, he shares his own plans to visit them again, he prepares them for the arrival of Timothy and the he gives this overall call to action.

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” A victorious life in Christ requires persistent diligence. You just can’t coast, in order to make progress. The threats are from without, within and in our own hearts.

Paul consistently related faith to “standing firm.” Paul wrote to the Ephesians and says, “don’t be tossed to and fro by every wind and doctrine…” (Ephesians 4:14) The waves of doubt and discouragement and the onslaught of the enemy of our souls can threaten the stability of our spiritual life.

Like the Lord commanded Joshua, Paul encourages the Corinthians, “be strong…be courageous…” Strength and courage are the ingredients to victory in many arenas of life and it is certainly true in our spiritual life. We don’t yield, give in or give up.

But then Paul end with the words, “Do everything in love.” Love for the Lord and for the people of God. Paul modeled this when he affirms their faith before he addresses their failures. But we see in his words, confidence of a bright future.

Prayer for today… Lord, allow us to heed these words. Help us to be on guard, help us to be firm in our faith. Give us the strength and courage to face the challenges of life and faith. Help us to know Your love and to be guided by Your love in all that we do. 

Today we wrapped up the Legacy Summit with messages from Josh McDowell and Tim and Annie Kimmel. The breakout session I attended was with Jay Kessler, the former Director of Youth for Christ. He reflected on his life story, ministry and our present challenges. With the aging of “boomers” we are reminded that we will have one of the largest groups of grandparents in history. Being at this inaugural conference reminds me of the early years of Promise Keepers. Get ready for the “gray wave” making an impact on future generations as they face the challenges of being intentional in the lives of the next generation.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.” 1 Corinthians 6:12 “…I have the right to do anything”–but not everything is constructive.” 1 Corinthians 10:23 NIV

There is a line from an old short film that Debbie and I remember from years ago. The film is called, “The Estate Sale.” Two women move through the house of a deceased couple and begin reflecting on the family and what the story told of their lives in the items left behind. One of the girls finds herself in an encounter with the wife and mother from the family, who was the last to die. The woman reflects on her life and her family with the visitor and makes this comment, “We never said, “no” to our children, so they never learned to say, “no” to themselves.

Discipline in life is that which is exerted from an outside force. It may be parents, teachers, a coach, law enforcement or some other authority over our life. However, self-discipline is that which we impose on ourselves. It involves not doing what we should not do, it involves delayed gratification, it involves even not doing what may not be necessarily wrong, for the good others.

It is of interest that Paul confronts those who assert that, “all things are lawful.” In others words, “if I have freedom in Christ, I can do what I want, or what I decide is right, even if some one else views it as wrong or questionable.

Paul provides some practical considerations to give some perspective to this mentality. He reminds them that, “not every is beneficial” not everything is “constructive” or does not build us up. And then he says, “be on guard for that which masters us.” In others words, will it be addictive or destructive in its impact on my life?

In the context Paul addresses that which, “makes us feel good” – food and sex. In chapter 10, he addresses food offered to idols (which isn’t a pervasive issue today) but he lays out a broader concept, No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.” (1 Corinthians 10:24) We need to understand and consider how our life impacts others.

Paul wrote to the Romans and said, “For even Christ didn’t live to please Himself…” (Romans 15:2,3 NLT)

So, we can see that self-discipline involves not only decisions I make for my own good, but also for the good of others. This strikes right at the heart of the church being a “community” of believers. We are to live our lives in a way that honors Christ and builds up the body of Christ. In the broadest context we are to consider decisions in areas of “Christian” freedom based on the impact on my life and the life of others.

Prayer for today… Lord, thank You for the example and challenge that we find in scripture. Thank You for the wisdom and direction to guide the decisions of our life. 

The Legacy Summit that I am attending features some well known counselors, teachers and preachers from years past. All those I remember from my youth ministry days are now fellow grandparents. Last night we heard from Chuck Swindoll. Tonight we will hear from Gary Chapman and John Trent. Tomorrow Josh McDowell and Tim Kimmel are on the docket. Yesterday, I sat in on a session taught by Dr. Elmer Towns. He is a well known Christian educator and co-founder of Liberty University. His new wife has some Colorado connections.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.  I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.” 1 John 2:12,13 NIV

Although I have taught through 1 John in the past, this morning at the Legacy Summit,  Michelle Anthony from David C Cook Publishers conceptualized John’s charge to children, fathers and young men in a way that was most helpful. I will use her outline with some of my own reflections. These concepts have application to natural families and spiritual families.

Children are receivers – “Your sins have been forgiven….” That speaks of salvation and receiving God’s gift of life and relationship. We see this in the next set of verses when John says, “I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father.” (1 John 2:14 NIV)

Children receive care, attention and perhaps all too often can get used to that role. But loving parents do what they can to provide for their children what they need. The children don’t have to earn it, they don’t have to reciprocate, they are benefactors of love and relationship.

Young men are doers – John says, “you have overcome the evil one.”  John repeats their victory in the fight when he says, “…I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” (1 John 2:14 NIV) Young men (fathers) are “fighting the fight and winning the battles.” Their focus is on providing for the family, teaching children, warding off that which would come against the family they have established. There comes a time, and it should be a progression, when children learn to move from being just “receivers” to being, “doers.”

Fathers (older men) are “knowers” – Twice John says to fathers, “you have known him is from the beginning.”  This “knowing” speaks of experience, some history is reflected in these words. Those who know are to share with those who are “doing.” They are to encourage and provide strength and encouragement. They are to impact to the “receivers” to build faith, so that the “receivers” are prepared to be triumph “doers.”

A well rounded family and a well rounded church will have all of these stages of life and spiritual development, active and engaged. It becomes obvious the impact if just one group is present and dominating. As I get older, I realize the ease in which many “knowers” prematurely become in receivers. When that happens a vital resource is lost and potential is not realized.

These stages happen as part of spiritual maturity as well as the natural process of age. I am reminded of Paul’s words, “Be doers of the word and not hearers only…” (Galatians 2:20) Those who just “hear” are focused on receiving. But just a food is given to provide energy for living, God’s Word is to give spiritual vitality for “doing” the work of the Christian life. For fighting the fights and winning the battles we encounter.

When God’s plan for His people is “worked” there is health and vitality in both our natural and spiritual families. Wherever you are in life or your walk with the Lord there is a role and responsibility that applies to you.

Prayer for today… Lord, thank You for family. For our natural families and for your spiritual family. Allow children to receive what they need to be those who know Your forgiveness and relationship. Help young men (fathers), to be victorious as they commit themselves to their tasks and responsibilities. Empower “Fathers” (grandfathers) to share wisdom and experiences that will benefit the generations coming behind.

This is day one of our Legacy Grandparenting Conference. The first general session begins this afternoon and concludes on Thursday afternoon. I’m not sure why they didn’t build in “nap time” into the schedule!?

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  ^“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.” 1 Corinthians 3:16,17 NIV

Where does God dwell? We know that He is not confined to space and time. But we see that Paul says, the “our bodes are the temples of the Holy Spirit.” As such we should honor and glorify God with our bodies. He presents this concept as he warns against immorality and using our bodies to sin.

But Paul also uses the metaphor of God’s temple in reference to the Church. The “you” are God’s temple is in the plural form. So we see the translation of “you yourselves.” As such this places God’s people joined as “The Church” apart from other organizations. There are human organizations and there are divine organizations. God established the family and the church. `

Paul calls this to the attention of the Corinthian believers, because of the division among them. This was especially seen in those who took pride in identifying with various leader. Specifically there were those who had been influence by Paul, Apollos, and Peter. Then not be to out done by human personality, the “super spiritual” among them said, “we only follow Christ.” It is interesting how people will construct divisions when either none exist other than in the minds of those people.

The bottom line is that this attitude was causing division among the church. There was an attitude of if you don’t revere the spiritual leader that I do, you are less than a true believer. Sound familiar to what I have observed over the years in those who would claim that a particular teacher has, “the truth” or a unique insight into the Bible possessed by none other.

There are two points that Paul makes. One is that every servant of the Lord, is a fellow worker in “God’s vineyard” building up “God’s Building” upon the foundation of Christ. Each has a different role and function; but they all contribute to a unified effort.  ^“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:5,6 NIV)

The second point is if you are causing division in the church, you are putting yourself at risk. “If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person…”  That is a warning that should be headed by every person who has felt the need to sow seeds of discontent and harm the unity of the Church, whether by action or attitude. Much harm has been done to churches and individuals by those who were not aware of or ignored this admonition from scripture.

We see Paul’s focus on unity in the church when he addresses spiritual gifts and says, “Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.” (1 Corinthians 14:12 NIV)

Christ has established His church to be an agent of hope, healing and health in this world. That is a huge task, that requires consistent focus on not just human plans and goals, but on what the Lord says our mission is to be and how it is to be carried out. However, it takes place, it is to be in unity.

Prayer for today… Lord, thank You for Your Church. Enable You people who are joined together in common obedience and faith, reflect the unity that You desire and that is found in and possible only through You.

Today I flew to Dallas, Texas for the “Legacy Conference.” This is the first national conference on Christian grandparenting. There are a host of great speakers and topics and the schedule for the next three days will be full and challenging.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:19,20 NIV)

The Temple in Jerusalem was the physical representation of the glory of God. It was “God’s dwelling” place with the understanding that the God of the universe can not be confined or limited in space. He is omnipresent. He is everywhere, at the same time. He is without limit.

Paul used that imagery to arrest the Corinthians attention to the importance of honoring the Lord with their lives. There are two ways in which Paul used this metaphor. One of those is in reference to committing sin with and against our physical bodies.

He asserts that our “bodies are the temple of the Holy.” The Holy Spirit Paul says is, “in us” and is God’s gift to us when we embrace life in Him.

We use the language of “inviting the Lord into our life.” As children many raised in the church remember singing a song that contain the words, “….come into my heart Lord Jesus.”

We we stop and consider that, it should get our attention. Paul revisits this in his second letter to the Corinthians. Paul challenges believers by asking the rhetorical question, “…do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?” (2 Corinthians 13:5 ESV)

This presents a challenge to us as individuals to live as those who have “sanctified” bodies that reflect the “sanctified” life the Lord calls us to. Paul says clearly, “you are not your own.” It we stop and give that consideration, it should have an impact on us. That flies in the face of “it’s my body, I can do with it as I want” mentality that we find in present culture.

There are perhaps a host of applications and it is easy to “run wild” with the concept. But what is important is that while we are in this life, our spirits are part of our bodies and Christ’s spirit inhabits our lives. We must consider the impact of this. Does it just relate to the way we live? But also how we use and “treat” our bodies?

Prayer for today… Lord, often we read the words of scripture, but find the challenge in taking them to heart; meditating on what is being said; and applying it to our lives. May we seek Your guidance, as we to please and honor You.

After Riley’s football game yesterday afternoon, we gathered at Christian and Bridget’s home for my birthday dinner. They surprised me with an ice cream cake. The family joined for a picture after yesterday’s game with “Coach Christian” and “star” Riley.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” 1 Corinthians 2:4,5 NIV

Outside of the Book of Proverbs, the first few chapters of 1  Corinthians reference wisdom more than any other book of the Bible. We read of the contrast between God’s wisdom and man’s wisdom.

God’s wisdom can’t compare with human wisdom. “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” (1 Corinthians 1:25 NIV) God’s wisdom is far greater than human wisdom. The Greeks, like many today, value and almost deify human wisdom. I remember those who claimed that all problems can be solved by the education that comes from human wisdom and understanding.

Human wisdom doesn’t understand God’s ways.  “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” (1 Corinthians 1:19 NIV) Paul goes on and asks, “Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (1 Corinthians 1:20 NIV) Human wisdom, does not solve the problems of the “human predicament” that are only solved by God’s ways. 

Human wisdom does not draw us closer to God. “For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:21 NIV) God’s way don’t “make sense” to the human mind. God’s “mysteries” are not comprehended or understood through human wisdom. Paul of his preaching,

“…we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.  None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” (1 Corinthians 2:7,8 NIV)

God’s wisdom and power is reflected in the life and work of Christ. “…but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God….Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:24, 30 NIV) Paul said, Jews seek signs, Greeks seek wisdom, but God choose to send His Son in human flesh as the “sign” and the expression of “God’s wisdom” that confounded both. Life in Christ was received by those who would respond not according to human intellect, but according to their “spirit.”

God’s wisdom, erodes trust in human wisdom. Paul declared, “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Corinthians 2:4,5 NIV) God has done what He has done, to bring people to Himself through Christ, “so that no one may boast before him.” (1 Corinthians 1:29 NIV)

True revelation comes from the Holy Spirit to our “spirits” and not the mind. “This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2:13,14 NIV)

We can say the “true enlightenment” comes from the having the “mind of Christ” through faith in Him. The ways of God can’t be explained or understood, outside of divine revelation from the Holy Spirit. We lay hold of the promises and life in Christ through our faith in Him.

Prayer for today… Lord, thank You for choosing the cross to reflect divine wisdom. What doesn’t “make sense” to human minds, is what You use to confound those who trust in their own wisdom. Thank You that when we choose faith and trust, you illuminate our human minds with a wisdom beyond this world.

It is always great to mark another birthday in light of where I found myself three years ago. This morning it was a delight to have Jerry Schemmel, voice of the Colorado Rockies as our guest speaker at our Allies Men’s breakfast at Timberline Church. This afternoon we traveled to Lakewood to watch grandson Riley compete in the “Carnation Bowl” the little league football championship. His team rolled to a 52-7 victory. After the game we gathered at Christian and Bridget’s home for dinner.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.” 1 Corinthians 1:26 NIV

The word “deplorables” will forever be associated with the 2016 Presidential election. However, it could as well have been how some followers of Christ were viewed in the eyes of the world; especially among the smug and elite of the wise philosophers or religious class of the first century in Corinth.

In declaring the glories of the gospel and the transformation power of Christ, Paul reminds the Corinthians of their status in the eyes of the culture of the day. If you were choosing teams for those who would transform the world and serve as ambassadors for the God of the universe, they were among those who would have been last to be selected.

It seems that God has a habit throughout time of choosing the unlikely, the overlooked and those a little, “rough around the edges” to be those He decides to use to show His glory.

Why does God do what He does? Paul explains,  ^“God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” (1 Corinthians 1:28,29 NIV)

If only the smartest, brightest and best were used by the Lord, any success or achievement would have been credited to human ability. It would have been easy for people to give credit to their own talent. Even Paul would identify himself as unworthy and refer to himself as the “least among the apostles.”

In the Book of Acts we read of the observation of the religious elite of the apostles, “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13 NIV)

They were not just astonished because of the contradiction between who they were and what they did, but they identified them as being connect to Jesus. May that same thing be evident in our life. May what we do and the impact of our lives, not be viewed as the byproduct of human excellence, but of the work of the Holy Spirit through human vessels.

The great encouragement in all this is all are qualified to be used of the Lord. None need to feel inadequate, none are left out. All that is needed is an open heart, persistent obedience, trust and faith.

Prayer for today…. Lord, thank You that in Your sovereign plan you make all who yield their lives to You as those who can “change the world.” Allow our hearts to be open, our faith to be strong and our trust to be steadfast as You use us for your purposes.