BIBLE VERSE TODAY….. “I do not receive glory from people.”  John 5:41 ESV

I have always remembered the definition of “glory” that my spiritual mentored shared in a message almost 40 years ago. It was, “glory is the exhibition of excellence.” He was speaking from John 17 when Jesus said of His disciples in His priestly prayer, “they are my glory.” 

Today we use the word “honor” more than glory. In the context of being a recipient of glory that Jesus refers to in John 5, it is pretty much the same as being honored by others today. A dictionary definition of “glory” is “high renown or honor won by notable achievements.”

I find an interesting identification with this concept. Serving in public office at times will come with some recognition of your achievements. I wasn’t sure early on if I would every receive one of those “Legislator of the Year Awards.” But in the course of time, I did receive several such recognitions from various groups. It is nice to have your achievements and who you are recognized and honored.

But these seven words of Jesus stand in sharp contrast to what most people would desire to experience. “I don not receive my glory from people.” Jesus had just told the Pharisees how, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” (John 5:39,40 ESV)

Of all the people who should have recognized Jesus’ achievements, His miracles, words and compassion, and give Him the honor that was due it should have been those who were the most spiritual. Those who knew that scriptures and desired to be right with God. But the lack of honor Jesus received from “people” did not define His value or deter Him from His call and mission.

Where did Jesus receive His glory? John opens his gospel with the words, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14 ESV)

Jesus as the eternal Son of God came from the “glory of heaven” to the dust of earth, but His the glory of who He was did not change. While on earth Jesus’ main focus was not the adulation of people, but obedience to the Father.

That is why He prayed,  ^“I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.” (John 17:4,5 ESV)

We see Peter reflecting on the transfiguration of Jesus and saying, “He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (2 Peter 1:17 NIV)

In like fashion we bring “glory” to Jesus by our lives of faithfulness and obedience. Paul told Timothy, “No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.” (2 Timothy 2:4 NIV) The faithful solider is not worried about being honored by the “enemy” or those who are civilians and are on the “outside looking in.” The faithful soldier is honored by his commanding officer for doing his job well.

It is normal to desire honor from others who take note of your accomplishments. There is nothing wrong with that. But as meaningful as that can be to our lives, how much more to one day hear the words of honor and recognition from Jesus that say, “well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:23) That’s the glory we can all receive from the Father.

Prayer for today…. Lord thank You for the challenge to our lives that we receive when we look at Your commitment to God the Father. Help us to desire to be honored by You more than to receive honor from others.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “…preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” 2 Timothy 4:2 ESV

In ordination services the charge to newly commissioned ministers includes the admonition to, “preach the word.” However you don’t hear to much about “reprove and rebuke and exhort…” After almost 28 years of pastoral ministry and a life of “sitting in the pew” I have delivered and listened to thousands of sermons. In this one verse Paul delivers to his protege Timothy straight forward guidelines for his teaching and preaching.

He begins with what to preach. The simple text and focus is “God’s Word.” It is not modern philosophy, or personal opinion. It is not “current events.” Actually all of those may be included in a message by the way of illustrations or contrasting what is seen in the Bible versus modern culture. Bible centered preaching can be a challenge. It requires one to be studious, to wrestle with difficult passages, to deal with tension.

Paul then moves to when to preach. Other translations give light to “in season and out of season.” The Contemporary English Version states it, “…even if it isn’t the popular thing to do.” The Message supports this with the words, “whether the time is favorable or not.” Culture may change, but the truth of God’s Word does not change. The Bible may not be favorable or fashionable, but it is the consistent, eternal, unchanging Word of God.

Paul let’s Timothy know the focus of his preaching.  I like the words of J.B. Phillips’ paraphrase, “Prove, correct, and encourage…” Teaching that provides confidence in God’s Word and the teaching of the Bible is important. This is the area of apologetics.  The Bible shows us whether our ideas and thoughts are right or wrong. While “reprove” may be directed at thinking, “correction” or “rebuke” is directed at our behavior. Encouragement in serving the Lord and living for Him is also vital. This points to the importance of instruction in how to live and conduct our life in obedience to the Lord. Bible-based preaching should give strength and courage to people in their spiritual journey.

Finally, Paul tells Timothy how to approach his preaching. “Complete patience and teaching.” Loving God’s Word, loving people is important in successfully communicating truth. This is especially true in “reproving” and “correcting.” Just as a concerned parent is willing to confront a child’s thoughts and behaviors, so a caring spiritual Shepard should be willing to do the same. Not because it is easy, but because it is necessary. They need to demonstrate patience in what they preach and with their attitude toward people.

An important aspect of the “preaching of the Word” is teaching in a way that people are not only encouraged and challenged, but equipped in their spiritual life. They know both the “what” and the “how” of the Christian life. At our church the staff refers to this as “preaching for Tuesday.” They ask themselves, “what will make a difference not just on Sunday but as people live their lives during the week?”

It is only one sentence, but it gives much to consider and much that is useful for “preachers” young and old.

Prayer for today…..  Lord, thank You for Your Word and for those who are called to communicate it to others. Give them insight, courage, balance and patience that is needed to be Your voice to Your people in these days. 

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 ESV

These verses above are ones that I first memorized almost 50 years ago. As the adjectives in this list that provides the characterization of “last-days” attitudes, emotions and conduct, it is interesting to see how they have manifested themselves over the decades.

First I took note of the words “times of difficulty” the English Standard Version uses in its translation.  Other translations and paraphrases uses words like, “perilous” “terrible”  “violent” and “very hard” to name a few. The vivid description provides an indication that these attitudes just won’t be present, but they will present challenges in community and even church life as the coming of the Lord draws near.

These individual descriptors have always been traits that could be observed in generations over time. They can be observed in individual behavior, attitudes and conduct. However, what makes the “last days” so terrible and difficult to navigate is that these will characterize culture and the world as a whole. It is not so much that individuals here and there can be observed to be lovers or money, arrogant, boastful, proud, disobedient to parents, etc. It is the culture itself will characterized by these traits. They will be seen with greater frequency and intensity.

We are certainly seeing many of these traits in our current volatile political climate, but I am afraid that the “politics of the day” may be just unleashing what is rooted in the hearts of people.

My town hall experience with US Senator Cory Gardner was a prime example of this in a “condensed space.” The recent riots, demonstrations and hate-filled actions show it all too often on news reports and manifested in radio and TV talk shows. As we consider what the world is headed toward, one just needs to ask, “what would it be like if these types of circumstances and behaviors, along with others that are less obvious, become more predominate in our American culture and world?” It would make life very difficult if not perilous.

The response that Paul instructs is noteworthy. “Avoid such people.” That doesn’t preclude praying for others, but Paul reminds us, “bad company corrupts good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) It doesn’t take long being around certain people that you get pulled down to their level. Their attitudes can cause on to lost heart.

Instead we need to remember Paul’s words and instructions to Timothy, “…evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed….you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:13-15 ESV)

After fifty years, I am still “checking this list” and holding it up against our present culture. I am finding that Paul’s words two thousand years ago are still relevant for today.

Prayer for today….. Lord help us to guard our hearts. Help us to keep our eyes on You and Your Word. Keep us from allowing discouragement to settle in as we are confronted with difficult and terrible days.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it…Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together….” But they intended to do me harm. And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.” Nehemiah 6:1-3 ESV

My former State House colleague now US Senator Cory Gardner has three town halls scheduled for tomorrow. It will be interesting to see what happens at these meetings. We are in one of the most challenging political climates in our nation’s history.

The rhetoric from all “sides” is intense, the protests are loud and never-ending. The criticism is loud and unrelenting. In the midst of it all political activists are questioning why their elected officials don’t jump at the chance to “meet with them.”

The tenor of their protests and criticism reveals they don’t want to listen, as much as they want to just “be heard” and rant over their displeasure. They have already positioned themselves as antagonists and they cloak their aggression in what appears to be “noble” and reasonable expectations and approaches.

All this reminds me of the opposition that Nehemiah experienced as he was rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. Sanballat and Tobiah had made their opposition and hatred of Nehemiah and Jews very clear. They mocked their efforts and showed disdain for their plans and their God.

They then request Nehemiah to “come and meet with them.” In the natural it sounds reasonable. “Let’s meet and discuss our difference….let’s have dialogue.” Yet Nehemiah saw through insincerity and their plan to “do him harm.”

As a result, he refused their offer. They didn’t just go away, they persisted. Four times coming to him and “demanding a meeting.” His response was the same, “I am doing a great work and I can not come down.”

At times the best approach to distractions and those who oppose your leadership is to stay at the task. To realize that the work you are doing is noble and it requires your undivided attention. I believe when Nehemiah says, “I can’t come down….” that it can be viewed metaphorically. To “come down” to his opponents level would not benefit his main task and mission. Their attempt was to throw off the effort, by harming the leader.

Nehemiah’s formula for accomplishments in the face of great opposition was to “stay at the task, don’t give your enemies credibility, accomplish the project.” Nothing silences critics like success. When the wall was finished we read, “And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.” (Nehemiah 6:16 ESV)

Prayer for today…. Lord give us the wisdom, insight and discernment that is needed to stay at the task to which You have called us and not be distracted or discouraged by spiritual or human opposition.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. And one king shall be king over them all, and they shall be no longer two nations, and no longer divided into two kingdoms.” Ezekiel 37:22 ESV

A common illusion is for the magician to take a string cut into two pieces; tie a know in them and to restore the string to one piece. The Lord instructs Ezekiel in a similar but different approach. Here is what He says,

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, take a stick and write on it, ‘For Judah, and the people of Israel associated with him’; then take another stick and write on it, ‘For Joseph (the stick of Ephraim) and all the house of Israel associated with him.’ And join them one to another into one stick, that they may become one in your hand.” (Ezekiel 37:15-17 ESV)

This was no “magic trick” and was a declaration of great historical and spiritual significance. The Lord called Abraham and Sarah on a journey to a land they did not know, with a promise they could not comprehend. They would become a great nation.

Out of one man, many people would arise. From those many people, one nation would be formed. But we see that “one” nation in the promised land existed only through the reign of David and Solomon (a total of 80 years) Because of Solomon’s idolatry the Lord allowed the nation of Israel to be divided. Samaria became the capital of Israel made up of 10 tribes. Jerusalem remained the capital of Judah made up of two tribes. Over the next several hundred years they remained two separate nations. At times they were bitter enemies, at other times they were allies.

The prophets of the Lord would speak God’s message to both nations before the Assyrians took Israel captive before the Babylonians fully captured Judah. As the Lord restored His people back to Jerusalem and the land of Israel, His word to Ezekiel was that God’s people who had made up both Israel and Judah would come back to the land and would once again be one nation, one people, God’s people, ruled by David.

“My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall walk in my rules and be careful to obey my statutes. They shall dwell in the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, where your fathers lived.” (Ezekiel 37:24,25 ESV) 

These verses carry a Messianic picture when Christ would not only come, but beyond the day in which we live when Christ will reign over all the nations of the world. God’s people would once again be like David, the man after God’s own heart. They would have the “law written on their hearts” they would truly “know” the Lord and love and serve Him.

Psalm 133 declares, “How good and pleasant when brothers dwell together in unity….” God’s desire is unity, peace and harmony. Paul in Ephesians declares how Christ in the cross brings Jews and Gentiles into one spiritual family.

^“For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God…” (Ephesians 2:18,19 ESV)

I recall two churches that had existed for years that had been formed due to a “church split” were “reunited” as one church it was a cause for great celebration and blessing to the community. I recall the rejoicing when the “Berlin Wall” was broken down.

The Lord blesses unity, delights in peace and honors those who work toward those ends.

Prayer for today….. Lord allow us to be those who seek for unity and work for peace and rejoice when it takes place. We rejoice in You restoring Your people as one nation, and we anticipate the day when the kingdoms of this world, become the kingdoms of our Christ and Lord.

Since last night I have been fighting a cold and the loss of my voice. The first “seasonal” type of sickness since my health crisis, which is good. I was able to get out this morning to our men’s breakfast at the church. My friend Gary Ozello from CSU shared his story of faith. It was great to see several men commitment their lives to the Lord and a path of greater trust in Him.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “I will make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild beasts from the land, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. And I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing, and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing” Ezekiel 34:25,26 ESV

We have certainly had our share of literal “rain showers” that have been a blessing on some dry grass and have helped save water in recent weeks. But these verses above caught my attention for a different reason.

We see in Ezekiel the pronouncements of the Lord’s judgment on the land. It included poverty, pestilence, wile animals, being overrun by enemies and the like. But following the pronouncement of judgment we see the promise of restoration and these verses speak to that.

So we read of the promise of peace, wild beasts driven from the land security and the blessing of the Lord like a shower. This was undoubtedly literal and timely showers that would provide for prosperous crops to feed the people and enhance their livelihood. These would be “showers of blessing.”

Consider the blessing that would come to God’s people.  ^“And the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its increase….they shall be secure in their land….I break the bars of their yoke, and deliver them from the hand of those who enslaved them. They shall no more be a prey to the nations, nor shall the beasts of the land devour them. They shall dwell securely, and none shall make them afraid….no more [shall they] be consumed with hunger in the land, and no longer suffer the reproach of the nations. And they shall know that I am the Lord their God with them….” (Ezekiel 34:27-30 ESV)

All that sin and rebellion brought into their lives, the Lord would reverse and restore. Blessings are not only to be received, but to share. The Lord has designed us to be “channels” not “reservoirs” of the blessings of the Lord.

To Abraham the Lord said, “You shall be blessed and you shall be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:2) We read, “Give an it shall be given…” (Luke 6:38) “He will make you rich in every way so that you can always give freely.” (2 Corinthians 9:11) “Such as I have, I give to you…” (Acts 3:6) “It is more blessed to give, than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)

The blessing of the Lord would allow God’s people to “know Him” and His salvation and restoration in their lives. What they would experience would have not have an explanation in human terms, it would be as a sign from the Lord. As such what they have was truly a gift and a trust from the Lord. It was to be a blessing to them and through them; and that same is true in our lives.

Prayer for today…. Lord thank you for the blessings that come to us that we don’t deserve and that You provide to reverse and to restore the losses that our own actions have created. We continually see Your mercy and grace along with Your justice. Allow us to be blessed and be a blessing.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Yet your people say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just,’ when it is their own way that is not just.” Ezekiel 33:17 ESV

“It’s not fair!” yells one sibling to a parent when they make a decision about their brother or sister. It seems that the concept of “fairness” is one that is dependent upon who is “getting the break” or who is “getting the punishment.” Someone once observed, “we want mercy for ourselves and justice for everyone else.”

First of all we can all be glad that we are on “this side of the cross.” The forgiveness and grace of the Lord covers our sins by virtue of the cross and we are no longer under the “law.” But as Ezekiel addressed God’s people the message is focused on where you stand when life is over.

The Lord declares that the one who trusts in his own righteousness and begins to act unjustly and wickedly will pay the price for turning from obedience and blessing. Conversely the one who has acted wickedly and yet turns to a life of repentance and obedience will be “saved.”

To this the people declare, “God is not fair!” To them, like many today, they would weigh in the balances “good” and “bad” and then make a determination as to which outweighed the other. So in their minds a life that was more “good” than “bad” could not be negated by the “bad” and the life that was more “bad” than “good” could not be negated from by the “good.”

The contrast between God’s standards the people’s response is clear, “Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways.” (Ezekiel 33:20)

My attention is drawn to the Lord’s statement, “I will judge each of you according to his ways.” It is interesting how human standards say, “the same for everyone.” the Lord’s standard is, “Each person and their situation is different.” So when the Lord acts differently than our human standard and perspective we declare Him to be “unfair.”

I am thankful the Lord is not constrained by the human standard of “precedent.” Consider the thief on the cross. A “deathbed” request of the Lord changed his eternal destiny. Some would say, “unfair.” At the extreme I have had people whose judgement of the Lord and His ways caused them to rebel or stay in their sin. For them, what they can’t accept or agree to they won’t believe in.

This makes me think of the words of Isaiah, “Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker, those who are nothing but potsherds among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘The potter has no hands’? (Isaiah 45:9)

As we look at the New Testament, here are some consistent standards of the Lord. “All have sinned.” (Romans 3:23) and “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

We are better off to accept what is clear, and to trust the specifics to the Lord. If we analyze too minutely we can find ourselves, judging the judge, instead of trusting the judge. Our confidence can be, “Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25)

Prayer for today….. Lord give us the trust and faith to yield our lives to You, even when we are tempted say, “unfair!” There is much that we don’t understand and we can be quick to judge, but we do so by human standards. Thank you that You are God and we are not.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, behold, I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you at a stroke; yet you shall not mourn or weep, nor shall your tears run down….So I spoke to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died. And on the next morning I did as I was commanded.” Ezekiel 24:15,16.18 ESV

I learned recently of the death of the wife my former high school baseball coach. We have stayed in touch over the last 45 years and I remember at times she would visit my church and was committed to her faith. Her husband was an outstanding athlete in his day and a successful coach and sports official. His persona was typical for his generation. Not too much indication of softness and affection. But they had been married 56 years and had known each other four years before being married. As I visited with him all he could do was cry about the loss of his partner who met more to him than anyone would know.

Ezekiel faced the most difficult challenge that any prophet of God could face. Others have endured ridicule, persecution and rejection. But part of the Lord using him to communicate God’s message to His people was to face the death of his wife without mourning.

The Children of Israel knew how to mourn! We see vivid descriptions of mourning the include loud cries, tearing of garments, throwing dirt on their heads. The typical time of mourning was 30 days. But none of that would be demonstrated by Ezekiel over the death of the “delight of his eyes.”

God’s people were the “delight of His eye.” We see David pray, “Keep me as the apple of your eye….” (Psalm 17:8) For them their demise was going to gradual and not sudden. It wasn’t the Lord’s first choice, but it was one that had to be made. It seems it would make more sense for the mourning to be more intense for Ezekiel than less. But God is God.

Following the Lord doesn’t mean hardships are avoided and there are answers to every question and insight into every event. This is one of those passage that I can finding myself reading through without stopping and saying, “What?!” “Why? Lord?” “Isn’t there a better way?” We have no explanation, we are only left to conjecture.

Hosea was called by God to marry a prostitute; father children, whose name’s would be metaphors for God’s people. He would see his wife abandon him and then be called to “reclaim” her.

Jeremiah in following the Lord, at one time like Job, wished he had never been born, let alone follow the Lord’s call to be a prophet. Daniel faced the lion’s den. We see the book of Hebrews describe the cost of faith for those who followed the Lord,  ^“Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated…”  (Hebrews 11:36,37 NIV)

That would seem to make recruiting difficult for sure. In it all we can find what the Lord allows some to experience is the not case for all. We see the Lord knows what He is doing and we have to trust Him, even when God and life don’t make sense.

Prayer for today…. Lord whether we read it in scripture or experience it in our life, keep us from reacting to that which doesn’t make sense to us, leading to faulty conclusions. Help us to trust You in all situations, not just those we can accept or match our desires.