Perfect

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15 (New American Standard Bible)

There have been moments in my life where I needed to face a situation or person that was fearful to me. On a couple of occasions I was fortunate to have someone who knew me step up and say, “Don’t worry, Ken. I’ll take care of this for you.” Wow, what a relief it was to know someone who was capable was going to go to bat for me and would get things set right. I am forever grateful to these few individuals who did this for me. I can only imagine they had faced a couple of fearful times themselves and knew the panic and dread of going it alone and extended grace to me in the situations. They were the perfect persons to step forward and represent my case.

I’ve often thought of this in regard to my relationship with God. The writer of Hebrews calls Jesus the Great High Priest who has passed through the heavens (4:14). A priest is a intercessor or a go-between representing us to God. If I were going to have someone represent me to God I would certainly prefer it be another human being, one who knows what the daily grind is like. I’ve not only got that in the God-Man Christ Jesus but He is the Perfect Human to represent me perfectly to the Father. He totally understands what I go through having lived as a human on this earth. He was hungry, He needed sleep, He got thirsty, He loved to hang with folks, He experienced suffering and He knew death. I think He would qualify as knowing what the human existence is all about. The marvelous thing was He did it all without sin and remained the Perfect Man of History even raising Himself from the dead (John 2:19). No one else has ever measured up to that. How great it is to have the Perfect Human Being represent me to the One True and Living God.

I take the greatest comfort in the fact that as I live day to day in my imperfect life there is One who can understand my faults completely and goes before our Heavenly Father on my behalf with the deepest grace and compassion. I do need a little help now and then in situations I deal with on a daily basis. I can use all the help I can get. In dealing with a sinless and perfect God how sweet it is to have the ideal human who represents me totally sympathizing with my weaknesses. Better than sweet. It’s perfect.

Ken
www.devotionstoday.blogspog.com

Getting It Right

And His disciples asked Him, saying, Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?” John 9:2 (New American Standard Bible)

At the height of a great physical illness I received an unsigned postcard from what I presume was a well-meaning Christian. The person wrote, “If you just get your mind off your problems and more on God you wouldn’t be suffering as you are.” Who sent this card is immaterial. Why they sent it is what bothered me.I have thought like this person more times than I’m comfortable admitting as I think have most of us. I’ve found if someone is suffering the last thing I usually consider is that God might be working something in a life to bring Him ultimate glory. But most often because suffering is present I automatically assume the only correct conclusion is that this person is most likely being punished due to some sin in their life. That’s ungrace, beloved.

The Lord’s own disciples thought that way. But does it mean that the negative experiences of life are some kind of punishment for sin or lack of faith? God doesn’t cause suffering but He certainly can use it to forge molten pain into spiritual steel. As He has worked in my trials He has always brought me to a point of awe and glory in His ways. What was Jesus’ reply? The answer is both beautiful in its insight and its simplicity, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was in order that the works of God might be displayed.”

My human condition really has to work to be quick to think and slow as Christmas to speak. I am constantly on the alert when these feelings of ungrace begin to surface and I am tempted to judge the circumstances of another. Jesus’ example was to build up the flock of God and not cast stones. Any stone I need to deal with in the course of what I see in another’s life need only be the Foundation Stone Jesus Christ.

Ken

Get it right or let it alone, the conclusion you jump to may be your own. James Thurber

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Better Than Solomon

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

One of my major priorities deal mainly with how much month I have left at the end of my money. Some months seem shorter than others. A few bucks saved will invariably be gobbled up in auto or home repair or some other unexpected problem. While Jesus tells me not to worry about what’s going to happen tomorrow I often times find myself fretting over what may come. This is not to say I should not plan for my needs. Food, shelter and clothing are the essential part of my life’s needs in this here and now.

Jesus wants me to see to my needs, He just doesn’t want me to fret over them and worry about things I can’t control. He desires for my priorities to be set on things above and trusting in His power to take care of me. And He is taking care of me. As the Psalmist David said, “I have been young, and now I am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Or his descendants begging bread (Psalm 37:25). Now that's pretty sure isn't it? Jesus taught us to pray "give us this day our daily bread." Can worry make one hair white or black? It’s just made mine fall out.

Jesus summed up my struggle with three words; do not worry. If lilies are dressed better than king Solomon and the King of the Universe takes note when a lowly sparrow falls to the ground how much more valuable are each one of us? He certainly knows when my water heater breaks or I need new tires for my PT Cruiser. I’m much more valuable in God’s sight than a flower or sparrow and so are you. In the vast almighty power in the splendid Being of God is knowledge of mine and your slightest need. My greatest reassurance comes in thinking how in past situations I’ve never been forsaken by Him or my church family or have I or my wife and kids been found begging. He’s always taken care of us. Tomorrow’s trouble is enough and Jesus doesn’t want me to go there. How valuable are we? We’re prettier than lilies.

Jesus, thank you for reminding me how much worth I have as your child and that any need I have you can fully take care of. It’s good to know I am dressed finer than a king and as well cared for. I bless Your Holy Name.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Ooo, That's Good

“But a certain Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him, and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.” Luke 10:33, 34 (New American Standard Bible)

Do you know the difference between prejudice and conviction? One doesn’t become angry when they talk about their convictions. I guess that’s mostly true. Speaking honestly here I admit that most times if I don’t speak from my prejudices I am thinking and struggling with them internally.

In our day and age we can’t imagine the prejudice the Jews felt for people living in Samaria in Jesus’ day. They were considered half-breeds and a most contemptible people. Let me put it in terms that demonstrate modern prejudice. The story relates how a man was set upon and beaten by thieves. A priest and a Levite came along and ignored the wounded man who was left lying in the road. A despised Samaritan on his way to Jerusalem came along and stopped to help the man. What would be comparable to our feelings of loathing today? How about the good Nazi or the good Hamas member or how about the good divorced person or the good cigarette smoker? The last two have found me raising the edges of my robes in the past and stepping over a wounded and bleeding neighbor. Jesus was telling the religious leaders of His day that He was willing to seek and to save the perishing and that even meant someone as loathed as a vile Samaritan. My neighbor just isn’t the one who returns my Dremel tool and accessories. Answering the man who set in motion this story Jesus said we are neighbors to everyone we meet who is in need. Let us talk of our convictions and not prejudices.

When it comes down to it I tend to choose who my neighbor will be. I’m too much like the man who asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” At the end of the story Jesus asked him which one of the three men in the story proved to be a neighbor to the man wounded and robbed by thieves. The man couldn’t even say “The Samaritan” but answered “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Jesus replied, “Go and do likewise. As I love the Lord with all my heart, soul, and mind stooping to dress the wounds of anyone naturally follows. With that in mind I can indeed go and do likewise.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Religious Nuts and Bolts

Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person. Colossians 4:5, 6 (New American Standard Bible)

One day many years back I was at the back of a local supermarket picking up some milk. Suddenly I heard a man at the front of the store screaming at the top of his lungs that everyone who had not believed on Jesus was vile a person and was going to burn in hell. I can still remember how angry it made me. I hot-footed it toward the front of the store with every intention of publicly rebuking this man for his insensitivity. By the time I got there he was already out the door. He more than likely thought he’d just done God a big service by his “preaching.” As I surveyed the scene at the registers it was as I had feared. Most were shaking their heads and looking at each other with that mocking “just another religious nut” look. My heart was so grieved. Jesus Christ offers so much more than a crazed spiritual existence. Among the many benefits through Him are peace, love and a sound mind.

While Jesus did preach to groups of folks the most expressive complement He paid to another was to sit and dine with them. This was one of the most relational things a person in Jesus’ time could do. He became their friend and ministered to their need. Remember Zaccheus? Jesus didn’t attack him verbally but wanted to get to know him on a personal level in his home. And it is so much more personal and life changing to have someone accept you for who you are and offer you something that can change your eternal perspective. There are plenty of religious nuts out there but a turn-or-burn attitude never goes far in expressing the love of our Savior. It is no wonder so many people are repulsed by the message we bring; not so much to the truth of it but to how it is delivered. Paul says to let our conversation be grace seasoned with salt, not condemnation.

That’s the nuts of the message. The bolts of it are to be as salty as seawater in our delivery. Sharing Good News in a loving and personal way is spiritual salt. Those who taste what we offer and model will thirst for what we have. Only God can quench that thirst. Grace seasoned with salt. Just add Living Water.

Ken

devotionstoday.blogspot.com

A Friend of the Ruthless

And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house. And he hurried and came down, and received Him gladly. And when they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” Luke 19:5-7 (New American Standard Bible)

I know that paying taxes helps to support my American standard of living but I still don’t care paying it. It is understandable how much the Jews of Jesus’ time hated the dreaded publicans or Jewish tax collectors. These men were hired by Rome to wring revenue from the people under its rule. The average tax collector was not paid a weekly or daily wage by the Roman government. Rome assigned these men a certain amount to be taxed. As long as Rome got its portion it didn’t care how much “payment for services” the publicans took. And the majority of them took plenty. They were relentless extortionist in their job duties and they were ruthless.

So when Jesus said He was going into the home of one of these people many in the crowd around him were dismayed that He would have any personal dealings with such a dirty guy. In today’s understanding think of the most notorious public figure you know. Now picture Jesus going to his or her home, sitting poolside with them and having some real good fellowship. Think of what the media would do with that. In voicing their displeasure at Jesus’ choice the Jews were in essence saying that Zaccheus only deserved God’s wrath and punishment. I think of how many times I’ve had those same feelings for someone. It makes me wonder if this example of Jesus had been shown in the early lives of the John Dillengers, Al Capones, Joseph Stalins and Adolf Hitlers of history what would I read of them now? Grace heals.

I know Jesus had a heart for the people just like the ones around me today. I still suffer a hesitancy to sit down with “sinners” and just be their friend. But wouldn’t Jesus sit down with me knowing what a stinker I have been in my past and still can be? Being the friends of the publicans of our day is what Christ calls me to do. How will those who hunger and thirst after righteousness taste of it unless I bring the Bread of Life to their table? Those who tastes of the Lord all say He is good. I have found for myself He has become a refuge and a blessing as I have partaken of His mercies. Jesus Christ has always been a friend of those who could easily demonstrate qualities of ruthless behavior. Jesus is a friend to us all.

Ken

Devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Way Bigger than a Breadbox

Then Job answered the LORD, and said, “I know that thou canst do all things, And no purpose of Thine can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ “Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” Job 42:1-3 (New American Standard Bible)

Job was a man who struggled with the need to logically categorize God’s plans. Thousands of years later I also find myself struggling with doing the same thing by limiting God into a boxy type of vision. You see for years I thought to truly understand my faith I needed to absolutely know how God worked. Because of that I tried to package Him in various gospels according to Ken and sell Him to others. Fortunately God never fit into my limited vision. Just when I thought I had Him figured out He would gloriously burst out of my tiny box. At this stage in my relationship with Him I’m happy He doesn’t allow me to limit Him. He’s so much smarter than I am.

One of the most liberating things I’ve ever read was that we can’t know God’s mind and it’s OK that we can’t. Knowing that I don’t have to understand the reasoning behind His methods takes a lot of pressure off. If I could understand God then He wouldn’t be God. I was amused recently to hear a man on TV say, “God wouldn’t send His Son through a virgin. That’s an impossibility.” Well, if He’s God why would it be difficult for him? A human certainly couldn’t make it happen but God isn’t limited by human frailty. If He is a completely holy, All Knowing and All Powerful intelligent Being (Almighty) who wants to do it His way then why would His ways and methods seem logical to those of us who aren’t? Why wouldn’t He hate sin to such an extent that He would sacrifice Himself to destroy it? If He is God couldn’t He resurrect Himself from the dead (compare John 2:19)? The story is laid out logically in Scripture and verified historically. If He’s God isn’t He capable of doing it that way? If He’s God why wouldn’t He be able to be the biological vehicle for a young Jewish girl to conceive and bear Himself in human form as the Son of God? What’s so hard about it? The ancient Jewish prophets said He would. God isn’t illogical but He does know ways and means of doing something that are way beyond our way of doing things. You ought to all be thankful I’m not God. If you think He doesn’t know what He’s doing, you’d absolutely call for the mountains to fall on you if I had the power.

Because God is perfectly holy everything He does is controlled perfection. He is perfect in love, perfect in His patience and restraint, perfect in the way He bestows justice, perfect in mercy and perfect in how He controls every event for His own reasons and honor. I am trying to understand that He indeed has the right to choose to do anything in any way He thinks is best. Because He is perfectly holy He understands me and my ways completely. He isn’t disappointed in me when I doubt or when I try to fit Him into little boxes. Instead I believe He delights in showing me how easily He breaks free of my limitations and reveals to me the wonder of His ways and how well things turn out through His overall plan. I can’t keep Him in a box and I’m happy for that. Thankfully He never allows Himself to be put in those kinds of limitations. He is the Bread of Life but He isn’t limited to the bread box.

Thank you Jesus that You are the Becoming One. You are able to become the specific answer to my every need.
Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com