Chasing Rainbows

Finally, brothers, good-bye. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 2nd Corinthians 13:11 (New International Version)

The word 'perfection' has always made me nervous and brought to mind many of my past failures. It’s a word I’ve always felt others expected of me but which I could never deliver. The majority of us were taught that being perfect means without mistake but the Greek word here (katartizō) means to complete thoroughly, repair or adjust. God’s idea of perfection is a lot different from the expectation of the world isn’t it?

For many years I lived under the falsehood that I couldn’t be a true servant of God and that He would not love me unless my life before Him was lived in flawless perfection. I stumbled along in my imperfection torturing myself thinking my acceptability to God was based on how good I acted. If I performed well enough one day I was happy but the next day when I didn’t I was depressed. Doing this has driven many folks into an insane lifestyle or into insanity itself. One day the truth of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans broke through to me when I understood the significance that Jesus died for me and you while we were still sinners (5:8). If He died for me while I was imperfect how much more would He accept me now clothed in His righteousness?

I’ve come to the conclusion that thinking I need to do everything without error to be significant before God is like chasing a rainbow. The idea sounds pretty good but no one I know has ever caught one. Neither has anyone ever needed to achieve perfection to be significant to God. Obsessing over it will only make us sick. There was only one perfect Person and all believers in Him are made perfect through Him. Perfection in God’s mind isn’t being without flaw but thoroughly completed and repaired on a daily basis through Christ’s work and Holy Spirit. Jesus reminds us that only the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are without blemish or error. The Deity of God takes our tarnished brass and shines it to burnished brightness. Restored and repaired daily through Christ. Now how perfect is that?

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Still Faithful

The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3: 22, 23 (New American Standard Bible)

My daughter, Kenna, took my granddaughter to the doctor recently. Before the exam a nurse took some information for Dakota. Asking the typical questions “Has anyone in your family had…” she was answered each time by Kenna with “Yes, my Dad.” After the sixth or seventh answer of “My Dad” the nurse looked bewildered and asked “Is he still alive?” Kenna answered, “Oh yes, he’s still alive and even survived a brain tumor.” The nurse gasped and said loudly “Oh my!”

Many of you are aware of the answer to prayer I just had concerning a third brain surgery. I was having discharge of a clear fluid from my ear which the doctors thought was cerebral spinal fluid. My surgeon had planned on going into the ear from behind, through the skull, to fix the problem. After consulting with 3 neuro-surgeons who all said it needed to be done this way there was something that was nagging at my doctor. My family was very worried about this surgery going into an area that had already been insulted with 2 prior brain surgeries. When my surgeon came in to see me before the surgery he said to me and my wife, Tommie, “You know, I’ve been thinking about this surgery and I just don’t feel right in going into the skull to get into the ear area. I believe I’ll take another course.” He went on to tell me that instead of cutting into my skull he would first try going into the ear canal and see what he could find there and if he did find a spinal fluid leak he would then take the skull route into the back of my ear and fix the problem. To make a long story short when he went into my ear canal he found the two prior brain surgeries had caused the ear canal in that ear to fold over. When he lifted the fold he found a large lesion there that was running with a clear fluid. That was the problem. If he had gone the route through my skull he never would have found the lesion and the problem would not have been fixed.

Coincidence? After having the input of 3 different neuo doctors to go with the skull cut what was it that told my surgeon to hold up and try another avenue? I had a lot of people praying for me, my family and the doctor. I believe that nagging feeling wasn’t the doctor’s but was a direct answer to prayer and the Lord directing the surgeon to go the illogical ear canal route to get to the source of the problem. It didn’t make sense until Dr. Gardner lifted the fold in that ear canal then he marveled at what had happened. The problem was fixed and I spent 1 night in the hospital and was home the following day. It would have been easier if God had just healed me outright and no surgery had been needed but I never would have seen His hand in all this. He is a personal Savior and He works sweetly and individually with each of our needs. He might work differently for you in your need which is an awesome thought. As we pray He intervenes in our lives face-to-face taking care of our unique needs. This has been a good reminder of the power of prayer. Through it all He’s still faithful.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Lowering the Ol' Blood Pressure

Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Romans 13:1 (New American Standard Bible)

I love fall. It’s such a wonderful time. The air takes on crispness, trees show nice color and there is an excitement with approaching holidays and family time. I especially love fall in a presidential election year as I know it means the votes will soon be cast and months of listening to endless candidate promises, attacks on rivals and continual media revelations of candidates’ pasts will hopefully be coming to an end. By the first Tuesday in November the veins in my neck stand out a little more and the blood pressure is up a few points.

So what do I do if a candidate I didn’t want to win wins? I do take comfort in the knowledge that nothing happens without the consent of the Lord in earthly matters. No kings or kingdoms, or presidents for that matter, achieve any high office without God allowing it. It is evident throughout Scripture. God established the kings of Israel beginning with Saul. He worked in the lives of different Gentile kings like the pharaohs of Egypt who interacted with Joseph and Moses, Nebuchadnezzar, Darius the Mede and dozens of other leaders in both the old and new testaments. Not one of them ascended to their thrones without God’s permission and plan. He not only ordained their time but the purpose they would serve in doing His will whether they were aware of it or not.

When listening to “I'm…and I endorse this message” for the 50th time starts making the old BP spike I have to stop, take a breath and give thanks to God that as I vote, the choice is really God’s. Whoever sits in the Oval Office is there by God’s will, for no leader, king or kingdom is established without His design. Any president whether we like him or not cannot operate outside of that Spirit and Resolve. The Lord has established him and the Lord’s ultimate determination will be accomplished even through unwilling vessels. It is evident throughout history so why should the next four years be a problem for Him? The Lord reigns and His plan is being fulfilled through governments and reigning leaders. I believe His perfect wisdom and total control are enough to outdo any of the best laid plans of mice and men. That brings some rest to my frustration and yes, does tend to lower the blood pressure. God is in control and no authority is ever established without his consent. I’ll vote for that. Praise His Holy Name.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Thank You Mr. Large

For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13, 14 (New American Standard Bible)


My eighth grade teacher, Mr. Large, was always seeking to stretch his student’s views. I recall many conversations he had with our class that encouraged us to think and to answer his questions. His favorite retort to most of our answers was, “I’ll give it to you if you can justify it.” It became our mantra to one another. “Hey Tony, they’re serving turkey and dressing in the cafeteria.” “Oh yeah? I don’t believe it. I’ll give it to you if you can justify it.”

To justify means to show to be just or right. The word ‘justification’ is a two-dollar word which ought to be worth a million bucks to every believer in Christ. What does it mean to be justified through faith? When I finally understood it it was an astounding concept. When I began believing it it unchained my heart. It is a judicial act by God to believers through the meritorious work of Christ where God declares the sinner pardoned from sin, released from its penalty and re-established to a right relationship with Him. The four essentials are release from a demand for justice; we ought to have suffered for our sins but God no longer requires punishment; return to favor; we are just not forgiven but now have God’s total approval; imputed righteousness; God gives the believer the quality and righteousness of Christ and new legal standing before God; instead of being under the condemnation of sin he/she stands before God in Christ.

Speaking honestly, all these years I’ve had a difficult time believing it as it sounded way too easy to me. All I need to do is believe on the finished work of Christ on the cross and I get forgiven, pardoned and restored to favor? My interaction with other humans has taught me my trespasses and mistakes stick to me like glue. Most people don’t pardon and restore like that, why should a holy God? Outside of the blood redemption of His dear Son there is no abundant life or relationship with God. He pardons and restores because of what His Son accomplished during His first human intervention 2000 years ago. What do I need to do? Nothin’. What can I do? Believe and rest in the fact that God has me covered. There is no downside. He doesn’t have to give it to me if I can justify it. You see, Christ already has.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Noah Kidding

This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. Genesis 6:9 (New International Version)

Remember Noah? He’s that funny little guy with a long white beard standing on the ark with all those animals. You’ve probably seen that picture in a nursery or playroom. But the reality of his ark was not so much a miracle as it was an act of obedience and determination to serve the Lord. It took Noah and his sons 120 years to complete the ark and it was a masterpiece of engineering. Figuring the dimensions given in Genesis the inner space of the ark would have been close to 1,400,000 cubic feet or enough room to hold the contents of 522 modern railroad stock cars. At 240 sheep per car the ark could have held 125,000 sheep. That’s a lot of lamb chops.

Noah didn’t come up with the idea of the ark; it was the Lord’s idea. Noah’s obedience brought that idea in being through hard work, sweat and skill. The whole world disbelieved his cry that God was going to judge the terrible sins of the people of the earth unless they repented so I imagine his obedience to build the ark was done at great personal cost to himself and his family. The local community always had someone to mock when they were bored and looking for a good laugh. That is unless one didn’t mind hearing the old man’s continued preaching about repentance.

The Lord loves it when we're obedient. He might never call us to a mighty undertaking like Noah but He is so pleased when we persevere in following His directions in simple faith. We discover when we do to find grace in His eyes and protection through the storms of life.  In those times we all can. Noah kidding.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Brain Pain

Where can I go from Thy Spirit? Or where can I flee from Thy presence? Psalm 139:7 (New American Standard Bible)



My daughter, Tammie, once told me, “Dad, you think too much.” She was referring to a moment when I wondered about some kind of intangible cosmic concept. But I have to admit I’m not the only one. When my granddaughter, Dakota, was 8 years old she asked me out of the blue, “Peepaw, what’s outside the universe?” And I think too much?

When I share that story I am often asked, “And what did you tell her?” The only thing I could and that outside the boundary of our universe is the Person of God. He’s both transcendent and immanent which is not to be confused with imminent-without delay. Being transcendent means He is above and beyond all things, even outside of the known universe; immanent simply means He is presently active in every area. I sometimes have to press my brain’s reset button when I try to contemplate a place I could go to be out of God’s presence.

I have often wondered why David’s thoughts on this are in the Bible. There is no secret theological fact in God being transcendent. There is no life concept that directs me to act a certain way in my relationship with Him. Yet here it is from a Jewish king who thought about it 3,000 years ago. Even at that I take comfort in knowing I rely on a God who is there and is able to meet my need. I’m just plain awed because through His power all things were made-things in heaven and on earth, things seen and unseen, all powers and authorities, lords, and rulers. All things were made through Christ and for Christ (Colossians 1:16). Yes, God is everywhere present and there is no place I can hide from His Spirit. The life lesson in this for me is huge. There is no place He is not and there is no moment He is not in for me and you. His Power and Might are unsearchable and His Loving Kindness so tender. He is large enough to transcend eternity yet able to abide intimately and personally within a surrendered heart. Now that’s something really big to think about.

Thank You Lord Jesus, creator of all that is, that You have chosen to live within your children and fill us with your glorious Presence. Amen.
Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

The Nastiest Man Alive

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; Colossians 4:2 (New American Standard Bible)

I would cringe every time I would answer the order desk phone and hear his voice. He was and still is to me the vilest man I’ve ever dealt with. He would curse, belittle and spill his venom at me until it seemed to drip from my end of the phone. After getting off the phone with him I would be literally sick to my stomach. I approached my boss about it. Her response was that this man represented one of our company’s biggest accounts and even though we all knew how nasty he was no one was going to jeopardize that. “None of us like dealing with him, Ken. Just accept it and don't rock the boat.” The stress was so bad I considered looking for other employment but the Lord said pray. I set aside one hour every evening to pray for this situation and this man. About three weeks later as I walked into work one of my customer services associate stopped me and said, “Good morning, Lucky.” She was always such a kidder. I laughed and said “OK Joann, what’s the joke?” She smiled and said “You don’t have to work Raymond’s account any longer. The accounts have been switched around.” Then she frowned. “I’ve got him now.” A still small voice said to me, “See, I told you to trust me.” It was like an anvil had been lifted from my shoulders. Wow, this prayer stuff really works. I think all of us have a similar prayer story. So why is it so hard to be consistent with a determined prayer life?

Prayer is tough and it’s hard to pray for something we aren’t sure we’ll get from someone we can’t see with our eyes or hear with our ears. I know my senses are oriented toward a physical world and I tend to disregard what I cannot touch. Pushing the prayer envelope is usually done by something that poses a threat to my sanity or safety.

The Apostle Paul practiced a mature prayer life and prescribed it for every believer. I’ve seen so many wonderful answers to my own prayers even when I sometimes prayed without faith. I believe that if I could see into the spirit world and the good effects of my prayers I would have to say “Why didn’t I pray more?” Christ Jesus wants us to pray and delights in showing Himself strong on our behalf. He says, “Talk to me for nothing is too hard for me to do for you. I can even take care of the nastiest man alive.”

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com