Misery With a Purpose - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Luke 8:4,

"A large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town..."

This comment was made by Luke as he sets the stage for his account of Jesus' Parable of the Sower. Why were people coming to Jesus from town after town? In Luke 5:15 we are told, "Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses." People were suffering from sickness. They suffered from demon possession. Jesus spoke to their poverty and hunger in Luke 6:20-21. Lepers, paralytics, Peter's mother-in-law with a high fever, folks were suffering and looking for relief. As news of Jesus Christ spread, people flocked to him for that relief. Even dead people were raised back to life, providing relief for the grieving, as in the case of the raising of the dead son of a widow in Luke 7:11-17. To be sure, there must have been many who came, simply to hear of the hope Jesus Christ offered, to hear someone speak from God, as say, Nicodemus, in John 3. But many came to seek relief from the things they struggled with.

What misery! The gospels are full of accounts of misery folks lived in. A common thread throughout is the relief folks sought for their frustrations, their misery. We likewise see it today as nothing has changed. We may have technological advances available to us. We may have much improved healthcare. We may have a much higher standard of living than the folks we read of in the gospels. But one thing that has not changed is that we all face our frustrations, our miseries, whether real or imagined, whether life-threatening or simply inconveniences. And, as the folks in Jesus' day, we seek relief from them.

A guaranteed bestseller for any author down at the Christian book store is a convincing volume on how to find relief from the things that break our hearts, the frustrations, the failures, the misery - in other words, how to have a happy and fulfilled life. The greatest scam in our day are the religious broadcasters who promise relief from our miseries if we simply send in our "faith-promise pledge" of so and so dollars. Many have gotten rich in our day by preying on the misery of others. Folks in the worst poverty, sending in what little they have with a promise they will receive tenfold. Why would they do such a thing? Desperation to find relief from poverty, misery or illness.

Why does such misery abound? Surely much of it is caused by our own poor choices. The account of man's fall in the garden of Eden begins the story of the misery mankind has brought on himself. Life comes with misery built in. We all get sick and eventually die. We all suffer the grief that the death of a loved one brings. Misery in this life is inescapable. If God loves us why doesn't he just remove those things from us that we struggle with? Even Paul spoke of something he suffered that the Lord would not bring relief for. He tells us of "a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me." 2 Corinthians 12:7. There he speaks of his prayers, that the Lord would bring him relief, prayers that were answered in a way other than removing the torment. He was told the Lord had a purpose for what Paul suffered.

So, is there a purpose for all the misery and suffering that afflict us all, at one time or another? If so, what is the Lord's purpose in it? I can't help but notice that in Luke's gospel, the very things that folks suffered from provided them the motivation to seek the Lord. As then, often it is the frustrations we struggle with today that drive us to the Lord. Paul puts it this way in Romans 8:20-21, "The creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God."

As in Jesus' day, our frustrations, our sufferings drive us to the Lord. How often I have prayed to God for relief from one thing or another to the One who took pains to bring it into my life for my own good in the first place! I have labored under the false notion that it is God's job to answer my prayers so that I can lead a successful and fulfilling life, a life filled with happiness through the absence of frustration, suffering and pain. After all, isn't it all about my happiness in this life?

It turns out this life is not all about me. God is building his kingdom. God loves me and I have my part in it as we all do, and a part of that involves God drawing us to himself, even if some desperation, frustration and misery may be required. As Paul goes on to quote Psalm 44:22, "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

I wonder how many books this message might sell… I suspect not many…

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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The Work of John - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Luke 7:29-30,

"All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John."

In this parenthetical comment by Luke, we see the results of the work John the Baptist was called to. Even before John was conceived, he was tasked with the responsibility of preparing the way for the Son of God. "In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

'A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
"Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.
Every valley shall be filled in,
    every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
    the rough ways smooth.
And all people will see God's salvation."'" Luke 3:1-6. Here Luke quotes the prophet Isaiah from some seven hundred years earlier.

The hearts of many in Israel were prepared for Jesus because of John's work in calling the Israelites to repentance. It is important to note that those who believed and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior did so because they had responded to John's earlier call to repentance. Those who did not respond to John's call did not respond to Jesus Christ either, precisely because they decided to not repent of their sinful ways.

It is a horrible decision to cling to our sinful ways rather than turn from them. "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed." John 3:19-20.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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Just Who Is this Mysterious Person, Jesus Christ? - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Luke 6:5,

"Then Jesus said to them, 'The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.'"

Some folks are somewhat confused as to the nature of who Jesus Christ is. Early on in the church there were heresies introduced that misstated and misunderstood the person of Jesus Christ. Some false teachings and mis-perceptions persist even today. Jesus can't be any clearer about who he is when he says he is "Lord of the Sabbath." In John's gospel Jesus called himself the Son of God and the Jews attempted to kill him, "For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God." John 5:18. There was no confusion among the Jews as to who Jesus Christ was claiming to be.

Paul calls Jesus Christ God. He says, "Theirs [the people of Israel] are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised Amen." Romans 9:5. John tells us, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1. A few verses later he tells us about the "Word", that the "Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1: 14.

Isaiah called the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, Mighty God, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

We read in Hebrews 1:3, "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word." Here, of course, we find reference to Jesus Christ as a member of the triune God. In Colossians 2:9 Paul says, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form..." In his letter to Titus Paul says, "...while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ..." Titus 2:13.

These references to Jesus Christ as God are hardly exhaustive but I have to think there is plenty here for anyone to recognize just who Jesus Christ is. Failure to see it is failure to read the Scriptures. Jesus Christ, the second member of the Trinity, the Son of God! Our wonderful God and Savior!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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The Big Paradigm Shift! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Luke 5:36-39,

"No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does, he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, 'The old is better.'"

If anything, to me this speaks of a whole new paradigm coming to planet earth. It won't do to cobble together some of the old with some of the new. What is coming is a change in the order of all things. A change "we can all believe in."

Later, in the next chapter, Jesus teaches something about this new order of things. The have-nots will have and those who have in this life very well may find they have not in the new order, "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets. But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets." Luke 6:20-26.

Here the Lord teaches his followers about the impact the kingdom of God will have both in this life and the next. Jesus' followers will be hated in this life, but the Millennial forecast is for great reward, blessings, laughter, satisfaction, rejoicing and leaping for joy!

The current pitiful desires of those who demand a redistribution of wealth in this life, "economic justice" and the like are woefully too small and too myopic to envision all the Lord has for us in the kingdom of heaven that is headed our way!

"Eternal pleasures" at the right hand of the Lord is how David characterizes it in Psalm 16:11. This life, the order of things we see today in the world has a shelf life that is not far from expiring. A new paradigm, a new life, free from the curse this fallen world struggles under, free from the collective sin nature so prevalent in our lives, is all coming to an end. What is headed our way, for those of us who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith, is simply breath-taking to contemplate!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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Our Opposition to Satan's Tenacity - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Luke 4:13,

"When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him [Jesus] until an opportune time."

This observation made by Luke speaks of the tenacity of the devil. Although he found himself entirely unable to persuade Jesus Christ to turn from the purposes God the Father had for him, Satan nonetheless continued in his plotting and scheming to disrupt the work Jesus had set out to do.

Although the work Jesus Christ was focused to achieve, that which the devil intended to side-track him from, was nothing less than the lofty accomplishment of the redemption of all mankind, we all can be side-tracked by Satan from that which God intends us to accomplish in this life. We all tend to a level of self concern and when it comes to the subject of Satan we naturally think of our own safety. As I think of the account of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, it strikes me that what is in the balance isn't Jesus' personal safety but the safety of the mission, the fulfillment of the purpose the Father had set him about. Perhaps some weight needs to be placed on our concern for what it is we feel God has set us aside for and find our focus there as we think of Satan disrupting our lives.

In any event, it is apparently within the nature of Satan to be a tenacious enemy of the things of God, the people of God and the purpose God has for our lives. I am reminded, however, that his ultimate end will be in certain destruction at the hand of God. Here is his end: "And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time... When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever." Revelation 20:1-3, 7-10.

We know the end of the story when it comes to the devil. We also know how the story goes for those of us, the faithful, with a bright future to look forward to in the resurrection where we will live life eternal with all God intended for us out of his wonderful love. As David puts it in Psalm 16:11, "You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." As far as facing Satan as an adversary in this life, we might do well to think in terms outside our own personal safety, get on the offensive and think in terms of the devil as an adversary of the purposes God intends us to accomplish in our own lives.

Either way, I think of Peter's encouragement to us, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 5:8-11.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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Sight for the Spiritually Blind - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Luke 3:7-8,

"John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, 'You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, "We have Abraham as our father." For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.'"
 
These strident words, spoken by John, illustrate very clearly the mission he was given by God. Here we see crowds coming out to the Jordan River to be baptized by him. They are not greeted as we might expect, certainly not in a way that the churches of today would greet those who might come to one of our "baptismal services." John calls them a brood of vipers, questions their interest in fleeing God's wrath and then confronts them squarely, up front, and head-on with their mistaken thinking. In a hostile way he tears into them, ripping apart a false notion they were blinded by. They thought their pedigree would get them into God's kingdom - after all, didn't God promise to Abraham that he and his offspring would be heirs to the world?
 
As we learn from Paul in Romans 9, the offspring of Abraham that would inherit the world will be those who follow in the footsteps of the faith Abraham had. These are the ones who will attain the resurrection of eternal life. Paul tells us, "For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, 'It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.' In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring." Romans 9:6-8. Further we read in Romans 4:11b-13, "…he [Abraham] is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith."
 
As Paul spent time on this very important issue, it is evident that the thinking of the Jews of the day was faulty. An interesting exchange between the Jews and Jesus on this can be found in John 8:31-59. They had mistaken notions of the things of God. Why? Didn't they have the Scriptures? Hadn't God revealed to them what they needed to know? These are the questions that come to mind as we recognize the strident nature of John towards folks coming to him and also the animosity that Jesus himself generated during his earthly ministry as he interacted with many.
 
I am reminded of just how dark the darkness is that we all have come into this world in. This world is estranged from God, laboring in slavery to a sinful nature that finds its expression in the rebellion and wickedness of mankind. Having turned his collective back on God resulting in a separation from him, mankind has sunk into a darkness, a spiritual blindness that has made it impossible to apprehend the things of God. It is just as evident in our day as in John's day.
 
Here is where the important ministry of John came in. He confronted the assumptions, the conclusions, the theology, the "wisdom" of this world. It is as if he reached into the collective mind and heart of the Jews who were living in a confidence in the teachings of their elders, and probably their own faulty conclusions regarding the things of God, and ripped it out. He was preparing the way for the Lord. John had quite a task. Sent to spiritually blind people, he prepared them for the Son of God by challenging their false notions of the things of God. My impression is that the voice calling in the desert, preparing a path for the Lord, filling in valleys and leveling mountains, straightening the crooked roads and making the rough smooth is all about preparing spiritually blind people to be exposed to the opportunity of the good news of God's Son.
 
Just like today! How great is the darkness sin has brought to mankind! How wonderful God sent his Son! "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned… For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this." Isaiah 9:2-7.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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What To Do with Jesus? - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Luke 2:34-35,

"This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed."

This statement was made by Simeon, a "righteous and devout" man. We are told the Holy Spirit was upon him and that he was moved by the Spirit to go into the temple courts where Joseph and Mary presented the infant Jesus according to the laws and customs of Israel. When Simeon saw Jesus, he took him in his arms, blessed Joseph and Mary and spoke these words to Mary.

In a short and aptly worded statement, the future of all mankind hangs in the balance. This infant, Jesus, will be the issue for all to consider: what to do with Jesus Christ? He is presented to us as God's sacrifice of atonement for sin, Romans 3:25. All who embrace him in faith will enter into God's family, John 1:12 and all who reject him will be cast into a fiery lake of burning sulfur, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." John 3:36. We find God's wrath for sin expressed in Revelation 20:14-15, "The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."

What to do with Jesus? This is the question of the ages and our response dictates our eternal destiny. Simeon told Mary that Jesus would be the cause of the falling and rising of many, that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. Paul quotes Isaiah in Romans 3:33, "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall,and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

What to do with Jesus? What a wonderful invitation God has made for us - to enter into his family! But it all hinges on Jesus Christ and what we do with him. "To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…" John 1:12.

What will you do with Jesus Christ today?

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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Nothing is impossible with God - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Luke 1:37,

"Nothing is impossible with God."

These words, spoken not by a human, but an angel, do not form an expression of faith, but inform us of a reality about God by one who knows God well: the angel Gabriel. These words do, however, challenge us to faith today. Do we believe them? I don't ask that question from the standpoint of a good theology and commitment to a conservative evangelical understanding of the inerrancy of the Scriptures. I ask it from the perspective of a personal conviction that is lived out in life day to day. Do I really believe that nothing is impossible with God?

Do I believe God loves me, has reached out to me even though I've lived a life of sin? Is that possible for God?

Do I believe that God satisfied his own sense of justice by having his Son, Jesus Christ, die in my place, to pay the penalty for my sins? Is that possible for God?

Do I believe that God will raise me from the dead, give me life eternal following the death of my earthly existence? Is that possible for God?

Do I believe that God has made a place for me in his family, that he has removed my sin so far from me that I will stand before his presence without fault and with great joy? Is that possible for God?

Do I believe God will work all things together for good in this life, for those of us who love him? Is that possible for God?

Do I believe God will hold all accountable who have rejected him? Is that possible for God?

Does my life reflect on a daily basis the truth Gabriel told Mary, that nothing is impossible with God? Is that demonstrated in the things I think, do and say?

"Nothing is impossible with God."

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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Our Great Hope in the Resurrection! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Mark 16:5-8,

"As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 'Don't be alarmed,' he said. 'You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, "He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you."' Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid."

Here is the scene when the two Marys and Salome came that first Sunday morning to the tomb Jesus was buried in. They discover it empty and the young man dressed in a white robe tells them Jesus Christ has risen from the dead! Death was unable to hold onto him.

I am reminded of John's comment about Jesus in John 1:4, "In him was life, and that life was the light of men." Jesus tells Mary the sister of Lazarus, "I am the resurrection and the life." John 11:25a. As the Author of Life, the Son of God is life itself. He creates it and sustains it. As the Son of God was able to take on humanity, he was capable of suffering a physical death. But that death was not able to hold him in its grip. He raised others to life while here and having accomplished his mission in sacrificing his life for us, he picked it back up again and lives today! Peter tells us in Acts 3 that he remains in heaven, but when the time comes he is coming back for us!

And the wonderful news is that not only death cannot hold him but for those of us who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith, "He who believes in me [Jesus Christ] will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." John 11:25b-26.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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The Day of Jesus' Death - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Mark 15:37,

"With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last."

After being mocked and treated horribly by the Roman soldiers, Jesus was raised on a cross and hung to die. What was that moment like? A centurion who was standing in front of Jesus, who heard his death-cry and saw how he died exclaimed, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"

The author of life was put to death by those he created – fulfilling God's purposes. In a horrific act of rebellion and repudiation of God, mankind killed his Creator exposing the depths of mankind's depravity.

In Mark's account we read that Jesus took his last breath with a loud cry and the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom (signifying that through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ all mankind now has free and unfettered access to God.) In Matthew's account we read the earth shook with a violent earthquake and the rocks split. Tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. Matthew goes on to say the centurion and guards at the scene were terrified. Luke tells us darkness came over the whole land for several hours – the sun stopped shining. Witnesses to the sight beat their breasts and went away.

Surely this was a day like none other experienced by this world. I can only imagine the convulsions that took place in the spiritual realm as "the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms" and the whole heavenly host reacted as the Son of God bore the sin of all mankind on himself that day, giving his life for us.

Words just can't express what it was like on that day!  

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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No One Has a Monopoly on the Lord - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Mark 14:3-9,

"While he [Jesus] was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, 'Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor.' And they rebuked her harshly. 'Leave her alone,' said Jesus. 'Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her'"

Here in this brief account is a story of a woman, Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus, who "did what she could". Apparently unknown to those he was eating with she performed an act of kindness to the Lord in light of his coming sacrificial death. Although something that would be recorded and spoken of for all generations to come she was criticized by others present (John cites Judas Iscariot).

In a symbolic act, and one that was as costly as a year's wages, she acknowledged the imminent death of Jesus Christ by anointing him with burial perfume. Others were told by Jesus of his death and they seemed to be slow on the uptake. We have no indication that even his inner circle of Peter, James and John were anticipating what Mary was – at least not at her level of anticipation. How is it Mary had an anticipation that led her to act in a way the others didn't?

Thoughts of this have brought to my remembrance that the Lord has a relationship with each of us individually. Although the Lord had an "inner circle" he still had one-on-one relationships with others while here. All of us can know the Lord intimately, can develop an appreciation for him individually which does not require the involvement of any others. I'm not saying there is not a place for corporate worship and the need we all have for encouraging one another through fellowship, but I am saying that no one is required to go through anyone else to draw close to the Lord. As a result, you may recognize things of the Lord he has not revealed to me and vice versa. My relationship with the Lord does not depend on anyone else and neither does yours. No need for a "leader", no need for an "official" of the church for me to know things of the Lord. Just like Mary seemed to know things the twelve failed to initially have appreciation for, we all may become aware of some things before our leaders do. That is not to cast any shadow on them as they may and probably know things I don't. We each pursue the Lord as individuals and it may just surprise some of us as to who he reveals things to among us, who he enlightens in his various ways.

I really love this about the Lord. None of us have a monopoly on him.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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Jesus is returning to planet earth for us! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Mark 13:26-27,

"At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens."

God chose (or "elected") beforehand that all who emulate the faith of Abraham have the right to become his children, John 1:12. This is why Abraham is such a key biblical figure. The "elect" are even called "Abraham's children" and you recall the story of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16:19-31, paradise was called "Abraham's bosom" or "Abraham's side". Paul tells us in Romans 4:20-24, "Yet he [Abraham] did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why 'it was credited to him as righteousness.' The words 'it was credited to him' were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead."

So those of us who are the "elect", those of us who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith, are now the children of God! And just look at what Jesus tells us in his "Olivet discourse": the day is coming when mankind will see Jesus Christ returning to planet earth "in the clouds with great power and glory"! He will send his angels to gather us up!!

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, "Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality."

I don't know about you, but I find this to be pretty exciting stuff!! It's time to buckle-up and hold on to our hats!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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A Frightful Realization! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Mark 12:38-40,

"As he taught, Jesus said, 'Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.'"

Jesus claimed that "teachers of the law" would be "punished most severely." What a frightening outlook these ones have awaiting them! As John the Baptist observed, "The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands." John 3:35. In John 5:28-30 Jesus says, "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his (Jesus', the Son of God's) voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me." In verse 22 of that chapter, Jesus points out, "Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son..." The Judge himself is telling us that these teachers of the law will be punished most severely!

Jesus describes these teachers of the law as being prideful, arrogant and full of themselves as they take advantage of the most helpless (widows) around them. Do you see these types around these days? You don't have to look far.

We know there will be varying degrees of suffering when Jesus brings his judgment against all who have not embraced him in faith. "Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town." Matthew 10:15. "But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you." Matthew 11:22. Here in Mark 12:40 we read these teachers of the law will be punished "most severely" indicating that it will be worse for them than some of the others when all will have to give an account of themselves.

As I look around myself, as I watch the news, as I watch (ir)religious programming, etc. I find myself thinking more and more of how those who are facing an eternity of punishment seem so oblivious to what is awaiting them! How can the aggrandizing of oneself, or the seeking of pleasure for oneself, for our short lifetimes, stack up against the outcome of judgment day?

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

God Provides All We Need to Serve Him - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Mark 11:24,

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

This is a part of the response Jesus gave his disciples when they pointed to the withered fig tree Jesus had cursed the day before. Reading the account this morning has brought some thoughts to mind.

Jesus approached a fig tree to see if it had any fruit on it. Because it was not the season for figs it didn't have any fruit so Jesus cursed the tree. In a figurative sense we, likewise, are in danger when we bear no fruit. I am reminded of Jesus' comments about the vine and branches in John 15. "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful…I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." John 15:1-2, 5-8.

It wasn't the season for figs and so the tree had no fruit. Jesus cursed the tree anyway speaking to me of an expectation that I bear fruit regardless of any season in my life. As sobering and discomforting this is to me I find great consolation and assurance in Jesus' response to his disciples, "ask… and it will be yours". Just as he told them in his comments about the vine and branches, "ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you." I have access to his strength, I have access to his enablement to produce fruit in my life. I have access to the indwelling Holy Spirit that gifts us all to produce fruit in our lives. I am told that all I need to do is ask and what it is I need to produce fruit will be mine. I have access to all the provision of God I need to produce fruit in my life – in any season of my life.

One of the things I have learned of the Lord is he never asks for that from me which he doesn't enable or provide for. He is God My Provider!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.  

Jesus Has His Ways and Doesn't Change - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Mark 10:1,

"Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them."

"As was his custom…" When one is referred to as doing something "as his custom" it indicates a habit, an activity repeated in an expected way, maybe even anticipated. This doesn't mean there were no surprises from Jesus as we read in following verses that Jesus "amazed" his disciples 10:24, that they were "more amazed" in 10:26, and even "astonished", 10:32, and this after having spent several years with him! Possibly we could say in addition to his custom of teaching crowds, it was his custom to amaze and surprise his disciples! I have a strong hunch that on resurrection day we will all be amazed, astonished and surprised ourselves at the wonder of what we find!

But have you ever thought what life might be like if Jesus, if God, changed all the time? What if God had no specific way, nothing customary or expected about him? What if we could never know what to expect from him from day to day? Maybe one day he is loving toward us, maybe another moody and angry with us? Maybe he accepts people one way today and another tomorrow? Think of the anxiety that would generate within us!

But, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8. He has his ways. He is the same today as he was yesterday. After much of a lifetime of knowing him I can say I have seen church movements, fads and gimmicks come and go, theological themes of interest shift and change. but the Lord I know and love today is the exact same personality and character I came to know almost 40 years ago.

"As his custom", he is always there to meet with me when I bring my thoughts and concerns to him in prayer. "As his custom", he always brings me new and exciting insights into his word as I spend time there with him in the pages of Scripture. "As his custom", he always brings me a sense of remorse for the things that I do that I know disappoint him, myself and others. "As his custom", I sense his forgiveness and assurance he has a place for me in his family. "As his custom" he brings a dimension to life that adds fresh air, vibrancy and vitality – he brings gusto to living!

"As his custom", he never changes and I have pinned my future on the certain reliability that he is never-changing! And, I wouldn't want it any other way!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.  

Jesus Christ Returns in Glory! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Mark 9:1,

"And he [Jesus Christ] said to them, 'I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.'"

In fulfillment of these words, six days later Jesus took Peter, James and John up a mountain and was "transfigured" before them. The account only provides a limited description of what Peter, James and John saw on that day. We are told that Jesus' clothes "became dazzling white" and that Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus. It was a glimpse of what is to come in the resurrection. The impact it had on Peter, James and John was significant. In this passage we are told they didn't know what to say they were so frightened. In Matthew's account we are told Peter, James and John "fell facedown to the ground, terrified." In Luke's account we learn that Jesus' face changed and his clothes "became as bright as a flash of lightening." Moses and Elijah appeared in "glorious splendor". A cloud enveloped them as Peter was speaking. It was such that we are told Peter did not know what he was saying.

I don't know about you, but this causes me to think of the future coming of the kingdom of God with power. This will be an event that will change the order of things on planet earth forever, marked by the return of Jesus Christ from heaven. In Acts 1:11 we read of "two men dressed in white" who suddenly appeared with the disciples as they were watching Jesus ascend into heaven in clouds. They told the disciples Jesus will return the same way he went into heaven. Jesus himself described his coming back to earth in Matthew 24:27-31 this way, "For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man… Immediately after the distress of those days  'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other."

As I think of it, I am reminded of what we read in Revelation 19:11-16, "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. 'He will rule them with an iron scepter.' He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."

The kingdom of God will come with great power! It will be a day this world will never forget as our Lord of glory, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords comes to claim planet earth, to gather his own to himself and vanquish all who oppose him! What a day that will be!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.  

Our Compassionate Lord! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Mark 8:1-3,

"During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 'I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.'"

Jesus Christ had a public ministry that lasted about three years. The message he took to the Jews was to repent, that the kingdom of God was near and to believe the good news: "The time has come!" Mark 1:15. To authenticate his message he performed miracles, healed people, cast out demons, raised the dead, confounded the religious establishment and taught the people everywhere he went.

As we see in Mark's gospel account, Jesus pursued his purpose with passion. But as he carried it out his personality penetrated a dark world with the wonderful light of his kindness, mercy and compassion. In the above verse we see that his stated motivation for the feeding of the four thousand was born in his compassion for the physical needs of his followers. "I have compassion for these people." In an earlier account, 6:34 we read, "When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things."

In Exodus 34:6-7a, the Lord revealed himself to Moses by saying, "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin."

As we see in the actions of Jesus in his ministry, the Lord is exactly as he revealed himself to Moses – and what a Lord he is!!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.