Strange Fire

Exodus 10:1-7 records a story that reminds us of something about God, something that the story of Ananias and Sapphira that we read recently also teaches.

C.S. Lewis says it of “Aslan” in The Chronicles of Narnia, and it’s also true of the one true God. He is “not a tame lion”. Here’s the story from Exodus, in a nutshell… A couple of Aaron’s sons decide to worship God in their own way, but it’s a way that is clearly contrary to what they have just learned is God’s way. And they are consumed by the fire of their own offering. Burned up. Killed. Dead. Destroyed.

Now, I don’t think we should live in fear of God that he will burn us up at any moment. Scripture is clear that this isn’t the case. But a good solid dose of reverence for God, a God who is close but not one of us, a God who became like us so we might be friends with Him but who is still, to a very large extent, unknowable and indescribable and uncontainable and awesome and… yeah… a little scary sometimes, is a good thing.

So, give yourself to the Holy, Sacred, “Other” God today. Worship Him as He really is, and He will draw close to you.

Generosity Doesn’t Go Unnoticed

I thought it was neat that “generosity” showed up in our reading in Acts today:  “Cornelius gave generously to charity and was a man who regularly prayed to God” (Acts 10:2)  And a few versees later we read:   And the angel replied, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have not gone unnoticed by God.”  (Acts 10:4b)  God was getting ready to give the Gentiles his word and Holy Spirit.  He begins this by Cornelius, who is noted for his generosity and a relationship with God.  He was ready to receive God’s message through Peter–his heart was ready.  Practicing generosity is good for our hearts and of course it comes from our heart.   God notices generosity.

Holy Spirit Power

When the Holy Spirit came on Peter and the other disciples, people were drawn to God.  They were amazed by His power and wanted to know how to come to him.  Peter was given the words to say and 3ooo came to believe in Christ that day.  He said, “…anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  (Acts 2:21)  And, Peter replied, “Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”  (Acts 2:38)  What a powerful display that day by the Holy Spirit working through Peter.  We have access to that same Spirit…let’s let Him speak through us each day.

Enough

Exodus 16:17-18; Acts 2:44-45  “So the people of Israel did as they were told. Some gathered a lot, some only a little. But when they measured it out, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed… “And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.”

What a great Old Testament/New Testament parallel in today’s reading.  God taking care of his people during the Exodus with manna in the wilderness—and God taking care of his people by everyone in the newly formed church sharing with each other.  It’ like God is giving them a fish in Exodus but he is teaching them to fish in Acts.

I know I have been prone to putting more emphasis on how God is providing for me (and he certainly has done so in amazing ways) than how God chooses to provide for others through me.  I need to maintain more of a giving attitude than a getting one.

That’s why God provides… so we can.

Dead things

There has always been a disconnect between what people who follow God believe with their minds and what they know in their hearts. A great biblical example of this is in Luke 24. Jesus has told his followers he will rise again, but they still go to the tomb. (That is, the brave women go to the tomb, the frightened men stay hidden in their room.)

“Why do you look for the living among the dead?” Then they remembered those words that Jesus spoke to predict this.

Think of the things in your life that drag you down, that you feel like you can’t control. They are dead things, and yet “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” I know there are no magic words to make this happen, and for me, there are far too many things in my life I don’t believe God can change even though I know with my head that he can. But I encourage you to pray that God might release you to follow him completely, to lay down your dead things, and seek the living God! He is risen, he has conquered, and he has totally beaten the power of death. Not just the eternal death that we avoid by following Jesus, but the death in our everyday lives that is dragging us down.

“Why do you look for the living among the dead?”

People Watching

Jesus was in the Temple watching people as they gave their offerings.  He saw the rich giving their money, and then  a very poor widow came and dropped in her tiny amount.  I’m sure Jesus shocked his listeners when he said, “I assure you, this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them.  For they have given a tiny part pf their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”  (Luke 21:3-4)  He was seeing straight into the hearts of people.  We are often impressed by the size of gifts, but God looks at where our hearts are as we give.   The question that came to mind as I read this passage was, “what does God see when he watches me give?”  Something to think about…

That’s Not How Grace Works

I noticed an interesting connection in all three readings today.

The reading in Genesis tells yet another story of the ole switcheroo going on in the life of Jacob.  Quick review: Jacob the younger was blessed by his father Isaac over Esau the older.  And now grandpa Jacob blesses his younger son Joseph’s younger son Ephraim over the older Manasseh.  This goes against every rule of tradition in the Hebrew way, as the oldest son was always to receive the blessing.  It was expected.  It was deserved.

But that’s not how grace works.

Then in the reading of Psalm 10, the plea is for God to notice the unjustices of the wicked and finally do something about it.  They’re ungodly people and they need to get what they deserve.

But that’s not how grace works.

Finally, in Luke 19 we read the story of Zacchaeus, an unscrupulous cheat despised by all–especially the religious leaders.  They in fact scolded Jesus for going to the house of a “sinner” and befriending him.  Sinners don’t deserve that kind of attention and compassion.

But that’s not how grace works.

And aren’t you glad for that?

You don’t own Jesus

I’m sure that there were a lot of expectations in the hearts and minds of the people who cheered for Jesus in Luke 19 as he entered the city of Jerusalem. Expectations that they would be delivered from the Romans, that they would have peace and prosperity… but what does Jesus do? He blasts their expectations and hopes to bits. He enters the temple and makes such a stir that the leaders among the people decide right then and there that this is enough, this rabbi must die. And it took less than a week for them to accomplish it.

Don’t let your own agenda and your own hopes and dreams get in the way of the even more amazing thing that God wants to do in your life and your world. Trust me on this. God knows best, and he is unexpected, untamed, and unpredictable.

It’s Not the Economy

There’s a lot of conflicting reports bouncing around out there concerning the economy.  Some say we’re climbing out of this recession.  Other reports continue to reveal big job losses and double-digit unemployment.  It creates both hope and fear.

But I was reminded by today’s reading in Luke 12 (a similar passage exists in Matthew 6) that God’s provision is based on his Kingdom–not the economy.  Jesus says this in verses 31 and 32:

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.”

So I think there’s two ideas here.  The first is that there’s nothing we need that God doesn’t want to provide for us.  He wants us to have his whole Kingdom!  The second idea assumes that it’s God’s Kingdom–and not some other kingdom of our own choosing or making–that we want. 

Seek him first and have his Kingdom.  Let others worry about the economy.

Daddy!

Father, Abba, Daddy, we are Your children. You made us and you own us. And You are so far above us.

Your name is holy, not just You, not just where You are, even your very name. That is how different and special You are. That is how far above us You are.

Your Kingdom is coming, is here, and has been made here in Your people. We can’t wait to be with You in Heaven, but we are delighted that Your Kingdom, Your “Heaven” lives in us now, today, here. Make us part of Your purposes and plans, we offer ourselves as agents of Your grace and Your presence.

We need so much, we feel we need what we don’t really, please be gracious to us and give us, in Your wisdom, just what we need for this day and this moment.

God, we are sinners, we’ve offended You, again and again. Forgive us that, while at the same time, as we behave like You do, we forgive the people who’ve hurt us. All of them. All they’ve done.

God, we know You don’t lead us to places that You don’t want us to do, but we are weak and unsure, so we plead that You don’t lead us into a place we shouldn’t be or go, and that You keep us from those things and people who can and would harm us and hurt us.

Amen. Everything is Yours. You are the summit, the apex, the most amazing One ever. Nobody is like You. Nobody ever will be.