Ni90: Ephesians 1-3, Proverbs 29

WOW! Welcome to Day 60 in the New Testament in 90 Day Reading Journey. 2/3 of the way there and “amped” about the fact that so many are continuing to be faithful to finish this together. (And for those who have struggled a bit along the way…just catch up…or jump back in with us today. It’s cool…)

If you read discerningly these three chapters, you are introduced to the eternal plan of God IN CHRIST JESUS. This is more than an event 2,000 years ago. It is an eternal plan. In CHRIST there is a promise or rest, hope, fellowship, purpose, and power. All of these things are true IN CHRIST. [NOTE: For fun, go back through the chapters and underline every reference to "in Him, In Christ Jesus, or the Lord in Whom". I count at least 16 references here. The underlining will draw your mind to the fact.]

All of the promises of God…the very purpose for creation…the only Hope for God’s created beings is found in Him. Now…that statement carries with it an inverse implication.

Apart from Him…there is no promise, no hope, no purpose, no rest, and no peace. NONE. Now I know that the world tries to sell peace and hope through other means. This is not new. It has tried to do so since the first couple ate the first piece of fruit. The fact is though…the world’s peace is not peace. Peace is not found in drowning our sorrows in excesses like food, alcohol, relationships and the like. Peace is not found in religious ritual. Peace is not found in achievement and prestige. Peace is only found in Him.

I read this morning a testimony of a former drug addict and rock music legend. He said that Christ never promised us a life without turmoil…only His presence in the midst of the storms that inevitably arise in life. NOW THAT IS A GOOD WORD.

One other observation that I love about this text…is found in the word, “But.” Now I just have to say, I love the “Buts” in the Bible. Seems like life is spiraling out of control, BUT God steps in and does His thing. Notice 2:4, we were dead in sin BUT GOD made us alive in Christ!! Also, 2:13, we were separated from the covenant promises of God, BUT GOD drew us close in Jesus. Yes…I love BUTS. They are the hope of all who have hope.

Proverbs 29:4 is the takeaway today. “The king gives stability to the land by justice, but a man who takes bribes overthrows it.” [Righteousness is stable whereas a politician who can be bought with favors destroys the very foundation of society.]

Ni90: Galatians 4-6, Proverbs 28

As Paul continues his defense/argument against adding to the gospel elements of Jewish tradition…there is so much good in these chapters to be mined out. Choosing only a couple is difficult.

• 4:4-7. At the perfect time, God sent His Son into the world. God’s timing is perfect. Still today it is perfect. We might think He is late…or derelict…but that is because we do not understand things from God’s perspective. His timing is perfect. FURTHERMORE, God sent His Son into the world. This is a strong statement on the incarnation of Christ. Jesus did not come to be in a stable in Bethlehem. He (the second person of the Trinity) is eternal. He took on flesh 2,000 years ago but in the beginning of everything…He already was! ALSO, God sent His Son into the world to set captives free, to save sinners, to remove the guardian (the Law) and affirm the inheritance of the saints.
• 5:9. Be careful about allowing bad influence to have contact with God’s people. One gossip…one false teacher…one angry or unforgiving man…and the influence will spread throughout the whole Body. Our first approach is restoration through confrontation and repentance (6:1-2). If this is refused, then the bad influence must be removed. A little leaven (yeast) influences the whole lump of dough (the Body).
• 5:11. Paul did not try to remove the stumbling block of the cross (Salvation by God’s grace, not by our adherence to any Code). He recognized it and defended it. Liberalism waters down things like the cross. The doctrine is too difficult (they say) so let’s see if we can interpret the Scriptures in a way that is less offensive and more easily embraced. WHO SAID Salvation was to be easily embraced? Not Jesus (See Luke 9:23). Salvation is free…but it also costs us everything.
• 6:1-2. Two of my favorite verses. They remind us how to deal with one another and help one another. God gave us US to help us. (Read it again 3 xs).  We are on the same team trying to help each other NOT miss God because of our own sin.
• 6:7. What you do has consequences. Sow to the flesh, reap the flesh. Sow to the Spirit, reap the Spirit.
• 6:9. The Law of the harvest tells us that we always reap later than we sow. Don’t quit watering and caring for the things we’ve sown. We will reap a harvest eventually.

Proverbs 28:9 is the takeaway today. “He who turns his ear away from listening to the law, even his prayer is an abomination.”

Ni90: Galatians 1-3, Proverbs 27

Today kicks off Day 58 of the 90 Day reading through the NT! Congrats to all those who have persevered in the journey!! As we look into Galatians, it is pretty helpful to understand an overview of what is going on in the background that drives such a hard-hitting letter.

Paul preached the gospel and many in Galatia were converted. After he left, other religious leaders came in and began declaring that Gentiles must adhere to the Jewish Law in addition to the gospel of Salvation by faith. Their argument caught some traction…and one Paul heard of it…he strongly corrects the teaching to PRESERVE the truth and power of the Gospel.

Key sections for me today:

• 1:6-9. There is only one gospel and it is the gospel of grace. Anything beyond this is not the gospel. It is a perversion of the gospel.
• 2:5. Paul understood the integrity of the gospel to be valuable for defending. To allow modification to the gospel…or additions to the gospel…effectively destroyed its power. This is not a political consideration…it is a spiritual declaration. If Paul were being political, he would simply go along (1:10).
• 3:3. As the fella from Texas said, “Dance with the one who brung ya!” How can you start your spiritual journey by faith and then bring it to completion by adhering to the Law? It makes no sense. Furthermore, it destroys the gospel of faith.
• There is one gospel for everyone. Certainly there is not restriction on the Jews that prevents them from observing parts of their traditions (even to this day); however, when those traditions are imposed on others as a prerequisite/condition for salvation, then they err.
• 3:27-29. All believers, Jew and non-Jew, are descendents of Abraham…not by circumcision (which is the sign of the covenant), but by Christ who is the giver of the covenant. As descendents, both Jew and non-Jew are heirs of the promise given to Abraham.

Applied: Paul’s statement is so strong it would be heralded as narrow and considered in “poor form” in our culture today. “It is the gospel I said it was…or whoever says something else is accursed!” WHat evokes such a strong response? The challenge to the only hope people have.

In church today…it is still a constant battle to preserve the gospel. a man is saved and yet treated as second class because he does not come tot he same conclusion on smoking a cigar, wearing a tie, or reading a 400 year old translation of the Scriptures? Really? These things do not save. Not even remotely. It takes courage to defend truth. We need people of courage who will do so…lest we watch the power fo the gospel destroyed by additions, subtraction, and division…

Proverbs 27:6 is the takeaway today. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.”

Ni90: 2 Corinthians 13, Proverbs 26

Chapter 13 is a call to examination and repentance. As Paul closes this letter, he has been (and continues to be) focused on the heart condition of the church. Remember that in the previous chapters…there was a need to defend his apostolic credentials… because of those in the church who were, while caught in sin, questioning and seeking to tear down both the Apostle and his teaching. Paul is not seeking an occasion to confront the sinners; rather, he desires that they confess and repent of their sins…before he comes to them personally (13:1).

Notice 13:5. The call is to examination to insure that the hearers were in the faith. Not just that they had prayed a prayer or been baptized…but that they were living DAILY in an ongoing faith-walk with Jesus. This means that they do not have unconfessed sin. Not that they were sinless or perfect…but that they had no tolerance for sin in their lives. As God made it clear, they would repent.

We may pass every outside examination around. After all…we can put on a facade with very little effort. But when we look inside…with the Holy Spirit guiding us…we cannot hide from what we see. We can try to diminish the “lens” that Christ gives us to look through (His Word), but the sin is still sin.

Paul said to test and examine yourself. Really look hard at the inward man. Then, regardless of appearances to others…live in the truth. Even if living in the truth looks wrong to others…live in the truth (13:7-8).

REFLECTING: I think we ALL can be bent toward deluding ourselves about our spiritual condition. We start to compare ourselves to our past, others around us, or our perceptions of truth/traditions…and we become comfortable…though we should not be. We assume that since we don’t go around murdering or committing adultery…we’re “all set” with Jesus. We assume that since we are “all set,” that anyone who would point to something they see amiss…the problem lies with them and not us. After all…compared to the people around us, we feel pretty good.

Examine yourself in light of the truth of God’s Word! When we do…something is certain to occur. First, we will realize how messed up we really are. We are you know…messed up. All of us. We are so far from “perfect” (which is God’s standard for us) that we can never get back. The good news is…the Gospel. What we could not do, God did in His Son and then IMPUTED (transferred the credit and results) Christ’s righteousness/perfection to us…that is to those of us who believe. Now…that is good news and it is the outcome of examination. Victory comes when we yield to it.

Proverbs 26:17 is the takeaway today. “Like one who takes a dog by the ears is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.” [Mind your own business...and mind God's business...but if you mind other's business, you might get bit.]

The Leader's Liability

Reblogged from dondunavant Walking Together:

Criticism. It is the liability of leadership. If you lead you are going to face it. Moses met it over and over again when the Children of Israel’s faith was tested and they responded by murmuring and grumbling against Moses. When Absalom rebelled against David, some of David’s faithful advisors joined the son’s rebellion and spoke evil of King David. Some opposed Paul, making fun of his physical appearance or questioning his motives.

Read more… 333 more words

From my friend and one of my mentors, Dr. Don Dunavant. Great observations and a challenge to respond as we ought when we experience criticism...

Ni90: 2 Corinthians 10-12, Proverbs 25

This is Day 56…and is one of the most difficult passages for me personally. See, my pastor once had a difficult group of people in a church where we served that continued after him in many ways. They would not relent. Over and Over…they would trouble him, accuse him of things that were untrue…and they had mastered the devilish art of whispering in the hallways, meeting in private homes, and coordinating attacks against him. Their primary approach…reduce him in the eyes of the people from the CALLED MAN OF GOD charged to lead the church to “just another man,” no different from any of those with accusations. I remember my pastor preaching this text one Sunday evening and then calling for a vote of confidence from the people. In that instant, my soul was both deeply pained and greatly encouraged. I was broken for the pain that a group of people caused him. They were educated and influential leaders. They developed a following and would nibble away at my pastor’s ministry. They took notes in meetings…looking for soundbites to accuse him with. They poured over his sermons…not for application but for points of accusation. They did not seek to encourage or edify but to diminish, defame and destroy. All in the Name of Jesus.

I was labored in my soul when he preached this text. He had been fasting for many days…seeking his sanctification, begging God to root out the sin, and asking God to move in our Body. Afterwards, I was discouraged and distressed. I had no idea that “church people” who were recognized and entrusted as leaders could be so vindictive and mean. Then I was reminded…even Jesus had Judas. All of the committed disciples abandoned Jesus in His hour of greatest need. Jesus said, if they will call the Master the devil, how much more slander will the level against His followers/disciples.

Serving as a pastor is some of the most rewarding and most painful work I have ever been exposed to. I have been privileged to save people from some of the most life-threatening situations, bring hardened criminals to justice and bring justice to the downtrodden. As good as that is…serving in the church is better. At the same time, I have pulled a child’s body from a frozen creek and watched innocence destroyed by the world’s worst villains…and church work is, at times, far worse a weight on a man’s soul.

Paul writes in a similar spirit of brokenness here and gives us principles that are just as true today as they were then:

• 10:1-2. Pastors are men…but they are more than men. They are God-called men charged to lead people who yield to the Lordship of Christ. Do not regard a pastor as simply a man with a job…He has a charge and a calling and will (if he’s worth his salt) be courageous when necessary to protect the glory of God and the people of God from devils in sheep’s clothing.
• Boasting in our physical accomplishments is foolish…but it is more weighty (and thus more readily received) to many who esteem it above spiritual credentials. Yes…that man may be older, grayer, richer, more tenured…but he is not more credentialed than the man of God who is carrying out the calling of God.
• 11:28. The pressures of concern for the spiritual well-being of the people we lead is greater than the pressures of imprisonment, beatings, impending dangers, and the like. Pastors labor over the souls of their people.
• 12:7-10. God allows (or maybe even ordains) circumstances/weaknesses in our lives to draw us to draw on Him and His power and strength. In our weakness, His strength is perfected.
• 12:15. Pastors are not drafted “kicking and screaming” into the ministry. We GLADLY spend and are spent for the people God has entrusted to us.

Oh that God would so stir as to bring about a revival of understanding among God’s people…to honor pastors for what they are…God-called and ordained men with the greatest of trials and troubles…and the ultimate in joy inexpressible. May God also revive a holy awe in the hearts of pastors that translates to earnest love like Paul displays and heavenly courage like Paul exercises in doing the right thing first!!

Proverbs 25:14 is the takeaway today. “Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely.”

Ni90: 2 Corinthians 7-9, Proverbs 24

As I read this today it struck me that Paul never got the memo about speaking about money. no one ever told him that God wants money matters done in secret so He can bless it. No one ever told Paul that talk about money made people so uncomfortable that it hurt the cause of church growth. No one told Paul that speaking of generosity would drive good and godly people to hide their wallets. [Tongue in cheek...of course.]

Paul spends two entire chapters speaking of generosity and its connection to the gospel witness and the Kingdom economy. A couple of overarching statements here are appropriate:

• Our giving/generosity gives a testimony of our value of the King’s gift to us. When we give little or nothing, we TESTIFY that we value little or nothing the gift of Salvation/Hope/Sanctification and the presence of God. When we are generous…we TESTIFY of the enormous value we place on God’s generosity toward us.
• Covetousness is the enemy of generosity and must be actively resisted at every step of the journey…or generosity will die.
• Generosity is to be CELEBRATED…DISCUSSED…and should be an encouragement toward an epidemic of generosity among God’s people everywhere!
• God intends and uses our generosity to meet the needs of others who suffer in the Kingdom. This doesn’t mean we are not to be caring toward the poor who are outside of God’s family…because we are to care…but there is NEVER an excuse for us to allow want and suffering to occur among believers while we have excess.

OK…now I already feel a bit “uncomfortable” talking about this…since I haven’t yet mastered all of it in my own life…but I am growing and I have seen the promises affirmed in my life. Further, I fully and completely affirm these principles as true. They are not up for debate in my mind. (I just still struggle with wanting a pool or a jet-ski, or a motorcycle like my neighbors sometimes… So, the seed of covetousness is still in my heart and I have to WORK to not nurture it…or it will take root and grow!

Rather than break down the verses…I think I will just go back and re-read chapters 8-9 a few more times and see how God’s MODEL of generosity is reflected in my life. Questions to consider as we apply the text:

• Am I concerned about the poor in my congregation to the point that I am sacrificial in meeting their needs?
• Do I recognize that God gave me more so that I would give it away to alleviate suffering?
• If I cannot “afford” to be generous with what I have…is it because I have too many things that use up the surplus blessings on my personal comforts/passions/and desires…to the neglect of things I CLAIM to value more in the Kingdom economy of God?

My prayer is that God would stir in me a desire to radical generosity which is not really radical…but is biblical.

Proverbs 24:17-18 is the takeaway today. “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; or the Lord will see it and be displeased, and turn His anger away from him.”

Ni90: 2 Corinthians 4-6, Proverbs 23

In these chapters we need to set a little “context” for the argument to really connect in our minds. Paul likely wrote this letter from Philippi around AD 55 while in the midst of his missionary work. Having heard of the repentance in the church at Corinth following his painful letter (or visit according to some scholars), Paul now writes to affirm his apostleship and thus solidify his influence in the church. He desires to return there to collect the offering for the poor saints in Jerusalem and he has a love for this church…so he wants them to trust him.

Part of the tactics used by the false teachers who had caused so much trouble in the church was to malign Paul’s character in order to discredit him and elevate themselves by comparison. Paul now is seeking to answer some of these character attacks (because it is a necessary “evil” given the human psychological dynamic) while keeping the focus on Christ and His finished work.

• 4:7-12. Nothing about this experience will ever appear on Creflo Dollar’s broadcast. Instead of health, wealth, and prosperity…Paul says that his life and ministry is hard! It is hard but he is not despairing…because of the hope that is in Christ (4:14)…and in comparison to  that hope…these difficult circumstances are but a momentary, light affliction! (4:16-18). NOTE: I love the way that Paul doesn’t deny the accusations that his enemies have made…but sets them in the context of the King and the Kingdom. You can almost hear them saying…”Paul is trouble. Everywhere he goes he is arrested or beaten. A good and godly man wouldn’t have so much trouble!! Paul responds…we are in difficulties often…and we do what we do so that others might live…just like JESUS!! (5:11-12). MAKES ME WONDER…how the world might respond if we turned every conversation about our condition to the King and His Kingdom… ”Yes, I did lose my job which is difficult…but I am excited that one day I will (not hope) be in the presence of Jesus where I’ll never have a job like this again. Until then I know (not hope) that Jesus provides. After all, He provided the last job and since I don’t have it…He must have considered my assignment completed.” [Wouldn't that make the world scratch their heads?]
• 5:13…if we are out of our mind…we are just nuts for God! LOVE IT!
• 5:14-15…Christ’s love controls us completely and we live wholly for Him who died and rose again on our behalf!
• 5:18-19. The outworking of living wholly for Christ and being controlled by His love…means we are INTENTIONALLY engaged in the ministry/service He has commended to US ALL…the ministry of reconciliation. Here is what that looks like: “Are you a plumber?” NOPE. “I am a reconciler of men to God who works as a plumber.” “Are you a retiree from the Navy?” NOPE. “I am a reconciliation agent of the Kingdom who once was assigned to the Navy as my mission field, now I am a free agent and focus on a new mission field of people who wear shorts and black socks!”
• 6:3-10. We choose to give no offense in anything, but to commend ourselves in every form of situation we find ourselves in…which at the time is a boatload of suffering…and it is a momentary, light, affliction incomparable to the surpassing glory to be revealed!

So…do we bemoan our suffering? Do we feel the need to justify every difficulty in our lives? Do we see value in our suffering as purposeful? Are we living in the hope of the glory to come and determining that in light of this hope…whatever momentary light affliction we face is trivial at best?

Proverbs 23:4-5 is the takeaway today. “Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.”

Ni90: 2 Corinthians 1-3, Proverbs 22

This letter to the Corinthians is somewhat “weedy” at times as it is part of a dialogue of sorts…a conversation between Paul and the Corinthian church. As in other places, Paul addresses concerns/accusations about him, about matters within the church, and about a “sorrowful letter,” which cannot be identified with certainty [Some attribute the reference to 1 Corinthians, while other attribute it to a lost letter that was sent between 1 and 2 Corinthians]. The principle…which is the point for us…is not jeopardized by the identity of the sorrowful letter.

A couple of characteristics of these first chapters grabbed me as I read today:

• 1:4. Actually 1:3-7…where Paul uses the word “comfort”  ten times. verse 4 gives context and explanation to suffering. In our suffering…God comforts us in such a way that we can comfort others out of our own experience with God. This is not a philosophical or psychological comfort. It is real comfort gained in experience with God.
• 1:8-11. This is an example of what Paul has just suggested…he sensed his own impending death and God comforted and even delivered him. Paul was encouraged, strengthened and even helped by those who had prayed for him in his affliction. (Notice he says that the prayer had real value…it was truly purposeful…not just some practice for people who needed a religious crutch.)
• 2:4. The responsibilities of spiritual leadership are difficult and REQUIRE that the man of God rebuke at times. This should always be done in the right spirit…one of love and brokeness over the affront to God and the condition of the people. There is never a place for a pastor to be vindictive or hurtful…abusive in his execution of his duty. At the same time…he cannot shun his duty and claim that he is being merciful or gracious. The correct word is cowardice. The affront to God in sin MUST be addressed…and the suffering of the people IN SIN must be confronted. These things outweigh the consideration of not wanting to hurt someone’s feelings. [Truthfully, what we "dress up" as protecting someone's feelings...is often a masked desire for approval and acceptance from people...thus it is pride and sin in us.]
• 2:5-11. RESTORATION is the purpose and goal of confrontation and punishment. This matter likely refers to the sexual immorality of 1 Cor 5. The church exercised DISCIPLINE in the matter and the offender was broken. Paul wrote to the church that had SHIFTED from “overlooking” the sin to becoming “unforgiving” when repentance was obvious. He told the church…accept the man back into the fellowship so that he not be utterly destroyed. Notice…”forgive and COMFORT” (2:7).
• 3:14. This leapt off the page today because of what I am studying for Sunday’s message. It deals with a hardness of heart/mind…an unteachable/immovable position that costs eternally. The veil which covered the glory of God is unlifted for the Jews because it is only lifted in Christ…and they were unwilling to accept this teaching. [I am personally broken over the fact that some live continually in captivity because they are not open to hearing a "new Word" from God. They think that they know already all that is needed and see anything new as insignificant or erroneous. In either case...they live looking at a "veil" when it could be lifted if they softened their mind. CAUTION: I am not speaking of some new doctrine; rather, I am saying that sometimes we set in our mind a particular application of biblical truth and because of who once told us...or based on our bias...we are not open to changing our mind in response to a new application of the text...even if it is supported in a dozen different ways in the Scripture. Such was the circumstance of the Jews who missed Christ...because he did not fit the mold. And they suffered eternally for not being teachable...refusing to let God teach them new applications of truth.]

I am convinced that we could grow immensely and experience overwhelming joy if we could only get out of our own way.

Proverbs 22:10 is the takeaway today. “Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out, even strife and dishonor will cease.”

Ni90: 1 Corinthians 15-16, Proverbs 21

This chapter (15) pertains in large part to the defense Paul gives for the resurrection in direct response to false teachings by speculative philosophers in the church. He speaks directly and (some may say) harshly toward them. This is not normative for defending ones faith. In fact, in the example of Jesus, Paul is speaking for the benefit of those listening in…not for the benefit of those who offered such “goofy” philosophical ideas. [IOW: He is not trying to convince the ones who have the bad theology. They are not teachable. He is trying to rescue those they are seeking to convert to their way of thinking.]

Paul argues for the truth of the resurrection from a number of directions. All of these arguments are good in themselves; however, when you take them together, it is hard to deny the resurrection at all…ever!

A couple of verses in the passage minister to my soul…apart from the resurrection argument.

• 15:10. Some of the opponents argued that Paul did not have very strong credentials to be sharing his views on matters like resurrection and things of Christ. They (said) that he had once been an enemy of Christ and that his newly stated faith (not new at this point since it was decades old…but we shouldn’t let the truth get in the way of good gossip)  was not very reliable…at least not as reliable as theirs. [I imagine they pointed to their graying hair, family tree, and educational degrees as proof]. Paul’s response…I AM WHAT I AM BY THE GRACE OF GOD. God did not save Paul in spite of his sin…but because his sin made him in need of salvation…just as with every person on the planet. He was once a persecutor of the church…and then he got saved. Once he was saved…he was different. Every one of us is an enemy of God before salvation. We are opposing Him in every respect before we yield to Jesus as Lord. Paul’s past was not a reason for ongoing shame…but was a trophy of God’s grace!
• 16:1-2. This collection was not the “tithe” that was given to God through the local church; rather it spoke of a freewill offering for compassion ministry toward suffering saints elsewhere. NOW…while it was a free will offering, Paul assumed that everyone would participate according to his ability. GENEROSITY is normal Christianity. (Gosh…I think “how stupid was I all those years” as I tried to negotiate with God and told him I could not afford to tithe…much less give beyond a tithe. If I had trouble affording to tithe…it was because I had spent God’s money somewhere else. I can always afford to do what God directs in my life. I just have to not use his portion on a new truck or little stuff that I buy on Visa or Mastercard during the month.) A non-generous Christian…is a contradiction in terms.
• 16:13-14. These verses were the theme for a men’s conference I did a couple years ago for my men in the church. It was an is still near to my heart…what God did in our time together. A pleasant reminder and NEAT way to end my reading today.

Proverbs 21:13 is the takeaway today. “He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered.”