Author: Jennifer Armstrong

Today’s reading:  Matthew 20

Yesterday, we witnessed the transfer of power from the 44^th President of the United States to the 45^th President of the United States.  Like many Presidents who have gone before, our 44^th President exercised his authority to grant a variety of pardons and commutations before he left office – 212 pardons and 1,715 commutations to be exact.  These are a big deal, as they release offenders from all future consequences that would have otherwise accompanied their conviction(s).  Did you know granting pardons is a unilateral power of the President of the United States?  This means the decisions aren’t reviewed, and cannot be overturned by the court, Congress or even the incoming President.  With one act, an offender’s conviction is wiped away and freedom is granted.  What a powerful illustration of mercy.

• Mercy – compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one’s power.
• Forbearance – a refraining from the enforcement of something (as a debt, right, or obligation) that is due.

(Miriam Webster)

Our text today in Matthew 20 covers the parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard.  In this story, the landowner hired laborers to work in his vineyard throughout the course of the day.  When it came time to pay them, he used a last-in/first-out method, paying those who had worked the shortest time first and those who had worked all day last.  The issue was, he paid them all the same amount, regardless of how long they had worked.  Those hired in the morning were mad.  While the landowner kept his promise and paid them the amount on which they had agreed, these workers felt shortchanged.  They believed their longer hours should have earned them more money than the others.

Do you see the lesson? This was not a parable about hard work, equality or justice.  It was about mercy.  The landowner showed compassion to workers hired later in the day.  He paid them a full day’s wage instead of just paying them what they had earned.  In the same way, God chooses to bestow mercy on those who follow him.  He doesn’t make us suffer the consequences of our sins.  Rather through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, he wipes away our conviction and grants us freedom.  He offers each of us a pardon.  We have not earned it, and we certainly don’t deserve it.

• For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
• For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).
• For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

In preparation for my post this week, I was reminded of two very humbling lessons about God’s grace and mercy Jesus taught through this parable:

• When you decide to put your faith in Jesus Christ, you are entitled to all the rights and benefits he promises, regardless of how early or late in life you made the decision – (Ephesians 1:13-14).
• If you think you deserve more in God’s Kingdom because you worked harder or lived a better life than someone else, you’ve forgotten how you got in. By his grace and mercy, God saved you from sin and death. You certainly didn’t earn or deserve it – (Ephesians 2:8).

(gracethrufaith.com)

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved (Ephesians 2:4-5).

I am humbled, and eternally grateful for God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Today’s reading:  Matthew 6

At first blush, Matthew 6 sounds like guidance on how to (or how not to) properly carry out different spiritual activities.

• …so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you (Matthew 6:4).
• But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you (Matthew 6:6).
• …that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you (Matthew 6:18).

Jesus’ instruction is clear. These spiritual disciplines are to be performed in private.  The last two sections of the chapter, Lay Up Treasures in Heaven and Do Not be Anxious, help us understand this chapter is not really about how these disciplines are to be performed, rather it is about our motives and the condition of our hearts.  Is our focus on earthly things or spiritual things?  Is it on the temporal or eternal?  Is our focus on ourselves or on the Kingdom of God?

Merriam-Webster defines discipline as training that corrects molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character. Giving, praying and fasting are often referred to as spiritual disciplines because they help to shape the condition of our hearts.  Remember, God is perfect and complete in every way.  He doesn’t need our money and he doesn’t need us to talk to him in order to accomplish his purpose.  Instead, giving, praying and fasting, among other spiritual disciplines, help mold our thoughts and behavior from focusing on ourselves to focusing on the Kingdom of God.

Our family spent last week in Haiti partnering with the Welcome Home Haiti organization to build a house. The family of five for whom we built had been living in an unfinished concrete structure.  Only one room in their home was under roof, the bedroom where all five of them slept on the floor.  To say they were in need, is an understatement.

If you aren’t familiar with this organization, Welcome Home Haiti helps match teams from the U.S. with Haitian families in need of a home. With funding from the U.S. team, Welcome Home Haiti employs Haitian workers to begin construction.  When the U.S. team arrives, the Haitian crew, together with the U.S. team, complete construction and present the finished home to the Haitian family for which it was built.

Not only is Welcome Home Haiti helping provide improved living conditions for hundreds of Haitians, they are also providing jobs. These folks are learning marketable skills, they are earning wages to provide for their families, and they are being spiritually guided and mentored by Welcome Home Haiti leaders.  It is a truly amazing organization.

While U.S. teams are key to funding the project, after being there a day or so, it became abundantly clear that Welcome Home Haiti doesn’t really need unskilled U.S. teams (like me) to come help finish construction. They have trained capable Haitian workers.  However, our participation still served a vital purpose.  It improved the condition of our hearts.  Living in Haiti for a week, spending time with the family for which we were building and working alongside the Haitian construction crew required us to take our focus off of ourselves.

Much like performing the spiritual disciplines outlined in Matthew 6, our week in Haiti helped mold our character and guide our hearts to focus on others, to focus on building the Kingdom of God.

Change my heart O God, make it ever true.  Change my heart O God, may I be like you (Mercy / Vineyard Publishing, 1982).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEtsHWFE6-w

Today’s reading:  2 Chronicles 36; Revelation 22; Malachi 4; John 21

I’ll be honest, when we started the biblejournal.net on January 1, 2016 I thought our goals were pretty lofty.  Can you believe today marks the 366^th day (2016 was a leap year) of our journey?  We read the Bible in a year (even more considering the M’Cheyne plan we followed took us through the New Testament and Psalms two times).  That is approximately 1,599 chapters, 41,520 verses, 807,370 words and 1,667 pages, depending on which version you read.  But we didn’t only read, we also took time to post about how God spoke to us through the assigned scriptures EVERY SINGLE DAY of 2016.  We didn’t miss even one time.  Wow!

More important than just achieving the tasks we set out to accomplish, I want you to know about the personal benefit I gained from being in God’s word every day and sharing my convictions with you.  It wasn’t always easy.  Some posts came easier than others, and some (obviously) turned out better than others.  I had weeks when I read my assigned scripture 4 and 5 times and still couldn’t come up with anything to write about.  It is disheartening to reflect on how easy it was, even when writing about the power of Jesus Christ, to feel like I had to rely on myself to deliver something meaningful.  Let me tell you, amidst my occasional struggles, when I finally turned it over to God, he sparked an idea and put a message on my heart EVERY SINGLE TIME.  Amazing.

On the last day of our 2016 journey, it only seems fitting to write about the last chapter of the Bible – Revelation 22. As we read through the Bible this year, we saw countless examples where God orchestrated every single detail to fulfill prophecy and point to Jesus Christ as the Messiah.  He kept his promises throughout the Old Testament and New Testament.  He is still keeping his promises today.  Did you notice his promise recorded in Revelation 22:20?

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon…”

After journeying with us in 2016, if you haven’t put your faith in Jesus Christ, would you consider taking that step?  You want to secure your place in eternity with God, not an eternity separated from him.  Time is of the essence, Jesus is coming soon.  Please pray this prayer with me:

God, I confess I am a sinner and deserve the consequences of my sin.  But, I believe that Jesus’ death and resurrection made a way for my forgiveness. Today, I am turning from my sin and putting my trust in Jesus and Jesus alone.  Thank you Lord, for forgiving me.  Thank you for saving me.

…Amen. Come, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20).

Today’s reading:  2 Chronicles 29; Revelation 15; Zechariah 11; John 14

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased” (Luke 2:13-14).

“Peace on earth” is an expression often used at this time of year.  What do you think the angels meant by this phrase?  As I pondered the question, I went to the dictionary.  Vocabulary.com defines peace as a stress-free state that comes when there’s no fighting or war; everything co-existing in perfect harmony and freedom.  I’d say this is a pretty common understanding of the word peace in the 21st century.  I don’t think, however, this is the kind of peace to which the angels were referring in Luke 2.  Since sin came into the world and ruined God’s perfect plan, the world has never been free of fighting, war or conflict.  In fact, I don’t believe this definition of peace is really achievable on Earth as we know it today.

The next clause of verse 14, “among those with whom he is pleased”, gives us a little more insight.  I believe the angels were referring to the peace that comes from knowing Jesus.  This peace is the confident assurance that God works all things together according to his divine plan; a comfort that he has every situation under control.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

Today’s assigned reading has us in John 14. These three chapters (John 14-17) are often referred to as Jesus’ Farewell Discourse – his guidance to the eleven disciples (sans Judas) after the last supper, before his crucifixion.  Jesus was once again trying to prepare them for life without him.  The disciples still didn’t completely understand his plan, and it was causing them anxiety.  Think about it.  These eleven men left everything to follow Jesus, and now he was talking about leaving.  How could they be at peace?  Can you identify with their fear and unrest?  Jesus comforted the disciples with these words:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

“You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. Rise, let us go from here (John 14:27-31).

Do you see Jesus’ words of peace? – “…for the prince of this world is coming…he has no hold over me…”  Knowing that Jesus has all power over Satan is the source of our confident assurance.  Jesus is our peace.  As you celebrate this Christmas, I wish you peace.  The peace that comes from knowing him as your Savior and Lord.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

 

Today’s reading:  2 Chronicles 19–20; Revelation 8; Zechariah 4; John 7

This week I was reading an article about delegation.  The author referenced some pretty shocking statistics from a London Business School professor.  He said only 30% of managers think they delegate well, and only 30% of this group’s subordinates agree that their boss is a good delegator.  By my math, 30% of 30% is only 9% of the population studied.  Assuming the sample used in this study can be applied against a broader population of managers, 9% is a disappointingly low percentage.  The author goes on to identify a variety of possible reasons for ineffective delegation, one of which is the manger’s inability to give clear assignments and set clear expectations (Zwilling, October 2013).  The article was interesting and had some good guidance on how to better employ the practice of delegation in your business.  While effective delegation is part of being a good manager, being a good manager doesn’t necessarily mean you are a good leader.

Today’s assigned reading in 2 Chronicles 19-20 provides an example of effective delegation by setting clear expectations.  It also gives insight into broader competencies of good, Godly leaders. The setting is the later part of King Jehoshaphat’s 25-year rule over Judah.  While Jehoshaphat made some poor choices, he was largely considered one of Judah’s greatest Kings.  Why?  It wasn’t just because he was good at his job, or even because he was prosperous. Rather, it was because of his faith and devotion to the Lord.  He was a good, Godly leader.

The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him. He did not consult the Baals but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel (2 Chronicles 17:3-4).

In Chronicles 19:5-10 we learn about one of the reforms Jehoshaphat made in Judah, which was to delegate some of his judicial responsibilities. Verse 8 tells us he selected capable men to serve as judges – Levites, priests and clan leaders.  Even so, he was compelled to provide specific instruction to help ensure they acted in accordance with God’s commandments.  Did you pay attention to verses 6-9?  The wisdom is timeless.  Jehoshaphat’s guidance applies to us every bit as much as it applied to judges in the 9^th century B.C.  It isn’t simply about being a good delegator or a good manager.  It is about being a good, God honoring leader.  Bottom line – we are accountable to God for the authority we exercise.  While most of us will never be appointed a judge, hold a political office, or be the CEO of a fortune 500 company, we all exercise authority over someone.  Our decisions affect other people, and they matter to God.  As a result, each one of us should let these key principles guide our actions.

• You are judging for God, not just for men – He told them, “Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for mere mortals but for the Lord, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. (2 Chronicles 19:6).
• Be impartial and honest, as God is just – Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery” (2 Chronicles 19:7).
• Fear the Lord, be committed to faithfully serve – He gave them these orders: “You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 19:9).

God has high standards. He expects our best, especially when we are leading others.  Think about what those you lead, your peers and your leaders would say about you.  Would they say you are wholeheartedly serving?  Would they say your words and actions are honest and just? Can they tell you answer to a higher power who is faithful and true?

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them–not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve (1 Peter 5:2).

Today’s reading:  2 Chronicles 10; Revelation 1; Zephaniah 2; Luke 24

Our family birthday tradition is that each family member gets to choose where they want to celebrate their birthday dinner. The locations have changed pretty significantly over the years.  It started with places like McDonalds when my kids were young, and has progressed to places like Ruth’s Chris and Trulucks of late.  (My wallet longs for $20 birthday dinners at McDonalds!)  For my birthday last year, I decided we would go to my favorite fondue restaurant in Lincoln Park.  We reserved a hotel, headed up to Chicago, got all dressed up, and took a cab to the restaurant.  This was going to be so much fun…

After the first cheese course arrived, my 11 year old started in. “Hey, I thought this was going to be nacho cheese.  This is nothing like I thought it would be.  Nacho cheese would have been way better than this stuff Mom.”  The second course came, and we had fun cooking our meat, seafood and vegetables.  Other than a minor fire started from trying to fry the garnishing greens, the second course was a success.  On to dessert – chocolate fondue.  Who doesn’t like a huge vat of melted chocolate with pound cake, marshmallows and fruit to dip, right?  Well, my kids were disappointed the dipping sauce was dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate.  As we got back in the cab after dinner Freddy summed up his sentiment well.  Five spirited words – “YOU OVERHYPED THIS PLACE MOM!”

By now I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m telling you this story. Our assigned reading has us in Luke 24, the account of Christ’s Resurrection, today.  As I was reading and reflecting on the story, I couldn’t get past its significance.  The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the focal point of the Christian faith.  In fact, without it there wouldn’t be a Christian Faith.  Unlike my favorite fondue restaurant, the significance of the Resurrection cannot be overhyped.  Why?

It revealed Christ’s power over death – We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him (Romans 6:9).

It secured our victory over death – But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:4-7).

Today’s assigned scriptures also have us back in the book of Revelation. Remember, Revelation is a book of hope.  It is John’s account of what he saw when God revealed his plan for Jesus’ return, the end of the world, and Jesus’ ultimate victory over evil.  Think about it though – none of these plans are possible without the Resurrection – Jesus had to conquer death in order for him to stand in ultimate victory.  Without Jesus’ Resurrection, we have no hope.

In 1976 the late SM Lockridge preached a sermon titled That’s My King! Do You Know Him? to a congregation in Detroit, Michigan.  Forty years later, this message continues to be incredibly impactful.  May I ask you to use one of the links below to either listen to or read an excerpt from this sermon?  Please stop and reflect – is this someone who’s life, death and resurrection could EVER by overhyped?

That’s my King, I hope he’s yours too.

Audio – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX_7j32zgNw

Text – http://across2u.com/ThatsMyKing.html

Today’s Reading:  2 Chronicles 2; 1 John 2; Nahum 1; Luke 17

My post today starts with a confession – I’ve really struggled reading the Old Testament Prophets.  We started with Isaiah back in June, then worked through Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joes, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, and Micah so far.  Today we start the book of Nahum, then continue with Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi through the end of the year.  I’ve found them all to sound pretty similar – God’s judgment and wrath, occasionally sprinkled with key nuggets of wisdom and hope.  This is the first time I’ve read through most of these books in their entirety.  Honestly, I’m not sure how anxious I am to read through them all again.  (At least not anytime soon.)  Nevertheless, with just four weeks left, I’m staying the course.  As we round out the year, I remain committed to exploring how God is speaking to us through these writings.

May I share with you a few interesting facts I learned about the book of Nahum this week?

• It was written in the seventh century BC.
• Assyria was the most powerful nation on earth at the time.
• Nahum was a prophet to the city of Nineveh 100 years after Jonah.
• After Jonah, the people of Nineveh had fallen back into their evil ways.
• As prophesied by Nahum, Nineveh was destroyed in 612 BC.
• The destruction was so complete, remains of the city were not found until the mid-1800s.

Do you see correlation between Nineveh and 21^st century America here?  One of the most powerful nations on the earth?  Turning away from God?  Falling back into evil ways?  I sensed this as I read through Nahum 1.  I don’t really like to think about the possibility of total destruction in the future of our nation, but we may have it coming if we don’t change our ways.  When I got to 1 John 2 in today’s reading, I found more similarities.  John wrote this book to Christfollowers who needed guidance on how to experience true fellowship with God and with other Christfollowers.  1 John 2 discusses two sins that were keeping the first century church from experiencing true fellowship – hating each other and loving the things of this world.  These two sins are rampant in our culture today.  Like the first century church, they are often a barrier to us experiencing true fellowship.

Hating each other

If anyone says, “I am living in the light,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves other Christians is living in the light and does not cause anyone to stumble.  Anyone who hates a Christian brother or sister is living and walking in darkness.  Such a person is lost having been blinded by the darkness (1 John 2:9-11).

Given my stage of life, I don’t always have time to watch the news, read the newspaper or even follow current events on the internet.  As a result, I often rely on late breaking news feeds from CNN or USA Today on my phone to stay up to date.  Do you subscribe to these also?  Do you feel like the volume of hate-driven discussions/activities/crimes keep rising?  Especially those involving churches?  In a country where 70% of Americans claim to be Christians, the ever-increasing volume of hate crimes affirms that a good portion of our country is still living in darkness.  This is not a surprise to anyone, but may I ask…what are we doing to change it?  The change has to start with us.  There will always be people that are different than us, people we don’t get along with, even people we dislike.  However, God calls us to love.  Not necessarily with an emotional or affectionate love, but to love each other as Christ loves the church.  Christian love is not a feeling, it is a choice.  We are called to be concerned with others’ well-being, putting their needs ahead our own, regardless of whether we “like” them or not.

Loving the things of this world

Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love the world, you show that you do not have the love of the father in you. For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions.  These are not from the Father.  They are from this evil world (1 John 2:15-17).

This passage outlines three attitudes that characterize a love for this world – 1) the lust for physical pleasure, 2) the lust for everything we see, 3) pride in our possessions, obsession with status or importance.  As we are “celebrating” the Christmas season in true American style with all kinds of parties and gifts, do you sometimes feel like we are actually celebrating these sinful attitudes? I don’t watch a lot of television, but it didn’t take me more than 30 seconds to come up with a commercial that epitomizes each of these attitudes.  I can say (or sing) every word of them.  These attitudes have become so embedded in our culture, I’m not sure we even notice them for what they are and the destructive behavior they promote.  Did you also realize these are the three attitudes with which the serpent tempted Eve in Genesis 3, and the same three attitudes the Devil used to tempt Jesus with in Matthew 4?  Pretty serious attitudes, pretty serious consequences.

The pull of this world is strong.  In order that we live life according to God’s calling, we must make different choices.  The Bible is pretty clear about what we need to do – Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7).  I pray that as you’ve studied with the Bible Journal during 2016, you’ve begun to hide God’s word in your heart.  Like Jesus resisted Satan’s temptations with God’s word, I pray that we are preparing ourselves to approach temptation in the same way – push back with the truth of God’s word.  His words don’t lead to destruction, they lead to life.

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your principles.  I have recited aloud all the laws you have given us.  I have rejoiced in your decrees as much as in riches.  I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.  I will delight in your principles and not forget your word (Psalm 119:11-16).

Today’s Reading:  1 Chronicles 22; 1 Peter 3; Micah 1; Luke 10

I started a new job last month. One of the first tasks in my onboarding plan was to take a personality assessment.  Pretty daunting, huh?  For a fleeting second I wondered… will they rescind my job offer if they don’t like the results?  Or worse yet, I’ve never taken this specific assessment, what if I don’t like the results?  What if I’m not the person I think I am?  I’m not really looking for an identity crisis right now…  Good news.  When our department’s expert shared my results, she led with this comment (and repeated it several times during the course of our discussion) – “Remember, there are no right or wrong answers.”  Whew!

The name of this particular tool is called The Birkman Method. It is a personality assessment used to identify how a variety of different factors work together to motivate personal behavior.  Like several assessments I’ve taken in the past, Birkman starts by identifying usual behavior – how I normally operate across a range of characteristics.  It then goes on to identify needs – how I need people to interact with me in order for me to be my best.  It also identifies how I react to stress – what behaviors I often display in situations when my needs aren’t being met (Birkman Fink and Capparell, 2013).  These last two elements make this tool different from others I’ve taken before.  Let me tell you, I’ve found Birkman pretty fascinating so far.  I can run reports on myself, but I can also run reports comparing me to my boss, my direct reports, and anyone in our organization who has taken the assessment.  What a great resource to help me understand how to adjust my behavior to better meet others’ needs, how to predict conflict and how to help manage sticky situations.

Our text in 1 Peter 3 is also about behaviors and how to interact with others. Peter wrote this book to Christfollowers who were suffering from abuse and persecution for believing in Jesus.  A good part of chapters 2-4 are his instructions about how they should behave during difficult times.  1 Peter 3:8-9 identifies five key characteristics that should describe any group of Christfollowers.

• Unified – pursuing a common purpose
• Sympathetic – responsive to others’ needs
• Loving – treating each other as family
• Tender – sensitive and caring
• Humble – encouraging one another

Finally, all of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds. Don’t repay evil for evil.  Don’t retaliate when people say unkind things about you.  Instead, pay them back with a blessing.  That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it (1 Peter 3:8-9 – Life Application Study Bible, Tyndale House).

God made us with different personalities on purpose. This diversity is what makes for rich relationships, though it is often the source of conflict and strife as we question the motives behind others’ behavior.  The five characteristics Peter describes above are powerful.  Why?  Because they are focused on others, not on ourselves.  Whether we are experiencing good times or difficult times, these five characteristics are the recipe for healthy interpersonal relationships and for a cohesive team.

For the scriptures say, if you want a happy life and good days, keep your tongue from speaking evil, and keep your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good.  Work hard at living in peace with others (1 Peter 3:10-11 – Life Application Study Bible, Tyndale House).

I pray that each of us has the courage to work hard at living in peace with others.  Regardless of personality, none of us can get there on our own.  Will you get on your knees today and ask God for help?  It won’t be easy, but it is definitely worth it.

Today’s Reading:  1 Chronicles 13–14; James 1; Amos 8; Luke 3

Earlier this month, B.J. and I spent a week on a boat in the British Virgin Islands with a couple of dear friends.  The weather was nice and, as expected, we had a simply marvelous week.  This area of the Caribbean Ocean is historically pretty calm, however, we did experience a storm one evening when we were anchored off the coast of Anegada.  While we weren’t trying to travel from one place to another, our 43′ boat that once felt big was suddenly really small as it was rocking back and forth.  It became quite comical watching us slam into the furniture, and each other, as we tried to move around the cabin that evening.

When I read James 1:5-8 this week, it took me back to the boat. I now have a better appreciation for what it feels like to be “a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind” – a totally out of control feeling.  The author of Hebrews used this phrase to describe someone who doubts God.  Someone whose direction is influenced by a variety of forces, rather than being anchored on the truths of God.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways (James 1:5-8).

Like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind, double-minded and unstable all mean the same thing in this passage – wavering, undecided, vacillating in thoughts and actions.  Verse seven lets us know that God does not bestow blessings on this type of a person.  Given these unfavorable consequences, what causes us to often act like this anyway?  Selfishness.  Double-mindedness is always a result of our unwillingness to completely submit to God’s plan for our lives.  His plan is an all or nothing proposition, but we disrupt it when we hold things back for ourselves.  “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other…” (Matthew 6:24).

Fortunately, the Bible is also pretty clear about the solution for double-mindedness.  Faith and submission to God’s plan.  This past Wednesday, Michael wrote about the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11.  Sixteen different Old Testament people who were sold out to God’s plan, and embodied the truth of Hebrews 11 – Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1); and without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him (Hebrews 11:6).  Throughout the Old Testament, God poured out his blessings on these followers for their faithfulness to his calling for their lives.  Do you know anyone what has this kind of focus and unwavering faith today?

Earlier this year, my small group read a book called Crazy Love by Francis Chan. Chapter 8 of this book includes a story about Chan’s grandmother-in-law, a woman who portrayed complete faith in Jesus.  He tells about a time when he attended a play with Grandma Clara.  At intermission, he asked if she was enjoying the show.  To his surprise, she responded that she was not all that excited about being there – “I just don’t know if this is where I want to be when Christ returns.  I’d rather be helping someone or on my knees praying.  I don’t want him to return and find me sitting in a theater.”  Wow.  What an astounding example of a person who is single-minded, focused, and sold out to God’s plan for her life.

I am confident God is pouring out blessings on Grandma Clara.  In the same way, I pray that each one of us can demonstrate an unwavering desire and courage to submit to God’s plan for our lives.  He really knows what is best for us.

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine (Isaiah 55:8 – New Living Translation).

Today’s reading:  2 Kings 25; Hebrews 7; Amos 1; Psalm 144

Doug Lemov is the Managing Director of an organization called Uncommon Schools.  The group’s mission is to establish and manage urban schools that successfully prepare low income students for college.  Lemov attributes the success of this organization to talented, passionate teachers who use a variety of techniques to drive positive outcomes in some of the most challenging settings.  Their methods are summarized in his bestselling books, Teach Like a Champion (Jossey-Bass, 2010) and Teach Like a Champion 2.0 (Wiley, 2015).

In Teach Like a Champion, Technique 40 is called Sweat the Details.  The underlying principle of this technique is that if you want students to follow a specific order and do things a specific way, you must create and enforce an overarching sense of order.  Be on time, keep everything in its place, and always follow a specific routine to accomplish tasks.  The order achieved by these disciplines leads to efficiency.  It is a proven fact that an efficiently run classroom leads to less wasted time, fewer lost assignments and ultimately more successful learning.

Our study of Hebrews 7 today makes me think of “sweating the details”.  How God aligned every detail throughout all of history to point to Jesus as the promised Messiah, our Savior and Lord, is simply mind-boggling. The book of Hebrews was written to Jews who were struggling to reconcile Old Testament law with Jesus’ message of grace through faith.  I’ll be honest, Hebrews has helped me connect the dots on details of Jesus’ fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy that I never even considered.  Jesus’ link to Melchizedek, as referenced in Hebrews 4-7, is one of those dots.

The author of Hebrews, in chapters 4 and 5, talks about our need for a Savior. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:12-13).

The text then points to Jesus as our Savior, our High Priest. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:14-15).

It goes on to illustrate Jesus’ fulfillment of prophecy by referencing Psalm 110:4 where the Messiah is described as a priest from the line of Melchizedek. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. And God designated him to be a High Priest in the line of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:9-10).

Our text in Hebrews 7 today compares Jesus to Melchizedek.  It helps us understand the significance of Jesus’ priesthood through this line, rather than through the line of Aaron (Levites).

• His priesthood has no end (Hebrews 7:3, 24).
• His priesthood is superior to the Levitical priesthood (Hebrews 7:6, 23).
• His priesthood establishes the new covenant – grace through faith (Hebrews 7:12, 18).
• His appointment was from God himself (Hebrews 7:20, 28).

Verse 22 sums it up perfectly – This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant (Hebrews 7:22).

Think about this for a minute. All the details God aligned to signify Jesus Christ as the long-awaited Messiah aren’t going to make us perfect at managing our classrooms, managing our work, or running our households.  They certainly won’t make us perfect people.  We are still sinners, and nothing we could do will measure up to God’s perfect standards.  The beauty is God knows this.  Instead of trying to make us good enough, he aligned every detail, sent his son to pay the price on our behalf, and made a way for us to stand before the throne on judgment day without blemish, perfect in his sight.

What an amazing gift. As I reflect on things to be thankful for this holiday season, this tops my list.