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Christmas Spirit

Today’s Readings: 2 Chronicles 5-6:11, 1 John 4, Nahum 3, Luke 19

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” 1 John 4: 1-6

It’s early Sunday morning. I just finished changing sheets, diaper and jammies in my daughter’s crib. I tucked her back in with fresh dry blankets and gave her some milk. I made myself a cup of tea and decided that my extra early morning time would be best spent in front of the blinking cursor. Most days, I’d be irritated about being woken early, but today I was truly grateful to be able to serve my child. Little Ruby Mae had an accident yesterday. Some jumping fun with bubble wrap turned into a “big idea.” While I was sifting through Christmas boxes in the basement Miss Ruby rode her sheet of bubble wrap down our basement stairs like a sled. One loud crash and a shriek later, we were on our way to the hospital. The ER staff treated her with kindness and love. They tried to hide their smiles when she finally admitted to all of us that she had planned this little escapade and executed when Mommy was out of sight. We were driving home when I heard the tiniest voice from the backseat, “I sowwy Mommy.”

If you’ve met Ruby Mae, you know she is just about the spiciest little human that ever graced this earth. She does it her way…all day. She also has a deeply rooted love for Jesus Christ. If you’re lucky you’ll catch her singing The B-i-b-l-e to her babies as she puts them in their bed. On her way out of Little Jewels daycare she’ll whisper goodbye to the baby Jesus statue that stands by the door. Although she challenges me each and every day with her strong will, fierce independence and fearless spirit, I see our heavenly Father in her. Pastor Mike tells us time and time again, “If you want to know how to raise your kids as Christ followers; come to church every week and eat dinner together as a family.” Lynden and I are learning that this little piece of advice is worth more than any other we’ve received.

The purpose of John’s writings in this chapter is to reassure Christian’s in their faith and to counter false teachings. By the time this letter was written John was an older man and the only surviving apostle. The last eyewitness of Christ, John wrote authoritatively to give the new generation of believers confidence in their faith in God. In today’s scripture he encourages us to “test the spirits” in our life. He warns us that evil has come into our world already. And then he says this:

“…Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

This Christmas season is full of false prophets and messages cloaked in the false promise of being from God. When I read John’s words this morning, I’m encouraged. He reminds us that we know how to recognize the people and the words and the places in our community that are for Christ.

“By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”

In the next twenty days, we’ll have thousands of Christmas opportunities. Jesus will invite us to sit down with him, to pull our children close and celebrate the message of His birth. Are we going to take those opportunities to bring our family to church to show them that we are truly from God? Or are we going to choose the false teachers? Are we going to choose the promise of the iPhone 7, the cordless drill or the almighty Lego? It sounds so simple when you hear it from John. Choose the Spirit of God, just do it! It’s in all of our hearts but the power of the antichrist is strong and persuasive. Satan is crafty. He knows how to distract us with shiny things! Let us be reassured though. Like children, we fall down. We think that we can really stand on bubble wrap and slide down that staircase mountain without getting hurt. When we emerge, bloody and bruised He picks us up. As I care for Ruby’s little black eye, change her wet diaper and wrap her in fresh blankets, I’m giving thanks for her pure spirit. I’m resisting the temptation to click on the blinking photo of those boots I want so badly that was expertly placed on the webpage that holds our scriptures today. I don’t need furry boots, I need the spirit of Christ. There is no sled that can get us down the rocky mountain safely, only Jesus can protect us.

“…for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us…”

Ruby Mae after her staircase sledding day:

ruby-hospital

Changing From The Inside Out

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!…” -1 John 3:1

Today’s reading.

A couple nights ago my son Cooper showed me a You-Tube video called “You Are Two” about how the brain works. It is based mostly on the observations of people, after having the hemispheres of their brains severed as a supposed cure for epilepsy. In a normal brain there are two hemispheres operating in collaboration, each controlling half your body. “Half your vision goes to each and half your movement is directed by each. Right controls left and left controls right. Speech resides only in the left hemisphere and the right hemisphere is mute.” But when the neurological connection between them is severed, each side of the body sees and controls the world more independently. For example the right side and the left might each simultaneously select different shirts to wear. Weird. It is as if these people are now two people housed within one body.

In the best selling book, “Incognito — The Secret Lives of The Brain” author David Eagleman, a Neuroscientist who directed the Laboratory for Perception and Action and the Initiative on Neuroscience and Law, both at Baylor College of Medicine, wrestles with the notion of free will. He describes the latest theory of brain function by referencing Lincoln’s “Team of Rivals.” Lincoln’s hand selected cabinet, comprised of accomplished leaders with very different views on the important issues of the day. The brain, Eagleman suggests, is a collection of voices that represent the interests of different systems, all ultimately answering to a CEO of sorts that has to make ultimate decisions to override conflicting agendas. What is the nature of these decisions and can they be overridden by outside signals?

Similarly, I have several friends who have imaginary boards of directors from which they recieve guidance. Their internal conversations include imagined voices, the likes of Einstein, Churchill, Lincoln and other great leaders that have been selected as fantasy advisors.

Then there are theories about genetic memories, and the collective conscious and unconscious of humanity, thanks in part to the brilliant Psychologist Carl Jung.

All this makes me wonder: How do our minds really work? These magnificent and powerful organs that in many ways remain mysterious, despite great advances in scientific knowledge. And what can science say about the mind of God or His grand design? The story revealed by the Bible and confirmed by the history of humanity and in countless individual encounters with the living God.

Were we made to have the Spirit of God, and the consciousness of Christ reside in us? After all we are God’s children, right? The more I come to understand my mind, the more importance I place on my relationship with God. The more the unity of the trinity make sense to me; as well as internal conflicts, mental illness; and perhaps even demonic influence.

It makes perfect sense that the Spirit of God contributes to our mental process, especially in people who look to God for direction. But first we need to know God. This requires enough faith to believe in the possibility that He exists. Then, in the hopeful innocence of a child, we begin to see God as our father in Heaven. When we seek God we find Jesus. If we understand who Jesus is, then we know God and his deep abiding love for all people — for us, and especially the sinner, the weak, the broken and the oppressed.

I have experienced first hand, both walking with God and running away from Him. For me there can be no doubt of the the difference. The desires of my flesh are fanned by a world culture that values material productivity, domination through competition, power, wealth and pleasure. These are the things that always leave me wanting — ironically in the glory of my greatest personal achievements. It is only in my surrender to God that I am able to walk in the light. For me, this has been the easiest and hardest thing I have ever experienced.

“No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.” -1 John 3:9

As a Christian I have struggled with Sin. I know I am forgiven, and that by faith, through grace, I’m considered righteous by God through the power of the cross. My desire is to live a pure and holy life but I am far from this. For a time I found comfort in the notion that I am a sinner, but forgiven. Lately I have come to believe that without constant and victorious transformation, I am not receiving the full blessing of God or the fulfillment of His purpose for me. It is as if the prodigal son returns to the feast and to the embrace of his father’s unconditional love and forgiveness, only to continue to question which life is better. There can be no doubt.

In his book “The Good and Beautiful God,” James Bryan Smith helps a Christian Businessman “Carey” deal with his identity in Christ. They ponder the same question I have wrestled with for years. “Am I a sinner or a saint?”

“Carey came to me because he was frustrated by his actions. But when I looked at him I saw something else. I saw a child of God, a person in whom Christ dwells, an inhabitant of eternity bought by the blood of Christ and infused with God’s power and presence, who was living a sad, fearful and defeated life. What I wanted for Carey was not simply the cessation of unwanted behavior but a deeper life in Christ—fullness, warmth, power and joy that he did not know he already possessed.”

Even though my transformation in Christ has been remarkable in many ways, I know there is so much more I am capable of through Him. There is so much more I am called to be and do. What’s holding me back?

I think it’s true that we are natural sinners. Even as Christ followers we are prone to sin, but “forgiven sinner” isn’t the full description of our relationship with God. Christ forming in us is not a small thing and shouldn’t be underestimated or ignored. We have His victory now infused in our DNA, within our earthly bodies, yet still prone to sin. We have power we do not understand, waiting to assist us to do things we cannot do on our own, to fulfill a destiny we cannot even imagine. This is the power of God!

We are called to be saints, though we must still wrestle with sin. Perhaps this is how we develop our strength. But sin no longer has power or dominion in our lives. We are NEW CREATIONS and Jesus has restored us, mind, body and soul, reconnecting us to the God of our creation, offering us citizenship in His kingdom and a role in the restoration of paradise.

There have been many times I feel guilty, understanding that my sin puts Jesus back on the cross, again and again. But what I missed was that in order to grow in my Christian walk, I need to embrace a deeper fellowship with the resurrected Christ, he who lives within me.

We are God’s temple. Jars of clay that miraculously contain the Spirit of the Living God — the holy and pure, resurrected, victorious Christ. Does this make a difference in your faith narrative; in your life? It sure has in mine.

We must look to the cross, but also to the resurrection as we die to sin and rise in Christ!

“But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” -Luke 18:16

By God’s amazing love we receive the forgiveness of sins, a gift we have not earned and the fellowship of the resurrected Christ, a thing we do not deserve. In our brokenness we are made whole. In our darkness we are made to shine. In our surrender we are made strong. I pray today that each of us would begin the next leg of the lifelong journey towards holiness, in the power of the Living Word and in God’s Holy and indwelling Spirit. I pray this for all my family, friends, business partners, present and future Bible Journal writers, customers, tenants, employees, small group members, church and community members and Bible Journal readers. Amen.

The Word of Life

A black Bible with a pen rests over an open paper notebook on an old wooden chair. ** Note: Visible grain at 100%, best at smaller sizes

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).

The Lost (and found) iPod

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 1; 1 John 1; Micah 7; Luke 16

In last week’s post, I briefly mentioned being thankful for the person who found and turned in Preston’s iPod. This was no small event; we were in a foreign country at a large resort where there were literally thousands of employees and thousands of guests from around the globe. Preston’s iPod isn’t extremely valuable financially, but it is worth a lot to him. He can’t afford to buy a replacement, and Amy and I would have needed to let him learn his lesson in being responsible.

One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. (Luke 16:10)

Preston gave his new hero (Fermin) a small token of his appreciation, a hug, and verbal thanks. Based on Luke 16 I wonder if perhaps Fermin was being tested with very little and reaped Heavenly rewards for his decision. Fermin was beaming with a huge smile when Preston found him to say thank you. I think that Fermin experienced as much, or more joy than Preston through this experience.

While this exact situation isn’t something that occurs daily for any of us, it does make me think about what we are entrusted with each day:

Showing up late for work and not making up for it or logging the time inaccurately is stealing. Even if it was just 15 minutes and the employer may never find out, God knows.
How we spend our money. If I look at my accounts, what do they reflect? Should I be entrusted with more or less money based on how I’ve allocated the resources entrusted to me?
Time; our only non-renewable resource. What did I do in my free-time, and what does my calendar say about how I’m choosing to spend this precious gift?

This section of Luke closes with a blunt statement in Luke 16:13 that should challenge us to our core. Do we serve God or do we serve money? The choice is ours to make, and only God knows our true intentions; he knows how we spend our time, money, and energy. Coming from a wonderful week of vacation with my family, I’m exceedingly thankful for the rest, relaxation, and special days and nights with my favorite people on Earth. In reflection, did I make the most of this time, and did I behave as one who loves money or one who loves God?

Think about what Jesus was entrusted with. He came to Earth as a human baby, but with authority over Heaven and Earth. If I could turn water into wine like Jesus did, it is shameful what I’d do… God knows how much (or little) I can be entrusted with! In Matthew 4:1-11 Jesus is tempted by the devil. This includes significant examples of how much Jesus was entrusted with. Also consider that since the devil was trying to temp Jesus, he knew Jesus had the power to do those things, which is further proof of the deity of Jesus Christ.

Father God, may my checkbook, calendar, and heart be filled with more of you and less of me each day. Thank you for giving me such a multitude of second chances. Amen.

Offering

1 Chronicles 29; 2 Peter 3; Micah 6; Luke 15

Micah 6 seems a strange place to land with all the great scripture reading today. On the heels of Thanksgiving, however, Micah’s question is a good one. He asks, “What shall I come before the Lord with?” (Micah 6:6) He asks this question right after recalling how the Lord had delivered and redeemed them. It is his gratitude that compels him to offer something in return. But, what could be good enough? What could be honoring enough? Micah considers offering 1000 rams. Or, he contemplates, maybe burnt offerings would be better. Perhaps 1-year-old calves? What will please the Lord? He is even willing to offer up his first-born son! Anything!! Micah quickly realizes that none of these are good enough for God. No, our material possessions, our children, or the work of our hands are not good enough for God. God requires the most precious thing about us. Our heart, our soul. That is what God wants. So, what is the best response to him? Micah echoes God’s call from Deuteronomy 12, which says, “to but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

To better understand these offerings of justice, mercy, and humility, we need to look to the Cross. First, justice was served through the punishment and suffering of Jesus. Second, God grants us mercy, washing our records clean through the shed blood of His own son. Finally, Jesus clothed himself in humility. Instead of claiming his birthright as the son of God, Jesus takes on humanity, subjecting himself to death, even death on a cross. I love the way Andrew Murray describes humility. He describes humility as “the disappearance of self in the vision that God is all.” Clearly, Jesus is the perfect example.

Murray, Andrew; Christian Book Series (2003-10-17). Humility (Optimized for Kindle) (p. 47). . Kindle Edition.

All I want for Christmas

Christmas time is something I look forward to all year round. I have been known to say “it’s almost Christmas” in June and July and I certainly do not follow the unwritten rule of waiting to play Christmas music until after Thanksgiving. But now that Thanksgiving has past my excitement for Christmas seems a little more in place. One of the reasons I look forward to Christmas is that I really enjoy exchanging gifts. It helps me get out self, out of what I want and it helps me focus on others.

From today’s reading a header in Michah chapter 5 ESV reads ‘The Ruler to Be Born in Bethlehem’. God gives us a perfect example of being focused on others. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows exactly what we need. And on the ‘first Christmas’ He gave us the perfect gift. When we celebrate Christmas we all try to find that perfect gift. It requires us to know people and to be thinking about them, focused on them and wanting better for them. We give gifts the best way we know how.

This Christmas may we all consider giving the gift of ourselves to our Savior and to His children. May we all lay down our wills, our kingdoms, and allow Him to reign in our hearts. May we store up treasure in heaven by letting go of the stuff of this world and giving to those in need, that which we have been given in so much excess.

12 He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. 13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” – Luke 14: 12-14

It’s almost Christmas!

Make Every Effort

Make Every Effort

(5)For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, (6) and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, (7 )and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. (8) For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (9) For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. (10) Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. (11 )For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-11

Have you ever heard the idiom, ” Make every effort?” This phrase means: To try hard to accomplish something. Peter was making every effort to share with Christians the importance of growing in our faith. Peter knew his time on earth was limited (2 Peter 1:13-14) so he shares attributes to add to their faith and ours. I know it may seem like adding to a full plate already but the eternal reward is the entrance into a kingdom with our Lord. Our spiritual maturity will help us grow in moral discipline. It will also show in our grace and love to others.

Lets review these attributes Peter shares with us together and with prayer we can continue to grow. (Philippians 3:13)

Virtue – showing moral excellence, goodness. Doing what is right even when no one is looking. Having spiritual courage to stand up for and display (John 8:3-11)

Knowledge – reading through the bible and many other resources we are given His words/instructions on ways to live and attributes to apply to our life.

Self-control – said many times to me now echoed in our houses to our children. The ability to control ( discipline) our physical and cognitive impulses that don’t align with the goal of His kingdom. Titus 2:11

Steadfastness– Continuing in a course of action without regard to discouragement, opposition or previous failure. In our quick fix, instant gratification society it can be easy to take short cuts or give up. Persevere 1 Corinthians 1:8

Godliness– living a Godly life is not easy, we fall short and make mistakes. We can make every effort need to strive to “try” and be better. God like-ness – trying to be observant of all teachings and avoiding sin. ( Paul messages in new testament)

Brotherly Affection– A kindly and lenient attitude towards others. Romans 12:9-10

Love– strong affection. the highest form of love, charity; the love of God for man and of man for God. Agape embraces a universal, unconditional love that transcends, that serves regardless of circumstances.

So as we walk through our spiritual journey stay the course – Peter wants us to add this to our faith even though it will be hard because of the direction our society can take us. Philippians 1:6 Along the path check out the fruit are you bearing fruit or lacking? (v.8) Spiritual fruit will change your character, life, and outlook for future. Unfortunately, the same is true for bad fruit. Luke 8:4-15 How is your sight when you go through this journey are you seeing everything? Near & Far Sighted – As we grow we need to see both the here and now, but also in the distance seeing our eternity we will have in heaven. Looking back Jesus paid for our sins to one day live eternally with Him. This short life we have on earth prepares us for another place for eternity. Peter’s wise words helps us along this journey because there is no way we do any of this on our own no matter how hard we try. Eternal Kingdom – Making every effort to add to our faith with have an impact on this life and the life to come. Stay the course of this Christian life and grow not giving into complacency. Be intentional and diligent in “supplementing” our faith because the rich reward provided by our God.

I encourage you as you go through biblejournal.net daily to continue to lead Godly lives and grow in the knowledge of God our Lord.

Have a blessed Tuesday!

Today’s Readings: 1 Chronicles 26–27; 2 Peter 1; Micah 4; Luke 13

Do Not Worry

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Today’s Readings: 1 Chronicles 24-25, 1 Peter 5, Micah 3, Luke 12

On Friday I spent the day in Chicago eagerly hunting Black Friday deals. I made a plan, packed protein snacks, skipped the coffee so I wouldn’t have to pee and made a map. Not just a map of the city but a map of deals. To say that I was caught up in the materialism of the season is an understatement. I invited a close friend to join me in my quest, which resulted in an honest conversation about money. Not just having or not having money but the fear associated with our need for wealth in order to feel secure. We live in an economy of plenty. Many of us are driven by worry to work more and more in order to achieve that level of financial security that will make us feel safe. In reality, that threshold of safety really doesn’t exist. The more successful we are, the more fear we have of losing that assurance. In today’s readings we hear from Luke on God’s provision in our lives. I love, love, love this scripture. I love it because I’ve lived its power and truth in our family life. Here it is:

“And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.” Luke 12:22-31

I know, it’s long but every word of that scripture is so important, we need to read it all! Jesus is telling us that there will never be “enough” money for us to feel secure. No matter how much money we make it will never feel like enough. Instead, Jesus tells us to seek his kingdom…and these things will be added to you. That is so significant! Why? Because Jesus is telling us that if God’s kingdom is your ultimate goal, not wealth or security, then you have total assurance that your goal will be met. When you feel that assurance, really believe in His promise you will recognize that the money you make is actually enough. That God is providing for your needs, every single day.

When I prepare to write each week, I read the commentary from my three different study bibles. While studying Luke this week, I copied down part of the notes from my NIV Bible into my journal. It’s sort of an action list for managing worry in a biblical way. I’m praying that it reaches someone that is reading today that doesn’t know how they will afford tomorrow. Someone that may not be able to buy gifts for Christmas, or may not be receiving a gift because of financial burden. Here it is:

Overcoming worry requires:

Simple trust in God, your heavenly Father. This trust is expressed by praying to Him rather than worrying.
Perspective on your problems. This can be gained by developing a strategy for addressing and correcting your problems.
A support team to help. Find some believers who will pray for you to find wisdom and strength to pray for your worries.

NIV Life Application Study Bible pg. 1698

I believe that the power in Bible Journal is our willingness to be vulnerable as authors by sharing our testimony. I’m writing to you each week from my heart. I said earlier that I love this scripture because I’ve lived its power. Just 5 months ago our family was in a position in which we didn’t know quite how we would afford tomorrow. Our son was very sick; he needed me to be with him for an extended time in the hospital. We didn’t know when I could go back to work, and we didn’t know who would care for our girls. It was you, the authors and readers of Bible Journal that lifted us up and held us in that time. You were our support team to help. You were the believers that prayed for us and found wisdom and strength when we couldn’t muster it ourselves. And of course, through you, God provided for Oliver’s needs and the needs of our family. We’ll never be able to thank you enough.

As we begin a new week and welcome December, I’m praying that we can take stock of our life and ask ourselves, are the things I’m worried about genuine needs? Are they comparable to the things that the poor and hungry need? If not, then actively work toward letting those worries go. God does provide.

Contemplating Life As Worship

If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. -1 Peter 4:11

The entirety of our lives is made up of what we think, say and do. Our active and passive response to what we are born into, what happens to us, and our surroundings — situations that unfold.

Whether we see it our not, God is the author of life; of our lives. Each breath we breathe is from God. His plan includes us. Part of that plan is our free will, our ability to uniquely decide how we’ll respond to the world as it presents itself, including interaction with each other.

Through studying the Bible and from insights gleaned from friends and sages, I have come to believe I should glorify God in all things, making my life a constant act of worship. But without some understanding of who God is, this is difficult. Even though God’s revelation is available to us all and His law is written on our hearts, it seems impossible to consistently glorify God.

If I was able to subjugate every thought, and every word, and every deed to God’s power; or to fully understand His purposes and His perfect plan for my life, who would I be then? It’s worth thinking about. A life focused on giving glory and power to God in all things — a perfect life, perfect alignment with God’s perfect will.

My hunch is this would be better than any life I could dream up, construct, or will into existence on my own. It’s crazy to think about this perfect life I am unlikely to attain — yet by my faith in Jesus, and through His grace, God considers me worthy of total righteousness, offering me a different kind of life. One in which I am able to receive God’s love as if I were His perfect child.

Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross offers the best example of God’s perfect love. This is the reason I choose to surrender all, bowing down to the maker of heaven and earth.

Thank you God for giving me freedom in the deliverance from my sin, through my submission to you. Thy will, not mine be done, as it is in heaven and on earth. Amen.

1 Chronicles 23; 1 Peter 4; Micah 2; Luke 11

Personality Assessment

Male executive drawing results of a personality test on a whiteboard

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.