365 Reflections

There's always someone vying for your honor and attention outside of the Lord. It could be a friend, a spouse, a significant other or a relative. It could be your parent, guardian, children or grandkids. It could be the "you" YOU dream of being. And the normal sequence of life calls us at some point (and probably many) to sacrifice our commitment to God's purposes for the sake of them. We see this clearly in the life of Eli. A prophet comes to this man to rebuke him for the lack of honor he showed to God in preference for his sons. While Hophni and Phineas were abusing their positions and fornicating at the altar, Eli was avoiding the conflict and allowing it to happen. God's firm warning comes: 1 Samuel 2:30–33 (ESV)   Therefore the Lord , the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,’ but now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor , and those...

In Exodus 21 we see God teaching His people to care for one another. In Exodus 22, the theme would seem to be "Respect One Another." We are living in a time when incivility is rampant. Just look at the comments section on any youtube video or blog post about which some may disagree. No matter what side of the partisan divide you are a part of, even when you see the vitriol from those who share your leanings makes you want to give up your own values! We see disrespect for our governmental leaders and those in authority. This is not to be the attitude of the Christian! People are naturally drawn to disrespecting one another. It's part of the curse of sin. When "I" am most important, you will always be something less valuable in my eyes. Yet God sets down commands that still have bearing in the Kingdom here in Exodus. Most notably: Exodus 22:28 (ESV)   “You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people. Respect for others begins with resp...

It's such a simple command. It's such a deep word. Exodus 20:12 (ESV) “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. God includes the honor of Father and Mother in the top 10 commands of the Bible. There should be no doubt that God takes this institution seriously. The marriage of a man and woman and the procreation of children deserves honor from all people, but it starts in the home with the children.  Why does God command honor for parents? Because a parent's job reflects God's endeavor. He is our Father in heaven. Jesus described himself as a "Hen who longed to gather her chicks under her wings." (Matthew 23:37). God's parental role is exhibited throughout the Scriptures starting with Adam who is termed the "son of God" in Luke's genealogy. Why does God command that honor for parents start with the children? Because God knows that children will have the biggest ...

The most vilified word in the Bible for 21st century Americans? Here it is... black and white, plain english, Ephesians 5:21 (ESV) submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ . Oh how we hate to submit to anybody. Hey, our country was founded on sticking it to the authorities and tossing our tea into the sea. No one's going to tell us what to do. But herein lies the American Church's greatest opportunity to shine bright. Actually submitting to one another would do two things: 1. It would be obedience to God. 2. It would stick out like a sore thumb in a culture fixated on self-actualization, not self-humiliation. Funny thing is, Paul doesn't just say "Submit to one another." No! He adds, "out of reverence for Christ." he knows first hand that harm done to a Christian is harm done to Christ. What did Jesus ask him on the road to Damascus where he was going to persecute believers? "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute ME?" Jesus qu...

1 Corinthians 16:15–18 (ESV)  Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints— 16 be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. 17 I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, 18 for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people. The first converts in Ahcaia were also the hardest working. It's often true of a new Church plant. Those who were there from the beginning and have their lives changed by Christ are often the ones who do a lot of the little things that make the church go. Notice Paul tells us they devoted themselves to the SERVICE of the saints. These were die hards. They were cleaning up long after most people went home. They were staying late praying with people who were going through a tough patch. They were the ones Paul coul...

The verse that destroys any and all forms of boasting is found in 1 Corinthians. 1 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV) For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? The Corinthians thought they were special. They thought they were unique, a super Church of sorts. And Paul hits them head on! The point for us all is simple, what we have we received. Period. I know, some of us have skills and talents. But those were given by God and some where developed under appropriate conditions we had very little to do with. I was given drum lessons by my parents for 6 years for which I did not pay. I also was given plenty of time to practice and a drum set. It was nothing to do with me except being willing to receive! Interestingly, the Corinthians thought they were even smarter than Paul, boasting that he was unimpressive and intimidated by them! They imagined they were filled with the compl...

There's really is no substitute for obedience to God's word. The women who anointed Jesus' body for burial did something very interesting at the end of Luke 23. Please remember, their Lord and Master has just been brutally tortured and  executed and  all their hopes seem to have died with him. Their own people the Jews sought his arrest, trial, conviction and death. It seemed as though even their own people were against them. They prepared to anoint Jesus's body for burial as was proper and fitting according to custom.  Then here's what Luke says: Luke 23:56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment . I know it's a small thing in light of what is just happened concerning Jesus, but we cannot overlook it. These women rested on the Sabbath right after they lost their precious Lord. And with the world seemingly turned against them, their hearts broken and facing great fears of what people might do...

Mark 6:4 (ESV) And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor , except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” Think about this as a definition for  dishonor  -  "to treat someone as common." When Jesus goes home He gets treated in a way that's completely strange compared to everywhere else.  He gets treated commonly.  And it limited their experience with Him. They ask: Mark 6:3 (ESV) Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus is not common.  Limiting who He is in your mind only robs you of the glory available to you through Him. You know why Jesus wouldn't do miracles in His hometown?  Because they had been too familiar with Him.  They didn't see Jesus for the honor and glory He is due. The treated the bright and morning star as a common street lamp. This is THE proble...