journey onWord with us

For some, the new year is welcome and anticipated.  It offers the opportunity for a fresh start, a clean slate, and is embraced with a genuine sense of hope.  But what if you aren’t one of those people?  I’ve had a fair amount of experience with first days of the new year in my lifetime.  One thing I have found to be true is the potential that day holds does not always translate to promise.

In both small and capital “T” truth, a calendar date holds no tangible power over the circumstances of our lives.  We do not wake to the dawn of a new day having had all our troubles erased by the sunrise.  As brilliant and blazing as it is, the sun can only do what God authored it to do.  It was set in the sky by the very voice of God to rule the day (Gen 1:16).  The darkness that it breaks is a celestial one.  It was not given the power to touch and change a human heart or soul.  So what now for the one who awoke on January 1st with the very same darkness that ruled their life on the eve of the new year?

I pause at the end of every question now, although that’s not how I used to be.  I have learned through the lives of others and my own, the value of leaving a question unanswered and perpetually asked.  In my research for this year’s journey through the words of Jesus, I have observed the great value He places on questions and how many times He “answers” one with another.  I have set these thoughts in my mind for the new year … to sit longer with the questions, to be quick to hear and slow to speak (James 1:19).  My research also spoke the truth that this was not always Jesus’ pattern.  And I firmly believe the question that ended the previous paragraph commands an answer.

I humbly but boldly offer an answer I found as I sat in my sacred space this past Friday morning.  I was reading what seemed to be a quiet aside to the bold and brilliant events of Jesus’ baptism and temptation in the desert.  Reading in Matthew 4:12 we find Jesus “withdrew,” or took an abrupt turn as He began His ministry journey.  He chose to go and stay in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali (Mat. 4:13).  He did this to fulfill the words of the prophet Isaiah, and it was in the words of that prophesy that my heart swelled with the only Hope that is sufficient in response to my question.

In noticing the footnote to verse 16, I thumbed back to the book of Isaiah to get the full context.  I read verses 1 and 2 of chapter 9, and then thumbed back to the end of chapter 8.  I had to find out what the “Nevertheless” that opened verse 1 referred to.  Here is what I read…

Isaiah 8:20-22 (NIV)
Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.

Does that resonate with anyone that may have woken up on January 1^st with the very same darkness that ruled their life on the eve of the new year?  No amount of the great light in the sky can penetrate even the surface of that darkness.  But here comes the real power and promise … the words of the opening to Isaiah chapter 9…

Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan — The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

Were those few verses in Matthew a quiet aside to the bold events of baptism and temptation?  Absolutely not!  No word or act of Jesus ever is.  Why did Jesus choose to go and stay in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali?  … because He was the great Light!  Not the great light in the sky that rules the day … the great Light that was promised by Isaiah, the great Light that came to be with us, to redeem us, to touch and change the human heart and soul.

I pray this shouts hope today, no matter where you find yourself in the first few days of this new year.  Take a few minutes and repeatedly read the closing words of Isaiah 9:2.  Let them wash over you.  Let them fill you with hope.  Let them fill you with peace … His peace.

on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.

Yesterday as I started back to work, I was amazed at how quickly the pace quickened. New Year’s Day had been quiet, uneventful and maybe even a bit blah.  By January 1st, my wife and I are worn out with all of the festivities of the Christmas season. You would have thought that going back to work would have been just a calm, regular day. But no! Snow was everywhere, appointments were canceling and the day seemed to be a bit chaotic (not bad, just chaotic). It reminded me that life never seems to just go along at a calm, regular pace. I ended New Year’s Day a bit bored, but by lunch yesterday, I was almost out of breath. That is just the way life is; wouldn’t you agree? Looking at the life of Jesus in the last two days gave me a great lesson of how quickly our world can change.

As I started my personal journey yesterday into a deeper understanding of the life and words of Jesus, I was astounded by the scene surrounding the baptism of Christ. The events that are involved in the launching of His public ministry have a crescendo effect for me. When I think of Jesus coming out of the water, heaven opening and  the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove, plus the very voice of the Father affirming His Son, it’s hard for me to even fathom the greatness of that scene.

I really wrestled with writing about those majestic moments, but how could I have done them any justice?! Yesterday morning my mind awoke to what happened immediately after Jesus’ baptism … talk about life taking a quick and dramatic turn! Matthew 4:1 says, Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. Even those who know very little about the life of Christ have heard about the temptations that He faced from Satan. The way that Jesus handled the temptations is a model for all believers as they are attacked by Satan. But my thoughts yesterday weren’t so much about the temptations that He faced, but that the Spirit of God would lead Him into the wilderness right after such a glorious launch into public ministry. Can you think of a more abrupt change?

Why would the Spirit of God lead the Son of God to such a hard place? Why does the Spirit of God lead you and me into hard places? Why do the moments of our lives have such abrupt changes from the hand of the Father? None of these questions deserve quick answers.  I wonder if your heart and mind asked any of them as you read?  One thing I am sure of, is that God had a plan in letting His Son be assaulted by temptations from Satan.  And Christ gave us a masterful plan of defense – the Word of God. My purpose in this space is not to answer all the wilderness questions….but to challenge you and me with an important thought.  Does God have the right to lead us into hard places?

The answer is a secure and resounding, “yes!” But are we willing to accept the abrupt changes with a heart of submission, which I believe Christ modeled for us in the wilderness?  There will be challenging events for all of us this year. It may not be a massive temptation, but it could be a job change, a financial reversal, or any number of painful circumstances. When you come to that hard place, will you remember to acknowledge the Father, yield to His will and learn the lessons that He has chosen to teach you?

This week I learned through His baptism, was instructed from the temptations He faced, and also reminded that God’s Spirit has the right to lead me where He chooses.  What a great reminder for me, and I hope for you! When you think of the hard places, let the words of a plaque hanging in my office encourage you.

The will of God will not lead you where the grace of God will not protect you.

It was a cold and rainy day, my football team lost … again, and our daughter headed home to Los Angeles.  That’s a lot to handle in one day. But before you start feeling sorry for me, you must know that I am very thankful for what God taught me this year, and thrilled to be starting a new year. What about you? As you review 2013 and look ahead to 2014, how are you feeling? You may be thrilled about the possibilities, you might fear what 2014 will bring, or you may even be resigned that 2014 will just be another year of the same.  None of us knows where the journey will take us in the next twelve months, but we at Journey onWord are determined to make it a Red Letter year.

My wish for you (and me) over the next year is that the words of Jesus will literally change us from the inside out. It’s easy for us to recite verses that relate to Jesus, but infinitely more difficult to live out the life of Christ as revealed in those verses. It was popular a few years ago to see the wrist band WWJD. It’s a great question. But I wonder how many times people genuinely knew, or searched the scriptures for the answers.  And how many then, acted in accordance.  In truth, doing what Jesus would do on a consistent basis is a result of seeking Him, being willing to submit to the Spirit, and then living out the principles that guided His life. Do you know many people who really live that radically?  It is our firm conviction at Journey onWord that taking a year to intentionally saturate our hearts and minds with Jesus’ words will be … life changing. It will be a Red Letter year!

In preparing to encourage you to spend a year reading the words of Jesus, I have determined to immerse myself in everything I can find on the life of Christ over the next year. Words from the back cover of a new book (my wife just bought) by Mark Batterson reminded me of the struggle to really follow Jesus.  The book All In states, “Many people believe they are following Jesus, but they have mistakenly invited Jesus to follow them.” Mark Batterson calls it “the inverted gospel.” He challenges you to go all in and all out by fully surrendering your life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. That is when the true adventure begins. Candidly, the words, “they have mistakenly invited Jesus to follow them,” can easily be a picture of my life and yours. But 2014 can be a Red Letter year.

With the above words as my passion, I would like to ask you a simple question. Would you be willing to let 2014 be a personal Red Letter year for you? Starting this Wednesday, we will be publishing a very unique Bible reading plan.  For an entire year, we are going to study the words of Jesus.  It will be far different from reading through the Bible cover to cover. Our goal is to help you slow the pace of your devotional time, by being able to focus on His words. Since there will be less to read, you may want to study the words in different Bible translations, look at Bible commentaries or intentionally meditate on each day’s passage. We will also be focusing our twice-weekly devotional articles on the truths and questions revealed and raised from the very words of Jesus. Do you believe looking daily at the Red Letters can change your life?

In three short days, a new year begins. Putting Christ at the top of your New Year’s focus and resolve will help you begin the next phase of your journey in the best way possible. Beginning a new diet, starting to workout again, and beginning 2014 with a new attitude are all great resolutions. But they pale in comparison to intentionally studying and applying the words of Jesus for an entire year.  Having a Red Letter year will change your life and mine!

Watch for the Red Letters this Wednesday!

Today is two days after, and still the week before. The pace and distractions of Christmas can be staggering, and then we are confronted with another year. We have a few days in between to prepare ourselves for next year’s journey. Maybe, just maybe, the following words are appropriate for you today. They are for me!

Quiet down before God, be prayerful before Him.

Those words, taken from Psalms 37:7 in The Message, sum up the desire and struggle that I have faced this year. In an effort to intentionally move at a slower pace (internally and externally), I have been keenly aware of my desire vs. my struggle. It only makes sense to me that every Christ-follower would want to live with a quiet center and prayerful heart. Why is it then that so few live with ears in tune to what the Lord is trying to convey? My personal conviction is that the quiet center available to us is filled with noise (I battle the noise, do you?). We can all find excuses for the noisy and distracted lives that we lead, but when the noise and distractions cause us to miss what God is saying, no excuse is good enough. Is your heart quiet and prayerful heading into a new year?

My personal reading has taken me to a book called Thirsting for God by Gary Thomas. Really thirsting after God will cause redirection in anyone’s life. I find that seeking the Father slows me down internally, and fuels the desire for that quiet center. See if the following quote from Thomas’ book resonates with where your journey is currently.

Living a busy life is like running a marathon—we tax our ability to care, our ability to focus, our strength to manage disappointment, our sense of peace and rest. Consequently, we live on the edge of exhaustion, irritation and anger. We have to re-gather ourselves, guard our peace, and focus so we will be free to care about the things that really matter and fully give ourselves to the tasks God calls us to address.

Are those first two sentences true of your life? Have you felt that guilty tug when someone needs your assistance but there is little energy or emotional reserves to help? We are all human and subject to seasons that are extremely busy and taxing. But to live with noise, distractions and chaotic schedules that limit our listening to God and hinder our walk with Him is unacceptable. You and I can quiet down and be prayerful before Him in 2014.

In the book, Thirsting for God, there is another penetrating and very convicting statement that we all need to hear.

The spiritual life is impossible in a heart full of noise and occupation.

Our lives can easily become about fitting God in, and less about living life from that quiet center. The noise around us does not have to invade us.

Countless times, I have read of Jesus getting away and praying. Luke says, But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. I can imagine those were special moments and times of refreshment. I need exactly that in my life. But, oh how the distractions and noise become addictive! For me, it’s a choice: Will I, or won’t I live with a quiet heart and seek to embrace God in each moment? How about you? There can be no greater indication of our need to fight the noise and distractions than looking at Christ’s pattern. He needed to get away from the crowds, and He needed to pray. None of us can claim lives with more noise and chaos than the Son of God. But listening to the Father was obviously important to Him. Could it be any less important for us?  I believe a quiet center is available to me; do you?

My goal in this post is not to instruct, but to relate. My selfishness often drowns out the voice I most want to hear. This year, I have sought to grow quieter, and embrace Him in each moment. Progress is slow, but I’m determined to have what is available to me. For me, it starts in my time with the Father. But then there has to be a conscious choice all day long to slow down, relax, and be a listener. I want to hear what He has to say. Your noise and distractions are probably different from mine, but you have them. Are you working from a quiet center, or just fitting God into your busy schedule (easy to do)?  I’ll admit that my thoughts in writing this were a bit skeptical … that no one would really take the challenge. But if there is one person reading this that is ready for a quiet center (and I hope it’s you), I am praying for you!

God still speaks … slow down with me and listen.

I have vivid and treasured memories of Christmas Eve’s from my childhood.  It was our family tradition to have my grandparents, my Uncle Rich and Aunt Linda, cousin Andelyn, and Aunt Gerrie at our house for Christmas Eve dinner.  My mother made her famous spaghetti, and we would sit at the table for what seemed like hours, telling stories, laughing and eating.  Most times we’d clear the table after dessert and play a game, and the stories and laughter would build to a crescendo and spill over the edge of our proverbial cup.

At some point late in the evening, we would all find our way to the living room.  What followed was intended to draw our hearts and minds to the real reason we were all gathered together.  The joyful “noise” of the previous few hours were briefly replaced by a quiet reverence as we found a comfortable spot and listened to my grandfather read the Christmas story.  I wonder if my grandfather knew how much I looked forward to that small and sacred part of Christmas Eve?  I’m sure I told him, but I wonder if he really knew.

It was not only the same person, it was also the same passage every year … from my recollection, Luke 2:1-20.  I loved sitting “at the feet” of my grandfather and listening to him read.  It happened so often and meant so much, that I rarely ever read that passage without thinking of him.  And the repetition was welcome to me.  You might find that odd, especially for a young man (that I was back then), but I relished it.

Something happened along the more recent portion of my journey, as I began to experience Advent.  I came face-to-face with the truth that the Christmas story had become a pretty small box in my life.  If it didn’t exist within the confines of Luke 2:1-20, it didn’t exist in my Christmas consciousness.  The story of how I got there is too big for this space, but suffice it to say it was absolutely true.

As I began to sit longer with the story of the nativity, as I began to read and re-read the stories (not to learn, but to experience), my Christmas box became visible.  This year’s Advent posts have really been years in the making.  The past three weeks have focused on stories and truths that used to exist just outside the boundaries of my box.  They are the first few things I discovered or wrestled with as the story of the nativity began to grow wider and deeper, and they have quickly become essential elements in telling the full story.  I don’t feel an ounce of regret, nor do I pronounce even a hint of judgement on the tradition of my adolescence.  I choose, instead, to express eternal thankfulness to God for the full extent of my journey with Him, which includes revealing the box.

I wonder if any of you will find yourselves in a similarly reflective and thankful place in the shadow of our focus next year on the words of Jesus?  I wonder if any boxes will be revealed around the Jesus you know (or thought you knew)?

Be present in the here and now of these last days of Advent.  It’s never too late to begin preparing your heart for the celebration of His birth.  Be present in celebrating on Christmas Day.  Enjoy the time with those you love, experience the wonder of His and your story, and be like the little child that Jesus said the kingdom belongs to.  And then, in its proper time, join us in 2014 as we immerse ourselves in the words and person of Jesus.

Three years ago our family visited the world’s largest department store. It was a time of joy for us as we met our daughter during the Christmas season. As we entered the Macy’s store on 34th street in New York City, I was confronted with their Believe It meter. It reminded me of Santa and the movie, Miracle on 34th Street. Children everywhere love to believe in Santa, his gifts, and that magical chimney. But the miracle we should be celebrating is that God became man. Now that’s a miracle! Do you still believe in miracles?

A friend once shared with me what he considered to be a miracle.  During the course of our discussion, he was passionate about God doing the unexplainable, yet undeniable. From the pages of Scripture and the recordings of history, God’s love and grace can be seen in events that are unexplainable and undeniable. Psalm 78:14 says, “You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.” But a constant stress point is moving our intellectual understanding to a faith that expects the unexplainable. I can promise you that walking by sight and not by faith will keep your journey explainable. But is that where anyone wants to live? Do you believe in miracles?

A personal confession might give more insight to my premise. Throughout my spiritual journey, I have seen God do the unexplainable. His protection, provision and grace have been undeniable to me. But sometimes I have sensed a distractedness that leads to living earthbound and not really expecting God to do much. It is easy to believe in miracles, but just not expect them in my own life. I asked someone last week if they believed in miracles. The answer was “yes”, but the sense was, not for me. You probably have felt the same way. We accept that God hung our world in space, sent His son as a baby, and raised a crucified Christ from the grave. But it is easy to lose sight of His desire to do the unexplainable, yet undeniable in our lives. Do you believe in miracles?

God is a miracle worker. He still does miracles today. Santa and a Macy’s Believe It meter get us in the Christmas spirit. But what about living every single day believing that the Spirit of God cares enough to do the unexplainable, yet undeniable in your life? I have found that by simply living out what I believe, the unexplainable often happens. But too often, I live and pray too low on the real Believe It meter. It’s easy to live in the “not for me” world of believing in His miracles. Do you believe in miracles?

To be clear, we should not live with a faith that just treats God like a Santa – We ask and He is bound to give. Nor should we live with a faith that believes in miracles, but not for me. God in His sovereignty knows when to do the unexplainable, yet undeniable in our lives. And He wants us to live by faith, not sight. His design is for us to walk with a surrendered, faith-filled heart. In this season of celebration, we have the opportunity to redirect our thoughts around our faith, His power, and His ability to do miracles, even for me. Will you believe in miracles?

It happened twice this weekend. My wife, without trying, caused me to feel less than spiritual as I look toward Christmas Day and the birth of Christ.  She absolutely loves to view nativity sets, and I … actually don’t think much about them, even when I see a beautiful one.  Friday night we were driving through a small community close to our home and there was (you guessed it) a nativity scene right in the middle of town.  Genel was excited and wanted to send the mayor a note for his courage in allowing the real meaning of Christmas to be portrayed.  Quite frankly, unless she had mentioned it, distracted Mike would have driven right by it without noticing. And then Saturday she decided to discuss with me the desire she had to purchase a particular (not cheap) nativity set.  In her own persuasive way, she proclaimed that we could buy it on sale after Christmas, and that we would have it the rest of our lives.  At that moment (shamefully), all I really focused on was the cost.

Now before you think of me in a negative light, Christ is everything to me. But it’s easy for me to move through the Christmas season acknowledging, but not really focusing on, the Baby in a manager.  I have taught the prophecy of Christ’s birth, preached the passages related to the virgin birth, and am more than thankful that God chose to send His Son to be our Savior.  I can speak eloquently about how the Baby born in a manager one day would die on a cross and be resurrected.  But honestly, I can very easily be distracted from looking at that Baby and reflecting on the consequences of His birth.

And then on Christmas Day, I sometimes tend to feel a bit uneasy that I haven’t prepared emotionally and spiritually for the wonderful day.  My wife’s subtle reminders this weekend have caused me to take stock in how I am preparing to worship my Savior this Christmas. I don’t want to just look at nativity scenes, but to look at my Savior, born in Bethlehem … in a manager.  God became flesh!  At this moment, are you distracted, or preparing for Christmas by really looking at and reflecting on the Savior? I tend to believe that most Christ-followers struggle with the same distractions I do.  Make a choice with me to really look at the focal point of all nativity sets this Christmas … Christ the Lord!

But there is something more. I also believe that many Christ-followers struggle with distractions all year long, and would willingly say that focusing on Christ is more of a wish than a reality. In a profound passage of Scripture from Hebrews 12:2(a) we find these words …

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Looking unto Jesus is an attitude of faith.  To really live a life of looking to Him takes intention.

When you and I fix (look) our eyes on something, we are placing emphasis on it. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, is the best wait to live. Direction in life, skill for living, wisdom for decisions and great joy can all be found by living a life that looks at Christ first and foremost.  You and I can live moment by moment, day by day and year by year fixing our eyes on Him. The question is … will we?

I can’t re-create all the missed nativity scenes I may have ignored, and you can’t go back and have a re-do on all the missed opportunities to live your life looking unto Jesus.  But all the moments, days and years we have left are in front of us.  I’ll make you a promise.  I will zero in on the real focus of the nativity scenes I come upon this Christmas, if you’ll consider looking unto Jesus with intention moment by moment, and day by day as we move into another year.  And we’ll both be glad we did!

It is my firm belief that most Christ-followers really don’t know Christ. Now before you think the words I just stated are heresy, think about them for a moment. I didn’t say that Christ-followers were not followers of Christ or not real believers, but that they didn’t really know Christ. At least not in the way He wants us to!

It’s likely that most of the people reading this article have made a decision for Christ in salvation, and your eternity is secure in heaven. But have you really taken the time to get to know Him, to really experience the wonderful privileges that are available in Christ? My thoughts on this topic really began to take root a couple of months ago when we at Journey onWord were preparing our Bible reading plan for 2014. One of the men shared that for much of his journey as a Christian, he didn’t really know Christ. His words got me thinking.

It’s my assumption that you can recite a great deal of facts about the Savior. You’ve probably read through the gospels and internalized a lot of information on His life. You have heard the Sermon on the Mount taught, you probably love reading about the feeding of the 5,000 and you have wept looking at His pain in Gethsemane. I could go on with how much information most believers know.

Knowing Jesus, however, it less about possessing facts and reciting Scripture and far more about truly experiencing Jesus. All who know Him as Savior have a grand opportunity to live with His attitude, look at life from His perspective and enjoy the peace that He gives.  Frankly, I just don’t see that happening with most Christ-followers.  How about you?

To be honest, I had a hard time framing this article in my mind. During my personal reading time, I found so many verses that caused me to think about Jesus and reflect on really knowing Him passionately.  Romans 13:14(a) reminded me of this:

Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The picture of clothing ourselves with the presence of Jesus goes far beyond intellectual facts, Bible stories and just drifting through life as someone who calls Christ our Savior without really seeking Him. If you are like me, you want to experience in a very real way the joy of clothing yourself in the presence of Jesus.

For a moment, think about how Jesus would handle the stress and pace of your life. Would He be frantic, frustrated and often overwhelmed? Think about how He would handle abuse, and anger toward Him. Would He forgive or choose to live with anger and bitterness?  When there’s a chance to lie or shade the truth, what would Jesus do?  I think we all could recite what He would do in these situations, because we’ve read the stories. And we’d probably be quick with the answer.  But have we ever sat long enough with the story to see what’s beyond the quick answer.  Or have we genuinely applied what we “know” and genuinely followed His example when He’s led similar people or circumstances into our everyday?  I firmly believe that you and I can live with the attitude and actions that characterized His earthly walk.  But if we don’t really spend time getting to know Him, looking at His responses and committing ourselves to His purposes, we won’t act much different from those who really don’t know Jesus as Savior.

Our passion at Journey onWord for 2014 is to spend the entire year reading and studying all the words of Jesus in Scripture. As we immerse ourselves in His words, attitudes, and actions … we will change!  Wouldn’t it be wonderful to end 2014 with the words Christ is my Savior and my best friend. Over the next few weeks we will share how you can journey with us through “the words of Jesus”.

I want to share something I read just today in Beth Moore’s book, Jesus the One and Only.

He is Jesus. The One and Only. Transcendent over all else. To know Him is to love Him. To love Him is to long for Him. To long for Him is to finally reach soul hands into the One true thing we never get enough of. Jesus. Take all you want. Take all you need. Till your soul is fed. And spirit freed. Till dust is dust. And Face you see. Jesus Christ. He’s all you need.

Amen.  And with expectancy, we look forward to journeying with you in 2014 through “the words of Jesus.”