journey onWord with us

It was the only movie I can remember seeing without my traditional box of popcorn (I felt it would have been disrespectful to my Lord). I can still visualize where my wife and I were seated as we watched the once in a lifetime presentation. Can you believe that seven years have passed since Mel Gibson’s epic movie; “The Passion of the Christ” was released? Millions watched it; churches used it as an evangelistic tool and no one who viewed it will ever forget the images. For me, the scenes were hard to watch as the last hours of Christ’s earthly life were graphically portrayed. As powerful as the movie was, no portrayal could ever match the reality of what Christ went through to bear the sins of all mankind.

For one week each year our attention is turned to the events surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. If we are not careful, it can become a religious holiday that means little more than Easter eggs, a day off from work and a great meal with the family on Easter Sunday. Even Christians can let the holiday benefits outweigh the eternal significance of why Christ died. His life was lived on purpose, and that purpose included dying on the cross. The sinless Son of God hung between heaven and earth bearing the weight of our sin. For all Christ followers, this week should be filled with humble thankfulness for the price that was paid for our redemption.

The reality of what happened to Christ at Calvary was beyond what any movie could ever portray. Christ hung on the cross for our sins, forsaken by God the Father.  For just a moment, journey back with me to a scene from the cross that can be easily overlooked. Jesus was mocked and ridiculed by onlookers, guards and chief priests alike. What had He done to deserve their rebuke: NOTHING!

Mark 15:29-32
Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!”  In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him. 

People clamored for Him to come down off the cross. The chief priests mocked Him and cried out for Him to come down; then they would see and believe. Christ did not come, to come down. God the Son came to earth on a mission, and He was not coming down off that cross. The brutal reality of His crucifixion was necessary, and He accepted it willingly.

We all want to enjoy Easter weekend and the time with our families. But let us not forget that “The Passion” of Christ was not just a great movie. It was God’s way to purchase our eternal salvation. But remember, it didn’t end with His death on the cross. On the third day He came up out of the tomb conquering death, hell and the grave. Reflect, and be thankful this week for the reality of the cross, and the hope of the resurrection!

The message of Easter is NOT limited to those who already believe.  If you have arrived here at this post and find yourself questioning or seeking, reach out to us at journeyonwordwithus@gmail.com.  Christ came to bring this hope and new life to all.

The Scriptures are so incredibly rich.  Each word, each sentence, each verse, each chapter, each book, each Testament breathes life and truth.  Reading Mark’s gospel this week has stirred so many things in my own life.  Each day I look forward to the window that the text provides into the life of Jesus.  The intimate one-on-one interactions he has with ordinary people, the miracles on a grand scale, the forgiveness, grace and love he shows, the stories he tells, the healing he performs, and even the cursing of a fig tree.  I have been glued to every word, on every page.  And then I came across a few simple words that made me stop reading, put down my Bible, close my eyes and let the words echo, settle, and begin to penetrate deep inside me.

These words appear as a suffix to some miraculous events.  Jesus had just fed five thousand people, with what we might consider these days as an appetizer portion for a party of ten.  And then He shows up to aid the disciples who were struggling in a boat, walking on the surface of the water.  Verses 51 and 52 of Mark chapter 6 give us the reaction of the disciples …

They were stunned, shaking their heads, wondering what was going on. They didn’t understand what he had done at the supper. (MSG)

And then came the final words of verse 52 that stopped me … None of this had yet penetrated their hearts.

As I sat silently, I began to relate to the disciples in a way that was different from my standard answer of, “Yeah, I can see myself saying the same thing!”  Or, “Yes, I am so like Peter.  So passionate and yet so quick to stick my foot in my mouth, or turn my back on Christ”.  The Spirit began to open my eyes to the way I, at times, consume Scripture.  And I was reminded of words I read in the John Ortberg book, The Life You’ve Always Wanted.  A challenge in a chapter that was focused on what he termed the “practice of reflection on Scripture”.  He wrote …

Read the Bible with a readiness to surrender everything.  Read it with a vulnerable heart.  Read it wisely, but understand that reading for transformation is different from reading to find information or to prove a point.  Resolve that you will be obedient to the Scriptures.

Our culture is so consumed by the need for more and more information.  And it is so easy to fall into this trap when consuming God’s Word.  We can get lost in reading recreationally, loving the stories and the truths that never quite penetrate our hearts and show evidence in our lives.  Or reading enough so we can impress others with our knowledge, or using what we read as rebuttal to an argument over doctrine or a societal ill.

As we read through the New Testament multiple times this year, I pray that you will read with a “readiness to surrender everything”, and “with a vulnerable heart”.  Scripture has the power to transform and to renew.  It breathes life and truth.  Consume it that way, with that intent.  Let it not be said of us that, “None of this had yet penetrated their hearts.“

It was a friend from my past who reminded me. The event took place at least 35 years ago, a show of youthful enthusiasm, combined with immature logic. I was working for a church during my summer break and wanted to motivate some children. When they accomplished the goal, I willingly bit a goldfish in half and swallowed it. (yuck!). Please don’t think I’m crazy, because it also sounds sickening to me (I still blow great bubbles). My intentions were noble in working for the Lord, but a more mature me would never do something like that. Although it was completely impulsive and only happened once, someone remembered it almost four decades later. Just this week, I read of a broken alabaster jar, and an act of devotion that reminded me of my youthful energy.

I’m sure you’ve read the story, and know of the woman’s devotion. If you are a long time follower of Christ you may even remember a song with the lyrics, “broken and spilled out, just for love of you Jesus.” I believe those words related to an event that took place in Bethany as Christ was nearing the cross. The scene takes place at the home of a man named Simon the Leper where Jesus was reclining at the table. A woman comes to him with an alabaster jar, breaks it and pours the ingredients (extremely expensive perfume) on his head. You can imagine the response. The disciples were indignant! This perfume was highly valuable and could have been used to help the poor. One account of the story explains that the perfume could have been sold for more than a year’s wages.

Her impulsive act was surely out of the norm, but was uniquely honored by Christ. You and I would likely have aligned ourselves with the indignant disciples and rebuked her. We would have thought of the value of the perfume, and missed it’s divine significance. But Christ didn’t miss the beauty of her devotion. Pick up the story in Matthew 26:10.

Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing for me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured out this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached, throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

I don’t understand all the depth in this passage, but this woman was symbolically preparing Jesus’ body for burial. Her act of devotion was not casual, it was expensive and sacrificial. None of us viewing this event centuries later would classify her gift as a waste. But in the moment, the disciples did. Christ however, never classifies giving our best for Him as a waste. In fact, look at her legacy: “I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached, throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” And it still lives on today!

Eating goldfish certainly doesn’t appeal to me today. But I wonder what else I did that summer 35 years ago that is still remembered? With youthful enthusiasm, I did the unthinkable. By sacrificing expensive perfume, the lady with the alabaster box did the unimaginable! My act is remembered as a silly act. Her’s is remembered with eternal significance. Could it be that in our desire to be mature and logical, we have lost the joy of being spontaneous and radical for Christ?

If you have lost the spiritual spark of your youth, ask our Father to renew it. It just may be your legacy! Be broken and spilled for Him … just don’t eat goldfish!

They were just like us – approachable, ordinary people with jobs, families … and faults.  There was not a scholar in the group.  No orator.  Not a single theologian to be found.  Not a rabbi in the bunch.  Some of them would have been considered, “outsiders.”  One was a former zealot who had actually plotted to overthrow the Roman government!  Another was the dreaded tax man.  Four of them, maybe as many as seven, were fishermen.  There were close friends in the group, relatives, and even brothers.  They were perfectly ordinary in every way … except one.  They changed the world after the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.  They were The Twelve, the disciples.

As their lives leap from the pages of Scripture, I challenge you to think about who these men were.  They are not just names on a page, but men who truly lived and worked, personally selected by Christ to become his apostles – “messengers, sent ones.”

I have often wondered, “Why Peter, so rough around the edges?”  “Why John, who was practically still a boy?”  “Why Matthew, who was despised as the tax collector?”  And perhaps most perplexing, “Why Judas, when Jesus already knew the end of that story?”  I will never understand in this life, but I do know that Jesus toiled in prayer for these men.  Scripture tells us that he went to a place alone, as was His habit, and prayed from 7 or 8 pm, through the night until 6 am for The Twelve.  Many mistakenly believe he was praying about whom to choose, but that had already been decided by the Father long before.  Jesus was praying for these men, for their protection against the forces of Satan and the challenges the rest of their lives would bring.

Luke 5:16
He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

Luke 6:12
He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. (for the disciples)

These twelve ordinary men were called to carry out four tasks in their earthly life:

• They were called to salvation
• They were called to minister with Jesus
• They were called to become apostles, official representatives of Christ
• They were called to martyrdom; Judas hung himself but 10 others were murdered.

These 12 simple men taught others, performed miracles and became the source, through God, of our church doctrine.  They were uneducated, humble men that God exalted for His glory.  After only 18 months of “training,” Christ transformed these men in such a way that they were able to spread the Gospel to every corner of the known world.

Hmmm, makes you wonder what He could possibly do with good old ordinary us?

You could recite this prayer from memory. It may have even been a part of your worship service yesterday. Words in this prayer convey powerful truths that are sadly often lost in corporate recitation. Since childhood we have called it the Lord’s Prayer, although many feel it could be more accurately described as the Disciples’ Prayer. In this prayer we are given a great model of how to communicate with the Father. Studying it will help us create a pattern for praise, adoration and seeking our Lord with petitions. However, when the words become just a tradition, and there is no thought or emphasis given to the real meaning of this prayer, our repetition is empty. We all struggle with understanding the depth of prayer, and relating to God with words that are not empty.

I believe we all understand the value of praying, but I don’t know many individuals who are pleased with how regularly they communicate with the Father. None of us can comprehend the depth of what our prayer time means to God, but we know that we are commanded to pray. You may even sometimes feel like since He knows everything anyway, “what’s the big deal?” A quote from John MacArthur’s New Testament Commentary of Matthew 1-7 gives us a balanced view:

“The Bible is unequivocal about God’s absolute sovereignty. But it is equally unequivocal in declaring that within His sovereignty God calls on His people to beseech Him in prayer-to implore His help in guidance, provision, protection, mercy, forgiveness, and countless other needs.”

God is sovereign, but He wants us to pray. In the verses immediately preceding the Lord’s Prayer there is emphasis given to inappropriate praying. You have read the verses, I am sure. God knows that each of us can be guilty of self-indulgent, prideful … empty prayers. Couched within these verses are a couple of principles that are important for every serious Christ follower.

Matthew 6:6, 8(a) (MSG)
Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His grace.

This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need.

God has designed that we can relate to Him through prayer. I believe He wants us to have a place of prayer that is quiet and secluded (for me it’s our basement). That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t pray in public, or with our families. We all would agree, however, that real intimacy with the Father is better served in private. It is in those private times that I really sense the focus of prayer shift from me to God.

The other concept that struck me from verse eight, is that the Father knows our needs better than we do. Spending time with God who is sovereign, available, all-knowing and full of grace is anything but empty.

You know where your prayer life is right now. Is your time with Him fleeting, and often a bit empty? Determine to find your quiet place and spend time there. Make sure that the emphasis is transferred from you to Him, and then be prepared to sense His grace. Tell Him everything.  You know in your head that He already knows, but communicate it with your heart.  He desires this time, and this unique space with each of us.  Give Him time privately with an open heart, and the next time your repeat the Lord’s Prayer…. just maybe the words will be full!

“It’s complicated!”  “I can’t understand it!”  “I just don’t get prophecy.”  These are the words of many Christians after reading the book of Revelation.  And if you took a poll of some preachers, you would hear the same thing.  This last book of the Bible can be daunting since it is a form of literature called apocalyptic, which means an unfolding, unveiling revelation.  The book uses symbols and imagery to reveal its secrets.  As we finish our first quarter of reading with this challenging book, I will now attempt to initiate a friendlier approach for you toward Revelation.  After all, we will be walking through it three more times this year.  Let me give you a little insight…

The book was written by John – yes, the apostle John who was the youngest of the 12.  He was now an old man in his 80’s, the last of the living apostles and the leader of the churches in Turkey.  He had been exiled to the island of Patmos by the Roman emperor Domitian.  There he lived in a cave and slept on the hard ground with a stone for a pillow (an extreme punishment for a man of his age – and all for testifying for Christ).  John was not martyred like the others, yet he suffered greatly on this island, his days spent doing back-breaking work under the watchful guard of his Roman keepers.  But then something extraordinary happened – Jesus himself came to John.  Now the last time John saw Jesus, he was a young man of 33 years old.  But on Patmos, John was privileged and chosen to see our Christ in his full glory.

Revelation 1: 10-11a
I was in the spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book…

When John says he was “in the spirit,” it means he was no longer functioning in the normal bounds of space and time; he was moving in the spirit realm.  He moved upward to see things in Heaven and forward to see things in the future.  If that is not fascinating enough for you, think about this – every time John receives a vision, he is told to “write it down.”  I don’t think that was a reflection of John’s age (although if I don’t write it down, it’s gone from my mind)!  I think it was a reflection of the importance of the message.  And the most telling thought of how important this book is can be found in the first chapter:

Revelation 1:3
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

This is the only book in the Bible that has a blessing promised just for reading it!!

Revelation tells us that Jesus is coming back . . .
– To take His church to be with him
– To judge the world
– To rule the world

So let’s see…if I read this book, God promises me a blessing.  Plus there is a crown in Heaven for those who faithfully look toward the second coming of Christ.

Have I changed your view a little?

Do not fear this book – It has a great ending!

SPECIAL NOTE: The New Testament’s great ending brings about a great beginning here at Journey onWord.  This week we finish our first of four reads through the New Testament.  Whether you are new to the Journey site, or have been reading through the New Testament faithfully with us for the first three months of 2010, April 1st is an invitation to begin anew.  Check the Journey site, or look for the weekly emails sent each Saturday for that week’s reading schedule.  If you don’t already receive the weekly email, click the “Subscribe” link on the Journey site to have it sent automatically.  If you haven’t read along yet, pick your favorite translation and join us.  If you read faithfully in the first quarter, think about picking a different translation and join us again.  Consuming God’s Word never returns void.  At Journey onWord, we believe firmly in the power of scripture, and make it our highest priority to encourage you to be in the Word.  Begin with us again in Matthew, and get ready to see God move in your life.

I am fond of golf. I have friends who are passionate about golf (and that’s why they always beat me). My wife and I are fond of walking on long trails, but not passionate enough to do it regularly. You are probably no different. There are things you are fond of, that don’t reach the level of a passion. It’s probably fair to say that today’s Christian America has a fondness for God, but not the passion to sacrifice comfort for His cause. A logical question for all of us is, “would a greater passion for God bring a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment in my life?” If not, why would He desire it of us?

In my meditation on the subject, I remembered a relevant quote from another of our posts; “each of us is as close to God as we choose to be”(Oswald Sanders). Combined with an honest evaluation of our spiritual passion, I think this quote gives clarity to where many of us are on the journey. If you are a Christ follower, there is no doubt that you love God and can absolutely be used greatly for His cause. Since yesterday ended at midnight, don’t be concerned about yesterday’s lack of passion. What is His purpose for you today? Finding spiritual purpose, without seeking to know God will only lead to frustration. To know God and His purpose, the Word has to play a vital role in your life.

A favorite author of mine, Beth Moore, writes in Believing God, “an ongoing relationship with God through His Word is essential to the Christian’s consistent victory!” I don’t know that I have ever met a person whose faith I would want to emulate, that was not a student of the Word. Make no mistake; consistent intake of the heart of God will change you. You will learn His perspective on life, and that insight will shape and reshape you. I am very conscious that many who read our articles have known Christ for many years. But there is a burden in my spirit that modern American Christianity treats our relationship with God’s Word like I treat my golf game. Far too many errors are made because I just don’t want to invest the time in my relationship with God. But in matters eternal, the stakes are much higher. Every relationship that you and I have is affected by our relationship with God through His Word.

So if you will choose today to be close to God, choose to be close to His Word. We all have a decision before us – fondness or passion. If you desire to consistently have His perspective, start today with a fresh view of the Word and its power in your life. Yesterday really did end at midnight, and the Creator of each new day wants you to have His insight. When you gain it, there will be no doubt about purpose and fulfillment.

What keeps you grounded in life and faith? What gives you perspective in a world filled with pain? How can you remain calm when you see pictures of earthquakes, nuclear meltdowns, and countries warring with themselves? For all of us there needs to be a constant. One that is grounded in truth, produces hope, and results in a balanced life. I submit to you that God has provided us with that unchangeable source. One that gives balance to life, hope for eternity, and perspective to live in a world that is so often out of sorts.

Isn’t it interesting that we all struggle to stay consistent in our reading of God’s message to us? It is easy to substitute His counsel for that of friends, good books or even sermons at church. But there is no substitute for His Word.

Just this morning in my reading in Jude (next to last book in the Bible), I saw hard,but true words and a call to persevere. Times have changed since those words were penned, but they are just as relevant today. One of my passions in life is to motivate and re-motivate you to read God’s Word on a consistent basis. It’s relevance for today will astound you, its truth will ground you, and its power can change you. Although it’s easy to substitute God’s Word with other things, only His Word is the source of absolute truth. There is no substitute for what God (and God only) can give.

Do you ever feel like your life is a pattern of starting and stopping when it comes to your relationship with the God’s Word? You are not alone. And quite frankly, it is easy to substitute a good book, or your pastor’s sermon for time with the Father. I’m guilty of doing those very things myself. However, you and I both know that there is only one place to read, and be sure that it’s God who is speaking. His counsel never fails and there is no substitute.

II Timothy 3:16 (MSG)
Every part of Scripture is God breathed and useful one way or another-showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.

Accept this post as a personal challenge from me to you. April 1st, we will begin a second phase of reading through the New Testament in 2011. It does not matter where you are on your spiritual journey. The Word is the Word is the Word, and there is no substitute. You may have gotten sidetracked in your relationship with it, but yesterday did end at midnight, and I believe the God of Creation wants you to hear from Him daily. Accept His Words in the verse above for your future: Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. Remember, for the tasks God has for you and me, there is no substitute for His Word.

You may be a consistent student of the Word … I commend you! You may have struggled for years at stopping and starting … I challenge you to keep going! You may have never been a student of His Word … It can be a new day for you! Our desire at Journey onWord is to help you find the riches of God’s love and grace through His Word.

And I will say it again: There is no substitute!

Today will bring a new set of challenges. As you begin a new week, I am sure you would like each decision to be confronted with wisdom. Too often we all give intellectual assent to wanting wisdom from above, and then make decisions that are anything but from above. Just a few years ago I bought a new red vehicle based on its looks, my selfishness, and the smelling the interior. Now that was a thought out, prayerful decision to be sure. When the per gallon price of gas rose, I was beyond disappointed at myself. And I ended up never enjoying the vehicle. I know better, but I made a bad choice. If you are like me, you want your faith to be shown by the wisdom you express each day. When we live from God’s perspective (wisdom), our actions will be appropriate, our words will be pleasing to Him, and our faith will be contagious. Sometimes in life, the challenges take center stage and faith is relegated to backstage. But in Christ, wisdom for every challenge is available today.

Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer.

Preparation for the day is a key in letting our faith be pleasing to the Father. There is a direct correlation to how I seek the Lord, and how His wisdom is seen in me. The Psalmist shows us the desire we all seek. When our words and hearts are pleasing to the Father, those around us will see a better picture of how faith works. How is your preparation for each day? Is there a pattern of seeking, or do the daily battles take center stage? Since daily challenges will never go away, sincere Christ followers need to prepare our hearts to be pleasing to the Father, and continually ask for wisdom. We may not get all the answers we want, but when wisdom is given, we will make right choices. If our heart and our words are pleasing in His sight, wisdom is seen, and our faith takes center stage.

None of us are sure just how the opportunities of today will be used by the Father. I can’t fix all of my yesterdays, but today is new. Someone will need what you have to offer because of your faith. Prepare with a heart that is seeking the Father, and the words and actions of your life will show His wisdom.

James 4:17-18
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace- loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

We all have a red truck story. With each new day however, we have the opportunity in Christ to show forth His wisdom. In our daily challenges today and this week, there will be opportunities to live out our faith with wisdom. You and I will be tempted to make earth-bound decisions, based on human rationale. Since we know the truth, and have His wisdom available, determine with me to live on purpose and let faith take center stage. Forget yesterday, and live today with wisdom.

Taxes are just a fact of life. Each year around this time, my wife and I prepare for the inevitable. Since we are both self-employed and never estimate enough, April has some sad moments. For those of you who get money back, you are probably smiling and thankful for the refund. For the rest of us: the Taxman cometh. Make no mistake, I believe we should pay our taxes and render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, but I still have to deal with my attitude. Since we all work hard for our incomes, often in our selfishness, we want to hold on to everything. My thinking was challenged with money, contentment and taxes during my reading this week.

Money and material possessions are a part of our culture. There is an innate desire in all of us that thirsts for more. Who doesn’t want a bigger car, nicer house or better paying job? Even the most spiritual of individuals will do internal battle over the desire for more vs. contentment in Christ. You may chuckle at my battle with paying taxes, but it illustrates a common thread in all of us. Paying fewer taxes keeps more money in my pocket (and yours), and therefore gives us a false sense of security. In truth, paying our taxes honors the desire of God for us. Don’t worry, this article isn’t about taxes, but how we view our money and possessions.

Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Isn’t it interesting that centuries have not changed the struggle that believers have with money? Intellectually we know the right perspective to have. Trust God for your needs. He is not going to forsake you. Why then do we hold our money tight, cringe at paying taxes, justify not tithing and generally refuse to live with contentment in what we have? One of my modern heroes in the faith, Larry Burkett (who passed away several years ago) used to say that money problems are just an outside indicator of an inside problem. I would submit to you that in certain seasons of life we will all be confronted with trusting God instead of our money or possessions. It will be an internal battle, with external consequences.

You may be reading this article with adequate assets and relative financial ease. The money vs. trusting the Father battle will still rage for you. Some may be reading this while out of work, or really battling up hill financially. It makes no difference in which situation you reside, God can be trusted with your life. Your assets and desire for more cannot! You can absolutely believe that God knows your position and wants to bless you. I can’t tell you how the rest of your financial journey will unfold, but I can tell you to rest in His care. If you do, contentment will come.

When I was young and broke and didn’t know better, I trusted God. Not surprisingly, He came through. Contentment wasn’t in what I had, and it never should be. Now as an older and wiser man, I sometimes get frustrated at the lack of contentment in what God has provided. You may feel the same. But God has never forsaken me yet, and my (and yours) contentment comes from a relationship with Him. It is easy to thirst for more money and better possessions, but we all know where real security and contentment are found. And by the way, if you haven’t done so yet, smile, trust God and pay your taxes.