Cedar of Lebanon

Psalm 92

 

 

“Those who do what is right will grow like a palm tree.
    They will grow strong like a cedar tree in Lebanon”.        

Psalm 92:12 NIRV

 

The cedars of Lebanon that the Psalmist wrote about, lived to be 120 feet tall and up to 30 feet in circumference. They were solid and strong; an immovable object. Here, the psalmist is using them as a metaphor for spiritually influential people.

 

In 2003 Mitch Albom released a book by the title of, “The Five People You Meet in Heaven”. It is a story about a man who dies at the age of 83 and goes to heaven where he meets five people whose lives were intertwined with his.

 

Each of us have people who have influenced us during our lives. Sometimes it has been in ways that we don’t even realize at the time, but God has used them to shape us and mold us to become the man or woman that we are today and will become in the future. They are the “cedars of Lebanon” in our lives.

 

Here is a brief summary of the five that come to mind for me:

 

• Bonnie was my high school girlfriend when I went away to college and as it turned out, she broke up with me. Weeks later I went for a walk in the winter night and fell to the ground crying out to God, “Why”!
• The following summer I met Ken. He invited me to a church that had a special interest for me – lots of pretty girls. God had other plans than romance for me though. Ken shared with me about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. As a result, the direction of my life was changed forever.
• Ken invited me to a summer training program the next year in Lansing, Michigan. Following that summer, I dropped out of college and tried to figure out what to do with the rest of my life. Eventually, I developed a desire to “use basketball to share Christ with black inner-city boys”.
• Soon after that, a friend of one of my roommates called looking for volunteer basketball coaches for an inner-city ministry. Tom, and his boss Dick, eventually invited me to be on paid staff where I served for twenty-five years.
• In my first year as a volunteer I met Debbie who later became my wife. The rest is history as they say.

 

“It is good to say thank you to the Lord, to sing praises to the God who is above all gods. Every morning tell him, “Thank you for your kindness,” and every evening rejoice in all his faithfulness”.            Psalm 92:1-2 TLB

As I consider my list of five, I realize that God has been both kind and faithful to me over the years and decades. For that I am thankful. But it also occurs to me that maybe my list of five is not so much my “cedars of Lebanon” as God is. He is my “Cedar of Lebanon”. He is solid and strong; an immovable object. For that I am most thankful.

 

 

 

 

 

Good Guys Wear White Hats

Galatians 4:1-7

 

 

 

Rules are a part and parcel of our western world. If you break a rule, there are consequences, or at least there’s supposed to be. If you live by the rules, you’re considered a good guy. In terms of the old Western movies, you wear a white hat, because the bad guys, the rule breakers, wear black hats.

 

Paul knew well what it meant to live by the rules. In Philippians he referred to himself as, “a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless”. Paul lived according to the Law as well as anyone could. But it wasn’t enough.

 

Jesus spoke to the rich young ruler about the commandments. The ruler said that he had kept them all since he was a boy. You can hear his pride and self-righteousness in his words. But even before this exchange, Jesus had told him that only God is good. In other words, obeying the commandments can’t make you good. Uh oh. So much for white hats.

 

In Galatia, there were Judaizers, who were Jewish Christians. They believed that a number of the ceremonial practices of the Old Testament were still binding, and insisted that the Gentile believers abide by these, particularly circumcision. Paul responded in today’s passage with his attack on this belief.

 

“And that is the way it was with us before Christ came. We were slaves to Jewish laws and rituals, for we thought they could save us.  But when the right time came, the time God decided on, he sent his Son, born of a woman, born as a Jew,  to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law so that he could adopt us as his very own sons.”   Galatians 4:3-5 TLB

 

The Galatians, the rich young ruler and, before his conversion Paul, all thought that the Old Testament Law and rituals could save them. Clearly, that is not true. They are inferior to the freedom that we have that comes through Christ.

 

However, for us, it may not be the Jewish law and rituals, but our own set of rules and expectations; our own pride that leads to self-righteousness. Do we wear the right cloths; go to the right church; say the right things; pray in the right way? We have our own set of rules to make us feel like we wear a white hat, but that can enslave us in the same way that Paul described.

 

Bottom line: It’s not whether you wear a white hat or a black hat. It’s not about rules, but a relationship. It’s not about attending church, but being a child of God. It’s not about maintaining control, but surrendering control to Christ.

 

 

 

Friday Night Football

Galatians 4:1-7

 

Previous to my Senior year of high school, my Dad took a job in Morehead, Kentucky. However, I stayed and lived with family friends so that I could finish high school with my friends. At one point in the fall, my Dad returned to complete some final details for the move. While there, he attended my high school football game on a Friday night. Normally, I didn’t play much, but I really wanted to get into the game and make him proud.

 

Finally, the coach called my name and I went in on offense. It was a running play to the opposite side of the field. The runner was probably thirty yards away from me, but I was desperate to do something, anything to impress my Dad. So I picked out an overweight lineman that was huffing and puffing, and put the hardest block on him that I could. He hit the ground with a great thud, and exhaled whatever air he had left in his lungs. To this day, I don’t know if my Dad saw me do that or not, but it was for him.

 

In Galatia, there were Judaizers, who were Jewish Christians. They believed that a number of the ceremonial practices of the Old Testament were still binding, and insisted that the Gentile believers abide by these, particularly circumcision. Paul responded in today’s passage with his attack on this belief.

 

“And that is the way it was with us before Christ came. We were slaves to Jewish laws and rituals, for we thought they could save us.  But when the right time came, the time God decided on, he sent his Son, born of a woman, born as a Jew,  to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law so that he could adopt us as his very own sons.”   Galatians 4:3-5 TLB

 

Paul knew well what it meant to try to live by the Law. In Philippians he referred to himself as, “a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless”. If you read this verse carefully, you will see that Paul defined himself according to his perceived ability to obey the Law. But in today’s passage, Paul suggests a better way for believers to define themselves.

 

“Because you are his children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. He is the Holy Spirit. By his power we call God Abba. Abba means Father. So you aren’t a slave any longer. You are God’s child. Because you are his child, God gives you the rights of those who are his children.”      Galatians 4:6-7 NIRV

 

The Law does not define who I am. My job, my family, my church, the things that I have done, even my personality, does not define who I am. But my Heavenly Father does. I am His child, and like my earthly Dad on that fall evening years ago, I want my Heavenly Dad to be proud of me, so that someday He will say to me, “You are my son. With you I am well pleased.”

 

 

(This was actually my second devotional on the same passage. The following was my first. You decide which you like better.)

 

Life is Good

Genesis 3:14-15

 

Adam & Eve had it good in the Garden of Eden. For them, “Life is Good” was more than kitchen appliances; it was more than a catchy saying; it was more than clever merchandise. It was paradise. There was no sickness, no growing old and no death. It was perfect unity between each other and with God. Life couldn’t get any better.

 

But with one small decision, that all came crashing down. Their decision brought guilt, shame and death into their world. And not only their world, but it continues today. Like a stone hitting a pond, their self-destructive decision continues to ripple over the millennia into our lives.

 

Instead of looking at how good they had it, they looked at what they thought they were missing. They believed that they could decide what was best for themselves. They wanted full control of their own lives. They believed that they knew better than God. They rationalized what they wanted to do, and did it. Sound familiar?

 

What was the result? Satan was cursed. Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden; from Paradise. Hope, purpose and peace were all taken away from them as a consequence of their actions. But not all hope was taken; not forever.

 

“You will strike his heel, but he will crush your head”.

Genesis 3:15 The Living Bible

 

This promise given to Adam and Eve brings hope for the future to come through the Savior. Indeed, God did have a plan for the good of mankind. And He has a plan for you and for me. All good gifts come from God. We need only to have faith and patience; and then trust in His goodness; in His faithfulness; in His love.

 

Jeremiah 29:11 says: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

 

This is the hope that we live for; the hope that God is faithful and good; that we can

trust Him no matter what happens. Jesus has won the final victory. Life IS good.

 

 

 

"Hello. My Name is Joe."

Psalm 139:13-24

 

After introductions, what do you say next? How do you answer the question, “Who are you”? Is it in terms of your job, your school or maybe your church? Do your children, your spouse or your parents define who you are?

 

 

For some it is something they have done, possibly an addiction. When introducing yourself at a meeting you give your name and say, “I am an addict”. What is it that defines you; that goes to the core of your being; that is the bottom line of how you truly feel about yourself?

 

In his prayer, David wrote the following about how he defined himself:

 

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.”

 

He understands that although he had biological parents, God was his true creator. In polite conversation, we tend to not disclose our inner being. But God created our inner being, and not only did He create it, it is “fearfully and wonderfully made”. That means that there is nothing to be ashamed about who we are.

 

The definitions of guilt and shame are very similar, but significantly different. Guilt means that we feel bad about what we did. Shame means that we feel bad about who we are. God is saying through David that we need not feel ashamed of who we are, because God created us.

 

Finally, Paul wrote this about who we are:

 

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”         Ephesians 2:10

 

God has created you for a unique purpose to use the gifts and abilities that He has given you through His grace. God is the potter, and you are His clay. He defines who you are. He has prepared good works for you to do.

 

“Hello. My name is Joe. I’m a creation of God and a follower of Christ Jesus”. Who do you believe you are?

 

 

I Want Patience and I Want it Now

Psalm 40:1-8

 

Patience is a virtue. Did your mom ever tell you that? I know we did to our daughter, and now to our grandchildren. However, patience doesn’t seem to be a natural human trait. Driving on the highway will show you exactly what I mean. Our world seems to be less and less patient as we want everything faster and faster.

    

Even characters in the Bible had trouble with being impatient. Esau sold his birthright for stew because he couldn’t wait to eat. The people of Israel formed an idol out of gold because they couldn’t wait for Moses to return from the mountain. Peter cut off the ear of the servant in the Garden of Gethsemane because he couldn’t wait for Jesus.

 

But in today’s passage we read that David learned to wait patiently on the Lord. The Message puts it like this: “I waited and waited and waited for God. At last he looked; finally he listened.”  Consider how David learned patience.

 

After he was anointed to be the King of Israel and then defeated Goliath, it looked like he was on the fast track to the top. But Saul had a different idea, and as a result, David ran for his life. Hiding and waiting; that’s how David learned to be patient.

 

What could the benefits have been for David learning patience in this way? Again, we turn to The Message to glean some insight into this question: “Being religious, acting pious— that’s not what you’re asking for. You’ve opened my ears so I can listen.”  

 

The Lord uses the circumstances in our lives to help open our ears so that we can hear Him. By being patient, David learned to trust God, not religious rituals or himself. Just like Elijah, we need to listen for His “still, small voice”. It’s not an easy task to do in our impatient world, but we need to slow down. We need to turn the radio or TV or iphone6 off so that we can be still; so that we can listen for the Lord’s voice.

 

What was the outcome for David in waiting patiently?

“Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
    it is written about me in the scroll.
I desire to do your will, my God;
    your law is within my heart.”

 

The Lord wants our heart. He wants our mind. He wants our soul. If we are willing to learn to wait patiently on Him, we just might be able to experience intimacy with the Lord that has no rivals.

 

Passion

Acts 21:27-36

 

 

Braveheart is one of my favorite movies. William Wallace was passionate about gaining freedom for Scotland. In fact, he was so passionate that he was willing to die for what he believed in. Paul had that same kind of passion.

 

In today’s passage, Paul has returned to Jerusalem after completing his third missionary trip. During those trips, he has seen many people come to faith in Christ. He has witnessed miracles. He has preached to thousands. But he has also been beaten, arrested and run out of town. The Jerusalem elders are proactive and try to avoid any problems, but their efforts fail.

 

As a result, Paul is falsely accused of “teaching everyone everywhere against our people our law and this place”. He is dragged out of the temple and the gates are closed behind him blocking any possible retreat. It is only when the Roman troops arrive that the frenzied crowd stops their attempt to kill Paul. Then, as if he was the offender rather than the victim, he is hand cuffed and dragged off while the crowd continues in its violent rage.

 

Most likely, neither you nor I will ever face a situation like this. Most likely, we will never be beaten, arrested or driven out of town for our faith. But think about how Paul could have felt during those times when he was persecuted. He may have gone through periods of feeling lonely, afraid, anger and self-pity.

 

These are feelings that we can relate to; feelings that can result from the struggles of daily living. Maybe it is stress at work, problems at home, frustrations at church; or possibly a devastating illness or unexpected death of a loved one, a child or spouse who is in the throes of an addiction or a divorce. Any of these life experiences could cause us to stumble in our faith.

 

Following today’s passage, we read that Paul is resilient in his faith in Jesus. He asks, and is granted, to speak to the very people who had just tried to kill him. Like William Wallace in the scene where he is on the rack and cries out “freedom” with his last breath, Paul is passionate about sharing the hope that is within him.

 

People can be passionate about many things. What are you passionate about? Does your faith in Christ carry you through the hard times?

 

 

You Are a Fierce Lion and a Mighty Warrior

Luke 19:20-27

 

 

 

“The way we perceive ourselves in relation to the rest of the world plays an important role in our choices, behaviors and beliefs. Conversely, the opinions of others also impact our behavior and the way we view ourselves.”

 

This is one of the main tenants of social psychology. Basically, it is saying that we see ourselves based on our perception of how we think others see us.

 

Gideon was hiding in a winepress when the angel of the Lord came to him and said, “The Lord is with you Mighty Warrior”. Obviously, Gideon viewed himself as anything but a mighty warrior. He didn’t see himself the same way that the Lord saw him. So he hid.

 

How did the servant in today’s story see himself? Did he see himself as someone who was a capable risk taker, ready to invest his master’s money? No. He saw himself as someone meek and mild, who feared his master and who knew that if he failed it would be his ruin. So he hid.

 

When I was growing up I was afraid to try new things. I didn’t have the confidence, in large part, because my Mom, as much as she loved all of us kids, was very over-protective. What that told me was that I couldn’t do things on my own. And if I tried, I would fail. So I hid.

 

What about you? How do you perceive yourself? Is it through the eyes of others? Is it through the circumstances around you? Is it through an authority figure in your life? Do you hide or do you blossom?

 

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”

 

This verse in Matthew is from the parallel passage from today’s story. The master makes this statement to two of the three servants. How affirming it would have been for those servants to hear their master say this to them. They would be ready to run through a brick wall for him, because they would know that he loved them and had confidence in them and believed in them enough to trust them.

 

That’s how God sees you. Not like the servant in today’s passage, but like the kitty in the picture. And as you internalize His love for you into your heart and soul, be ready to accomplish great things for the Lord - because He sees you as a fierce lion and a Mighty Warrior.

 

 

 

You Can't Be Justs a Little Bit Pregnant

Psalm 116:12-19

 

 

In 2001, Kevin Kline starred in a movie called, “Life as a House”. After being diagnosed with terminal cancer, he decides to focus on repairing his relationships with his ex-wife and disenfranchised teenage son. He does so by recruiting them to help him rebuild his dilapidated house which sits in the middle of an upscale neighborhood. In the end, he admits that he always thought of his life as a house.

 

What are you building with your life?

 

Ray Boltz is a contemporary Christian musician. One of his songs is titled, “Thank you for Giving to the Lord”. It’s about a dream of two people visiting Heaven where person after person came up to them saying, “Thank you” for investing your life into mine. The things that this person had done were small, seemingly insignificant details of life that made a huge impact on them for eternity.

 

Who are you investing your life into?

 

Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church, is quoted as follows: “God has given you unique abilities, talents and gifts. At Saddleback Church, we say they represent a person’s SHARE – Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality and Experiences. This bundle of talents is the thing God has given you that makes you who you are and sets you apart from other people.”          

 

How are you using your SHARE to build the kingdom?

 

The psalmist asks us this question: “What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?”  The answer is simple – all of you, everything that you have and are. He wants you to be fully committed. It’s like a woman who is pregnant. She’s not just a little bit pregnant, she is fully pregnant. She is fully committed to the child within her. It’s all or nothing.

 

In the same way, the Lord, our Father, is fully committed to us as His children. Even to the point of sacrificing His one and only son so that we might be reconciled to Him. By doing this, He has blessed us so that we might be a blessing to others.

 

 

Letting Go

Deuteronomy 6:1-9

 

 

There is a TV commercial about a daughter heading off to college that makes me cry every time I watch it. Maybe because it reminds me of our only child, a daughter, who we sent off to college. As parents, we spend all of our time preparing our children to leave. Then when it happens they’re ready, but we’re not. It’s hard to let them go.

 

The children of Israel took forty years in the wilderness to prepare for freedom. Their Father provided for them with manna and quail. He taught them life lessons. He disciplined them. He loved them. And when the time came, Moses gave them His final instructions.

 

These verses in Deuteronomy are at the heart of those instructions. Before and after them, Moses has reminded them about their history and God’s faithfulness. He has reminded them of the promises of God, and His faithfulness in keeping them. He has reminded them about God’s laws, commands and decrees, and God’s faithfulness.

 

Here is a link for the commercial. http://www.values.com/inspirational-stories-tv-spots/120-college Take 30 seconds to watch it.

 

Moses is like the Father in the commercial who has done everything he can to prepare his daughter for college so all he can think to do is remind her to buckle her seat belt, drive carefully and call when she gets there. Then he says what is most important as he lets her go, “I love you”.

 

Isn’t that how our Heavenly Father treats us? He prepares us, disciplines us, teaches us and loves us. He is constantly drawing us to Him. He is always with us and faithful to His Word and promises - regardless of whether we are or not. Then he says, “I love you”, and gives us the freedom to follow Him or not. 

 

When I went to college my Dad told me that he expected one letter a week from me. Today, kids would look at you like you have three eyes if you said that. But back then, I did what he asked. For my Dad, it all boiled down to one letter a week. For our Heavenly Father it boils down to, “Love me with all your heart and soul and strength”. If nothing else, do this. Then He lets us go.

 

(This devotional is devoted to my daughter Tara, my Grandchildren, my Dad and my Heavenly Father who has loved me, drawn me to Him and always been there for me, even when I haven’t noticed.)

I Have a Dream

Deuteronomy 6:1-9

 

 

On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln spoke these words at the dedication of the Soldiers National Cemetery in Gettysburg: “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal”.

 

On January 20, 1961 newly elected president of the United State, John F. Kennedy, gave his inaugural speech which included the following: “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”.

 

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and spoke these words: “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal”.

 

Just as these visionary men gave motivational speeches that changed the world around them, Moses spoke to the nation of Israel. He reminded them how the LORD had delivered their ancestors from slavery. He reminded them how the LORD had performed miracles to bring them to this location at such a time as this.

 

Now was the time for Israel to make a decision. It was time for them to take the land that the LORD had promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. A land flowing with milk and honey.

 

But crossing the Jordan River would mean a huge change in their lives. They were used to living on manna and quail. They were used to wandering from place to place. They were used to being nomads, living in tents. The thought of crossing the Jordan River to an unknown life must have both excited and scared them.

 

During turbulent times Martin Luther King spoke of equality in America, and inspired a national movement for civil rights. At a critical point in time Moses spoke about the character, promises and expectations of the LORD, and inspired a nation to embrace Him.

 

You and I face decisions every day of our lives. For me, when they occur, I have a dream to “love the LORD my God with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my strength”. I pray that you have this same dream.

 

Fiddler on the Roof

Matthew 15:7-20

 

In the movie “Fiddler on the Roof”, the main character, Tevye, is fighting to uphold the ancient traditions of his faith. A fiddler playing on the roof top serves as a metaphor for the Jewish traditions that Tevye is defending. Like the fiddler, these traditions are at risk of losing their balance and falling; and with it, people’s lives would never be the same.

 

Following the Babylonian exile, Jewish rabbis began to develop a system of meticulous rules and regulations governing the daily life of the people. There may have been good reasons for this in the beginning, but by the time Jesus appears, they had become a burden and did more harm than good. But, like Tevye, the Pharisees are defending their system of oppressive rules.

 

It is a system that focuses on the outside of a person and not what is on the inside. That is precisely what makes it so appealing. After all, if your salvation is dependent on your ability to obey and follow the rules, what do you need God for? You can put God in a box that you open on Sunday, or other designated times, and then put Him back in the box when you are done.

 

How appealing that is to human nature. From the time of Adam and Eve, human nature has coveted to control their world and be like God. And in a very real way, to become your own god. All you need to do is focus on the outside and not look at what is going on inside your soul.

 

We can look good on the outside: wear designer clothes, drive a luxury car, live in the best neighborhood and say all the right things – but be ugly on the inside. We can go to church every Sunday, pray every day, read our Bible and get involved in church committees – but our hearts can still be cold towards God.

 

Our identity is in Christ, not rules or traditions or some other substitute. So ask yourself, “What have I used to take God’s place”, and then ask God to take His rightful place in your life. If you do this, the fiddler on the roof will come tumbling down, but your life will have so much more meaning and purpose that there is no comparison.

 

 

What Team Do You Follow?

1 John 4:16-21

 

 

Is it the Buckeyes, the Browns, the Bengals or maybe the Steelers? Football fans come in all sizes and shapes and wear their team’s colors to show it. They invest their hard earned money and their limited time to watch and cheer for their team. They might even put a decal on their car to proclaim their loyalty, or maybe a flag in their front yard. Whatever the case, you can tell from their actions what team they follow. That’s what John is talking about in these verses.

 

“If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both.” 1 John 4:20-21 The Message

 

John wrote a lot about loving God and loving others. Because of this, you might picture him as an all-around nice guy. After all, he was an apostle of Jesus and was referred to as “the disciple who Jesus loved”. He was with Jesus during the most important occasions like the Mount of Transfiguration and the Garden of Gethsemane. But there was another side to John.

 

When Jesus called John and his brother James to follow him, he referred to them as the “Sons of Thunder”. It wasn’t because they were meek and mild. John was a fisherman. He worked in the family business with his hands. He was an action kind of guy who sometimes spoke without thinking.

 

On one occasion the disciples were arguing about who was the greatest. Shortly after this, James and John asked Jesus if they could be at his right and his left when he came to power. They even solicited their mother to lobby for them. Another time, they wanted to call fire down from heaven to destroy a Samaritan village. From these examples, it is hard to tell just who John is following.

 

From the time when John was a “rough around the edges fisherman”, to arguing about being the greatest, to wanting to call down fire on others; he changed. Jesus changed John so that his greatest weakness became his greatest strength. I hope and pray that Jesus does the same for me and for you so that others can tell what team we follow.

Jonah: Prodigal Son or Older Brother?

Jonah 4:1-11

 

“Jonah was furious. He lost his temper. He yelled at God, “God! I knew it—when I was back home, I knew this was going to happen! That’s why I ran off to Tarshish! I knew you were sheer grace and mercy, not easily angered, rich in love, and ready at the drop of a hat to turn your plans of punishment into a program of forgiveness!

“So, God, if you won’t kill them, kill me! I’m better off dead!”           The Message

 

You’re probably familiar with the story of the Prodigal son. The younger son asks for his inheritance and spends it on wild living, while the older son stays at home, obediently working for his father. When the younger son realizes his sin and repents, his Father welcomes him home with open arms. But the older son resents him deeply.

 

The story of Jonah reminds me of this parable of Jesus. First you have the Ninevites – bad guys to the core. They represent everything that is evil and unrighteous before the Lord, but eventually repent.

 

Then you have Jonah – an all-around good religious guy. He is a prophet of the Lord, who God believed in enough to call him to minister in one of the most important cities of the day – Nineveh. But he rebels and condemns the Ninevites.

 

As a result, Jonah instead of following God’s word, heads off to Spain – the total opposite direction of Nineveh. Despite Jonah’s rebellious behavior, the Lord pursues him and shows His love and mercy to him. Following God’s saving grace, Jonah obeys and goes to Nineveh. And low and behold, the people repent!

 

You’d think at this point Jonah would be excited about how God has used him in His plan of redemption. NOT! Instead he is angry at God for showing grace and mercy to the hated Ninevites. This is the same grace and mercy that God had shown to him. It is the same grace and mercy that God shows to you and to me.

 

In this story we come face to face with ourselves. In so doing, we must ask ourselves the question that the title asks of Jonah: Are you like the prodigal son or the older brother? Or are you like the Ninevites or Jonah?

 

We also come face to face with a loving and merciful God and must ask ourselves another question: Will you accept His love and forgiveness only for yourself or will you pass it on to others. The choice is yours.

 

 

Superman

1 Timothy 6:11-21

 

 

“Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive!

Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound!”

“Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane!

It’s Superman!”

 

These are the powerful words that I heard as a little boy every time Superman was on TV in the 50’s. Normally, he was mild mannered Clark Kent, a journalist. But when he put on his cape, he became a hero who went flying around Metropolis defeating the bad guys with super human powers. He was one man who changed the world around him. And I wanted to be like him.

 

In today’s passage Paul addresses Timothy as a man of God. Obviously Paul had great respect for him and believed that Timothy, like Superman, could change the world around him. He could do it, not because he had super human powers, but because God was with him and had called Timothy to Ephesus. Being called a man of God carried with it high expectations.

 

Listen to some of Paul’s challenging words to Timothy:

 

• But you, man of God, flee from this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
• Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.
• I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame.
• Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth.
• Guard what has been entrusted to your care.

 

Clearly, being a man of God who is called to change the world is not an easy task. However, like Timothy, God has called us to guard what has been entrusted to us; to keep his commands without spot or blame; to flee sin and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness; to live a life that shares Christ’s love.

 

In so doing, we will be fighting evil in the world. We may not be Superman, but we can be a Man or Woman of God who can change the world around us. Not because we have super human powers, but because we know God will never leave us, is always faithful, has gifted us, loves us and has sent us to do His will.