A Life Worthy

Opposition One-a-Day Monday 4/15/24

Posted on April 15, 2024 by michaelApril 15, 2024

But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door to effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me (1 Corinthians 16:8-9).

Wait a minute…

So, Paul is using the fact that many are opposing him as a reason to stay, not as a reason to leave.

Remember, Beloved, that by oppose Paul probably means imprison, beat, hit with rocks, and basically try to end.

And Paul looks at that as a good thing.

Is Paul, you know…all right?

Winston Churchill is credited with the quote, “If you have no enemies, you have never stood up for anything.”

Paul would have understood that.

I think Paul saw the opposition he faced as evidence that he was being effective in his ministry. After all, no one would try to stop him if he weren’t having an impact.

So, while I don’t think Paul was masochistic, I do think he welcomed the attacks.

It meant he was doing the work.

It meant the Holy Spirit was changing lives.

Beloved, are you willing to ruffle feathers, even anger people, for the sake of the gospel? Are you willing to take the occasional rock that comes your way?

Remember, you are not called to be obnoxious. But, if you’re doing your job, you will make enemies.

And you will be excellent company.

Happy Monday, Beloved

Travel Plans One-a-Day Friday 4/12/24

Posted on April 12, 2024 by michaelApril 12, 2024

After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you–for I will be going through Macedonia. Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits (1 Corinthians 16:5-7).

The key to this passage?

Final phrase

If the Lord permits

Paul had originally planned to leave Ephesus, where he was writing this letter, and go to Corinth on his way to Macedonia. But now Paul tells the Corinthians that he is going to wait and see them on the way back from Macedonia.

This, as it happens, is going to seriously annoy the Corinthians, to the point where some will call Paul out for being unreliable and flakey. In his next letter (2 Corinthians) Paul will deal with that, pointing out that he wanted to give them some time to digest this letter–rebukes and all– and make some changes before he got there, so that his visit could be a pleasant one and not a smackdown.

But that conversation will happen in another letter. For now, we simply get the change of plans, Paul’s hope to spend more time with them as a result of the change, and the phrase if the Lord permits.

If the Lord permits

It’s a reminder that Paul is not conducting the orchestra. He’s just playing his fiddle. The Lord God Almighty is conductor, and composer, and creator of heaven and earth. Paul, and the rest of us, are called to faithfully follow the music God has written, on the instrument he has given us, with the talent he has granted and the skill we have worked to attain.

I play third kazoo, as it turns out. But I do what I can.

Happy Friday, Beloved

The Plan One-a-Day Thursday 4/11/24

Posted on April 11, 2024 by michaelApril 11, 2024

Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collection will have to be made. Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me (1 Corinthians 16:1-4).

As Paul heads into the final portion of his letter, he starts wrapping up the miscellany. He’s going to talk logistics about his travel plans, make sure he gets his greetings in, and generally tie this massive epistle up with a bow. The first detail Paul covers is the collection for Jerusalem. The believers in Jerusalem were having it rough. Between a food shortage and a persecution surplus, they were in need, and their brothers and sisters in Corinth were going to help.

You know, Beloved, what I think I like best about this passage is that Paul has a plan. This isn’t a panicky, emotion-laden response to an emotional plea. It is a well considered strategy that checks some important boxes:

It is specific–the folks in Jerusalem needed food and basic supplies, and the Corinthians are going to help supply that need.

It is orderly–the Corinthians would give to the fund weekly, allowing them the time to pray and plan how much they would give.

It is above-board–there is accountability here. The Corinthians would send the money through people they trusted, who would be able to see that it was delivered to the right people in the right way.

Money doesn’t always solve problems, but in this case it could. The believers responded to the need and gave generously and wisely. It’s an example for us all to follow.

On a completely unrelated topic, I could really use a new car…

Happy Thursday, Beloved

The Collection One-a-Day Wednesday 4/10/24

Posted on April 10, 2024 by michaelApril 10, 2024

Welcome back to 1 Corinthians! We’ve made it to the final chapter, and here we go!

Now about the collection for God’s people…(1 Corinthians 16:1).

Uh oh

Money

It tends to make people twitch.

When the subject of giving comes up in church, you just know some people are thinking

Awww, Man!

They’re talking about money again.

Why are church people always talking about money?

Maybe because “Church People” know, as Paul knew, as Jesus knew, that money can be a really sticky point for people.

The image that comes to my mind this morning is the old Monkey Jar Trap.

You don’t know about the old Monkey Jar Trap?

Well, you need to.

It goes something like this: if you want to catch a monkey unharmed–because why would you hurt a monkey–you get a jar with a wide bottom and a narrow top. You put something delightful, say a little rice or a marble, in the bottom of the jar. The monkey comes along, puts his hand in the jar, grabs the niftiness, and pulls his hand out of the jar.

Except he can’t

because his closed fist doesn’t fit through the narrow opening of the jar.

The only way for the monkey to free himself is to let go of his treasure, which he will not do, as he is a monkey.

And so he is caught…by himself.

You, Beloved, are not a monkey, so I will leave you to connect the dots.

Happy Wednesday, Beloved

Standing Firm One-a-Day Tuesday 4/9/24

Posted on April 9, 2024 by michaelApril 9, 2024

When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever (Proverbs 10:25).

What storm are you weathering today, Beloved?

Career? Relational? Health? Financial? Emotional?

You will survive it. The promise is right here in this verse.

The wicked—the children of this world—are swept away by the storms of life. That makes sense, because this life, this world, is everything to them. Literally, it is all they have. When it blows away, they go with it.

But you are different.

You are his.

Your roots are sunk deep, not into the shifting sands of this world, but into the solid rock of Christ.

Aren’t they?

If that question gives you pause, you may want to spend a little time before the Throne of Grace this morning, getting your righteousness on.

By the way, don’t let that word, “righteousness,” spook you. It doesn’t mean you have to be perfect. Righteousness simply means you have a right relationship with God, that when the Father looks at you, he sees past the sin to the Son who died to pay for that sin. Your sins are forgiven, your debt is paid, and you are right with God—righteous.

So, if you have any business to do with God this morning—any confession, any repentance, any receiving of grace—do it. Make sure, before you step out into the storm, that your roots are deep in the Rock.

Stand firm, Beloved.

Happy Tuesday

Pride One-a-Day Monday 4/8/24

Posted on April 8, 2024 by michaelApril 8, 2024

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom (Proverbs 11:2).

The world’s wisdom says that the opposite of love is hate, but that isn’t so.

The opposite of love is pride.

Love puts the other person, the beloved, first. Pride puts self first. God wants your love, and he knows that you are incapable of giving it when you are wrapped up in pride. So, because he loves you, he will break your pride.

This is usually a very painful process.

It’s kind of the classic, “This is for your own good,” scenario. When you are humble, you are open to God’s love, his teaching, his wisdom. You can grow when you are humble. When you are walking in pride you are closed off to really experiencing God, because your world begins and ends with you.

You have a couple of options, Beloved.

Option One: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time”(1 Peter 5:6). Trust your reputation, your ego, your self-worth to God. Let him build his character into you. Make every effort to subordinate your will to his, and let him work through you.

Option Bad: Continue walking in pride until God chooses to humble you. Because he will. And the longer it takes, the messier it will be.

Let me know which option you choose. I may want to clear out of the way.

Or get a front row seat.

Choose wisely, Beloved.

Happy Monday

Hold It One-a-Day Wednesday 4/5/24

Posted on April 5, 2024 by michaelApril 5, 2024

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise (Proverbs 10:19).

I talk too much. That revelation comes as no surprise to those of you who know me. I find that this Scripture could easily be my life verse, and probably many of yours as well. We have all experienced that moment of wishing we could “unsay” that ill-timed, unkind, ungodly word.

But we can’t.

So I’m going to take God’s advice today, and hold my tongue. Obviously, that will make it difficult to type without getting the keys all wet, so I’ll make my typed words few, as well.

See, now there’s an image you didn’t need. I just proved my own point.

Enjoy the quiet today, Beloved.

Happy Friday

Love Covers All Wrongs One-a-Day Thursday 4/4/24

Posted on April 4, 2024 by michaelApril 4, 2024

Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs (Proverbs 10:12).

It’s amazing what a little attitude adjustment can do for you. I can’t say that I walk around seething with hatred, but I do have my share of negativity toward people. Because, well, people bug me.

There, I said it.

People bug me, and sometimes they bug you, too. Admit it. Frankly, people can be idiots at times, and it gets to a person.

So, what do you do with that?

You can carry those negative feelings into your interactions with the people who bug you. I guarantee the result will not be blissful, harmonious fellowship. You might score a zinger point or two, but in the long run your relationship will be hurt and God will not be glorified.

You could try entering the interaction zone wrapped in love.

I know you don’t feel like loving them—why should you? They bug. So don’t try bringing your love. You’d be pretending and everyone would be able to tell.

Bring His love.

You know God loves them—for crying out loud, he loves us, and all we deserve is a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. So try seeing them as God sees them, and perhaps loving them as God loves them. It’s gonna take prayer, but you can do that.

You might be surprised at how powerful God’s love is to cover over those things that annoy us about other people. Sometimes that love gives us insight into why they are the way they are. Sometimes that love simply grants us extra grace to deal with the issues.

As I write this, I wonder how many of you will take my advice and apply it toward me today. Because, frankly, I bug sometimes. Hmmm…

Walk in his love today, Beloved.

Happy Thursday

Guard Your Heart One-a-Day Monday 4/3/24

Posted on April 3, 2024 by michaelApril 3, 2024

Above all else guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life (Proverbs 4:23).

The wellspring

The source

If you live in the desert, a clean, pure water source is something to treasure and protect. If it dries up, you are lost. If something gets in that pollutes it, you are equally doomed. Actually, one great way to defeat an enemy in days of yore was to poison his water source, often by throwing dead things into it.

Lovely image, hmm?

God has given each of us a new heart, and it is a spring of his living water, nourishing and refreshing us.

We’ve gotta guard that wellspring, Beloved. If we fall out of fellowship with the Father, he cannot replenish the spring, and it dries up. Do you know what happens to life in a desert with no water? Yes, you do.

If we let the world in, the wellspring gets polluted, fouled, undrinkable. If we let our Enemy poison it with his lies, it produces death rather than sustaining life.

Guard your heart today, my friend. Be oh so careful what, and who, you let in. Keep in close contact with the One who refreshes and replenishes.

Drink deeply, Beloved.

Happy Wednesday

Wisdom’s Call One-a-Day Tuesday 4/2/24

Posted on April 2, 2024 by michaelApril 2, 2024

Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares; at the head of the noisy streets she calls out, in the gateway of the city she makes her speech (Proverbs 1:20-21).

Wisdom isn’t hiding from you. It’s not stashed away in a cave on a mountain peak, or buried beneath the ocean floor. It is there for the taking.

So take, already.

My problem is, I don’t always want wisdom, because wisdom doesn’t always fit with my desires. There are some things that I want that are not good for me, and wisdom points this out, and that annoys me. Since I know that it is not good to be annoyed by the things of God, I sometimes choose to avoid wisdom altogether, pretending that it is some hidden mystery that I just can’t puzzle out rather than simple truth waiting to be embraced.

I’m so glad that you have outgrown such petty struggles, Beloved.

James tells us that if we ask, God will give us wisdom. Simple as that. Of course he goes on to point out that we are responsible for using the wisdom God gives. (That’s in James 1:5-7, if you’re wondering.) Apparently we can’t use it only when the mood takes us, when we’re feeling mature.

Wisdom is a tool, not a toy. It is a grown-up type responsibility, for grown-up type believers.

And Wisdom is calling us…

Dare we answer?

Happy Tuesday, Beloved