A Life Worthy

Clean One-a-Day Tuesday 4/11/17

Posted on April 11, 2017 by michaelApril 11, 2017

…zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me (Psalm 69:9).

Jesus entered the city and went up to the temple. It was Passover, the biggest holiday of the Jewish year, so the joint was really jumping. Many people had come from a long way away to be part of the celebration. Rather than transport all the animals you would need for the various sacrifices, it was normal and acceptable to buy what you needed when you got to Jerusalem. The customary practice was for vendors to set up shop at a convenient place near the temple.

What Jesus saw when he arrived was dramatically different. The vendors had their booths and tables set up in the temple itself. They were operating in an area called the Outer Court, the only place in the temple where non-Jews could come to worship God. There they were, selling animals and changing foreign currency into local currency, and just generally carrying on noisy business, all while people were trying to worship.

Jesus was furious. He knocked over the tables and chased the vendors out of there. John even says that Jesus made a whip and used it to drive the blasphemers away. He yelled at them, saying, “It is written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers!’”

This is not the meek and mild Jesus we think of from Sunday School flannel boards.

He is not holding a lamb on his shoulders.

He does not have little kids crawling all over him.

He is not happy.

This is the Messiah, the Lion of Judah. This is a man of righteous integrity, protecting the purity of his father’s house.

Do the insults of those who insult God fall on you? There are a lot of people out there who mock Jesus, and this is a prime season for them to do it in. Does that bother you, Beloved? What are you doing about it? Do you stand for Christ in your daily world? Look, I’m not calling you to grab a whip and chase the heathen out of town—but if you do, please send me pictures and I’ll post them.

There is no sitting for Christ. You stand, or you fall.

Stand for him today, Beloved.

Triumphant One-a-Day Monday 4/10/17

Posted on April 10, 2017 by michaelApril 10, 2017

Note: Time to celebrate Holy Week. Not that every week isn’t holy, but you know what I mean. I hope these excerpts from my book Easter–Beyond the Bunny help you explore the wonder of the Passion.

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey (Zechariah 9:9).

Jesus was arriving in Jerusalem for the Passover. This week would be the climax of his ministry, and would represent the very reason he came to live among us. The time had come to declare himself the Messiah. (“Messiah,” by the way, is a Hebrew word that means “anointed one,” or “chosen one.” The same word is translated “Christ” in the Greek.)

So, Jesus did what anyone would do—he sent for a donkey.

This really does make sense. Zechariah had prophesied that the Messiah would arrive as a king, and would come to claim his throne riding on a donkey. By arriving in this manner, Jesus was sending an unmistakable signal to the crowds. Now I know that a donkey is not the manliest of animals…certainly not very king-like. But to the Hebrews, the donkey was significant. A king used a stallion when he rode to war, but a donkey when he came in peace. Thus, Jesus came as the King of Peace, to make peace between man and God.

The crowds loved it. They spread cloaks and leafy branches on the ground for Jesus to ride upon—sort of a red carpet treatment. They cried out “Hosanna!” which means, “Save us,” and, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” They were quoting Psalm 118, essentially acknowledging Jesus as Messiah and pledging themselves to him.

Crowds are so fickle.

As he descended the Mount of Olives, Jerusalem was spread out before him. Jesus wept over the city, knowing that, though they praised him at that moment, they would soon turn on him.

Are we fickle, Beloved? Do we praise him when the crowd is cheering and waving palm branches, but turn away when they scream and reach for the hammer and nails?

Serving this King is a serious business indeed.

Serve faithfully, Beloved.

Pearls One-a-Day Friday 4/7/17

Posted on April 7, 2017 by michaelApril 7, 2017

Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces (Matthew 7:6).

Well, there go my plans for the weekend.

So, the basic interpretation of this metaphor is: Don’t give the Gospel to those who aren’t in a position to receive it.

Wowzers. Jesus just got finished warning us about judging people, and yet this sounds pretty judgmental. Are we really supposed to decide who deserves the Word and who doesn’t?

I think it’s less a question of judgement and condemnation than of stewardship. God has entrusted with the priceless treasure of his truth, and while that truth may be unlimited, our time, our energy, our strength is not. We can’t preach the Word every hour of every day. So, we need to perform a little spiritual triage. We must use the wisdom and discernment God has given us to determine who is in a place to receive the Gospel and who is not. If someone is being openly hostile and argumentative, it is probably not the best time to hit them with the Four Spiritual Laws. Maybe you hit them with a chair first; then when they’re calm you hit them with the Gospel.

OK, I know Jesus never said to hit anyone with a chair; I’m just…expounding.

Spread the Word today, Beloved. But spread it wisely.

Happy Friday

Sawdust One-a-Day Thursday 4/6/17

Posted on April 6, 2017 by michaelApril 6, 2017

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye,” when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye (Matthew 7:3-5).

Sometimes Jesus just makes way too much sense.

It kinda cramps my style.

You don’t have to be a carpenter to understand the metaphor here; in fact the image of a plank jutting out of my eye is enough to keep me awake at night.

It’s awfully close to reality.

As I have pointed out on occasion, people often bug me. I have a tendency to translate their personality quirks into character flaws, and use my spiritual microscope to detect and identify all their issues.

In reality, I don’t need a microscope. I need a mirror.

And, you know, a pair of tweezers the size of my arm.

Happy Thursday, Beloved.

Judgement One-a-Day Wednesday 4/5/17

Posted on April 5, 2017 by michaelApril 5, 2017

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you (Matthew 7:1-2).

I don’t want to be judged.

Seriously, I really don’t want to be judged.

I actually can’t quantify for you just how very much I don’t want to be judged.

But it’s a lot.

So…mercy.

Look, I know that sometimes we are required to judge. If someone is spreading a false gospel and leading folks away from Christ, it is our duty to speak out and defend the truth.

But

you and I both know that the vast majority of judgement has less to do with truth than it does with opinion

or preference

or comfort.

So whaddaya say we reserve our judgement for those who deserve it most?

You know who I mean–lousy drivers.

Happy Wednesday, Beloved.

Now One-a-Day Tuesday 4/4/17

Posted on April 4, 2017 by michaelApril 4, 2017

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34)

God is not bound by time.

He is outside of time. Past, present, and future are all Now to him.

I can’t really wrap my brain around that, but there it is.

You and I, Beloved, are bound by time.

Past? Can’t touch it.

Future? Don’t know it.

If we want to act, to move, to do, to be, to spend time with the One who loves us, it can only happen Now.

So, live your Now, Beloved. Live it fully.

Happy Tuesday

First Things First One-a-Day Monday 4/3/17

Posted on April 3, 2017 by michaelApril 3, 2017

But seek first his kingdom, and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33).

There’s just so much.

Everywhere I turn there’s…stuff.

Obligations

Responsibilities

Duties

It’s overwhelming.

At least, I know it is for me.

Look, Beloved, Jesus isn’t saying that you should ignore the rent, the car insurance, the homework, the family responsibilities. He’s saying that you shouldn’t let them be first in your heart. It’s a forest and trees kinda thing. Don’t become so fixated on the details of life that you forget your reason for living.

Before you dive into Monday, with all its attending stresses and fears and lists, take a moment

maybe this moment

to stop, and to pray, and to connect with the One who made you

the One who chose you

the One who loves you

and see if the rest on Monday doesn’t sort itself out.

Happy Monday, Beloved.

High Fashion One-a-Day Friday 3/31/17

Posted on March 31, 2017 by michaelMarch 31, 2017

So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them (Matthew 6:31-32).

Beloved, you are clothed in the righteousness of Christ.

Beyond that, it doesn’t really matter whether you wear bell bottoms or spandex.

Happy Friday, Beloved.

Flower Power One-a-Day Thursday 3/30/17

Posted on March 30, 2017 by michaelMarch 30, 2017

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin, yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his splendor was not dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you–you of little faith? (Matthew 6:28-30)

My family went on a wildflower hike last weekend. It was, in a word, wowifying. The sight of all those beautiful flowers–some of them no bigger than a dime–brought this verse to mind. In a few weeks, the blooms will be spent, the flowers dead, the hills returned to their normal shade of California Gold

Which always reminds me of brown.

Still, God chose to make them beautiful.

God did not make flowers in his image. He did not send his Son to redeem flowers. Flowers are not the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Flowers are not his Beloved.

That’s you.

So, yeah–I think he’s got you covered.

Happy Thursday, Beloved.

An Hour or So One-a-Day Wednesday 3/29/17

Posted on March 29, 2017 by michaelMarch 29, 2017

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? (Matthew 6:27)

If I could, I’d be on track to the ripest of ripe old ages.

Beloved, it’s out of your hands.

All of it.

And that really is a good thing.

Isn’t it sad that something God intended for our freedom has become a source of bondage? Realizing that He is in control should bring peace and rest, but my pride panics at the lack of control. It just won’t admit that I am not Captain of my soul.

But I am most firmly not.

The sooner we come to grips with that painful fact, Beloved, the sooner we will be free.

Happy Wednesday