A Life Worthy

Gently One-a-Day Friday 12/30/16

Posted on December 30, 2016 by michaelDecember 30, 2016

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently (Galatians 6:1).

You know how when a person has a dislocated shoulder on TV someone grabs their arm and practically rips it out of the socket to reset the joint?

It’s not like that.

Nor is it like old-school CPR, where you beat the snot out of the person’s chest to get their heart beating. It’s not even like ripping the bandage off and taking half their arm hair with it.

No, it’s more like when the Lord appeared to Elijah–not in the tempest, not in the earthquake, not in the fire, but in the gentle whisper.

You don’t have to scream to be heard. You don’t have to beat them over the head with their sin to show them they’ve fallen. You don’t have to chest-punch them to touch their heart. The Holy Spirit can do just fine without your theatrics and need for vindication.

Remember, you’re on the rescue squad, not the demolitions squad.

Happy Friday, Beloved.

Restore One-a-Day Thursday 12/29/16

Posted on December 29, 2016 by michaelDecember 29, 2016

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently (Galatians 6:1).

In this world we gain power by making others feel weak.

In this world we stand tall by knocking others down.

In this world we are counted wise when we make others look foolish.

Remember, Beloved: we are in this world

but not of it.

Such power you have.

You have the power to restore.

Use it.

Happy Thursday, Beloved.

Spiritual One-a-Day Wednesday 12/28/16

Posted on December 28, 2016 by michaelDecember 28, 2016

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently (Galatians 6:1).

Why are you thinking about defusing that behavior bomb you see?

Is it because it really annoys you?

Don’t do it.

Is it because you feel righteous indignation over that person’s wanton immorality?

Don’t do it.

Is it because it’s your solemn duty as Captain Theology to confront heresy in all its forms?

Oh, please, no.

Beloved, before you go diving into another person’s life, you need to do a heart check. Are you praying for this person? Have you asked God to help you see them through His eyes? Have you asked Him to show you the pain, the fear, the loss that might have led this soul to the place they are in? Have you asked God if you are the right person, in the right place, at the right time, to speak? Is your desire to snip the wire borne out of an aching need to see them whole? Is confronting this person the last thing you want to do, but the one thing that they desperately need?

Well, then.

Happy Wednesday, Beloved.

Zip or Snip? One-a-Day Tuesday 12/27/16

Posted on December 27, 2016 by michaelDecember 27, 2016

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently (Galatians 6:1).

Sin.

Not a doctrinal difference, or a lifestyle choice, or anything that makes you think, “Hmm…well that just seems wrong.”

Is it a clear violation of Scripture?

No?

Then zip it, Beloved. Because you can’t unsnip the wire.

Happy Tuesday.

Restoration One-a-Day Monday 12/26/16

Posted on December 26, 2016 by michaelDecember 26, 2016

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently (Galatians 6:1).

Caught

Sin

Spiritual

Restore

Gently

Hefty words, not to be read quickly or taken lightly. Living this verse is like disarming a bomb as it ticks down to zero. It’s gotta be done, but for corn sake, be careful. So, if you’re coming with me this week, tread gently and remove anything that might spark.

Let’s start the week with the word caught. Someone doesn’t catch themselves. Oh, they may walk into a trap, but once there, they are caught. They need help in order to escape. This is a reminder that the person you see, that sinner you’re thinking of confronting, is not your enemy. They are trapped by your enemy. Whatever choices they made to put them in this situation, they are now held prisoner and can no more walk away than if they were bound with chains and padlock. If you choose to go in there, you have to go with the right heart.

Your mission is not seek and destroy, but search and rescue.

Chew on that for a bit, Beloved. I’ll see you tomorrow.

Happy Monday.

Prince of Peace One-a-Day Friday 12/23/16

Posted on December 23, 2016 by michaelDecember 23, 2016

Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

We know him by many names.

Jesus Christ

Alpha

Omega

Emmanuel

I Am

Lamb of God

Prince of Peace

Mighty God

Light of the World

The Bright Morning Star

Wonderful Counselor

The Amen

Man of Sorrows

Lion of the Tribe of Judah

The Word

The Author and Finisher of Our Faith

Bread of Life

Living Water

God calls him by another name, the name which is above all names.

Son.

And here’s something really crazy. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, do you know what God now calls us?

Yes, you do.

How can that be? What can that mean?

Chew on that today.

Happy Friday, Beloved

And Merry, Merry Christmas

Dad One-a-Day Thursday 12/22/16

Posted on December 22, 2016 by michaelDecember 19, 2016

Everlasting Father, (Isaiah 9:6).

I hope you have a great dad. I hope he is loving and strong and gentle and a daily blessing to your life. I hope this, not only to make those family Christmas dinners a little less awkward, but because it will give you a better picture of God. You see, God presents himself to us in many ways through Scripture, but I think the one that hangs most people up is the image of a father. It can be difficult to see God as loving and caring if your earthly father was cold, distant, or absent altogether.

Look, I’m not gonna get all psychoanalytical here, but I need to point something out. Whatever your earthly dad does well, your heavenly father does even better. Wherever your earthly dad messes up, your heavenly father gets it right. He is the perfection we all fall short of. He is the goal we can never quite attain. He will always be there to cheer you when you win, and comfort you when you lose. His advice will always be perfect, and his discipline will always be just. He will come to all your ball games, all your dance recitals, all your spelling bees. He will be there at the hospital bed and at the wedding altar.

He will always love you.

Always, as in Everlasting.

Walk in his love today, Beloved.

Happy Thursday

Mighty One-a-Day Wednesday 12/21/16

Posted on December 21, 2016 by michaelDecember 19, 2016

…Mighty God, (Isaiah 9:6)

We’re almost there. The “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” part.

So why am I stressed?

As we get closer to Christmas, all sorts of emotions get stirred up. Although we would like to say we are focused strictly on the birth of our Savior, the fact is this can be a really crazy time. Perhaps you are rushing to wrap—or get—or think of—those last gifts. Maybe you are frantically trying to get ready to travel—tickets, luggage, ohnowhatdowedowiththedogwhilewe’regone. Could be you’re receiving guests into your nightmare of a house—good luck with that.

Or you’re moving.

Or someone you love is sick.

Or you’re broke.

Or things are just falling apart.

Given all that, I feel pretty spiffy that you’ve taken the time to read this. Since you have, make the most of the moment. Let the words soak in:

He is Mighty God.

Read it again. Go on.

Now, say it out loud.

This King we serve, this Lord we love, this Savior we celebrate is fully capable of meeting the challenges of your day, be they mundane or monstrous.

And he will.

Because you are his beloved.

Because you are his, Beloved.

Happy Wednesday

Wonderful Counselor One-a-Day Tuesday 12/20/16

Posted on December 20, 2016 by michaelDecember 19, 2016

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, (Isaiah 9:6)

There can be a lot in a name. My name is Michael, which means, “Who is like God?” I like that—it’s a constant reminder of the answer…Nobody. When I begin to get a little too big for my proverbial britches, my very name brings me back to Earth.

Jesus has the name Wonderful Counselor. Think about it—what does a counselor do? A good counselor does three things—listen deeply, see to the heart of the issue, and offer wisdom. So, we serve a God who actually listens to us—listens deeply. He doesn’t just pretend to listen to you while he is mentally planning out his day, the way I might. He actually considers every word you speak—and those you don’t.

Jesus also sees to the heart of your issue—after all, he knows you better than you do—remember Psalm 139? You couldn’t hide the truth from him if you tried, so knock it off already.

Wisdom? Uh…do I need to point out that his words are the very words of God? Literally? Yeah, worth listening to.

You, Beloved, have a Wonderful Counselor. Walk in his wisdom today.

Happy Tuesday.

Kingdom One-a-Day Monday 12/19/16

Posted on December 19, 2016 by michaelDecember 19, 2016

…and the government will be on his shoulders. (Isaiah 9:6)

Here’s the thing with governments—they’re generally made up of people. And, well, I hate to tell you this, but people tend toward selfishness and greed.

I just heard a bubble burst out there…sorry.

The United States has a system of government known as a Representative Democracy, aka a republic. This is a strong, just, and efficient method of governance that work flawlessly, except when people are ignorant, selfish, and lazy.

Oh.

Same holds true for Communism, aristocracies, feudal societies, even theocracies. On paper, they look great. It’s when you add the people that things go winky-wonky.

Frankly, the best, strongest, most efficient form of government is a benevolent dictatorship. The problem, of course, is that you can guarantee the dictator part, but not the benevolent bit.

Yet.

But guess what, Beloved? The day will come when we will have an absolute monarch, a king of kings, who will rule with complete authority over all nations. His reign will be perfect, unhampered by greed, unsullied by sin. He will know what’s best, want what’s best, do what’s best.

He will be what’s best.

Even so, come Lord Jesus.