A Life Worthy

Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?”  Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you.  Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matthew 7:22-23)

Am I the only one who finds this terrifying?

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m out there prophesying and performing miracles…although I do teach Middle Middle School, so the driving out demons part…

No, I get terrified by the thought that Jesus might one day say to me, “Hey!  I don’t know you!  Back off, Pal!”  I think that maybe I haven’t prayed enough, or studied enough, or meditated enough, or been enough for him to know me, to accept me, to–

–and then I realize–

Once again, I’m worried about earning what I already have.

What was I thinking?  Of course he knows me!  He’s been with me every moment of every hour since I surrendered my heart and my throne to him.  He’s seen me at my very best–which is none too great–and my very worst.  He’s heard the thoughts that I share with no one else.

He’s been in the car with me when some idiot cuts me off.

Beloved, if you’ve opened the door, if you’ve asked Jesus to come into your heart and life and to forgive you and make you whole…he has.  It’s an invitation he has promised never to turn down.  The miracle isn’t that he knows us; it’s that he knows us to the core–and loves us still.

Which he does.

Happy Friday, Beloved.

A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus by their fruit you will recognize them (Matthew 7:18-20).

Notice that Jesus says cannot instead of does not.  A tree is simply incapable of producing fruit that is against its nature.  Jesus is talking about teachers here, and reminding us to judge the message by the fruit it produces.  Now I know some of you will extrapolate here. You will wig out over this, thinking “I sin sometimes.  Sin is bad fruit.  Therefore, I must be evil.”

Remember, Beloved.  We are still in process.  I have a rose bush in my yard that produces two kinds of roses.  There are scraggly, grungy little reddish flowers that come from the wild root, and there are beautiful, healthy white blossoms that come from the bush that has been grafted in.  When I take care of the plant and keep it well trimmed, the beautiful blossoms are evident.  When I neglect it, the grungies take over.  But that isn’t one tree bearing two kinds of fruit; it’s two trees vying for dominance.  As it is with you, Beloved.

As it is with me.

Do a little gardening this morning.  Prune your roses.

Happy Wednesday, Beloved

Watch out for false prophets.  They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but  inwardly they are ferocious wolves (Matthew 7:15).

So that’s where that came from!

You would think that sheep would not be fooled by a fake sheep.  You would think that sheep would instantly recognize all the subtle differences between themselves and this newcomer. You would think that sheep would be able to discern that these differences are not merely small variations in preference or style, but fundamental, essential differences.  You would think that sheep would know the truth well enough to spot the lie.

But then…sheep aren’t very smart.

Be smart, Beloved.

Happy Monday

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 7:12).

It’s really pretty simple.

If you want to be cheated, cheat.

If you want to be lied to, lie.

If you want to be hurt, hurt.

If you want to be humiliated, humiliate.

If you want to be stolen from, steal.

If you want to be mocked, mock.

If you want to be cursed, curse.

If you want to be bitten on the elbow,–but really, how likely is that?

If you want to be helped, help.

If you want to be blessed, bless.

If you want to be respected, respect.

If you want to be praised, praise.

If you want to be comforted, comfort.

If you want to be loved, love.

Yep…pretty simple.

Happy Thursday, Beloved.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened  (Matthew 7:7-8).

This passage gives my flesh fits.  After all, there are plenty of things that my flesh wants that it doesn’t get.   And I’m not just talking about stuff.  The healing of a relationship, the salvation of a friend–sometimes we ask for good things, righteous things, and we don’t get them.  “Ask and it will be given to you,” doesn’t always seem to apply.

That’s annoying, and painful, and just a little faith-rocking.

Perhaps, Beloved, the key to this verse lies in remembering God’s priorities.  This isn’t a cop out or a rationalization–it’s truth.  When it comes to you, God’s biggest concern isn’t your finances or your career or even the other people in your life.  It’s your relationship with him.  He wants to draw you in, bring you closer, make you more like his Son.  In these things, the sky’s the limit.  You don’t have to wonder if what you request would be best.  You don’t have to pray, “If it’s your will.”

You becoming more Christlike is always his will.

So…ask to draw nearer to him.  Seek a closer relationship. Knock at the door of his heart.  He’s waiting.

Happy Tuesday, Beloved.