God Granted Him His Request

There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request. [1 Chronicles 4.9-10] 

While Jabez's prayer contains everything most teachings and sermons about self-centeredness warn against, it cannot be denied that God granted him his request.

That's all.

Father, help me to read Your Word without filters on my eyes and understanding.

They Were Human

One day Naomi said to Ruth, “My daughter, it’s time that I found a permanent home for you, so that you will be provided for. Boaz is a close relative of ours, and he’s been very kind by letting you gather grain with his young women. Tonight he will be winnowing barley at the threshing floor. Now do as I tell you—take a bath and put on perfume and dress in your nicest clothes. Then go to the threshing floor, but don’t let Boaz see you until he has finished eating and drinking. Be sure to notice where he lies down; then go and uncover his feet and lie down there. He will tell you what to do.” [Ruth 3.1-4] 

I don't know what culture was like when this took place, but I know if it took place today, Ruth's actions on this event would have been interpreted as highly seductive.

The fact that Boaz early on had taken notice of her among all the other young women working for him seems to imply that Ruth was not 'hard on the eyes.' Their ensuing conversations gave no indication of flirtatiousness, but they were both noticeably nice to each other.

So, what's the point? The point is, these two people were human. And, as sterile as the story is recorded, it would be incomplete to conclude that there were not some obvious "sparks" flying between Ruth and Boaz. Mind you, this event is in the lineage of King David and, more importantly the lineage pointing to Jesus. The human element of this story just further confirms the humanity of Jesus, God's Son, come to earth.

Father, may we be reminded from Ruth's story that You love humans so much that Jesus became one so that we might all be saved. So be it.

Is The Church Safe?

“No,” his master said, “we can’t stay in this foreign town where there are no Israelites. Instead, we will go on to Gibeah. [Judges 19.12] 

If Old Testament Israel is pictorial of the Church in the New Testament, then there is a critical lesson and warning for the Church today in this story. Read today's One Year Chronological Bible reading here.

The decision made by the Levite from Ephraim to spend the night among other fellow Israelites for safety's sake - what should have been a good idea - was tragic.

For whatever reason, Israel as a nation, had tolerated the perversion of the tribe of Benjamin up to this point in Judges 19. And so again, if Israel is representative of the New Testament Church in any way whatsoever, then it might be understood that the Church's tolerance of sexual perversion today will lead to nothing but catastrophe. The "flagship" indicator of this sexual perversion was (then) and still is (today) homosexuality. However, perversion is not limited to homosexuality.

The New Testament Church at Corinth was experiencing perversion of the sexual nature that was addressed by the Apostle Paul in his first letter to them demanding they excommunicate the offender. In fact, the called-out offender of 1 Corinthians was excommunicated and did indeed repent and Paul encouraged restoration of fellowship in the Church as a result. Paul encouraged this restoration in 2 Corinthians, but with this reminder:

And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.” [2 Corinthians 6.16-18]

Paul's words here ring just as true today as they did the day he wrote them! The Church's tolerance of perversion within its ranks, whether in metropolitan or rural America or the world, is dangerous.

The message of "grace" without the reality of the transformation it brings is not dissimilar in effect to Israel's tolerance of Benjamin's perversion. The end will be grossly tragic. God's acceptance of all people as they are is not His approval of their un-transformed state, but rather, a call to transformation unto faith; unto the likeness of His Son.

Believers are not tasked with judging the world. However, believers are tasked with lovingly helping fellow believers get rid of "filthy" worldly idols that interfere with undiluted faith in God alone, whether forbidden sexual activities or otherwise. To be "transformed" should never be confused with "transferred" when it comes to the life of a human being before and after faith in Christ!

As was seen in the tribe of Benjamin, if there is no transformation, there is no safety!

Father, it is overwhelming how un-changed the Church seems compared to the world today. Is there any hope for the modern Church in its tolerance of worldly ways including sexual perversions? May the line between "being transformed" and "not being transformed" be made lovingly, albeit painstakingly clear today in the true Church. So be it.

It's Not About Being Good

One day Samson went to the Philistine town of Gaza and spent the night with a prostitute. [Judges 16.1] 

Christians, can you imagine if we had been taught this verse when we were children in Sunday School?

"Mommy, what does it mean that Samson spent the night with a prostitute??"

The thing is, Samson was not a perfect person. In fact, Samson might have been a bit of a womanizer.

Fast forward to the New Testament:

How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. [Hebrews 11.32-34]

Even though Samson killed a lot of Philistines, we really don't have anything that leads us to believe he was a very religious person. And yet, his name is included in the Hebrews 11 list of people of noteworthy faith. There is obviously some kind of disconnect!

What if the disconnect is not something contemporary to Samson or even contemporary to the writer of Hebrews? What if the disconnect has everything to do with our contemporary understanding of faith? Now, we are getting somewhere.

Faith that pleases God (knowing that without faith it is impossible to please God) has nothing to do with moral character. Samson 'made the cut' of famous faith people in Hebrews 11 - Samson, who patronized a prostitute (had sex with a whore).

Everything in most of us at this point wants desperately to cry out, "Yeah, but..." followed by something "Jesus said" justifying our disgust with Samson's actions. But, in all fairness, Jesus Himself, on the Cross, welcomed a known criminal to join Him in Paradise that very day. 

One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” [Luke 23.39-43]

The difference between one criminal entering eternal damnation and the other entering eternity with Jesus was the difference between arrogant doubt and repentant faith. Both were 'criminal-enough' to deserve crucifixion and yet one accompanied Jesus in heaven before the day was over. In Jesus' final moments on earth (as if highlighting His entire life in one event), the most vivid and revealing illustration of grace is on display for all to see: the raw truth that faith is NOT about being good.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. [Ephesians 2.8-9]

The least we can do when Jesus saves us is to try to look and act like Him, and certainly, many of us will be required to give an answer for not doing so. But faith is ultimately what we will stand accountable for when we appear before God because, again, without it, there is no way to please God.

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. [Hebrews 11.6]

So, when we look in the mirror, what we should be looking for is faith, not good deeds. Sure, Jesus-like actions are indeed generated by faith, but Jesus-like actions do not generate faith! Jesus had much to say about this in Matthew 7.13-27; and it will require faith to understand all that is said there...

Being saved is not about being good. Being saved is about believing in Jesus Christ with a repentant heart for not being good! He will take care of the rest (if indeed, He is truly "believed").

Father, help us review what we "believe" every day. May we not slip off into thinking we can be saved because we do good. Likewise, may we not think we are not saved because we don't do good. May we be found humbly trusting Jesus, giving Him full control of our lives so that He might do what He pleases in and through us. So be it.

God Uses "People," Not "Perfect People"

Samson was now very thirsty, and he cried out to the LORD, “You have accomplished this great victory by the strength of your servant. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of these pagans?” So God caused water to gush out of a hollow in the ground at Lehi, and Samson was revived as he drank. Then he named that place “The Spring of the One Who Cried Out,” and it is still in Lehi to this day. [Judges 15.18-19] 

On this date in 2016, I penned the article Nazarite Gone Wild. As I reviewed today what I wrote on this day, 9 years ago, I found great encouragement for my circumstances today. God is good.

Most people who've spent any time around Christians and the Bible know the story of Samson. It is, in many ways, a confounding story for sure. 

Samson's God-given physical strength as a judge and deliverer for Israel is undeniable. And yet, the young man made some real stupid decisions, the most blatant of which has yet to be seen (as the One Year Chronological Bible readings go) in his relationship with Delilah.

Let's just get straight to the heart of the matter: how could God use Samson in all his unruliness?

Each of us has the answer to this question within our own life story. I think it safe to say, we have all enjoyed at least some blessing from God at one time or another and, some have even been fortunate enough to be used by God to accomplish some facet of God's good will. But that does not mean we have lived perfect lives! For earthly matters, God uses "people," not "perfect people."

Notice I said "earthly matters" in the previous sentence. In contrast, there are "heavenly matters." The stories of Old Testament men and women (like Samson and Jephthah from today's OYCB reading) are no different than the stories of New Testament men and women both recorded in the Bible and lived out in this modern day (by you and me); we all, to some degree, don't quite live up to perfection. And yet, God can and will use us if we purpose to be used by Him. How can this be?

The simple answer is because of Jesus.

But you know what else? God can and will use us even if we purpose NOT to be used by Him! The fact is, God uses people to accomplish His plans on earth whether they think so and are willing or not. How can this be?

The same simple answer is also because of Jesus. However, the difference between those who please God and those who do not is faith.

Jesus suffered and died so Samson could do God's will and Jesus suffered and died so Pharoah (and every Bible villain including every person even up to today) could do God's will. Whether they were "good" or "bad" was irrelevant. Stay with me... The only deciding factor about their eternal condition is wrapped up in the simplicity of Jesus Christ and whether they looked forward in faith to Him or look backward in faith to Him.

God's will WILL be accomplished on earth. He will continue to use imperfect people to do so. But it's not about God using people but instead about people believing in God. The redemption of ALL people (good people and evil people alike) is up to Jesus. Jesus paid the price so every person could be saved but there is one caveat: believing (faith) in Jesus is required.

I apologize if this seems confusing, but there is revelation in what is said here if we can and will see it. 

We are ALL being used by God right now to accomplish His story in the earth of redemption for mankind. Humble faith in Jesus Christ is the only deciding factor in where our eternal existence after death is spent. That's it. Regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in (whether the result of good decisions or bad decisions), faith in Jesus Christ affects our outcome. But it must not be overlooked that faith in Jesus also progressively affects our life on earth too (bad decisions will eventually give way to good decisions). But faith in Jesus is the key.

Yes, it seems like Samson was an idiot but he cried out to God. His cry out to God was his faith that would translate into faith in Christ when Jesus later preached to those held in death for such an occasion. Samson indeed made the "hall of faith" in Hebrews 11!

Will our personal story, complete with all our goof-ups, land us in the "hall of faith" like Samson? The goof-ups are not the deciding factor, but faith in Jesus Christ is!

Father, if I may today, I simply cry out, "Jesus!" I believe in Jesus. May my faith however manifest in my actions increasingly more as I go. So be it.

We Need A Reckoning

Again the Israelites did evil in the LORD’s sight. They served the images of Baal and Ashtoreth, and the gods of Aram, Sidon, Moab, Ammon, and Philistia. They abandoned the LORD and no longer served him at all. [Judges 10.6] 

It might be said that idol worship is a downward spiral; there comes a point where the bottom is reached. Israel reached that "bottom" of not serving God at all. They had eventually and completely given themselves and their trust over to idols without regard for God.

Idol worship is, on one hand, a blatant choice of turning away from God. In this abrupt way, a conscious decision is made to reject God's way. Usually, there is a euphoric adrenalin rush associated with such disobedience not unlike that of forbidden sex. However, as was the case with Israel, the initial euphoria goes away and the people would repent and return to God.

On the other hand, idol worship can be much more covert and sinister. As was initiated through the sin of Balaam (Numbers 31.15-20), and, ironically following the "forbidden sex" analogy above, Balak learned through Balaam to infiltrate Israel with sex by convincing the Midianite women to seduce the Israelite men into sexual relations AND FROM THERE lure them into worshiping false gods - idols. This method was highly successful.

There is however, a third hand (if you will) of idolatry, invisible to all but those who specifically look for it. It is the idol of self. This idol is manifest in singular ("me") form as well as its plural ("us"). The identifier of this most dangerous idol is that it justifies itself based on God's generous character of love. However, it conveniently does so without accountability to God's less popular characteristic of justice. It reasons that God wants "me" and "us" to have everything we want but without accountability to Him and His Word. In fact, this idol of self unrepentantly provides its own remedies to curses that otherwise indicate and implicate sin. Man designed for himself debt, insurance, medicine and technology to remediate difficulties the Bible specifically calls curses in Deuteronomy 28.15-68 and generally implies curses elsewhere. And, what do all of these "conveniences" appeal to? Self love and preservation. "Get what you want even if you don't have the resources to afford it. Mitigate tragedies without you having to question why it happened. Get physical relief for yourself without dealing with the sin associated with the curse. And, get for yourself every possible tool to make life easier for you." After all, God gave these things because He loves us, right?

Every sincere Christ follower should experience the fear of God when they understand that Judges 10.6 could easily be speaking prophetically of the Church today: They abandoned the LORD and no longer served him at all. The abundance of curses upon the earth that are equally present in the Church should bring a sober reckoning through Galatians 3.13:

But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” [Galatians 3.13]

Have we, like Israel, been lured away from God by idols that promise pleasure, convenience and comfort but without accountability before God (repentance)? Have we, like Israel, completely given ourselves and our trust over to these idols convincing ourselves they are from God?

Oh, we need a reckoning!

Father, may these words not fall on deaf ears or calloused hearts. May they penetrate our cocoon of self-preservation that is without repentance: the cocoon of idols that we have erroneously believed were from You when, in fact, they isolate us from You. May we have eyes to see and ears to hear the truth of Your Word as it is revealed here. So be it.

God-Pleasing Faith

The LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength. [Judges 7.2]

There is an inherent problem in mankind. That problem is that man tends to trust in himself instead of God. God is not undecided about He feels about this problem!

“You must not have any other god but me. [Exodus 20.3]

If this tendency was problematic for ancient Israel, how much more of a problem is it for modern Christianity with man's vast knowledge and extraordinary inventions?

What if Gideon had said, "Well, God gave us 32,000 warriors, so we are trusting in Him if we all go to battle against Midian."? We can be sure he would have received a severe rebuke from God because, in God's omniscience, He knew their trust would have been in their own strength and NOT in His (even though they could argue that God gave the 32,000 warriors and therefore the strength)! 

Let it be stated clearly here that what man calls faith and what God calls faith are not the same (and God's definition of it is the correct one).

Here is what most Christians call faith today: utilization of debt, insurance, medicine and technology. Christians argue that if God gave these "blessings" (like Gideon's army of 32,000) then it is "faith" to use them. In contrast, if Gideon's story conveys any indication whatsoever of how God feels about it, then man's inventions of debt, insurance, medicine and technology can all too easily be idolatrously trusted instead of God. God-pleasing faith would therefore severely limit the utilization of these things as a declaration of faith in God alone and not the things.

Here's the real question. If God Himself doubted Israel's faithfulness to Him alone in their large army, how much more does a Godless world doubt our faith in God alone in our utilization of man's inventions?

Christians today religiously speak of faith in God, but God and the world both know it is nothing more than faith in man's many inventions.

God-pleasing faith is not disputably plural and abstract. God-pleasing faith is indisputably singular and real.

How incredibly foolish was it for Gideon to ever think 300 soldiers could face the hoards of Midian?

Father, I am faced today with my religious faith versus God-pleasing faith. May I be found in God-pleasing faith even if it means "foolishly" rejecting man's inventions. So be it.