Monday, December 21, 2009

Christmas -- The Rest of the Story

When we think of Christmas, we think of a baby, a mom, shepherds, gifts, joy, peace, kings......but that's not the whole story. I want to take a pause for a moment and look in into the "rest of the story."

Revelations 12 gives us some insight into the Christmas story. It tells us that while there is a physical reality to the story, the story behind the story is that a dragon -- the devil -- knew that "the salvation and power and kingdom of our God" was coming. It also, tells us that there was a great war and that the "Accuser has been thrown down to the earth," and that he was "ready to devour the baby as soon as it was born." It goes on to tell us that we "have defeated him [the accuser] because of the blood of the Lamb," but that since the dragon couldn't kill the child he "became angry at the woman, and he declared war against the rest of her children -- all who keep God's commandments and confess that they belong to Jesus." (12:17).

We need to celebrate Christmas and enjoy the fact that he has come. Salvation and power have come. But, we need to be on guard knowing that the devil has waged war against each of us. The war looks different at times but it is a war nonetheless. We must be alert and remember, that he is already defeated because of what that child did. And, we must remember God's promises. Here are a few: all God's promises in Jesus are yes; I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me; he that is in you is greater than he that is in the world; he will never leave you nor forsake you; we can go boldly to the throne of grace to find mercy and grace in our time of need; he is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we can ask or imagine; and all things work together for the good of those that love him and are called according to his purpose.

That's the rest of the story.....

Friday, December 4, 2009

People Are The Purpose

In John. 6, we read, "When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" 6He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. 7Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages[a] would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"'

Now, to set the context, we learn from Mark and Luke that the disciples had just been sent out by Jesus and they had performed miracles and cast out demons. We also learn that Herod had beheaded John and on that day sent would that he wanted to see Jesus (wonder if that meeting would be as productive???). Lastly, we learn that the disciples wanted Jesus to send the people away. And, initially, can you blame them? They went there to rest. Jesus was a marked man and wanted rest too. But, Mark gives us the insight and the key to understanding this dialogue (I think). Mark says, "When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things."

Now, back to John (and the other accounts). I think, to be quite honest, the disciples knew exactly what Jesus could do. Heck, they just got done performing miracles themselves. But, Jesus wanted to "test" Philip. I used to look at this passage as a test into the belief that Jesus COULD feed them people. I don't think that was the main issue -- though it may have been an issue. I think he wanted to reveal to the disciples what the disciples had going on inside them. The disciples wanted rest. They wanted the people to go home. The didn't realize that people are the purpose. They lacked the key ingredient that Jesus had -- compassion.

They were not concerned at all about the people and the fact that the people were " like sheep without a shepherd." At least it is not mentioned. Now, I understand the balance that one must strike between our personal needs and the needs of others. But, to be honest, most of us do just fine looking out for ourselves. And, I bet you if Jesus said upon the disciples arrival, "hey, I'm gonna give you power over demons again go cast some out for the next hour" they would have jumped on it. But, this was less glamorous. People are there. No demos to be cast out. And, yet the most amazing gift to be given -- Jesus and his love.

Think about it. Are you motivated by compassion? Do you have margin in your life so that you can be "interrupted" be people? Remember, people are the purpose.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Foundations

I read an article today about the mastermind of a ponzi scheme in SoFLA. Here is an excerpt: "Fort Lauderdale attorney Scott Rothstein turned himself in to the FBI field office in North Miami Beach at about 7: 45 a.m. Tuesday, WFOR-Ch. 4reports.Rothstein, 47, is accused of running a $1 billion Ponzi scheme from his Fort Lauderdale law firm. He was seen walking into the FBI office in handcuffs."

I am sure many of us have heard about this man for all the wrong reasons. First, it was because of his "success" and now because of his demise. It all got me to thinking about what matters most and how we build our homes. Jesus says the following about building our foundations In Matt 7:

24-25"These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.

26-27"But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards."

Wow. I want to build a good foundation so that when the storms come I will be a "smart" carpenter and not the "stupid" carpenter. So, the natural question is what "words" do we need to put into practice? If you look back, it is the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is exposing that God is more concerned with internal motivation than external rigidity. He wants us to love others as ourselves, to know that our lives should be lives of worship to God, to know that God sees all we do -- even in private and will reward us for that, that it all boils down to our relationship with him and with others. Those are his words.

So, the question is why is it so difficult? I went to the site of the World Trade Center over the weekend. I go there every time in NYC to remember. This time what stuck me was how deep into the ground the building went -- the foundation. It looks like there is no progress being made on the new building and you see that's just it. Foundations take time and there is no "gratification" when building a foundation -- there's nothing to see. Of course, when laid properly -- to the rock -- nothing will move the house. But, we all want to see the fruit of our labor. Jesus, however, says, "build the right foundation and you will see the fruit in time.....trust me." Of course, that's the battle isn't it, trust?

My encouragement is to build the foundation. Make them "foundational words." Storms will come. Start today. Here is an easy next step. Choose one of these to do:

1. Thank God for how he has provided.

2. "Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. "

3. Call your wife and thank her for what she does -- be specific like "Thanks for making sure the kids have dinner every night" or "thanks for being my friend even when I mess up."

Be the smart carpenter!