I wasn't that bad...

Have you ever heard those words?  I wasn't that bad. Or perhaps the phrase, it's not that big of a deal.  Maybe we've even used the excuse that it was just a little white lie.  I love our attempts to justify ourselves.  We try so hard to make ourselves look good.  Don't we?

I've been thinking a lot lately about the question, how good is good enough.  Now that's a fairly rhetorical question in my mind but it does get me thinking.  What does God say about our attempts at goodness?   I believe he would use one word to answer that - lame.

Our attempts to justify our actions or to make excuses or to just good enough to get by are ridiculous! Now understand that I'm pointing my finger at myself just as much as I am to everyone else.  We all do it!  It has been a problem since well when Adam and Eve first at that crazy fruit in the garden.  We love making excuses.  We seem to get energized by thinking that we can lower the standard that God has for us. 

But we can't.  There's no lowering the standard.  Even if you lived a perfect life up until just 3 minutes ago you don't meet the standard.  That's because the standard is perfection.  It's absolute, complete, total perfection.  No questions asked.  No excuses.  No slip-ups! Perfection!

This morning I wandered through the book of Amos.  (I know a fairly unlikely place to find me this morning, but I'm glad that we met today.)  You see Amos records some of God's words to the people of various countries and the gist is the same for all of them.  He says that even for only three or four sins he cannot turn his back. 

That means when it comes to obeying the law - living the perfect life - we have one chance.  There are no do-overs.  There are no repeats or erasers.  It's a one time shot.  Perfection or imperfection there's no gray area.  It's kind of like being pregnant - you are or you aren't.  I've never met a woman who said that she was "kind of pregnant."  That's just absurd isn't it!

So this means that you, me and everyone else on the face of this blue and green ball called earth are imperfect because we just can't live up to God's standards.  I know that sounds pretty heavy on the law and it is, but stay with me.  Here's where things get fun! 

True the standard is perfection, and true we can't live up to that standard.  But the church wasn't built on that message.  The church was founded on the message of who Jesus was.  If you look at Peter and the confession of faith that he gave to Jesus - You are the Christ (savior) the son of the living God.  Jesus then says that this message will/must be the foundation of the church.  That means that Jesus death and resurrection have bridged the gap between our inability and God's standard. 

Jesus, God's own son, became a man just like you and me.  He was forced to live under the same obligations and standards of God that we are.  And the amazing part is - he did! He lived his entire life and never fell prey to the temptations to sin that we are bombarded with every day. So we are not right with God. 

Because of Jesus we are seen by God as perfect.  We are counted right with God because of the perfected life and death that Jesus lived.  Amazing! Grace! That's the message that changes the game eternally.  That's the message that a world distant from God needs to hear.  That's the message that we have been given to share with people where we live, work, and play. 

Lord make us bold to share your truth today. Amen.

When God shows up...

What do you do when God shows up?  Ok so maybe he doesn't materialize in front of you in a locked room like he did his disciples.  Or perhaps he won't snap the heavens wide open and call out your name in the loud booming voice that God seems to have in our imaginations. But I do believe that he still shows up. 

He shows up when big things happen, things that no man or woman on earth could ever do alone.  I was able to witness God showing up yesterday.  It was completely amazing!  I can't explain what it looked like or even what it felt like but God showed up. 


I believe that we don't recognize when God shows up most of the time because we're not looking.  Or perhaps we're not sure what to look for.  But that doesn't change the fact that God still shows up.  When my children were only weeks old, Matthew had to have surgery and for my sake God showed up.  When a friend of mine went to a part of town that was very uncomfortable for her to go to, God showed up. When my dad was clinically without hope over a year ago, God showed up.  These are just a few instances of the times that I have seen God show up. 

Our verse for this morning is from Ephesians 3:20, Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine... I know I stopped in the middle of that verse but just look at what that says - God is able to do more, bigger, larger, grander, more enormous things than we could even dream of.  He's able that's not the question.  If he's not showing up to you, perhaps it's because you're not looking.  Perhaps your eyes aren't looking for the stuff big enough for God to deal with. 

We often think God is interested in sports teams, but I'm not so sure he cares who wins the Super Bowl (sorry to all you Packer and Steeler fans).  But when our team loses we think that for some reason God didn't answer that prayer.  Is that really "immeasurably more"?  I don't think so. 

Today I want to pray that God shows up and that we recognize it, so we're going to start praying a prayer similar to one prayed in the new testament when the church first got started...

Lord give us boldness to proclaim your message and do all of the other things that allow people to see you when you show up.  AMEN. 

May you see God today. May you be filled with the Spirit to have eyes wide open to the times when God shows up in your life.  And may you dream big dreams of God!

Jesus and Panera Bread Company

I've been sitting in a local Panera Bread  for about an hour now working on some sermon material.  For the last twenty minutes I've been just observing my environment to see if I could find Jesus here at Panera.  Well this is what I've come up with.  Note: this devotion is much later than normal and for that I apologize.  Secondly, it's not the typical format but I hope that you get something out of it. 

So what do Jesus and a Panera Bread bakery have in common?  On the surface probably not much but let's take a walk around and use our senses to find some commonalities. 

The first thing that hits you is the smell of the fresh baked bread!  I have very little will-power for a toasted cinnamon crunch bagel and a hot coffee - mmmmm! It would seem obvious for me to point out that that Jesus claims to be the bread of life while in a bread bakery, so I'm not going to.  But Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 2:15, For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. Paul says that we are a pleasing aroma to God because of the work of Jesus.  So when you smell that freshly baked bread or bagel at the local bakery know that you are the pleasing smell of Christ to your heavenly Father.

But it's not just the smell, there's also the taste.  The bagels are delicious.  The coffee is always piping hot.  You just can't beat it in my opinion.  The psalmist stays that we are to taste and see that the LORD is good.  (Psalm 34:8) When you bite into that mouthwatering food know that this is the same way that we are to take in the amazing things of God's love and forgiveness.  God wants us to take refuge in his love and mercy as we taste and see that he is good. 

Finally, we'll round out our experience at the bakery with the sounds.  One of the things I love about working from public places is that they are filled with sounds!  They are filled with the sounds of different peoples, languages, noises, and all of it at the same time!  It reminds me of many things in scripture.  The bible says to make a joyful noise to the Lord.  When the disciples began opening the message of Jesus to the world they did it in many different languages.  I'm finishing up my time here at Panera this morning and I hear four different languages being spoken all at the same time!  What an amazing glimpse of the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven.  All of this is ours because Jesus has opened heaven to all people. 

So now go about your day.  Go to the store, the restaurant, or even work and know that you are a pleasing aroma to God.  Look for ways that you can taste the love and mercy of God.  And listen to the many sounds around you and know that for you God has opened his kingdom. 

Lord go with us today as we experience you in new and fresh ways.  AMEN.

Because you don't have faith.

Jesus can hit the issue pretty hard, and this morning was no different.  There's a story in Matthew 17 that tells of a man coming to Jesus to have him cast out a demon in his son.  Jesus does it with a simple word.  Then the disciples asked why they couldn't do it. 

You see, the disciples had already tried to cast out this demon but were unsuccessful.  Something went wrong to say the least.  Jesus explained that their failure was due to their lack of faith.  Then he says, "if you have faith as small as a mustard seed..." Now a mustard seed is pretty tiny, but I'm not convinced he's actually referring to the size of a mustard seed. 

Think of it this way - what can a mustard seed become when it is planted?  A mustard plant and nothing else!  A mustard seed is never planted hoping to become an apple tree.  It's never planted with hopes of becoming a tall oak.  It always becomes a mustard plant.  True enough the mustard seed is tiny and the plant is fairly large considering these small seedling beginnings. 

I believe that when we have faith like a mustard seed we'll believe who we are and what we are in Christ.  The bible says that we can do all things through Christ.  Do you believe it?  Do you believe that there is anything in this world that you cannot do?  If we have put limits on ourselves and our faith, perhaps we too don't have the mustard seed faith that Jesus is talking about. 

The truth of the matter is Jesus died and rose for you.  Our believing doesn't change that.  He has offered heaven to us, without cost - our believing doesn't change this either.  He says to Peter to walk on water, but Peter sinks.  Peter's faith began to waiver.  He no longer believed like a mustard seed.

Today Lord we pray that you will cast off all doubt and fill us with the faith of a mustard seed.  We believe in you, but help us in the times of our unbelief.  In Jesus' name. AMEN.

What do you use keys for?

This morning I just sat and listened as two men had a conversation.  The first man asked what other people thought of him.  He asked questions about his identity - who am I in your eyes? 

The second man spouted off some pretty important names that he had heard from other people.  These were some high powered folks!  I was impressed to say the least. 

Then the questions turned.  Instead of asking what others thought of him, the first man asked what his friend thought of him.  Wow - talk about putting someone on the spot!  I was taught to never put someone on the spot like this because it might backfire or they might just run away from the church.  But still the question was asked.  It was like a gauntlet was thrown down.  Who do you say that I am? 

Now this exchange didn't happen in my living room or office but it happened between Jesus and Peter, in my kitchen if you must know.  Peter's response was pretty powerful - You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.  But did he believe it?  I mean is that really who Peter says that Jesus is?  If we were to read on in Matthew 16, we'd hear Peter telling Jesus that he didn't know what he was talking about.  But still, Peter's initial response is exactly what Jesus wanted to hear.  Jesus told Peter that this truth, that he was the son of God, was like a set of keys that could unlock heaven. 

This is always a risky thing to compare Jesus to anything earthly, but since Jesus did it I guess we're in good company.  I have to wonder if we were asked the same question how we would respond.  Jesus didn't ask who do you think I am.  He didn't say when it's safe who do you say that I am.  Rather he says who do you make a habit of saying that I am.  How would you answer that one?  Who do you say that Jesus is?  Who do you say he is when you're at church?  Who do you say he is when you're at work?  Who do you say he is when you're out with friends?  Who do you say he is when everything is going wrong? Who do you say he is when you stub your toe on the bedpost in the middle of the night? 

I'm not sure Jesus really was concerned with the "in the moment" answer of Peter as much as he was with the way that confession made its way into Peter's everyday life.  And he's just as interested in how our lives confess who he is as well. 

If we claim the same confession, that Jesus is the son of God, with both our mouths and our actions then we too possess the power to unlock the kingdom of heaven for those around us.  When heaven has been unlocked for us by a knowledge of who Jesus is, we are given the ability to unlock that same gift for others where we live, work, and play. 

Our prayer this morning is that God would open our hearts to believe with our words and our actions that Jesus is Lord - Dear Lord, today we need your power to fill us so that we can follow where you lead, trusting that you have everything in control for us.  Help us to use the keys that you've given us to open heaven for our friends and neighbors as we share the wonders of your love.  Amen. 

A worthwhile sacrifice

So why is it that God liked Abel's sacrifice and not Cain's?  It's simple - Abel gave his best.  Many people have been hung up on this passage for quite some time.  They wonder what Cain did to deserve the treatment that he received.  Others are a bit curious if their "sacrifices" are more like Cain or  Abel's. 

That's where I want to look today - what sacrifice is the right sacrifice?  In today's church in America we don't offer animals and fruit as sacrifices so what is an acceptable sacrifice to God? 

This probably isn't the best question to ask to be honest with you, because there is not best sacrifice to offer.  The best sacrifice is already offered - it's the very life of Jesus given/sacrificed for you and for me.  But that's the starting point that we must focus on.  Our sacrifices today are not the same as Cain and Abel's.  They sacrificed to earn something.  They sacrificed to cover their sins and make payment for their wrongs, but that's not necessary for us anymore.  We don't offer sacrifices to get into God's good graces.  We offer sacrifices because God has brought us to him and paid our debts for us.

The greatest sacrifice was already made for us.  Now our lives of sacrifice are about response and action.  Our sacrifices today whether of our time, finances, or even our mental energy should all be a response to the wonders of the good news that Jesus paid our debts for us.  He earned our way into heaven.  He took all of our stuff on him and got rid of it.  Now we can live in the sure and certain hope of life with him.  Our sacrifices are acceptable when they are responses to God's goodness.  When they are filled with praise for all that God has done.  Our sacrifices are acceptable not because of what they are or where they are offered but because of what's in our hearts. 

Today I pray that you find time to sacrifice something to God.  Not because I said to, perhaps it was the time you spent reading this.  Sacrifice with joy in your heart.  Give it up because Jesus gave it all up for you. 

Lord help me today as I find ways to sacrifice to you of my time, energy, and stuff so that you remain central in my life. Amen.

Life between the trees

Today our devotions will take a different flare.  A new year tends to bring new beginnings.  We're going to start at the beginning, Genesis, and work our way through the bible chronologically.  This morning brought me to the first few chapters of Genesis, and one thing jumped out at me - trees.

It's kind of easy to overlook them, or at least to not give them much time or thought; but the trees in Genesis are probably two of the most important things in this account.  Genesis 2:9 tells of these two trees: In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

I have to wonder, what do we do between the trees?  I mean our lives are lived out between these two trees.  The tree of knowledge is the one that affects us everyday.  It's the tree that brought sin into the world.  We should be constantly reminded of this tree every time we stub out toe, have a headache, suffer any kind of pain, have a sleepless night, worry, get anxious, are afraid, and the list goes on.  You see this tree's fruit was all things evil.  The fruit itself didn't look bad.  The bible actually said it look pleasing to the eye and good for food, much like the things that cause us harm today.  They don't look bad at first, but once we're knee deep into them we realize that we've just taken a big bite from this tree's fruit. 

But the other tree is even more important.  In all my years in church and Sunday School I never heard anyone really give this second tree much time.  It was just pushed aside as if it didn't really matter, but I believe that this second tree is of great importance to us.  You see this tree's fruit is life.  Not perfection.  Not forgiveness. Not restoration.  But life - just the way you are kind of life.  That's why God had to remove Adam and Eve from the garden.  He didn't want them to eat that fruit and life forever in that fearful and sinful condition. 

The tree of life should remind us of the tree that Jesus died on.  It was a tree that gave us eternal life.  It was through Jesus' death on a tree that we are guaranteed life.  So how do you live between the trees?  Do you live as if it's all over?  Or do you live as if everything is starting over again?  The tree of life is about a new start.  When Jesus died and rose he gave us a new start.  He erased all of the old stuff.  He removed the penalties for the tree of knowledge and restored us. 

Today, I hope that you see a tree or two.  I hope that these trees remind you of the God who saved you and promises you heaven all because of a tree.  Lord, show us your presence today.  Amen.