Tag Archives: obeying God

Honoring Parents

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1 Timothy 5:2-8

Many families in our society are so disconnected. It seems a lot of young people move away from their hometowns as soon as they are able, to follow a job, or look for a better life somewhere else, or because they marry someone from another place. There are some good and honest reasons to relocate. And, unlike my generation, younger generations seem to be able to pick up and move many times during their lives.

Two of my sisters stayed in our hometown and raised their families close to our parents. I think they and their children would agree that proximity was a blessing. Two of their children have also stayed in our hometown and are raising their children close to their parents, my sisters and their husbands. Grandmas and Grandpas who love to babysit, who go to soccer games and school programs and buy every fund raising candy bar the kids are selling. But the majority of our family is scattered throughout the country.

There’s nothing wrong with moving away. There’s nowhere in the Bible that says, “Thou shalt live next door to Mom and Dad.” But we have to admit that living away from our parents makes caring for them more difficult. We are not off the hook, however, just because of the miles between us.

Caring for parents from a distance often looks like finding a nursing home or hiring a sitter to take care of them. To some people, it seems caring for their parents looks like an occasional phone call. Others actually think this command to honor our parents doesn’t apply to them because their parents weren’t perfect, so they cut them off, repaying evil for evil.

The Apostle Paul tells us if we aren’t caring for our parents we are worse than unbelievers. Yes, he is specifically talking about caring for widows. But come on. It’s not a stretch to say what he is proposing is in line with the commandment God gave Moses.

The fifth Commandment doesn’t say honor only Christian parents, or honor only parents who didn’t mess you up, or honor parents who you think deserve your care. It says honor your parents.

What does that look like? You honor your parents when you take care of their physical and emotional needs, when you show them the respect they deserve as your parents. Maybe it means you become a better son or daughter than they were as a parent.

Next week is Thanksgiving, a time when the pressure of family is felt most deeply in our country. I hope you are looking forward to family time, helping Mom with the food and cleanup, or going out of your way to get Dad to the table. This time of year makes the loneliness of separation heavier than usual. Take care of your parents.

That’s what is pleasing to God. Plus, it’s not an option if you are a Christian.

Living in Poverty

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Ruth 2:1-7

What does it say that Ruth was so willing to go to work upon arriving in Bethlehem? She was an undocumented immigrant, penniless, homeless except for any property still in Naomi’s family name. But it doesn’t seem like she waited to see if the neighbors would provide, or if there was government assistance. She knew that if she was going to eat, she would have to go to work.

We could make this about financial poverty, food stamps and free healthcare. But I think there might be a more important lesson here.

Too many Christians are living in systemic spiritual poverty. They are taught to pray like their parents prayed, “Bless me, God. Heal me. Provide for my needs, God,” and expect spiritual hand-outs. But are they willing to do the work?

Do they spend quality time in God’s Word? Do they pray for more than themselves? Do they give, go, grow, obey. Are they the hands and feet of Jesus? Do they surrender their wills and have the mind of Christ?

James tells us that we might have faith, but if we don’t do something about it, our faith is worthless. I think that’s what spiritual poverty looks like.

The thing about living in financial poverty is it can become the norm after a generation or two. It can become a mind-set and an expectation.

The same is true for spiritual poverty. I guess what I see here in the book of Ruth is, God has a better plan. It’s a plan to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (from Jeremiah 19:11)

Are you living in spiritual poverty? Do you feel God isn’t hearing your prayers, not meeting your needs? Then, like Ruth, get to work. The blessings are just around the corner.

The Rich Fool

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Luke 12:13-21

I find it sadly relatable that the man seems to have been present when Jesus was speaking to the crowd about the hypocrisy of false teachers, about the necessity of fearing God, and bowing to Him. Yet, he blew it off because he had an agenda:

I WANT…

The thing is, by Law, if his brother had received the inheritance, his brother was the first-born and doesn’t owe this man anything. The man wasn’t asking Jesus to help him get what he deserved. He was asking Jesus to force his brother to give him what he did not deserve.

Who doesn’t want something for nothing? Who doesn’t look at what someone has, and want it or better for themselves? The problem of envy is a monster in all of us.

Unless we have a change of heart. Unless we move our priorities from self to God. We can have the healthiest bank accounts, the nicest homes, the newest cars, and the most expensive clothes and be the poorest of the poor if our souls are bankrupt by sin.

Thank God, through Jesus we all can receive what we don’t deserve – the forgiveness of our sins, and all the spiritual wealth of being adopted into the family of God.

That being said, I think there might be a chance this parable can suggest a works salvation. O’Donnell, The Parables of Jesus (Crossway Publishers; 2023) says Christians “must use their God-given financial means to be generous to others and thus store up treasure for the life to come. (p 24, emphasis mine). He cites 1 Timothy 6:10 and Matthew 6:20.

I guess my question is – what constitutes treasures in heaven? If our good works are compared to filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), do we present those to God in exchange for treasure in heaven? Do we give to the poor to get a star in our crown? Is that what Jesus is teaching here?

Or do we combine this with what Jesus says in Luke 17:9-10, and give simply because it’s our duty and NOT expect even a thanks from our Master. We are servants who obey, nothing more, nothing less.

Does our treasure in heaven consist of things? Or will it be the eternal souls we have touched with the Gospel? I believe this parable and the consistent teaching of Jesus teach that the only thing that matters are the souls. He Himself became a servant, emptying Himself of all the riches of heaven, and became obedient unto death on the cross. Why? It wasn’t for a nice mansion.

And Jesus is our example to follow.

Weird

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Ezekiel 3-4; Jeremiah 27-28

The label “weird” is being thrown out a lot lately in the political arena. No one likes to be thought of as weird. It’s a term that is intended to make you think something is wrong with you. That you don’t fit it. That you should be ashamed.

When I read about the Old Testament prophets, I have to think many were considered “weird” by the people around them. I mean, making a model of the city, putting a frying pan up as a barrier, then lying beside it on your side for a year and a half is weird. Going around with a yoke around your neck is weird. Reading God’s Word aloud in a public setting, then tying a rock to it and throwing it into the water is weird.

Elijah, Elisha, all the way up to the last Old Testament prophet, John the Baptist were all kind of weird. But their weirdness was obedience to God to point people to the truth. God revealed Himself in dramatic fashion through the obedience of these precious weird-os.

So what do people see when they look at you? Do they see someone who looks and acts just like a non-believer? Do they see someone who fits in, plays it safe, doesn’t stand out as a child of God?

Or are you weird because you are obedient to your Lord? It might seem weird to shine your light in a world that is more comfortable in the dark. But isn’t that what we’re supposed to do?

The world’s definition of “weird” IS WEIRD!

I hope you are weird.

If Only

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Numbers 33:55-56

If only. If only Israel had listened to and obeyed God, and had driven out the inhabitants of the Promised Land, life would have looked a lot different for them – and maybe for us.

If only I had eliminated sin in my young life, and obeyed God instead of ignoring Him, life would undoubtedly look different for me – and maybe for my family.

If only I would take my sin seriously today and drive it out instead of tolerating it, my life and that of those I love would look differently.

If only.

Take Off Your Sandals

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Exodus 1-4

Moses grew up a prince in the palace of the most powerful king in the world at that time. He most likely had everything a boy could ask for. In fact, the first forty years of Moses’ life was lived in luxury, honor, and privilege. He knew he wouldn’t be king, his stepfather had an older son. But if something should happen to his brother? Maybe.

Think of all the ways God could have saved Israel if Moses had been King of Egypt! If I were writing the story, I think that’s direction I’d take. But it wasn’t until Moses left that life and took on the lowest rung of the career ladder in Egypt… shepherd!… that God called him into action.

In fact, God waited another forty years until the prince in Moses was worked out of him and only a shepherd remained. Then Moses was ready for the task at hand.

How often do we think God can only use the successful, popular, well-spoken extroverts to do great things? That’s not true. In fact often we see those kinds of people rejected by God in favor of the weak and lowly. Think the shepherd boy David. Think the recluse John the Baptist. Think the fishermen, tax collector, disciples. Think Mary Magdalene. Dozens and dozens of outcasts and “sinners” used by God in extraordinary ways.

God delights in using ordinary people like you and me who are willing to take off our sandals and stand on holy ground, to allow God to show His strength in our weakness, His power through us so He is clearly seen.

So whether you are living in a palace or sleeping under the stars with smelly sheep, God can use you. Take off your sandals. Spend time on holy ground. Stop the excuses and submit to the perfect will of God. Moses saw incredible things happen when he did that.

And so will you!

Even The Wind And Waves Obey Him

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Mark 4, Matthew 8, Luke 8

I picture a dad trying to get a nap on the couch while his rambunctious toddlers are wrestling on the floor. Giggles turn into crying and shouting at each other. So the father sits up, and in his sternest Dad-voice barks, “SETTLE DOWN!”

I see the toddlers sit down in mid-strike, afraid to move, eyes wide open and mouths firmly shut. Dad is not kidding.

I kind of think that’s how the wind and waves reacted when Jesus sat up in the boat and barked, “SETTLE!” Scripture says He rebuked the wind and waves. He wasn’t kidding. And the wind and waves obeyed immediately, probably afraid to move.

I know that’s not necessarily the main lesson here. I’ve heard more than one great lesson on Jesus’ power and the disciples faith from these passages. Today, I see it as a lesson about obedience.

Maybe that’s because God has been working in my heart about my own obedience. I am reminded that God is serious when He says something.

Be holy.

Be separate.

Confess sin.

Go make disciples.

Love one another.

Worship me only.

I don’t read in Scripture about a little renegade wave that impishly slapped up against the boat Jesus was in, testing to see if He was serious. Yet sometime I think I do that.

“Just one more tiny sin, God. Look at me. I’m so special, how could you get mad at little old me?”

The answer is that our Holy God spoke. Period. Disobedience is not an option.

After all, He is God – and even the wind and waves obey Him.

Revenge. Seriously?

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Joel

I know someone who, because a member of the church his parents attended said something that offended him, quit going to church. He was a teenager at the time. He’s in his thirties today. And he will give that incident as the reason he still doesn’t go to church today.

I’ve heard of others who see injustice in the world and say, “If God causes such bad things to happen, I don’t want anything to do with Him.” or “There must not be a God at all.”

Do you wonder how God feels when people convince themselves of such?

What do you have against me, Tyre and Sidon and the cities of Philistia? Are you trying to take revenge on me? (3:4a)

Do people who judge God and find Him guilty think they have the upper hand? Seriously?

If you are (taking revenge on me) watch out! I will strike swiftly and pay you back for everything you have done. (4b)

Everything YOU have done.

Joel goes on to remind us we all enjoy the blessings of God. We all live in a world where the sun shines, the rain falls, wounds heal, crops produce fruit, hearts beat…

But we have taken those blessings and carted them off to pagan temples. (vs 5) Instead of using them to glorify God, instead of being grateful, we turn it around and use them against Him

But be warned. Especially when God repeats Himself:

… and I will pay you back for everything you have done. (verse 7b)

Here’s the good news:

But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (2:32)

If you have any excuse why you haven’t called on the name of the Lord, if you have put yourself above God, found Him guilty, or blame your present circumstances on that old church lady who hurt your feelings – get over yourself!

Are you trying to teach God a lesson? Get even? Punish Him? That, my friend, is foolishness. Do you have any idea who it is you are dealing with?

Here’s the deal: obey God according to His Word, the Bible. Or not. Just remember your decision will stay with you for eternity. And in the end you won’t judge God. He will judge you.

I pray that when He does, He will be able to judge you according to the righteousness of His Son Jesus. The flip side of that is unthinkable.

(Exodus 20) The 10 Suggestions

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I have seen in my lifetime the gradual, and not so gradual, rejection of God’s Laws. The inevitable result can be seen on the news every day. We can remove the Ten Commandments from our walls, re-write them to be politically correct, but the end will be lawlessness, immortality, violence, disrespect, and a Me First society that is more about the perceived rights of individuals than what is right.

Are we to take these Ten Commandments literally, and obey them to the letter? Absolutely. Why would anyone think life wouldn’t be better if we did?

I am reminded God gave these instructions to Israel AFTER He saved them from slavery in Egypt. They are not conditions for salvation, but rather behaviors that honor our Savior.

I believe if Christians were the only ones taking these commandments seriously, our nation and our world would not look like it does today. Sadly, many Christians make choices to disobey every day. No wonder we are witnessing such a decline.

Common sense tells me if these commandments were followed by all, believers and non-believers, we wouldn’t be in the mess we are in. I challenge you to point out one of the ten that would make matters worse if it was obeyed.

You are not responsible for how your neighbor obey’s God. You are responsible for how you obey, however. Read them. Memorize them. Live by them to the letter and in the spirit of them.

They are not The Ten Suggestions.

December 27; Don’t Forget

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Revelation 2-5

God has some amazing things to tell us through John’s letter to the seven churches. In them He addresses each of us, and challenges us in our walk with Him.

To Ephesus God addresses those of us who are busy serving God, doing good work, keeping on keeping on. But something is missing. The busyness has overshadowed our first love, that love we knew when we were first cleansed from sin. God warns that without that fervent love for Him, our service to Him will lose its effectiveness.

DON’T FORGET WHY WE SERVE.

To Smyrna God speaks to those of us going through difficult circumstances. There are some people in our world today who suffer imprisonment and even death because they serve God. Others of us face unfair treatment, slander, rejection. Don’t be afraid, God tells us. He is the One who died and came back to life. That second death can’t hurt us.

DON’T FORGET WHO WE SERVE.

To Pergamum God has a word for us who live in a fallen world where sin runs rampant and evil surrounds us. Stay true to His Name. Don’t let the teachings of Satan creep into our hearts, no matter how popular the lies become. Know the Truth according to Scripture. Repent if you’ve deviated from that Truth. It’s serious business to accept the lies.

DON’T FORGET WHAT IS TRUE.

To Thyatira, God addresses those of us trying to live in two worlds, that of Christianity, and that of immorality. As Christians we help our neighbors, express love, and are people of faith. But we also tolerate immorality, even to the point of believing immorality is not sin. Some of us actually participate in immoral conduct, even if it is only in the privacy of our homes in front of a screen. God tells us there are serious consequences for that. Hold on, God tells us. Don’t give in!

DON’T FORGET HOW WE ARE TO LIVE.

To Sardis we hear a warning to those of us simply going through the motions. Oh, we do Christian sounding things, say Christian sounding words, but our hearts are dead. God tells us our deeds are only half done if that’s the case. “Walk with me,” God pleads. “Obey. Repent.” There is life in Christ.

DON’T FORGET WHAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED.

To Philadelphia God speaks to those of us who are feeling weak. Maybe it seems our efforts are in vain, that we have no place in ministry But God also commends us for being true to His Name, for serving patiently, perhaps quietly. If God opens a door of opportunity, He will bless our obedience. Again He encourages us to hold on!

DON’T FORGET WHO LOVES US.

To Laodicea God addresses we who are lukewarm Christians. We are pretty self-assured, happy to be saved from hell, but not wanting God meddling in our lives. God says we make Him sick. He tells us to earnestly repent. “Knock,” He says. “I’ll come in and fellowship with you and you with Me!”

DON’T FORGET WHO IS AT THE DOOR.

There is so much in the book of Revelation for us in 2019 concerning our relationship with God. I’m looking forward to ending the year listening to what He will say to me, getting to know Him better, and to growing my walk with Him into something useful for His kingdom. I hope you’ll join me.