Why Should You Die? – September 13, 2009

Why Should You Die?

Ezekiel 33:11

Jim Stephens

09-13-09

 

Scripture:

 

As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?  (Ezekiel 33:11 NLT)

 

God’s grace is inexplicable, unfathomable, and scandalous!  It just doesn’t make sense.

 

For centuries and generations God warned Israel and Judah to turn from evil and idolatry and simply honor him and obey his simple instructions.  God spoke often of his anger at sinful Israel, unfaithful Judah, and their wicked kings and unholy priests.  His warnings of impending judgment become more dire and more urgent and then the axe began to fall.

 

Yet here in the final hours of Judah’s existence, years after Israel’s fall, God spoke his grace to his people one last time – “I only want you to turn from your wicked ways so you can live!”

 

God isn’t after revenge.  It’s not “I’ve had it up to here with you.  Now you’re going to pay!”  God just wants people to choose life!

 

It really doesn’t make sense, you know.  We’re wired to keep a perennial scorecard of right and wrong and their consequences.  Whether we call it karma, justice, or “getting what you deserve,” we want the ledger to balance, the score tallied, and the debt paid.  Unless it’s our debt, of course.

 

I don’t pretend to understand all this.  I only know that in a couple of situations recently I’ve felt the forgiving, debt-canceling, sin-removing grace of God at work.  I’ve felt in my own mind and heart the grace-attitude of God toward the person who acknowledged his sin and said, “I’m not going to do that anymore.”

 

Prayer:

 

Father, Thank you for the on-going work of grace you so patiently continue in me.  Help me to be so transformed by grace that I truly take no pleasure in the consequences of sin.  And help me grasp that you have the same grace-attitude in your heart towards me.  Thank you for your scandalous grace!  Amazing Grace!  Amen!

You Stood Aloof – September 9, 2009

You Stood Aloof

Obadiah 11

Jim Stephens

09-09-09

 

Scripture:

 

For you deserted your relatives in Israel during their time of greatest need. You stood aloof, refusing to lift a finger to help when foreign invaders carried off their wealth and cast lots to divide up Jerusalem. You acted as though you were one of Israel’s enemies. (Obadiah 11 NLT)

 

The nation of Edom was descended from Esau and Israel was descended from Jacob, two brothers who lived many centuries earlier.  There was conflict between Jacob and Esau, and there had always been some conflict between Edom and Israel.  The Jews felt superior and Edom resented them, partly because of God’s preferential treatment of the Jews, his “chosen people.”

 

Now that Israel and Judah were experiencing judgment and tragedy, Edom was rejoicing with the attitude, “You finally get what’s coming to you!” and even joining in with Judah’s enemies in plundering the helpless.

 

We must be very careful not to allow jealousy or resentment or a judgmental attitude to develop toward someone we feel has hurt us, treated us unfairly, or received preferential treatment.  God alone is in a position to determine make such judgments and to administer correction with compassion and mercy.

 

My response to the misfortune of others must be to pray for them and to offer assistance where I can, but never to gloat or secretly approve of their suffering.  It’s a heart issue.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, I know that it is because of your great mercy we are not consumed.  Help me not to assume that the misfortune of others is “What they deserve!”  May I never have an attitude of superiority or contempt towards someone who is suffering misfortune.  I pray that my heart will grow more and more like yours and that when I see suffering and sorrow, I will be moved with compassion.  Never complacent.  Never aloof.  Amen.

Your Opportunity – September 8, 2009

Your Opportunity

Revelation 13:9-10

Jim Stephens

09-08-09

 

Scripture:

 

9 Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand. 10 The people who are destined for prison will be arrested and taken away. Those who are destined for death will be killed. But do not be dismayed, for here is your opportunity to have endurance and faith.  (Revelation 13:9-10 NLT)

 

This brief chapter is filled with the exploits of the two evil beasts that blasphemed God and deceived the people of the world.  Lest we forget that even in troubling times God is still in charge, the phrase “was allowed” or “was permitted” is used four times in this chapter describing the activities of the two evil beasts.  What happened is what God allowed to happen.

 

Even as verse 10 describes the suffering of imprisonment or death, God reminds his people that hard times (which He has allowed to happen) provide an opportunity to develop and exercise endurance and faith.

 

When wrong things happen, my reaction is to wish and pray that God will “make it stop!”  When I experience hardship or setback or feel I am treated unfairly, my reaction is to wish and pray for justice and relief.

 

God says that the things that happen are the things he allows and that I should not be dismayed but respond to these things as opportunities to develop endurance and faith.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, I believe this is the word you have for me today.  I need grace and faith to respond to your word and not to react to the things that happen around me and the things that happen to me.  Help me resist the temptation to whine and complain when challenges come.  May I, with confidence and grace, recognize my opportunity to develop endurance and faith.  Amen.

War In Heaven – September 7, 2009

War In Heaven

Revelation 12:10-11

Jim Stephens

09-07-09

 

Scripture:

 

10 Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has happened at last—the salvation and power and kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ! For the Accuser has been thrown down to earth—the one who accused our brothers and sisters before our God day and night. 11 And they have defeated him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of their testimony. And they were not afraid to die.”  (Revelation 12:10-11 NLT)

 

There’s a great deal I don’t understand about John’s Revelation and about the interface between time and eternity and heaven and earth.  However, in today’s reading a couple of things are very clear…

• Even in the heavenly realm, there is conflict.  It is a conflict in which Good ultimately triumphs over evil, but conflict nonetheless.
• Satan is an accuser.  He accuses believers before God and he accuses believers to each other.
• The first thing that protects us from his accusations before God is the blood of Jesus Christ, the only acceptable offering for sin.
• The second thing that protects us from his accusations is our testimony of faith and our willingness to put everything on the line for our relationship with Jesus.

 

It still comes down to a couple of pretty simple things.  The blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin and protects from Satan’s accusations.  Our testimony – telling the truth (with love) about ourselves, our faith, and others keeps us in right relationships.

 

The rest of it – defeating Satan in the heavenlies and determining the course of eternal events, I will leave to Michael and his angels.  They have a better idea of how all this fits together than I do at present.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, I thank you for the hope that comes in knowing that you have the situation in the heavenly realm under control.  Thanks for angels who fight for right.  Thanks for the blood of the Lamb that takes away my sin and the sin of the world.  Thanks for the hope in the statement,  “It has happened at last – the salvation and power and kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ!”  Help me to do my part to believe and tell the truth here on earth.

Not Lost After All – September 6, 2009

Not Lost After All

Revelation 11:19

Jim Stephens

09-06-09

 

Scripture:

 

Then, in heaven, the Temple of God was opened and the Ark of his covenant could be seen inside the Temple. Lightning flashed, thunder crashed and roared; there was a great hailstorm, and the world was shaken by a mighty earthquake. (Revelation 11:19 NLT)

 

The Ark of God’s Covenant hasn’t been seen for a while.  Moses built it at Mount Sinai, the Israelites carried it in the wilderness, Eli’s sons took it into battle and lost it to the Philistines.  The Philistines brought it back to Israel, the Jews took it to Shiloh, and eventually David placed it in his Worship Center in Jerusalem.  Then Solomon gave it the place of honor in God’s Temple and Josiah restored it to the Holy Place during his reform.  Presumably it was taken or destroyed by the Babylonians when they sacked Jerusalem in 586 AD and according to one of my favorite movies, Indiana Jones found it in Egypt, rescued it from the Nazis, only to lose it again to US bureaucracy.

 

Turns out it wasn’t lost after all.  God had it in heaven all the time.

 

Sometimes I think about things lost, things retained, and things regained.  I appreciate John’s vision into things future because in the press of life and the passing of time I often notice some things missing, not least of which are time, opportunities and youthful energy!

 

Jesus said that whatever we lose for his sake and for the Kingdom of God isn’t really lost after all.  Whether it is tangible like money or intangible like time, if we lose it for him, it’s not actually lost.  Jesus takes all we lose for him to heaven and it’s waiting for us when we get there.  Stuff that is temporary becomes eternal.  The things that here sparkle briefly in the sun will there shine for eternity in the Son.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, it’s all going so quickly – time, opportunities, things.  So much of it is gone already.  I need glimpses of where things really are to keep me in faith and on track.  Thanks for the reminder that what I lose for you really isn’t lost after all.  I purpose to keep a loose grip on things down here and let you keep track of where they are in the eternal scheme of things.  Amen.

With Contempt – September 5, 2009

With Contempt

Ezekiel 28:26

Jim Stephens

09-05-09

 

Scripture:

 

They will live safely in Israel and build their homes and plant their vineyards. And when I punish the neighboring nations that treated them with contempt, they will know that I am the Lord their God. (Ezekiel 28:26 NLT)

 

Ezekiel chapters 25 through 28 pronounces God’s judgment on Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, and Tyre – nations that bordered Israel and Judah.  God judged them, not because of their idolatry or false religions, but because of the way they treated Israel and Judah when tragedy and disaster fell on them.

 

They mocked and scoffed at Israel’s destruction.  They clapped and cheered at Judah’s fall.  They used others’ loss and suffering for personal gain.  God pronounced judgment on these nations because they treated others with contempt and took advantage of those who were suffering and facing great tragedy and loss.

 

There is never a right time to treat others with contempt.  We may dislike someone or disapprove of their attitudes or behavior.  We may disagree with someone on matters of deeply held conviction.  We may even be responsible to warn or to give correction.  But not with contempt.

 

There is never a right time to rejoice at others’ suffering and loss.  We may be angry at them or hurt by them or disappointed in them.  We may be tempted to think, “It’s about time they get what they deserve!”  But we don’t rejoice over their suffering and loss.

 

We represent the God who loved the world so much that he sent his only Son to die in our place.  We represent Christ who died for us while we were still sinners.  We are people of grace.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, today this is a reminder to me that if I have your heart and if I am to represent you in a fallen world, I must think like you think and love like you love.  Forgive me for my selfishness.  Help me never treat others with contempt or rejoice or even take lightly their suffering and loss, even if it seems deserved.  Thank you for your mercy and grace!  Amen.

Live Not Die – September 2, 2009

Live Not Die

Ezekiel 18:21-23

Jim Stephens

09-02-09

 

Scripture:

 

21 But if wicked people turn away from all their sins and begin to obey my laws and do what is just and right, they will surely live and not die. 22 All their past sins will be forgotten, and they will live because of the righteous things they have done. 23 Do you think, asks the Sovereign Lord, that I like to see wicked people die? Of course not! I only want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.  (Ezekiel 18:21-23 NLT)

 

This section of Ezekiel’s prophecy deals with two common errors in the Jews’ theology and the theology of almost everyone in my world as well – including me!  I don’t mean that these two theology errors are something we consciously think about, but more that they are attitudes that seep out from somewhere deep inside our humanity.

 

Error One:  God blames parents for the behavior of their children and children are stuck with the patterns of behavior they learn at home.  God said that there are good kids of bad parents and bad kids of good parents and he’ll deal with each one just as they are.  This doesn’t mean parents aren’t responsible for teaching, training, and exemplifying godliness to their kids.

 

Error Two:  God is primarily a judge who is looking to throw the book at anyone who steps out of line.  God is ready to forgive and tear up the ticket!  God doesn’t conduct “sting” operations.  God doesn’t want to bring judgment on people, he wants to see people turn their backs on sin and live good lives.  This doesn’t mean that sin has no consequences, but it does mean that God is a God of forgiveness, mercy, and grace.

 

Truth:  It’s human to look at life’s wrong turns and failures and try to decide whose fault it is.  It’s Godly to look at life’s wrong turns and failures and try to make it better.

 

It’s human to put people (including ourselves) in boxes – the “loser” box or “never do anything right” box or the “jerk” box.  God is developing a box-free community of Christ-followers who actually can change.  We can change life-long patterns of attitude and behavior, even the ones learned in our childhood.  We can live and not die.  God tears up the ticket when we face the truth and turn to his life-transforming grace.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, Please help me get my unconscious theology straight about me and other people.  Thanks for reminding me how good you are and how eagerly you tear up the ticket and how delighted you are when we do better.  Your steadfast love!  Amen.

When I Forgive – September 1, 2009

When I Forgive

Ezekiel 16:62-63

Jim Stephens

09-01-09

 

Scripture:

 

62 And I will reaffirm my covenant with you, and you will know that I am the Lord. 63 You will remember your sins and cover your mouth in silence and shame when I forgive you of all that you have done, says the Sovereign Lord.  (Ezekiel 16:62-63 NLT)

 

I really don’t enjoy reading the almost pornographic description of Judah’s sin and idolatry in Ezekiel 16.  C’mon God, this is the Bible!  What if kids read this stuff!

 

This is the history of God’s chosen people seen through God’s eyes:  Helplessness, mercy, sin, grace, more sin, much patience and more mercy, more sin, much patience and more grace, the inevitable consequences of sin, Forgiveness!

 

God’s emotional involvement with his people really shows through here.  He moves from compassion and mercy through hurt, disappointment, and anger to patient, settled, steadfast, forgiving love.

 

I’m thinking of some friends whose twenty-something son is living a life of wasteful, rebellious, self-destructive sin.  They have spent sleepless nights, been called to the police station in the dark hours, driven many miles to rescue him, prayed every prayer they can think of, and stood by helplessly as he goes away again.

 

I’ve learned much about God’s Father-love by watching them be loving and stern, gentle and firm, frustrated and patient, angry and forgiving, discouraged and hopeful, restoring and releasing, and finally simply waiting and trusting.  What a happy day it will be when their son finally returns and can fully receive his place in their love!

 

22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  (Lamentations 3:22-23)

 

Prayer:

 

Father, I’m speechless when I think of your tender mercies, your steadfast love, and your great faithfulness.  I know you are sometimes angry and disappointed in my selfishness and short-sightedness, that you are both firm and gentle in your instruction and correction, and that you are steadfastly loving and enduringly patient with me.  When you once again rescue me from myself and forgive me from your heart, I’m speechless!  Thank you.  Speechless.  Amen.

You Will Feel Better – August 31, 2009

You Will Feel Better

Ezekiel 14:22-23

Jim Stephens

08-31-09

 

Scripture:

 

22 Yet there will be survivors, and they will come here to join you as exiles in Babylon. You will see with your own eyes how wicked they are, and then you will feel better about what I have done to Jerusalem. 23 When you meet them and see their behavior, you will agree that these things are not being done to Israel without cause, says the Sovereign Lord.  (Ezekiel 14:22-23 NLT)

 

Ezekiel had been given the responsibility for delivering many hard and unpopular messages to the Israelis – to those still in Jerusalem under Zedekiah’s rule, and to those like himself already exiled to Babylon.

 

Now God accelerated the pace and he was instructed to tell the people that it was too late for repentance, the prophetic warnings of judgment given through many years by Isaiah, Jeremiah, and all the other godly prophets were about to be fulfilled.  Ezekiel had the unpleasant assignment of saying, “Time’s up!”

 

But God so loved Ezekiel that he felt the need to explain himself – almost to justify himself – to his prophet.  So he said, “You will see.  You will feel better.  You will agree.”  Amazing!

 

God really cares about those who serve him.  God cares about you and me.  He may have to give us tough assignments.  He may have to lead us through things we cannot understand or even agree are best for us and for others.  But we have this assurance:  If we trust him now, in time we will see, we will feel better, and we will agree that his way was best.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, I know that you are good and gracious and merciful.  I know that you don’t take pleasure in the pain of your people.  I know that you only lead us through the dark valley when it is a necessary part of the journey.  Until I see, I will trust.  Until I feel better, I will trust.  Until I understand and agree, I will trust.  Amen.

A Door Into Heaven – August 30, 2009

A Door Into Heaven

Revelation 4:1

Jim Stephens

08-30-09

 

Scripture:

 

Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after these things.”  (Revelation 4:1 NLT)

 

Today I read from Ezekiel 8-11 and Revelation 4, descriptions of visions God gave to Ezekiel and John, two men exiled far from their homes.  Ezekiel was a young man in Babylon and John an old man on the Greek island of Patmos, a thousand miles and five hundred years apart. 

 

In the visions described here, both men were carried in the spirit to the Temple of God, Ezekiel to the Temple in Jerusalem and John to the eternal Temple in Heaven.  Both men saw God’s glory, saw fantastical beasts and angelic beings.  They were given a glimpse into the supernatural spiritual realm that surrounds worship – visible only with eyes of the spirit.

 

Both men saw worship in the Temple of God.  John saw pure, selfless, God-honoring worship in the Temple where God dwells eternally.  Ezekiel saw false, idolatrous, self-gratifying worship in the Jerusalem Temple that had once belonged to God. 

 

God gave both Ezekiel and John a vision God’s glory.  They saw the consequences of false worship and true worship.  Each was commissioned to return to the everyday world with a message that contained:

• Judgment and Restoration
• Warning and Promise
• Correction and Encouragement
• Fear and Hope

 

May God give us messengers who see through spirit eyes and bring us messages that temper warning with promise, correction with encouragement, and fear with hope.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, Help me to see through spirit eyes and not merely through the scratched, blurry lenses of my soul.  Help me to see “visions of God” and faithfully tell others everything God has shown me.  May I see clearly and speak faithfully.  Amen.