A New Deal

I cherish this part of God’s character and plan. 

In the book of Jeremiah, God has been pouring out his wrath on the Israelites for not honoring him.  It was a hard job for Jeremiah who was tasked to be a prophet on God’s behalf to tell the people that destruction and judgment were coming. 

In the middle of all of this seeming negativity, God says in Jeremiah 31:31-34 that he will make a new covenant with his people.  He states in verse 33 that he “will put his law within them, and I will write it on their hearts.  I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”  In the end of verse 34, he says, “For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”  This new covenant promise is something!  -Something different than the old covenant where God established the Law, which the people broke.  This time, he is going to write in on hearts.

In Ezekiel, he speaks of the same thing.  He says starting in chapter 36 verse 25, “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.  And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.  And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.  You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.  And I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses.  And I will summon grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you.  I will make the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field abundant that you may never again suffer the disgrace of famine among the nations.”

There are several amazing things found here.  To me, it seems perfectly appropriate for an eternal, holy, all powerful God to hold all humanity accountable for not keeping His Law from the beginning.  We don’t deserve a new covenant.  We don’t deserve His writing anything on our hearts or causing us to walk in His statutes.  By making this promise ( not an offer ), he graciously provides another way for those of us who live under this new covenant.  What a debt we are in!  What love is this?  How do we serve such a gracious and merciful Being?

What about guaranteeing food, and not just food, but the abundance of it?  Fruit will grow on trees for His people?  He isn’t just going to create life in you, but He promises to provide for you so that you will be taken care of.  It seems to me that He really doesn’t have to do this.  Couldn’t He create spiritual life, and then let us strive after grain, and fruits?  That would still be a kind act from a loving God.  Our God doesn’t just love, he greatly loves His people.

Third, the language used is:  I will, I will, I will, I will.  There is no part of either passage indicating an offer or something that might happen.  He is stating a fact that something is going to happen, and He is going to see it through.  Verse 36 of the Ezekiel passage ends with, “I have rebuilt the ruined places and replanted that which as desolate.  I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it.”

I am floored by His kindness, compassion, and desire to make these things happen for His people.  If these things were left to us, we would selfishly choose our own way (Romans 3:11).  It reminds me of 1 Samuel when the Israelites are begging God for a King to be like other nations, and Samuel rebukes them, and asks how they could do this great wickedness, and sin against God.  In chapter 12, the LORD sends thunder and rain, and the people admit their sin.  Samuel responds with: “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil.”

WHAT??

Shouldn’t we be terrified after doing evil?  Shouldn’t we be cast aside after the Old Covenant is broken by us?  Why should the Israelites not have feared God after their sin, and why is their a new covenant for us?

The answer is in verse 22 of Ezekiel 36.  Before all of these verses, and before any man chose anything, God’s plan was in motion.  Verse 22 says, “Thus says the Lord God, It is not for your sake O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name which you have profaned among the nations where you went.  I will vindicate the holiness of My great name…”  He is seeking to bring glory to His name through the salvation of His people.

May we do what we do every day for the same reason that God shows his gracious hand towards us:  To the glory of His great name.

Together for the Gospel 2012 t4g.org

Having just returned from the Together for the Gospel conference in Louisville, I must say a few things.

1)      When faced with scripture after scripture after scripture, I am more able to recognize the weaknesses in my life, and feel helpless on my own to recover ground, and make it back to good standing with God.  I see myself in every story in the Bible as the wicked, vile sinner.  Like Ahab, Jezebel, Baalim, Judas, the rich young ruler, etc.  I am those people every day I wake up.

2)      I feel selfish, and focused only on my own things, desires, and goals.  When God is presented to you as He truly is found in the scripture, seeking to do anything apart from Him seems foolish.

3)      Singing rich songs filled with doctrine make me want to cry like a baby.  I know my estate truly was helpless.  I know that I was on my way to hell.  I know that rather than feast on his bounty, I would rather starve.  I know that I hated God.  I know that all these things would continue forever.  And then, he changed me.  He sought me out like the blind man in John 9.  That’s when I can’t take it anymore.  He is every richness I could ever want in anything in this world, but so much more complete, deep, and perfect.

4)      My day to day activities seem so empty and useless compared to what a messenger of God does.  A Pastor has so much weight on his shoulders, but shouldn’t I also be a messenger? 

5)      My job is really boring compared to what Jesus did.  My accomplishments in all levels of schooling and employment are like certificates on waste paper compared to what Jesus accomplished in only 33 years.

6)      It seems that I don’t have much time to make a difference in people’s lives.  I’m already 32.  40 or 50 years or less is but a vapor.

7)      What reward do I really have for doing anything not focused on his mission?  People are hanging by a thread over the pits of hell forever, and they fall into the hell all day long while we drive our cars, eat lunch, and go to sleep.  Today is the day to sow his Word in the life of others.

God grant me the desire and passion to keep these things on my heart until He returns.

Why is Friday called Good Friday?

I was surprised to hear that the stock market, and wall street were closed in observance of Good Friday two days ago.  I guess I was under the understanding that we as a country shouldn't show any favor to any particular religion, and should welcome all religions and beliefs.  If this is truly the case, it gave me a pause to determine the rationale behind the observance of this day.

Let me be clear, and specific.  The historical meaning of Good Friday is this:  Many years ago a hated prophet strolled into Jerusalem riding a donkey, and the people who formerly hated this man were now giving him their praise and honor, welcoming Him to town.  They took off their coats, and laid down palm branches so his donkey wouldn't have to step on the ground.  It was a triumphant return to Jerusalem.  This is called Palm Sunday.  Five days later, these same people "turned their coats", and betrayed this man, and blamed him for speaking out against the religion of the day.  They turned him into their court system, and let the law judge him.  After going through an unfair trial, and being found guilty by men who were false witnesses, this man was sent to the higher court to confirm or deny the previous ruling.  The people then were faced with a choice to free the man and have mercy, or condemn his as they already had.  They chose to let a true criminal go free rather than the innocent man unjustly convicted.  His punishment was death.

They hung the man on a tree after he was scourged almost to death.  They nailed him to a cross which at the time was the most agonizing way to die.  It was public, and all could attend and see the miserable condition in which the person died.

This is called Good Friday.

Why?  Really?  "Good" Friday?

There isn't much good news here, or so it may seem.  If I mentioned dates when Adolf Hitler massacred Jews, and other individuals back in Germany, and referred to that day as any kind of "good", I'd be severly questioned for my word choice, and yet who questions the adjective choice for the date we passed just two days ago?

No one, not even me.

You see, there is a reason why it is good.  Jesus, the man written about above, was the one who was unjustly condemned and murdered.  This had to happen.  Jesus was God come down as a man to rescue his people from sin.  If he wasn't offered to die, yet being innocent of all charges, then there would be no salvation for his people.  That's why its a good day.  The demanded sacrifice was offered willingly, completely, and without spot or blemish to pay the penalty for your sin and mine.

Why then does the world observe this great day?  Don't get me wrong, we should.  We should worship and thank God for completing what he promised by dying on the cross.  However, by taking time to honor this day, do we not as a culture confirm the events of the day, and thus take a stand with what happened?  Are we not agreeing with the reason for the name of "Good" Friday?

It seems to me that there is ample opportunity to speak to the world about Jesus because previous generations have built in words, holidays, traditions based around this man Jesus showing us that not only should we believe what happened, but should also tell others the meaning for the days in our calendar.

Praise God for the sacrifice on Good Friday.  It wasn't a good day, but boy was it a good day.

Hebrews 2:9-10, Hebrews 10:12,

Permission

I drive a lot.  I don't always notice what other drivers are doing, but on a recent day, a thought stuck me as I noticed what this driver was doing.

Now, I won't go through a miniature drivers training education to make a point, but we can probably all agree that turn signals are designed to indicate a move you are going to make.  This is something that I think everyone knows.  My children probably know this already.

So, I'm cruising along on I-94 headed to the office or an appointment, and I am coming up on a car in the lane to my right.  There are three lanes where I was driving, and I was in the middle lane.  The car to my right was pretty far in front of my, but there was a semi in front of her, and she was driving faster than the semi. 

Something has to change in that scenario.  So, what did she do?  She had plenty of time to get in front of me and get around the semi, and get back over if she so chose, but she didn't.  With plenty of room, she turned on her turn signal, and let it blink, blink, blink while I was then faced with a decision.  Do I stay well within my "rights" as a driver, and keep going straight making her pin herself behind the semi, or do I move over, and allow her to make the move she intended to make? 

Most of the time, I don't have much compassion in this scenario, but I did this time.  I moved to the left (using my own turn signal), and allowed the driver to my right, to take my spot in order to get around the semi.

Then, I had this thought:  Many people live their lives in the same manner as this woman used her turn signal.  This signal is designed to indicate a decision that has already been made, and an intended purpose.  If the driver wasn't going to move until after I passed her, then she shouldn't have set the signal before I had passed her.  At least that's what I think.

The way she used her signal was like she was asking for permission to do something with her car that she had every option, right, or choice to exercise.   The signal means, "I'm moving this direction, pay attention", it doesn't mean, "If you'd please move, I would like to get in your lane."

Don't make decisions, and choose things in life in the way that many people use their turn signal.  Make your decision, and have your action meet your decision without asking permission from people who don't have the authority to give you the permission.  Do it. 

Psalm 37:23-24  The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong.  for the LORD upholds his hand.

Proverbs 16:33  The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision if from the LORD.

Romans 11:36  For from him and through him and to him are all things.  To him be glory forever. Amen.

Observation

I spend my time around others just like everyone else.  I see others when I wake up, when I get to work, while I drive, and after I'm done working.  I see others at church, and sporting events, and even at retail stores.  Part of this seeing is observation, and I have started to look more into why others do what they do rather that just what they are doing.  Observation, just as it is part of the scientific process, is valuable for any critical review of another's actions are decision making process.

I have one in mind for discussion.

This one in particular, I have watched for months, and I've seen a lot of others like him.  He is very popular, or seems to be.  Of the group he is included in, he is head and shoulders above the rest.  He really stands out.  In many ways he is more attractive then those around him.  In the day to day details of his life and work, he doesn't really do the hard things that the others around him have to do.  He does seem to be the protector of the others, and has more strength than most.  It seems to me that he knows all this.  He parades around as if he is better, stronger, smarter, and not really part of the others he is with.  Others wait on him, and provide him with meals.  He doesn't clean up anything afterward either.

He has a great ability to be threatening, and can use this threat for his own benefit, or for the benefit of the others he is with.  He can and sometimes does use this skill to defend the others.  I believe he is a "manager" of sorts to them, and they don't seem to mind.  After all, they do need a leader.   

He seems to be better suited for life than the others.  He handles himself proudly, and with confidence.  He is in charge of his domain, you might say, and doesn't compromise for poor behavior.  Others that may be suited for leadership as he is take a back seat to his direction.  He is a good leader.  He has many admirable qualities, and has trust in his methods.  He is a prize specimen.

He seems to know these things, and let them get to his head.  This powerful leader knows he is powerful.  There are some who try to avoid him at any cost becasue of this.

Impressed?  I have been.  This is a resume that is hard to top.

The "one" I am referring to is our "head" rooster.

Let me submit to you that this is the way we think as humans.  We compare ourselves with those around us, and notice the good things we do that are better than others.  From God's perspective, we are just like the rooster who struts around and is bigger, and badder than all the others.  If that rooster came up to you, and detailed his finely prepared resume, you'd look at him, and say, "You're a chicken."  None of his resume matter.  Chickens can't compete with people.  People have nothing, and can't compete with God, no matter how good our "resume" is.

God is so powerful, so compassionate, and so righteous, we would be well served to think of ourselves as a colorful rooster in the service of the King of the Universe.

Carrots and Goals

To my children:
The older you get the more intelligent, crafty, and agile you may become.  In doing so, you will become a valuable asset to others.  Some may seek to aid you in your knowledge base, and others may seek to plug you in somewhere to help them achieve something they are striving for.  This is not necessarily wrong.  Having discernment in these situations is very important.  It is very easy for some dream to become your target when you had not planned on it for yourself.

In school, one good goal would be to make straight A's or be on the honor roll.   Some students couldn't care less while others set aside friendships, sports, and God to accomplish that goal.  If and when it is attained, you may be granted a scholarship to a college.  This trend may repeat for college.

As an athlete in high school, apply yourself to your tasks.  Train as you should, practice your shooting, passing, etc.  Excel here too, and seek to improve at a faster rate than others, but don't get lost here.

In your first job, you will start out doing meanial tasks.  Excel here.  Make no mistake, do your best.  Once you beat the curve or the standard path taken by others, you will be noticed.  Managers will quickly realize your potential and want you on their team.  This is not wrong either.  Grow, and apply yourself, but don't get lost.

As a mother, it may be necessary to prepare your home, take care of children, or make big decisions for the household.  All of these tasks are necessary and proper.  Excell here.  Be a wonderful support system for your husband, and a leader for him when he needs a break or has faltered.

In a few years of breaking through new barriers like these, I have noticed a trend that you should know before you excel as I know you will.

Don't let a good thing blur your focus.  Don't let getting straight A's cloud your judgment on your priorities.  Don't let being a good athlete and having to practice often take over your life.  Don't let a good first job or second job opportunity take you down a road you didn't know you were going.  Don't let being a spouse drag you away from the very spouse you married.

These are not easy to do.  Why?  Most things in life start out as good.  Good intentions, good plans, good bosses/coaches/managers, but focus gets blurred.

Don't ever forget our catechism.  What is the chief end of man?  The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

This is what gets compromised in each of the scenarios above.  A good job provides for your family, helps you establish a 401(k), enables networking with other professionals, but taken too far can compromise your devotion to your God.  If this happens, your job has no value any more.  Straight A's is excellent, and is something that many people can't do, but if you focus entirely on how others grade your work and your behavior, you may find yourself later in life on concerned about others, and not your true purpose.  As your father, I have many responsibilities to provide for you, teach you, allow you to enjoy being a child, but if I focus my fatherhood only on this for you, I am not meeting the requirements of our God, and ultimately fail even though I may have provided every earthly opportunity a father can provide for his child. 

Some of this happens as a result of the general pull of the world.  In 1 Peter 5:8, the Bible explains why the world has a "general pull."  Don't be mistaken, the Devil himself is attacking you in small and large ways to keep you from glorifying God and enjoying Him forever.  He doesn't want you to enjoy anything but the world. 

Some of the good things like having a job, or being an athlete can pull at you in other ways, and may be intentional.  At your job, it will be very difficult to turn down more money.  If you boss wants to keep you around, and knows that you are very good at what you do, He wants to keep you on his team in order to make him more money.  This is the point where you get a raise.  I'm not saying they are bad, but money has a general pull away from God.  The more money you have, the less you will rely on God, and the less you rely on God, the less you glorify Him.  You fail for lack of focus.  Money blurs your vision of who God is and why He granted you life.  Sports has a natural pull.  Imagine you are pretty good at volleyball, soccer, or basketball.  With just a little more practice, your coach may tell you, you could really excell in your game.  You might be the next point guard, captain, or leader of the team.  These are all good things, but be wary.

The Devil uses these good things to cause people to stray.

You can't avoid all these situations.  You will have others.  As you progress in your life, remember who granted life to you, who protects you, and who saved you.  One way to do this is to remember that in 2 Timothy 3:16, God Himself tells you that all Scripture is breathed out by God.  All of the Bible is from the God of the universe, and was given to you so that you would read and know who He is.  It is in knowing who He is that you can protect yourself from the carrots of the world.  Immerse yourself into the Bible.  Without His Word to you, how would you know anything?  How could you make decisions on what paths to take?

Don't blindly trust anyone.  Don't just listen to what I say, read the Bible for yourself.  Use your Bible to help you discern error.  Ask God to help guide you to himself.

I love each of you more than I can describe, and want you to follow Yahweh until the last day.  Glorify Him in every decision, and you'll never want to look back.

Read

I started to read more in 2008.  I know I didn't read many books that year, but of the books I read, they made a great impact on me.  The first was suggested to me at a business meeting from a person who represented Tom Hopkins who is a great salesperson trainer, and has written lots of books.  I didn't read any of those books, but read the one that was suggested, and it is called "The Richest Man in Babylon."  Shortly thereafter, we were at the bookstore for reasons that I can't explain, and I found a book entitled "The Millionaire Next Door", and purchased that one.  Reading these two books helped Sarah and I decide to sell our home in Kalamazoo.  That has turned out to be the best decision we have ever made related to finances.  Those two books helped greatly.
Since 2008, I have sought to read more pages each year, and in 2009, 2010, and 2011, I have done so.  Reaching only 2,000 pages in 2009, I felt good, and in 2010, read over 3,000.  Last year, I was very aggressive, and read about 7,500 or so. 
Those two original books stand out; however, the value of reading has become so obvious to me that I feel that I must stress it to anyone who might hear.  There is so much knowledge to be gained by reading- especially about other historical figures.  One very practical benefit is to not make the same mistakes that these people have made.  We can also strive to attain the levels of success they made in their respective lives. 
It has become apparent to me that the people I see in my job every day (30-40 new people weekly) don't know a lot of things about the past.  This is troubling to me.
by reading a little bit in a few short years, I know things that people twice my age don't know because I read them.

Knowledge just for the sake of having knowledge is meaningless.  The application of such knowledge adds the true value to reading books.  This is the value that you can't attain by just living your life.

In other words, why would you want to live your life not having lived before, and just take a stab at it, and know that if you make a mistake(s), you can't go back and redo it?  Wouldn't you want to read some kind of instruction manual from another person to help you do better on this, your only chance of success?  Isn't it entirely illogical to try living any other way?

I'm afraid many people live like this.  It aids them in taking bad advice, parenting poorly, investing foolishly, and making a mess of things. 

With some foresight that can only be gained by taking the advice of other people, one can avoid many pitfalls.  Reading helps a person get this valuable advice. 

Talking to your peers feels good, and seems to make sense; however, what do they know?  They are your peers.  If they are as old as you, they know about the same as you with varying degrees. 
Do talk to people, but in addition, read, and compare those thoughts from your friend to a book that is 100 years old. 

I read a book from an author who wrote his book in AD 400.  What a wonderful change of perspective that book had on me.  Thinking about thoughts from 1700 years ago was a challenge, and full of benefits.

The main book to read is the Bible.  This is God's message to each of us.  One to not just be a guidebook, but it does work that way as well.  The Bible is mainly to teach you about God.  Knowing who He truly is will aid any endeavor you may set out to accomplish.  Why would you want to try living your one life without it?  If you think a book that was written in AD 400 is old, try the Bible!

The Bible says that in the multitude of counselors, one can receive sound advice.  Leaning on books to be your counselor in addition to your peers is a goldmine.

Dig into history, and don't forget the Bible.  Set a goal to read more in 2012 than you did in 2011, and next year, make the same goal for the following year. 

Top four books since 2008
The Bible
The Richest Man in Babylon
The Millionaire Next Door
The Creature from Jekyll Island