Night is Coming

John Chapter 9

Scripture:
 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.  As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.  While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”  (John 9:1-5) New International Version


Observation:
This section of scripture starts out saying: "Jesus saw a man blind from birth."  I have so much more I'd like to say about this section of scripture, this wonderful story; but my time is limited in this format.  So, I'm only highlighting the first verse.  Please take the time to put this all into context and read today's Chapter.  Look at who Jesus is talking to, the light he sheds on the situation and laugh along with this plucky and intelligent man who though brought low through circumstances, got to tweak the Pharisees nose a bit.

It is part of our human nature to be uncomfortable with disabilities or strangeness.  It's much more common to let our eyes slide off and not be caught looking, we don't want to stare.  We don't know what to say.  We know that the people who live with and suffer through disabilities are in pain of one kind or another, if not physical pain then the social pain of being outside of the community's norms.  We don't know what to say or how to respond and we don't want to be disrespectful.  Also, we are aware on some level that they likely have been dealing with this reaction from others their whole life and might not respond well to our curiosity or our pity.  So we move on.  We slide by and avoid eye contact.

Jesus didn't.

The verse says "he saw him".  He was moved and engaged by this man's extreme poverty and perseverance.  We know this because the passage says his parents could no longer care for him and so day after day he begged in the street.  

Because Jesus stopped and took a good look at him, the disciples stopped and looked as well.  The disciples jumped in with a question, thinking this could be a teaching moment.  Obligingly, Jesus stepped in and taught them a lesson about SEEING people and making the most of every opportunity while it is still day, because night is coming.

Then to prove the truth in the metaphor, he reaches out and with the dust of the earth (an echo of creation), he makes a paste of it and puts it on the mans eyes.  As he is telling his disciples that he is the light of the world, he heals this blind beggar, whom the rest of the world dismissed and saw no value in, and provided light to eyes that had never before known anything but darkness.

Application:
I don't know where you are in your walk of life.  I don't know what burdens you shoulder, what demons chase you, or what disability you may have... But let me encourage you to know that He SEES you.  You matter to Him, and he longs to heal you of the darkness that blinds.

Prayer:
Thank you, Lord, for being our light, for seeing us.  Night is coming, help us use every opportunity to reveal who you are and show your work in the world around us.  Amen.

Woman at the well.

John Chapter 4 

Scripture: 

“Woman,”  Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.  Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.  God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” 

The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 

Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”  (John 4:21-26) 

Observation: 

The custom of the day said that this conversation shouldn't have even happened for at least two reasons.  1) Jews didn't talk to Samaritans.  2) Men didn't talk to women unless their husbands were present.   

In spite of that, what follows is the longest recorded dialogue between two people.  The unnamed woman came to the well to draw water in the heat of the day rather than the morning when all the rest did; likely to avoid the shame or nasty comments made by her judgmental neighbors.  While there, she meets Jesus, who addressed the deeper thirst she had for love, acceptance, and life.  While she deflected and demurred through the conversation, pointing out their differences, even to the basics of where they worshiped - Jesus broke all the cultural barriers to reach a woman who desperately needed truth. 

Application: 

What do we deflect about when we are talking to God?  We can get so caught up in the traditions, cultures and social implications of a topic or a current event "hot button" that we miss the truth. Today it's impossible for Jesus to happen across us at the water cooler at work.  But it's not impossible for the Holy Spirit to have a conversation with us, and unlock truths when we seek Him.  Ask the Spirit to teach you the deep things of God (1st Cor. 2:10). 

This woman, when her life story was revealed and God reached her, went to those neighbors she'd avoided that morning and introduced them to the Savior.  What will you do with the truths you are confronted with? 

Prayer: 

Lord, I pray today for the ones who feel alone at the well.  I pray for your Spirit to confront them with truth and love, and that they would have the courage to then take you back to their neighbors.  Amen! 

God's Bonsai Tree

1st Peter Chapter 4 

Scripture: 

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?  (1 Peter 4:12-17) 

Observation: 

Every time in the past when I'd read this verse I'd always thought that it didn't really apply to me.  Suffer? I haven't suffered!  Not like the apostles did during the diaspora.  Not like the martyrs in other countries who go to jail and are killed for their faith. 

But today, this chapter hits me when I am struggling with just how different my life is through Christ,  from the dysfunction of the family I'd been raised in.  I won't go into the details (I'm sure you can supply ample variations from your own.)  But THAT’S the point I want to get to for you today.  Give yourself a moment to reflect on your life.  What areas of your life are changed because you've said "yes" to God and "no" to the world?   

If you don't have any spiritual  conflict at all, then you may want to look closely at the quality of the commitment you've made to God.  If you are doing it right, parts of your sinful self should be hitting the pruning floor, like God's bonsai tree. 

Application: 

The application will look different for each of us.  Are you not currently facing conflict for living the Christ-life we are called to live?  Then maybe you need to reach out to your community and shine your light in the dark.  

 Or maybe you need to examine how deep you've chosen to be with Christ and you might need to go "all in" and submit to the pruning shears so the gardener can remove the sin in your life.   

Or maybe you are like me, struggling with relationships that are destructive and you have to let go of your own hurt, forgive them, and figure out what it looks like in your situation to love God first and then your neighbor (or family).    

Prayer: 

 Lord, I'm still working on the rejoicing part.  Today I'm not feeling it.  My head knows it, my heart really wants to experience it, and the act of speaking it does help my head and heart reconnect to you. I am not ashamed of being yours, and I am glad that you've redeemed me from the life I would have lead without you.  Judge my heart and my intentions, Father.  Prune the selfishness from me.   I pray you use that supernatural power that comes from being attached to you and your glory, and shine through me in my brokenness and hurt into my family, my neighbors, who need forgiveness and healing.  Please do a work inside of me, a healing of me, so that you can then work through me to heal the world. Amen. 

Judgement Call

II John Chapter 1 

Scripture: 

I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.  (2 John 1:7-11) 

Observation: 

This is the only book in the bible that was written to a woman.  From what I gather, she had a home church (likely in Ephesus) and some men had come to her with a teaching different than what had originally been taught.  She had a doctrinal question, which she sent to John in a letter and this book is his response.   

Specifically, he was answering her question, but there are things he has to say to her that we can use as guidelines for our general purposes when it comes to dealing with teachers who "go beyond" as John says in this letter and preach or teach anything that isn't already established through Christ. 

His advice?  "Do not loose what you have worked for"  John nudges her to "remember what you were taught".  This particular letter doesn't go into the doctrinal teaching itself, but references it.  He encourages her to test the things they are saying against what she already knows to be true.  If they teach anything besides Christ as coming to us in the flesh she isn't to welcome them at all, or she'll be guilty by association. 

Application: 

So how does this relate to you and me?  Have you ever heard someone preaching something that just doesn't sit well with you?  Have you ever had doctrinal questions and just weren't sure what to do about it?  John says to compare it to truth, compare it to what you have been taught already concerning Christ and Him coming in the flesh and going to the cross.  The bible is written by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and should be the thing you test all preaching against.  If what you are hearing doesn't measure up to what it says then you should do a hard thing;  something that the current culture is trying to politically correct you out of embracing... 

… you have to make a judgment call. 

Yes, you heard me right.  Judgment.  Not tolerance.  Don't welcome unsound teaching into your thoughts or  into your home. 

Some might challenge me on this and say "Aren't we supposed to just love each other?  Aren't we supposed to be tolerant and not judgmental?"   Tolerance isn't a virtue.  It just means you don't stand up for things any more.  Truth, as found in scripture, is an area that we MUST stand firm on! 

I urge you, brothers and sisters, to know the truth.  Read the word to know the difference between God's truth and the world's lies.  The enemy's job is to confuse you and cloud the truth so that you can't tell the difference any more between Christ's teaching and the deceiver's. 

Prayer: 

Lord, I pray you give us clarity of thought, that your truths would stand out in scripture like they were painted in neon!  Help us use Godly wisdom and discernment when reading it - and then give us the courage to follow you. Taking a stand and being bold are radical things to do in the world we live in today and we desperately need your help to walk a straight path. 

Choosing to Shine

1st John Chapter 1 

Scripture: 

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1st John 1:7) 

Observation: 

I'd like to talk about the word picture that's being used here.  "Light" is a very common illustration when talking about God, His goodness, Jesus, and the Word.  It's all over scripture and I am tempted to just run a long list of where you can find those verses in order to help you make those linkages and see the depth of this metaphor.  But I won't, any good search engine or concordance can do the same thing, so I won't take up your time here.  But please don't let that stop you from mining the riches of scripture and seeing it for yourself.  Nothing substitutes for the Holy Spirit instructing you directly through the word.  Nothing.   

The Greek word that is used for light in this passage is phos.  It's got two uses, one as a physical light - as in a lamp, a star, or anything that sheds light.  The second one is more metaphorical and is associated with the nature of God, because of the attributes of truth, knowledge, purity, transparency, and the power of understanding. 

Application: 

But don't forget that beginning this verse starts out with an "if".  We have the choice of following HIS way or our own.  So, I ask you, does this metaphor carry out into your own life?  Would you agree with this passage that says He is the light and without Him we live in darkness?  It's easy to overlook the boldness in the words when it's prettied up in lyrical phrases - but this is pretty bold statements!   

Here is the challenge I'd like to leave with you today:  How do you answer those who do not agree with this statement that John makes?  We are called to have an answer for the hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15).    

Have you thought about it?  Do you know what you would say if someone asked you why you believe the way you do?   

There are many resources to draw from to help you articulate it into words, sometimes all you need is someone to bounce things off of.  I invite you to reply to this post and share the hope that you have.  Tell us how you answer this bold statement about being light in a dark world and communicating that to the people around you.  if you don't have a ready answer, let us be your sounding board for finding your own voice. 

Prayer: 

Lord give us courage to be transparent in our life, so that you can shine through us.  Help us to confess our sins to you and to each other so that the world is never confused about the differences between a sinner like me and the Holy God who also lives inside me.  The word says that no one hides a light under a basket, but they set it uncovered and high so that it lights up the entire room.  As believers we should be like a city on a hill, shining where everyone can see it.  Lord, help us be prepared to share the gospel and not hide it, especially in these dark times.  Amen. 

What Shapes Your Worldview?

2 Timothy Chapter 3 

Scripture: 

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  (2 Tim. 3:16-17 NIV) 

Observation: 

This little bit of scripture, tiny as it is, should be one of the first things all Christians confront upon their conversion to the faith.  How we perceive this statement of Paul's, the veracity, acceptance, and acting upon it - shapes our world view.  Because if we believe this statement, then everything else in our paradigm MUST shift.  Why do I say that?  Because HE is God and until we stumble over this truth, we live out the belief that we are in charge - regardless of what we may say. 

There is a logic I want to connect in there: today's post modern world makes the assumption that truth isn't absolute, rather it's defined by the individual, and that the author's intent is arbitrary; it only matters what we choose to take from it. 

This needs to be clear and it's one of two reasons WHY new Christians should be brought here upon conversion:  The written word of God is truth.   

Truth is not subjective, open to our own spin or understanding of it - rather our understanding will shift and mature over time to conform to IT.  The word of God is true, because He is true.  We are not.  In fact, we will spend the rest of our natural lives picking out the lies we were steeped in and constantly submitting our wrong selves to His righteousness.   

Here's the other reason new Christians should be brought here: After you have confronted the authority of the scriptures you have to square with the authors.  It's fact that he used imperfect people to reveal His truth, and inspired them to write that truth, even as they also had to learn over time to obey it as well. (Rom. 7 is a good example of what I am talking about)  Can you trust that a perfect God can use imperfect people to perform His work even as they must battle their own sinful natures to conform to it too? 

It's one of the many reasons He sent his Son, so that he could testify to the truth (John 18:37).  Written scripture and prophesy confirmed the validity of who Jesus was.  The promises God made to human kind were recorded in scripture. Jesus constantly pointed the teachers of the law back to what was written in those promises so that he could keep his word.  And after he ascended into heaven, he sent the Spirit of Truth to help us know the difference between the truth and the lie, because the Spirit only speaks what he hears (John 16:13) - He is the Word that makes us true. 

Application: 

Are you studying what the word says?  It's our first avenue to understanding the heart of God.  Do you actively obey and use the scripture for it's intended purposes as stated in the scripture above?  Knowing scripture  isn't what gets you into heaven; as the verse states, it equips you for the work.  So the implied final question is... are you doing the work? 

Prayer: 

Daddy, help us be true like you are.  Help us understand the scripture so that we can know you better and be useful in the work.  Amen.