Category Archives: Scripture
What’s the right price for faith?
It’s been almost two years since we bought this house. It’s a beautiful house. Spacious. Traditional. Inviting. It enchanted us then and charms us still. And yet we watch as other homes enter the ever-dropping market. Bigger homes with sprawling properties, all now listed at much lower prices, seem to shine a light on the flaws of our place. Our eyes wander and we wonder if we made the right choice. Should we have waited? Should we have offered less? How much could we get for how little?
Everybody loves a bargain. We want to get as much as we can for as little as possible. Faith seems no exception. As I sat in church on Sunday reading through John 12, I questioned my stinginess.
We often glaze over the first eight verses of this chapter. Being all caught up in Holy Week and looking forward to the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord, we diminish Mary’s offering.
James Pauls • photographer
Yeah, she poured out perfume on Jesus’ feet and his head. Yup, the disciples complained that it was a waste of resources, especially Judas, but everyone knew he was a thief anyway. Yadda, yadda, we know, we know.
One little bit of this passage, however, caught me this week and refuses to let go. Judas says that the pure nard — Think the “real” stuff, no imitations here. This was Grade A, imported, expensive product. — could have been sold for three hundred denarii. Okay. So what?
Well, that’s equal to a year’s wages.
When was the last time you poured out a year’s wages for Christ?
I can’t think of a single time in my twenty years as a believer that I have made such a sacrifice.
Some may protest claiming that, well, that was a day-laborer’s wages and so it really didn’t account for that much. Perhaps. Today that might translate to $26K, more or less. To some that’s not a lot. To others, it’s a trove of riches! Regardless, it was a lot to her. It was a lot to the disciples witnessing its “waste.” By attempting to quantify the value, we’re once again trying to see how much we can get for how little. If we know the exact amount, we can make sure we’re not giving too much – right? What’s the best bargain we can get for full faith?
I don’t want to skimp on my devotion to God. I want to give Him all that I have.
Worship is never a waste. We can never give too much. And we can never give too early.
Another part of this story hit me this week. Mary had saved this for Jesus’ burial. In Sunday’s sermon our pastor questioned why she didn’t use it for her brother’s burial just prior. She clearly loved Lazarus, but she saved her best for Jesus. The plan was to honor Him at His death, but that night she chose not to wait any longer. A week later would have poured out her treasure on a corpse. That night she was able to pour it out on Life.
I don’t want to wait to until the “right time” to give everything to God. By doing so, I might miss my chance and forfeit even greater treasure.
Your Turn: What are you pouring out for God? It doesn’t have to be a year’s worth of time or money, but it should be your best. How do you offer Him pure, top-notch, Grade-A worship?
Like this:
He never lets go.
“Oh, my soul overflows! Oh, what love … perfect love that never lets go.”
Today I am consumed with gratitude that, even in the face of all my failures, all my flaws, all my arrogance and weaknesses, God has never stopped loving me. How absolutely amazing is that?
Amazing. Awesome. Tremendous … No one word is sufficient.
A few weeks ago I shared my testimony at a Ladies Tea at Hawthorne Gospel Church in New Jersey. There I shared the verses that led me to surrender my life to God.
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 8:38-39 (NET)
Reading those verses at age fifteen I realized that if none of those things, all of which are more powerful than me, can separate me from God’s love, than who am I to even try?
I’ve made a lot of mistakes over the past twenty years, but you know what? The same God who loved me then, still loves me now. The ferocity with which He pursues me strikes me with awe. I don’t get it. But I accept it. And am so very, very grateful.
That same love extends to you. Have you accepted it? Truly, sincerely let it sink into your soul? If not, I pray you will.
Your turn: What truth of God consistently overwhelms you? How does God’s love for you affect your everyday life?
Jephthah’s Story (Judges 10-12)
We continue our study in Judges with the story of Jephthah, a fella with a rough background, a dysfunctional family and the humility to overcome it all.
Humility to overcome trials? Yup.
Usually we think of strength and tenacity when we talk of victors, but not this time. A major point in Jephthah’s story is how he overcame by obedience to God. He didn’t use privilege, excuses, power or force. God used Jephthah because of his humble availability and faithful submission. Jephthah serves as an example of fully trusting God’s sovereignty despite our circumstances, our fears or even our hopes for the future.
Before I get into details and applications, I encourage you to read the entire text of this week’s focus: Judges 10-12. We can talk all we want, but we must start at the Source.
Here we go again.
- Judges 10:10—16
God is awesome. That fact simply cannot be missed in this section of Scripture.
He appears here as the merciful, gracious, long-suffering Father. He has already rescued the Israelites again and again. I’m not talking about Egypt, Moses, the Red Sea or even wandering in the desert or conquering Jericho. He has rescued them dozens of times just here in the book of Judges! God’s faithfulness is matched in consistency only by human forgetfulness. In this passage, the Israelites cry out to Him again.
I must admit, I like seeing God close to the end of His patience here. As a parent, I struggle to be long-suffering with my kids, and, frankly, while reading the book of Judges (after reading the years of complaining in Joshua and before), I’ve grown short on patience with the Israelites, too.
On the other hand, I am exceedingly grateful that our God offers second chances. And third chances. And one-hundred-ninety-seventh chances. How amazing is that??
His grace extends to those who are forgetful and to those who are faithful. Like Jephthah.
Jephthah
- Judges 11-12
- Hebrews 11:32
The son of a prostitute disowned by his half-brothers, Jephthah came from a dysfunctional family. He likely had a rough childhood that led to a difficult adulthood. But he didn’t use those as fodder for a victim mentality. Instead he stood up as a man of faith, one willing to serve God even for the benefit of those who had betrayed and abandoned him. It reminds me of Joseph back in Genesis.
Before rising up to save those family members who had harmed him, Jephthah made a vow to God. Most people in this situation would like make a vow that if God helped them win, they would lord it over all those annoying brothers and their families for all time. Not this guy. He vowed that the first thing to come out of his house upon a victorious return would be given to God. So instead of securing his own glory and future, Jephthah promised to greater glory to God. Unfortunately for Jephthah (and his family), the first thing to greet him was his only child, his unmarried daughter.
Now it may have been a foolish vow, but he made it anyway. More importantly, after conquering the Ammonites, Jephthah chose to keep that vow, even at great personal sacrifice. He could have backed out or tried to manipulate God (as if that were possible) with some excuse of “But I didn’t know!” Rather than seeking a loophole, Jephthah kept his word. He was a man of honor, one who trusted that God completely.
- What in my background or my present do I use as an excuse for not fully following God?
God is our merciful Father, but He is also the Great Reverser of fortunes. When Jephthah kept his vow, he surrendered his future. His security. By all human expectations, that should have been the end for him. He should have been forgotten upon his death. But a thousand years after his death, he was still remembered. Not just remembered, but listed in the great Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11.
“For this is what the Lord says: ‘For the eunuchs who observe my Sabbaths and choose what pleases me and are faithful to my covenant, I will set up within my temple and my walls a monument that will be better than sons and daughters. I will set up a permanent monument for them that will remain.”
– Isaiah 56:4–5
Through those who are faithful, God can build an everlasting legacy greater than anything accomplished through mere human efforts. He’s not limited to human understanding or means.
So Jephthah never had sons. He had a God greater than sons and his faithfulness to this God secured his future. An everlasting future.
- What great reversals have you witnessed?
Do’s and Don’ts of Deciphering the Will of God
DO remember that God is far more concerned with our character than our addresses or job titles. His purposes for you are likely to focus more on who you are to be rather than what you are to do.
DO investigate what the Bible says about the topic. If God’s Word offers clear direction, follow it!
DON’T test God with a “fleecing” when He has already made His Will known in Scripture. If He has already made it clear, asking for a miraculous confirmation is not only delayed obedience, it is doubt and disobedience. His will for you will never contradict Scripture.
DO seek wise counsel from trusted, mature believers. Talking to your closest friends is great, but if they’re still “baby” Christians, they may lack the wisdom to help you see God’s plans for you.
DON’T seek advice only from people you know will agree with you. This isn’t guidance, but flattery.
DO pray about it. Lots. And LISTEN to what God may say to you.
DON’T believe that the mere act of praying about something justifies whatever action you want to take. “Oh, I prayed about it, so it must be what God wants.” This type of thinking is very, very dangerous. If praying about something instantly guarantees the right decision, then, in theory, we can easily pray about everything and never make wrong decisions. That belief alleviates us of personal responsibility and gives a get-out-of-jail-free card to every bad choice. It’s immature. It’s bad doctrine.
DO think. We should pray AND think! Sometimes God expects us to do crazy things that defy human logic (as in Gideon’s case). Often, though, the wisdom He gives is compatible with logic. Look around you. Do you have other believers confirming your direction? Or are they all wondering what in the world you’re doing? Does the course of action you are considering align with other common threads in your life or does it take a u-turn from where God has already led you? Pros and cons lists can be very helpful. God does give us wisdom; wisdom frequently involves logic. Use the wisdom He gives by thinking through your situation and your options carefully.
DO SOMETHING. A lack of specific, audible instruction from God does not warrant a lack of action. Yes, we should wait upon the Lord, but you can still do something while you wait.
Scripture to Discover:
The entire book of Ephesians is a great place to start learning about the will of God. As I tried to pinpoint specific passages that would speak on this topic, I found that I couldn’t prune down the list to a few simple verses. So I strongly encourage you to read the whole book. Specifically, take note of Ephesians 4:22–24 and 5:6–17.
Also, take a moment to look up 1 Thessalonians 4:3 and Romans 12:2.
More Resources
- 10 Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe by Larry Osbourne: Multnomah Books, 2009.
- God’s Guidance: Finding His Will for Your Life by Elisabeth Elliot: Revel, 2006 (2nd ed.).
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On Gideon (Judges 6–9)
We’ve made it halfway through our study on the book of Judges! I hope you’re all still with us. If you’re new to this series of posts, scroll back a bit through past posts to see anything you may have missed.
This week we’re covering Judges 6–9. The whole section centers on Gideon, his battles and his sons. Gideon’s story often raises questions about how to decipher the will of God. Before we get to that application, however, we need to talk about the facts of the story. (We will talk about deciphering God’s will on Saturday. Be sure to come back then to join in that discussion!)
I’ll not recount Gideon’s whole story here. It’s far more effective for you to read the passage yourself. (You can do that HERE.) It won’t take terribly long. I promise.
Gideon
Let’s make some observations. What did Gideon do right? What did he do wrong?
Gideon obeyed God, even in the details that defied human logic. It took him a while to get there, but he did eventually get there, in spite of the crazy instructions he was given.
Seriously, God? You want to diminish the army until we’re outnumbered 450 to 1? And our weapons will be torches, trumpets and clay pots? Can’t we have some swords? Maybe even a decent ox goad or a woman with a tent spike?
It’s possible Gideon thought all these things, but that’s not recorded for us. What is recorded is that he eventually did exactly what God told him to do. Read the rest of this entry
J with the J: Intro
I wish I were a rapper. Well, not really, but a title like that makes me wish I had at least some rhythmic skills to speak of. I don’t. I can’t even clap and sing at the same time. My daughter — God bless her! — has inherited my distinct “whiteness” and yet, thanks to The Electric Company, is convinced she has a career as a beat-boxer. Oh, Shock, you have no idea what you’ve inspired.
And with that lovely and not-at-all relevant segue, let’s talk about Judges!
(This post is part of a series. Those not privy may want to see where it started. Click here.)
Last week I started a study on the book of Judges. Our first meeting consisted mostly of logistics: handing out workbooks, discussing the schedule, introducing one another and the topic. The real meat and potatoes will start at our next gathering which will be on September 28th. (We’ll have the online discussion on the 29th.)
First things first: What is our purpose? Why do this?
Sounds like a simple question, right? Well, yes, until you acknowledge how many questions are hidden within those two little ones. Let’s take a closer look. Read the rest of this entry
Java with the Judges
Do you want to do a Bible study with me? C’mon. Say “yes.” I know you want to.
This blog has hosted series about specific Biblical characters (Bathsheba, for one) or hot topics (like prayer). We also did the two-year Read with Me Challenge which encouraged accountability with daily devotions and Scripture reading goals. But we’ve never done an actual, interactive Bible study. I think it’s time.
Last night I kicked off a new study. A small group of women will be gathering at my home twice a month to dive into Scripture, specifically the book of Judges. However, a number of people can’t make it. They live too far away; the night doesn’t work with their schedule; there are lots of reasons. So we’re expanding the group with an online extension, and we would love to have you join us.
Here’s how this will work.
- We all get the same workbook. (More on that in a minute.)
- We do the homework individually.
- The in-house group will meet and discuss twice a month.
- I will post here the morning after each meet. For copyright reasons I cannot divulge too much from the actual workbook study, so my posts will consist of extra material I add to the study and highlights from the group discussion the night before.
- Everyone (in-house and online) can then engage in a lively discussion via the comments section.
Sound good?
If you’re in, get yourself a copy of Sandra Glahn’s Java with the Judges. Your local Christian bookstore should have it. If they can’t get it for you, you can purchase it online at Amazon.com or Christianbook.com.
The study is designed with daily readings throughout the week and encourages once a week group meetings. We’re stretching it out a bit. You’ll have two weeks to do one week’s worth of “homework.” This makes it very, very do-able, even for those of us with chaotic, overbooked schedules.
Our in-house group will meet the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. Our online discussions will be the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. With six “weeks” of study, we’ll be done before Christmas.
I’ll post some more about last night’s meeting soon. In the meantime, please allow the Fabulous Bentley Brothers to introduce you to our Bible book of choice.
The new leg of our adventure
I am still processing the events of yesterday, so my thoughts here may seem stilted or a bit jumbled. It is what it is, folks.
On Tuesday I posted on many things including my disillusionment with doctors and this whole cast business. I told you how we likely would not get the cast off until the middle of August. Believing that, we prepped ourselves for yesterday’s appointment by stifling hope and planning to seek additional opinions if necessary. But things didn’t happen as we expected.
After Zach had his x-rays, we corralled both kids into the tiny examination room and simultaneously steeled ourselves for the doctor’s assessment. Instead of his usual demeanor, the doc entered the room with a smile and proclaimed “It’s the day we’ve been waiting for!”
We weren’t ready; we weren’t prepared, but we were willing.
What happened next involved a lot of screaming and crying from both kids. That saw is LOUD. And then more screaming and crying. After being bound for nearly ten weeks, Z was quite uncomfortable with his new liberty. The crying lasted until we got home and then throughout the bath and getting dressed.
The same questions repeatedly rise.
Is he walking? No. In fact, he hasn’t even put weight on it yet. He’s very nervous about bending the newly healed leg, but when he’s not thinking about it, he does move it around. His train table served as a beautiful motivator. He has confirmed that the break location doesn’t hurt at all. It’s just his knee and muscles that hurt. They’re stiff and sorely out of practice.
Is it totally off or does he have a smaller cast? It’s totally off. We don’t have a splint or anything other than a prescription for a pediatric walker, should he need it.
How does it look? Skinny, sore, and kinda gross. You know all the dead skin that naturally exfoliates during baths and while you sleep? Imagine that piling up over ten weeks with nowhere to go. It’s kinda nasty, and now it’s floating in my tub, flaking off my son and leaving a soft, thick layer on all our sheets. In addition, the lack of sunshine has left him looking a touch gray in color.
When do you start physical therapy? Hopefully next week. We’re still waiting for a confirmed appointment.
What now? Well, this is definitely not the end of our adventure, just a new phase of it. Our job now is to get his courage and confidence up while his muscles regain their strength and memory. School starts in less than five weeks. It would be fantastic he were walking independently by then, including doing stairs. If not, though, we will need wisdom to know how what steps to take.
And that’s the story. Life is never boring, is it?
This all happened “so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead. He delivered us … and He will deliver us!”
“We have set our hope on Him that He will deliver us yet again, as you also join in helping us by prayer, so that many people may give thanks to God on our behalf for the gracious gift given to us through the help of many.” (2 Corinthians 1:9b-11)
Praise be to HIM forever and ever! Amen!
How to be Outstanding
“Dear brothers and sisters, be firm. Do not be moved! Always be outstanding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
… to the extent that God has blessed you.
… because a door of great opportunity stands wide open for me, but there are many opponents.
Stay alert, stand firm in the faith show courage, be strong. Everything you do should be done in love.”
Last week I finished reading 1 Corinthians. The quotes above come from 15:58, 16:2, 9, 13-14, all quoted in the NET.
Before I go any further, please understand that I’ve not quoted the verses in their entirety, not even entirely in context. (Click here to read the full chapters.) In order to fully study and understand Scripture, we MUST read it in context, both literary and cultural.
Sometimes, though, God seems to highlight sections of Scripture. He makes them brighter for individuals for specific reasons. The parts I quoted above are the portions that jumped off the page at me last week.
Zach’s care (since his accident) has completely consumed me. I’m not complaining. Please understand that. But I have been overwhelmed, overwhelmed to the point that I sometimes just go through the motions knowing that I have so much to do and I don’t keep moving I won’t get it all done. Believing — or perhaps fearing — that if I take time to process our situation or my feelings about it or the toll it is taking on us, I’ll miss something. The balls I’ve so carefully arranged into moving suspension will tumble to the ground. Read the rest of this entry
Living in a Winter Wonderland
I really wish that all you who don’t live near here could see how tremendously beautiful all this snow is! It’s just amazing!
Yes, there are down sides. After experiencing approximately 60″ of snowfall this season, the local schools are forced to eat away our spring breaks and summer vacations. Public transportation is suffering to stay on schedule and, in some cases, on the roads at all. Our state budgets … well, let’s just not go there.
I resolved this year to not complain about winter. If you know me at all, you know cold is not my friend. I would much rather sweat out 100+ degree temps and high humidity than have to sit through a dry, bitter winter. But I’ve been teaching my kids Philippians 2:14–16.
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” (NIV)
As Zach and I shoveled another four inches off the driveway yesterday morning, I felt convicted that perhaps my life didn’t clearly evidence the truth of what I preach to them. I started singing a song based on these verses. That song tumbled into another based on Philippians 4:4.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (NIV)
A funny thing happened. As I sang those songs and watched my son joyfully toss shovels of snow on to our ever-increasing mound, I wasn’t even tempted to complain. I looked around me and simply praised God for all He has done for us, for all He has given me.
It’s true: I still am not fond of the cold. I rather like being able to feel my fingers and toes, and I really should buy stock in all the lotions I tear through each January, but … But I feel so blessed. And I can honestly praise God for this perpetually shaken snowglobe in which I now live.
